NAHUNTA — Data Centers, landfill concerns, the responsibilities of the the commission concerning trasnparency, integrity and financials, and clarifying rumors and misinformation were topics of Public Participation during the Brantley County Commission’s July work session.
Nine residents of the 11 who signed up to speak were present for the Tuesday, July 7 meeting. All were given five minutes, a few still talking when their fiveminute alarm sounded. Only one continued past the alloted time frame while another was escorted out before her time ended.
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Shannon Denbow expressed her concerns about the impact of a data center on land where people have lost everything in a fire and lack of infrastructure restoration. She also questioned the lack of transparency and resources provided to affected residents.
“We’re talking about placing this data center next to people who have lost everything,” she said.
Denbow mentioned her April 30 open records request that has not been met. She then urged commissioners to draft a resolution and send to the Glynn County Commission for suicide prevention barriers on the Sydney Lanier Bridge.
Nicholas Dunegan talked about data center's closedloop system is highlighted as a potential threat to the Satilla River, leading to algae blooms and fish kills. He also mentioned the increased power demand from the data center, along with the need for new substations and transmission lines.
Dunegan finished talking about the impact on local wildlife and sound pollution associated with building a data center.
James Duncan provided a historical context of the landfill issue, mentioning past meetings and efforts to address it. Duncan added the permit for the landfill was issued without proper notification, and attempts to challenge it were unsuccessful.
He stated zoning of the property as light industrial is questioned, as it should be agricultural or timber crops and added the lack of an ordinance to change the zoning is highlighted, along with the legal precedents set by the Georgia Supreme Court.
Michaela Sanders discussed the lack of services and funding for the volu nteer fire department in the forg otten Hortense area. She said Hortense has the smallest and poorest volunteer fire department in the county.
“We need economy, we need business to come to our county and we need better options for healthcare with only one doctor,” said Sanders. “I would like for you (commission) to think about other options. You also need to update the website, which is not user friendly.
Matthew McGrath warned commissioners about a petition and legal threats from the public, urging them to improve their actions.
“I just want to let y’all know everybody’s coming for y’all,” said McGrath. “There’s already a petition for you (pointing at Hal Herndon), you (Skipper Harris) and him (Randy Davison), and he’s(County Manager Joey Cason) fixing to go to prison. “The truth is out there, we all know it, and it’s coming to light. So y’all might want to get your affairs in order, because it’s a matter of time. The county here is tired of y’all sh*t, just like y’all did to Tanya (Tomanek) just now.
“I’ll go to jail, too (refernce to cursing). I’ll get a lawsuit against y’all ... I’ll own this f-ing county. How you like that? Y’all have a nice day.”
Ruby Thomas, reads a statement reflecting on past issues and the need for better governance. She spoke of the importance of Christian responsibility beyond prayer, emphasizing the need to love neighbors and share truths, even if it causes discomfort referencing biblical teachings about warning others of impending dangers.
Robert Wilson voiced his concerns of a data center and the environmen-t a l impact. He highl ighted potential environm ental hazards and the lack of adequate safety measures including the use of non-evaporative cooling systems, the placement of the data center near schools, and the risks of nuclear accidents.
Wilson also mentioned the need for sound barriers and the toxicity of certain chemicals used in the data center. He covered the lack of the not yet released proposed ordinance addressing these issues and the potential impact on the community's quality of life.
Scott Schmitt highlighted the need for accur ate public information and the impact of misinform ation on the community. He clarified the location of fire hydrants in Brantley County with locations in Nahunta, Hoboken, behind Satilla Grocery in Atkinson and Waynesville Elementary School.
Schmitt addressed concerns about water quality and aquifer level, which is trending upwards for the past 10 years.
He mentioned the use of shade balls to reduce evaporation and algae bloom in reservoirs. Shade balls, small, hollow plastic spheres used to cover the surface of water reservoirs. They float to block sunlight, prevent the creation of carcinogenic bromate, deter wildlife, and suppress evaporation.
Schmitt discusses the use of natural gas for power generation stating 43 percent of all energy in the United States is produced by natural gas steam turbines. He explained the combined cycle and simple cycle turbines.
“If we’re going to be spitting numbers up and giving the public information,” said Schmitt, “let’s give them the correct information.”
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