Appling youth center sought

The Concerned Citizens of Columbia County will be holding an open meeting Tuesday to discuss a petition for a new youth center in the north-western part of the county.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m. at Walnut Grove Baptist Church on Ray Owens Road in Appling.

"We have got a lot of kids out here in Columbia County," said Oscar Taylor, group chairman. "When school is out especially, there is nothing for them to do and no place for them to go."

The petition advocates adding a youth center facility and some type of field to the existing 20-plus acre Eubank-Blanchard Community Center on the corner of Ray Owens and Cobbham roads to serve the Leah, Winfield, Appling and Phinizy communities.

District 5 County Commissioner Diane Ford has started some improvements for the center including expanding the playground, adding a track and some trees, Taylor said. Ford helped begin the Crime Watch through the sheriff's office and frequently attends meetings to hear the resident's concerns.

"Diane has done an outstanding job out here and we appreciate her help," Taylor said. "She has done a lot in this area. Diane is just super. We love her."

The group began about 1 1/2 years ago with a goal of bettering the community by working in it. Taylor has heard a lot of concern over youth from the community and wants to use the meeting to better explain the petition. Once it is complete, he hopes to present it to county commissioners.

"We do not look for it to be done overnight, but we wanted to let our commission know that we are concerned about our youth."

For more information about the group or the petition, call Taylor at (706) 309-9451.