Goshen Neighbors Go Before Commissioners About Grant Money
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Goshen Neighbors Go Before Commissioners About...
Some Commissioners say it was a mistake for Augusta officials to apply for a $50 million stimulus loan for housing, without consulting them beforehand. The mayor signed off on the grant, saying the...
Some Commissioners say it was a mistake for Augusta officials to apply for a $50 million stimulus loan for housing, without consulting them beforehand. The mayor signed off on the grant, saying the city was facing a deadline, and if he did not take action, the city would have had no chance to receive the funds. The Village at Goshen is one of those areas who could receive the low income housing money. Tuesday night, it was there turn to go before Commissioners and let them know what they thought of the whole thing. WJBF News Channel 6’s Barclay Bishop has more.
Published: August 11, 2009
Updated: August 12, 2009
Augusta, GA—Alvin Mason, Augusta Mayor Pro Tem: “We’re here now, and the question becomes, how do we move past this and get some sort of resolution, one way or the other?“
Tuesday night, Commissioners sat before community members of the Goshen area as, one by one, they voiced their concerns about the potential $21 million that could be used for HUD housing in their upscale neighborhood.
Goshen neighbor: “For us to be blindsided by the whole process, and now we’re hearing about buses that are going to come out there to help our new upscale families in their new development, it’s painful for us to even deal with that.“
Commissioners say they weren’t informed about all that was in the grant application until it was already sent off.
Commissioner Calvin Holland, District 5: “You see, this is what happens when you have a total breakdown of communication, to the people of Goshen, who didn’t have an opportunity to have any input.“
Jimmy Atkins, Richmond County Board of Education: “I think the school system should have been taken into consideration because you’re looking at an area in Goshen of adding a lot more houses and adding a lot more students in our schools.“
In the end, it’s up to Commissioners on whether or not to approve the loan money…a decision that could be costly to the city…or what Goshen neighbors say could end up costing them.
Commissioner Joe Bowles, District 3: “The money is there and available, the question is, do we want to bring this money to the community?“
Goshen neighbor: “No sir, no sir, we do not want to bring this money into Goshen.“
Thursday, neighbors will meet with Commissioners again.
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Reader Reactions
Please send someone out to photo Goshen Village sign reading “Opening Spring ‘07”. There was to be a hotel, etc. originally. The same bank that is listed, Capital, is backing the proposed project and taxes are now two years overdue. There is much untold to this story and we would like very much to have the opportunity to tell Goshen’s concerns. Thank you. Rena Mobley 706 798-2984.
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