Questions answered by Lamar Paris, County Commissioner
This week, I am going to use my Q & A column to talk about our current SPLOST (sales tax) construction projects that are currently underway. So these are not questions from the public, but for your further information about your county.
Q. Can you list the construction projects that the county has in progress or will soon have in progress?
A. We are very fortunate to have several projects underway, all of which will enhance the quality of life for our county and certainly make us more attractive. The projects under construction at this time are the horse arena, Meeks Park walking trail, Choestoe School house move and restoration, new farmers market and the Byron Herbert Reece Homeplace project. Also, construction will soon begin on the Union County Library expansion and the new community center at Butternut Creek Golf Course.
Q. With the very bad economic times, why are we spending this much money now?
A. All of these are SPLOST (sales tax) projects that were voted on by you, the citizens of the county. The one exception is the Byron Herbert Reece Homeplace project being constructed by grant funds. The money collected from sales tax, while not as much as we had hoped for, will allow these projects to be completed and at the same time, put a lot of people to work. These funds can not be used for any projects other than those that comply with the referendum we passed in 2008.
Q. You spoke about the horse arena a few weeks ago. Can you give us more details?
A. We did some extensive grading around the existing arena so that we would have enough fill dirt to expand and move the current arena slightly from its original position. This was so that a roof could be built over the arena to dodge on one side a major power line right of way and a stream buffer on the other side. We did not have any room to play with as the new 42,000 sq ft roof barely fit. You will be amazed when you see it. The first horse show is only two weeks away (one week when you read this) and a lot of work has to take place between now and then. I am sure we will all be working right up till show time.
Q. What must be completed at the arena in time for the first horse show?
A. The scoring tower must be finished, grass must be sowed, gravel must be spread, the new sign installed and most importantly, a new large welded tube fence (show ring) has to be built. This is a lot to accomplish in two weeks, but we are confident that we will have it done. We will be using existing bleachers probably for most of this year, but hope to be able to install new aluminum bleachers by next year. We are also waiting on the order to arrive for the lights and sound system. Finally, we have to haul in the sand/soil mixture for the arena area. It will be a very busy two weeks. Tomorrow, we will have a county motor grader there making final touches as well as a detainee crew working on the fence.
Q. Will the new walking trail at Meeks Park be ready by July 4th?
A. We are confident that it will be open in time. The rain showers have made it difficult to complete the grading. We are putting gravel down as a base and covering it with wood chips from the trees and brush cleared during construction on the trail. We have a detainee crew working on the chipping as well as some members of the Road Dept. The 30 acre parcel that we purchased across from Meeks Park and Butternut Creek for this trail system is some of the most beautiful property in the county and when you have an opportunity to see it, you will agree. These trails will be accessed from the new bridges in Meeks Park.
Q. When will the old Choestoe School house be completed?
A. Everything is happening all at one time with all our SPLOST projects and we are getting stretched pretty thin. The school house is ready to move and weather permitting, should be moved this week or next at the latest to its new site on Collins Rd. We will then put a new roof on it, try to shore up and replace the bad parts of the siding, have the old windows repaired, and then work on the inside later. We have already had some people volunteer to work on the building and we hope to use some volunteers on the interior work. To answer the question, I do not know when it will be completed, but we should have the exterior work done this year.
Q. Will the Farmers Market be ready for opening on June 26th?
A. We are confident that we will be open if it does not continue to rain every afternoon. While both sheds will not be completed, we will hopefully have at least one shed ready which will allow for 27 spaces and the additional shed floor should be completed with 30 spaces.