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Are y’all ready fofsome football? O 04 ^3* o 04 CM GO Vol. 143, No. 28 - Waynesboro, Ga. 30830 Established in 1882 Wednesday, August 30, 2023 - $1.00 Sheriffs diminishing transparency paints one-sided story SHELLIE SMITLEY thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com The Burke County Sheriff’s Of fice announced a new open records policy August 25, as the agency progressively moves toward dis seminating only what information they choose to release. Sheriff Alfonzo Williams told radio host Austin Rhodes August 11 that his agency was cooperative with providing information to The True Citizen. However, shortly thereafter the BCSO stopped providing weekly mugshots and incident reports, two items the department has willingly delivered by email for years. It is not uncommon for law enforcement agencies to provide incident reports to media outlets via email on behalf of transparency. In fact, The True Citizen automatically receives re ports from Columbia County Sheriff Clay Whittle’s agency every week. Several recent inquiries emailed to BCSO Public Relations Director Clarrissa Allen have gone unan swered. Vague press releases are emailed to media outlets stating no further information is available. The Sheriff posts one-sided, prerecorded interviews on social media, prevent ing journalists from asking questions and limiting who can comment. Recordings on a YouTube channel, purported to be transparent table talks, further prevent journalists from asking questions and viewers to comment. Beginning Monday, August 28 the BCSO has implemented an open records policy that makes it more difficult to obtain records subject to open records laws. Is the Sheriff’s Office violating the Georgia Open Records Act? The BCSO now states open record requests may only be submitted through the agency’s website or in person by submitting an open re cords request form. However, according to the Opens Records Act, a written request for open records is not required by law. Additionally, Georgia law states a law enforcement agency may require that all written requests be submitted to a designated person. If the agency elects to use such a designee, the agency must make the designation in writing and provide it upon request. The agency must also prominently identify the designee on their web site, and notify the legal organ of the county of the designee’s identity. The BCSO website declares there is a record manager but doesn’t name the person and The True Citizen, Burke County’s legal organ, has not been notified of their identity. According to an August 25 BCSO press release, “the records manager” will reply to the requestor within three business days, advising if the records requested are available and if there is a cost to produce them. How ever, the Open Records Act states when records are readily available and subject to public access, they must be provided immediately. “In no event shall this time exceed three business days,” the law states. State law says the records custodi an must permit inspection and copy ing of existing records covered under the Georgia Open Re- cords Act. If OPEN RECORDS, they are not 8 This year’s bird dog T-shirt was designed by local artist Kris Lovett, left, and Nan Palmer Lynch, at right, donated the bird dog statue which Lovett also painted. Bird dog shirts designed by local artist on sale now The hunt continues. Bird dog breast cancer aware ness T-shirts have emerged with their newest design, and the pur pose to help raise money to fight cancer remains steadfast. It’s a 15-year tradition, and Gina Richardson, County Nurse Manager, says it’s one that shows just how much our community and local businesses have stepped up to make a difference and make sure Burke County residents get the healthcare they need. Through this support, the B. La mar Murray Public Health Center has been able to provide mam mography and cervical screen ings to underprivileged women and assist in fundraising for the Burke County Health Foundation (BCHF) - which provides care in various forms. This year’s T-shirts have once again been designed by a local artist, who not only put paint to paper but also brought to life a bird dog statue that now resides at the health department. Kris Lovett recalls the day Richardson called to ask her to paint the bird dog. “I imme diately envisioned the down town mural in Waynesboro,” Lovett says. “I love all the colors the artist used and thought I could do gQ^p something similar for the T-shirt design. This ® Meetings explain curbside trash service SHELLIE SMITLEY thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com Ryland Environmental Managing Partner James Lanier presented an informational meeting August 22 designed to give county residents a clearer vision of what they can expect once Ryland Environmental begins curbside trash services. Each home, except Waynesboro residents, should receive a 96- gallon polycart in the next few weeks. Ry land personnel will place carts, ap proximately four feet from the road, where they recommend residents have them on trash pick-up day. They will be picking up around the county hve-days-per-week, however each residence will be serviced once each week. The poly carts will be delivered with a color- coded explanation for what day of the week the residence will be serviced. Homeowners will not be charged for the first poly cart; however ad ditional polycarts can be obtained from Ryland Environmental for a charge of $10 per month. For residents who have a lengthy driveway, Lanier suggested they hook the polycart up to a trailer hitch, golf cart or ATV to pull it back-and- forth. However, Ryland will be happy to pick up garbage closer to the homes with longer driveways, if the garbage trucks can safely turn around. Elderly residents and people suf fering medical conditions that inhibit their ability to tote their garbage to the main road, should provide Coun ty Manager Merv Waldrop with a doctor’s note. Ryland Environmental will travel up the drive way, for no additional fee, to pick up the garbage after the county provides them with a list of exempt residents. Ryland estimates that curbside trash service will commence Oc tober 1. Lanier will hold the next informa tional meeting at the Sardis Annex Building September 5 at 7 p.m. Other meetings include; Vidette City Hall September 6 at 7 p.m., Keysville City Hall September 7 at 7 p.m.,The Midville Community House Sep tember 12 at 6: 30 p.m. and Girard Community Building September 14 at 7 p.m. A recorded version of the Waynes boro meeting is posted on The True Citizen’s Facebook page. Ryland Managing Partner James Lanier presented an informational meet ing August 22 at the historic courthouse in Waynesboro. Local veterinarian mauled by pit bull mix SHELLIE SMITLEY thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com Dr. Emily Martin of Springwood Veterinary Clinic is recovering from surgery after a pit bull mix named Dozer attacked her at the office August 17. Springwood staff said they were attempting to sedate the dog when his muzzle came off, enabling him to attack Martin. The dog latched onto her arm and pulled her down to the ground, according to an incident report. A staff member punched and kicked the dog to get him off Martin. Dozer released Martin’s arm but went after other personnel, causing them to jump onto tables. One employee ran into a storage area to escape the vicious animal. The dog attacked Martin again, brutally biting her upper thighs and shaking them while dragging her backwards. First responders and Burke County Animal Services ar rived at Springwood to find Dozer in the back of the clinic yard tangled up in a leash. Growling, Dozer was looped with a ketch pole and placed in a county vehicle. Martin required surgery to repair torn tendons to the arm. She suffered lacerations to her head and legs as well. Dozer’s owner, Pamela Farrow, informed animal services this is not the first time the dog has acted out. Last March, he attacked someone visiting his residence. Martin’s case has been sent to the Magistrate Court for evaluation. Dozer was at the Springwood clinic for eye surgery. After the incident, he was quarantined and evaluated for rabies. Office Manager Crystal Lesley said Martin is eager to re cover and return to work. She said the support Martin has received from the community has been humbling and amazing. Dr. Emily Martin is known for her passion for pets. In an August 24 Facebook post, Martin said doctors have restricted movement of her arm for six weeks.