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Lights, roadwork highlight Long County work session
Long Co Courthouse

The Long County Board of Commissioners discussed the cost of lighting athletic fields and road conditions during a work session Tuesday.

The projected total cost of recreation lights is $184,000 over three years.

Commissioners Chairman Dwight Gordon led the discussion.

Commissioners Vice Chairman Clifford Deloach reported that there would be no penalty for early payout of a loan to put up the lights. Gordon said the variable loan interest needs to be tied to “current market” rates.

Commissioner Gerald Blocker said he does not think the rates will fluctuate much.  

The commissioners noted increasing interest in recreational soccer. As a result, Deloach said, a couple of ball fields are expected to be converted to soccer fields.

The discussion turned to unpaved roads. The commissioners decided that having a county truck spray dirt roads periodically would cut down on the need for the roads to be graded.

Blocker noted problems on his road, as did Gordon. They added that the county had not bought any heavy equipment in years, and none during their terms.

Gordon said now is a good time to buy equipment because the county can receive state and federal funds for equipment and road repairs. He said that before the present commissioners’ tenure, the county had not qualified for such funding. In effect, he reported, that problem has been “fixed.”

Bear Road easement improvements were also discussed, with commissioners determined that residents along that road be informed of a need for ditches and other improvements. Commissioner Robert Long recommended that residents be told of plans for the ditches, and other commissioners agreed. They plan a public hearing.

County Librarian Tammy Goober told the commissioners of the library’s upcoming summer reading program. Commissioner Willie Frank Thompson spoke of the June 18 Junteenth Jubilee in Ludowici. This will be the first observance of the annual nationwide celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation for Ludowici and Long County.

Thompson said trash cans are needed at the Jubilee site, the park at Main and Walker streets.

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