Barrow journal. (Winder, Ga.) 2008-2016, April 27, 2016, Image 1

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Barrow journal., April 27, 2016, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextB * Wednesday, April 27, 2016 arrow il Journal www harmwiniirnal mm Rarmw’c Dnlw Awarrl-Winninn HPA Nawcnanar www.barrowjournal. com Barrow’s Only Award-Winning GPA Newspaper VOL. 8 NO. 27 24 PACES 2 SECTIONS, PLUS INSERTS A PUBLICATION OF MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. WINDER, BARROW COUNTY GEORGIA 30680 50« COPY In agreement: Chairman candidates both favor county manager form of government By Cliris Bridges Journal Editor Pat Graham and Billy Parks may have some differences in terms of being county chairman, but both agree in staying the course with a county manager form of government. Both expressed that sentiment during a candidate forum sponsored by the Barrow County Chamber of Commerce last week. “I am absolutely committed to a county manager form of govern ment.’' said Graham, who is seeking a second term as chairman. “We implemented it in Braselton the first year I was mayor. We have already realized cost savings for the county.” See Forum on Page 8A Baseball Playoffs... Winder-Barrow High School is set to host a state playoff series beginning Friday. See details in today’s sports section. Barrow Briefs Food distribution planned Thursday The Barrow County Food Pantry, in partner ship with The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, will hold a Food Distribution Day on Thursday, April 28, beginning at 8 a.m. The event is held rain or shine at Holly Hill Mall on Athens Street in Winder (across from Hill’s Ace Hardware). This is open to all Barrow County residents who meet USDA income eligibility requirements. Proof of Barrow County residency is required and the food is distributed on a “first-come, first-served” basis. Ride to Survive scheduled April 30 The 11th annual Ride to Survive, sponsored by the Piedmont Rape Crisis Center, will be held Saturday, April 30. The event will be at 11 a.m. from Cycle World in Athens. Registration begins at 9 a.m. The ride will end at the Moose Lodge of Winder. Contact Darryl Gumz at 706-605-6656 for more information. Inside: Index: Church News 10A Classifieds 10-11B Legals 4-9B Obituaries 11A Pets of the Week 10A Public Safety 6-7A Sports 1-3B,12B Contact Info: Phone: 770-867-6397 Mail: 77 E. May Street, Winder, Ga. 30680 Fax: 706-621-4115 ‘Like us’ on Facebook www.barrowjournal.com Mailing Label Below Second candidate forum set May 2 By Cliris Bridges Journal Editor On the day in-person early voting begins, Barrow County voters will have a second chance to hear from the candidates during a forum organized by the Barrow County Republican Party. That forum will be held on Monday, May 2, at the Colleen Williams Theater at the Winder Cultural Arts Center. The forum will be for 18 candidates in nine contested GOP races for the May 24 primary, Barrow County Republican Party chairman Ken Young said. Each candidate will have three or four minutes to speak. Supporters of candidates will also be able to obtain signs and other campaign materials at the forum. In-person early voting will continue through Friday, May 20, Elections Supervisor Monica Franklin said. Early voting will be from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each weekday. There will be in-person early voting held on Saturday, May 14, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Barrow County voters will decide on sev eral local races including seats on the board of commissioners, county chairman, sheriff, chief magistrate, state representative and state senator. BOE plans for growth By Al ex Pace Journal Reporter Barrow County is seeing growth in its residential permits. The Barrow County Board of Education dis cussed the growth and its potential effect on the Barrow County School System during its April 26 meeting. The discussion came after tax assessor Don Elrod told the BOE that 447 new residential permits have been issued in the county this year. More houses would likely mean more students for BCSS. BOE member Dr. Garey Huff questioned whether the growth was in certain areas. But Elrod said the permits are being issued throughout the county. “They’re all over,” said Elrod. “It’s all these subdivisions that sat idle for five or six years when the economy went south. Now the builders are coming in and buying up those lots in bulk, and they’ll start eight to 10 houses at a time. And as soon as they’re done, they’re sold.” The number of permits issued is up from 93 in 2009. The average cost of the new houses is $134,000, up from $94,000 in 2009. “That’s your average starter home,” said BOE member Lynn Stevens. See Growth on Page 3A BOE set to vote on budget Tues. By Al ex Pace Journal Reporter Barrow County’s Board of Education is set to vote on its tentative budget Tuesday. The BOE discussed the FY2017 general fund budget at its April 26 meeting. The budget is set to total at $10.7 million, which is $7 million larger than its original FY2016 budget. No tax increase is planned in the FY17 budget. After last week’s budget meeting, assistant superintendent of business services Jennifer Houston adjusted expenses to include a principal (for the new elementary school) and two speech language pathologists. See BOE on Page 5A Bethlehem Elementary’s Mensinger is Teacher of Year By Alex Pace Journal Reporter Tiara Mensinger wants her students to know they have a voice. Mensinger, a third grade teacher at Bethlehem Elementary School, said she works with stu dents to help them realize their importance, no matter how young they are. Mensinger was recent ly named the Barrow County School System Teacher of the Year after being selected from a pool of school-wide Teachers of the Year. While in college at the University of Georgia, Mensinger began student teaching at BES. She started teaching full-time at BES after graduating and teaches all subjects in third grade. When she was her students’ age. Mensinger said she was shy and quiet. “I was the kid who would never speak up,” she said. But when Mensinger entered fifth grade, she had a “phenome nal” teacher who had the “high est expectations” for her. She challenged her and made her think at a higher level. Mensinger said the teacher changed who she was as a per son. “I want to do that for my stu dents,” she said. “No matter how young they are.” Mensinger said that when she started teaching, she met a stu dent that reminded her of herself when she was younger, with the same quiet and shy personality. See Teacher on Page 3A NAMED TOTY Tiara Mensinger (center), a third grade teacher at Bethlehem Elementary School, was named the Barrow County School System Teacher of the Year. She is shown with BES princi pal Mindy Reid (left) and assistant principal Meridith Wages.