City council hears from chamber CEO about Emanuel’s industrial future

Posted

Swainsboro City Council and Mayor Charles Schwabe convened Monday, August 3, at 6 p.m. in the courtroom of Swainsboro Police Department for the purpose of hosting their regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

Calling the night’s session to order, Mayor Schwabe welcomed all prior to the invocation being led and the Pledge of Allegiance being recited. Minutes from the last meeting were reviewed and approved 6–0 by council members.

In reference to new business:

  • Ken Warnock, CEO of the Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce, addressed council with an update on industrial development as well as the availability of jobs within the area. He touched base with council on current concerns with unemployment numbers, stating that many individuals are still filing for unemployment rather than returning to their jobs where work is readily available. Warnock described the bottom line of the issue as being “not a workforce problem, but rather a getting people to go to work problem.” He further advised mayor and council of the consideration of a second potential investment being made into the community by an already established business setting. He described next year to be a promising year, advising of a possible 36 projects and 19 prospect business arrangements in the works.

Mayor Schwabe commended Warnock and chamber employees for their efforts in recruiting industries and bringing jobs to the City of Swainsboro and County of Emanuel.

Prior to releasing the floor back to council, Warnock provided an update on project Oak Park that included pipe construction phases and progress information.

  • Council then discussed the future of Every Thang Convenience, owned and operated by Unrico Lloyd. During the month of July, the business license was temporarily suspended after a number of shootings within the area. Lloyd advised council of his innocence related to the involved shootings that had occurred near his store as well as his desire to continue operations on terms negotiated by council. During this topic, a concern with misleading information being presented to council when voting for the temporary suspension was addressed. Lloyd, SPD Chief Randy Ellison, and council members all participated in lengthy discussion addressing concerns of all parties. The final outcome ended with a 4—2 vote, which passed a motion to revoke the business license due to safety concerns associated with the location of the business.
  • City Administrator Al Lawson then presented council with the 2021 budget proposal for council’s consideration and review. Council will reconvene at a later date to discuss any concerns and review salary surveys within the next month.

In other news:

  • Councilperson Rita Faulkner addressed council members with three options for drainage options for the Robin Road project. She asked that all review the submitted information and discussion on the matter be held during the September meeting.
  • Sconyers then brought up for discussion progress made on a Central Street home decimation. Instead of contracting this project out, plans to have to location torn down by and hauled off using city equipment have been arranged and will be performed within the near future.

With no other business matters to discuss in open session, executive session was then entered for the discussion of legal advice. Upon re—entering normal session, the following was announced:

  • A motion to buy a piece of property located behind The Dixie Theater in the amount of $25,000 was made by Ricky Stevens and seconded by Johnny Ray Stafford. The motion failed 3—2, with Johnny Ray Parker, Faulkner, and Bobbie Collins opposing the motion while Stevens and Stafford were the two council members in favor of the purchase.