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Vol. 143, No. 44 - Waynesboro, Ga. 30830 Established in 1882 Wednesday, December 20, 2023 - $1.00
Sheriff fires 20-year veteran for falsifying records
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
A deputy, a veteran law enforce
ment officer and a public information
officer were all fired last week.
CLARISSA ALLEN
The Burke County Sheriff’s Of
fice’s public information officer is
no more.
Clarissa Allen, employed with the
agency since April, was terminated
during her probationary period.
“I am writing to inform you that
your employment with the Burke
County Sheriff’s Office is terminated
effective today,” the Sheriff wrote
December 12. “As you are aware,
the Sheriff alone has the author
ity and power to appoint and fire
deputies, who work at the pleasure
of the Sheriff. Your employment is
dependent upon the will of the sheriff
and as such, it is no longer my will.”
According to a separation notice,
Allen’s dismissal was listed as due
(to) probationary period.
Approximately five months ago,
Allen wrote on a Linkedln post,
“I will say, I work for one, if not
the best, agency in the country,”
she wrote. “My Sheriff Alfonzo
Williams is one of the best leaders
around.”
DEPUTY JOHVONTE SINGLETON
Another termination letter signed
by the Sheriff December 11 indi
cates he termi
nated Cpl. Joh- SEE
vonte Singleton’s TERMINATIONS,
employment after „
Clarissa Allen Johvonte Singleton Allen Scott Usry
Sardis sets millage rate and
discusses plans for new city hall
Vineyard Church of Burke County presented a live nativity scene during the
Christmas on Liberty Square event December 1.
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
Many years ago, a woman was
greeted by an angel who foretold
the miraculous birth of her son.
“Do not be afraid, Mary, for
you have found favor with God,”
he told her. “And behold you
will conceive in your womb and
bear a son, and you shall call his
name Jesus.”
Mary was confused by the
angel’s words since she was
not yet married to her fiancee
Joseph. However, the angel
assured her of the validity of his
message.
“The Holy Spirit will come
upon you, and the power of the
‘Most High’ will overshadow
you; therefore, the child to be
born will be holy-the Son of
God.”
Mary was not the only one
in her family to experience
a miracle. Her maternal aunt
Elizabeth conceived a child and
would give birth at the age of 88
years old. She was six months
into the pregnancy when Mary
received her news.
Months later, the Roman
Emperor, Caesar Augustus,
decided that all people should
register in the towns of which
they were born. Following
the law, Joseph traveled to
Bethlehem to register his name.
While there, Mary went into
labor. All the
inns were full, SEE
however, leaving CHRISTMAS,
her to give birth 5
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
During a special called meeting
Monday, December 11, the Sardis
City Council unanimously voted in
favor of a 13 mills millage rate for
2023, reflective of no change from
last year.
Afterward, the Council and Mayor
Roger Lane held a work session
in which the future of the City
Hall and Sardis Police Department
headquarters were primarily
discussed. Mayor Lane reminded the
panel that use of American Rescue
Funds must be designated by the end
of calendar year 2024, and spent by
the end of calendar year 2026. He
would like to see the funds utilized
to provide a new City Hall and Sardis
Police Department building.
The city is in early talks about
where the new building/s might
be located. Lane recently reached
out to Les Jenkins about possibly
purchasing his old grocery store
building on Girard Avenue. Jenkins
indicated he wants about $75,000
for the approximately 63-year-old
building. Other possibilities for the
future sites include Councilman
Terry Winston’s idea about the
old car wash property. However,
Councilwoman Rolene Oliver asked
the panel to investigate purchasing
a new metal building, rather than
renovating something old. She
also asked them to consider four
0.19- acre lots owned by the Sardis
Development Authority that exist
across the street from Jenkins’
property. The lots contain pecan
trees, possibly providing timber
to sell. Oliver also brought up the
potential of purchasing the vacant
lots adjacent to the Development
Authority property. The need and
potential for a drive-thru window
and vault were also mentioned. After
a brief discussion about different
ideas and locations, Mayor Lane
stated the city will wait until after
the first of the new year to further
discuss the matter. Currently the
SPD is housed in an old double wide
building, which the mayor would
like to see someday host an ATM.
In other news, Sardis is finding
it difficult to fill positions in the
Public Works and Sardis Police
Departments. The Street Department
is down to one employee and the
police department has two full
time and one part time employee.
Applicants are few-and-far-between
because salaries and/or benefits are
very competitive in surrounding
counties, Mayor Lane said. The last
few people to apply for positions in
the Public Works Department did not
pass drug screenings.
MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS
This week’s True Citizen includes our 45th annual
Magic of Christmas edition. We appreciate the sup
port of the Burke County businesses that make this
special publication possible and the families who
took the time to include photos of their children and
grandchildren in the issue.
We wish all of our readers a Merry Christmas and
the happiest of holidays.
Offering hope during the holiday blues
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
Not everyone looks forward to the
holiday season. For many, it is a time
of anxiety, grief, disappointment,
depression and loneliness.
People sometimes find themselves
facing uncertainty and even while
the “joyous” holidays approach, they
may feel like they are living under a
dark cloud. Divorce, job loss, health
issues, death, estrangement and other
factors can lead to feelings of sad
ness and isolation.
Pastor Keith Cox recently shared
his personal experience with loss of
a loved one. His mother passed in
2009 at the age of 51. Every year,
Christmas triggers emotions attached
to his loss. However, his experience
impressed upon him that pain and
peace can co-exist.
“For many, this is a very difficult
time of the year,” he said. “There
are certain ornaments and certain
decorations you see and you have
these happy memories, but there is
sadness too.”
To help combat the holiday blues,
Waynesboro United Methodist
Church is hosting a special service
open to everyone experiencing tough
circumstances. The Longest Night
service is designed to offer fellow
ship with others who find themselves
in a similar place; struggling emo
tionally, dealing with stress, coping
with depression or disappointment
and/or grieving. It is aimed at people
who might not ordinarily reach out
to anyone.
“Everyone knows someone who is
hurting. Maybe someone is not going
through it, maybe this will be one
of their best Christmas’s ever,” Cox
stated. “But I am hopeful that people
will reach out to someone they know
who is struggling and say,’ I will go
with you.’”
The service correlates
with the winter solstice, SEE
the day that marks the HOPE
24-hour period with the 2
Waynesboro United Methodist Church will hold their first annual “The
Longest Night” service Thursday, December 21 at 6 p.m.