CAIRO — The fate of Tired Creek Lake trees is up in the air.  

On Wednesday, the Grady County Board of Commissioners discussed a previous recommendation for tree removal made by project consultant Will Butler. 

Butler, president of Real Estate InSync in Tallahassee, Florida, said removing the trees would increase property lot value at Tired Creek. 

Commissioner T.D. David said the Lake Authority should come to the commissioners with recommendations the authority votes on and approves, and not solely Butler’s recommendations. 

“I think clear communication on both sides is very important,” County Attorney Kevin Cauley said. 

David also noted he was unaware where the trees would go after removal. 

Vice-Chairman Ray Prince said the trees most likely would remain in the lake, adding in a big-rain event, the trees could float down into the lake’s spillway.    

Attendees spoke out against the tree removal recommendation. 

Bill Poitevint, a former commissioner, said two previous recommendations were made to keep the trees. 

Tree removal would have to be done before water began to fill the lake, Poitevint said of previous recommendations. If cut down after, the removed trees could end up in the lake’s dam, he added. 

“We spent a lot of money at that lake already, we don’t need to anymore in any shape or fashion,” said Tom Sampson, another attendee against the tree removal. 

Sampson added it would be wise to make Tired Creek Lake a state park. 

“If you want to sell properly, sell it to the state,” he said. 

The commissioners took no action toward the trees. 

The Lake Authority made a recommendation to solicit bids for tree removal at the June 14 Authority meeting. 

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.