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FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS!!! O 04 ^3* ■'3- O 04 OJ Vol. 143, No. 33 - Waynesboro, Ga. 30830 Established in 1882 Wednesday, October 4, 2023 - $1.00 No 2023 SHELLIE SMITLEY thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com Some Keysville residents are won dering why their city isn’t holding elections this year. Recently, a couple of people contacted the Burke County Elec tions office expressing confusion about when Keysville city council positions are up for reelection. How ever, the Board of Elections doesn’t elections raises red flag for Keysville handle Keysville elections and doesn’t maintain records on them. As part of normal procedure, Elections Supervisor Angie Parrish recently notified a liaison of the Secretary of State’s Office, Angela Davenport, that Keysville was not holding any elections this year. That’s a red flag considering that according to the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), general mu nicipal elections take place on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November in each odd-numbered year. Parrish said municipalities typically stagger their elections so that everyone is not running at once. In that regard, part of Keysville’s panel should be up for reelection in November 2023 while the rest of the members should be up r occ for reelection in 2025. Since the city’s charter KEYSVILLE, specifies that each term 7 City Council elections in Keysville conflict with state election laws. Councilwomen Kathy Couch (second from left) and Sharon Neely (fourth from left) are both currently serving their 7th year on seats that should have expired three years ago. ^adie3cdm elected m Imnecomim mem Zaylie Baker was crowned as Edmund Burke Academy's 2023 homecoming queen at the school’s football game Friday night. Zaylie is the 17 year old daugh ter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Baker of Keysville. She attends Oasis Church of Hephzibah. Zaylie has played softball basketball and tennis since her freshman year and also cheered her sophomore year. As a fresh man she was named honorable mention all region basketball, and as a sophomore, she was named top scorer, best defensive player, all region and all state. Zaylie has been a member of the varsity track team for two years. She was a member of the science club in 10th grade and a member of the Spanish club. Zaylie is a three year member of the Interact club and a two- year member of the future educa tors of Georgia and the yearbook staff serving as the business man- Zaylie Baker, shown here with her father, Paul Baker, is the new Homecoming Queen at Edmund Burke Academy. ager. Zaylie is a member of the Fellowship of Christian students, the Beta Club serving as treasurer her senior year, and the student council serving as secretary. Zaylie has been the class sec retary for the past two years. She plans to attend Georgia Southern University to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree with the goal of becoming a pediatric physi cian’s assistant. Local candidates weigh in on their bids for office SHELLIE SMITLEY thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com Editor’s Note: This is the final installment on a series of interviews involving candidates running for local public offices. Sardis has six candidates vying for three City Council positions. Wendy Sirmons This is the first time Wendy Sir mons has run for a political office. She believes that she can bring a fresh perspective to the panel. She would like to see more city beautification and animal control efforts. She would also like to see the city’s ongoing water issues rem edied. Wendy said she is a person who makes decisions by contemplat ing what the “right” thing is to do. She is open minded and willing to receive input from citizens. Wendy moved to Sardis 17 years ago when her husband Steve was appointed pastor of Sardis Method ist Church. “It’s a very friendly town, welcom ing,” she said. “People are willing to help. Sardis has a small town feel that gives you a family vibe.” Leroy Lane Leroy Lane is an incumbent can didate who has served on the panel for two years. He said he learned a lot during the two years and wishes to continue with projects that are in the works. That’s what makes him a great candidate, his commitment to seeing things through, he said. Leroy said after brown water is sues for years, he believes the city is close to resolving the problem. He is also looking forward to future renovations on the old school and envisions more activities for the youths and senior residents. “I would like to see Sardis beau tified,” he said. “Our buildings downtown, I would like to see them worked on and remodeled to make our city more outstanding than what it is right now.” Leroy said it’s important to have a city council that works well together and makes an effort to get along. Arthur Freeman Arthur Freeman is an incumbent candidate who has served on the panel for nearly 10 years. He is the oldest council member on the current panel. He believes his experience makes him a great candidate. “We still have a whole lot that needs to be done,” Arthur said of his reason to run again. He is excited about the upcoming park improvements funded by grant money. He also pointed to new water meters as recent city improvements. However, he recognizes the need for more speed bumps and more economic development. Grady Dixon Grady Dixon SEE is an incumbent CANDIDATES, candidate who 2 MPD hits a wall in armed robbery investigation SHELLIE SMITLEY thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com The Midville Police Department has no leads into who robbed a resi dent of hundreds of dollars while he checked his mail. Sureshkumar Patel,41, was stand ing at his mailbox on Alice Street September 16 around 9: 45 p.m. when a man wearing black clothes and a ski mask came up behind him and allegedly pushed a gun into his back. The robber demanded Patel give him money, and after frisking Patel took approximately $550 from his pocket. Afterward, the masked man pushed him to the ground and left. Patel said it was too dark outside to clearly see the alleged firearm or the vehicle the assailant left in as he drove toward Jenkins County. Patel stated he noticed a dark-colored se dan parked in the neighborhood for a couple days prior to the incident but didn’t think much of it. According to Chief Clayton Green the MPD considers the case to be closed, unless they receive new information. Anyone with infor mation should contact the MPD at 478-589-7511. Laurie Dickey-Billings is BCPS Teacher of the Year Laurie Dickey-Billings, a dedicat ed Kindergarten teacher at Waynes boro Primary School, proudly holds the title of Burke County Public Schools 2023 District Teacher of the Year. Billings’ journey in education is marked by a commitment to con tinuous improvement and a genuine passion for teaching. Her educa tional background is impressive. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Mass Media with a Broadcast Journalism Minor, along with certifications in Speech Com munication/Public Relations and Print and Broadcast Writ- ccp ing from Valdosta State University. Her pursuit TOTY, of knowledge continued 10 During halftime Friday night, Laurie Dickey-Billings, BCPS Teacher of the Year, was escorted by former student, I’Mena Gillette.