Here’s another kind of feel good story for Christmas.
Bryan County’s employees, who are concerned with the safety and wellbeing of the county’s citizens, have helped overcome an expensive emergency faced by some Ellabell residents.
It all started a few weeks ago when Tiffany Maxwell, the police officer, became aware of two houses in need of repair on Olive Branch Road. During an examination, she learned that the houses were also missing septic tanks. Although Maxwell contacted several nonprofits and nonprofits to seek help for the residents of the homes, she was unable to get help. She learned that sewage disposal systems had to be in place before funds could be made available for repairs.
Maxwell contacted Bryan County’s director of environmental health, Mike May, and they began discussing the situation and exploring other ways to assist residents.
Septic tanks cost approximately $ 5,000, including labor and materials that residents could not afford. May attended a Health Department meeting about a week later where his supervisor, Brant Phelps, mentioned the need to plan the installation of a sewage treatment plant for training purposes. He asked if anyone in the department knew of an apartment that needed repairs to the sewage treatment plant or a new installation.
Occasionally, septic tank systems donate or heavily discount systems for those in need.
May immediately thought of the two houses in Olive Branch. He spoke up and, once cleared, directed efforts to secure a sewage system for the Ellabell families.
“When the opportunity arises to do something helpful for some of our community members, we’re happy to take it and do everything we can to make sure it works,” May said.
“The holiday season can be a difficult time of year financially for many people. We are therefore of the opinion that the organization of this system installation is of particular importance right now. Everyone who worked together to make this happen is really excited that they were able to contribute. It’s a wonderful collaboration. “
Jeremy Clark of Clark Services, Inc., based in Richmond Hill, installed the system for free. John Ford donated the Drain Field products on behalf of his company, Infiltrator Water Technologies, and KEN-BRICK of Statesboro provided the tank at cost.
The families each spend approximately $ 400 to install the sewage treatment plant.
Bryan Taylor, the Bryan County administrator, was pleased to hear county workers went the extra mile to help families in need, but said he was not surprised. “I know that our employees and department heads are the best there is. The county’s staff really care about the community they serve and never hesitate to invest extra time and effort to help residents. I am proud of them and feel happy to live here, surrounded by people who support one another, ”said Taylor.
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