The Baldwin County Board of Commissioners presented several certificates and heard presentations from two organizations regarding support from the county.
The meeting began with Chairman Andrew Strickland awarding Certificates of Recognition to pilot Don Heironimus, flight nurse Melissa Michie, and paramedic James Caulfield for their life-saving efforts on April 4.
According to the Air Evac Lifeteam Facebook page, the team got a call from Navicent Baldwin to fly a patient with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm to Emory Hospital in Atlanta. He was in critical condition and required multiple blood transfusions during transport.
“After using all of their available blood, the crew made a quick stop at Air Evac Lifeteam 140 in Milledgeville to obtain more blood products and continued to transfuse until their arrival at Emory. The quick thinking of the crew, paired with their critical care skills, made all the difference in this patient’s outcome,” the Facebook post states. “We are so pleased that Mr. Lynn Chappell (the patient) is back home and doing well and we were honored to be reunited with him and his family.”
Chappell was present at the board meeting to present the three individuals who saved his life with the certificates and also offered a hug to his saviors.
Following the award, Commissioner Scott Little recounted that he was speaking with his godfather when he was informed that Allen Waddell was critical in bringing together the recreation department.
About a month ago, he also located a letter at his mother’s house including stats of all Waddell had done for Baldwin County.
Due to these findings, Little presented Waddell with a Certificate of Recognition for his contributions to the county to create jobs, opportunities, and growth.
“Frankly, I was floored, so I wanted to take the opportunity to recognize him,” said Little. “Allen, you have set the bar high for all of us here in Baldwin County to what leadership is. It isn’t about delegation or title but about being a pioneer, a visionary, and a dreamer…” Then, Board Chair C.C.
Edwards-Sinclair of the Boys and Girls Club of Baldwin and Jones Counties, along with CEO Pam Peek, gave a presentation to bring awareness to the club’s activities and impact as well as to ask for support and collaboration to sustain the club, as it is currently experiencing a funding shortfall. In 2023, the club had 369 participants with 300 out of Baldwin County. Peek anticipates an influx of 150 participants coming into the club.
“Without financial support, and due to cuts on the federal side, it will take its toll on the club,” said Peek.
Peek has presented to the city council as well for support since the club serves both the city and county. The goal is a collaboration between both to get the support needed.
Finishing presentations, Chairman Dr. Jeff Wells of Keep Milledgeville Baldwin Beautiful (KMBB) offered thanks to the board for its support and stated that KMBB’s ‘Adopt a Road’ program has become a milestone for the organization. He gave a presentation on what the organization has completed and the issues it continues to face and is attempting to resolve.
Concluding the meeting, the board approved:
• Athree-yearagreement with C & S Landscaping for county-wide rightof- way mowing and clearing of trash prior to mowing. The cost per mowing cycle is $56,684 for three cycles per year.
In total that would cost $170,052.
• Anagreementwith Utility Solutions of America, Inc. to identify the existing service line materials on metered service. While the county has galvanized lines and not lead lines, the joints between lines will be inventoried and replaced as fast as possible, as needed, if indicated to have lead. It will take approximately 240 days or more to be completed.
The identification is funded by a grant, and it will fund some of the replacement.
• Torejectallbidsfor the sale of 300 Sparta Highway and rebid it for $1,000.
• Thelowbidfrom Sam Hall and Sons to construct the Fishing Creek Trail extension.
• Authorizecounty staff to pursue a State Economic and Infrastructure Grant through the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission to run water lines from Highway 212 to Highway 22. According to County Manager Carlos Tobar, it will help with development on Highway 212 where they do not have water and would have the opportunity to accommodate high densities.