Mayor Rocker responds to complaints

To: Citizens of Millen and Jenkins County

Over the last two months, I have received several letters from socalled concerned people about our town. The majority of these letters were from people I don't know or have never heard of. When asked if some of our older residents knew these people, they too had no knowledge. What is most interesting is that the writers don't live in Millen or Jenkins County. Their major complaint was that our county and city leaders are not helping our community to move forward because we don't "have a plan". Let me address a few issues which these concerned people think our local leaders have neglected.

The issue most mentioned was abandoned or poorly maintained property in our community. Specifically targeted was Highway 25. Undoubtedly, these folks don't know that the Georgia Department of Transportation already owns or is in the process of purchasing 24 property locations which have structures that will be demolished at the state's expense as part of the construction process of the Savannah River Parkway. In my opinion, it makes more sense to let the DOT incur these expenses and let the property owners and our community sit back and reap the benefits this new highway will bring. I would like to take this issue even one step further because we as local leaders don't intend to stop here. It is the intent of the Millen City Council to finish the job by encouraging all property owners on Highway 25 to keep their property, etc. well kept and maintained. If necessary, we are committed to doing so even if legal action is required. I believe we have a pretty good plan!

Another area mentioned in these letters, was the abandoned property on Winthrope Avenue across from our courthouse. This property falls into an entirely different category than the property noted above, as does other like property in Millen. As most of our community knows, this particular property once housed a gas station and we all know the solution here is costly. However, a plan is already in the making. Through our local C.S.R.A. Regional Development Center, the City of Millen applied for and was awarded a $200,000 grant which will conduct a study on 10 different properties within the city to convert into useful and appealing locations for parks, garden areas and/or parking areas. This can be done at very little cost to our taxpayers and possibly at no cost at all. Again, I believe we have a pretty good plan!

Another area of concern was the problem of jobs in Millen and Jenkins County. Of course we need more jobs and industry in our community. Economic development is the backbone for growth. However, we as leaders have not been sitting idle but have worked diligently and continue to do so to attract businesses and industries to locate here. Just recently we were very close to acquiring a new industry in our area but due to issues beyond our control we lost out. J.M. Huber decided to go just west of us to Swainsboro to locate their new mill. We were their second choice and although we were not awarded their new site, the process has proven to be very beneficial for us. Three very trained and very knowledgeable gentlemen named Billy Martin, Jim Ewing and Brian Warsham helped us identify the suitable tract of land to offer J.M. Huber. As a result, we now have a site available for future prospects that the state refers to as a "mini-mega industrial site." So you see, the Jenkins County Development Authority didn't just give up when J.M. Huber located elsewhere. We stepped up to the plate and found a way to purchase the first parcel of this land and are presently investigating other ways to develop the entire site by looking into grants, etc. We want to be ready so that when the next Fortune 500 Company comes calling we can say, "We're ready!" We already have a lot of the basic engineering done; a topo map completed; and can attest to there being no wetlands, etc. Once again, I believe we have a pretty good plan!

I truly believe that our town's future is a bright one. With the Savannah River Parkway nearing completion in the next several years, our local school system making improvements in regards to better facilities, etc. and our leaders and elected officials continuing to work together for the betterment of Millen and Jenkins County, we have a lot to look forward to. Just as you can't judge a book by its cover, neither can you judge a community's commitment by taking a brief look at its appearance when passing through. It took God six days to create the universe and Noah didn't finish the ark overnight. Just as they had a "pretty good plan", we feel confident that we do too!

Sincerely, King Rocker Mayor, City of Millen