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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2008 BARROW JOURNAL PAGE 11A BOC District 3 - Occupation: Attorney Describe your back ground: Practicing attorney for 30 plus years. County attorney 1988-1994, District 3 Commissioner 2007-2008. Barrow County continues to face difficult economic times. Do you think it is appropriate for the county to dip into reserves to com pensate for revenue short ages or would a tax increase be a better solution?: A tax increase is not possible until FY 2010. Our reserves are minimal and must be protect ed. Our first option must be further expense reduction. Do you believe the recent ly announced cost cutting measures will be sufficient to see Barrow County through the current economic crisis? Why or why not?: No one can accurately forecast future revenues. Our budget is based on our best revenue projec- Occupation: Public Works Director, City of Monroe Describe your back ground: I have been married for 25 years and have three children. I have lived in Barrow County for 17 years. I have 12 years experience with the Georgia DOT and 13 years experience as Public Works Dir. for City of Monroe, over seeing street maintenance, street paving, sanitation, recy cling, building maintenance, fleet maintenance, and airport operations. Barrow County continues to face difficult economic times. Do you think it is appropriate for the county to dip into reserves to com pensate for revenue short ages or would a tax increase be a better solution?: At this time, I feel that we do not need to dip into the reserves or increase taxes. First, I believe there are still ways we can cut the budget. Then, if we need, we can use some of our reserves to help us through this tough time. A tax increase should be the very last choice, for as we all know, once taxes Bill Healan tion. The budget is, however, only a plan. We must be pre pared to amend the budget if actual revenues fall short. The Sheriff’s Office is pro jected to end fiscal year 2008 approximately $600,000 over budget. Do you believe ade quate controls exist to moni tor spending throughout the year? Why or why not? The controls have always existed. Since the fiasco with the Sheriff this year, those con trols have been enhanced. I fully expect the new Board to consider even greater protec tion for taxpayer money. In what areas do you feel Barrow County could make further budget cuts?: The Board did a comprehensive review in September. We made a concerted effort to minimize expenses. Further budget cuts would require the same kind of review. Any area which I Steve Worley are increased they are seldom lowered. As far as I am con cerned, the current BOC have already imposed a tax increase. They just call it a Stormwater Utility Fee. According to the County Administrator this fee will be increased each year. Unfortunately for Barrow County, this fee could have been avoided if SPLOST funds had been allotted for stormwa ter management. I personally brought this to the attention of the County Administrator and staff approximately six years ago. Do you believe the recent ly announced cost cutting measures will be sufficient to see Barrow County through the current economic crisis? Why or why not?: I believe it will help, but I think there is more that can be done. Some of the measures that have been put in to place will need to stay in place to pre vent problems in the future. The Sheriff’s Office is pro jected to end fiscal year 2008 approximately $600,000 over budget. Do you believe ade quate controls exist to moni tor spending throughout the identified would be just a guess. If reve nues remain flat, would you sup port layoffs of county employ ees?: We have a very capable, concerned group of county employees. We must protect their jobs if at all pos sible. There should be a number of steps we should consider before we are to consider lay offs, furlows, for example. I would not support layoffs as the first action taken if we find ourselves with flat revenues next year. We must examine other areas of the budget before we get to a reduction in the num ber of employees. HEALAN year? Why or why not?: Yes, I do believe ade quate con trols exist. However, they have to be followed by depart ment heads, finance department and the county administrator. In what areas do you feel Barrow County could make further budget cuts?: (1) Engineering projects should be done in house with the exception of major proj ects. (2) No employees includ ing department staff should be allowed to drive vehicles home except for on-call employees. (3) I will be looking into more areas in the near future. If revenues remain flat, would you support lay offs of county employees?: I would only consider this after all other options have been exhausted. Even then, my first move would be to consider upper management furloughs. WORLEY Retiring judge honored at roast HONORING THE JUDGE Judge Robert “Bob” Adamson was the guest of honor at a roast last week at the Winder Community Center. Photo by Kerri Testment By Kerri Testement Judge Robert “Bob” Adamson will soon have more time for his favorite hobbies — fishing, garden ing, hunting and even country cooking. Adamson is set to retire on Dec. 31 as senior judge of the Piedmont Judicial Circuit — which includes Jackson, Barrow and Banks counties. Adamson was honored during a retirement party on Thursday evening, when attorneys, law enforcement officers, elected officials, family members and friends gathered at the Winder Community Center. During a light-hearted “roast” of the 67-year-old judge for the party, district attorney-elect Brad Smith joked about the “boogey man” stories of Adamson he heard while a young prosecu tor. “We were told he broke the horse — and he ate it,” Smith joked. But on a serious note, Smith said he considered Adamson a role model and inspiration. Walter Harvey, a defense attorney in Jefferson, said he had the pleasure of practic ing law with Adamson and appearing before him as a judge. “Bob, we’ll miss you," Harvey said. Adamson graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law and was admit ted to practice law in 1971. He was an associate and part ner in the Winder-based firm of Russell, McWhorter and Adamson. In 1992, he was elected a superior court judge for the Piedmont Judicial Circuit. Adamson said he was honored to have served as a judge for 16 years. “I have a great pride in what we do," he told the attorneys in the community center. Adamson thanked his fam ily, including wife Nancy Perkins Adamson, who is a senior vice president of The Peoples Bank in Winder. He has four children and lives in Winder. Adamson announced last year that he wouldn't seek another term on the bench. Winder attor ney Currie Mingledorff will replace Adamson on Jan. 1. The party also honored Gloria Purcell, who has been a secretary for superior court judges for 32 years, including 19 years in Jefferson. ALL ABOARD Heather Teague of Auburn enjoys the train ride with two-year-old son Harris Teagut and 7-month-old Hadley Teague. Photo by Jessica Brown Bonnemer continued from 7A I have 31 years experience with law enforcement, of which 28 years have been spent at the Barrow County Sheriff’s office, where I am the senior Deputy. I have worked under three Sheriffs and have experience as a road Deputy, Detention Officer, Court Security Deputy, Work Release, and am now back on the road serving Civil Papers. The Sheriff’s Office is projected to the end fiscal year 2008 over budget by approximately $600,000. As Sheriff, what measures would you take to insure your department ended the year at or under budget?: I will monitor the needs and requests of each department of the Sheriff's Office and discuss the require ments with each division supervisor. We are fully aware that we cannot totally predict the number of inmates or the transports or the cost of fuel or repair or replacement of Sheriff's Office property, but we can save by utilizing all that we have now: the patrol cars, the uniforms, weapons, equipment, electronics, and the great personnel we already have working for Barrow County Sheriff's Office. We will have to adapt to the hard times we are facing at this time, not only in Barrow County, but in the great United States; we will improvise to make the best with what we have and what we shall receive; we will overcome the crisis through the year 2009 along with our citizens and businesses here in Barrow County. Personally, I will take a 10 percent deduction in my 2009 salary as Sheriff of Barrow County and use that for youth education and items we might need within the Sheriff’s Office. The current Sheriff was asked twice to appear before the Board of Commissioners to explain why his department was ending the year over budget. He declined. Do you feel the Sheriff should answer to the Commission regarding budgetary issues?: Yes, as Sheriff, I would speak to the Commissioners, as should every other elected official and department head when the budget is presented for discussion. However, the Commissioners need to listen and create an open forum with the Finance Department also in atten dance to understand that budgetary items are reasonable and necessary. The budget had been approved by the Commissioners in spite of discrepancies between funds granted in the budget and actual projected costs. I believe it is imperative to recog nize that in order to provide a satisfactory level of service, operating costs are going to need to be addressed realistically. I don't think we can simply reduce the ser vices of Public Safety thereby putting the citizens of Barrow County at risk. The Sheriff has a discretionary fund at his disposal. What do you feel is the most appropriate use of this fund?: The only discretionary fund that I am aware of is also known as a Confiscated Funds Account. This account is funded by money seized from drug dealers as well as proceeds from the sale of vehicles seized from drug dealers. Virtually every law enforcement agency maintains such an account. I feel that the most appropriate use of the money from this account is to go directly back into the Sheriff's office for unforeseen needs, such as emergency equipment purchases, undercover opera tions, and more dire events. Everyone needs to understand that this account is subject to Open Records for inspection. If elected, what will your top priorities be during the first year of your adminis tration?: My top priority will be to assess the current situation to insure that the new Jail/ Courthouse facility can be opened safely and swiftly upon completion with the workforce that we have now. I believe we must occupy the new jail at the first available opportunity in order to stop sending inmates out-of-county to be housed, thereby saving the taxpayers the hundreds of thousands of dollars we are currently paying. Haunted continued from 10A The building also features a hanging tower. Though hang ing was outlawed before the tower was officially put to use, rumors persist that some prisoners were executed. The Barrow County Paranormal Society has con ducted an investigation at the museum and feels the location is haunted. After gathering EVP evi dence during an investigation, Colley said he would like to do further work in the muse um. One of the more interesting recordings according to Colley is one in which a female voice can be heard saying “listen to this Fred.” Colley believes the woman may have been addressing deceased museum founder C. Fred Ingram. Adding to his belief is another recording captured in Ingram’s former office. According to those who knew Ingram, the door to his office was kept closed. Colley said an EVP captured in Ingram’s office was clearly heard saying “close the door.” During their last visit to the museum, the BCPS was accompanied by a young medium. According to Colley, the medium was able to track several spirits throughout the museum. Colley said he captured sev eral EVP recordings of spirits attempting to interact with the medium. Interestingly, the medium would not investigate the base ment. Colley said the young lady went down the stairs, but immediately left due to an oppressive presence. www.barrowjournal.com First Time Ever! ALL IN-STOCK MODELS Weather Vanes Create new joy when you place a weathervane on your home. Place it where it can bring joy to others. See our complete line - now on sale for the first time ever - 25% OFF on all in-stock models. Special orders 10% OFF. STANDING DEER PATCHEN HORSE VINTAGE SHOTGUN 22”L x 27”H x 5”W 27”Lx15”H 44”L x 12”H x 2.5”W AMERICAN FLAG COUNTRY DOCTOR CROWING ROOSTER 31”L x 15”H 26”Lx14”Hx5”W 25”Lx18”H LARRY’S FURNITURE 49 N. Jackson Street 59 N. Broad Street Downtown Winder Downtown Winder 770-867-5134 770-867-1023