The Jenkins County Commissioners increased their financial commitment to securing additional industry for Jenkins County during the group's Tuesday, Feb. 20, meeting.

The commissioners unanimously approved a motion by Commissioner Domingo Green to increase their previous monetary pledge to the Jenkins County Industrial Development Authority (JCDA) and its efforts to secure an OneGeorgia grant from $50,000 to $125,000. The grant, if approved, will be used to cover the JCDA's recent purchase of property for the county's third industrial park site.

The funds pledged may be monetary or in-kind services.

Chairman James Henry informed the group that the site had already been shown to prospective industries nine times and was considered a prime industrial location.

In other business, members of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans (SCV) requested permission to fly flags at the Confederate monument on the courthouse lawn during the month of April in recognition of the governor's proclamation of Confederate History and Heritage Month. The display would include interpretive placards noting the significance of each flag flown. The group also requested that the commissioners approve a similar proclamation.

During discussion of the matter, Commissioner Pam Dwight stated that she had no problem with approving the request for a local proclamation but expressed concern that flying the flags would create a "source of dissention within the community" and generate similar adverse publicity for Jenkins County as experienced from the event last year.

Commissioner Domingo Green also expressed concern, remarking, "I'm in favor of letting bygones be bygones. Let's talk about the war we're fighting now."

Members of the SCV noted that Civil War history was American history and stated that their purpose was only to honor those who fought in the conflict and to educate the public. They then presented commission members with a pamphlet explaining the significance of each flag that would be displayed.

Both requests were approved 3-1 with Green casting the opposing vote. Dwight stated that she was abstaining because she had not had time to read the pamphlet presented to her.

Dale and Evie Wiggins requested that the county maintain Burke-Parrish Road, stating that two school buses travel the road daily to pick up approximately 15 students, and it was in extremely poor condition.

"It is an issue of legality (private or public road), and we must rely on the advice of our attorney," Chairman James Henry responded.

"We can only provide what the law allows. Give us time to work on it and see what we can come up with," he added.

The commissioners tabled taking action on the appointment of two local citizens to serve on two regional boards until such time as applications could be obtained from those who had expressed an interest in serving.