The proposed data center in Appling dominated the public comment portion of the Columbia County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday.
In a standing room only meeting, many community members voiced their opinion against the data center, with several people asking commissioners to put a pause on the project for the moment.
Vin Muller asked to stop the sale of the property and was told closing would be happening on or before Oct. 15. Chairman Doug Duncan said that is not true, they are waiting on Georgia Power to complete their study to say they will provide the power to the data center, which needs to be done before closing.
“On behalf of the citizens living in the Appling, Harlem area, I ask you to stop the sale of this property immediately. Allow the voters, who once trusted you, to participate in the process instead of being treated like mushrooms, kept in the dark and fed in the light,” Muller said.
Alan Wyatt also spoke out against the proposed data center and said the community will not be able to rebuild if the data center is built.
“Many of us tonight, probably about a year ago actually, were enduring the catastrophe of Hurricane Helene,” Wyatt said. “But through fervent prayer, coupled with blood, sweat and tears, we like so many others rebuilt and restored our home. When the storm of this data center descends upon us, there will be no rebuilding, no restoration possible, no coming back from this. our homes will be lost and lost forever. The damage to our neighborhoods and quality of life will be permanent.”
Wyatt asked commissioners to put a pause on any decision regarding the data center until a full review can be done.
Library guidelines
The library guidelines were also discussed by several citizens. Karin Parham, who has spoken out multiple times against the guidelines, spoke against the guidelines. She also claimed more than 50 books have been moved from the young adult room and said there was a lack of transparency on the topic.
“It seems wasteful, secretive and deeply suspicious given the current environment,” Parham said. “In other words, it’s a little shady.”
She also voiced concern about an increase in fees to rent rooms at the Hardin Auditorium and the Hardin Auditorium itself. She said new charges have been added for cleaning and staff.
Parham also voiced her opinion on Marlena Bergeron being escorted out of the Sept. 16 meeting while playing the Star Spangled Banner on her violin.
“You can disagree with her message all you want, but there was no rule, no policy, no justification for silencing her. That was an abuse of authority,” Parham said.
However, Mike Welsh, thanked the commissioners for the guidelines. He said his daughter took his granddaughter to the library and she found an “inappropriate book” there. But when they went back the other day, they had a great experience.
“I want to commend you for doing the right thing,” Welch said. “You’re hearing some very loud voices say you did the wrong thing. But I’m here to tell you that a vast majority of this county supports what you did for the library.”
Other comments
There were comments from a few people asking why the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputies don’t wear body cams and stating that they need to. The citizen cited the recent incident where a deputy posted a photo of a man who was injured during his arrest.
To view the full meeting and all the public comments, watch the live stream on the Columbia County, Georgia YouTube page.
