We will have the opportunity to vote in November on three statewide referendums, including one on the Forest Land Protection Act.

This issue is getting more and more attention in the state as rampant development is threatening the existence of our beautiful forest land. Previously concentrated in high growth areas around Atlanta, the issue is beginning to permeate all regions of the state as more and more land is lost to development.

Currently, land is taxed on its “highest and best use,” which means if someone buys the land next to a large tract of forest land and subdivides and develops it, the forest land is then taxed as if it too were developed, leaving little to no incentive or ability to allow it to remain simply forest land. Under the act, owners would receive some tax benefits to keep forest land as forest land for a committed number of years, I believe 15, and the state would then reimburse counties for any resulting loss in tax revenue.

So what does all this mean? Well, if you are a forest landowner, it means a great deal, and Tuesday evening at Kinderlou Forest’s Ravine Grille, Rep. Richard Royal will be speaking at a regional meeting of the Georgia Forestry Association to explain it. All interested landowners may attend by RSVPing to Alva Hopkins, director of communications at GFA, by e-mailing alva@gfagrow or by calling 478-992-8110. It’s never a bad thing to learn more about a referendum before you’re asked to vote for it!

Business Roundup

Okay, yes, I’ve written quite a bit about the Smok’n Pig, and no, I am not a stock holder or a family member, but since it opens officially for business tomorrow at lunchtime, I won’t need to mention it again. Maybe. And yes, the area being cleared next to it is for another restaurant, but no announcement as to which one yet.

So Jimmy Johns, the new gourmet sandwich shop in the Remerton Square plaza on Baytree Road, is still in a hiring phase but I understand their opening is imminent.

Right next door to them will be the new Barberito’s, which I am sure you read about last week. Although the name sounds Italian to me, it’s a tex-mex franchise. They have just begun the renovations and should be open shortly.

Right down the street from there where the Steak Out used to be is where renovations on the Slap Daddy’s is going on. The new hamburger restaurant will most likely open in September with some sort of big promotional gimmick, or so I’m told.

There is a new store on N. Ashley St. called Shoe Fetish. It’s on the right hand side near the former Snapper store, and from the looks of what they have in the window, it’s got some interesting styles.

Atlantic Southern Bank has now “gone vertical,” and it sounds like the new Farmers and Merchants Bank on Inner Perimeter will officially open this week.

I keep hearing that I’ll receive information soon about the James Road development, but nothing yet, sorry.

There continues to be a lot of interest in our area from companies, retailers, etc. so I agree with Mike Hill (please don’t tell him I said that -- he’ll never know, he doesn’t read my column anyway), but it appears that Valdosta has fared very well in the national real estate crisis that is neither national nor a crisis, at least here.

That’s it for this week, but if there’s something I missed, please let me know!