Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

o 04 ^3* ■'3- O (NJ OJ 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