About Barrow journal. (Winder, Ga.) 2008-2016 | View Entire Issue (May 4, 2016)
Wednesday, May 4, 2016 Barrow Journal WWW.bdrrOWjOUmdl.com Rarmw’ c Dn/i/ Awarrl-Winninn Cl PA hlawcnanar Bdrrow’s Only Awdrd-Winning GPA Newspdper VOL. 8 NO. 28 20 PACES 2 SECTIONS, PLUS INSERTS A PUBLICATION OF MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. WINDER, BARROW COUNTY GEORGIA 30680 50« COPY Round two: Candidates make their case Barrow GOP forum held as in-person advance voting begins By Chris Bridges Journal Editor With the official start of early voting getting underway earlier in the day, candidates in contested races in the May 24 primary once again offered their qualifications during a forum Monday night. This event, sponsored by the Barrow County Republican Party, was the second forum for the primary, which features several contested races this year, includ ing ones for sheriff, county com mission chairman and seats on the board of commissioners and board of education. One of the more lively match ups at the two political forums this year has been between Barrow County Board of Commissioners District 1 incumbent Kenny Shook and challenger Bill Brown, a former two-term BOC member. After Shook went on the offen sive in the first forum, Brown responded in kind Monday night saying the incumbent voted to dip into the county’s reserves. “I will fight to keep three months reserves at all times,” Brown said. “Talk is cheap. Action is priceless.” May 24 primary Shook, who was then given his three allotted minutes, said Brown’s talk was to be viewed as “nothing further from the truth.” He continued to call Brown to task for being part of a former group of commissioners who put the county in a mountain of debt say ing his primary opponent voted to buy the most expensive pasture in the state of Georgia which was viewed as more important than new patrol cars. See Forum on Page 3A KENNY SHOOK ^ T JJL>J BILL BROWN Barrow Briefs City of Statham plans annual Spring Fest The City of Statham will host its third annual Spring Fest on Saturday, May 7, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. For those interested in being a vendor at the event, applications can be picked up at City Hall. Food vendor spaces are $55 or $65 with electricity. Craft vendor spaces for this year’s Spring Fest are available for $30 or $40 with electricity. For more information on reserving vendor space or about this year’s City of Statham Spring Fest, contact Randy Gordon by emailing randygordon@ cityofstatham.com. Inside: Index: Candidate Profiles 2A Church News 12A Classifieds 4-5B Legals 6-7B Obituaries 10-11A Op-Ed 5A Opinions 4A Public Safety 6-7A Sports 1 -3B,8B 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 POLITICAL HEAVYWEIGHT HELPS ENGLAND CAMPAIGN Terry England, who represents Barrow County in the State House of Representatives, faces primary opposition this year and is leaving no stone unturned in his quest for re-election. England is following the old political adage of “always run like you are 20 points behind.” While most political observers believe England will easily win re-election, he held a campaign event last week at the Winder Community Center where a large turnout of support ers were joined by Governor Nathan Deal and his wife, Sandra. This marks the first time since serving that England has had opposition. Deal called England a “personal friend” and “was glad to offer his support.” Gov. Deal praised England for his work ethic as a state representative and for his personal character. Photos by Jessica Brown BOE plans 2% bonus By Al ex Pace Journal Reporter Barrow County School System employees may get a bonus next year. The final budget won’t be approved until June, but the Barrow County School System’s tentative general fund budget shows a one-time, 2 percent salary bonus for employees under the assistant principal and director posi tions. The Board of Education unani mously approved the tentative budget May 3. The state plans to give local school districts additional funding to elimi nate furlough days or implement teach er raises. BCSS expects to receive $3.1 million more from the state than last year, but that is less of an increase than it received last year. The bonus would cost the district over $1.4 million, forc ing it to use reserves. Reserves would be $8 million if the pay bonus goes through. BOE member Rolando Alvarez questioned whether that’s enough of a cushion in case of another economic downturn. He noted $8 million is less than one month’s operating expenses. See BOE on Page 3A Advancing to the next round... The WBHS Diamond Doggs swept their first-round state playoff series. See today’s sports section for coverage. Mailing Label Below Gone to the animals: Pup & Cat Co. holds 9th annual fundraiser By Wesleig'h Sag'on Photographer Pup and Cat Company held its 9th annual fundraiser at The Carl House where live and silent auctions, along with adoptable dogs, were on dis play. This year’s theme was “Canine- ival Daze” where the event offered gourmet carnival food, along with fundraising carnival games. All proceeds from this year’s event, held April 24, go to Pup and Cat Company, a no-kill humane soci ety which has benefited animals for many years. “We do not euthanize animals for lack of space or for financial reasons, so we ensure that every adoptable animal finds a permanent home,” said Ursula Miller, founder of Pup and Cat Co. “We rescue animals from a variety of sources, including shelters, people who give up their pets or off the streets where they have been abandoned.” See Pup & Cat on Page 8A FOUR-LEGGED BENEFIT Kimberly Yoak, marketing director, BB Webb, found er of Carl House and Ursula Miller, Pup and Cat Company founder, are shown at the recent Canine- ival Daze fundraiser. The annual event raises funds for Pup and Cat Co. Photo by Wesleigh Sagon Meet the Candidates: Election 2016 The Barrow Journal continues to profile candidates in contested races for the May 24 primary. See information about Barrow County Sheriff candidates on page 2A in today's edition.
