Robinson Abstains from Youth Violence Vote

Douglas County Commissioner Kelly Robinson, who abstained from voting on a resolution against youth violence, said he doesn’t want “Big Brother” watching over the residents.

Robinson said that the resolution, which states that residents can voluntarily tell law enforcement officers when they hold a house party, infringes on property rights.

“We have to be very careful,” he said at Tuesday's meeting. “We must always be mindful of the rights of everyone.”

The commission voted 4-0 to approve the resolution, which was read by Monique Rivarde, the mother of 18-year-old Bobby Tillman.

Tillman was beat to death during a party at a Douglasville home last November. The Douglas County District Attorney's office is against two of the four people accused of the crime. The Douglasville City Council in September.

Robinson said his own son was “jumped” in a bathroom and kicked 21 times.

“I’m very sensitive to this issue,” he said.

However, the issue comes down to privacy rights, Robinson said. The first version of the resolution “expanded the power of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office,” while the one approved by the commission states that residents can voluntarily inform police when they plan to hold a party. That’s something that Robinson said residents can do without a resolution.

“We have to be careful when we pass certain things,” he said. “It’s important we protect the rights of all citizens.”

The commission also voted 4-1 to send to the General Assembly for approval. Redistricting was necessary after the 2010 Census, which showed District 3’s population approximately 4,000 over the ideal 33,100, and District 2’s approximately 3,800 below that number.

Robinson cast the dissenting vote, citing the fact that in his new district, approximately 55 percent of the population will be African-American, while roughly 8 percent will be Hispanic.

“That’s culturally insensitive,” he said. “You have one voting block.”

The proposed map was on display at the Douglas County Courthouse, the Douglas County Library, and on the county’s website for public comment for more than 30 days. Officials said only four comments were submitted, two of which were from the same person. Commissioners said they were disappointed in the lack of participation.

“It’s unfortunate that we didn’t have much input,” Commission Chairman Tom Worthan said.

If approved by the General Assembly, the map will be sent to the Justice Department for pre-clearance. It would go into effect Jan. 1, 2013.

“We don’t expect any problems with pre-clearance,” said Ken Bernard, county attorney.

In other business, the commission:

• Approved a change order reducing the guaranteed maximum price for the new jail by $340,000, and transferring those funds to the architectural and engineering line item to cover additional services by HO+K
• Approved the transfer of $18,801 from construction contingency for costs associated with miscellaneous electrical changes at the new jail
• Approved the transfer of $50,000 from construction contingency for costs associated with RFID design of the new jail
• Approved the transfer of $27,489 from construction contingency for various projects at the new jail, including adding security glazing to doors, increasing the size of the gas line to allow for additional appliances in the kitchen, and putting in a concrete pad for a lift that will enable jail trustees to change the tires on patrol cars
• Approved a revised contract with FMC to provide in-house dialysis treatment for inmates
• Approved a one-year extension to the existing municipal solid waste hauling and disposal contract with Republic Services, Inc.
• Approved a mutal aid agreement between the Douglas County Fire Department and Puckett EMS
• Voted to accept a Victims of Crime Act competitive grant from the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to fund one full-time and two part-time victim advocates
• Voted to name the driveway off Dorris Drive leading to the Woodie Fite Senior Center as Simeon Springer Court
• Approved a proclamation declaring Nov. 6 as Retired Educators Day in Douglas County
• Approved a proclamation declaring Nov. 6-12 as Veteran’s Week in Douglas County.