Houston County leaders express cautious, yet hopeful views about the community

jclark@sunmulti.com

It is clear that the economic downturn has had an effect on

the county, but during the State of the Community Luncheon held at Rozar Park,

fiscally responsible employees and voters was the reasoning behind why the

county’s governments and entities have not fallen on hard times like others in

the country.

“Financially this county is in sound condition,” said

Houston County Commission chairman Tommy Stalnaker at the State of the Community

Luncheon Thursday.

Stalnaker spoke about the county’s departments and commissioners

being fiscally responsible and thanked voters for passing the 2012 Special

Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.

“The 2012 SPLOST is going to be a lifesaver, especially with

encroachment.”

Yet, he also warned of the impending “fiscal cliff.”

 

 “It’s going to affect

every one of us … if that thing goes through,” he stated. “It is unknown the

impact it will have on us.”

Next, school superintendent Robin Hines said that “positives

have come out of the economic downturn,” citing the example of professional

learning.

Hines said, “Our school system is in great shape,” before he

gave a list of ongoing construction projects around the county.

In his opening statements, Maj. Gen. Robert McMahon (ret.),

the president and CEO of the 21^st Century Partnership, asked those

in attendance to “keep our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines in your

prayers,” because they “ensure we have the freedoms we do.”

He also said to pay attention to what is happening in

Washington D.C. over the next few months.

The City of Perry “is fiscally sound, but not doing great,”

opened Mayor Jimmy Faircloth, who then referenced the audit that is being

performed and that it will be a clean audit for the city.

Mary Beth Bass, the economic development coordinator for

Perry, introduced herself to the crowd of approximately 130 people; she has

been in the job for almost 10 months.

Bass reviewed the multiple programs and projects that are

ongoing in the city.

Larry Walker then asked the panel questions that were

written down by audience members.

Questions and their answers revolved around road

construction, how to support Robins Air Force Base, the tax digest and even

quail hunting, as McMahon had recently gone quail hunting.

“I did reduce the community of quail by one,” joked McMahon.

Faircloth told the audience that the Ball Street Extension

was complete and the opening of the road will be on Dec. 20.

Stalnaker said that the first phase of the Moody Road

construction would be complete in early spring. The first phase consists of the

northern part of Moody Road south of SR 96. The second part will be complete

about 10 months from now, he said.

He also said the construction on SR 96 should start in May

of 2013.

Stalnaker was also asked about his opposition to the

Transportation-SPLOST.

“I heard so many citizens say they were taxed out,” he

explained.

He said that because voters passed the 2012 SPLOST,

residents will “still see continuous transportation improvements in this

county.”

McMahon was asked about the base and how residents can show

support.

“We have two choices,” he said. To put “all energy to

protect the base or all of our energy trying to grow the base.”

McMahon said that factors in the community affect the base,

such as education and the crime rate. He said these issues need to be resolved

in the entire region.

Stalnaker was asked about the tax digest and if it declined.

It did “not decline like so many counties and cities across

the state,” he answered.

He said that the building permits for new houses were up.

Faircloth and Bass also reflected on the decline in the

commercial vacancy rate across the City of Perry and the need to entice younger

people to take up residence in the city.

HHJ News