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Are y’all ready fofsome football? O 04 ^3* o 04 CM GO 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.