Sheriff requests faster courthouse repairs, seeks proceeds from firearms disposition; resident urges new elections office

Sheriff Randy Courson told the Echols County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 2 that ongoing courthouse repairs should be completed by Monday because the courthouse will hold court, and he said he had received a destruction order for numerous firearms collected over recent years. "Sheriff Courson advised he was in receipt of a destruction order for the numerous firearms collected over the past few years. Sheriff Courson is requesting that proceeds of the sale of firearms go into their department's funds," the minutes state.

Courson also raised concerns about a generator at the community center that he said is not powerful enough to run the air conditioning for the entire facility during an emergency; he asked the county to consider relocating or replacing the generator so the whole center can operate when needed.

During the workshop portion, Mrs. Sandra Giddens explained procedures for the county’s monthly food drive and thanked volunteers for their help. Resident Jimmy Tucker addressed the commission about voting districts and "requested consideration of a new office building for the Elections office" to avoid moving voting machines and to improve election security, according to the meeting record.

The board did not take formal action on the sheriff’s requests or on the elections office request during the meeting; those items were presented as reports and public comments for future follow-up. The board proceeded to routine motions and votes later in the evening.