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Residents press Bryan County commissioners on airport authority and historic preservation
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Summary
Multiple residents urged the board to take a public position on a proposed airport authority, with petitions and legal concerns raised; others urged the county to start drafting a historic preservation ordinance and cited a 420-signature petition and a county inventory of 758 surveyed historic resources.
Residents used the public-comment period at the Nov. 12 Bryan County commission meeting to press officials on two recurring controversies: participation in an airport authority and protections for historic sites.
Mary Beasley, who identified herself as a Bryan County resident, asked commissioners to explain the county's stance on the airport authority and warned that many county residents oppose the project. She said the county has spent $60,000 on a feasibility study and urged the board to communicate its direction clearly to the public rather than leaving residents uncertain.
Corey Foreman told the board he had collected roughly 600 online petition signatures opposing the airport authority and urged commissioners to "undo" the authority rather than letting a ballot initiative proceed. Foreman referenced state constitutional and case-law concerns about a "spaceport" and told the board rescinding the authority would ease the burden on residents organizing opposition.
On preservation, Amy Mitchell (District 4) urged the county to adopt a historic preservation ordinance and provided commissioners a packet of supporting materials. Mitchell said a change.org petition she circulated had 420 signatures and that county records list 758 surveyed historic structures and sites in Bryan County. She recommended staff begin drafting an ordinance and cited potential financial benefits from becoming a certified local government for historic preservation.
Commissioners acknowledged the comments and said the topic had been discussed at a recent retreat; staff indicated they would begin looking into next steps. No formal board decision on the airport authority or a preservation ordinance was recorded at the meeting; both items remain matters for future action or discussion.
