Like jonquils popping up at random along roadsides, here’s a selection of topics popping up around Pickens County.
•Commissioner Robert Jones’ maybe-if-we-can-iron-everything-out approach to sewage for Pickens County is a disservice to anyone concerned about where and when growth may occur. In previous months, our sole commissioner has indicated county sewage is coming to the Foothills area and that the county will have lines around the Pickens/Gilmer border on Hwy 515. But also according to Jones, the county has signed no sewer-building contracts and still has negotiating to do, some “ifs” yet to be finalized.
We can understand how there might be “ifs” surrounding the how’s of sewer construction: issues with the vendor, the type contract, the style of sewage operation. But Jones has long indicated a county sewer system is something desired, and, by now, the county has had ample time to line up plans A, B, and C to make it happen.
For the sake of residents, current businesses and potential businesses, our commissioner, with input from the planning commission, needs to develop a clear plan. If that plan is already in place, he needs to communicate it in plain language.
• Maybe Jasper’s plan for new three-way stops short-circuited due to over-reaching, the same way bills at Washington lose ground every time a member adds another amendment. The process began simply with the downtown development authority asking that something be done to slow traffic into Jasper from the north where Old Hwy 5 becomes Main Street. The first idea was a single three-way stop just north of downtown, tentatively targeted for Mark Whitfield Street by the water park. It seemed simple, cheap and without obvious snags.
But the plan mushroomed to include other stops and possibly a roundabout. These additions were not simple. One involved a convenience store entrance––another a railroad crossing. So what did we end up with? Nothing so far. What say we move forward with the original plan, that single, simple three-way stop? If it works well, we can talk about additions.
• One story that didn’t generate much buzz here but should have was a talk given locally by Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Sally Bethea. Among points she made were two we would do well to watch. First, it has rained just enough this winter to move water issues off the front burner but not enough to promise much relief this summer. Second, while most action involving state water planning centers on the Atlanta metro-area, we’d better pay attention here, or we’ll see our already-limited water resources flowing to support growth south of us. The ground isn’t parched at this point, but a look at lake and river levels tells us we’re still in a drought.
•Sound economic policy part 1 – Last Saturday the employees of this newspaper were lucky enough to spend the midday playing Ultimate Frisbee with a fun and competitive team of friends, the Biggest Losers from the local weight loss competition (http://getfitjasper.com/ for more info). Bested at Frisbee, the team quickly whupped us in the tug-of-war (twice). One spectator expressed amazement that so many people could have fun with a single Frisbee. His comments proved something: for entertainment, a little creative thinking, great spring weather and less than $20 can handle the job for a whole crowd of folks. And there are parks around with walking trails, basketball goals and open space, all courtesy of local taxpayers. Take advantage of them.
• Sound economic policy part 2 – Want an economic stimulus package for Pickens County? Here it is: spend what you got right here. As times remain tight, remember every dollar spent at family-owned businesses in this county is a dollar that helps neighbors. A dollar spent in another county at a large corporate discount chain is a buck that goes to bonus some CEO living somewhere else.
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