« Wrap-up of December Commission public hearing »

The big news that came from last week's Gwinnett County Commission December public hearing was the strong citizen opposition to socialized garbage. However, there were other items on the agenda as well.  Unfortunately, because of computer issues (I lost power and did not have immediate access to a power outlet!), I did get to watch all of the hearing.  Thus, for two of the items below, I can only rely on news reports.

Waste transfer station vote delayed - I did get to watch the hearing on the waste transfer station that is slated to be built near Shackelford and Beaver Ruin Roads.  You can read my commentary on my Twitter feed.  Because outgoing District 1 Commissioner Lorraine Green did not attend the meeting, District 4 Commissioner Kevin Kenerly was covering this agenda item.  I was undecided on this case.  While I am a staunch advocate for private property rights, there could well be a negative material impact on neighboring property owners.  However, from a practical perspective, the zoning of surrounding properties was not entirely inappropriate for a waste transfer station.  Given the history of the commission of erring on the side of voters when faced with a controversial choice, I expected Kenerly to recommend denial for the application.  I was absolutely slack-jawed when he moved to approve the station despite the very large contingent who had turned out in opposition.  If I understood correctly (this was about the time my battery was advising me that it was about to call it a night), the vote on Kenerly's motion was split 2-2.  At that point Mike Beaudreau suggested holding off until District 1 Commissioner-elect Shirley Lasseter could take office and weigh in.  This was an entirely reasonable proposal by Commissioner Beaudreau and was exactly the action the board took.

Vote on proposed TADs delayed until March - Three TADs were recently proposed under the TAD laws and consitutional amendment approved during the last election cycle.  Though the TAD leaders wanted to have the districts approved by year-end so they could begin collecting tax revenue in 2009, the delay of the vote until March would result in the districts, if approved, not being able to collect revenue until 2010.

No vote on loan guarantee for Collins Hill (formerly Springbrook) golf course - The Springbrook Golf Commission was seeking to have the county guarantee a $250,000 loan without which the golf course may be forced to close by yearend.  While my natural instinct is to favor immediate denial for a government "bailout" of a now-private entity, the fact that the course owes the county over $3 million and that the county has already backed an additional $1.7 million loan for the course argues for a careful examination of the request.  While the county is certainly in no position to be wasting money, especially on something like a golf course that is one of many in Gwinnett, the fact that the county could be on the hook for $1.7 million if the course shuts down makes a quarter-million dollar cash infusion seems like a reasonable investment.  Of course, there is the wisdom against throwing good money after bad.  I think the commission did the right thing by proceeding cautiously on this request.

I would like to note how impressed I am with Mike Beaudreau's reportedly "heated words" in response to the request:

“It’s my opinion that until this board learns to tell people ‘no’, we’re going to continue having folks coming here like a gravy train,” Beaudreau said. “These are extraordinarily difficult times financially, and the point has got to be reinforced by this board when it comes to votes that we cannot continue to say ‘yes’ all the time to everything and expect folks to bring different types of things to our plate.”

I need to be sure to watch the archived video online to see this statement!  Such a position should be the default outlook our elected officials take even in good economic times. I applaud Mike for his stand and hope that we see this as commonplace for the commissioners as opposed to supporting programs like socialized garbage.

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[...] the operators of the Springbrook golf course.  The dissenting vote was by Mike Beaudreau.  I can see arguments on both sides of this one.  I can see how supporting this $250,000 loan keeps alive the possibility that the [...]