Questions answered by Lamar Paris, County Commissioner
Q. The county has been patching some roads and there is loose gravel all over the road. Why is this necessary as it is dangerous and could nick our car paint?
A. We are saving hundreds of thousands of dollars utilizing surface treatment (tar and chip) patching for our roads. This past winter, the sealing that we did last fall has really saved our paved roads. I do not like the looks of the patching, but it is doing its job and saving us money.
The down side of using this patching method is that once the tar and gravel is applied to the road to seal the cracks, we must put additional gravel dust over the patch to prevent the tar from bleeding through and getting on your vehicle. This loose gravel remains on the road for about two days and we then come back and sweep the loose gravel off the road. In the mean time, we install signs warning of loose gravel and tar on the roadway and you should use caution and heed the signs. Some people ignore the signs and if you do, it could cause you to skid on the roadway. Unfortunately, road maintenance is a fact of life and we just have to live with it, especially right now as we will be patching all over the county.
Q. Could the jail road crew get to Pat Colwell Rd. sometime to pick up litter? I do not believe I have seen so much garbage on the road ever before.
A. Yes, they will be getting to it real soon. It continues to baffle me at the amount of trash that is scattered throughout our county along our roadways and how difficult it is to catch people doing it. We continue to feel that much of it is accidentally being blown out of pickup trucks that either do not have a cover on their load or who simply throw trash in the pickup bed thinking it will stay there, when it always blows out.
We still have a litter hot line that you can call and anonymously report anyone littering. That phone number is 706-439-6025 and we encourage you to use it when you see a violator.
Q. What is the minimum acreage that can be put in conservation covenant for property tax purposes? Who decides the minimum acreage?
A. According to the Property Appraisal office, ten acres or more is required for you to be able to declare it in conservation. However, if you have less than 10 acres and can provide proof of bona fide conservation use then less than 10 acres can be considered for conservation use designation. (O.C.G.A. 48-5-7.4 a.2) Once your property is placed in conservation use, it is required to remain there for ten years. If you sell your property prior to that, there can be significant tax penalties.
Q. I have not received my Census form yet. What is the problem?
A. For some reason that I do not fully understand, if you have only a P.O. Box, you will not receive a form there, but will either have one delivered to your home or you may pick one up at the Question Assistance Centers at the Union County Courthouse. In addition, all of the Census forms have not yet been mailed out. I'm told that people should not 'give up' until after April 12th. If by that time, you have still not received the questionnaire, you may call, 1-866-872-6868 and request a form be sent to you. Or you may pick one up at the courthouse. You have until May 1 to get you form in. As of April 1 the return rate for our county is 48%. The return rate for the state is 47% and for the nation 52%. Union County's return rate in in 2000 was 55%.