Residents urge county action on Cat Creek watershed plan, District 1 representation, mental-health alternatives and fiber installation safety

Four citizens addressed the Lowndes County Commission during the public-comment period with distinct requests.

John Quarterman of the Suwannee Riverkeeper and Walls Watershed Coalition asked the county to participate in developing a Cat Creek 9-element watershed plan so the group can apply for state grants to perform DNA-based water testing and more frequent monitoring. "All we're asking for... is participation. For someone from the county to go to about 4 meetings to draw up the plan," Quarterman said, noting county testing previously identified pollution issues in Cat Creek and Beatty Branch.

Kelly Saxon, a District 1 resident, said constituents have had "over a hundred days without active representation for District 1" and asked for clarity about whether Commissioner Joyce Evans is able to participate or vote. Saxon described concerns about fairness and accountability when a district lacks an active representative.

Wanda Tonkin spoke on behalf of her brother and urged alternatives to incarceration for people with serious mental illness. Tonkin said her brother is schizophrenic, needs medical attention and should not be jailed for a probation violation while mentally ill.

William Carey, a retired telecom site manager and Lowndes County resident, raised safety concerns about Kinetic's fiber-to-the-home installation practices, saying crews used a trencher that can cut buried utilities and, he alleged, did not request locates via 811. Carey urged enforcement of required locate procedures and said residents should not be left to repair damage caused by contractors.

Commissioners did not take formal action on these public comments during the meeting; staff and commissioners acknowledged the items and the manager—s office later listed upcoming events and reminders.