Carson

THOMASVILLE — After more than a year of Thomasville City Council discussions and debates and resident input, council members voted 3-1 Monday night to approve a South Pinetree Boulevard improvement plan.

Residents, who loudly applauded the action, packed council chambers to witness the vote.

Prior to the vote, City Manager Alan Carson said the plan to be voted on would include resurfacing of two-lane Pinetree from West Jackson Street to Old Monticello Road, five-foot sidewalks on the north side of the road from West Jackson to Magnolia Street, three left-turn lanes and a roundabout at Magnolia and Pinetree.

Carson said that if the plan on the meeting agenda was approved, it would be sent to the state. The Georgia Legislature appropriated $3 million for a Pinetree project — money Carson said is earmarked for safety measures on the road.

The cost of the plan approved by the council is $3,056,000. The additional expense would be funded by the city.

“The staff recommendation would be Option B,” Carson told council members.

Saying he was not sure if he had a conflict because he owns property on South Pinetree, Mayor Greg Hobbs said he would abstain from discussion prior to the vote.

City Attorney Tim Sanders told Hobbs he would have to abstain from the discussion and from voting in the event of a tie vote.

Council member Jay Flowers then made a motion to approve the plan. The second to the motion came from Mayor Pro Tem Terry Scott.

“I’m pretty sure I’m going to be on the losing end of this,” Council member David Hufstetler said.

Hufstetler said he has talked to state representatives, who told him that if the plan being considered is submitted to the state for funding, there is a chance of losing the $3 million.

Council member Todd Mobley joined the meeting via a conference call and voted to approve the motion. Hufstetler cast the sole dissenting vote.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820