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WAYNESBORO, GEORGIA o 04 ^3* ■'3- O 04 OJ 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.