Commissioners consider lake construction project
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

This map shows the proposed construction site of a dam and 1,461-acre lake in northern Jenkins County that the Jenkins County Commissioners are considering. (Photo contributed)

Construction of a dam and 1,461-acre lake in northern Jenkins County is being considered by the Jenkins County Commissioners. Jenkins County resident Robert Jenkins presented the idea to the group during their Tuesday, Nov. 6, meeting.

Jenkins said that the project was first presented to a previous board of commissioners in the 1970's by his grandfather, but was never acted upon. He provided a map of the proposed project, noting that the location of the lake would be on Big Buckhead Creek between U.S. Highway 25 and Charlie Jones Road, just off Old Louisville Road. Water from the natural springs at Magnolia Springs State Park would be harnessed to create the lake. Rayonier Industries, he said, owned much of the property.

Jenkins pointed out that the state has already indicated it is going to "pour money" into water conservation projects, and that this would be the ideal time to pursue the venture. Advantages of the project that he outlined included: elimination of flooding in Lincoln Park area of the City of Millen caused by Big Buckhead Creek overflowing; creation of an alternative energy source; creation of a location for recreational home sites; creation of tourism attraction; and job opportunities during construction. Funding for the project could be secured from state and federal grants, Jenkins suggested.

"I think it is worth exploring. It is a different kind of proposal, but that is what progress is," commented chairman James Henry.

The commissioners agreed to the formation a 5-member "steering committee" comprised of local citizens to investigate the feasibility of the project and formulate a plan of action. Anyone interested in serving on the committee is asked to contact the commissioners' office at 982-2563.

In other matters, Jeanette Cummings, Area Agency on Aging director, presented a proposal to expand the county's transit program to include the transportation of some county residents to the Jenkins County Senior Citizens' Center for meals through funds derived from a $10,000 grant. The program could also be utilized to provide transportation for medical purposes, she said.

Commissioners Domingo Green complained that the program had previously excluded local transportation providers from participating in the program. Ms. Cummings replied that anyone interested in providing transportation could bid on the project in January.

The commissioners agreed to consider the matter.

Other actions taken by the commissioners included the following:

• Approved the purchase of computer equipment for the Jenkins County Tax Commissioners' office in the amount of $26,781 with funding to come from SPLOST revenues and miscellaneous fund;

• Approved the installation of two pipes at the driveway entrance of Oak Hill/Scarboro Volunteer Fire Department;

• Discussed the possibility of employing a maintenance employee after the first of the year;

• Approved an increase in the pay grade schedule for EMTs and Paramedics; • Approved the purchase of county car from Coastal Chevrolet, low bidder, in the amount of $15,950;

• Tabled a request from Cavalier Home Builders seeking reduction in landfill fees;

• Approved pump repairs to the county fire truck with bids to be taken, if possible; and

• Tabled a request from the North Jenkins County Volunteer Fire Department seeking assistance with matching funds needed for a $180,000 grant the department had received.