[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,97],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6103788,"mediaKeyId","2793345-a64da2cb572e87a7e26d4df96d6ae7aa","parentId",2793345,"title","Residents urge moratorium or bonding for BrightMark; county officials explain IDA land agreement and permitting limits","audioSeconds",2227,"startMs",2283000,"endMs",4510000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2793345-a64da2cb572e87a7e26d4df96d6ae7aa&start=2283&end=4510","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2793345-a64da2cb572e87a7e26d4df96d6ae7aa/thumbnail_2283000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6103788/Upson-County/Georgia/Residents-urge-moratorium-or-bonding-for-BrightMark-county-officials-explain-IDA-land-agreement-and-permitting-limits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103788-1e2122715e48660fe6d7d2b0bcd453a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445471&Signature=GyLOYvGcgQiALTdrOYSMjk1xImhEshNTiaOFXOz276koIT1TmgYt2WfG5VdjOfRCabjDla6dQyyxISTrSw~vwHVZi8LAPDQ4PCa1x2VZKwNqFhj8hLBg94CqBMVz31PxwtZnpMANGOBr8p7m3qPe0kPxaLRF~ftdFARWYamKYdJl8TZDST2YAAR4s~e6OIVJR9yCyJoVQQkWaCgYr-oxDf2T2ywl2TEme7IJuy1ELg9xa0vVvp6BX2L7NFc0yijHQvQ6xuDqJkeksHlBvPl1PS1MUi8Bn3B4IzBXvjUmm4WNcBebkMBIlRQyL~eJpaohNs3YlyXMKXMKOg-POEgmBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-26T11:31:22Z","article","Residents at the March 25 Upson County Board of Commissioners meeting urged the board to block or impose safeguards on BrightMark’s proposed chemical‑recycling project, asking for a moratorium on pyrolysis/gasification, a required surety/performance trust to cover potential environmental cleanup, and for county officials to explore legal steps to make the project less attractive.

Speakers including Tammy Boyle, Michael Greenman, Rusty Blackson, Dana Fowler, Mary Pat Jones and Tracy Knapp described research they said showed risks from chemical recycling, noted BrightMark’s recent financial difficulties in Indiana, and asked the county to require a bond or trust to cover future remediation costs if a plant were abandoned or to adopt an emergency moratorium on the technology. Several speakers cited examples of localities that have enacted moratoria or bond requirements and urged the county to act preemptively.

Commissioners responded in public remarks. Chairman Brew explained that the property where BrightMark has proposed to locate is under a land-purchase agreement with the Industrial Development Authority (IDA), not directly owned by the county commission. He said BrightMark has placed earnest payments with the IDA but has not yet closed on the land. Brew described the agreement as a conditional land-purchase contract: BrightMark must meet permitting requirements (including air-permit review by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division) and demonstrate financing within specified deadlines in the agreement; if BrightMark fails to meet those conditions the IDA retains the deposit.

Brew also told the audience that the IDA is a separate legal entity with two elected officials serving on it and that the county commissioners are not the decision-maker for the IDA’s contractual obligations. He said that if BrightMark applies for state air permits the permitting process would include a public comment period during which any party could raise concerns.

Speakers pressed the board on what the commission could do. Tracy Knapp read from Title 36, Chapter 9 of the Official Code of Georgia, asserting that control of county property is vested in the county commission; Brew responded that the land in question is held by the IDA and that the IDA’s contractual obligations and liabilities would shape any county action. Several commissioners said they were sympathetic to residents’ safety concerns and suggested looking into forms of protection — including bonding or ordinance changes — but noted legal and contractual limits on the county’s immediate authority.

Several speakers also urged transparency and more active outreach to the state, IDA, and officials in other jurisdictions that have hosted BrightMark projects. Commissioners said they would discuss possible ordinance reviews and coordinate with the IDA and city officials as appropriate. No formal county action on BrightMark was taken at the meeting; the session recorded extensive public comment and a commitment from commissioners to discuss ordinance language and next steps at upcoming work sessions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Upson County Board of Commissioners - 03/25/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents urged Upson County commissioners on March 25 to adopt a moratorium or require a performance bond for BrightMark’s proposed chemical‑recycling project; commissioners explained the site is tied to an Industrial Development Authority land‑purchase agreement and said permitting would run through state channels.","taxTitle","Upson County, Georgia","taxId",28667,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6103791,"Upson County approves beer-and-wine package license for Sunnyside Country Store after debate over distance measurement",1165,1095000,2260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2793345-a64da2cb572e87a7e26d4df96d6ae7aa&start=1095&end=2260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2793345-a64da2cb572e87a7e26d4df96d6ae7aa/thumbnail_1095000.jpg","/articles/6103791/Upson-County/Georgia/Upson-County-approves-beer-and-wine-package-license-for-Sunnyside-Country-Store-after-debate-over-distance-measurement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103791-9c52ddcc377aeb2a817f1ce12480b899/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445471&Signature=EPdo6uae~Db1yMZEyG1RHxO2EWm5skMPvksPjBjCM97zjh76PazgaooLiIsgjvaNnXjg8E6nRtfpMLeU02hfZiuxTYWp11O-2UurmRElg3770jSiFmYWeji-KqtqcyOAwjyj8tIeDDBlTZMMf~zjyNmXZFRDN1wMGKZH1vNcSljXI65heiLJN22CUEhWpQDbyAXMnJMl3ugw~1H8~OYfXDGzbRW2eD67sofRXTCMSd18vQ7UV-0BYcFPyB8NVF4-T8Uq9YuDR2cpkgSxvVvmVGL1PunIKEiE5ktAC86OhYdEk8o8SNUdHRDbCVSglAMy9fAfVXY5LDDzDOz4Wj8E3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Upson County Board of Commissioners on March 25 approved a beer-and-wine package license for Sunnyside Country Store, operated by Morning Group LLC at 3108 Crest Highway, Thomaston.

County staff told the board the application was evaluated against seven criteria: a completed application and supporting documentation, proof of ownership or lease, a business license, a detailed floor plan, background/criminal-history compliance, payment of fees, verification that the location is at least 100 yards (300 feet) from the nearest school or church measured along the most direct line of travel by wheel, and a successful building inspection. Staff recommended approval after verifying the criteria.

Staff described the distance measurement method used by the county as “direct line of travel” conducted with a measuring wheel from the store door to the nearest property line of the church or school. County staff estimated the actual distance at about 395 feet, and noted that a three-foot ditch in the right-of-way was treated as an “obstacle” that alters the most-direct line-of-travel measurement.

Applicant representatives and community supporters — including a speaker who identified herself as a Sunnyside Country Store resident-owner and Leon Fowler, a deacon at Friendship Primitive Baptist Church — urged commissioners to approve the license and said the store serves the neighborhood. Opponents included Reverend Turner, who said the ordinance’s measurement method had been stretched to produce a favorable result and urged the board to change the ordinance to better protect churches and schools.

Commissioner Jones moved to approve the license. The vote was recorded as yes from Commissioner Watson, Chairman Brew, Commissioner Ellington, Commissioner Jones and Commissioner Beatty; the motion carried.

Several commissioners said they were uncomfortable with aspects of the county ordinance and suggested taking the issue up in a future work session to consider clarifying the measuring method and whether the ordinance needs updating. The board nonetheless approved the license based on staff’s verification that the application met county and state requirements.","Upson County commissioners voted March 25 to grant a beer-and-wine package license to Sunnyside Country Store (Morning Group LLC) after staff verified the application met the county’s licensing criteria and measured the required separation from the nearest church.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":78,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6103794,"Upson County approves special exception for private family cemetery on Jugtown Road",855,240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2793345-a64da2cb572e87a7e26d4df96d6ae7aa&start=240&end=1095","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2793345-a64da2cb572e87a7e26d4df96d6ae7aa/thumbnail_240000.jpg","/articles/6103794/Upson-County/Georgia/Upson-County-approves-special-exception-for-private-family-cemetery-on-Jugtown-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103794-2632ab4a6b1cf7e383cae2a9c0f3a0f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445471&Signature=IOu4EN8okKDHH28qcJy8kl042WKw5aQpTvBSHKYh2xHqsV7HV0aT-pw7UyEDt~t~TvW0e9maGB6xg53gl9oF1eWx~kxGOON0nm7dp~pzwz4LdZeGVI0Qz8~9uThBPUUKwWKibyu6Ser3kUGH9Gg13KrA~Imlpd4EGdx7W63wJDIIjXRc7H2vbru6tl-PjTi9YbBSQPYE~rA7ceS14uVbt4yQhi7q9x0I5O-yXQ6BjlAXOmWFIqZZ0miCIH-FphDNRMp01Vc0rtDdRgRTezTpXSeEv9idE~vThOv4KdSm9rPsSmjRlAyUmy8v2yVrT9JVJBfbd8D2Y5iHHLeRg8cQtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Upson County Board of Commissioners on March 25 approved a special-exception request allowing a private family cemetery on a 112.5-acre parcel at 957 Jugtown Road.

County staff recommended approval of Special Exception SPX252025-01 after the planning commission voted 4–0 to recommend the permit with conditions. The proposed cemetery footprint is 200 feet by 200 feet (0.9 acres) in the north-central portion of the property and is not visible from Jugtown Road, staff said.

Doug, a county planning staffer, told commissioners the proposal falls under the AR zoning district and the county’s special-exception standards and that most impacts would be minimal because the site is a small, family cemetery. The planning commission recommended several conditions, including that state cemetery regulations be followed, an affidavit of burial be filed within three months of the first burial, and that the plat and deed be updated to note the cemetery’s existence.

Applicant Jason Patterson described the site as a remote hollow behind a tree line in the northeast corner of the property and said the family wants only a private family cemetery. Patterson said the access would be handled by an access easement and that the cemetery would not create a separate lot.

Commissioners discussed tax implications. Chairman Brew and commissioners noted that in Georgia a parcel with a burial can be eligible for tax exemption but that exemption must be applied for to the tax assessor and is not automatic; the county staff and applicant said the assessor’s office would evaluate any exemption request and that the county’s practice is to mark taxable components without creating a separate parcel deed for features such as cell-tower footprints.

Commissioner Watson moved to approve SPX252025-01 with the recommended conditions; Commissioner Jones seconded. Commissioners voted unanimously in favor.

The motion includes conditions specified by staff and the planning commission: compliance with state cemetery regulations, a recorded affidavit of burial within three months after the first burial, and notation of the cemetery on the current plat and deed to preserve its identification for the future. The county also requested that the family maintain the cemetery.","The Upson County Board of Commissioners approved a special-exception permit allowing a 0.9-acre private family cemetery on a 112.5-acre AR‑zoned parcel at 957 Jugtown Road, with conditions including a recorded affidavit and plat notation; county staff and the planning commission recommended approval.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6103785,"Upson County commissioners expand Board of Assessors to five members and request state performance review",503,3127000,3630000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2793345-a64da2cb572e87a7e26d4df96d6ae7aa&start=3127&end=3630","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2793345-a64da2cb572e87a7e26d4df96d6ae7aa/thumbnail_3127000.jpg","/articles/6103785/Upson-County/Georgia/Upson-County-commissioners-expand-Board-of-Assessors-to-five-members-and-request-state-performance-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103785-50ffd13e86c3fd0b73d9754fa6d9c34e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445471&Signature=Mfp3sjQB61a0CW6WX3vMV1~wWZFPxpujvV5R2g7wRKd-TNhDP~IPsfPgdI4QR8nWdphi8hKNUfhWJJHB5OoWICzjKEzg0G8CaOq3B2eT~UwIm~Z-hDX6Be8euyaQcb4jrzuL9Hgd~3Cg6sdhPLZDcqRBq~GdwY3Hjv6FGbABhXyHf9dAO-GhlAo8s20vA~QjVysOmQ0iI39O7V0OGydd2kBJaclnTpPF7DNQK-WuLMRfohQG7~YbBKy4ALWgIS5q6lE3HxexBgyuWxB8aYOSIwvGCGYK5BSIxPZd5HYwAZXdIm6wAtjTH0yTnNHSFa~tdxvApqKtrOMej7ea0s8-eA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Upson County Board of Commissioners on March 25 approved two actions affecting the county tax-assessment process: (1) a motion to recruit and fill the Board of Tax Assessors up to the authorized maximum of five members, and (2) adoption of Resolution 13‑2025 requesting a performance review of the Board of Tax Assessors by the State Revenue Commissioner’s Office under Official Code of Georgia Annotated §48‑5‑295.1.

Chairman Brew said the change to a five‑member board is intended to broaden oversight and reduce the likelihood that a two-person quorum on a three‑member board carries decisions affecting property valuations. Commissioners discussed concerns raised over the last 6–8 months about commercial and industrial valuations and noted missed revenue tied to utility assessments; Brew said the county did not realize expected revenue when utilities were assessed at a lower rate the prior year.

Commissioner Watson seconded the motion to expand and recruit to five assessors; the motion carried unanimously. Brew and other commissioners said the recruit-and-fill process would include preparing and publishing information about duties and time commitments for potential appointees.

The board also unanimously approved Resolution 13‑2025, introduced by Commissioner Ellington and seconded by Commissioner Watson, to request a state performance review of the Board of Tax Assessors. Brew described the review as a baseline “inspection” to identify strengths and areas needing resources or improvement and said county staff and the chief appraiser, Charles, have worked to address issues. Commissioners emphasized the review is intended to improve service and compliance and not to single out individual staff.","The board voted to recruit and fill the Board of Tax Assessors to its maximum of five members and adopted Resolution 13-2025 requesting a performance review of the Board of Assessors under O.C.G.A. §48-5-295.1; commissioners said the steps aim to improve property valuation accuracy and ensure proper resourcing of the assessor’s office.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge moratorium or bonding for BrightMark; county officials explain IDA land agreement and permitting limits

Upson County approves beer-and-wine package license for Sunnyside Country Store after debate over distance measurement

Upson County approves special exception for private family cemetery on Jugtown Road

Upson County commissioners expand Board of Assessors to five members and request state performance review