Several residents from the Sand Hill area attended the April meeting of the Long County Commission and voiced their desires for a recreation park in their neighborhood.
According to both commissioners and residents, a parcel of land had been purchased about two years ago to be used for a recreation park in the area.
Laura Williams questioned commissioners about the status and timeline for the construction of the park.
She also said she believed money for the project had already been designated for the park and wanted commissioners to know people in the Sand Hill area still wanted one.
Dewitt Porter, the son of the late Nunnaly Porter, a former commissioner for the Sand Hill area, said “Establishing a park meant a lot to my mother and her legacy.”
He noted, “I am here with these others to let you know that something should be done and I believe you should honor what was already voted on.”
Commissioner Mike McGowan voiced concerns about financing the project.
“I don’t know how it will be funded. It hasn’t been put pencil to paper on how to make it work,” he said.
Charles Reddish, who represents the district where the park would be located, said “We have finished several projects recently and we will try to get it together to get something going.”
Chairman Randy Wilson said there never were any specific funds designated for the project. He suggested residents meet with Reddish and come up with some ideas to bring back to the commissioners.
Commissioner Tony Fowler voiced his concerns over funding a project for a specific area of the county.
“Right now we don’t even have space for all the baseball teams to practice at the recreation park here in Ludowici, which is there for everybody. I’m open to looking into a park, but our priorities have to be for the whole county.”
The consensus of the commissioners was for them to look at options for a park, and the citizens group also stated they would meet with Reddish to develop ideas.
In related news, recreation department head Kerry Hunt gave commissioners his resignation, effective May 31.
Hunt said he had received a promotion at another job and wouldn’t have the time to devote to the recreation department.
Hunt recommended Sean Mills assume the position.
He also told the commissioners expansion of the recreation department needed to remain a high priority because of a lack of space at the Ludowici location.
“I want to thank God, my wife, my family, the commissioners, the school board, all the parents, and kids, for their support. Without all of the support I have had, the program could not have been as successful as it was” Hunt said.
In other business
• Commissioners listened to a proposal from Bubba Banks of Yancey Brothers about the possibility of the county leasing a backhoe, bull dozer, and a motor grader. The commissioners decide to review the proposal until the May meeting.
• Commissioners heard a report from Code Enforcement Officer John Bradley who reported 13 houses had been sold in March, bringing the total for 2007 to 33. He also reported the paving, sewage, and drainage requirements were complete in the Crawford, Davenport Ridge and Winchester subdivisions. He also said construction of homes in the Winchester subdivision is expected to begin next week.
According to both commissioners and residents, a parcel of land had been purchased about two years ago to be used for a recreation park in the area.
Laura Williams questioned commissioners about the status and timeline for the construction of the park.
She also said she believed money for the project had already been designated for the park and wanted commissioners to know people in the Sand Hill area still wanted one.
Dewitt Porter, the son of the late Nunnaly Porter, a former commissioner for the Sand Hill area, said “Establishing a park meant a lot to my mother and her legacy.”
He noted, “I am here with these others to let you know that something should be done and I believe you should honor what was already voted on.”
Commissioner Mike McGowan voiced concerns about financing the project.
“I don’t know how it will be funded. It hasn’t been put pencil to paper on how to make it work,” he said.
Charles Reddish, who represents the district where the park would be located, said “We have finished several projects recently and we will try to get it together to get something going.”
Chairman Randy Wilson said there never were any specific funds designated for the project. He suggested residents meet with Reddish and come up with some ideas to bring back to the commissioners.
Commissioner Tony Fowler voiced his concerns over funding a project for a specific area of the county.
“Right now we don’t even have space for all the baseball teams to practice at the recreation park here in Ludowici, which is there for everybody. I’m open to looking into a park, but our priorities have to be for the whole county.”
The consensus of the commissioners was for them to look at options for a park, and the citizens group also stated they would meet with Reddish to develop ideas.
In related news, recreation department head Kerry Hunt gave commissioners his resignation, effective May 31.
Hunt said he had received a promotion at another job and wouldn’t have the time to devote to the recreation department.
Hunt recommended Sean Mills assume the position.
He also told the commissioners expansion of the recreation department needed to remain a high priority because of a lack of space at the Ludowici location.
“I want to thank God, my wife, my family, the commissioners, the school board, all the parents, and kids, for their support. Without all of the support I have had, the program could not have been as successful as it was” Hunt said.
In other business
• Commissioners listened to a proposal from Bubba Banks of Yancey Brothers about the possibility of the county leasing a backhoe, bull dozer, and a motor grader. The commissioners decide to review the proposal until the May meeting.
• Commissioners heard a report from Code Enforcement Officer John Bradley who reported 13 houses had been sold in March, bringing the total for 2007 to 33. He also reported the paving, sewage, and drainage requirements were complete in the Crawford, Davenport Ridge and Winchester subdivisions. He also said construction of homes in the Winchester subdivision is expected to begin next week.