Valdosta Daily Times

Local News

July 3, 2008

Hahira: Scrap road project

By Malynda Fulton — HAHIRA — The Hahira City Council voted to draw up a letter requesting that the Old U.S. 41 widening project be deleted during its regular session Thursday evening.

The decision was made after the CAR 41 North group, along with several Hahira citizens, attended this week’s Lowndes County Board of Commissioners meeting to submit petitions in opposition of the proposals presented by the Georgia Department of Transportation, which include two one-way pairs running through the city of Hahira or a western bypass connected to two lanes that run in each direction through the city. Because the DOT has refused to hear alternatives to the proposals, citizens would rather not see the project completed at all.

“We do not want to be subjected to such a major reconstruction of the city,” group leader Barry Braun said. “We understand that Hahira requested widening of the highway in a reasonable manner back in ‘91 or ‘92. However, now it seems that it’s DOT’s way or no way.”

Braun’s wife, Sue, expressed the group’s appreciation of the city’s support at the Commission meeting as well as through the letter, which is to be submitted to the DOT, county and state legislation. She also said the group plans to attend the next Commission meeting to deliver more petitions.

“We don’t know what we have to do,” she said. “But we’ll keep fighting this all the way.”

The new recycling center regulations, which state that Lowndes County recycling centers will accept solid waste from unincorporated residents only, was also a main topic of discussion during the meeting. During the citizens to be heard portion, Wilmon Stanley expressed his concerns, particularly since he used the center in Hahira to dispose of yard trash often. Stanley said he feared the ban would increase burning of waste, which could be dangerous in the area.

City Manager Jonathan Sumner recently had a conversation about the issue with Lowndes County Manager Joe Pritchard, who said the county would consider placing a “roll-off” container for recyclables outside of the center that city residents could have access to.

Mayor Wayne Bullard said he has spoken with two county commissioners and they assured him a meeting to see what can be done about the situation, especially since they have received several complaints about the new regulations.

Councilman Terry Benjamin asked Hahira Police Chief Terry Davis to add more patrols in areas such as Union Road in the meantime, to avoid dumping on roadsides.

Other items discussed were:

- Infrastructure recommendation for water’s edge; unanimously approved

- Purchase of a radio for the Hahira Fire Department; unanimously approved

- Permission to send Hahira Police Lt. Bobbi Dumas to the TAC Conference between Aug. 26 to 28; unanimously approved.

Text Only
Local News
  • mqdefault.jpg Weekend preview with Brittany McClure

    Find out what's going on this weekend with Brittany McClure.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • 120524 pnut lady4.jpg Popular vendor taken out of the ballparks

    With a wagon-load of fresh cakes, hot boiled peanuts and ice-cold bottled water she has witnessed generations of children, or as she refers to them, her angels, grow into adults with children of their own.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • ELECTION-graphic.jpg Three candidates file for election

    Qualifications for Lowndes County general primaries continue with the addition of a couple new candidates interested in running for elected office.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • money.jpg City, county tax discussions stalled

    Local Option Sales Tax “negotiations” between city and county officials have descended from open meetings to a stalemate, with no clear agreement on how the estimated $210 million in tax revenue should be split.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • valdosta high principal.jpg Valdosta High principal to retire

    After one year as Valdosta High School principal, Rufus McDuffie has announced his retirement.

    May 24, 2012 1 Photo

  • Bryan Don by Prop 8x10 HQ.jpg South Georgia’s Ace

    High above war-torn Germany, World War II fighter ace Donald S. “Bush” Bryan led his flight toward an estimated 50 enemy aircraft.

    May 24, 2012 3 Photos

  • Arraignment set for Quitman 11

    The “Quitman Eleven” are scheduled to have an arraignment on May 29, Brooks County Courthouse, according to their attorney, Roy Copeland.

    May 24, 2012

  • Qualifying opens

    Qualifications for Lowndes County general primaries kicked off Wednesday and plenty of folks tossed their proverbial hats in the ring on opening day.

    May 24, 2012

  • 120522 fire3.jpg Fire on Ridgeway Drive

    No injuries were reported after a fire broke out Tuesday morning at an 800 block Ridgeway Drive house.

    May 23, 2012 2 Photos

  • staciawatkins.jpg Lowndes High grad part of ABC’s ‘Duets’


    VALDOSTA — A Lowndes High School graduate is expected to be a part of the debut episode of the new ABC talent-search show “Duets” premiering this week.

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

Top News
Choose your subscription:
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Poll

With schools out, how will your kids spend the day?

Day care / camps
Summer school
With a parent
Spending summer away
Old enough to be alone
     View Results