After Wiregrass Power LLC defaulted on its agreement as of June 1 of this year, citizens thought that the issue had finally been put to rest. However, since that time, it has been made public that the company still wants to purchase the land outright from the Industrial Authority. If they are able to do so, there would be no limitations on the land other than having to conform to zoning laws.

City and county officials have voiced several times that the project needs to be put behind the community so that Valdosta-Lowndes County can look to attract more profitable, cleaner and desirable industries.

Kudos to city officials who went so far as to send a letter to the parent company of Wiregrass Power LLC reminding them that no contract for water or utilities was ever signed with the city and there was no basis for the company to believe that the amount of water required under the original project could be made available to them.

The Industrial Authority has been through a great deal due to the widespread unpopularity of the project as well as the manner in which members of the public have perceived being treated. The IA promised a future of more open communication.

And yet Tuesday, the board’s attorney refused to answer any questions regarding the potential sale of the land to the company, citing a caveat in the Open Records Act that protects information involved in a current legal issue. The Times issued an Open Records request Tuesday to obtain the information requested or copies of the litigation documents, assuming that since the attorney cited this exemption, there is an active lawsuit over the land sale.

The Times was trying to help the Authority put the issue to rest once and for all, but the continued refusal to answer questions equates to a continued disdain of the right of the public to know what is happening with land that was purchased with their tax dollars and a project that would have used their tax dollars for years to come.

The Authority’s all volunteer, appointed board doesn’t deserve to continue under a cloud of suspicion. Put the matter to rest. Either you are selling them the land or you are not. But don’t keep operating in the dark.