Questions answered by Lamar Paris, County Commissioner
Q. Since the weather has been warmer, is play on Butternut Creek Golf Course improving?
A. It has taken a drastic improvement but has a long way to go to make up for not only the terrible winter but the sewer construction project that has gone right through the middle of the golf course. The project was needed and the contractor has been excellent to work with, but when you dig through the middle of the course, it does not help play. However, most of the work is nearly over. The weather has allowed sod to be replaced and by late Spring we hope there will be no evidence of construction.
Q. How is progress going on the new community center located at Butternut Creek Golf Course?
A. It is amazing how much work they have been able to accomplish with all the bad weather. By the time you read this, all the steel structure will be in place and they will be laying bar joist for the second floor concrete pour along with rough in of the second floor slab. We have had some technical difficulty, but you should be able to see the updates with photos on the county web site beginning this week at www.unioncountyga.gov.
Q. How is the registration going on the new Union County Alert System?
A. It is going very well. We have over 200 signups already and next month a flyer about the system will be going out in all EMC electric bills. This is an emergency notification service that the E-911 Center is offering free to the public and I think it really has the potential to enhance public safety as well as communications with the public. If you have any questions you can call E-911 at 706 439-6056 to receive more information.
Q. Is the county still receiving the numerous open records request?
A. As I stated at the county meeting, currently it has stopped for the past three weeks. However, those seeking the open records have filed an additional complaint with the Attorney General’s office against me and my staff. I have spent about ten hours this week doing nothing but gathering information and responding to the bogus complaints that are made up primarily of mistruths. In addition, the county attorney also has several hours invested in the ridiculous complaints.
Q. Did someone complain that those causing the open records problems at the courthouse are now being threatened?
A. Unfortunately, there seems to be no end to the tactics being used. Threats are not tolerated by me nor by any of my staff. There is absolutely no evidence of any threats being made and I do not believe any exist. I would encourage anyone using the internet or any other communication medium, that there is no place for threats in our society. We obviously have people that we certainly can not understand how their minds operate, but threatening people is the last thing that any of us should be involved in, especially since it can be considered criminal behavior and could land you in jail.