To the Citizens of Valdosta and Lowndes County:

After considerable study and thought I have decided to support the T-SPLOST referendum on July 31, 2012. I believe in Valdosta as Winnersville and Titletown and I believe that we want to continue to be labeled in that way around the state. We are a regional city now. We owe it to our neighboring counties that come here to shop and to the people who travel the interstate and stop in at our restaurants and gas stations to have the finest in roads. We are growing faster than any other city in Georgia and we have to look into the future and prepare ourselves for this growth.

For those of you who are not familiar with T-SPLOST, it is a one cent sales tax to provide for transportation infrastructure in our eighteen-county region. The state has been divided into twelve regions. Our region includes Brooks, Berrien, Clinch, Cook, Echols and other surrounding counties. In October of 2011 elected officials submitted projects and held public hearings on the proposed projects from each county. Then a final list of projects was submitted that are important to the entire region.

Projects in Valdosta include the widening of Jerry Jones, Country Club Drive and Forrest Street. Other projects are the reworking of the congested Five Points area and an overpass over the railroad at St. Augustine Road. County projects include the widening of Highway 41 from State Road 7 to Union Road, Old Clyattville Road widening from I-75 to Ousley Road and other much needed projects. These are all projects that are needed in order to make it easier to travel into and around Valdosta, and to make us attractive to prospective industrial prospects.

The passing of T-SPLOST will show industrial prospects and other economic developers that we are serious about recruiting industry and providing jobs for our citizens. This is what it is all about “jobs”. Valdosta and Lowndes County are projected to take in about $260 million during the 10 years that the tax will be in effect. Valdosta and Lowndes County stands to receive $160 million in funding for these important transportation projects. Some say this is not fair but these surrounding counties and tourists bring in approximately $130 million to our economy. This means we actually get about $30 million that we do not pay in.

Opponents try to make you believe that north Georgia will get part of the money from our region. That is simply not true. All of the money collected in this region stays in this region.We can’t afford not to pass this 1 cent sales tax. I encourage you to join me and support T-SPLOST because we need to make Valdosta and Lowndes County an even better place to live work and visit.

John Gayle
Mayor
Valdosta