At the Long County/Ludowici Planning and Zoning Board’s Dec. 16 meeting, Mellissa Deal was elected chairwoman of the entity, replacing Mike Riddle, who resigned from the board and vacated his position as chairman.
“I appreciate the confidence that the board has placed in me,” Deal said. “Mike has done a great job in the position, and I am looking forward to working with the other board members to continue our appointed tasks.”
She was nominated by District 2 Commissioner Wallace Shaw and was appointed by the Long County Commission.
“Mellissa has been on our board for over a year now and has done a good job,” Riddle said. “I believe she will be able to handle anything that comes up and will be able to work with the current board, the public and the commissioners.”
Regarding his resignation, Riddle said, “I have been on the board since it was created back in 2008, and I worked with the group prior to that in helping get the land development code going. When we first got it in place, I agreed to serve for three years and now I just think it’s a good time for me to step down.”
Riddle was asked to serve by former District 2 Commissioner Mike McGowan and was appointed by the previous Long County Commission in 2008.
“I am thankful that Mike gave me the opportunity to serve on the board, and I also want to thank the current group of commissioners, the previous board, the mayor and city council, all of the public and especially my family for supporting me,” Riddle said.
The planning and zoning board also re-elected Rickey Anderson as the vice chairman for 2011-12. Anderson served as the vice chairman last year and also was one of the original five to be appointed to the board in 2008.
The current planning and zoning board clerk, Mary Hamilton, expressed interest in filling the lone vacancy on the board. After a brief discussion, Riddle told Hamilton that all appointments come through the county commissioners, but also said the matter will appear on the agenda for the board’s January meeting, where members will consider making the recommendation.
The newest member of the planning and zoning board, Jimmy Hicks, was unable to attend the December meeting. He was appointed to the board by the commission on Dec. 7.
The planning and zoning board members for 2011-12 are Chairwoman Mellissa Deal, Vice Chair Rickey Anderson, member William Miller, member Jimmy Hicks and clerk Mary Hamilton.
The Long County/Ludowici Planning and Zoning Board meets at 6 p.m. every third Thursday at the courthouse. The meetings are open to the public.