Michael Cline will have to wait a little longer in his efforts to open a mud bogging facility in Banks County.
The Banks County Board of Commissioners once again tabled a request to open the facility on Brown Bridge Road. It marks the second time the BOC has tabled the matter.
Commissioner chairman Gene Hart and commissioner Rickey Cain voted to table the request Tuesday night. Commissioner Joe Barefoot was not in attendance.
Hart said he had to recuse himself from the vote because of “personal reasons.” He did not elaborate further.
County attorney Randall Frost told Hart and Cain since there would not be a quorum to vote on the issue they did have the option to table the motion or to send it back through the entire process. The motion was then made to table it which then passed.
After the issue was tabled Cline responded, “What just happened here?”
Hart said the request had been tabled until the June 24 meeting which will be held at June 24.
The mud bogging facility, which Cline will call Sloppy Joe’s Mud Bog, will be one of a family atmosphere, organizers have said.
In other business at Tuesday’s 35-minute meeting, the BOC:
•heard from Gary Clark during the public comment portion of the meeting concerning the Banks County Fire Department and chief Gary Pollard. Clark said he was speaking on behalf of himself and other volunteers noting the department is at its lowest mark since 1991 when he became involved. Pollard demoted all volunteer firefighters, Clark said, and has engaged in improper training and given false information to officials. Clark said he has never been written up for anything during his time with the department but noted Pollard has destroyed what it took 40 years to build. Clark requested a private meeting with Hart and the commissioners to discuss other matters about the ongoing issue.
•approved the purchase of a bus for the Banks County Extension Service for $43,275.
•appointed Alvin Thomas to another five-year term on the Department of Family and Children Services Board.
•appointed Leslie George to another one-year term on the Georgia Mountains Regional Development Board (private sector).
•appointed Angela Sheppard to another one-year term on the Georgia Mountains Regional Development Board (public sector).
•entered into a lease agreement with the Banks County School System to use the old Evans Street School location during the time the courthouse is being renovated.
•tabled an item to continue a fire contract with the City of Baldwin. Interim Baldwin mayor Ray Holcomb spoke to the BOC and asked them to consider the citizens of the city when making their decision.
