County seeks naming of ‘Major Terry Arnold Memorial Highway’
On Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, County Commissioner Jeff Lane made a motion, seconded by County Commissioner Lindsey Parrish, to approve a “Resolution Declaring Major Terry Arnold Memorial Highway of Cook County, Georgia.” All voted in favor.
The resolution states:
“WHEREAS, Cook County, Georgia is governed by the Cook County Board of Commissioners; and
“WHEREAS, Major Terry Arnold diligently served the local enforcement community for 35 years in Cook County, Georgia and lost his life in the line of duty on Oct. 3, 2022; and,
“WHEREAS, the Cook County Board of Commissioners wish to honor Major Terry Arnold by posthumously naming the portion of Georgia Highway 37 in Cook County, Georgia from Mile Marker 9 to Mile Marker 13 the Major Terry Arnold Memorial Highway.
“NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Cook County Board of Commissioners that the portion of Georgia Highway 37 in Adel in Cook County, Georgia from Mile Marker 9 to Mile Marker 13 be named the Major Terry Arnold Memorial Highway.”
Since the resolution involves a state highway, the local measure is being presented to State Rep. Penny Houston, who will introduce local legislation to that effect during this session of the Georgia House of Representatives. The legislation will then be introduced in the State Senate, and, once passed by both bodies, will be signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp.
Cook County Probate Judge Chase Daughtrey discussed the highway renaming request with the County Commissioners during their work session prior to the regular meeting on Jan. 17. Daughtrey said the highway renaming won’t cost the County anything; the State will bear the costs for the new signage.
Terry Arnold served as director of the School Resource Officer Program in Cook County Schools at the time of his passing.
Also during the Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, regular session of the Cook County Board of Commissioners:
County Administrator Faye Hughes gave the invocation to start the meeting, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the prior meeting minutes.
Ratify decision on safety lighting for Hutchinson Parrish/Cox Still Road
Commissioner Parrish made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Audie Rowe, to ratify accepting a $36,447 bid from Specialized Signal Technologies for safety lighting at the intersection of Hutchinson Parrish Road and Cox Still Road. All voted in favor.
The project will involve the installation of flashing beacons to help prevent traffic accidents at that intersection.
Appointment – Economic Development Board Members
Commissioner Rowe made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Guy Daughtrey, to re-appoint County Commissioners Jeff Lane and Lin Parrish to the Cook County Economic Development Board. All voted in favor.
Vehicle purchase for Magistrate Court
Commissioner Parrish made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Lane, to approve the purchase of a Ford F150 4X4 crew cab truck, in the amount of $47,500 from Brannen Motor Company, for the Cook County Magistrate Court. This purchase price will be in lieu of the quote that was provided on paper from Brannen Motor Co. of Unadilla, Ga. All voted in favor.
During the County Commission work session prior to the regular session, Chief Magistrate Judge Stephen Chammoun verbalized the quote that the Board decided to approve. The wait time for the purchased truck will be approximately four to five months.
Pothole repair
Commissioner Lane made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Daughtrey, to accept a $3,895 bid from DC Hot Mix, LLC, for pothole repairs on Old Coffee Road and Quitman Highway. All voted in favor. County Attorney Daniel Connell will prepare the contract. County Road Superintendent Scot Harnage discussed the DC Hot Mix proposal with the Board during the work session prior to the regular meeting.
Other business during the Jan. 17 work session of the Cook County Board of Commissioners:
County/Hospital Board meeting
Upon the request of Chase Daughtrey, the County Commissioners discussed holding a meeting with the hospital board at 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 30, for an update on Southwell Medical, including the planned new local ER.
Road Department report
Road Superintendent Harnage discussed work on various roads and at the Cook County Airport with the Commissioners.
County Attorney update
County Attorney Daniel Connell thanked the Board for his reappointment as County Attorney and expressed support for renaming a section of Highway 37 in memory of Major Terry Arnold. Connell also discussed the advertisement of a proposed ordinance for the creation of a county manager position. He then advised about the settlement of an opioid class action lawsuit with pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies that will result in funds for Cook County and other local governments.
EMS Request for Qualifications
Mrs. Hughes advised that the Commissioners should decide soon whether to start advertising for RFQs for a EMS contract in February. The contract with the current provider ends in May. The Commissioners indicated that they first wanted to meet with the hospital board before making a decision on EMS.
