Local & State Headlines

County delays racetrack voting

• The Dougherty County Commission declares this week Small Business Week in the county.

Carlton Fletcher

ALBANY — In the race to decide the outcome of a disputed speedway in East Albany, the Dougherty County Commission is spinning its wheels.

The commission took the vote on whether to allow the racing of various vehicles other than Legends cars off the agenda of its Monday business meeting, pushing the vote forward at least another week.

“Commissioner (John) Hayes asked that we hold off on the East Albany racetrack vote until our April 30 meeting,” Commission Chair Jeff Sinyard said. “He has illness in his family, and he wanted to be here for the vote.”

Commissioners are to decide whether to allow racing to continue at the track, currently owned by businessman Bill Farnsworth, or to heed the call of citizens in the Putney and Radium Springs neighborhoods who have asked that the commission deny the request, complaining about noise at the track.

Businessman, and former track co-owner, Tim Pafford’s purchase of the speedway is contingent upon the commission’s vote.

Sinyard read a proclamation, which he later presented to interim Albany Area Chamber of Commerce President Wendy Martin, recognizing Monday- Friday as Small Business Week in Dougherty County.

The proclamation read in part: “We appreciate the efforts of all entrepreneurs as they remind us, through their work, of the importance of economic freedom ... we are grateful for the tremendous contributions of Dougherty County’s small business owners to our economy, our competitiveness and our entire way of life ...”

Commissioners also recognized Boy Scout Troop 23, to whom Sinyard said, “You guys are in the right place, following the right kind of folks.”

In matters requiring action by commissioners, they voted unanimously to approve the purchase of an ambulance cab and chassis and module remount for Emergency Medical Services from low bidder Peach State Ambulance ($62,625); OK’d a resolution declaring equipment as surplus for the purpose of selling it online; and approved the sale of a F-150 pickup truck and a mosquito sprayer to Worth County for fair market value of $2,000 and $500, respectively.

“I hope they’re going to hit County Line Road when they start spraying,” joked Commissioner Jack Stone, whose East Albany district includes land that shares the county line with Worth County.

“I figure that’s going to be their first pass,” Sinyard quipped.

More Headlines>>