By Arthur McLean
Editor

Because of a lack of upkeep at the old mental health and rehabilitation center, Thomasville could be in danger of losing out on a pardons and parole board transition center, Mayor Sheldon Day reported to the city council Monday.

“Somebody with mental health dropped the ball,” he said of the lack of upkeep a the former Air Force radar installation.

Thomasville had been in the running, and more importantly, in the budget for an early release center for non-violent offenders that would be located at the former mental health and rehabilitation center in Thomasville.

But since that facility closed, the state’s mental health department has failed to perform basic maintenance at the property, and no one apparently reviewed the damage at the center after Hurricanes Ivan or Dennis, leaving some buildings with roof damage susceptible to the weather.

Nothing was ever claimed on insurance or to FEMA, Day said. The problem for the pardons and parole board is that the budget only has room for operating expenses and minor changeover costs, not renovation money. Thomasville also faces competition from Eufaula, which also has mental health buildings that were vacated more recently and in better condition.

Day met with Gov. Bob Riley about the situation, and a team from the governor’s office is due to fly to Thomasville by the end of the week to look at the property and assess the damage.

“Mental health may wind up disappointing us twice,” Day said. “Even if we lose out this year, the pardons and parole board will need another center, and at least now we’re moving forward.”

Turning the former mental health center into a pardons and paroles center would have represented about a $3 million initial investment from the state. More will be learned about the center’s fate after the governor’s team finishes its review.

In other land moves, the city approved the continued negotiations to purchase 28 acres of land and buildings from Lower Dixie Timber, located off Bashi Road. The city plans to use the land and buildings to house its road department, recreation department and other departments.

“We’re just too cramped where we are now, and its become a dangerous situation,” Day said of the city’s road office located on Hwy. 43. The city will sell that property if it purchases the Lower Dixie property.

The council

In other business, the council:

Heard a report from Day that a developer has optioned property to build subsidised retirement housing in Thomasville. The project will include a first phase of 32 units and will be called Country Club Cottages.

Approved the lease of the concession stand at Gates Drive to the Thomasville Diamond Club for five years.

Heard a report from Day regarding the rural supplier conference. Day said he expected to hear about two projects very soon that would be a result of the conference.