Featured Speaker: Aaron "Adot" Whitely – 6th District Chatham County Commissioner As the elected representative for the 6th District of Chatham County, Commissioner Aaron “Adot” Whitely will continue to use his position to ensure that southwest Chatham County thrives and the citizens of District 6 are engaged in the decision-making process.
Adot believes in consistent engagement and partnership with local leaders and activists, community organizations, neighborhoods associations, small and large businesses, houses of worship, schools, and youth; through and with these connections, we will foster the development of the 6th District into a better place to live and work!
Priorities:
Priorities:
- Transparency and Accessibility
- Business Growth and Development
- Collaborate with City of Savannah and Chatham Public Schools
- Youth Engagement
- Expanding Resources and Awareness
- Collaborate with City of Savannah and Chatham Public Schools
- Youth Engagement
- Expanding Resources and Awareness
He represents the south and southwest area of Chatham County, and titled his presentation “Chatham County: Where are we going? Making a case for Regionalism.” He sees a lot of growth and change happening in our community and sees our status as similar to where Atlanta was in 1987. Currently in Atlanta, their population is at a growth rate of 2.35% annually.
In 1987, Savannah’s population was 100,000 with a 0.52% annual growth rate. Currently we are at 340,000 with a 2.05% annual growth rate. Property values continue to increase. Taxes have increased. Employers are flocking to Georgia to conduct business.
He serves on a task force to help recruit international companies to bring their business in America. He says that Georgia is incredibly attractive for foreign companies. Huge developments with the Hyundai Metaplant and Sports Tourism (Nike, ADIDAS, basketball tournaments, etc.) Collaborative efforts are in full effect, including:
- Storm Drainage Basin Study is being conducted
- County Fire Department - outsourcing fire support is no longer cost effective. The past has had minimal investment in a fire department.
- New Trial Court Building - it costs $78/day to keep someone in jail. This is not about “letting the bad guys out,” but more about how to save the strained judicial system.
- EOC: 911 Emergency Housing/Station near the airport (groundbreaking in May 2024). Specifically mentioned that our 911 system is outdated. He can’t imagine being in a panic/emergency state only to get a voicemail when calling 911.
- County-Wide Land Use Plan: important to unify zoning across the counties. i.e. Multi-family zoning.
Current Issues:
- Growing traffic issues - Hwy 16, Port Wentworth: Regionalism is the way to prepare/fix. TSPLOST helps share the costs of roads with tourists/visitors. TRANSISPLOST - mass transit, CAT/Micro-transit, all to lessen the number of vehicles on the road. He proposes county-wide free bus transit. In 1965 MARTA was passed as a regional project with the only county that didn’t approve it being Cobb.
- Infrastructure
- Limited Workforce - slated we won’t have enough workforce to fill the jobs here by 2025. Leads to influx and competitive wages. Solutions include training those already living here. Also includes consideration for school systems - creating the workforce needed (i.e. Woodville-Tompkins). State-run training for incarcerated people so they are employable after serving time.
- Housing shortage (around 10,000 units) and affordability is also a challenge. Need more developments in neighboring areas of where the work is. More ADU’s and creative monitoring of STVR. Tax abatement options as well. Increase density by growing/building up.
- Water Water Water - he shared song lyrics from New World Water by Mos Def. Our source here is from the Floridian Aquifer. We need to start using less water effective Jan 2025. Regional Water Authority would address inequities in the system and fund a de-salinization system.
Q&A:
- Whitney expressed her gratitude and asked how we all can help. Aaron says to “share the message” and communicate with those around you what the bigger picture is here.
- Bret asked if consolidation of the 8 municipalities would work in the future. Aaron says not likely. Unincorporated Chatham County doesn’t want to become part of Savannah and it’s the largest region.