Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

fAYNESBOROYGEORGI, rAgpantans Gatewood 0?7:3O p.m. O 04 ^3* o 04 OJ Vol. 143, No. 35 - Waynesboro, Ga. 30830 Established in 1882 Wednesday, October 18, 2023 - $1.00 Keysville faces dilemmas SHELLIE SMITLEY thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com A Direct Congressional Spending grant awarded through Senator Ra phael Warnock’s office for $ 197,000 is no longer available to assist in financing Keysville’s second well project. Environmental Protection Agency spokesperson Davina Marraccini issued the following statement in re sponse to The True Citizen’s inquiry: “Because the drilling well work was already completed and did not appear to meet federal procurement standards, it limited EPA’s ability to participate in that phase of the proj ect. Additional work will be required to deliver a usable water supply (e.g., constructing a building around the well head, purchasing additional equipment, etc.) and EPA has ad vised the community and (Georgia Rural Water Agency, (GRWA)) to consider using the Community Grant funds for this work (instead).” The GRWA is working with the city’s engineer and EPA understands they are still in the early stages of developing their project application. EPA has also shared some suggested project alternatives for consideration, along SEE with guidance to facili- KEYSVILLE, fate faster environmen- c Concerned Citizen James Neely pointed out the city’s charter expressly communicates that elections should be staggered and occurring on odd numbered years during the October 10 meeting. SHELLIE SMITLEY thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com Family, residents and staff of the Keysville Nursing Home & Rehabilitation Center celebrated the 103rd birthday of a resident who fills the facility with her vigorous nature. Selma Alerta (Green) Dixon turned 103 years old October 12. Selma Alberta (Green) Dixon was born October 12, 1920 in Soperton, Georgia. After Soper- ton, she lived in Vidalia where she married Robert Dixon. The couple adopted a child, James Dixon. However, Selma lived a large portion of her life in Miami, Florida. Even today, she talks about living in Miami with fondness. “I liked the beach,” she said recently. Selma also speaks about the multitude of children she carpd for while their parents worked, and the many people she met while employed as a house- cleaner. Selma moved back to Vida lia to assist in caring for her mother Lela Gillis who died in the 1970s. In 2021, she moved to Louisville to be closer to her niece Leila McCall. In 2022, she moved to the Keysville facility where her niece, Lucille Walker, is employed. j 9 * 4 - *_ “She is full of life,” Leila Mc Call said of her aunt and pointed out that even when she was 101 years old, Leila had to show up before 10 a.m. if she wanted to catch Selma at home. Otherwise, Selma would be walking around Vidalia to complete errands. “She is very funny and very loving.” Selma has not lost her sense of SEE humor and likes to SELMA, joke about looking 3 County insurance costs increase * SHELLIE SMITLEY thetuecitizen.shelliel@gmail.com Less than a month into the new budget, the county’s contingency funds are nearly half depleted. The Board of Commissioners ap proved a budget amendment October 10 for $177,380 to cover a 46% increase in property and casualty insurance costs. The county is also looking at higher deductibles. Employment practices, public of ficials and law enforcement liability were stated reasons for the increased cost of insurance policies, resulting in the county dishing out $829,860 for insurance for one year. Discussions are still taking place regarding a potential settlement in re gard to claims of sexual harassment involving Sheriff Alfonzo Williams. Also, although the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department completed their investigation months ago and forwarded their findings to District Attorney Jared Williams’ office, he has released no decision in the Au gust taser death of Freddie Walker. Additionally, Jared Williams’ of fice continues to review the GBI’s investigation into training classes provided by the Sheriff for law enforcement accreditation require ments. His office is also still working on a second investigation the GBI turned over pertaining to potential misuse of county and grant funds. It is unclear if any of those in cidents specifically contributed to increases in insurance costs. However, records show the law enforcement deductible increased from $10,000 to $100,000. The de ductible for insuring public officials rose from $10,000 to $25,000. The employment practices deductible rose from $10,000 to $75,000. There were no changes to deductibles in any other areas. Wiseman said only a 20% in crease, due to inflation, was ex pected. A September 28 letter from the insurance agent cited inflation, increased building costs and lawsuits for the higher premiums. The $177,380 budget amendment came out of the county’s contingency fund of $400,000, leaving only $222,620 for emergencies for the rest of the fiscal year. Also, during the meeting Sheriff Williams opposed the panel’s deci sion to pay $213,045.65 in FY 2023 unpaid invoices out of his depart ment’s FY 2024 budget. After the unanimous vote, Sheriff Williams alleged the move was illegal. Financial Director Michael Wise man described the perfect accounting scenario as one in which expendi tures are recorded and paid in the same year they are incurred, while department heads and elected of ficials stay within budget. “We don’t have that perfect sce nario right now with the 2023 in voices,” he said. Attorney Barry Fleming said he would check with the Sheriff’s attor ney to further discuss the legalities of it. However, before the discussion concluded, Williams added $16,030 more to the list for housing inmates in Jefferson and Glynn Counties. City struggles as trades become less appealing SHELLIE SMITLEY thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com Public Works Director Jody El lison recently approached Waynes boro officials with the city’s struggle to hire qualified personnel. “We are short in pretty much all positions,” he said recently. During a combined city depart ment meeting October 2, Ellison voiced his frustration with hiring a mechanic, stating he had given up on filling the position that remains va cant after six months. The position’s starting pay is $16 per hour, but is negotiable, and does not include die sel repairs. Primarily, the mechanic would change oil and complete mi nor repairs on lightweight vehicles. Recent applicants include people who only know how to change oil and are looking for wages around $25 per hour. Ellison said the city cannot find a backup sanitation driver either. However, he feels it is not a problem that exists exclusively to the City of Waynesboro. “A lot of the local businesses are having this problem too,” he said recently. “We can’t compete with Plant Vogtle pay.” To help alleviate the problem, the city proposed a program that will provide paid CDL licensing training when an employee agrees to work for the city for two years. Currently, the city’s starting pay for CDL drivers is $19 per hour. However, as infla tion continues to harshly cut into the pockets of consumers, $19 per hour does not sound as appealing as it may have in pre-pandemic times. “The last two or three years have just blindsided everybody as far as fuel, food and you name it,” Ellison stated. The struggle to make ends meet is not exclusive to employees though. Ellison pointed out that even the city is paying three to five times more for parts and supplies then they were several years ago. “It’s hard for us to raise wages, because how do we pay for if?” he asked hypothetically. Ellison who oversees the city’s water, streets, beautification and sanitation services, often asks city employees to fill dual roles as well to help fill in the gaps. Ellison also brought to the city’s attention, the problem that could present itself when current workers retire and there is no one to fill their shoes. Many of the qualified city personnel are Generation X’ers, already in their 50s. Ellison pointed out that new hires need to transition and grow within the departments for years before they can assume the responsibilities of seasoned workers. He also pointed out the most-qual ified employees now are all in the same age range. Younger people are not applying and stepping into the job roles. Even when there is some interest, they are expecting higher pay for less experience. Often, when they are more qualified, they look to the larger city jobs that promise bigger paychecks. As society moves more toward remote positions, the applicant pool for skilled trades diminishes. “It’s not an immediate concern but it is going to be moving to the forefront in the next several years,” Ellison stated.