At last night’s Gordon County Board of Commissioners Meeting, the rezoning request for about 90 acres in Resaca on Highway 41 near Interstate 75 was denied. In a 3-2 the board checked developer’s plans to reclassify the two land tracts from Agricultural to Industrial. Developers had planned a logistics center. Those in favor of granting the change were significantly outnumbered by those who opposed the plan; this was verified by a non-official request from one of the speakers for a show of hands. About 100 citizens attended the meeting; the speeches for and against were polite.
Also in the meeting, Administrator Jim Ledbetter gave his report on SPLOST and LOST collections; they are up – SPLOST by 8.4% and LOST by 10% – over last year. These funds, according to Ledbetter are for much-needed paving equipment and other projects voted on as part of the SPLOST. Gordon County Code Enforcement Director Jimmy Bradford addressed the board. Bradford said that along with his deputy, Officer Chavez, more than half of the office’s 56 violations have been settled without going to court. Bradford said the disputes are often between neighborhood perception of “junk”, with the citation recipients often preferring to call it “merchandise.” The Mount Olive Church Road Dam Project looks as if it will begin soon, according to information at the meeting. Also, Ledbetter discussed an important meeting that he, along with Chairman Bud Owens, City of Calhoun Mayor Jimmy Palmer, and City Administrator Paul Worley held with Georgia State Economist Barton Lowery. According to Ledbetter, Gordon County is poised for rapid growth in the next few years. He explained the advantages that businesses, residential developers, and industrial operators see in our area. Per Ledbetter, these include our power grid security, water availability, sewer (City of Calhoun), and cheap land prices combined with low taxes make us a prime target for growth. Interstate access amplifies these strengths. Chairman Abernathy, in a reference to industrial usage, asked Administrator Ledbetter if the growth would include existing buildings or new construction. According to Ledbetter, both.
An important meeting for citizens of Ranger is coming Thursday night at 6 p.m. at Ranger Baptist Church. Ledbetter also reported that his assistant, Assistant Administrator Keith King, will meet with interested residents about the remodel/reconstruction of the Ranger Community Center.
Eligible residents may begin applying for cooling assistance through the Georgia Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This program assists low-income, elderly, and disabled Georgians with cooling costs through direct payments to home energy suppliers.
To qualify, a family’s annual income must be less than or equal to 60% of the median income for a Georgia family. For a household of one, the income threshold is $33,038, and for a household of five, the income threshold is $73,700. Individuals ages 65 years and older and the medically homebound may apply starting on April 1, 2025. All other Georgians who wish to apply can do so beginning May 1, 2025.
Funds are administered through local Community Action Agencies on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are exhausted. For more information, visit tallatoonacap.org.
In arrests announced by The Gordon County Sheriffs Office:
1. Jacob Paul Beal, 34, of Chatsworth was arrested by sheriff’s deputies – charged with Family Violence, Criminal Trespass, Simple Battery and Sexual Battery.
by: Brent Jones