Camden CountyCamden County
Board of Commissioners
Community Outreach eNewsletter
  "Working together to make a positive difference in the community."  

 

 A Publication from the Office of the County Administrator - December 2015

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UPCOMING
 
Board of County Commissioners Meetings & Public Hearings

December 8th
Regular BOCC Meeting 6:00PM


County Offices will be closed December 24th, 25th & 28th for Christmas



Government Services Complex
 200 E. 4th St.
Woodbine, GA 31569
   

  

"Great Customer Service is the Cornerstone of Every Successful Organization!"


 

Your Opinion Counts

Please click

 on the link below to complete Camden County's customer service survey.

 

 

Free Prescription Discount Cards Available to Camden County Residents

 

 

 Click on the image above to view more information about this service. 

 

Camden County Fire Rescue Seeking Volunteers

 

 

Camden County Fire Rescue is recruiting volunteer firefighters to be a part of the department. The volunteer firefighter program will be used to augment existing peronnel to meet the needs of the community now and in the future.

 

 

Visit the program website for the most current information.

 

 

Contact Fire Rescue Headquarters at (912) 729-3911 for questions about this program.

        IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS

 

 

Main Switchboard

576-5601

  

Administrator's Office

510-0464

 

 Animal Control

576-7395

 

Bryan Lang Historical Archives

576-5841

 

Camden Fire Rescue Main Office

729-3911

  

Camden Library

729-3741

 

 Camden Sheriff's Office

510-5100

 

 Clerk of Superior Court

576-5631

 

 County Clerk

576-5651

 

 Curbside Collections

510-6881

 

 Juvenile Court

576-3226

 

Magistrate Court

576-5658

  

Mosquito Control

729-4823

 

 Planning & Development

729-5603

 

 Probate Court

576-3785

 

 Public Works/Road Department

576-3028

 

  Solid Waste

729-4099

  

Tax Commissioner/Tag Office

576-3248

  

Tax Assessors

576-3241

  

UGA Extension Office

576-3219

 

Voters Registrars 

576-3245

 

 

 

A Message from the County Administrator
On December 2, 2015, Goldman Sachs, a leading global investment banking firm, announced its' 7 big predictions for the future. The #2 prediction- "Space is once again the new frontier."
Goldman strategist Robert Boroujerdi, who sent out the list, told clients that the investment bank feels strongly enough about  these predictions that it is telling clients "to put their investment dollars behind these trends right now." 
Goldman states "the pace of innovation in the space industry is accelerating thanks to new technologies and entrants such as Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin." Goldman goes on to say that "Space is becoming smaller, closer, and cheaper, reinventing an industry that has stagnated for decades and making room for new applications, technologies, and competitors. ... The lower price point for both satellite technology and launch services enables access for more companies."
Today, the cost of a space launch is less than 10 percent of what it was five years ago and that might even continue to fall more in the next five years. This increasing space industry trend will have a profound impact on numerous companies.
Dr. Bobby Braun, former Chief Technologist with NASA, and since 2003, Professor of Space Technology at the Georgia Institute of Technology's  Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering said, "If Spaceport Camden is approved, this project will serve as the foundation for a space sector transformation in Southeast Georgia.  It will create both direct and indirect jobs and increase tourism. This project would be a boost to both higher education and STEM programs across the state."

Please take a moment to let your voice be heard Monday, December 7th when the FAA hosts a Public Scoping Meeting from 5-8PM at the PSA Recreation Center's Community Room. The meeting will help determine the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which is critically important to this project.  Please see the article below for more information. I would also like to recognize the local Camden County Chamber of Commerce and the Coastal Regional Commission for their recent letters of support from their Board of Directors for the  Spaceport Camden project.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful and joyous holiday season.


Yours for a better Camden, Christmas Tree

Steve L. Howard, ICMA-CM, CPM, CPPO
County Administrator
Federal Aviation Administration to hold 
Public Scoping Meeting
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Commercial Space Transportation issued a Notice of Intent on November 6, 2015 to prepare an EIS, open a public scoping period, and hold a public scoping meeting in Camden County, Georgia.
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the FAA is preparing an EIS for the Camden County Board of Commissioners' proposal to construct and operate Spaceport Camden, a commercial space launch site. The proposed launch site is located in an unincorporated area of Woodbine, in Camden County, Georgia, approximately 11.5 miles due east of the town of Woodbine, Georgia.
The EIS will consider the potential environmental impacts of the Proposed Action and reasonable alternatives, including the No Action Alternative. Based on comments received during the scoping period, the FAA may analyze additional alternatives. However, at this time, the alternatives under consideration include the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. The Proposed Action is for the FAA to issue a Launch Site Operator License to the Camden County Board of Commissioners that would allow the County to offer the commercial space launch site to commercial launch providers to conduct launches of liquid-fueled, medium-lift-class, orbital and suborbital vertical launch vehicles.

To help determine the scope of the EIS, the FAA will be hosting a public scoping meeting at the following date, time, and location:
Monday, December 7, 2015
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Camden County
Public Services Authority (PSA)
Recreation Center Community Room,
1050 Wildcat Drive, Kingsland, Georgia 31548

The meeting format will include an open-house workshop from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. During the open house, there will be a table with comment forms for writing your comments, or you may speak to the stenographer who will record your comments. The FAA will provide an overview of the environmental process from 6:00 PM to 6:15 PM, followed by a public comment period from 6:15 PM to 8:00 PM. During the public comment period, members of the public may provide up to a 2-minute statement. The FAA will transcribe oral comments.

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD, TELL THE FAA WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT SPACEPORT CAMDEN. THE EIS SCOPING PERIOD ENCOURAGES PUBLIC INPUT. CLICK HERE TO EMAIL The FAA.
Citizen's Academy begins January 7, 2016
The Camden County Citizen's Academy Class for Winter 2016 will begin Thursday, January 7, 2016 at 6:00 PM at the Government Services Building 2nd Floor in Woodbine. 
Applications are now being accepted. This is an 8 week class held every Thursday. This session however, we will have a class on a Tuesday night as well as a Saturday morning.  The following are the Standards for Admission: 
  • Applicants must make a commitment to attend all sessions.
  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old. 
  • Participants must be a resident of Camden County, a business owner in Camden County, or employed full-time in Camden County. 
  • As part of the enrollment process, participants will complete a Hold Harmless Agreement.
  • The Citizen's Academy is a learning and informational program. Acceptable conduct standards will be maintained by participants to assure each session is a positive experience.
Please click HERE for an application.
County Administrator Speaks at Georgia's Space Committee Quarterly Breakfast
On Wednesday, November 18, 2015, the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA)  GA Space Committee sponsored the quarterly breakfast at the beautiful Georgian Club in Atlanta. The November breakfast had a slightly different format than in the past.  Rather than have a single speaker, the program had a panel discussion concerning looking at space as it pertains to Georgia.  
The panel looked at the Space Economy, the spaceport project, the impact on companies in Georgia and the potential for attracting additional companies, and finally a look at the mood of the Georgia Legislature, how they view space in Georgia and possible upcoming legislation.   
The Panelists included:
  • Bob Scaringe, President of AVG Communications- Bob is Georgia's expert in the space economy and co-founder of the Georgia Space Working Group.
  • Steve Howard, Camden County Administrator- Steve has primary oversight for the development of Spaceport Camden.
  • Dr. John Olds, CEO of Spaceworks Enterprises, ATL- A leader in concept development, life cycle analysis and systems engineering for future space systems. 
  • Representative Jason Spencer, POC in the Georgia Legislature for Space.
Please see their website for complete information.  http://www.ndia-ga-org/. 


HELP BRING SPACE TO GEORGIA
JOIN THE NDIA-GEORGIA SPACE COMMITTEE

The Space Committee of the Georgia chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association is committed to bringing NDIA resources to assist space companies in Georgia and to advance Georgia as a space destination. With the effort to develop Spaceport Georgia, interest in space is rapidly expanding around the state. The NDIA-Georgia chapter is dedicated to helping all space resources in the state to grow and to assist in any way possible to bring new industry to Georgia. Few states have the assets Georgia has to offer companies in the space industry, from workforce to logistics support and proximity to space launch facilities. Consider joining our effort.
Coastal Regional Commission in Support of Spaceport Camden
A resolution in support of Spaceport Camden was unanimously approved by the Coastal Regional Commission (CRC) meeting held Tuesday, November 10, 2015.  
The CRC Council is comprised of elected officials and non-public representatives from Bryan, Bullock, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, and Screven Counties.
Alan Burns, Executive Director of the CRC said, "The Council fully believes that the development of a Spaceport in Camden County will ultimately benefit the entire Coastal Georgia Region."
Environmental Subcommittee of the
 Spaceport Camden Steering Committee
 holds First Meeting
The Environmental Subcommittee held its first meeting on Friday, November 20, 2013.  The meeting was set to discuss future meeting details, set quarterly meeting dates, review and adopt the background and purpose of the Subcommittee, and phrasing questions and comments for the FAA's Environmental Impact Statement.
All agenda's and meetings can be found on the County website under the "Archives" section.  Click HERE to view.
Camden County Chamber of Commerce in Support of Spaceport Camden


The Board of Directors for the Camden County Chamber of Commerce unanimously voted to support Spaceport Camden at the November 18, 2015 Board of Director's meeting.  The Federal Aviation Administration will hold a Public Scoping Meeting on Monday, December 7th at 5:00 p.m. at the Camden County Public Services Authority Recreation Center, located at 1050 Wildcat Drive, Kingsland. 

Please join us in support by wearing red at this community event.

STAR of HOPE FOOD DRIVE 
All donations go to support the 2015 STAR of HOPE program which helps provide for those less fortunate during the holiday season.  Donations can be dropped off at any County Office.  
For more information please contact County Clerk Katie Bishop at 912-576-5651.
Dinner with Santa & Mrs. Claus
The Chick-fil-A Kids Club is celebrating Generosity.  Come and craft your very own "12 Days of Giving" chain and join Santa and Mrs. Claus for dinner! They will also be collecting non-perishable food donations for the Camden County STAR of HOPE. Please join them on December 15, 2015 from 5:30 PM
- 7:25 PM.
Curbside Collection Holiday Schedule
Due to the holidays, the Curbside garbage collection schedule will be altered on certain days during Christmas and New Years.
The modifications are listed below for your convenience. If you do not see your normal day listed, then your service will remain unchanged.
 
City of Kingsland

Normal Pick up Day
 
 Altered Pick up Day 
 
   Christmas Eve
     Thur. 12/24
    Wed. 12/23
   Christmas Day      
       Fri. 12/25
    Thur. 12/24
   New Years Day       
        Fri. 1/01
    Thur. 12/31
        
   
    
City of St. Marys
 
 
     Christmas Day      
Fri. 12/25
     Sat. 12/26
    New Years Day     
Fri. 1/01
    Sat. 1/02
        
  
    
 City of Woodbine  
    NO CHANGE
    

 
 

 

The Board of County Commissioners would like to wish you and your family a Very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year. The Board looks forward to 2016 and all the exciting accomplishments it will bring to Camden County.
 
One of our goals for the County is to ensure that we are providing our citizens with the right information and a better understanding of current local issues as related to Camden County Government. It is our hope that you have enjoyed reading the monthly Community Outreach Newsletter and have found it to be informative and helpful. We encourage your feedback and value any input you may be able to offer as we strive to improve our services for the future good of Camden County.  

By working together, Camden County can continue to be "Georgia's Coastal Community of Choice."

Meet Your Commissioners

 
  Chip Keene
District 1

Chuck Clark
District 2
 
  Jimmy Starline
District 3
Commissioner Gary Blount  
  Gary Blount
District 4

Tony Sheppard
District 5
Our Commitment to You!
 
MISSION
Our mission is to deliver defined county services with exceptional customer service and to do so in a financially sustainable and transparent manner.

VISION 
Camden County 2030 is the premier coastal community of Georgia- beautiful and safe.  
Camden County 2030 has a strong regional economy and diverse job opportunities with four major pillars:
  • An active Naval Submarine Base;
  • A successful World Class Spaceport;
  • Space tourism; and,
  • a Technology Corridor. 

Camden County 2030 has relaxed living with quality residential developments, and abundant leisure choices for all.

 

VALUES

The Board of County Commissioners and employees of Camden County are committed to the following values: Integrity, Respect, Service, Accountability, Teamwork and Balance.