H - Georgia Cities Foundation
Transcription
H - Georgia Cities Foundation
CITY OF ST. MARYS 418 OSBORNE STREET ST. MARYS, GEORGIA 31558 TELEPHONE: (912) 510-4027 FAX: (912) 510-4012 Itinerary April 19, 2012 Arrive at Theatre by the Trax – 2:20 pm Show by Community Theatre Group Golf cart ride to Meeting Street Boat Ramp Boat ride to Gilman Waterfront Park Tour Gilman Waterfront Park Walk to St. Marys CVB Tour St. Marys CVB (with musical serenade) Board bus for St. Marys departure – 3:40 pm ST. MARYS HISTORY St.Maryswasestablishedin1787,andatthetime was called Buttermilk Bluff. But long before the British Colonial Council decided St. Marys was a desirable site for a city, the Guales, the Timucuans, the Creeks, and the Yamacraw Indians roamed the area, living off the riches of the land. Evidence suggeststhatasearlyas200BC,Indianshuntedwild game, fished the rivers and waded for clams and oysters along the St. Marys waterfront. The Indian tribes suffered such heavy population losses due to Europeanintroduceddiseases,thatby1717,only256 Indians of the Timucuan tribe were left, and these weremovedtoSt.Augustine. A French expedition came to Camden County in 1562, then Spanish soldiers came in 1565. It was the EnglishthatmadetheclaimtoGeorgiain1663,takingitfromthehandsoftheCreekandCherokeeNation.It seemseverybodywantedapieceofSt.Marys.DuringtheRevolutionaryWar,itslocationontheveryborder betweenthefreedomlovingColonistsandthesometimesͲSpanish,sometimesͲBritishFlorida,placedthearea inapositionofprotectorforallofGeorgia.DuringtheWarof1812,Britishsoldierssaidtheyfoundplentyto plunderinSt.Marys.AndalittleknownfactisthatthelastbattleoftheWarof1812wasfoughtjustafew miles from the St. Marys waterfront at Point Peter, contrary to most people’s belief that the Battle of New Orleans was the last battle. St. Marys’ growth was interrupted several times by epidemics of yellow fever. The Oak Grove Cemetery is the resting place for many of these fever victims including Arcadians who were drivenoutofNovaScotiaonlytomeettheirdemiseinSouthernGeorgia.Soldiersfromeverymajorwarare buriedinthecemeteryaswell. Many famous people have made visits to St. Marysthroughouthistory,somenotsowelcome as in the case of the pirates who roamed the shores in early times. After the infamous duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr in 1804,BurrfledtoSt. Marys,andwasaguestin thehomeofArchibaldClark.TheClarkhomeon Osborne Street is the oldest private home in St. Marys. In 1839, St. Marys; “Grand Dame,” Orange Hall, was built and remains today one of America’smostnotedexamplesofGreekRevival Architecture,servingasahousemuseumandan importanttouristattractionfortheCity. St.Maryswasanimportantportintheearlydays.Boatsandraftsloadedwithcotton,hidesandfurs,dried meats, honey and beeswax could be seen plying their way to the port. The area’s abundant resources determinedSt.Mary’sindustrialdevelopment.Itsfirstsawmillwaserectedin1869,andwithlumbering,the areaprosperedbyshrimping,fishing,shipbuilding,andcanningplants. Intheolddays,theonlywaytogetfromSt.Marystoanywherewasa boatridetoFernandinaBeach,FloridaoradirtroadtoKingsland.Butin 1908, a railroad track connection between Kingsland and St. Marys was completed,makingthetripmuchfaster.Inthelate1920s,ashipwright named Phil Hooper hand built a miniature passenger railroad car and placeditonamodelTtruckchasiswithwheelsmodifiedforrailuse.The motorcar, as well as several of St. Marys landmarks, was made famous throughthenationallysyndicatedcomicstrip“WashTubbsandEasy”by Roy Crane in the 1930s. They called the motorcar the “Toonerville Trolley,” and you can see it today housed in glass steps away from City Hall. Gilman Paper Company opened its paper plant in 1941, bringing unprecedented growth to St. Marys and the surrounding area. Money Magazine named St. Marys “America’s #1 Small Town” during its booming era.Thepapermillclosedin2002andwasdemolished. Today, St. Marys is a thriving tourism destination and is known as the GatewaytoCumberlandIsland.Asmanyas300visitorsadaytaketheferry fromtheSt.MaryswaterfronttotheIsland.SettledbytherenownedCarnegiefamilyin1881,Cumberland Islandbecameanationalparkin1972,anditspristineshorelinealongwithwildhorsesthatroamthebeaches are protected by Congress. In 2005 Cumberland Island was named the most beautiful wilderness beach in AmericabytheTravelChannel.JohnF.KennedyJr.wasmarriedontheIsland,andCarnegiedescendantsstill livethere. Fastforwardto2012,andwhatyouseetodayinDowntownSt.Marysissimplyoneofthemostbeautiful waterfrontsinAmerica.Wehavehistoryandwehaveromance.Wehavemanatees,bottlenosedolphinand laughingseagulls.AsofmostrecentlywehadMrs.OprahWinfreyinourcitytopromoteanewshowforher networkcalledLovetown,USA!Youcansitonawaterfrontverandaandimagineasimplertime,whenlifewas abitslower,andtheworldabitfriendlier,andfeeltheunmistakablesofteningoflife’sedges.Weliketothink we’retheperfectmeldingoftheOldSouthandSmallTown.Andwehopeyoufeelthesameandcomeback realsoon. H oward Gilman loved the arts. The Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York, has hosted some of the world’s most prestigious artists—from Enrico Caruso to Paul Simon. Gilman was Mikhail Baryshnikov’s dedicated patron from the moment the Russian dancer landed in the United States. At the Howard Gilman Performance Space in the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City, contemporary dance flourished due to Gilman’s generosity. According to Forbes Magazine, Gilman’s biggest project (a $154 million project partially designated for the arts), was the White Oak Plantation just minutes from the heart of downtown St. Marys. There, in 1989, the White Oak Dance Project was created to provide a venue for Baryshnikov’s collaboration with famed choreographer Mark Morris. Gilman was chairman and chief executive of Gilman Paper Company, the third generation of his family to run the largest privately held paper and building products company in the United States. After Gilman died, the Gilman Paper Mill (then located ten blocks from St. Marys’ waterfront) was sold to Durango Paper Company. Durango closed the mill in 2002, putting nearly 1,000 people out of work. Fast forward to 2011. At the edge of the mill property, now dotted with piles of concrete and brick rubble, there staunchly stands a circa 1940s modest brick building that was used for six decades to house paper mill offices and a railroad car workstation. Previously destined for demolition, the building now serves as an entertainment center that, perhaps, even Howard Gilman might applaud—Theatre by the Trax. “It’s ironic that a structure that was so utilitarian in continued ... purpose has found its way into the cultural arts,” said “They used to weigh wood chips at that station,” said Doug Vaught, who along with his wife, Jeanne, purchased Herb Crabtree, Vice President and General Manager of St. the building in 2011 to save it from the wrecking ball. Marys Railroad until 2011. Crabtree had worked for the “Jeanne and I are thrilled at the reaction of the many railroad since 1978. residents and visitors who have had a chance to “On the right side of the building (in a room that now experience a production in the theatre.” serves as an office for the Vaughts) there was a sliding glass As of publication date, those productions included Man door that went up and down. That’s where the mail was of La Mancha and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (see loaded,” Crabtree said. related story), plus a Star Spectacular presentation of The Bringing a historic building back to life has been a Drifters scheduled for February 4. A series of Star learning experience for the Vaughts, and the process Spectacular programs featuring national entertainment is brought the community together in a way that only such a planned for 2012. noble purpose can. “Many people just shook their “We’re amazed by the spirit of heads when we told them we were generosity that has made this converting the old railroad building transformation possible,” Jeanne into a theatre,” Vaught said. “But Vaught said. “There are far too many now when they see the results of the people to name every one, but transformation, they’re impressed.” without them, we couldn’t have As they should be. done it.” When the Vaughts first took over As with any old building revamp, the building, there was about two the further the Vaughts got into the feet of grease-infused water that project, the more intense the covered the entire floor. Vandals had renovations became. And though broken out dozens of windows and there was no Howard Gilman around released all the fire extinguishers so to serve as Daddy Warbucks, Doug that grimy foam permeated the and Jeanne have been fortunate to concrete and brick. The cleanup was Completed stage set for Man of La Mancha count among their friends, Joe and immense. Terra Lucent, whose philanthropy “You would’ve had to have vision to see the potential of has helped make Theatre by the Trax a facility of which the building,” Vaught continued. “But we knew the the entire community can be proud. building had good bones, and there were so many The Lucents produced the second production at Theatre fascinating elements to the building that made it a natural by the Trax, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, but went far for theatre space.” beyond the usual role of producers, funding fix-ups in Vaught was referring to the concrete platforms that areas of the theatre not related to the stage. covered locomotive pits where many of the railroad cars “Thanks to Joe and Terra, the theatre now has a were worked on. And the 20-ton crane that was used to lift professional sound system,” Vaught said. “And they’ve also boxcars and huge pieces of equipment was a stagemaster’s helped create an entrance and lobby area that serves as a dream, according to Jim Kelly, Facilities Manager at warm welcome to theatre guests.” Express Scripts who has been instrumental in helping the There seems to be exceptional warmth about the Vaughts re-create the space. building that’s hard to define. Nostalgia abounds in the old “You just look at that crane and see such potential— building that once housed locomotives and red Peter Pan flying through the air, for example,” Kelly said. cabooses. Late at night, as performers leave the building, “And the crane played a major role in creating the special there’s an eerie sense of untold stories wafting through the effects of a movable medieval staircase in Man of La cavernous space above the stage. The ghostly echo of a Mancha.” lone train whistle lingers, and the building speaks as if to The current 90’ x 40’ stage (the largest in Camden say, “Thank you for saving me.” County) is built above the old locomotive work pits. Tiers As the years roll by, thousands of guests will take their of audience staging for seats were installed. The space that seats in front of a platform that once sheltered the work served as a conference room for St. Marys Railroad is now of one of America’s most endearing yet disappearing the official “Green Room,” and adjacent offices made workhorses—the train. As the lights go down, and the prefect dressing rooms. The old parts department and curtain comes up, the spirit of the railroad shall live on in locker rooms made a great prop department. The old each performance. And we think Howard Gilman would weigh station that sits on the south side of the building is approve most heartedly as his old building makes tracks doubling as a theatre marquis. Even the old safe that once for some great entertainment at the edge of St. Marys’ housed payroll for the railroad serves a purpose—storage. Historic District. DURANGO MILL SITE Themillsitepropertyistheonly718acreparcelinGeorgiawithdeepwaterfrontage,rail,and industrial water usage permits making it ideal for future development in an improving real estatemarket.LocatedadjacentlytohistoricSt.Marys,Georgiadowntownarea,thesitehas multiple possibilities for development which include residential, industrial, small vessel port, andprivateport.Not onlydoesithavenearly4000linearfeetthatabutstheNorthRiver,it alsohasthehighestpointinthearea,allowingforgreatviewoftheentirearea. From1941Ͳ2002thesiteservedasapapermillandin2006thepropertywaspurchasedby Landmar for nearly $40 million. The property was rezoned to be a mixedͲuse development. Landmar’sintentionwastomarketthedevelopmenttoresidentsandbusinessthatwouldtake advantage of the deep river access, beautiful Cumberland Island, and nearby Naval Sub Base KingsBay.ThecurrentownerstookcontrolofthepropertyafterLandMarGroupdefaultedon itsloanandthecurrentownershipgroupforeclosedontheproperty.TheCityofSt.Maryshas planstobuildwoodenpathwaysthroughthemarshontheSouthsideofthispropertyconnect itwiththedowntownwaterfrontarea. Given the former useof this property, it may also house a new light or heavy manufacturing plant.ThesitehoststhelaststopfortheSt.MarysRailroadwhichconnectstoamajorrailroad service20milesEastandSt.MarysAirportborderedbytheNorthRiverislocatedacrossthe streetfromthissite.Thispropertyhasaccesstoapproximatelysevenactivewellsthatallowfor theaveragedailywithdrawalsof44.5milliongallonsperday.Thepropertyfeaturesheavyduty electrical,deepwaterconnectivity,publicwaterandsewer,6”highpressurenaturalgasline, fourlanehighwayaccess/frontagewhichis8milesfromInterstate95,anddeepwateraccess withnobridgesfrommainlandtoocean. ST. MARYS INTRACOASTAL GATEWAY The St. Marys Intracoastal Gateway Property located at 100 Ready Street is a beautiful jewel in the roughreadyfordevelopment.Thispropertyisapublic/privatepartnershipprojectthatwillconsistof acreativeandinnovativedesignthatwillserveasanadditionallandmarkonthewaterfrontoftheCity ofSt.Marys.Theprojectmustconformtothefollowingdevelopmentcriteria:serveasacitizenand visitordestination,allowpublicaccess,enhancetheenvironment,provideeconomicdevelopment,and becompatiblewiththehistoricwaterfrontdistrict.Thesitewastheformerlocationofaboathouse that was recently demolished in an effort to remove an eyesore and prepare the property for development. Thesiteisapproximately2.8acresandhasmagnificentviewsoftheSt.MarysRiverwitheasyaccess totheIntracoastalWaterway,CumberlandIsland,andtheAtlanticOcean.Itisenvisionedthatonthe property a boutique hotel will be constructed that has a restaurant and conference room space. Overall,theintendedgoalsoftheCityofSt.MarysinreferencetotheSt.MarysIntracoastalGateway Propertyistoincreasethetaxbaseviaimprovedrealestate,businesslicenses,accommodations,and provideaconferencecenterandballroomforcommunityfunctions,improvemarinaslipsdedicatedfor day use and charter eco tourism, and to improve the waterfront public walk with retail storefronts. TheCityofSt.Maryslooksforwardtoreceivingproposalsforthedevelopmentofthisproperty. RenderingofBoutiqueHotel&ConferenceCenter THE HOWARD GILMAN WATERFRONT PARK TheParkpropertywasformallya2.3acreboatfabricationyard.Thepropertyhadbeenabandoned, was an eyesore, and was in total disrepair. It was located on the St. Marys River in the center of historicdowntownSt.Marys.ItwaspurchasedbytheCityofSt.Marysin1997usingSPLOSTfundsfor $860,000 and a Waterfront Park Committee was formed to recommend the most appropriate development of the area. Extensive public meetings resulted in recommendations followed by park concept approval in 1998. The park design was authorized in 1999 and the initial park construction beganin2000.Theparkdedication&grandopeningwasheldonJune30,2001. The Park was designed and constructed to reflect historic St. Marys with traditional materials and details to provide a visual link to St. Marys historical past. Tabby stone walls enforce the parks entrances and wrought iron fencing provides enclosure and defines the St. Marys Street perimeter. Vine covered trellises and brick paved plazas add warmth and human scale. The waterfront park containsahistoricalfountainreplica,agrandgazebo,andanamphitheater.Anopenpaviliondefined bylargetrellisstructuresaccommodatingswingsandpicnictablesandaclosebychildren’splayarea allmakeuptheparksbeautyandfunctionality. The park stimulated related improvements to the St. Marys Waterfront including a $50,000 TransportationEnhancementgranttobuildbrickwalkwaysandstreetcrossingsalongSt.MarysStreet, and a $275,000 adjacent fishing pier and boat dock by the Department of Natural Resources. The National Park Service built a historically compatible replacement for the Cumberland Island Visitors Center and renovated the historic Bachlott House for the parkserviceadministrationoffices.Aportionofthepark servicefundswasalsousedtopurchaseandrenovatean oldbankbuildingasCumberlandIslandmuseum. HowardGilmanWaterfrontParkhasbeenalaboroflove overmanyyearsandanabsolutesuccesscreatinganother St.MarysicontocomplimentotherssuchasOrangeHall, the Presbyterian Church and Oak Grove Cemetery. The park is extensively used by local citizens and visitors for weddings, concerts, festivals and most recently used by Oprah Winfrey to kickͲoff her new television series Lovetown, USA. The Howard Gilman Waterfront Park is truly a wonderful example of a community working together through criticism, funding challenges and numerousotherobstaclestocreateaSt.Mary’sjewelfor thepublicthatwillbeusedandappreciatedlongintothe future. HISTORIC DOWNTOWN ST. MARYS 4 1 S T. M A R Y S R I V E R 2a 2 3 5 Oak Grove Cemetery BARTLETT S T M A R Y S 14 13 12 11 10 15 S T A B L 16 E i B R Y A 21 N 20 T 24 25 26 27 29 Osborne St 6a 6 7 S T 9 17 55 18 A L L E Y 19 55 Tilden Norris Marsh Walk Howard Gilman Waterfront Park Oak Grove Cemetery Waterfront Pavilion / City Boat Dock Historic Trolley Tour Departure Point Lang's Marina East -ferry tickets Washington Pump & Oak Our Lady Star Of The Sea Chapel First Baptist Church Episcopal Chapel First Presbyterian Church First United Methodist Church The Bachlott/Porter House Rudolph & Flood Oaks Archibald Clark House- c1801 private home General John Floyd House- private home MUSEUMS 5 Cumberland Island Visitor's Center (Cumberland Ferry Departure Point) 20 12 45 38 32 32 Cumberland Isl Natl Seashore Museum/ Free St Marys Submarine Museum Toonerville Trolley Orange Hall / House Museum Coastal Georgia Film Society W E E D 34 38 33 35a 30 S 32 35 36 T 31 37 C O N Y 40 E R S 41 RESTAURANTS 2 11 15 13 14 17 29 55 36 50 49 Lang's Marina Restaurant Seagle's Restaurant & Martini Bar Seagle's Saloon Shark Bite Bar & Grill Riverside Café Pauley's Restaurant Silver Star Steakhouse Blue Goose Cedar Oak Café & Java Joez' Doc's House of Chicken & Waffles J's Restaurant & British Pub LODGING 40 26 10 22 44 D I L L I N G A L E X S T S 42 45 T 43b H A M SHOPS 9 18 19 21 25 31 44 47 48 35 55 56 51 C H U R C 48 H 56 49 M E H E A T L I L N 51 G Osborne St 43a ATTRACTIONS 1 3 4 6 6a 7 35a 24 34 39 41 43a 30 33 37 27 S 22 23 T 39 Market on the Square The Cottage Shop The French Quarter The Golden Pineapple Once Upon a Bookseller The Painted Lady's/ The Dirty Monkey Read 'Em Again Gray's Gallery (by appointment) Local Art Gallery/ Cedar Bare Woods Olde Towne Gallery 46 47 50 SERVICES 2a Lang's Marina West 23 Tribune & Georgian 42 Economic Development Bldg. 43b City Hall 46 St. Marys Elementary School 16 Up the Creek Xpeditions 16 i Welcome Center ORCA (furnishings & gifts) Alexandra's Attic Buccaneer's Bait & Tackle Emma's Bed & Breakfast Theatre by the Trax Goodbread House B&B Riverview Hotel **Just North of Meeting Street Jerry Lee's Music** North of Meeting Street Bulldog's Discount Liquors** North of Meeting Street Spencer House Inn B&B Cumberland Inn & Suites (Midtown) Cumberland Kings Bay Lodges (Midtown) St. Marys Public Library ** North of Meeting Street 6a Historic Trolley/Tram Tour Departure Point Narrated Tours - One Hour Tours of St. Marys' Historic District MONDAY-SATURDAY AT 11 A.M. & 2 P.M. SUNDAY TOUR AT 2 P.M. $5 Adult/$3 Child St. Marys Film Museum (Sat. & Sun. only)/ Free More Info in the St. Marys Welcome Center 912-882-4000 111 Osborne Street, St. Marys, GA 31558 www.stmaryswelcome.com. Historic Downtown Kingsland, Georgia: A Georgia Main Street Community Welcomes the GMA Heart & Soul Tour to Camden County and the City of Kingsland While most of Kingsland’s recent growth & development is focused just off of interstate 95 at Exit 3, only a few moments away you are transported back in time as Kingsland’s historic downtown is rich in both history and beauty. Located 2 miles from the bustling interstate is the Historic Royal District of downtown Kingsland, anchored by the old “Dixie Highway” of U.S. 17. Visitors can explore a circa 1894 town and its past by basking in the charm of the red-brick paved sidewalks while enjoying the many unique dining and boutique shopping opportunities in the town proper. With the renovation of the historic train depot, constructing of Kingsland Veterans Memorial Park and implementation of the cultural mural series, the little city, in addition to its past, is right on track for the future. For more information, contact Trish Jared, Kingsland DDA Manager 912-729-2848 [email protected] Old Time Oyster Roast Annually on the Saturday before the Super Bowl! The event is held at the Kingsland Lions Club at 112 West Williams Street in downtown Kingsland. Tickets are only $25 and include all you can eat Oysters, Shrimp, Brunswick stew, Home-Made Chowders and Desserts. For more information, contact Dennis Keith, (912) 576-8627, [email protected]. Runabout in the Royal District Auto Show Annually on the 3rd Saturday in March Each year a variety of styles for every enthusiast, from vintage Model T’s to hot rods, line the streets in the historic district in downtown Kingsland. This event is a lavish display of cars, trucks, motorcycles & tractors, celebrating transportation throughout the years. For more information, visit www.KingslandDDA.com. Catfish Festival, Annually on Labor Day Weekend Nothing goes better with crispy southern-fried catfish than a succulent serving of country music. Festival goers can feast on this and much more during Kingsland, Georgia's Annual Labor Day Weekend Catfish Festival which runs from Saturday through Monday. For more information, visit www.KingslandCatfishFestival.com. Family Fall Festival Annually on Halloween Come and join the fun with bouncy houses, cake walks, train rides, hay rides and much more! For more information, visit www.KingslandDDA.com. This event is completely FREE for all to enjoy! Holiday Open House & Tree Lighting Annually on the 1st Thursday in December Enjoy live Christmas caroling, Christmas story reading, holiday photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a great selection of complimentary home-baked holiday treats and the lighting of the Christmas tree in Kingsland Veterans Memorial Park. This event is completely FREE for all to enjoy! For all event information, go to www.KingslandDDA.com/Events Information Technology Solutions The City of St. Marys Gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore Elected Officials 418 Osborne St Mayor William DeLoughy St. Marys, GA 31558 Council Member Greg Bird Council Member James Gant Phone:(912) 510-4000 Council Member Sidney Howell Fax:(912) 510-4013 Council Member John Morrissey Council Member Keith Post www.stmarysga.gov Council Member Nancy Stasinis Population: 17,121 RC: Coastal Regional Other Officials Commission of Georgia City Manager Steven Crowell State Development City Clerk Darlene Roellig Region: 12 Camden County County: CAMDEN Congressional District: 1 EDUCATION State Senate District: 3 COMMUNITY SCHOOLS: 12 county public schools with teachers, students in 2009; 3 private schools with 119 students in 2005. State House District: 180 HIGHER EDUCATION: Technical College: Altamaha - Camden Campus at Kingsland (local) with 173 students. 2-yr: Coastal Georgia Community College at Brunswick (40 miles) with 2,210 students. 4-yr: University of North Florida at Jacksonville (40 miles) with 13,000 students; Valdosta State University at Valdosta (99 miles) with 9,900 students. Georgia Coastal Community College Camden Center in Kingsland. Valdosta State University, Brenau College, and Troy State University offer courses at Kings Bay Navy Campus. The City of St. Marys LOCAL TAXES PROPERTY: Property taxes are determined by tax rates and assessment ratios which vary by location. The only realistic way to compare property taxes from different locations is to use 'effective tax rates' (tax rate multiplied by assessment ratio). Effective tax rates combine city, county, school, and state tax rates into one convenient figure -- the annual tax for each $1000 of property at its fair market value. This rate applies to all property: land, buildings, machinery, equipment, and inventory. Effective Rates: City Year St. Marys 2009 Within City $12.82 Outside City $10.68 SALES: City and county have 3% local sales tax in addition to the 4% state sales tax. INCENTIVES/EXEMPTIONS INVENTORY (Freeport): Freeport is the general term used for the exemption of ad valorem tax on inventories as defined by Georgia law. The law offers manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and warehouse operations an attractive inventory tax exemption on three classes of property. Camden County exempts 100% on all classes of certain business inventory from property taxation. JOB TAX CREDIT: Tier: 3, Amount: $1,250 as of 2012 Tier refers to the economic well-being of a county. For more information go to http://www.dca.state.ga.us/economic/TaxCredits/ programs/taxcredit.asp. JOINT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: Yes MUNICIPAL SERVICES FIRE PROTECTION: Camden County Fire & rescue with 9 fire stations, 55 full-time fire fighters, 5 part-time fire fighters, 20 volunteer fire fighters, 13 vehicles and thermal imaging equipment. Fire insurance classification 7. ZONING: City has zoning ordinance, subdivision design standards and comprehensive land use plan. TRANSPORTATION COMMERCIAL AIRPORT: Brunswick-Golden Isles Airport (20 miles) service by ASA; Jacksonville Airport (40 miles) service by ASA, AirTran, American, American Eagle, Comar, Continental, Continental Express, Delta, Northwest, Southwest, United Express, US Airways, US Airways Express. The City of St. Marys GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORT: Brunswick-Golden Isles Airport (20 miles) with a 8,000 feet Bituminous runway, aircraft tiedown, airframe & power plant repair, hangar, lighted runway,VOR, ILS, NDB; St. Marys Airport (21 miles) with a 5,000 feet bituminous runway, aircraft tiedown, airframe & power plant repair, hangar, lighted runway. RAIL: CSX piggyback - Jacksonville (30 miles); CSX rail - Woodbine (local); Norfolk Southern piggyback - Savannah (95 miles). St. Marys Historic Railroad at St. Marys. WATER: Navigable River: St. Marys River (32 foot channel depth) with public barge dock at St. Marys (21 miles). Seaport: St. Marys Seaport (21 miles) with maintained channel depth of 32 feet. UTILITIES ELECTRICITY: A part of Georgia's modern integrated electrical transmission system, Camden County has excellent ability to supply industrial demands. Compared to 47% for the U.S., coal accounts for 84% of fuel used by the state's power generating plants. This assures long-term continuity. If demand exceeds 900kw, any supplier can step in and offer service. NATURAL GAS: Available through Atlanta Gas Light Company. WATER: Plant capacity: 368,000 gal/day. Consumption: 100,000 gal/day. Source: deep wells. SEWER: Plant Capacity: 365,000 gal/day; Plant Load: 155,000 gal/day.