Jasper City Council Talks Rain Impact, New Car

Damaging rain and the impact on the county were among the topics discussed by the Jasper City Council on Monday October 5, 2015 during their monthly meeting.

According to Gerry Nechvatal, Pickens County Economic Development Director, rain dampened the marble festival’s attendance with only 1/10 of regular attendance. Not only did the rain affect attendance, but also Lee Newton Park, where the marble festival was held, creating major amounts of mud and holes. According to Mayor John Weaver, “As soon as it dries, we’ll take the city roller and roll all the ruts out and put seed and hay where we need to and probably put rye grass for the winter to get this thing back into shape.” Not only did the rain cause problems in the park, but at the area around Highway 108, where it caused low pressure in the water system. The problem was found between Eaton Road and Refuge Church on Monday afternoon and was expected to be repaired by Monday night.

The City council approved a lease on a 2016 Ford Explorer at a cost of $31, 839, as well as keeping the millage rate at the current rate of 4.69 mils for the next year and keeping the current homestead exemptions of $3,000 for those under 65, and $4000 for those over 65 years of age. The council also approved of a resolution declaring October 23-31 as Red Ribbon Week in the city of Jasper. Red Ribbon Week helps to raise drug awareness and is executed with help from the Young Marines. Nathan Bennett from the Young Marines was at the meeting to give a brief history of the meeting.

The council heard from Nechvatal, who gave an update on a project to visually enhance the downtown area of Jasper by conducting a traffic enhancement survey. The survey will also help connectivity and expand the look of Main Street to surrounding streets. The project, being done in association with the Downtown Alliance, will be able to be financed by SPLOST funds.

All Departments are under budget or on budget according to the financial Report (Jasper Finance Report). Other statistics for the month of September mentioned at the meeting include 8 Animal Calls, 827 calls responded to by the Jasper Police Department, 45 motor vehicle accidents responded to by the Jasper Police Department, 1 DUI citation, 27 speeding tickets, 6 shoplifting citations, and 12 miscellaneous violations were given by the Jasper Police Department with 5 citations given by the Jasper Police Department being revoked. The Georgia State Patrol issued 54 citations in the month of September. The following state warrants were issued: 1 for stalking-misdemeanor, 2 for burglary-felony, 2 for damaged property-felony, 1 theft by taking-misdemeanor, 1 shoplifting-misdemeanor. Jasper Fire Department responded to 98 Calls in September. These included: 1 Structure fire within the city limits and 3 outside the city; One vehicle fire within the city limits 8 motor vehicle accidents with injuries inside the city and 4 motor vehicles with injuries outside the city; 2 emergency medical responses in the city limits and 27 outside the city limits. The Fire Department also conducted 12 inspections.

The rain might have dampened the spirits of vendors, but the city is working on a way for vendors to try to recoup any lost revenue from the event. Perhaps, through giving citizens services and tourists a beautiful town, this will be accomplished.