Commissioners learn about the 5th Mob, cover special exception applications in latest meeting 

PERRY — In their most recent meeting Tuesday morning, The Houston County Commissioners discussed the Air Force’s 5th Mob and many special exception applications.

At the start of the meeting, Chief Master Sgt. Ronald Bartsch spoke about serving at Robins Air Force Base. Bartsch has served in the Air Force for over 26 years and is currently the Senior Enlisted Leader of the 51st Combat Communication Squadron, also known as the 5th Mob. He has been at Robins Air Force Base for about 10 months.

“My wife is hoping that [Robins Air Force Base] will be our last stop because she really likes it here,” he said. 

Bartsch has been deployed 19 times, spanning over nine years. Before Robins Air Force Base, Bartsch was stationed in Idaho, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and Wyoming. 

“For most of my time, I have been a communicator the entire time, which includes satellite communications, radio frequencies, networks and servers,” he said. 

Bartsch spent 10 years in special operations and five years with the special joint operations command. He mentioned his squadron is the only active-duty combat communications group in the Air Force. 

“I am thankful to the state of Georgia,” he said. “The governor actually saved the 5th Mob. So, there were discussions about getting rid of one or the other, and when they found out the 5th Mob was on the cutting slate, the governor of Georgia stepped in and saved our unit.”

The 5th Mob injects about $3.8 billion between them and Robins into Georgia. 

“With the unique set of skills that the 5th Mob brings not just here but to the fight overall, we are just truly grateful for what Houston County and the State of Georgia does for us everyday,” he said. 

After Bartsch’s story, commissioners reflected on his speech. 

“Thank you for your service to Robins and we are proud to welcome you to Houston County and be host to Robins Air Force Base,” Commissioner Mark Byrd said. 

“Thank you so much for your service and sacrifice,” Commissioner Tal Talton said. “You mentioned your wife wanting to call Houston County home, and that is what it’s all about. We’re here for you and I appreciate you being here.” 

“Sometimes when we think about Houston County we ask the question, ‘What is it that makes us so different and so special?’ And the answer is you,” Commissioner Shane Gotwalls said. “I wonder what kind of volumes of books that you could write about your experience.” 

After the minutes were approved, Talton headed the first public hearing of the meeting for special exception applications. Most local business recommendations were approved, apart from a select few, most notably, a framing contractor business run by Alvin Striggles. 

Edward Tucker, representing the Overlook Subdivision, read a statement sent in by the subdivision’s homeowners association. According to the statement, the Architectural Control Committee revisited the complaint about traffic and the trailer and examined it through the lens of a public-derived activity. 

“Had we known [Striggles] was running a business in his home, we would’ve ruled differently and likely intervened through a covenant process,” the statement said. 

The statement also said that Striggles and some neighbors of the Overlook Subdivision do not get along. However, this opposition to his business is not because of Striggles himself. 

“Several owners wanted to make it clear that we are not opposing this simply for the dislike of Mr. Striggles,” the statement said. “Our goal is truly to overall impact that may have on the Overlook going forward as we have done our best to fairly and consistently adjudicate complaints regardless of where they come from.” 

Tucker explained according to the City of Warner Robins, Striggles has been operating under a city home occupation exception for three years. 

“[Striggles] purchased his Overlook property in 2017 and at the end of 2018 while living in the Overlook, he renewed his business license at 102 Whisper Court address even though he no longer lived there, but he did own it,” the statement said. “This violates the city ordinance of 95.2.2 requiring home occupation owners to actually be living in the residence listed as their home occupation.” 

The statement said Striggles had been doing this until 2021 when he sold the property at Whisper Court. It also pointed out Striggles built a firing range in his first year at the Overlook. 

“His weapons fire re-occurred over several weeks despite sheriffs, neighbors and even  HOA asking him to stop, he continued unrelenting,” the statement said. “His repeated indulgence was in his words ‘perfectly legal, expressly permitted in the Second Amendment and well within the county ordinances’.”  

Striggles then responded to the statement. 

“He said a lot,” he said. “Some of it is true and the majority of it is lies.” 

According to Striggles, although residents believed his range shooting was disruptive, he wasn’t informed by neighbors.

“It amazes me the lies that y’all generate talking about my business,” he said. 

Striggles’ special exception application was denied. Other disapproved businesses included a fencing and patio business as well as a mobile automotive repair business. 

In new business, the Board approved multiple grants, quotes, and bids. The grants were awarded from Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency and the District Attorney’s Office involving the Violence Against Women Act. 

Approved quotes involved roadside litter cleanup and sealing and striping a county parking lot at 301 Snellgrove Drive. 

“This goes to show that littering costs us money,” Gotwalls said. “Be very mindful of debris and it is not cheap to get trash picked up.”

One bid approved involved vehicle maintenance for the fleet of over 200 vehicles from Five Star Warner Robins and Phil Brannen Ford in Perry.

“We are continuing to look at ways where we can both bring down expenses related to vehicle maintenance as well as ensure that our vehicles spend the least amount of time in the shop as possible for routine maintenance,” Chairman Dan Perdue said.  

Other bids approved include the Elberta Water Treatment Plant Renovation and the addition of a sidewalk and concrete pad to the Ed Dunbar Law Enforcement Training Facility. 

Notable public comments include updates from Robins Air Force Base and the summer schedule for the Houston County Library as the Vacation Reading Program approaches, starting Monday, May 20. The next Houston County Commissioners’ meeting will be held May 21, 5 p.m. at 200 Carl Vinson Parkway in Warner Robins. To view the minutes of this meeting in full, go to houstoncountyga.org/commissioner/meeting-minutes.cms.