10/5/2021 BOC Work Session Minutes
GORDON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION MINUTES
OCTOBER 5, 2021 AT 5:15 P.M.
https://vimeo.com/611139632
Members Present
Becky Hood, Chairman
Chad Steward, Vice Chairman
Bruce Potts, Commissioner
Kevin Cunningham, Commissioner
M. L. Bud Owens, Commissioner
Others Present
Jim Ledbetter, County Administrator
Annette Berry, County Clerk
Media
Approximately 60 Guests
The Board of Commissioners met for the Work Session in the GEM Theater at 5:15 p.m.
Chairman Hood called the meeting to order.
County Administrator Ledbetter explained each of the items on the Agenda for the Regular Meeting.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
County Administrator Ledbetter explained the rules to be followed for citizens to make their comments before the Board of Commissioners.
Mr. Al Stone Jr. spoke to the Board regarding Historic Preservation in Gordon County representing EDOG which he says has over 700 private citizens plus other entities, local farmers and producers. These people do not want chickens grown near an Indian historic site. The Cherokee Nation is part of our group. We ask the Board of Commissioners to turn this potential environmental disaster into a blessing to protect our most sacred area and its water.
Mr. Jacob Williams spoke to the Board regarding lifting the Moratorium on Poultry Houses in Gordon County. Poultry is important to Gordon County and land owners who want the opportunity to make a living farming on their land in the future. A family desiring to farm fulltime needs a large income producing agricultural entity to provide a steady income. A poultry farm is perfect for this need. We do not need to drive our farmers out of business. Please be fair to all when deciding the direction to go after the moratorium is lifted. Consider lifting the moratorium and acknowledge that the ordinances previously put in place are more than sufficient.
Mr. David MacKnight spoke to the Board regarding the County’s Comprehensive Plan. These are the 2018 to 2028 plans. There are three rivers in Gordon County, all of which are designated as protected river corridors by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. They have deemed these rivers to be of vital importance to the State of Georgia and they help preserve qualities that make a river suitable for habitat and wildlife, a site for recreation and a source for clean drinking water. So out of the 180 pages of this Plan, there are only two sentences that refer to the poultry industry. I ask that this document that was put together by you, you have a hard look at when you make decisions when approving applicants for agriculture use.
Ms. Meg Reidy spoke to the Board and read comments on behalf of Stuart Mason who was scheduled to speak to the Board but was unable to attend. Mr. Mason’s comments were concerning the industrial chicken operations that are in his neighborhood and causing rancid smells and causing him and his neighbors to have to run their air conditioners until cold weather then forces them to turn on their heating thus making a huge financial burden for them. All the neighbors have concerns with long term health risks, environmental risks, and risks to ground water, also property values will fall 20% to 50%.
Commissioner Potts made a motion to close the Work Session. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and all voted aye.
There being no further business, the Work Session adjourned at 5:51 p.m.
