County delays ambulance purchase
Private roads, animal control also discussed
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

The purchase of a new ambulance was tabled by the Jenkins County Commissioners during the group's Friday, Oct. 5, meeting due to the absence of two board members. Commissioner Domingo Green presided over the meeting and explained that Commissioner James Henry was absent due to the illness of a family member. Commissioner Tommy Lane arrived later during the meeting.

Jenkins County Ambulance Director Henry Young presented bids for a new ambulance as previously requested by the commissioners. When the decision was made to table the matter for the full board's consideration, Young became upset at the delay and left the meeting. The matter was scheduled to appear on the agenda of a called meeting set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9.

Robert Reese addressed the commissioners with road concerns asking for clarification of the process by which county roads are determined to be private or public. Mr. Reese complained that Rock Branch Church Road was not being maintained while Bennett Cemetery Road, which was traveled less, was maintained regularly.

Commissioner Pam Dwight responded that the county was in the process of addressing the road issue with a determination on the matter to be made soon. She asked that the matter be scheduled for further discussion at the Oct. 9 called meeting.

Field director Grady Lane informed the commissioners of a "vicious" dog incident that had occurred in the county and asked that the group consider adopting an Animal Control Ordinance to set rules and regulations outlining how to proceed when an animal was deemed "vicious" by the Animal Control Officer. The commissioners agreed to consult with the county attorney on the matter.

In other matters, Joan Brown was named as a member of the board of directors of the Jenkins County Recreation Department; discussion of the proposed Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) referendum was tabled until the full board was present; a painting project at two county buildings was re-awarded to the next lowest bidder when the successful bidder stated that he was not able to perform the work; and a bid for air conditioning repairs at the county building to be occupied by Head Start was awarded to Wally Brazell.