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PAGE 6A BARROW JOURNAL WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2008 BOE approves Mariachi class BY CHRIS BRIDGES After weeks of contro versy, the Barrow County Board of Education formally approved a Mariachi music class for Apalachee High School Tuesday night. After a 6-3 vote and some pointed back-and-forth dis cussion, the BOE gave AHS teacher Kerry Bryant the green light to begin the class later this school year. The class will initially be offered to 20 students, based on a grant the school obtained to pay for instru ments for that number of students. Superintendent Ron Saunders’ recommenda tion was for approval of the class. AHS principal David McGee, who was also at Tuesday night’s board meet ing, has also been in favor of the class. Prior to the vote, Saunders said the only feedback from the public had been posi tive. But BOE member Lynn Stevens, who questioned the class since it was proposed, continued to have issues with it this week. “I have been called a rac ist and been told that God is probably a Mexican,” said Stevens, who earlier said she feared the class would open ‘I have been called a racist and been told that God is prob ably a Mexican. ’ — BOE member Lynn Stevens on her objec tions to the class. the door for illegal immi grants to come to Barrow County. Stevens then said she did not like the idea of the prece dent the board would be set ting by approving the class. “We are separating one group from another,” she said. But board member Rickey Bailey disagreed with Stevens. “I am appalled at the nar row-mindedness of some of our board members,” he said. “We say we want to reach out to allow our students to experience our cultures then we want to close our eyes to a program like this.” Board member Connie Wehunt also opposed the class. “I am not comfortable starting up an individual band when the money could be used for the regular band,” she said. “It should be open for anyone.” “It is,” Saunders coun tered. Board chairman Bill Bramlett said if a group steps forward to fund a pilot program, he thinks the board should welcome it. “I think this has a very good chance of being suc cessful,” Bramlett said. “My understanding is the instru ments are being purchased with a grant for this pro gram.” “What happens if the program needs more instru ments?” Stevens asked. “We will deal with that then,” Saunders said. Board members Randall Holland and Larry Ballard voiced support for the new class. Holland said the Barrow County School System has always set a pace when it comes to music and band. “I was impressed with Mr. (Kerry) Bryant’s pas sion to see the students be able to experience another culture,” Ballard said. “His passion told me our students are going to benefit if not from this music then from his teaching.” Holland, Bramlett, Bailey, Ballard, Mark Still and Dan Cromer voted in favor of the class with Stevens, Wehunt and Mitch Churchill voting against. Zoning case continued from 1A Saying the two lawyers’ previous conduct had been “extreme,” Hundley said during arguments that by allowing the second lawsuit to proceed the court would be saying the sanctions it imposed earlier had no teeth. He also argued that the second lawsuit was essen tially the same as the first lawsuit, just “dressed up a little differently.” CENTURY CENTER RESPONDS Speaking for Century Center, Bowers said that the two cases were different with the first case raising a consti tutional issue and the second raising questions about the application of Braselton’s zoning ordinance. Bowers also argued that Motes’ earlier ruling impos ing the sanctions against the two lawyers had been understood by his clients as an either/or proposition; that either the two lawyers pay the sanctions, or the lawsuit would be dismissed. He said that should have no bearing on the second lawsuit. Bowers also suggested that the Superior Court didn’t have jurisdiction to tie the second lawsuit to the first suit, which is now on appeal. Winder cuts employee, retiree benefits BY SUSAN NORMAN Given a choice between lay offs or benefit reductions, the Winder City Council voted 4-3 Monday night to cut employee and retiree benefits in order to reduce expenses in a climate of dwindling revenues. Employees next year will pay more out of pocket when they get sick, will pay for their own long-term disabil ity coverage, and will lose their employer’s help with the cost of YMCA and fit ness club memberships. The council also voted to change its formula for retirement ben efits on April 1, 2009 and to remove one alternative retire ment option. The good news for city employees is that their month ly premiums will not rise in 2009. However, retirees will have to pay 50 percent of their monthly premiums - a doubling of their current share of 25 percent. City administrator Bob Beck said the cuts are neces sary because of a $365,000 hike in the city’s health insur ance plan for next year. However, At-Large Councilman Mike Mingus fought the change, saying he was worried about the unex pected impact on retirees’ budgets. “I completely understand the need for the city to take a serious look at issues like this,” Mingus said. “I under stand the need to increase deductibles and to make adjustments to co-insurance and long-term disability cov erage. But I am struggling with the increase from 25 to 50 percent for retirees for their medical insurance costs. I have a problem with that radical of a change.” Mayor George “Chip” Thompson III lobbied for the change, saying that as a retired teacher, he happily pays 50 percent of his monthly premi um in order to retain the good coverage the state offers. “The fact that they can keep it and stay on our policy, which they can get at a much cheaper rate, 50 percent is still a very, very good deal,” Thompson said. “Our motive here is to try to get the expenses of the City of Winder down so we do not have to furlough or let employees go. That’s the reason we’re working hard on this to get our finances in shape.” After a split vote, Thompson made the decision by cast ing the deciding fourth vote. Those voting in favor of the change were Thompson, Ward 3 Councilman Ridley Parrish, Ward 4 Councilman Frank Dunagan and At Large Councilman David Maynard. Opposing the cost hike were Mingus, District 1 Councilman Sonny Morris and District 2 Councilman Charlie Eberhart. For future retirees, the council reduced as of April 1, 2009 the formula it will use for retirement benefits. And it nixed one alternative retirement option that allowed employees to retire with full benefits as soon as their years of service and ages added up to 70. That option now will be available to 13 employees, if they choose to retire before that date. Beck said that the coun cil’s actions had kept the city’s finances stable, that the cost cuts evenly matched the increased health plan. Parade continued from 1A They will ride in a vintage, 1939 Chevrolet coupe owned by Winder’s former mayor, Buddy Ouzts. Winder’s current mayor, George “Chip” Thompson III, will ride in a restored 1940 fire truck. The parade will culminate with the arrival of Santa Claus in a horse-drawn carriage. The parade route is from the Ingles park ing lot at 285 N. Broad Street to the Barrow County Courthouse at the intersection of Broad and Athens streets. Though the route is only a mile, the parade should last until about 4 p.m. due to the num ber of entries. Behind the courthouse at the parade termi nus is the Barrow County Historical Museum, whose “grand re-opening” coincides with Saturday’s event. “Everything has been completely restored. They have all new displays and will have dem onstrations and displays of historic lifestyles in the lawn and in the courthouse parking lot,” Miller said. When the sun slips below the horizon Saturday evening - sundown is at 5:38 - Mayor Thompson will light the city’s official Christmas tree in the gazebo park. Guests then will be ferried by a mule-drawn wagon to the Sanctuary of the Holy Spirit at the corner of Candler and Center streets, where the church choir in costumes from the Charles Dickens era will sing carols and vol unteers will serve refreshments on the church’s lawn. “It’s like stepping into a different world,” Miller said. “They have sweet treats that are historic. It’s just so cool. Everybody just sings at the top of his lungs, even those of us who jump off the wagon.” www.BarrowJournal.com The UPS Store % The UPS Store 4497 Across Chateau Elan in the Publix shopping center 2095 Highway 211 - Braselton - Tel: 678.425.9835 CUSTOMER APPRECIATION RAFFLE..!! Enter our holiday drawings fora Playstation 3 and a WHJ Drawing Dec. 22nd..! See Store for Detorfs •• Veteran Owned Save Time... Save Money... 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