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Vol. 143, No. 31 - Waynesboro, Ga. 30830 Established in 1882 Wednesday, September 20, 2023 - $1.00
Sheriff’s budget debate continues
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
As the Board of Commissioners
moves closer to adopting the FY
2024 budget, tensions continue to
mount.
Public accounting firm Lanier,
Deal & Proctor reported Tuesday,
September 12 to the commission
that during their audit they noted
there were not sufficient budgetary
controls over the Sheriff’s Office’s
budget.
In the firm’s opinion, the most
effective practice is to follow the
county’s internal control policies
over budgetary control, as the Coun
ty is the Sheriff’s appointed fiscal
agent, said Kay Proctor. While con
stitutional officers have control of
and final responsibilityfor the use of
their budget, once funds have been
appropriated by the BOC proper
internal controls over spending are
still necessary in order to ensure the
accuracy and appropriateness of all
expenditures, as well as proper stew
ardship over public funds, Proctor
pointed out.
During the fiscal year R|mrFT
ending September 30, ’
2022, the Sheriff’s of- 6
Partner Kay Proctor of the public accounting firm Lanier, Deal & Proctor
*
BCHS Court: Sitting, front row, Sophomores, Layla Nunnally, Kennedi Dukes, Ariana
Cooper, Lydiia McBride; second row, sitting, Seniors, Stalayah Crawford, Shamiya Bush,
Tommie Conner; third row, Junior, Logan Wright; Seniors, Gloriahna Roberson, Kaneria
Wesby; Freshman, Jada Smith; back row, Juniors, Aubrey James, Saira Castro; Freshman,
Aniston Blackstone, and Za'Meria LaCue.
EBA: Front: front row, Freshman, Sadie Chance and Claire Syms; standing, Juniors, Carleigh
Wood, Payton Palmer; Seniors, Zaylie Baker, Avery Chance and Hannah Posey; Sophomores,
Leila Eastmead and Emma Hirschauer. Homecoming is Sept. 29th.
BOC hires firm to
evaluate the jail
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
The Board of Commissioners has
contracted with Goodwyn Mills
Cawood (GMC), one of the largest
architecture and engineering firms
in the Southeast, to assess the Burke
County Detention Center.
GMC will evaluate the correc
tional facility’s architectural con
dition to determine if the facility
can adequately support current bed
capacity as well as any additional
beds. They will also examine the
conditions of all mechanical, electri
cal, plumbing, heating, ventilation
and the sprinkler system.
The firm will determine the ef
fectiveness of using the existing
building with expansion versus
construction of a new one. GMC will
supply the BOC with a report within
six weeks. The cost of the evaluation
is $57,000.
Breakaway for a good cause
The Center For New Beginnings
(CFNB) is inviting the community to
join them Saturday, October 21 for
its biggest fundraiser of the year, the
16th Annual Bird Dog Breakaway
5K Run/Walk.
The Bird Dog Breakaway has
become a community-wide an
ticipated event, attracting runners
from surrounding cities and states.
Participants can run the USA Track
and Field Certified 5K walk, or the
2-mile walk. The event also includes
kids races too, including an Adaptive
Run/Walk for the CFNB kids. Like
last year’s event, the event will host
the Kids Zone (game area) and food
and craft vendors as well.
“ It’s going to be fun for people
of all ages,” said Office Manager
Tracey Ouzts. “All proceeds from
the BDB will benefit the CFNB ABA
Therapy Program.”
The center is a nonprofit organiza
tion, devoted to making a difference
within the special needs community
by providing therapy to children on
the autism spectrum. First estab
lished in 2005 in Waynesboro, they
have expanded over the past four
years with locations in Evans and
Millen.
“Currently, we are serving within
our three clinics approximately
100 children and young adults
with special needs in Burke, Jen
kins, Screven, Liberty, Glascock,
Emanuel, Jefferson, Richmond and
Columbia Counties,” Ouzts said.
“CFNB provides over 2,700 hours
of therapy every month to children
through young adults. Our mission
is to offer healing and hope to fami
lies with special needs through the
provision of resources, services and
support to meet the challenges they
are facing. We do not turn anyone
away due to inability to pay.”
Last year, through grant funding
and fundraising efforts, the center
was able to give away $300,000 of
therapy to those in need.
Local candidates weigh in on their bids for office
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
Editor’s Note: This is part 3 on a
series of interviews involving candi
dates running for local public offices.
James “Chick” Jones
Vice-Mayor James “Chick”
Jones’s has served on the city coun
cil off-and-on since 1996. However,
he has served for the last eight con
secutive years. His current council
seat expires in December 2023 and
he is running for the mayor position
instead this time.
Jones feels the city needs to be
led in a different direction, one that
is better suited for the citizens and
the city’s success. Inclusion, equity
and service are issues that he feels
need to be addressed. He feels the
citizens should feel confident that
they can count on the leadership to
do the right things.
Transparency is important to him.
Also, decreasing crime, especially
juvenile crime, is an issue that
needs to be tackled along with
workforce housing. He feels the
Archway Partnership is an asset
for the community. He also feels
Waynesboro needs amenities that
can assist the youth in maintaining
positive states of minds. He believes
a movie theatre, a splash pad and/
or a bowling alley are needed. A
community center would help our
citizens see that the government is
really concerned about them from
the youngest to the oldest, he said.
Loyalty, dedi
cation and com
mitment are as
sets he brings to
the table.
SEE
CANDIDATES,
5
James "Chick" Jones
Bill Tinley