Chattooga County Commissioner Blake Elsberry spoke with WZQZ about the news that Try-Con is seeking to be annexed into the Town of Lyerly.  The commissioner says he believes the annexation would be a “benefit” for Try-Con.

Elsberry made the comments in response to questions from WZQZ News after it was learned that the commissioner was dropping his quest to see over $47,000 returned to the county’s coffers for sewer line expansion done during the tenure of the last sole commissioner.  Elsberry hired an outside attorney to look into the matter, but while that attorney said the county could have done better documentation of the process, he could find nothing illegal.

WZQZ News asked Commissioner Elsberry about the cost of hiring an outside attorney to investigate the issue.  Elsberry said that the county does not have the total cost for the legal representation at this time.

Try Con’s Milford Morgan had told WZQZ News on Thursday that he was seeking annexation into Lyerly so that he could work with a “government entity” that would be more cooperative than the county government.  Elsberry responded to our question about Morgan’s statement by saying, “Try-Con seeking annexation into the City of Lyerly will definitely benefit Lyerly and I am excited for them. There will also be some tax benefit to the county as well because Try-Con’s millage rate will rise for the county. I have shared that information with them.”

Elsberry added, “As always the county will continue to help all our existing industries in the incorporated and un-incorporated areas alike, and we are always ready to help our city partners in any way we can.”

Elsberry maintains that he has talked to Mr. Morgan several times and the conversations have been “good and productive.”