Sunday Solutions — July 28, 2024
Good morning! Between the rainstorms, we’ve had a bit of news on the McIntosh County-Hogg Hummock zoning fight, some officials skirting open government and another chapter in the bizarre state of fire protection in Liberty County. There’s always more. And, it’s nearly August…how did that happen?
NEWS: COURTS
Sapelo vote sparks secrecy, recusals
It’s been a newsy week if you’re following the lawsuits and efforts for a referendum over Sapelo Island rezoning. Early this week, the McIntosh County probate judge certified the petitions for a referendum and ordered an Oct. 1 county vote that could nullify the county commission’s decision to allow larger homes in Hogg Hummock. On Tuesday, the county filed a request to stop the election, challenging its own probate judge and citizens.
But this next move was of note, when it comes to governing and transparency: On Thursday, the McIntosh County Board of Elections met in a special called meeting, which was immediately voted to a closed session. The board lawyer, Jason Nix, said the closed-to-the-public meeting was regarding litigation, one of three reasons Georgia law allows a public meeting to be closed for discussion. Nix told The Current: “This does relate to the pending litigation between the county and the probate judge.” The rub: Closed meetings are allowed – but not required — in Georgia to discuss litigation, and that’s usually invoked when a body is a party to the lawsuit — not adjacent to it. It’s unclear what the 5-member board discussed while behind closed doors for about an hour.
The meeting reopened to take a vote — under state law, votes must be made in the open so citizens can see their work being done. However, the motion, made by member Mary Fly and receiving unanimous support, gave no clue to what the topic may have been: “I would like to make a motion to adopt the attorney’s recommendation on the issue and direct him to proceed as agreed in the executive session.”
And as we write this: Late Friday, all 5 judges from the Atlantic Judicial Circuit, which serves McIntosh County and 4 neighboring counties, recused themselves from hearing any of the judicial filings on the zoning matter. Watch TheCurrentGA.org for more twists and turns this week.
NEWS: PUBLIC SAFETY
Get alerts now so you’ll be ready later
Glynn County reporter Jabari Gibbs reminds us that these crazy thunderstorms and flooding deluges are a good reason to make sure you’ve signed up for your county’s emergency alert system. Residents in Glynn County are being encouraged to sign up for the CodeRed Emergency Alert System. This system is used to send critical communications during emergency situations such as evacuation notices, hazardous weather alerts, and missing children alerts. The information you provide during enrollment remains private and is only used for emergency communication purposes. To sign up for emergency alerts, visit the Glynn County EMA website: https://www.glynncounty.org/671/CodeRED
Click on your county to sign up for alerts from your emergency management officials: Chatham County, Bryan County, Liberty County, Camden County, McIntosh County.
NEWS: PUBLIC SAFETY
Who’s responsible for Midway fire fiasco?
On Wednesday, signs appeared on the doors of the Midway Volunteer Fire Department’s station house: “Important Notice: Building Closed for Inspection/Repairs.” Still inside were trucks, gear and equipment. While decaying conditions in the building are notable and the city passed on bids to fix them, no group or Midway city official took responsibility for the closure signs or the interior decline. And, no one told the volunteer firefighters responsible for taking calls for the area serving about 2,500 people or lined up a backup for those calls. After a day of limbo, Liberty County Fire has agreed to help take some calls, and Midway’s interim chief has said they’ll take calls as they can with the minimal equipment they have. Liberty County accountability reporter Robin Kemp breaks down who is and is not responsible for the situation, and — more importantly — what’s next for residents of Midway who might need fire services.
And we’re off…
Here’s your opportunity to test your news knowledge with a few short questions related to stories we published in recent weeks. Below you’ll find our leaderboard with the top scores form the previous week, and the overall leaderboard, which tracks scores over time.
We will award prizes to top contenders and reset the scores on the overall leaderboard at year-end. Congratulations to Peaches, our leaderboard winner for the first half of the year!
Leaderboard July 21, 2024
First Place (10/10): EMF33
Second Place (8/10): Shots, SG Mark, Beezy
Third Place (6/10): Laurie
Overall Leaderboard:
First Place: EMF33
Second Place: SG Mark
Third Place: SandyB
Compete every week and leave your nickname for a chance to win an exclusive prize from The Current! Here’s the link to this week’s quiz.
SOLUTIONS: HOUSING
In other news: We aren’t alone
In the spirit of constructive conversation and solutions, here are a few stories about conversations and actions in other places that prove there are ideas and concrete work on challenges we share in Coastal Georgia.
- Alabama, other states pay for roof upgrades as storms boost insurance costs: Grant programs help homeowners upgrade roofs for storm resiliency, saving roofs later and lowering insurance costs now. From Stateline.
- Why we need more public investment in home repairs: Researchers link deteriorating homes to a wide range of physical and mental health problems. A new network to repair homes in St. Louis may hold an answer for many other cities. From Governing.
- Rough ride? Data bikes chart the condition of bike paths in more cities: As more people ride bikes to work and school, the bike routes aren’t monitored for pavement conditions. States are now working to change that so the travel is safer, encouraging more people to use that mode of transportation. From Route Fifty.
- Costs: Historic preservation gone too far vs. Preservation grows market values: This one’s a little different but hits home for most of Coastal Georgia. The balance of old and new and the loss or gain from each decision in culture and taxes and future value deserve thoughtful conversations and different perspectives. From Governing.
EXPLAINER: HEALTH
☕ Your second cup: COVID’s long tail
A study out last week gives the best look yet at the effects of Long COVID, using research from several countries and comparing rates of lingering symptoms and effects of vaccinations. Even if the topic sparks its own fatigue, the new studies are the most comprehensive yet and explains how it may still affect all of us. The info is timely as rates of COVID infections are rising throughout Coastal Georgia counties, according to Georgia’s Department of Public Health — and those numbers are typically lower based on fewer county-level reports and the use of at-home testing. In the research, Long COVID shows up even in people who had mild symptoms and continues to cause fatigue and brain fog. Now we know it can lead to more lasting conditions including diabetes and heart failure. Here’s an explainer from and expert on the topic.
We want to meet your friends! If you like this newsletter be sure to share it.
Mysterious signs say Midway Fire Station is closed
By Robin Kemp
The signs appeared on the 34-year-old, city-owned building after an investigation showed the extent of decay at the station house, as well as long-delayed repairs to crucial equipment the firefighters need to save lives in fires and vehicle wrecks.
Sapelo zoning referendum date set for Oct. 1 as county files suit
By Mary Landers
A petition filed in probate court met the signature threshold to force a county-wide vote on Hogg Hummock zoning, but the county is suing to prevent a referendum.
State House candidate’s fundraising letter strikes out
By Craig Nelson
Padgett’s apparent breaches of Georgia campaign finance law raise questions about the degree to which state political parties examine past compliance with those laws when they recruit and vet their candidates.
Georgia election board sets online meeting after state attorney general flagged last vote
By Stanley Dunlap/Georgia Recorder
Three state elections board members who say they are unsure of 2020 results met to rush through more changes to vote counts, certifications.
Coastal Georgia hidden history: African-American resistance
By Catherine Goodman
Georgia Historical Society markers designed to educate travelers on the complex historical narrative of African Americans in Coastal Georgia — an ongoing story that spans from slavery to emancipation to the Civil Rights Era.
Bill banning stock trading for presidents, vice presidents, Congress members advances
By Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder
Members of Congress would be immediately banned from buying stocks and other covered investments, and they would be prohibited from selling stocks 90 days after the bill is enacted.
State superintendent backtracks, says AP African American History class can be funded
By Amanda Andrews/GPB News
The existing Intro to African American studies class has been in the catalogue of state-funded courses since 2020. In a statement, State School Superintendent Richard Woods said in a statement he has concerns about endorsing the entire AP course.
Gun violence shocked a Savannah neighborhood. Blame, conversations followed
By Jake Shore
Shootings over three days in Cann Park and Jackson Park, midtown Black neighborhoods in Savannah, shocked residents, who sought answers from the police department and among each other in a recent neighborhood association meeting.
The Current GA is part of The Trust Project.
Read our policies.
Support independent, solutions-based investigative journalism without bias, fear or favor on issues affecting Savannah and Coastal Georgia.
You must be logged in to post a comment.