Top agriculture leaders were recognized Monday night at the seventh annual Banks County Agriculture Awards.
“We’re here to recognize those who contribute to Banks County agriculture and those who support it,” stated Forrest Connelly, county extension agent.
The top awards went to:
•Brant Booker and Country Charm, Agribusiness of the Year. “My dad started Country Charm 40 years ago,” Booker said when accepting the award. “It really set a great foundation for me and, hopefully, the next generation. He taught us to come in every day and do the best we can, not just for the business but for the community.”
•Joyce Crumley, Woman in Agriculture. “I’m honored to receive this award. It has been good years on the farm. I’ve had time to do things with my family.”
•Dustin Poole, Farmer of the Year. “I want to thank my family. None of this would have been possible without them. I started out at an early age farming. This is a great honor.”
•Ben Payne, Hall of Fame. “A lot of times when I stop and I’m down, I think about how many people my farm produces for. I appreciate all of them.”
For more on this story and for photos, see this week's issue of the Banks County News
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Diana Food opens $50 million facility at Banks Crossing
The grand opening celebration of Diana Food’s $50 million project at Banks Crossing included a ceremonial ribbon cutting, tours of the facility and a program featuring remarks from company officials, as well as county leaders. Guests were also able to sample chicken broth made at the site, as well as food provided by local businesses.
Items produced at the Banks site include chicken broth, purified chicken fat and cooked chicken powder. These products are sold to companies who use them to make soups, broths, sauces, marinades, gravies and seasonings.
The Banks site encompasses more than 100,000 square feet on 40 acres of land, representing a $50 million development.
“In all regions and countries where we do business, we have one common goal: to manufacture locally,” Heinz-Jurgen Bertram, CEO, stated. “In Georgia, we have the advantage of a strong infrastructure, with great community support, access to skilled employees, good logistics and excellent proximity to our partners, the farmers.”
Banks County Board of Commission chairman, Jimmy Hooper, spoke at the grand opening, stating, “This is a great day for Banks County. It’s a great day for Diana Food. We had a county government working with a city government in another county working together to get this business open. To the City of Commerce, thank you very much. We had two separate boards working on this. This is a great project.
Banks County Development Authority chairman Scott Ledford also spoke, stating, “Several years ago, a group of us came together and we wanted to develop this industrial park. We got the park in place and it set for a few years. It was a road to nowhere. But we didn’t lose faith. We knew the right person was going to come along and develop this in the mindset of the community and give us what we, as a community, were looking for. Diana Food has certainly done that.”
Commerce city manager James Washer stated, “It is an exciting day when we get to see a project like this come to fruition. From the very beginning, it was clear that Diana Food wanted to make a high quality, all natural product. I would like to thank the Diana Team for your vision. Without you, none of this would be possible.”
See more on this story, as well as photos from the grand opening in this week's edition of the Banks County News.
Items produced at the Banks site include chicken broth, purified chicken fat and cooked chicken powder. These products are sold to companies who use them to make soups, broths, sauces, marinades, gravies and seasonings.
The Banks site encompasses more than 100,000 square feet on 40 acres of land, representing a $50 million development.
“In all regions and countries where we do business, we have one common goal: to manufacture locally,” Heinz-Jurgen Bertram, CEO, stated. “In Georgia, we have the advantage of a strong infrastructure, with great community support, access to skilled employees, good logistics and excellent proximity to our partners, the farmers.”
Banks County Board of Commission chairman, Jimmy Hooper, spoke at the grand opening, stating, “This is a great day for Banks County. It’s a great day for Diana Food. We had a county government working with a city government in another county working together to get this business open. To the City of Commerce, thank you very much. We had two separate boards working on this. This is a great project.
Banks County Development Authority chairman Scott Ledford also spoke, stating, “Several years ago, a group of us came together and we wanted to develop this industrial park. We got the park in place and it set for a few years. It was a road to nowhere. But we didn’t lose faith. We knew the right person was going to come along and develop this in the mindset of the community and give us what we, as a community, were looking for. Diana Food has certainly done that.”
Commerce city manager James Washer stated, “It is an exciting day when we get to see a project like this come to fruition. From the very beginning, it was clear that Diana Food wanted to make a high quality, all natural product. I would like to thank the Diana Team for your vision. Without you, none of this would be possible.”
See more on this story, as well as photos from the grand opening in this week's edition of the Banks County News.
Election set Tuesday
Voters will go the polls on Tuesday to select their choice for governor and several other state offices.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Early voting will be held through Friday, Nov. 2, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All early voting will be held at the Banks County Election Office, located at 226 Candler Street, Homer.
Races on the ballot include the following:
•Governor: Brian Kemp, Republican; Stacey Abrams, Democrat; and Ted Metz, Libertarian.
•Lieutenant Governor: Geoff Duncan, Republican; and Sarah Riggs Amico, Democrat.
•Secretary of State: Brad Raffensperger, Republican; John Barrow, Democrat; and Smythe Duval, Libertarian.
•Attorney General: Chris Carr, Republican; and Charlie Bailey, Democrat.
•Commissioner of Agriculture: Gary Black, Republican; and Fred Swann, Democrat.
•Commissioner of Insurance: Jim Beck, Republican; Janice Laws, Democrat; and Donnie Foster, Libertarian.
•State School Superintendent: Richard Woods, Republican; and Otha E. Thornton Jr., Democrat.
•Commissioner of Labor: Mark Butler, Republican; and Richard Keatley, Democrat.
•Public Service Commissioner: Chuck Eaton, Republican; Lindy Miller, Democrat; and Ryan Graham, Libertarian.
•Public Service Commissioner: Tricia Pridemore, Republican; Dawn A. Randolph, Democrat; and John Turpish, Libertarian.
•9th Congressional District Representative: Doug Collins, Republican; and Josh McCall, Democrat.
For more election news, see this week's issue of the Banks County News.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Early voting will be held through Friday, Nov. 2, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All early voting will be held at the Banks County Election Office, located at 226 Candler Street, Homer.
Races on the ballot include the following:
•Governor: Brian Kemp, Republican; Stacey Abrams, Democrat; and Ted Metz, Libertarian.
•Lieutenant Governor: Geoff Duncan, Republican; and Sarah Riggs Amico, Democrat.
•Secretary of State: Brad Raffensperger, Republican; John Barrow, Democrat; and Smythe Duval, Libertarian.
•Attorney General: Chris Carr, Republican; and Charlie Bailey, Democrat.
•Commissioner of Agriculture: Gary Black, Republican; and Fred Swann, Democrat.
•Commissioner of Insurance: Jim Beck, Republican; Janice Laws, Democrat; and Donnie Foster, Libertarian.
•State School Superintendent: Richard Woods, Republican; and Otha E. Thornton Jr., Democrat.
•Commissioner of Labor: Mark Butler, Republican; and Richard Keatley, Democrat.
•Public Service Commissioner: Chuck Eaton, Republican; Lindy Miller, Democrat; and Ryan Graham, Libertarian.
•Public Service Commissioner: Tricia Pridemore, Republican; Dawn A. Randolph, Democrat; and John Turpish, Libertarian.
•9th Congressional District Representative: Doug Collins, Republican; and Josh McCall, Democrat.
For more election news, see this week's issue of the Banks County News.
Early voting under way for November election
Early voting for the Nov. 6 election will be held Mondays through Fridays through Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Voting will also be offered on one Saturday, which will be Oct. 27, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All early voting will be held at the Banks County Election Office, located at 226 Candler Street, Homer.
For more election coverage, see this week's issue of the Banks County News.
Voting will also be offered on one Saturday, which will be Oct. 27, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All early voting will be held at the Banks County Election Office, located at 226 Candler Street, Homer.
For more election coverage, see this week's issue of the Banks County News.
Vietnam veterans honored
Forty-nine Vietnam veterans were recognized Saturday, Oct. 13, at a ceremony at Banks County High School.
“We are humbled and blessed to give you a ‘thank you’ for your service,” Dan Walker, post commander of American Legion Post 215 of Homer, stated.
The American Legion Post 215 of Homer sponsored the program. The event was held in conjunction with the Defense Department’s on-going 50th anniversary commemoration of the Vietnam War.
Mike Roby, commissioner of veterans services for the state of Georgia, shared a video from Governor Nathan Deal, who thanked all those who served.
“All of you here today are special, Roby said. “You are our heroes. Our nation has always publically recognized the sacrifices of those who served during past wars and conflicts. But things were different for our Vietnam veterans. Many of you were never given a simple, but important, acknowledgement for your military service. You were often blamed for a war you didn’t start when you should have been commended for serving your country with valor. You came home and were sometimes ridiculed when you should have been celebrated. It was a national shame and disgrace. As a nation, we have learned from our mistakes. Today, we treat all those who served with the respect and gratitude they are due. We must continue to strive to correct the wrongs of the past. We owe our Vietnam veterans a large debt of gratitude. Many Vietnam veterans help mentor those following them in uniform. Today, we say a loud ‘thank you’ to you.”
For full story and photos, see this week's issue of The Banks County News.
“We are humbled and blessed to give you a ‘thank you’ for your service,” Dan Walker, post commander of American Legion Post 215 of Homer, stated.
The American Legion Post 215 of Homer sponsored the program. The event was held in conjunction with the Defense Department’s on-going 50th anniversary commemoration of the Vietnam War.
Mike Roby, commissioner of veterans services for the state of Georgia, shared a video from Governor Nathan Deal, who thanked all those who served.
“All of you here today are special, Roby said. “You are our heroes. Our nation has always publically recognized the sacrifices of those who served during past wars and conflicts. But things were different for our Vietnam veterans. Many of you were never given a simple, but important, acknowledgement for your military service. You were often blamed for a war you didn’t start when you should have been commended for serving your country with valor. You came home and were sometimes ridiculed when you should have been celebrated. It was a national shame and disgrace. As a nation, we have learned from our mistakes. Today, we treat all those who served with the respect and gratitude they are due. We must continue to strive to correct the wrongs of the past. We owe our Vietnam veterans a large debt of gratitude. Many Vietnam veterans help mentor those following them in uniform. Today, we say a loud ‘thank you’ to you.”
For full story and photos, see this week's issue of The Banks County News.
Homer works on comprehensive plan
Work continues on the Town of Homer’s comprehensive plan.
Adam Hazell, Georgia Mountain Regional Commission, presented the draft of the plan at a meeting on October 2.
No citizens came out for the presentation, only three staff members were in attendance.
Hazell went over the outline of the comp plan and talked about items in the plan including: the purpose of the plan, the scope, plan elements, public participation, community vision, community profile, quality community objective assessment, vision statement, needs and opportunities, community development strategy including development trends and influences, broadband assessment, environmental assessment, areas requiring special attention, character area assessment, the implementation program including policies, long-tern objectives and ongoing projects, report of accomplishments and short-term work program.
The comp plan is a working document that provides guidance for everyday decision-making by local government officials and other community leaders. The plan addresses the local planning requirements and community development of the town. The City of Maysville and Banks County developed their own independent comprehensive plans.
The best use of comprehensive planning for local governments is to show important relationships between community issues. A local comp plan is a fact-based resource for local constituents that tracks implementation of community-based policies.
The advisory committee members who worked on the comp plan were: Gary Reynolds, Scott Thomas, Nancy Sullivan, Michelle Curcio, Susan Sanders, Jane Crabbe, Mary Autry and Danny Mason.
The 10 quality community objectives included in the 2018 comp plan are: economic prosperity, resource management, efficient land use, local preparedness, sense of place, regional cooperation, housing options, transportation options, education opportunities and community health.
The general vision statement reads “The Town of Homer is a community of family values, a place where families can live, work and play, and an attractive, rural destination for business a culture.”
The goals and objectives include: increase the volume and diversity of business and industry in and around the town; provide more complete utilities throughout the town; develop infill around historic downtown and along Main Street; and strengthen connection with US 441.
A copy of the 2018 comprehensive plan for the Town of Homer is available at city hall.
The council will consider the plan and vote on adoption at a later meeting.
Adam Hazell, Georgia Mountain Regional Commission, presented the draft of the plan at a meeting on October 2.
No citizens came out for the presentation, only three staff members were in attendance.
Hazell went over the outline of the comp plan and talked about items in the plan including: the purpose of the plan, the scope, plan elements, public participation, community vision, community profile, quality community objective assessment, vision statement, needs and opportunities, community development strategy including development trends and influences, broadband assessment, environmental assessment, areas requiring special attention, character area assessment, the implementation program including policies, long-tern objectives and ongoing projects, report of accomplishments and short-term work program.
The comp plan is a working document that provides guidance for everyday decision-making by local government officials and other community leaders. The plan addresses the local planning requirements and community development of the town. The City of Maysville and Banks County developed their own independent comprehensive plans.
The best use of comprehensive planning for local governments is to show important relationships between community issues. A local comp plan is a fact-based resource for local constituents that tracks implementation of community-based policies.
The advisory committee members who worked on the comp plan were: Gary Reynolds, Scott Thomas, Nancy Sullivan, Michelle Curcio, Susan Sanders, Jane Crabbe, Mary Autry and Danny Mason.
The 10 quality community objectives included in the 2018 comp plan are: economic prosperity, resource management, efficient land use, local preparedness, sense of place, regional cooperation, housing options, transportation options, education opportunities and community health.
The general vision statement reads “The Town of Homer is a community of family values, a place where families can live, work and play, and an attractive, rural destination for business a culture.”
The goals and objectives include: increase the volume and diversity of business and industry in and around the town; provide more complete utilities throughout the town; develop infill around historic downtown and along Main Street; and strengthen connection with US 441.
A copy of the 2018 comprehensive plan for the Town of Homer is available at city hall.
The council will consider the plan and vote on adoption at a later meeting.
Homer works on comprehensive plan
Work continues on the Town of Homer’s comprehensive plan.
Adam Hazell, Georgia Mountain Regional Commission, presented the draft of the plan at a meeting on October 2.
No citizens came out for the presentation, only three staff members were in attendance.
Hazell went over the outline of the comp plan and talked about items in the plan including: the purpose of the plan, the scope, plan elements, public participation, community vision, community profile, quality community objective assessment, vision statement, needs and opportunities, community development strategy including development trends and influences, broadband assessment, environmental assessment, areas requiring special attention, character area assessment, the implementation program including policies, long-tern objectives and ongoing projects, report of accomplishments and short-term work program.
The comp plan is a working document that provides guidance for everyday decision-making by local government officials and other community leaders. The plan addresses the local planning requirements and community development of the town. The City of Maysville and Banks County developed their own independent comprehensive plans.
The best use of comprehensive planning for local governments is to show important relationships between community issues. A local comp plan is a fact-based resource for local constituents that tracks implementation of community-based policies.
The advisory committee members who worked on the comp plan were: Gary Reynolds, Scott Thomas, Nancy Sullivan, Michelle Curcio, Susan Sanders, Jane Crabbe, Mary Autry and Danny Mason.
The 10 quality community objectives included in the 2018 comp plan are: economic prosperity, resource management, efficient land use, local preparedness, sense of place, regional cooperation, housing options, transportation options, education opportunities and community health.
The general vision statement reads “The Town of Homer is a community of family values, a place where families can live, work and play, and an attractive, rural destination for business a culture.”
The goals and objectives include: increase the volume and diversity of business and industry in and around the town; provide more complete utilities throughout the town; develop infill around historic downtown and along Main Street; and strengthen connection with US 441.
A copy of the 2018 comprehensive plan for the Town of Homer is available at city hall.
The council will consider the plan and vote on adoption at a later meeting.
Adam Hazell, Georgia Mountain Regional Commission, presented the draft of the plan at a meeting on October 2.
No citizens came out for the presentation, only three staff members were in attendance.
Hazell went over the outline of the comp plan and talked about items in the plan including: the purpose of the plan, the scope, plan elements, public participation, community vision, community profile, quality community objective assessment, vision statement, needs and opportunities, community development strategy including development trends and influences, broadband assessment, environmental assessment, areas requiring special attention, character area assessment, the implementation program including policies, long-tern objectives and ongoing projects, report of accomplishments and short-term work program.
The comp plan is a working document that provides guidance for everyday decision-making by local government officials and other community leaders. The plan addresses the local planning requirements and community development of the town. The City of Maysville and Banks County developed their own independent comprehensive plans.
The best use of comprehensive planning for local governments is to show important relationships between community issues. A local comp plan is a fact-based resource for local constituents that tracks implementation of community-based policies.
The advisory committee members who worked on the comp plan were: Gary Reynolds, Scott Thomas, Nancy Sullivan, Michelle Curcio, Susan Sanders, Jane Crabbe, Mary Autry and Danny Mason.
The 10 quality community objectives included in the 2018 comp plan are: economic prosperity, resource management, efficient land use, local preparedness, sense of place, regional cooperation, housing options, transportation options, education opportunities and community health.
The general vision statement reads “The Town of Homer is a community of family values, a place where families can live, work and play, and an attractive, rural destination for business a culture.”
The goals and objectives include: increase the volume and diversity of business and industry in and around the town; provide more complete utilities throughout the town; develop infill around historic downtown and along Main Street; and strengthen connection with US 441.
A copy of the 2018 comprehensive plan for the Town of Homer is available at city hall.
The council will consider the plan and vote on adoption at a later meeting.
Victim identified in fatality on I-85
Arthur Grigoryan, 29, Jacksonville, Fla., has been identified as the victim in a wreck on Tuesday on I-85.
The state patrol was called to a three-vehicle crash on I-85 near mile marker 153 northbound.
A 2016 Toyota Tundra driven by Grigoryan was traveling south on I-85 in the northbound lanes near mile marker 153. A 1995 Peterbuilt tractor trailer was northbound on I-85 in the right lane, along with a 2017 Kia Forte traveling in the left northbound lane.
The Toyota collided with the tractor trailer head-on. After the initial impact with the tractor trailer, the Toyota entered the left northbound lane striking the front of the Kia.
The accident closed all northbound lanes of I-85 for an extended period of time for the investigation and clean up.
The driver of the tractor trailer, Rocky Gosnell, 36, Clarkesville, was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens with non-life threatening injuries.
The driver of the Kia Forte, Bennie Austin, 59, Atlanta, was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens with non-life threatening injuries.
The state patrol was called to a three-vehicle crash on I-85 near mile marker 153 northbound.
A 2016 Toyota Tundra driven by Grigoryan was traveling south on I-85 in the northbound lanes near mile marker 153. A 1995 Peterbuilt tractor trailer was northbound on I-85 in the right lane, along with a 2017 Kia Forte traveling in the left northbound lane.
The Toyota collided with the tractor trailer head-on. After the initial impact with the tractor trailer, the Toyota entered the left northbound lane striking the front of the Kia.
The accident closed all northbound lanes of I-85 for an extended period of time for the investigation and clean up.
The driver of the tractor trailer, Rocky Gosnell, 36, Clarkesville, was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens with non-life threatening injuries.
The driver of the Kia Forte, Bennie Austin, 59, Atlanta, was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens with non-life threatening injuries.
Scales Road tract proposed for storage units draw opposition
One rezoning was quickly approved, but a second ran into a buzz saw of opposition and questions at the Homer Planning Commission meeting last week.
The potential rezoning that drew opposition is a piece of property just across Scales Creek Road from the entrance to the Chimney Oaks Golf Club.
The developers of the golf club own the property, about 10.3 acres, and proposed to use the back half of it for public storage units. About a year ago, the owners proposed an apartment complex for the property.
The rezoning request was deferred until the October meeting and commissioners asked for more specifics about the development.
Brad Day, who represented the owners, said, “I don’t know if we want to dedicate the resources to that.” He noted the submitted material includes a rough sketch of the property, designates the back half for the development and says the owners plan two rows of about 30 storage units and two more rows for recreational vehicles and boats – some cover and some not covered.
The front half of the parcel is the septic tank field for the golf course.
Residents and commissioners complained about the vagueness of the plans.
Chairman Mose Chandler said he would expect city council members to want to see explicit plans for the site.
Day said the owners are “just looking for a use of that property.”
Ron Christopher, a resident of the area, said Scales Road is not adequate for more traffic. He said a storage unit facility would generate more traffic.
Day called the proposed use “less intrusive” than the apartments proposed a year ago.
Len Camden, also a resident of the area, complained about the “vagueness” of the proposal.
He also said no other property is zoned for business along the road from the Historic Homer Hwy. to the golf course.
He objected to “no specifics whatsoever” being presented to the commission.
Camden said the number of units and landscaping around the parcel should be detailed.
For more on this story, see this week's issue of the Banks County News
The potential rezoning that drew opposition is a piece of property just across Scales Creek Road from the entrance to the Chimney Oaks Golf Club.
The developers of the golf club own the property, about 10.3 acres, and proposed to use the back half of it for public storage units. About a year ago, the owners proposed an apartment complex for the property.
The rezoning request was deferred until the October meeting and commissioners asked for more specifics about the development.
Brad Day, who represented the owners, said, “I don’t know if we want to dedicate the resources to that.” He noted the submitted material includes a rough sketch of the property, designates the back half for the development and says the owners plan two rows of about 30 storage units and two more rows for recreational vehicles and boats – some cover and some not covered.
The front half of the parcel is the septic tank field for the golf course.
Residents and commissioners complained about the vagueness of the plans.
Chairman Mose Chandler said he would expect city council members to want to see explicit plans for the site.
Day said the owners are “just looking for a use of that property.”
Ron Christopher, a resident of the area, said Scales Road is not adequate for more traffic. He said a storage unit facility would generate more traffic.
Day called the proposed use “less intrusive” than the apartments proposed a year ago.
Len Camden, also a resident of the area, complained about the “vagueness” of the proposal.
He also said no other property is zoned for business along the road from the Historic Homer Hwy. to the golf course.
He objected to “no specifics whatsoever” being presented to the commission.
Camden said the number of units and landscaping around the parcel should be detailed.
For more on this story, see this week's issue of the Banks County News
BOC says 'No' to horse racing
A request that would have led to a horse racing venue locating in the county was denied Tuesday night.
The Banks County Board of Commissioners denied the request from Jimmy Brown Jr. for a conditional use permit for property located at 5479 Highway 63.
His plan was to use the property as an outside event venue to include horse racing, rodeo events and possibly holding concerts.
The Banks County Planning Commission had recommended that the BOC approve the request.
Instead, the BOC unanimously denied the request.
At the Tuesday night meeting, the commissioners questioned Brown about several issues, including whether alcohol would be allowed, if a turning lane would be put in and if a soil study had been done to determine if restrooms could be placed on the property.
As to the question about alcohol, Brown said his plan was to allow a 12-pack of beer to be brought in per car.
As to the soil study and turning lane, Brown said he had not done this yet but added that he would follow all regulations related to this.
There was also some concerns about whether people would be betting on the horse races, although Brown said this would not be allowed.
Homer attorney Jim David also spoke on behalf of Brown and said that off-duty officers would be used at the site to enforce all of the rules.
Commissioner Sammy Reece questioned an incident when a woman was injured at an event on the property in July. Brown said he was not aware of this incident.
Banks County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy Shawn Wilson spoke about concerns on the proposal. He showed a video of a horse racing operation where gambling and alcohol abuse were reported.
“We’re not saying this business is anything like that,” he said. “However, if it is approved, we are requesting two additional deputies be hired by the sheriff’s office.”
“We must do this for the security of our area,” he said.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business at the meeting, the BOC:
•approved a $211,375 bid from DCI to install a building for a fire station on Old Hwy. 441, near Baldwin.
•approved a bid to resurface 1.65 acres on John Morris Road at a cost of $259,698.
The Banks County Board of Commissioners denied the request from Jimmy Brown Jr. for a conditional use permit for property located at 5479 Highway 63.
His plan was to use the property as an outside event venue to include horse racing, rodeo events and possibly holding concerts.
The Banks County Planning Commission had recommended that the BOC approve the request.
Instead, the BOC unanimously denied the request.
At the Tuesday night meeting, the commissioners questioned Brown about several issues, including whether alcohol would be allowed, if a turning lane would be put in and if a soil study had been done to determine if restrooms could be placed on the property.
As to the question about alcohol, Brown said his plan was to allow a 12-pack of beer to be brought in per car.
As to the soil study and turning lane, Brown said he had not done this yet but added that he would follow all regulations related to this.
There was also some concerns about whether people would be betting on the horse races, although Brown said this would not be allowed.
Homer attorney Jim David also spoke on behalf of Brown and said that off-duty officers would be used at the site to enforce all of the rules.
Commissioner Sammy Reece questioned an incident when a woman was injured at an event on the property in July. Brown said he was not aware of this incident.
Banks County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy Shawn Wilson spoke about concerns on the proposal. He showed a video of a horse racing operation where gambling and alcohol abuse were reported.
“We’re not saying this business is anything like that,” he said. “However, if it is approved, we are requesting two additional deputies be hired by the sheriff’s office.”
“We must do this for the security of our area,” he said.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business at the meeting, the BOC:
•approved a $211,375 bid from DCI to install a building for a fire station on Old Hwy. 441, near Baldwin.
•approved a bid to resurface 1.65 acres on John Morris Road at a cost of $259,698.
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