Hufstetler

THOMASVILLE — South Pinetree Boulevard is again a subject of discussion among Thomasville City Council members, but apparently not to the level of voting on the controversial road project.

The draft for Monday night’s council meeting lists consideration of a motion to approve plans for Pinetree improvements, with Council member Jay Flowers as speaker on the subject.

“I am willing to set this aside for one more meeting while we obtain clarity of the DOT (Georgia Department of Transportation) grant to the city,” Flowers said on Friday.

At a Wednesday council workshop, Flowers reminded fellow council members that 80 to 90 percent of property owners along the stretch — from West Jackson to Magnolia streets — want Pinetree improvements of two lanes with a turn lane and a trail or sidewalk.

Pointing out that a water and sewer project on the road will be completed in early 2019, Flowers said, “I don’t think there’s any new information to gather.”

Council member David Hufstetler said he took issue with Flowers’ percentages about the number of people who attended a meeting for Pinetree public input.

“The interest from the community is two lanes. Period.” Flowers countered. “I don’t think there is anything else to learn. … Let’s move forward.”

Hufstetler said he was not sure a council vote is necessary if the road would only be resurfaced.

Hufstetler added that his “gut” tells him the plan agreed upon by the city and Thomas County government officials “is being thrown out the window.”

Mayor Greg Hobbs said that when county officials asked for state funding for Pinetree improvements, they received more money than anticipated.

“They thought they would get about $1 million. The state gave them $3 million,” Hobbs said.

Hufstetler suggested city officials meet with the state DOT.

To Flowers, Hobbs said, “You’re ready to vote, and we’re not even clear.”

Flowers responded that it is time to choose a plan and move forward.

Hobbs said he is willing to move forward, but wants to be be clear on the state money “and get as much bang from the buck as possible.”

Said Flowers, “We keep kicking the can down the road.”

Flowers said to Hobbs, “As you said a couple of months ago, we’ll vote on it when we get it right.”

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820