editorial1@thomastontimes.com
While the United States teeters on the brink of a full blown recession and tough times continue here at home, leaders of the Thomaston and Upson County communities got together Monday to discuss how things are going at the present time.
They called it a “Government Roundtable” but essentially it was a meeting of the minds that will help propel collective Upson County into the future.
With summer, 2008 quickly approaching, water was on the mind of Thomaston Mayor Hays Arnold.
“Substantial work is now going on with the big reservoir,” he said. “The smaller resevoir, where the fountain resided, has been dug out and cleaned out, and that will give us a few million gallons more water capacity.
“We are trying to prepare for this summer’s drought without having the big resevoir to fall back on.”
On the county level, County Commission Chairman Glenn Collins suggested a state of good will.
“Things are running pretty smoothly, believe it or not,” he said. “Transportation issues are on the front burner. The Highway 36 corridor efforts are continuing. We are in the process of updating our dirt road list so we can get folks paved. The Turkey Creek project is a big project,”
In short, community leaders discussed other issues including the funding for Sprewell Bluff, an alliance to find funding for the east/west corridor, the rail spur in Technology Park and the school system breakfast/lunch program to ensure students are getting a nutritious and balanced diet.
Upson Regional Medical Center CEO Gene Wright said despite the loss of some patients due to the lack of staff, the hospital is undertaking an aggressive recruiting plan.
“Doctors are difficult to recruit,” explained Wright. “If a doctor is asked if they are interested in practicing in a rural community, only four out of 100 would say yes.”
In other hospital news, Wright said the redux of the hospital kitchen and dining area has been approved. The price tag- $4,000,000.
“Overall, we are making great progress.” concluded Wright.
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