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Are y’all ready fofsome football?
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Vol. 143, No. 27 - Waynesboro, Ga. 30830 Established in 1882 Wednesday, August 23, 2023 - $1.00
Sheriff
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
Earlier this year, Sheriff Alfonzo
Williams requested approximately
a $14.4 million budget for FY 2024
and stated to The True Citizen that
it was “negotiable.” The County
Commission’s finance team recom
mended $12.5 million. However,
the sheriff’s most recent request
amounts to approximately $14.5
million plus an additional $1.5 mil
lion for capital improvements at the
detention center.
Differing from recent public ap
pearances, the Burke County Sher
iff’s Office’s request for an increase
stands firm on
of approximately $3.4 million in
funding was presented without the
usual dramatics.
The Board of Commissioners’
room was absent the crowd of spec
tators and media outlets that have
become typical of the sheriff’s public
appearances as of late. In fact, Sheriff
Alfonzo Williams didn’t speak much
during the presentation, instead leav
ing the discussion to Budget Analyst
Sgt. Austin Miettunen. However,
Miettunen’s composed request was
made in conjunction with an August
21 letter that revealed the contention
that still exists.
In the letter, the sheriff asked for
a formal budget amendment for FY
2023 of approximately $1.3 million
to cover, what he said, were “bud
get deficits” in the areas of medical
services, court security personnel
and inmate housing costs. Sheriff
Williams cited Georgia law referenc
ing the county’s legal obligation to
provide funding for those provisions
and accused the board of abusing its
discretion. He further stated that the
BOC’s assertions that his department
is over budget warrants his request
for more money.
Another submitted letter, also
dated August
& cpF
21 and signed
by the sheriff, BUDGET REQUEST,
listed his FY 3
budget request
Sheriff Alfonzo Williams had little to say during the county’s budget work
session Monday, instead allowing Budget Analyst Sgt. Austin Miettunen
to do most of the talking.
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
Edmund Burke Academy se
niors have adopted a tradition
started by the class of 2023. The
artistic parking space projects
were completed as a student-par
ent endeavor. Each family pro
vided their own paint materials.
Some of the parking space ideas
surround this year’s senior theme
of Sponge Bob, while other spots
represent the students’ expression
of how they view themselves.
Headmaster Adam Brett said this
year’s 26 spaces are more color
ful than last year’s paintings.
“Some of them are pretty
neat,” Brett said. “I think they
did a good job of being diverse
in their interests and their person
alities. It looks special when you
drive up in front of the campus.”
After the school year, EBA
will paint the spaces black; in
case next year’s seniors decide
to continue the tradition.
Deputies increased
at football games
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
The Burke County Sheriff’s Of
fice will be increasing patrols during
high school football games at Burke
County High School.
So far this school year, BCSO has
responded to four incidents of fights
stemming from gang activity within
the high school. Four adults and five
juveniles have been charged with
Affray, Disrupting a Public School,
and Unlawful Gang Activity. Ad
ditionally, two have been arrested
and warrants are out for others in
volved. The BCSO is expecting more
charges to follow.
“Our agency will not tolerate any
violent altercations and all parties
will be taken into custody,” a press
release stated.
Vogtle Unit 4 starts
nuclear fuel load
Georgia Power announced Thurs
day, August 17 that the process to
load fuel into the Vogtle Unit 4 reac
tor core has begun at Plant Vogtle.
Loading fuel marks a pivotal mile
stone toward startup and commercial
operation of the second new unit at
Plant Vogtle. Vogtle Unit 3 - the first
newly-constructed nuclear unit in
the U.S. in more than 30 years - en
tered commercial operation on July
31, and is providing customers and
the State of Georgia with reliable,
emissions-free energy.
The start of Unit 4 fuel load comes
after Southern Nuclear received the
103(g) finding from the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission (NRC) in
July which signified that the new
unit has been constructed and will
be operated in conformance with
the Combined License and NRC
regulations.
During fuel load, nuclear techni
cians from Westinghouse and op
erators from Southern Nuclear are
scheduled to safely install 157 fuel
assemblies into the Unit 4 reactor
core in the coming days.
Startup testing will begin next
and is designed to demonstrate the
integrated operation of the primary
coolant system and steam supply
system at design temperature and
pressure with fuel inside the reac
tor. Operators will also bring the
plant from cold shutdown to initial
criticality, synchronize the unit to
the electric grid and systematically
raise power to 100%. Vogtle Unit 4
is projected to be placed in service
during late fourth quarter 2023 or the
first quarter 2024.
Tinley updates
LACEY HILLIS-ZORN
lacey@alisonsouthmarketing.com
Waynesboro Mayor Bill Tinley
shared some downtown news with
the Burke County Development
Authority during Tuesday’s meeting.
The Downtown Development
Authority has committed to acquire
the storefront on 6th Street, situated
between Ripped Fitness and the
Mobley-Gentry firm. The plans
include renovating the small space
and utilizing it as a public restroom.
The building currently has weeds
growing inside the glass door that are
visible from the outside.
The Waynesboro City Council
approved four alcoholic beverage li
censes during the August 21 meeting,
including Lou’s on Liberty, Peach Pit
Cantina, Raco and Jolly Foods Plus.
Peach Pit Cantina will operate in
the old Burke Perk building, 618
Liberty Street. Jolly Foods Plus will
be located on 6th Street in the former
Del-Mac location. Raco is located at
902 Liberty Street.
Tinley also mentioned the city’s
mayoral race. So far, two other can
didates have qualified for the race
besides himself. Council member
seats for Wards I, II and III are also
open for qualifying. Qualifying ends
Friday, August 25.
Sardis also has three city council
on downtown projects
seats up for grabs. Qualifying ends
Wednesday, August 23. The City of
Midville’s qualifying dates for two
city council seats and the mayor po
sition end Friday, August 25.
Girard’s mayor position and two of
the council seats are up for election.
Qualifying dates end August 24.
Keysville will not hold an elec
tion this year, according to Council-
woman Kathy Couch.
Vidette will not have an election
this year as well.
At right, the City of Waynesboro
has plans to turn this build
ing on 6th Street into a public
restroom.