Our opinion
Habersham County’s commissioners were hoping to keep Monday’s special-called meeting short, but that did not happen.
After a 40-minute discussion that doubtless in some way regarded the now-terminated Vinitha Robinson, the commissioners ended up in a longer debate about the future of economic development in the county.
The City of Baldwin brought a contingent of its top brass – Mayor Joe Elam, City Clerk Emily Woodmaster and Councilwoman Alice Venter – to discuss the annexation of several parcels of property near Highway 365 and Thompson Road.
Those parcels total 138 acres and will be contiguous with the city limits, offering the chance for full water and sewer services. That potentially would attract industrial growth in that area with a prime spot right on the highway.
Commissioner Bruce Palmer interjected and said that his conversation with the developer indicated that he could let the property sit for 10-15 years, and that his main motivation was acquiring it to keep it away from another developer.
The commissioners agreed not to challenge the annexation, but they raised concerns about future agreements with Baldwin about road and bridge maintenance in the area, as well as hopes that the property would be used to its utmost potential in a nearer term than Palmer was led to believe.
Baldwin has taken some heat in the past for either stunting growth opportunities – like the 28-week ongoing spec building fiasco at the industrial park – or dreaming too big, in the case of the 500-plus unit housing development project that is being considered. Finding balance and common ground with neighboring governments will be crucial to the county’s developmental future.
“If our intent is smart industrial growth, (the county and Baldwin) are the best partners to make all this happen,” Elam said.
Vice Chairman Bruce Harkness, for one, thinks Baldwin will show the proper leadership in these journeys forward.
“I trust Baldwin,” Harkness said. “I believe in Baldwin.”
Baldwin is without a true city manager and is probably set to go without one for the near future.
Baldwin’s message Monday was that the city is a willing partner to make these things happen. We’re not so sure.
It will be crucial to our community’s future that all these leaders stay on the same page and keep their eyes on the ball going forward, as they said they would Monday.
As we all know, saying you’re going to do something and actually doing it are not always the same thing.
We’ll keep you posted on how it goes moving forward.