In a crowded temporary venue, the Emanuel County Board of Commissioners held their regular meeting on Monday night, July 15. The venue was the main Courtroom of the Emanuel County Courthouse, and the reason for the large crowd was not for protest or demonstration but rather for celebration and recognition of local softball teams for championship seasons. Following an invocation and pledge of allegiance, Chairman Hugh Foskey welcomed the victorious team members along with their family and friends. Commission Vice Chairman Jim Sherrod congratulated the teams on their amazing accomplishments of winning three 2024 State Championships and praised the efforts of Emanuel County Recreation staff and the volunteer coaches of each team. Following this ceremony, Commissioners took up the evening’s business with approval of the meeting minutes of the July 8, workshop meeting and the June 17 regular meeting. Public comments were then heard from Jason Littleton concerning problems with a road in the Oak Park area. Various corrective actions were discussed and consultation with other municipal authority may be indicated to resolve the problem. A public hearing was the next agenda item for the purpose of receiving comment on granting an alcohol license for the retail sale of beer and wine to Bhupendrakumar Patel. No objection was voiced, and the license application was deemed to meet all required measures. Motion was made and seconded and a unanimous vote approved the license award to Mr. Patel. Under old business, a second appointment was made to the newly organized Public Facilities Authority. Mr. Smith Edenfield will serve on that board along with Mr. Gary Mason and three members from the Board of Commissioners. One item under new business dealt with revisions to the 2023-2024 county budget. As an adjustment required by normal cycles of business and day to day variations in budgeted operations, commissioners approved mid-year amendments necessary to the continued fiscal integrity and level of service provided to the citizens of Emanuel County. This concluded the evening’s agenda, and the meeting was adjourned.
