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// April 16th, 2009 // Comments Off // News
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Talkington: ‘Fixing Oak Park a moral issue’
Robert Preston, Jr.
The Douglas News
DOUGLAS — “Oak Park in general is occupied by hard-working people who raise their kids and do the right thing. But these people have seen their property de-valued because of a few. We live in an environment where drug dealers and murders are all to common. Fixing Oak Park is more than a political decision; it’s a moral decision,” said Rev. Vernon Talkington to the county commission Monday morning.
Rev. Talkington, who along with his wife Angie, operate the HOPE Center in Oak Park and who live there themselves, had a few concerns he wanted to share with the commission.
In recent years, millions of dollars have been spent revitalizing the subdivision. Most importantly, the area has benefitted from a new water system that has brought clean drinking water to all residents.
The county also has had the consulting firm of Jordan, Jones and Goulding prepare a comprehensive revitalization plan. However, many citizens feel as though progress isn’t being made fast enough.
Old mobile homes — many of them in deplorable condition — still litter the area, and old cars are all too common. Dogs run freely, and crime is rampant.
Rev. Talkington is no stranger to the county commission; he has been voicing his concerns — with some success — for over a decade.
Talkington’s two biggest concerns Monday involved old cars and old mobile homes. “We are one of just a few counties that allow trailers as old as 1977 to be set up. Satilla won’t connect utilities to a home older than 1985 without code enforcement signing off on it. But people are still pulling 1977 model or older homes into Oak Park,” he said.
He also said that he counted one home with 11 abandoned vehicles in front.
“I would like to see the county be more aggressive in the condemnation process to clean up the area,” said Talkington.
Commissioner Earl Brice said that $7 million to $10 million has bee spent at Oak Park, and more will be spent in the future. He also thanked the citizens who have worked so hard to help Oak Park.
Other commissioners pledged their support to ensure that Oak Park’s plight doesn’t go unnoticed. County attorney Tony Rowell said that he and Chris Kitchens have already looked at ordinances regarding dilapidated buildings and cars, and are working on a plan. “We’re already a long way down that path, and we’ll bring something favorable back to the commission,” he said.
The commission also approved a USDA grant loan resolution to purchase eight new deputy cars and one new rescue pumper truck for the county fire department. The grant is for $77,000, with the loan amount set at $439,000 for five years at 4.125 percent interest.
The county also approved the resurfacing contracts for Old Axson Road, Gaskin Springs Street and Spring Oak Street. Burke Paving submitted a bid of $160,872.20 — the only bid the county received. According to county CFO Wesley Vickers, it was within the acceptable range, and the commission approved it unanimously.
Chairman Kitchens announced that commissioners Tom Rice and James Vickers have completed their training, and are now certified county commissioners with the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia.
