After much thought and deliberation over the future of the Losing Georgia Project, I have come to the conclusion that the Project will no longer continue as of today, December 31, 2007. It has been an experience of a lifetime to take an original idea from scratch and develop it into a blossoming persona that has grown by leaps and bounds.

Over the course of the two plus years I have gained a respectable knowledge of the history and coherency that is my home, Douglas County, Georgia. Although not all have agreed with my personal views on development and growth, it was refreshing to know that there were many people out there that shared the same ideals in some fashion or another.

Out of this experience came three award winning Google Earth tours, several newspaper publications and awareness for the community. Much of the work for Losing Georgia was on my own time, done voluntarily, and at my own expense. I wish to continue on with the Project, however I can no longer financially nor have the passion to do so considering the current conditions that I have to face.

With a warm heart, I thank those profusely for the support provided in donations, e-mails, and comments. I have considered of continuing on with posting the local government meetings agendas and possibly the news snippets. If there is a demand for this service, then I will try my best to keep up with the information, however priorities now reside elsewhere with project Saving Hunter.

Those who want to keep apprised of my work can visit my blog, Trade Relic, or my photography website, Ashford Photography.

Thank you to all.

Sincerely,
Andrew A. Powell

The Douglas County Sentinel (requires registration) is reporting today that water levels at the Dog River Reservoir are finally rising to the point where water is in reach of overflowing the dam. If this becomes the case, the WSA can stop purchasing water from Cobb County, whereas reduction has already occurred.

COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA

JANUARY 3, 2008
10:00 A.M. – CITIZENS’ HALL

INVOCATION

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

CITIZENS’ INPUT

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Regular Commission Meeting of December 18, 2007.

PUBLIC HEARINGS (Beverly Storm)
2. Liquor and Beer & Wine License (New)
Tony’s Mexican Grill LLC
4040 Chapel Hill Road – Suites O & P, Douglasville, GA
(Licensee: José Antonio (Tony) Plascencia)

BUSINESS
3. Approval of 2008 Employment Agreements for contract employees and approval of 2008 Supplements for State Officials and Employees.

4. Authorization for Chairman to sign Memorandum of Understanding with the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council for continuation of the alternative delivery system for the Douglas Judicial Circuit.

5. Award of Bid for the furnishing and installation of 1 – five ton HVAC unit, for the Information Services Department – a turn-key project.

6. Authorization to enter into an agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) for right-of-way certification for the resurfacing of four county roads - Project – 000-S010-00(942).

7. Request for extension to the Georgia Department of Transportation’s Project CSSTP-0007-00(127) known as the Douglas County Curve Safety Plan.

NEW BUSINESS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS

ADJOURN

The Douglas County Sentinel (requires registration) is reporting today that the Douglas County Emergency Management Agency will receive a “a $24,175 federal grant for infrared and night vision gear that will benefit multiple county agencies.”

Merry Christmas everybody! I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday on this rainy day in Georgia.

The Douglas County Sentinel (requires registration) is reporting today that the robbers/carjackers that were apprehended on Highway 5 after crashing Atlanta Hawks Shelden Williams 2008 Chrysler Aspen, were denied bond regarding “four separate incidents.” Bernard Moss is charged with “our counts of armed robbery, four counts of possession of a firearm, three counts of terroristic threats, kidnapping and theft by receiving a motor vehicle.” His accomplice, Darius Mathis, has charges of “four counts of armed robbery, four counts of possession of a firearm and one count of theft by receiving a motor vehicle.”

The Douglas County Sentinel (requires registration) is reporting today about a robbery at Kohl’s Department store on Chapel Hill Road that occurred early Tuesday morning. A suspect broke into the store by breaking a set of glass planes with a rock, then proceeded to steal from the jewelery counter before fleeing.

The Douglas County Sentinel (requires registration) is reporting today that David Broderick of Stone Mountain, the man who opened fire on a Brink’s courier guard, has been released from Grady Memorial Hospital and is now in custody at the Douglas County Jail. Charges against Broderick include “criminal attempt to commit armed robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.” A second suspect has not been found.

The Atlanta Business Chronicle is reporting today that Georgia is now ranked 7th in the nation for foreclosures in the month of November. There were “8,968 foreclosure filings” last month which amounted to “one filing per 421 households in November.”

Slater Mill Creek is an ageless center of tales and growth. The many shoals along the short creek provided a plentiful current to power grist mills to grind wheat and corn. There were at least three mills on the creek at some time: Presley Mill, Slater Mill, and Greenup Christian Mill.

However mills are no longer prominent sites on the creek as it is now a bystander from populous growth, being tugged on by a trailer park, subdivisions, and a transportation center. Slater Mill Creek flows into Anneewakee Creek, which is one of the three major basins for Douglas County.

As for the historic north Georgia drought, water levels are have dropped beyond those seen during last winter. Shoals that were usually underwater from the currents can be crossed with ease. Small tributaries that feed into the creek from springs are dried out.