Calhoun County’s elected officials gathered last Thursday in the Heritage Room of the Blountstown Library for a Super Council meeting to bring everyone up to date on projects and issues important to the area.
These meetings do more than keep community leaders informed; the fact that they are held show state decision makers that county officials are focused on projects and following through, which in turn, gives the community a more favorable outlook for future funding.
Representatives from the county commission, school board, City of Blountstown and Town of Altha were joined by interested citizens and constitutional officers at the gathering, organized by Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kristy Terry.
•Preble-Rish Engineer Justin Ford told the group that the Pine Island Water System project is finished and in operation. He also said work is continuing on the new sewer system Force Main Project from Altha to Blountstown. They will advertise for bids in October and award the project to a company for construction in November.
•Calhoun County Director of Operations Joe Wood discussed the county’s current and future paving projects.
•County Commissioner Darrell McDougald reminded those gathered of the lives lost in recent car crashes and said the county was talking with FDOT about ways to increase safety at those intersections. Additional signs as well as more “rumble strips” are in the works for those sites, he said.
•Calhoun County Director of Facilities Willie Pitts said construction was on track at Altha School.
•School Board member Danny Ryals said the board wants to see the schools equipped with broadband service and pointed out it will be a benefit for local businesses as well.
•Blountstown City Manager Traci Hall had a long list of good news for Supercouncil, telling them:
– Blountstown received $37,500 in FDEP funding for the Lake Hilda FRDAP project, which will begin soon.
– A portion of the $900,000 legislative appropriation the city received last year will be used to build a new sewer lift station in the Angle Street/Charlie John Street area, with the remaining funds going to the Altha Force Main Project.
– Blountstown received a $2 million legislative appropriation to use on the Altha Force Main Project.
– A SR 20 waterline and paving project has been completed.
– The Hwy. 69 & 71 intersection gas line relocation is done.
– The city has put up a new water tank at Sam Atkins park.
– The Pine Island community is now on city water.
– The city expects to take delivery of a new fire truck in the next few weeks.
– She reminded everyone that October is amnesty month for all Blountstown residents.
New projects in the works include the construction of a ground storage tank in Lambert Street, the replacement of rehabbing of the North Pear Street Life Station and more paving in the coming year.
Altha Town Council Chairman Shane Eagleston expressed appreciation for the partnership between his community and the City of Blountstown in making the Force Main Project a reality, which helped move the new school project ahead.
Altha Town Clerk Carol Finuff said their new electronic water meters are a huge improvement over their previous equipment and pointed out that it also makes billing more efficient.
Chamber Director Terry also expressed her thanks to the group for their support on the Force Main project as well as their assistance with the recent Swamp & Stomp Mud Run fundraiser.
On the business front, she said the expansion of Southern Light broadband through the county could allow local business to become more competitive with other areas.
She also announced that the chamber has two new members: Barkman Honey and Kratos Defense. Barkman has purchased property in the county and plans begin operations soon. Kratos is negotiating to buy the Flatwoods Road training facility.