To the editor: Habersham, we now have two big problems: the county landfill and our hospital! Both problems are serious because they have accumulated from previous inactions and missteps.
As a former County Commissioner Chair, I supported both dramatic changes in our hospital management and in landfill management policy. We could have sold our hospital to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for about $30 million and been left with $10 million debt. Donald Fraser has written extensively on this subject and the County Commissioners are currently having discussions with the Hospital Authority. Act now or add more debt. It is just that simple.
The County Landfill is an engineering facility that has a fixed capacity, a known fill rate, and a fixed lifetime based on these data. Once closed, the landfill must be monitored and managed for 30 years. Federal and state laws require this post closure process and the costs must be borne by our county. The County Commission during my tenure noted that the County Budget did not include funds for a post closure, so we acted to allocate resources for this purpose. (I do not know the current status of this fund.)
The landfill problem can be solved, but political action is required. The political season is NOW. Direct communication from our Commissioners to our newly elected Congressman, State Legislators, State Senator and the existing and anticipated new U.S. Senator is essential. A request from them to the U.S. Forest Service that initiates a land deal for expanding the existing facility will work.
It is clear that local governments must respond to Federal and State laws and regulations. Funding for this always comes from local taxes. Act now!
Lee Mulkey
Demorest