Special called meeting held to discuss Georgia Pacific closure
BLAKELY, Ga. (WALB) - The Early County Commission held a special-called meeting to discuss the closure of Georgia Pacific’s Cedar Springs Containerboard mill and the ripple effects it will have on county employees.
County employees and residents packed the Early County Theater to attend the commission’s special-called meeting on Tuesday night, and Chairman Clarence Jester wasted no time discussing what was on everyone’s minds.
“I know you’re here because you’re worried about our county. Please understand that each one of us, all five of us, are just as concerned as you are,” said Chairman Jester.
In an effort to minimize costs, the commission approved multiple freezes on non-required purchases, hiring, positions, and pay. More controversial topics, like eliminating county employee longevity bonuses, were tabled for discussion. Chairman Jester emphasized that what was approved on Tuesday could change next month, but with 525 jobs on the line, decisions had to be made.
“We just felt like we had to be proactive because of what could happen,” said Chairman Jester.
State Representative Gerald Greene says he was shocked by the mill’s closure and can understand if residents are worried.
“We don’t know what‘s going on yet. We don’t know what the owners will do with the land, we don’t know what they want to do, it‘s a lot of unanswered questions, and we just got to be patient and walk through them,” said Rep. Greene.
Patience was a common theme at the meeting, and Chairman Jester says officials are actively working to find a solution.
“I just want Early County to be strong. We’ve got to pull together and be together more than we’ve ever been,” said Councilman Jester.
Since Georgia Pacific announced the Mills closure, the official closing date has not been released.
WALB asked Chairman Jester what the next steps were for the county, and he said they were taking it one day at a time.
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