I invoiced the county for "their regional generator" in 2010 once they accepted the infrastructure, and before I took office. The past commission should have voted when the invoice was received, but didn’t follow policy, and it sat for over a year.  

This delay caused me to research public records that revealed many disturbing facts. False statements have been made, and I fear commissioners may not fully understand the county’s actions which resulted in our company "financing the county’s debt."

I›m concerned that confusion has been created by statements inferring the county has paid a portion of the reimbursement earlier than the contract required.

regional pump station," designed to service many other customers as well, and we wouldn’t normally have had anything to do with it. We acted, because the county didn’t honor their first contract, and left a subdivision of Effingham citizens stranded without sewer, yet the county continued issuing building permits. 

 We performed our work and the

county’s due to their documented misrepresentations. We honored our word and made good on their portion so citizens could flush toilets installed on building permits the county issued. They must stop listening to unconscionable legal advice, which has resulted in the county losing a lawsuit that cited:  "The county’s contracts are void and unenforceable," and was upheld by the Georgia Supreme Court. 

  I didn’t lose my rights as a citizen upon taking office. Our invoice must be judged on its merit. It can’t be legally lumped in with others issues. Many contractors didn’t perform in the same manner we have. Open records prove some developers built their entire projects without

EPD approval, which the county should have prevented.

 "The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is."— Winston Churchill 

Vera Jones is the Effingham County 2nd District commissioner.

I’m working to restore the public’s trust in local government. I hope anyone with concerns will shun the rumors and innuendos and come see the facts for themselves.      

Officials further ignore the fact that "they" doubled the size of the project two months after we began construction on a 90-day project, and the county materially and substantially "altered" the final contract "Exhibit B" two months after it was signed. They did this without discussion, foreknowledge or agreement from us. These actions were not properly documented in the public meetings or minutes, therefore hidden from the sunshine of public inspection. 

The county has admitted over obligating itself by requiring agreements, "as a condition of zoning" where county water and sewer didn’t yet exist. Yet, when Jim Bakker over obligated timeshares and financially harmed individuals through misrepresentations, he went to prison. Some officials rely on "immunity," and take advantage of citizens. We can’t allow those in power to take our property, rights, and money without accountability. I am not ashamed to fight for my Constitutional rights.

The county didn’t honor contractual obligations to bring sewer to the citizens. We honored the contract, and provided interior infrastructure to both subdivisions.

Misrepresentations were made by the county to induce a second contract that shifted the financing of the county’s regional lift station that serves several area projects, and which was relocated onto our land. We were the developer of the two internal subdivisions. The county was the developer of the "regional pump station," and it should have been publicly bid.  My recent research revealed the county didn›t have to double the length of this line, and GEFA funds were available until the county "chose" otherwise. 

The county implemented a plan where new development not only paid for their own projects, plus fees (which is their share by law), but also paid for "public facilities," upgrades, repairs and maintenance. This doesn›t comply with Georgia law, nor did this contract. 

Setting the record straight: We’ve built and spent approximately $3,500,000 on water, sewer, reuse, roads and "regional facilities" within these two contracts, and have given title to the county for it all. We’ve received approximately $739,000 in reimbursements. However, we still pay $4,600 in impact fees when we build a home or sell a lot.

The county required this generator at final inspection, even though it wasn’t on the contract plans when we signed them. Otherwise, they threatened to withhold building permits. This was arbitrary and capricious. Many of the county’s pump stations don’t have generators.