The Long County Commission at its November meeting listened to Bruce Ballance, the owner of Tow-Reffic Towing, who said his company hasn’t been receiving service calls from the Long County Sherriff’s Office. Ballance said he didn’t think his omission from the rotation was right.
“It’s not fair (for the law enforcement agencies) to pick only wreckers you want to use in the county and city … you buy a business license and you pay taxes, you ought to be able to be used,” he said.
The sheriff’s office doesn’t currently have a rotation for using wrecker services, Ballance said, and he thinks the commission needs to draft an ordinance requiring them to use one. The wrecker service owner also went before the Ludowici City Council in October with the same request.
Commissioner Wallace Shaw said he agrees with Ballance and that once a list is established, it needs to be posted at the E-911 Center and used.
“I agree with Bruce that if you have a license and operate as we say, you should be on the list … let everybody share in the spoils of the business,” Shaw said.
He made a motion that the commissioners have the county attorney draft an ordinance to establish a rotation list. Commissioner Andy Fuller seconded the motion and the ordinance passed unanimously. Even though the measure passed, Long County Sheriff Cecil Nobles said his department does have a rotation list and his deputies go by it now.
“We have a rotation list and we go down the list. Then if that tow truck can’t come or if he is going to take too long, then we go to the next person on the list,” Nobles said. “We have to do what is in the best interest of the community and get whatever vehicle out of the road as quickly as possible. That’s a safety issue. Also, I can’t have my deputy waiting around all day on a wrecker. Right now, we are using three reputable companies and they’re dependable. They do a good job and at reasonable rates.”
Regarding Ballance’s company Nobles said, “People need to know that the Georgia State Patrol handles most of the wrecks we have, and Bruce is on their list for Long County and Liberty County, so he’s getting calls in the county now.”
In other business:
• Commissioners heard a presentation from Liberty County Planning Commission Director Sonny Timmerman on the House Bill 277-Transportaion Act, which allows a new sales and use tax in Georgia, whereby 75 percent of the funds go toward dedicated projects selected by the regions and 25 percent go back to the local communities.
• Commissioners approved a proclamation designating Nov. 19-25 as Farm City Week in Long County. Georgia Farm Bureau spokeswoman Linda Hall went before the commissioners to request the measure. She said the proclamation states that the county and its citizens appreciate the achievements of those who work in agriculture.
• Commissioners said the county has a website where people can obtain information on meetings, financial reports and more. It is www.longcountycommission.com.
“It’s not fair (for the law enforcement agencies) to pick only wreckers you want to use in the county and city … you buy a business license and you pay taxes, you ought to be able to be used,” he said.
The sheriff’s office doesn’t currently have a rotation for using wrecker services, Ballance said, and he thinks the commission needs to draft an ordinance requiring them to use one. The wrecker service owner also went before the Ludowici City Council in October with the same request.
Commissioner Wallace Shaw said he agrees with Ballance and that once a list is established, it needs to be posted at the E-911 Center and used.
“I agree with Bruce that if you have a license and operate as we say, you should be on the list … let everybody share in the spoils of the business,” Shaw said.
He made a motion that the commissioners have the county attorney draft an ordinance to establish a rotation list. Commissioner Andy Fuller seconded the motion and the ordinance passed unanimously. Even though the measure passed, Long County Sheriff Cecil Nobles said his department does have a rotation list and his deputies go by it now.
“We have a rotation list and we go down the list. Then if that tow truck can’t come or if he is going to take too long, then we go to the next person on the list,” Nobles said. “We have to do what is in the best interest of the community and get whatever vehicle out of the road as quickly as possible. That’s a safety issue. Also, I can’t have my deputy waiting around all day on a wrecker. Right now, we are using three reputable companies and they’re dependable. They do a good job and at reasonable rates.”
Regarding Ballance’s company Nobles said, “People need to know that the Georgia State Patrol handles most of the wrecks we have, and Bruce is on their list for Long County and Liberty County, so he’s getting calls in the county now.”
In other business:
• Commissioners heard a presentation from Liberty County Planning Commission Director Sonny Timmerman on the House Bill 277-Transportaion Act, which allows a new sales and use tax in Georgia, whereby 75 percent of the funds go toward dedicated projects selected by the regions and 25 percent go back to the local communities.
• Commissioners approved a proclamation designating Nov. 19-25 as Farm City Week in Long County. Georgia Farm Bureau spokeswoman Linda Hall went before the commissioners to request the measure. She said the proclamation states that the county and its citizens appreciate the achievements of those who work in agriculture.
• Commissioners said the county has a website where people can obtain information on meetings, financial reports and more. It is www.longcountycommission.com.