Ball eyes future

By Teresa Williams

January 13, 2006 11:47 pm

— CAIRO — Al Ball made history Jan. 3 when he was elected chairman of the Grady County Board of Commissioners.
He is the first black commission chairman in the county’s 100 year history.
“It’s historic, and I think it is time,” said Ball on Thursday. “I am also happy with the fact that Grady County is making strides to try to live up to the values that we as Americans feel are important in terms of equity and fairness, a person’s ability as opposed to who he is.”
His appointment also means something to the general public, said Ball.
“Our school kids and young people can see what they want to do in life, that it is possible as long as they have the qualifications to do it,” he said.
Ball came onto the board in April 2003 to finish out the unexpired term of District 4 Commissioner Howard Copeland, who died in office.
He was elected to a four year term in November 2004 and served as vice chairman in 2005.
Ball said he is glad Grady County rotates the chairman position rather than having a county-wide elected chairman.
“I think each one of the commissioners is capable of serving as chair and none of us have more power than the other,” he said. “I like the position rotating chairs, and I wanted to take my turn.”
Ball, retired, worked 16 years in the Grady County School System and works with Boys to Men, a mentoring organization for youths.
There are several priorities Ball has for 2006, including Tired Creek, the SPLOST referendum, grant funding for projects and encouraging public participation in local government.
The Tired Creek project, an approximately 3,000-acre plot of land planned for recreational development, has been ongoing for decades.
It began in 1969 when local businessmen and the state decided Grady County was a great area for a state park.
The Department of Natural Resources agreed and funding was acquired, but in 1974 times got tough and the DNR decided not to build anymore state parks at the time.
The project was dropped until 1993 when the board decided to try its hand at getting the recreational site off the ground.
The state deeded the land back to Grady County in 1994, and it has been going through the necessary steps to make the place a reality ever since.
Right now, the board is trying to obtain a permit to build on the land and the proposed 1,200-acre lake.
“We have an application in to the Army Corps of Engineers. They are the ones who issue the permit,” said Ball, who explained Tired Creek is not his project but one he would like to see completed. “They have to hold a series of hearings across the state on this before they can rule, and the process was supposed to begin the first of this year.”
He said it is an expensive process to get a permit, but that it would be a boon to Grady County if it is awarded.
“Citizens have been on this roller-coaster as well, and we need to bring it to an end this year,” said Ball. “We get the permit or not and, if not, we decide another avenue as to how the property should be used. We hope to get the permit, but if we don’t, then we do need it back on the tax rolls as taxable property. We’ll discuss that and see what is in the best interest of the county.”
The board will be in constant touch with its consultant, Tommy Craig, for updates and reviews on the project’s progress so it can, in turn, inform the public.
Another important item for 2006 to Ball is the SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) referendum in November.
“I would like to get our SPLOST on the ballot to see if we can’t get a continuation of the one cent (tax) to fund basically the crux of what the county commissioners are responsible for as far as the roads and bridges, EMS and other things,” he said. “I’d also like to see other departments have part in that like Cairo and Whigham, to get some of their projects funded to continue to improve the county.”
Ball would also like to encourage grant funding for projects that would benefit Grady County, such as the development of affordable housing and advancements in industry.
“I want to push for us to take every opportunity of grant funding for these kinds of projects,” he said.
Another goal for Ball in 2006 is to encourage and expand public participation in government.
“We have quite a few people serving on boards and whatnot who are doing a great job with service to the community, but there is also a great number of individuals who could do an equally good job who are not involved,” he said.
Ball said one way to do this is to improve communication between governing bodies and the public.
He holds a community forum for District 4 constituents each quarter.
“I could not require that from anybody else but feel this is a good way of knowing what my constituents are thinking and giving them a report of what we are doing at the county level,” said Ball.
He also believes in serving safety and property interests.
“I believe that the principals of ethics, equity and efficiency are important in decision making,” said Ball. “Be ethical and be fair and try not to waste the taxpayers’ dollars.”