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Long rec pond is for fishing rodeos only
Long Co Rec Dept Pond
The Long County Recreation Department pond has been attracting some anglers, but the county commission wants to put a stop to it. - photo by Photo by Mike Riddle

The Long County Commission on Feb. 11 approved a policy governing use of the fishing pond at the recreation complex.
Recreation Department Director Henry Strickland brought a policy to the commission that he and the recreation advisory board put together. The policy stated that the pond will be for children’s usage based upon approval by the director and the advisory board.
It also said there will be periodic fishing rodeos for kids, but that there will be no public, private or unscheduled fishing at the site.  
According to Strickland, any person or group wanting to use the pond and the surrounding facilities must submit a request in writing. He said that a copy of the new policy would be posted at the recreation complex.   
Strickland also reported that the county’s 4-H Club will continue to operate the concession stand at the complex during games.
He also said that the recreation department will host the Georgia Recreation Park Association district basketball tournament Feb. 27-March 1 at Long County Middle School. The tournament is for the midget and junior boys’ age groups.
Commissioners passed an ordinance to establish a historic-preservation commission in the county. The new commission will have a board consisting of at least three members who will promote and seek to preserve the county’s heritage.
The board also will be responsible for enhancing opportunities for federal-tax relief under the Economic Recovery Tax Act, which allows tax-investment credits for making contributions toward historic remodeling projects.
Though the new board will oversee all of these actions, the commissioners will have ultimate oversight. The measure passed, 4-1, with Chairman Robert Long, Vice Chairman Kent Hall and commissioners Dwight Gordon and Gerald Blocker voting in favor. Commissioner Willie Thomson voted in opposition. Anyone who wants to serve on the board can pick up an application at the courthouse.
In other business, developer Trevor Sikes went before the commissioners and asked what his next step is to have the county assume the roads at Mill Pond subdivision. He said that he had been maintaining them since 2007. County Attorney Jay Swindell said he needs to have an engineer certify that the roads are compliant with county requirements. As soon as Sikes does that, Swindell said, the county will have an engineer do the same thing, and then the county can take the roads.
Mill Pond resident Eric Crawford asked that the public be notified before the county assumes the roads. He was told no, because the action has to be approved in a scheduled commissioners’ meeting.
The commissioners promoted Vanessa Horne to assistant supervisor of the elections and voter-registration offices under supervisor Kierra Hamilton. They also appointed Susan Hunt to a seat on the tax assessor’s board.
Long said that the resurfacing work on Tibet and Macedonia roads should be completed by April. He also said he went to Atlanta to discuss getting funding for widening Highway 301. He also reported that the commission had been working with the Long County Development Authority to bring new businesses into the county.
Long reported that the mold-removal project at the courthouse should be finished by the end of the month, and all employees will return to their regular offices.

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