Committee objects to site for communications tower

A proposed communications tower for a new emergency services office at the heart of the Evans Town Center became an issue for discussion at a Monday county committee meeting.

Committee members said they were not happy to hear that a plan for the new office might involve erecting a nearly 200-foot high communication tower that would be in plain view of those visiting the Evans Government Center, Judicial Center or new library.

"I understand (the need for) the facility,'' said Commissioner Steve Brown. "I don't understand the location of the tower.''

The location in question is a former State Farm Insurance office that fronts Ronald Reagan Drive next to the Evans Government Center. The county plans to move the office of Pam Tucker, the county's emergency services director, to the old State Farm office from another building at the Evans Government Center. An Columbia County Sheriff's Office substation also would share the building.

"That disturbs me a little bit, to be honest with you,'' Brown said about putting the tower at that new building location.

Commission Chairman Ron Cross gave an alternative location for such a tower, noting that it could instead be disguised in some trees behind the government buildings.

"It would be just as efficient back over there with the trees,'' he said, adding that a tower at the State Farm office would "stick out like a sore thumb ... My feeling is it just simply can't go there.''

Tucker said such a tower is needed to improve the county's communications in times of natural situations as ice storms. However, she said the location Cross presented could be possible.

"We'll look at this option and get back to y'all,'' she told the committee.

In other action, the committee also heard from Phil Sines, who made a pitch for a Super Youth Soccer League partnership with the county. Sines proposed that such a Super-Y Soccer League be based in Columbia County just as a Patriots Select team for college players was established in 2005. The league would be for those age 11 to 19 and half of the games would be played at Patriots Park while the remainder would be the responsibility of the Augusta Arsenal. Commissioners heard the presentation as information only and took no action.