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PAGE 2A BARROW JOURNAL WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2010 School bells to ring Monday Clement continued from 1A SUMMER’S END It’s a return to books for Barrow County students as the 2010-2011 school year begins Monday, marking one of the earliest returns to class in local history. Aprille Williams, media specialist at Russell Middle School, has been preparing this week for the first day along with some help from Dee Dee Price, a rising sixth grader at RMS, and Zack price, an upcoming third grader at County Line Elementary School. Photo by Jessica Brown PRE-PLANNING (TOP) Teachers at Russell Middle School learn about a Positive Behavior Intervention System program while (RIGHT) Winder-Barrow High School teacher Elaine Wilder pre pares her classroom for the return of students next week. Pre-planning began Tuesday but many teachers were back at their respec tive schools Monday. Photos by Jessica Brown With the public vote following an executive session to discuss personnel matters, it appears that the retirement may be a settlement. The only major public controversy involv ing Clement since last year’s EEOC allega tions has been one stemming from his office clerk’s May 21 phone encounter with a Barrow Journal reporter. The clerk, Stacey Crowe Brock, told the reporter that Clement told her to say that he would never talk to a Journal reporter again because the newspaper “does not print the truth.’’ Brock also said Clement told her to say that none of the newspaper’s staff could ever call or step foot in his office again. However, Clement later told a different Journal reporter that he had not told Brock to say anything other than “no comment.’’ The varying accounts apparently caused some internal conflict in the department. Commission Chairman Danny Yearwood on June 2 called a meeting of all elected officials and department managers to tell them that from now on, all media calls should be directed to them, not to their employees. The Journal reporter on May 21 was attempt ing to interview Clement, who also is direc tor of building and grounds, for a feature story about ongoing renovations of the historic courthouse in downtown Winder. After Tuesday’s meeting, Wilburn said he does not know the effective date of Clement’s retirement. He said the normal retirement process would be followed. He said Clement has worked for the county for close to two decades. Clement did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday morning. Maynard continued from 1A Maynard told the Barrow Journal that he became aware of where things were headed because of his involvement as a director of First Piedmont Bank, a Winder-based bank that failed the following year. He said the previous officials thought there would be an economic setback, but that it would be temporary. “They did not agree with my analysis of the coming downturn in real estate,’’ Maynard said. “Obviously, they didn’t or they would have done things differently.’’ He said the previous administration was not a bad group of people, but they just didn’t believe things would get this bad. “It was obvious to those of us in the business that we were sitting on a huge inventory of lots, that there were a lot of homes that people had recently purchased or refinanced that were very leveraged, and any small downturn in real estate values would be a major event. And of course, it has not been a small downturn.’’ Maynard said the true scope of the decline of property values has not yet been reflected in the county’s tax digest. He said it is difficult to gauge real value of properties when nothing is selling. But this year’s digest will be closer to reality because the state is now requiring local governments to include foreclosure prices in determining assessed value. OUT OF TOUCH Maynard said he believes the current BOC members also are out of touch with the eco nomic reality faced by the local business com munity because most of them are either current or retired government employees. If the BOC were in touch with the economic situation of this community, he said the board wouldn’t be trying to sustain current service levels, but would be making substantial cuts. BOC chairman Danny Yearwood told Maynard that the current board has significant ly cut spending from the FY2009 funding level of $37 million set by the previous board. However, Maynard said instead of cutting the budget to $32 million, the board should take steps to get it back down to the FY2002 funding level of $17 million. Local businesses like his have had to cut their spending by 50 percent and the local govern ments should follow suit, Maynard said. “The financial ability of the people has gone down since 2002, not doubled since 2002,’’ Maynard told the board. “If you guys don’t be proactive in controlling spending, I think the county as a whole ... is going to be bankrupt.’’ He said it isn’t right for the BOC to keep spending for FY2011 the same as FY2010, when members of the business community are at 50-percent of their budgets and taxpayers have had a 50-percent cut in their home values. “I can tell you if don’t make drastic adjust ments down, in the next few years that well is going to dry up,’’ Maynard said. Coley, Ginn set for broadcast debates BY KRISTI REED State Senate 47 candidates Shane Coley and Frank Ginn will participate in two radio broadcast debates in advance of the August 10 Republican runoff. The first debate, scheduled to air on WJJC’s Straight Talk with Ron Johnson, will be held August 3 at 8:30 a.m. WJJC broadcasts on 1270 AM. The second debate, sched uled for August 7, will be broadcast on Winder’s WIMO 1300 AM from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ginn and Coley will be the guests on Views with Gregory Howard. Both shows will allow radio listeners to call in with ques tions for the candidates. Districtwide, Ginn carried 44.5 percent of the vote to Coley’s 26.7 percent in the July 20 Republican primary. In Barrow County, Coley led with 37.5 percent of the vote over Ginn’s 35 percent. Last week, Coley picked up endorsements from two of his former rivals, Kelley Gary and Doug Bower, who finished third and fourth in the primary respectively. In endorsing Coley, Bower said he and Coley share simi lar views. “While our campaign strat egies were different, our phi losophies are similar: limited government, fiscally responsi ble government, and free mar kets,” Bower said this week. “I therefore have made a com mitment to help Mr. Coley in pursuing a run-off victory.” Gary described Coley as a “solid conservative of real substance that goes far beyond political slogans and rhetoric. “ Gary said he considers Coley a friend and believes he will be a strong taxpayer advocate. “As a businessman, I trust Shane Coley to fight against government intrusion into our lives,” Gary said. “I know that he will lead the fight against higher taxes and more gov ernment regulations that kill small businesses and destroy jobs.” The winner of the Coley- Ginn runoff will face Democrat Tim Riley in November. The 47th State Senate District includes all of Barrow, Madison and Oglethorpe counties, most of Jackson County, and half of Clarke and Elbert counties. Unemployment rate continues to climb The unemployment rates in Barrow and Jackson counties aren’t getting any better. The rate climbed in both counties in June, setting the stage for what many believe could be a double-dip reces sion. In Barrow County, the rate climbed from a revisted 9.9 percent in May to 10.3 per cent in June, almost the same rate as June 2009 in the depths of the recession. In neighboring Jackson County, the rate hit 11 per cent in June, up from 10.6 percent in May. That virtually is the same in Jackson as June 2009 when the rate hit 11.1 percent. The unemployment rate Online tests turtorials available at libraries Residents of all three coun ties of the Piedmont Regional Library System, Banks, Barrow and Jackson, now have access to Learning Express Library free of charge. This internet-based test prepara tion resource can be accessed through any of our 11 librar ies, or from home with a library card. Learning Express Library is an online resource that allows users to take practice ver sions of standardized tests. Among the many tests avail able are GED, SAT, GRE, ACT, ASVAB, and Advanced Placement (AP) exams. Other exams available include the Postal Exam, Nursing, Police, Corrections Officer, Firefighter and Civil Service. For younger students, Learning Express Library includes elementary, middle and high school tests in math, reading and writing. These tests are specifically geared toward improving skills in all these areas. Also included are resume and interviewing skills tests, citizenship, and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Many e-books are available for downloading to help users prepare for these tests. Tests are scored immedi ately, giving the user feed back on the areas that need improvement. This resource is particularly helpful for those who like to use a computer, but might be more reluctant to study using a book. A free account takes sec onds to set up. All you need is a free library card from any of the eleven libraries in Banks, Barrow or Jackson Counties. Ask any staff mem ber to give you a demonstra tion. Visit www.prlib.org and try Learning Express Library today. GED orientation schedule announced climbed statewide in June to 10.3 percent. The Winder campus of Lanier Tech will host GED orientation on the following dates. Those attending are asked to bring a picture ID, pen cil and paper and to arrive 15 minutes early. •July 23, Winder Library 9 a.m.-l:30 p.m. •July 28-29, Lanier Tech 6-9p.m. •August 6, Winder Library 9 a.m.-l:30 p.m. •August 11-12, Lanier Tech 6-9p.m. •August 20, Winder Library 9a.m.-l:30 p.m. •Sept 10, Winder Library 9 a.m.-l:30 p.m. •Sept. 15-16, Lanier Tech 6-9 p.m. www.barrowjournal.com Host an Exchange Student Today! <3 _ i f . Hanna from Norway. 16 yrs. Like* skiing, swimming, dancing and art. Hanna hopes to join a drama club while in the USA. Make a lifelong friend from abroad. Enrich your family with another culture. Now you can host a high school exchange student (girl or boy) from France. Germany. Scandinavia, Spain, England. Japan. Brazil. Italy or other countries. Becoming a host to a young international visitor is an experience of a lifetime! basset j Klaus front Germany 17 yrs. Love* camping and pljying vocccr Klaus dream has been lo spend a school year in ihc USA. Diona at 770-307-7955 or June at 1-800-473-0696 (Toll Free) www.asse.com or email to hostinfo@asse.com Founded in 1976 ASSE International Student Exchange Program is a public benefit, non-profit organization What? Barrow County's Largest Sale' 0A * • Toys • Strollers • Games • Books • Clothes • Maternity Watt - lo - watt bargains (over 6000 tq. ft.) for Lids, moms, and momt-to-be on the beat quality items at fard tale price*. DON’T MISS THIS SAIX! When? Nursery • Bikes Car Seats Furniture • Car Si • Furni Where? a T~s WB August 21st 8:00 AM-2:00PM L0£ATCP\*i FELLOWSHIP HALL Fain or Shine Air conditioned/Heated Half price tale Noon to L OO PM Winder Firtl United Melhoditl Lhurch L80 N Broad St. Winder (Acrott from Ingles' For information or to volunteer, call Altieon Llarl: at 710-81/1-4514 Call for consigner code numbers: July 26-August 6 Christy (678-687-8072) - Last Names A-L Leigh (770-725-2867) - Last Names M-2 BEN HENDRIX Commissioner District 6 THANK YOU I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who supported me during the recent election. I particularly want to thank my wife, Ellen, and my family for all of their encouragement and support. I am looking forward to continuing to work as your commissioner and, as always, I am committed to serving all of the people of District 6 and Barrow County. Again, thank you and God bless you. Sincerely, Ben Paid for by the committee to re-elect Ben Hendrix, Hubert Briscoe, Treasurer, PO. Box 531, Winder, GA 30680