About Barrow journal. (Winder, Ga.) 2008-2016 | View Entire Issue (April 6, 2016)
PAGE 2A BARROW JOURNAL WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2016 McNeal continued from 1A A new middle school is being constructed at an intersection of McNeal Road, which brought about the need for left turn lanes and the need to replace the water main. “The school project made the need for side walks become a necessity,” the mayor said. “When fin ished, the work will con nect the sidewalks on Ath ens Street to the new school and from the new school to Winder-Barrow High School. The new sidewalks on McNeal Road and Can dler Street made needed improvements to our storm water system a necessity.” As with any undertak ing of this nature, those who travel McNeal Road frequently, whether for business or residential pur poses, have had to deal with a length of the road closed for several weeks. Equipment in the area has also caused some blockage of line of sight when turn ing off Apperson Drive on McNeal Road. A major water line was also cut at one point during a recent Saturday, flooding an area of the road and cutting off service to res idents and businesses in the area for a few hours. While initially the fore man for the crew denied anyone lost water service, he later apologized for the break and for homes and businesses being without water. Barrow County Super intendent of Schools Chris McMichael said he has not heard any complaints about the work. However, some business owners have contacted this paper and posted on social outlets about various issues. Ken Brown, owner of Kleen Korner Dry Clean ers on McNeal Road, said Easter is typically his busiest time of the year. However, this Easter sea son, Brown estimated his revenue dipped as much as 50 percent. “Part of the road has been closed for almost a month,” Brown said. “My biggest concern is I have not heard from one city official or official from the Board of Education.” Brown said county com missioner Ben Hendrix has talked to him about the sit uation, expressing concern, but the business owner said he told the District 6 rep resentative that “he was a customer and didn’t have anything to do with the problem.” “It’s getting to the point where I feel like I need to talk to a lawyer,” Brown said. “I don’t know what good it would do, but it's to the point now I don't know if we are going to make it. Easter week nor mally keeps us ahead and prepared for the summer when things slow down.” Brown said putting side walks on both sides of the road is not necessary. The gas line for his business was broken as Brown says the city did not mark it. “When I went to talk to them about it they tried to act like it was my fault and that aggravated me,” Brown said. In addition. Brown is disputing how much of his driveway the city is trying England continued from 1A “My address is public record for anyone to find. What is disturbing on the flyer, however, is the intent to provoke some one to come and willfully trespass on our property theoretically in a confrontational manner. It troubles me not for myself, but for my parents that live with us and are not in good health.” The distribution of the flyers began while England was staying in Atlanta during the week for the 2016 legislative session. “This was while my wife was here (at home) with my folks at night by them selves.” England aid. “The good thing about that is that she is a better shot than me. But I do not ever want her to be in that position of having to.” As far as the issues brought up on the flyers, England says they are not true. Even the information on the loan is false. The loan in question was for his Homeport business and that was paid off more than 150 months in advance. England has already contacted the Geor gia State Patrol about the issue and repre sentatives visited Newton, who called their visit “political intimidation” in various media accounts. England said the refugee issue is actual ly settled at the federal level. “At this point though, I think to do anything else just gives him the attention he desires and seems to thrive on,” the state representative said. “ For now, unless something changes I am of the mind just to let him keep on and see if he will just go away when the attention to him goes away. It drives me nuts to say that, however. He has been opening peoples’ cars to force the flyers on them and I hope if the attention goes away he will just leave everyone alone. There have been at least two police reports filed I am told where he opened car doors to force the flyers on folks. One of my favorite sayings is, ‘he’s as crazy as a sprayed roach.’ I think that fits here. I have met with him in the past to explain that we, as a state, have few options related to the program he is fighting since it is a federal program, but he cannot understand that the issue is a federal one not state.” Meanwhile England and Hughes will face off in a May 24 primary. The winner, who does not have Democratic opposition, will win the race. One political observer said England would likely get 80 percent of the vote. “Since at this point we have refuted the points in the flyer, I think if he continues to distribute them, it just further proves our point and helps us in the end,” England said. “Folks in Barrow County do not take well to folks coming in and trying to ruin the name of fellow Barrow County folks that have tried their best to help every body. I'm not saying I have always gotten everything right, because I know I have not, but I have always tried.” MISSION RUN APRIL 24, 2016 SCAN HERE TO REGISTER " A Date &Time Saturday, April 24, 2016. Run starts at 4:00 PM. 5K starts at 4:30 PM. ' Location We're located on Galilee Church Road, one mile west of US Hwy 129 in Jefferson. For your GPS, enter: Galilee Christian Church 2191 Galilee Church Rd Jefferson, GA 30549 \ Awards Overall and Masters Male/Female winners, as well as top three fin ishers in each age group, will receive custom-made wooden trophies crafted by a local artist. CLASSIC RACE SERVICES Registration Fees • $20 through April 10 • $25 after April 11 and through Race Day. MJN-& ft EE GEORGIA Since 19X9 Register Online, by Mail, or Drop off Today! Paper entries can be mailed/dropped off with check payable to: Galilee Mission Run 2191 Galilee Church Rd. Jefferson, GA 30549 Families can register for $70 (max of 4 walkers/runners). Online registration is also available on active.com or scan the QR code above. Proceeds All proceeds go to Hope Resource Center of Jefferson. Hope Resource Center is a non-profit that exists to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of women and fami lies. Runner Attractions Timed miles, great course for ALL skill levels, goodie bags complete with race shirts for all pre-registrants and, as available on race day, post race drinks, snacks and award presentation in the Galilee Family Life Center. BUSINESS AFFECTED Kleen Korner Dry Cleaners owner Ken Brown said his business during Easter, normally his busiest time of the year, was down by approximately 50 percent due to the ongoing road, water line and drainage line work on McNeal Road. Photo by Jessica Brown to claim. “I have a drive-in and some customers park and come into the business,” he said. “It’s going to cause a wreck in my driveway.” Brown said he has been able to retain a few addi tional feet for his driveway but still does not feel like it is adequate. While agree ing the area may visual ly look better eventually, Brown said it does not appear the work is being handled correctly. “The area up by Hill’s (Ace Hardware) looks nice, but it was done wrong,” Brown said. “There have been so many things that make me scratch my head.” Brown’s family began operating the dry cleaners in 1979. “It concerns me the City of Winder seems like they don’t care,” he said. “All they care about is ‘new’ Winder. You look at all the poor businesses in down town that went away when they were working up there. It’s a real shame.” Another area business owner, who requested his name not be used, agreed with Brown’s sentiments. “Lost revenue is lost revenue,” the owner said. “I don’t think the city is going to reimburse me for the money I’ve lost while doing this road work. When the people come in to do work of this nature it seems like they try to see how long it can take them to get done. They don’t care one bit about the peo ple who live there or peo ple who run a business.” Added one homeown er in the area of McNeal Road: “It was not an ideal place for a new school to be constructed. From the traffic issues alone, it is going to be a constant nightmare in the area.” “In the end, I think the improvements will make McNeal Road and Candler Street more functional for vehicle and pedestrian trav el as well as to make them more attractive aesthetical ly,” Winder’s mayor said. “I hope the businesses and residents in the area will see a benefit from all the work being done.” Work in the area is scheduled to be “96 per cent complete by July 16 and 100 percent complete by Sept. 16,” the mayor said. For some businesses, Sept. 16 seems light years away. And some worry they may not still be in operation when that date on the calendar arrives. _ TerryI* England for Georgia “Representing the values and interests of Barrow County has been a tremendous honor. I ask for your vote and your trust to continue working for Our Future” ^ Working Hard For Barrow County ★ Trusted To Serve With Integrity www.TerryEnglandForCeorgia.com PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT TERRY ENGLAND
