The de-annexation of South Georgia Motorsports park has caused an uproar in Adel.
State Representative, Penny Houston, proposed the de-annexation of the South Georgia Motorsports Park back in January. The proposal was to take it out of Adel City limits in place it inside Cook County limits.
Last week Governor Brian Kemp signed into law HB (House Bill) 1604 sponsored by State Representative Penny Houston to De annex the South Georgia Motorsports Park from the City of Adel and put it back within the county limits.
FOX 31 News spoke with Buddy Duke, The Mayor of Adel, and he tells us that State Legislature Penny Houston had no authority to make that proposal.
“The state legislature took it into her own hands to violate the policy of the home rule: home rule is that the locals take care of what is going on here at home and you take care of Atlanta," says Duke.
Mayor Buddy Duke says he pleaded with Houston to speak with his constituents about the decision first, but he says she denied it.
“I asked her can you sit down with my council and let us explain to you what we have done. what we have put into place to make it better and to make it work. She said no I got my mind made up,” says Duke.
Representative Penny Houston's reasoning for the de-annexation, was because of the constant phone calls about the noise complaints.
Just a year ago Adel city council members unanimously voted for a curfew for the motorsports park. The curfew would restrict races from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. However, according to Houston, the curfew did not fix the problem.
“The city did have the noise complaints under control. Those state legislatures took it upon themselves to just de-annex it from the city without our input on the decision,” says Duke.
The de-annexation of the park is to go into effect immediately. All curfews made by the city last year will now be null and void. Mayor Buddy Duke says he fears the future of the racetrack. Duke says there is a possibility it can be completely shut down, which would be a big economic loss for Southwest Georgia.
“I do not know what the total outcome of the park will be in the end. Although we do realize that park brings a $20 million economic investment to South Georgia including Tift, Cook, and Lowndes County with the racetrack in operation," says Duke.
FOX 31 News reached out to State Representative Penny Houston for a response and got no answer. We also reached out to the Cook County Chairman and got no answer as well. We will keep you updated with the latest information.