Harrison may have county water by year’s end

Harrison may have county water by year’s end

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Friday, May 1. 2009

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Harrison District residences and farms in northern Madison County may have county water running through their section of the county by the end of 2009.

The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) will likely approve funding for the $2.8 million project water line soon, according to Industrial Development and Building Authority (IDA) executive director Marvin White.

White told the IDA board last week that the county should qualify for a 20-year zero percent loan for 30 percent of the funds, with the remaining 70 percent provided by a GEFA grant. The original paperwork had indicated that the loan would be at three percent, but White said he has received word that Madison County meets guidelines to qualify for a zero percent loan.

The IDA held a public hearing on the Harrison project on April 14 and White said most comments were favorable.

The Harrison project is one of two “shovel-ready” water line projects that the IDA has submitted to GEFA requesting funding through federal stimulus monies (the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) for rural counties.

White said once the project funds are approved, the authority will need to need to complete the work between June 1 and Dec. 31.

The water line will include interconnections to Royston and Franklin County water systems.

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#1 Anonymous on 05/01/09 at 02:04 AM [Reply]

Thank you, Barack Obama!

#2 Anonymous on 05/01/09 at 09:37 AM [Reply]

Just some more of boss hogs Pethel and Dove paying off political debts.

#2.1 Harrison on 05/01/09 at 04:29 PM [Reply]

Stupid is as Stupid does & YOU are the #1 STUPID. This not costing us anything so shut up & go complain to your MaMa.Harrison has never gotten many services as other areas of the County & it is about time we got a little something. Oh, Yes, this is FREE & will not cost the citizens one red cent for the installation of the water. Only cost will be if residents want to hook up to it & that is the case anywhere in our County. So quit your b****ing & do something constructive. Oh, I forgot, all you know how to do is bash others & complain. So sorry. BOC has NOTHING to do with this.

#2.2 Grateful Citizen on 05/01/09 at 08:03 PM [Reply]

In response to your statement rather than take a wild swing at Mr. Pethel and Chairman Dove why don't you explain your statement? You accuse them of paying off political debt's what are those debt's? For your information these two gentlemen have had nothing to do with this water project from the get go, because their is no money in the county budget for water this year or many years down the road. This project is being handled by the IDA, that's what they do! The IDA is forwarding thinking enough to go look for money to fund water and sewer for the people of Madison County. Now I'm sure your next statement will be that the taxpayer's are paying for the water sytem. I think Marvin explain's it very well the funding of the project. When something good finally takes place in this county people like you show up with your less than smart comments. Thank you Marvin and the IDA.

#2.2.1 Anonymous on 05/04/09 at 09:44 PM [Reply]

Sorry but the BOC does have something to do with this...they elect the IDA!!!!!
The BOC works hand in hand with the IDA, GET IT? The BOC wants to control every board don't you get it? Obviously, not.

#2.3 Anonymous on 05/02/09 at 07:29 AM [Reply]

Its not what you know in this county it is WHO you know. It sure is strange that the mention of water lines in the Harrison Community wasn't an issue until the house on the hill was built.
Agree, Dove/Pethel playing favorites in the political world.......AGAIN! Why should I have to pay for their political backings?

#2.3.1 Anonymous on 05/02/09 at 01:01 PM [Reply]

Thank you 2.3, you said it all very well. It's all about who you know. Don't say that it is not costing the taxpayers one red cent, because the 30% is coming out of somebody's pocket. OURS!!!! And while we are on the subject of Harrison, how about the $146,000 that the county has spent SO FAR on a road to nowhere (Sam Bruce Rd). And again that is so far in litigation fees and engineering fees. How much more will be spent and if the county wins what about the cost to actually do the project. Sounds like a local Pethel and Dove STIMULUS bill to me!!! Going broke fast!!!

#2.3.1.1 Anonymous on 05/04/09 at 09:48 PM [Reply]

WHat are you talking about? 146,000 for WHAT. That road is never traveled and the county spent 146K on that, give me a break. I am going to go to the courthouse and make a open meetings request to see if this is accurate, surely not.

#2.3.1.1.1 Anonymous on 05/05/09 at 10:37 AM [Reply]

Check it out 2.3.1.1. I have already seen the figures. You can lay this on Pethel's doorstep. He is the one that keeps pushing this issue. As I understand it if he gets his way it will also be paved!!! Talk about political debts. This one is a doozy.

#2.3.2 Harrison on 05/03/09 at 02:32 PM [Reply]

Another STUPID,iniformed comment.You will NOT be paying one cent on this project.Can't you read? This is free money for the Federal Govt.So stop complaining & be thankful that Madison Co. got some of the free money.If all this money had gone to other counties (Fulton,etc.) you would complain about that.I am thankful that the IDA saw the need in Harrison & moved on it. Maybe our VFD ISO rating will go down & our homeowners' insurance will decrease. It's a win,win situation for us. We don't ask for much, only life's necessities in order to survive. Have you tried doing without water for just one day? Many in Harrison have & it is not a lot of fun unless you want to go around smelling like a skunk,eating out & peeing on a tree trunk! Think about it, better yet, try going w/o water for just one day & see how difficult it is. A lot of us in Harrison have had water problems, not just the house on the hill. Leave them alone. I'm sure they are good people & want the best for our County.

#2.3.2.1 April on 05/05/09 at 01:42 PM [Reply]

You choose to live where you live, don't like it move........ It is what it is,bet you live on the hill.

#2.3.2.1.1 Anon on 05/07/09 at 06:25 AM [Reply]

No I don't live on the hill!

#2.3.3 Anonymous on 05/04/09 at 06:50 AM [Reply]

You are exactly correct 2.3...the house on the hill is the reason for this I grant you. As a matter of fact, yes, the homeowner of that house is working just next door to our chairman, hmmmmmmm...........
and don't tell me that we are not paying for this pet project. I can see many more things in this community we need worse. How bout some public water ran to the Ingles area along with sewer connections, so we can achieve some businesses of sort to lower our mill rate in the years to come.
Pethel you are a joke, the people in the Harrison community must think that they better get their water before he is BOOTED next year!

#2.3.4 April on 05/05/09 at 01:38 PM [Reply]

Is that not what Pethel does best? He
is all out to help you if there is something
in it for him in return! If you are a family
member or someone they like rules are different
if you are not, you have no chance in getting
anything from these 2 waste of tax payers
money, if you voted for Pethel and Dove, you
are getting just what you asked for!

#2.3.5 Anonymous on 05/05/09 at 01:39 PM [Reply]

#3 CommonSense on 05/01/09 at 01:52 PM [Reply]

Why is the newspaper not doing stories on the feed mill near Comer being promised water by White. Comer refused them water after White assured the mill that Comer would supply it. Now the IDA is having to drill well(s) at the mill to supply the water Why should my tax dollars drill wells for a private company?

#4 Anonymous on 05/01/09 at 04:31 PM [Reply]

That mill means jobs in Madison County. People in Madison County need jobs. Drilling a well? By all, means, drill the well! That's nothing compared to the jobs Madison County gets in return!

#4.1 Anonymous on 05/05/09 at 02:56 AM [Reply]

What are you crazy, the only jobs this is going to create is jobs and revenue for Franklin County. People are going to get up in the morning, take a shower with county water and run to the grocery store in FRANKLIN county. Give me a break!

#5 Anonymous on 05/02/09 at 01:16 PM [Reply]

It's not a problem that Harrison is getting water, but don't say that it is not costing the taxpayers "one red cent". Where do you think the IDA gets their funds from? The millage rate that you see on your tax bill is where. You are paying for the 30 percent and don't even think that you're not. We all are!! As for the house on the hill, doesn't one of those people work in Chairman Dove's office and were Pethel backers.

#6 Harrison Fire Chief on 05/08/09 at 06:27 PM [Reply]

Thanks to Marvin,IDA,Board and all that support this water issue.Do any of you think of the 250+ Firefighters that cover this County at" NO COST" to the County , We all Volunteer to protect all citizens .Operations of a Fire Department do cost all citizens that own property and it ain't Cheap.

Water for a Fire Department is a Dream come true.The water that we can carry to a Fire is not enough lots of time and we rely on other Fire Departments to bring us water pulling them away from their area to protect. I do not like to do that and they don't either,but right now that is how we make do. Supporting a Water System in the Harrison District also are the Farmers of the Cattle and Poultry Industry.

Farmers in Madison County contribute over 240 million Dollars for Madison County's Industry
"Agriculture" We as Farmers pay Taxes and we pay on time.It's our way of life.Most of the Firefighters in the County are Farmers and Industrial Workers,County Employee's,Local Business Owners.We are ready any time,7/24
when the 911 drops the tones for our pagers.

So Thanks to all who support a positive outlook on this Water System. From the Firefighters ,
Home Owners , Farmers , Tax Payers too. It will be a WELCOME SITE to see in Harrison.

Fire Chief , A. Wayne Smith

#6.1 Becky in Harrison on 05/09/09 at 08:55 AM [Reply]

Well said, Chief Smith. Of course, you know there are those idiots that will disagree with you but so what, they disagree with anything & everything.That's their way of life. So sad that they cannot do something to benefit the County.Maybe if they would volunteer as a fire fighter they would have a better understanding.But I doubt it. Thanks to you & all the Volunteer Fire Departments in Madison. You all do a tremendous job & I truly appreciate your service.

#6.1.1 Harrison Fire Chief on 05/09/09 at 09:23 AM [Reply]

Thanks Becky, I believe you just made 250 Volunteer Firefighter's feel good.It is nice to here a "Thank You".
Chief , A.Wayne Smith

#6.1.1.1 anderson cash on 05/17/09 at 06:19 PM [Reply]

Well this is all good about the water line but let's just think for a minute! 30% of how much at 0% interest. 12 million to start with and no rock clause in the contract. We all know that rock can triple the cost, so now 36 million dollars at 30% = 12960000.0 dollars. Thats a lota money any way you count it and we know that this area is nothing but rock. It just sticks out of the ground everywhere around where this water line has to go. Now how many residents can afford to hook up to this water? Its going to cost around 3000.0 dollars to tape and run the average line WOW.
Hey chief why dont the county drill a 150000.0 well for the fire department and run a line to the big house on the hill, It sure would be cheaper and produce a lot of water for the two or three signups and the tax payers would not be strapped for this huge multi million dollar bill for Boss Hog John and his croinies. Have you heard this is a depression not glory days!

#6.2 anon on 05/09/09 at 02:57 PM [Reply]

Speaking of agriculture, I believe we had a chance to bring a comercial egg plant into the county a while back. Our commissioners could not find in themselves to support it. They had no problem with supporting numerous subdivisions around our county. Look at all the vacant homes and lots scattered around the county. Read all the foreclosure notices in this paper. Very few people will buy a house in Madison County today, but, nearly everybody had eggs for breakfast.

#6.2.1 Anonymous on 05/10/09 at 11:35 AM [Reply]

Look at the unemployment figures for Madison County...THROUGH THE ROOF! Unemployment and layoffs soon lead to foreclosures which means a big drop in revenues as those people leave the county in droves with unpaid property taxes, no sales taxes paid (because they were broke), to go live elsewhere.

We said it then, and we say it now: Madison County NEEDED and SHOULD HAVE APPROVED the egg facility. Now the rest of you see...WE WERE RIGHT and saw the WRITING ON THE WALL. Now the rest of you are crying out for those much NEEDED jobs!

It must be said: WE TOLD YOU SO!

The owners of the egg facility and the employees in the other county working there are having a big ole belly laugh at Madison County now.

#7 Anonymous on 05/10/09 at 07:18 AM [Reply]

I must say, yes, thank you for everything that you do as a fire chief. I also must say that you are getting something in return for your service or you would not be taking time away from your family.
However; to say that the fire department does not cost the taxpayer ONE CENT....I must differ with you sir, all property owners are responsible for their portion of the tax burden which in turn is sent to your department.
I live near Neese and I sir have a drilled well with an expensive water filter system. I personally would prefer to have county water and a lower insurance fire rating.
Also, if you check the tax information the majority of the agriculture community are in the conservation program which eliminates the majority of their tax bill to the county.
I feel that the water lines and sewer connections should be given to the more populated areas which will benefit the ENTIRE county not just a select few in the future.
I am sure the citizens of this county appreciates the ag community however; someone has got to pay the bills and I can assure you that the investment in the Harrison Community's water system is not going to have a positive return on the ENTIRE county's investment.

#7.1 Harrison Fire Chief on 05/10/09 at 03:24 PM [Reply]

If you have read my comment... I am saying that the volunteer that volunteers as a Firefighter
does not cost you any thing..... yes our Fire Department has a contract with the County that
funds the Fire Departments (11) with the one mill that is set by the BOC it also funds the Rescue Units (4), the personnel does not cost you anything.

And what is this (anonymous) crap that we read all the time if you have something to say , say it with a NAME , That is so Coward.

Chief , A.Wayne Smith

#7.2 Becky in Harrison on 05/10/09 at 04:17 PM [Reply]

This money came from Obama for use in very rural areas.Harrison is just that.I'm sure the Neese area could have used some of the stimilus money also but you have to ask & apply for it. Madison Co. has a lot of needs & hopefully all the areas will someday benefit & get what they need. I don't know how,when or where this can be done but hopefully your area & others will benefit someday. Please understand how rural Harrison is or just drive through our community & see what we DO NOT have.We would love to have an EMS station but there is no funding for that so we just wait & hope. Again, Obama put this stimilus money into play for the rural areas & yes there are needs throughout Madison & hopefully the Harrison project will be just the beginning of what other areas in our fine County may be able to achieve.#7 Yes, the fire depts. get some funds from the county but the money is used for equipment,supplies, etc. NOT for payroll. These fine men work for no pay check. The funds are used only to equip the fire stations.I don't mind some of my taxes going to all the depts. because when we need them they are there! Try paying for a fire depts. in a much larger county...then you would have something to complain about. Their firemen are paid a salary plus extra money for equipment, etc. We are getting a bargin based on the amount of money paid to them. If you are unhappy please complain to Obama.This is his plan & I think a good one.It's about time the rural areas got a little something in return for our tax $$$ instead of all of it going to the larger, industrial areas. Give us a break & remember our tax $$$ help to fund the larger and more industrial areas just as yours did.

#8 Anonymous on 05/11/09 at 09:28 AM [Reply]

Complain to Obama, frankly I voted for him. This has nothing to do with Obama, this has to do with our management of government or lack thereof. It is quite funny that studies have shown that the majority of rural Americans typically vote for the Republicans but when free money is flying out the windows they jump on the Obama wagon.
I realize that your community needs infrastructure to accommodate your needs BUT has your commissioner thought beyond the end of his nose? Probably not, considering whom you have. What about the rock? Has a study been performed to ensure the citizens of Madison County that we are not going to foot the bill for the overexceeded circumstances that may arise due to unpreparation? Everyone should look beyond the end of their noses.....The water system sounds great but much more research should be done to ensure the fact that my children are not paying for your water system 10 years from now. Our mill rate could and will probably be over 30 mills and we STILL do not have sewer/water connections in the high density areas of the county. Which in turn, could produce enough revenue for the county so we could actually pay for your infrastructure instead of borrowing funds over the original cost.

#8.1 Anonymous on 05/11/09 at 11:25 AM [Reply]

You're an idiot. Read the article:

"White told the IDA board last week that the county should qualify for a 20-year zero percent loan for 30 percent of the funds, with the remaining 70 percent provided by a GEFA grant."

zero interest on 30 percent of the cost and the other 70 percent FREE!? And you want to miss this opportunity and waste money to fund some "research" to understand the costs of ZERO PERCENT and FREE?!?

I'm sure glad you aren't running the show. This is free money for Madison County, folks...LET'S USE IT.

#8.1.1 Citizen on 05/12/09 at 06:53 AM [Reply]

Well said. So glad we have some educated people responding to these idiots. We all know who they are & they are so pitiful.Their little group of clowns always has to find something to complain about but this time they have no facts to argue with.

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Harrison may have county water by year’s end

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Harrison may have county water by year’s end

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