VALDOSTA —
The county and the city of Valdosta say they want to get along, but two separate meetings this week still demonstrate the schism between the two governments. Since the HB 489 Service Delivery Agreement act passed, the two have been at odds over who pays for what. And even though the agreement in the 1990s and again in the mid-2000s is very specific, the tug of war over county vs. city services and county vs. city population has continued unabated, and it all comes down to money. Who gets how much from SPLOST and LOST.
The city leaders met with county officials again Wednesday to discuss the LOST tax which is up for its 10 year renewal this year. The county said it had already made its position clear, and has no intention of spending hours in meetings with attorneys just to end up in court, which happened in 2002. They said if the entities can’t reach a consensus, the issue will go straight to court and not waste everyone’s time and money.
SPLOST VII has to also be renegotiated this year, but the city was hoping to delay the process until the end of the year or the beginning of 2013 when a new county chairman will replace current chairman Ashley Paulk, who is retiring. The county has informed the city previously and reiterated Wednesday that they intend to hold the SPLOST vote in November to avoid having to pay for a special election in the spring.
At the LOST meeting, Paulk told the city that they will have to pay for the city auditorium and the improvements to Five Points, and the county will pay for the services they are responsible for under HB 489. As the county fully funds the library system and is responsible for building the new main branch, he said unless the city will finally issue a formal written agreement or a deed for the property at Five Points that’s been promised to the library, the library has no choice but to locate somewhere else.
After nearly 20 years of contentious behavior which usually leads to a court mandated settlement, it’s a shame that the two governments are still at such odds.
Both insist they are just representing their citizens, but most citizens say they want the two to stop fighting and going to court.
What We Think
Why can’t they all just get along
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THUMBS UP: To all South Georgia graduates. Congratulations on your success in completing school and best wishes on your continued success in the future.
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New era at the Boys and Girls Club
Next week on June 1, it will be the official end of an era at the Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta when Robert Soper hands over responsibility for the organization to the new Chief Professional Officer Jim Wink.
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Thank you, EMS
We always pull over for them, but we rarely seem to thank them.
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Tornado: An aftermath of help
Seeing the massive path of destruction left in the wake of tornadoes in Oklahoma Monday was a sobering reminder of the power of spring storms.
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Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
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THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
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On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
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Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
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Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
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Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
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