Commissioners talk supply chain, proclaim April Safe Digging Month

PERRY – Commissioners proclaimed April as Safe Digging Month as part of the many topics discussed in the latest Houston County Commissioners meeting. Safe Digging Month is an effort by the Houston County Utility Coordinating Committee. 

“Using safe digging practices, homeowners and contractors can save time, money and they can help keep infrastructure safe and sound,” Chairman Dan Perdue said. 

Military speaker 2nd Lt. Paul Wagner of the 407 Supply Chain Management Squadron spoke at the latest meeting about his military experience. Wagner is from Flowery Branch, Georgia, and is an Air Force program manager. He has been in the Air Force for only 11 months. 

Wagner was commissioned at the age of 28, a late start for the lieutenant. 

“When I was 18-years-old, I made all the wrong decisions by going to college,” he said.  “I did all the wrong things when I went to Mercer University and racked up too much student debt for nothing.”

After college, Wagner worked in the food and insurance industries. 

“Finally, I had a good mentor in my life when I was in insurance and told me, ‘What do you want to do with your life? Because this isn’t it.’ I want to go back to college.’

Wagner started out taking part-time courses and eventually found out about an ROTC program at Valdosta State University. Four years later, he earned a commission with “the greatest Air Force in the world” and was commissioned May 5. Wagner had orders to show up at Robins Air Force Base on June 1. 

“I was happy, actually,” he said. “I like Georgia and have been here all my life. I just turned 29, which means the government will have me in Georgia until I’m 33 years old, and I’m more than happy about it.”

According to Wagner, his specific supply chain management group’s mission is to plan and execute the Air Force’s supply chain to enable cost-effective warfighter support when and wherever is needed. 

“Supply chains are inherently very important, but at the end of the day all we really do is ensure that parts are on the shelf for maintainers to put on aircraft,” he said. 

At Robins Air Force Base, Wagner is a part of 800 assigned personnel that are 99% civilian. 

“We are a good representation of what the support middle Georgia gives this base,” he said. 

Wagner is only one of eight military personnel in the entire group.

“I am honored to work with all the people that I do on a daily basis,” he said.  

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

“Thank you for your faithfulness and commitment in serving our country and protecting our freedom,” Commissioner Tal Talton said. “Not only are we glad to have you in Georgia, but we’re especially happy to have you here in Houston County.” 

“Thank you for sharing your story,” Commissioner Mark Byrd said. “I especially appreciate your attitude towards the critical work of supply chain management because that is of great importance to the service to our warfighters.”

After Wagner’s story, the meeting turned to a public hearing on special exception applications headed by Commissioner Gail Robinson. 

Each local business request was approved except for a few that were tabled until the next meeting. 

On the table was a framing contractor business requested by Alvin Striggles, run from his home.  Several people in attendance were opposed to this business. 

One in particular was Victor Wade, President of the Homeowners Association for the Overlook subdivision. Wade states he represents 65 property owners, including Striggles. One main point Wade brings up is that the business should be operated only by the members of the premises. 

“[Striggles] has testified on the March 25 hearing that he has employees, yet he seeks an exception that specifically restricts a home occupation to the members of the family,” he said. 

Wade then said that two families live on this property, and both have about six or seven vehicles. The subdivision has only one entrance and exit, which could generate a lot more traffic in this area, which was the main issue in denying this business. 

After Wade shared his thoughts, Striggles was able to give his thoughts on why his business should be approved. In terms of parking, Striggles says that he has only one family living there and has a large circular driveway for his employees to park and has plenty of parking.

“My employees are local to Warner Robins,” he said. “Rather than everybody driving to the locations, they just meet at my house and we will go in one vehicle.” 

Due to conflicting information from Wade and Striggles, commissioners tabled the request and will send it to Zoning and Appeals for further investigation. 

“We appoint the Zoning and Appeals Board, and we do not like to overrule the Zoning and Appeals Board ,” Chairman Perdue said. “We are asking them to discover more about the evidence here to try and make a call.” 

Moving on to the rest of the agenda, the commissioners approved an HMGP Grant to update the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan as their current plan expires on May 2, 2026. According to the agenda, the total approved cost is over $24,000, with a federal share of $22,000, a state share of $978, a local share of $1,467, and a Subrecipient Management cost of $1,636. 

Commissioners also approved a request to lease a property owned by the Houston County Board of Commissioners on the corner of Perry Parkway and Kings Chapel Rd. to the Central Georgia Soccer Association. This ground lease will be a term of 10 years. 

“The CGSA is looking to expand and looking for more practice space,” Perdue said. “As a result of this lease, we don’t have to mow the grass any longer.” 

The next meeting will be held on April 23, 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.