Lee County recognizes young girl, staff for Hurricane Michael recovery efforts

LEESBURG — The Lee County Commission voted in favor of awarding a bid to the Army Corps of Engineers and Ceres Environmental Services for storm debris cleanup.

Meanwhile, a young girl made a donation to the Hurricane Michael recovery effort.

Amelia Reed, 11, who was recently crowned America’s National Grace, was recognized by the board during Tuesday’s meeting.

Co-County Manager Christi Dockery said that Amelia donated half of her earnings from her award of $600 to the Lee County Community Foundation for storm recovery efforts. The funds were used to purchase dinner for the first responders.

After a round of applause for Amelia, the board discussed post-Hurricane Michael and other county matters. Co-County Manager Mike Sistrunk said the county was already in the process of obtaining a bid for debris management pickup before the storm hit, which were received a couple of weeks ago.

The Corps of Engineers bid the contract for storm debris pickup to Ceres for the hurricane. Officials said using a contractor and monitor through the Corps of Engineers means that everything is taken care of, including costs and paperwork.

Ceres’s contract with the Corps of Engineers was completed four years ago preemptively for the southwest Georgia region in the event of a major storm. The contract entails debris pickup, handling and disposal. Information about Ceres’s pickup schedule is expected to be available to the public by the county in the near future.

Wesley Beamon was awarded the contract for indigent defense attorney for Lee County probate and magistrate courts. Beamon, who studied law and fire science, has been a firefighter, magistrate court judge, business owner, paramedic and sergeant-training non-commissioned officer in the Marine Corps Reserves as well as an attorney.

The board authorized Dockery and Sistrunk to put out a request for proposal for roof, awning and air conditioning repairs due to the storm. Officials said major post-storm damage to the county buildings include the sheriff’s office, the jail, the Palmyra fire station and the court house.

A lease agreement with Norfolk Southern Corporation and Central of Georgia Railway was also approved.

“This is for the former tax assessor’s building and the lease that we have with the railroad, they’ve increased it, and (County Attorney Jimmy Skipper)’s reviewed it,” Dockery told the board. “They’ve increased our rent from $700 to $1,200 annually, but they’ve also given us a sublease which is the second item here.”

The second item Dockery referred to was a consideration to approve a consent to sublease agreement with Norfolk Southern Corporation-Central of Georgia Railroad Company for property located at 109 Leslie Highway. The sublease will allow Aspire Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to fence in their property for the children served at the center.

The board also reviewed Lee County’s current status regarding Hurricane Michael recovery.

“I want to thank all of the volunteers and the citizens and chainsaw people that have been working especially over there on North Hampton and Lovers Lane Road,” Sistrunk said. “They’ve done a great job of helping citizens get back into their homes again. The county public works has cleared Ledo Road especially since, you know, the business districts we went ahead and sent out a crew to clear the trees and the debris. We worked with the city of Albany who came in with street sweepers and swept our streets.”

Dockery recognized the county’s staff for their work in the storm and after, such as the Lee County Fire Department and Planning Director Rozanne Braswell for her role in processing permits and other business for the county immediately after the storm. Sistrunk himself was recognized for his work after moving trees during the eye of the storm. Lee County Fire and EMS Chief David Forrester and his staff were recognized for staying up for over 48 hours for storm recovery.

Forrester briefed the board on Lee County Fire and EMS’s report on damage in the county.

The report stated the following:

— Homes affected by the storm: 459 single-family, 10 multi-family and 16 mobile homes;

— Homes with minor damage: 1,225 single-family, 54 multi-family and 72 mobile homes;

— Homes with major damage: 173 single family, one multi-family and 17 mobile homes;

— Homes destroyed: 26 single-family, one multi-family and 26 mobile homes;

— Commercial damage included 302 affected properties, 115 with minor damage and 23 with major damage;

— Damage to fire stations on Leslie Highway, U.S. Highway 19 South and U.S. Highway 82

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