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Project Azalea under review by Augusta Planning

The proposed development of what may be a new Amazon distribution facility in south Augusta is underway, according to city records.

The Columbia County Management and Internal Services Committee approved moving forward with the initial appointments to the Columbia County Library System. Those appointments are: • Connie Melear – countywide (Columbia County District 1 Commissioner) • Rusty Jarrett - District 1 • District 2 vacant • Secelia Brown – District 3 • John Luton – District 4 (Community Services division director) County Manager Scott Johnson said “As you know, now that Columbia County is going to have a standalone library board, we have to appoint new members. These members will need to begin work pretty soon, working on bylaws, the guidelines that are in place, we will need to hire a new regional director, so they do have some work to do.” The District 2 seat will remain vacant until after the District 2 Board of Commissioner seat is filled following the election on Nov. 4. Karin Parham, with the Freedom to Read Coalition of Columbia County, read a statement on their thoughts on the proposed library board members. “Our organization is concerned about the direction of the new Columbia County Library System,’ Parham said. “When county administration, through the Community Services division director, continues to manage library services operation while also placing that same position on the board that hires and oversees the library director, it creates a built-in conflict of interest. So even if direct supervision of staff changes, real control still rests with the county manager and the commission through the administrative link. That means the library’s independence only exists on paper and not in practice. So, we urge the county to establish a structure that keeps library government separate from county administration and political influence.” District 1 Commissioner Connie Melear said she wanted to be on the board to help guide it. “We felt like we needed somebody on the commission on there to help guide it and I’m looking forward to being a part of it. I haven’t participated much in the library aspect before and now this is my opportunity.” The committee approved moving the members to the full Board of Commissioners. Aa resolution to establish the Columbia County library fees fund was also discussed. “Historically, the Library Advisory Board had a fund that money would go into for late fees and other fees, with the sale of books and those sort of things. It’s grown into a pretty sizeable amount of money, so with the Library Advisory Board no longer in place, it’s incumbent upon the county now to establish a fund for that. Due to our fiduciary responsibility, I would ask that we would use this resolution to establish a special revenue fund that way those funds could continue to be earmarked for library operations and use.” The committee also approved moving forward with this resolution. The next Columbia County Board of Commissioners meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. in the auditorium at the Evans Government Center Complex.

Featured Article: News, Politics & Government

Columbia County to hold all committee meetings Tuesday

Tuesday will be a busy day for Columbia County government as all five committees will meet due to the Christmas holiday.

SRS Fire Department hosts DOE fire chiefs for three-day benchmarking visit

The Savannah River Site Fire Department hosted fire chiefs from across the Department of Energy complex for a three-day benchmarking and training visit aimed at improving fire safety practices and strengthening emergency response coordination.

Featured Article: Education, News, Politics & Government

All public schools to have naloxone by spring

In a nod to the spread of opioids, Georgia is installing overdose reversal kits at all 2,300 public schools in the state using money from a legal settlement with the pharmaceutical industry.

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Bribery charge filed after Augusta man tries giving flowers to judge in 2024 case

Richmond County Crime Map: November 26-December 2

List keeps getting bigger: SPLOST 9 climbs to $463 million

Columbia County Development Authority closes on property sale to Trammell Crow

Augusta University announces graduation speakers for December commencement ceremonies

Toy gun, bullet, and threats: Busy week for ARC and other county schools

Photo of the new Building A at the Evans Government Center Complex.

Public Facilities Authority receives update on projects, tours new Building A

The Public Facilities Authority received an update on projects during its meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 25.

Proposed tiny home village in Hephzibah is one of Augusta Planning Commission’s last cases of the year

A New Jersey asset management firm is looking to develop a tiny home community in Hephzibah, according to two recent...

SRNS donates $25,000 to support new rural STEMM Center in Barnwell County

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions has donated $25,000 to support the construction of a new STEMM education facility planned by Dreams,...

Electric car drivers to get more charging stations in Georgia

Electric vehicle owners will eventually have another 26 places to recharge when motoring through Georgia after the state awarded $24.4...

RCSO deputies nab boy, 10, and two other juveniles in Thanksgiving armed robbery

A 10-year-old boy was among three juveniles taken into custody Thursday afternoon following an armed robbery outside a Central Avenue...

Keaton named Augusta’s first stand-alone EMA director since 2002

Augusta has its first separate Emergency Management Agency director in more than two decades, and she says her experience here...

The Public Works and Engineering Services Committee met on Tuesday, Nov. 25. Staff photo by Stephanie Hill

PWES Committee approves rejection of Pollard House renovation bids

The Public Works and Engineering Services Committee approved rejecting the bids for the Pollard House renovation.

Cava restaurant opens in Mullins Crossing in Evans

Fast casual dining chain Cava opened its latest location in Evans Wednesday morning.

Empty Stocking Fund encourages donations to support CSRA children this holiday season

The Empty Stocking Fund of the CSRA is urging community members to donate this holiday season as more local families...

Georgia election conspiracy case against Trump and indicted allies dismissed

Nearly half a decade after it started, the election fraud case against Donald Trump and his fellow indicted allies has...

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