The Tri-County Journal
& Chattahoochee Chronicle
PO Box 850,
71 Webb Lane
Buena Vista, GA 31803
229-649-6397
tjournal@windstream.net

By GIGI SWINT
(From the April 11, 2007 issue)
   The Buena Vista City Council decided to put two alcohol licenses on hold and discussed various other items during its regular monthly meeting on April 3.
   As discussed at the Council’s last meeting, Pravin Patel, owner of ML Food Mart (the BP Station), has applied for a liquor license. However, some confusion arose over the requirements to acquire such license. One condition states that no two liquor-selling businesses may be within a certain distance from each other, measured by GPS tracking device from front door to front door. Patel may be unable to obtain his license due to the proximity of his store location to that of Trackside Beer Wine Liquor. The distance is in

debate. Police Chief Ray Sales was assigned with the task of providing the Council with the correct information at next month’s meeting.
   Lisa Rodeheaver has also applied for a malt beverage license for J&L Pizzeria. Her paperwork appears to be fine, but due to the recent confusion, the license will be further discussed at the next council meeting.
   In other business:
   * Mayor Ralph Brown swore in Annie Rose Walton as a city registrar.
   * Jerry Pastor was hired as the new building inspector for the city.
   * The council members were asked to apply for the Annual Conference in Savannah, Georgia for district eight.
Department Reports
   Council members also heard monthly department reports. The Water and Street Department needs funding to relocate water lines under Highway 26. The line appears to be causing the road to crack, and the Department of Transportation is holding Buena Vista accountable even though Highway 26 is a state highway. The lines will have to be moved to beneath the sidewalk or under a less-busy street. These six-inch lines stretch from Baker Street to Tyson. Also, on April 26, the Department of Homeland Security is coming to inspect the city’s water lines and pumps.
   Members of the Buena Vista Fire Department have returned from Americus. They sent an engine and four people to aid in the tornado relief effort. There were four fires last month, including one on Geneva Road that caused some confusion with the 911 dispatcher. Geneva Road had previously been named Crumbly Road, and apparently, residents had not posted lot numbers on the main highway. The fire department did find the site in time, but for future situations, the lot numbers must be clearly posted. The fire department asked for approval of becoming a member of GMAG, which is an organized system for major emergencies like that of the recent weather upheaval. Members receive help, as well as provide help from other departments, in case of emergencies. There is a $500 per year membership that is covered by a grant. The fire department has also started pre-fire reports on local businesses.
   Police Chief Ray Sales attended an eight-day workshop in Duluth last month for police chiefs. He asked the council to look into purchasing two new police cars when they start a new budget term. The newest current police car is a 1999 model. The lowest bid on a car they had was $19,000. Chief Sales also wished to hire one more officer to take some of the load of hours off the policemen.
   The Recreation Department announced that baseball has started. The City and County are planning to have a joint recreation department soon. They have applied for a grant from United Way to get a van and a new gym. Kevin Brown is planning on starting three basketball teams for kids, adults, and teens. Players will have to attend workshops like GED and job planning. They will hopefully use the Twenty-First Century Grant to target middle school homework and provide tutoring in a safe environment.
   City Clerk Brenda McAllister informed the council of the status of the audit, which is still in progress. The Clerk’s Office also announced the Habitat for Humanity Kick-Off at the Josh Gibson Center on April 12th at 6:30 p.m.