Pickens County receives $246,000 in stimulus funds

"I want to express my deep appreciation to all of our volunteers for helping others in our community in their time of need.”

By Rob Jones

Rob Jones

Sole Commissioner, Pickens County
As we move into 2010, I have to look back at what has occurred in Pickens County during 2009 and the impact events have had on our county and our citizens.

We have all heard about the federal stimulus money available to states, counties, and cities, and I have mentioned in previous reports to you that the county has applied for some of this funding. I am happy to report that Pickens County has been awarded a GEFA loan to construct a 500,000 gallon water tank in the Worley Crossroads area. This new tank will replace the old smaller tank located in Tate and provide our water customers with much better pressure and service.

In addition, it will bring the county into compliance with EPD requirements regarding the replacement or refurbishing of the Tate tank. Stimulus funds in the amount of $246,000 were awarded to Pickens County to assist in the construction of the new tank.

Drought relief
I am especially grateful we have seen an end to the drought that engulfed us in 2007 and 2008, and my hope is that we can return to normal times where we will receive between 50 and 60 inches of rain each year.

I do hope that the rainfall will be spread throughout the year and not concentrated in large quantities like we had this year. I am also grateful that Pickens County and our citizens did not have to endure the flood damage that many of our neighbors in Cherokee, Douglas, and others suffered thru.

Caring Citizens
One of the things I feel most proud about when I am talking with officials and citizens from other counties is when they talk about how the citizens of Pickens County are such a “caring” group and how they try to help others in need.

I want to express my deep appreciation to all of our volunteers who devote their time, their efforts, and their hard-earned money to helping others in our community, in their time of need. As we gather to count our blessings during this season, I am especially grateful that I have the opportunity to live and work in such a “caring” county.

Monitor expenses
We continue to monitor our expenses closely and maintain the high level of service you deserve as citizens. I realize that everyone has to reduce and eliminate expenses as much as possible, but the employees of Pickens County are committed to providing you, the citizen, with the highest level of service possible.

If you should encounter a situation where you feel you have not received that level of service, I would appreciate you contacting me so I can investigate the matter and insure that it does not continue to happen.

As we move into the month of December, I want to invite all interested citizens to visit your county administrative center located at 1266 East Church Street in Jasper. My scheduled monthly meeting for December will be December 17 at 4:00 p.m., and I would certainly enjoy seeing a large number of people at the meeting.

Until the next time, stay safe and be healthy.