January 9, 2019 Page 7C
i orter
t
"Chase the Chill" is an annual event in
Macon with crochd and knitted scarves
and hats displayed on trees, bushes, etc. on
a prominent street for anyone in need to
take.
When Peach Blossom Quilters President,
Cathy Thompson, learned that "Chase the
Chill" might not happen this year, she took
the initiative to continue the event. She
recruited crocheters and knitters, includ-
ing members of Peach Blossom Quilters,
United Daughters of the Confederacy, The
Children of the Confederacy, and The Lin-
eage Society of Cannonball House, to make
a record number of scarves and hats. Over
300 items were offered. Each was tagged
with a note encouraging anyone in need to
make a selection.
Cathy and several volunteers displayed
the scarves and hats on Third Street starting
along Poplar Street on Dec. 22. It was magi-
cal to see the handmade items along the
street and being chosen by needy recipients.
One gentleman returned three times to
find the perfect scarf for his wife. Finally,
he brought her with him, and everyone en-
couraged her to choose.This was definitely
an event in keeping with the holiday spirit.
Peach Blossom Quilters meet the 3rd
Saturday of the month at The Sanctu-
ary Church, 12643 Highway 87, Miette.
For more information, email peachblos-
somquiltersC, ahoo.com.
(Photo/Courtesy of Donna Vandable)
e
By Diane Glidewell
news@rnymcr.nef
Forsyth Planning & Zoning
Commission paved the way for a
second new concrete company to
come to Forsyth when it en-
dorsed a variance and condition-
al use on ]an. 4 for Fowler Flemis-
ter Concrete to open a plant.
Three members of the company's
leadership team attended the
meeting to tell the Commission
about their company and their
plans for 26-plus acres off Hwy.
83 near Forsyth's northern city
limits.
The variance will allow an
additional 38 feet for a silo (The
height limit for a structure in
the city code is 45 feet). The
conditional use will also include
a concrete batching operation
at the property, which is zoned
Highway Business. 'Batching' is
the combining of various ingre-
dients to make concrete and is
done in a silo. These ingredients
are funneled into a concrete truck
where the final mixing is done
before the concrete is delivered to
a site.
"Welcome to the community.
We hope you stay for a long time;'
said P & Z Commission member
Steve Coleman to Gus Pursley
III, President of Fowler Flemister
Concrete, Inc.; John Gus Pursley,
VP for Business Development;
and McKenzie Davenport, CFO.
"We try to give back to the
community that gives to us;' said
Gus Pursley III.
The request for variance and
conditional use will now go
before city council for final ap-
proval, probably at its meeting on
Tuesday, ]an. 22.
Fowler Flemister Concrete
is based in Milledgeville and
includes a total of five locations
where it produces concrete and
markets complementary build-
ing materials and tools. The other
locations are Greensboro, Ea-
tonton (Lake Oconee), Madison
and Monticello. Davenport said
that each concrete plant serves a
radius of about 20-30 miles.
He said there is no concrete
provider in Forsyth; so it will be a
good expansion for his company.
He said Macon, Bamesville and
Griffin currently supply con-
crete to Forsyth. There will be a
showroom at the main entrance
offCollege Street that will exhibit
and sell products like sand, stone,
block, metal goods, plastic goods,
rebar and bagged goods. The silo
and concrete operation will be in
the middle of the property, where
it will not be seen easily from the
main roads because of the slope
of the land.
"We run a very clean opera-
tion;' said Davenport. "We put
down concrete pads throughout:'
He said Forsyth is a good fit
for Fowler Flemister Concrete
because it focuses on locating in
small towns and working with
its communities. He said it is
a family-owned business. Gus
Pursley ]r who passed away in
October, began working with
it after WWII, bought it with a
partner in 1966 and is succeeded
in its leadership by Gus Pursley
III and Gus Pursley IV.
The company plans to buy the
Forsyth property from Keith
Harbuck. Davenport said it is flat,
graded, open and not currently
being used; most of the property
surrounding it is vacant. There is
a sewer line in the middle of the
property and Town Creek at the
back of it.
Coleman asked if the company
might expand its operation on
the property in the future. Daven-
port said flit did, it would go
east, away from the creek. Pursley
said the company will buy water
and electricity from the city. The
plan is for four troughs to capture
and clean water to be recycled as
an ingredient in concrete as it is
mixed in the trucks. There will be
eight to 10 trucks operating from
Forsyth. Once construction be-
gins, the plant will go up in about
two weeks. The company will not
manufacture block in Forsyth but
will sell it here.
In response to P & Z Chair-
man Martin Presley's questions
about traffic, Davenport said they
expect 12 mixer truck deliver-
ies from Forsyth daily. The noise
level is expected to be about 62
decibels. The nearest residence is
650-700 feet away, almost twice
the distance of the Milledgeville
plant from residences and busi-
nesses.
Asked by Presley what the com-
pany does with excess concrete in
a load, Pursley said extra concrete
is formed into 4,000 lb. blocks
that are sold for dairy farms,
retaining walls, barriers in front
of gun shops, etc.
"Our goal is to recycle as much
as possible" said Pursley.
In other Forsyth Planning &
Zoning Commission news:
Owners of the Valero service
station on North Lee Street plan
to demolish the existing structure
and re-build the business, adding
more retail in the back. Forsyth
Economic Development Coor-
dinator Tangnie Pierson told P
& Z Commission members that
variances would not be needed
the station was re-modeling in-
stead of demolishing, but because
a new structure is planned, the
owners will have to come before
them. Ordinances for the overlay
district that includes the station
require that gas pumps be behind
instead of in front of structures
or concealed in some way so
that the business is more visually
appealing from the road. Pierson
gave information to Planning &
Zoning members to prepare for
the anticipated request.
Pierson said she has been con-
tacted by a lot of new businesses
that want to get started by Febru-
ary or March.
Martin asked that attendance
requirements be sent to all P &
Z Commission members. He
asked that attendance at meet-
ings be tracked and members be
informed if their absences are ex-
cessive. Jimmy Webb has notified
P & Z that he will no longer serve
on the Commission, and Presley
asked other members to consider
someone who would be a good
replacement.
P & Z Commission members
present at the ]an. 3 meeting were
Presle) Coleman, Hal Clarke and
Silas Peed. Those absent were
Webb, Jennifer Taylor and Cason
Ogletree.
Delays appointing auditor since last audit not complete Jennifer Taylor, SteveCole- By its charter, CVBboard Library Board; and Melvin
man, Silas Peed, Casonmembers must representLawrence will continue as
Ogletree and Hal Clarke. either the hotel, restaurant Forsyth's advisor member
By Diane Glidewell ted to the state by the end Hofstadter & Associates as There is one vacancy sector or retail sector or be on the Chamber of Com-
news@rnymcr.net of the year. She said that Water & Sewer Engineers, because Jimmy Webb at-large members. There is merce. Eric Wilson, Melvin
because it has not been GeoTechnical & Environ- declined re-appointment; one vacancy on the board Lawrence, Dick Bazemore
Forsyth council made its submitted, Forsyth is con- mental Consultants, John Presley was re-appointed for the at-large post that and Edd Norris will con-
annual first-of-the-year sidered non-compliant by Hewitt as Utility Engineer, to a new five-year term. Howard had to give up tinue to be the city's repre-
appointments at its Jan. 7 the state and is not eligible Charles Grinstead as Members of the Down- when he was elected tosentatives on the Regional
meeting, beginning with for state funding, such as Financial Consultant and town Development council. Commission Board.
naming Chris Hewett grants. Steve Coleman as Sur- Authority for 2019 are Wes The Housing Board for The volunteers who serve
mayor pro tem, the council Council members asked veyor. Cone, Greg Goolsby, Stan 2019 consists of Freida on the Forsyth Tree Board,
member who will perform Hall for more information Council reviewed the Hickman, Otis Ingram, White, Chris Hewett, which has no term limits,
the duties of the mayor if about the audit, but she members of its appointed Cason Ogletree, Kerri Kathy Rowland and Danaare Ricky Shannon, Ron
he is absent. Julius Stroud said she would discuss it boards and voted to Swear'mgen and ShirleyLynch. Jane Pennington's Shipman, Alan Baswell,
was the 2018 mayor pro more fully with them at re-appoint all membersHenderson. Ingram and term expired May 1, 2018 Lamar Russell, Nancy
tem, and the council another time. She said all whose terms expired but Swearingen were re-ap-and it was not known Brunson, Michael Glisson,
rotates the responsibility other professional ap-had indicated that they pointed to new four-year whether she wants to Bill Waldrep, Chris Hewett
among its members each pointments are workingwould like to be appointed terms, continue to serve on the and Mike Dodd.
year. fine for the city. Council to new terms. Council Members of the Conven-board. Her position will be City Manager ]anice Hall
Council re-appointed unanimously approved the voted to table all vacancies tion & Visitors Bureaufilled at the retreat,said Ralph Bass and Hal
all of those who served re-appointments of Hall on boards and discuss who Board for 2019 are Sonny Mike Dodd was ap- Clarke are still listed as
Forsyth in professional as Custodian of Records, to appoint at its retreat in Patel, Faysal Kapadia, Ali- pointed to be the city's members of Forsyth's His-
positions, except for the Kristi Lovelace as Chief Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. cia Record, Helen Walker, representative on the Golf toric Preservation Com-
city financial auditors. In Municipal Court Judge,27 from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. The Amy Knight, Angie Ellis, Board. He is the city's first mission although their
2018 city financial auditors Benson Ham and Frank retreat will be held while Kerri Swearingen and appointment to this board, terms expired in December
were Buckley & Hopkins. Wilder as Municipal Court mayor and council are John Howard. Howard Eric Wilson and Chris 2017. All other members of
The firm is now known as Judges, Amy Boyer as attending the Georgia Mu- was appointed for one Hewer will continue tothe commission resigned,
Hopkins & Associates. City Solicitor, Jefferson Ad- nicipal Association Mayors year to replace Mike Dodd represent Forsyth on the and Hall said it has not
Manager Janice Hall said ams as Public Defender, Day over the weekend, as council representative Monroe County Health met in several years; so
the city is still waiting on Georgia Corrections Members of the Planning on the board. Knight and Board; Ralph Bass willno action was needed on
its 2017 audit, which was Corp as Probation Office, & Zoning Commission for Swearingen were re- continue to be Forsyth's the Historic Preservation
supposed to be submit- Robert Melton as Attorney, 2019 are Martin Presley, appointed to new terms, representative on the Commission.
Vietnam
Chapter
Dr. Priscilla Doster was awarded honorary membership
in Central Georgia Chapter 946 of Vietnam Veterans of
America for her unselfish and untiring support of veterans.
Pictured, left to right, are Claude Curlee President VVA
946, Doster, William Roquemore Vice President VVA 946.
,HVAC Service all brands
,Installation
,lnd00rAir Quali
,Preventive Maintenance
,Replacements
,Refrigeration
,Cooking Equipment
. Commercial Kitchen Repaim
,NATE Cerlifi
. Facto Authorized Dealer
,Financing Available with Great Rates
Mike Weeks &
Mark McCranie
Semng Rid~/e Geor~/a ~ Yem
L/ceesed &/n~red
|
J
