Newspaper Page Text
Serving Braselton, Hoschton, Chateau Elan, Traditions, Reunion, Deaton Creek and West Jackson 500 copy
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Vol. 10 No. 34 A publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. www.BraseltonNewsTODAY.com 16 pages, 2 sections
Man warns of multi-use path dangers after wreck
A Braselton man is warning of the dangers of multi-use
paths after his family was involved in a golf cart crash in
July.
John Wimpey and his family were riding on a golf cart on
the multi-use path near Chateau Elan the evening of July 19.
They were driving at Mulberry Park on the way to dinner
when a drank driver struck their golf cart and knocked them
into the road.
A Jeep Liberty Sport driven by Sean Randall Dameron,
44, of Hoschton. didn’t stop at the red light when traveling
from Grand Hickory Drive onto Hwy. 211. His vehicle
struck Wimpey "s golf cart, which was traveling in the cross
walk along Hwy. 211.
Dameron had a .303 blood-alcohol level, according to the
Georgia State Patrol incident report. He was charged with
driving under the influence and failure to obey a traffic-con
trol device.
Wimpey and his family were all transported to Northeast
Georgia Medical Center Braselton.
Wimpey got a concussion in the accident and required
stitches. His wife’s hip was braised and his son got “banged
up pretty bad.”
Wimpey said they were “lucky” and that it could have
been much worse.
“We could have been killed.” he said.
He’s concerned something similar could happen to some
one else.
“All it takes is someone not paying attention,” he said.
He noted cars travel fast on the road and said there aren’t
many safety precautions. He’s also concerned the Mulberry
Park sign blocked their view so his family couldn’t see the
Jeep coming.
He stressed the need for drivers to use caution around
multi-use paths.
“The golf cart path is great, but it’s dangerous,” said
Wimpey.
Qualifying nears for
November election
Qualifying is approaching for the Nov. 7 election.
Braselton and Hoschton both plan qualifying in late
August.
Details include:
BRASELTON
Qualifying for three Town of Braselton seats will be on
Monday, Aug. 21, through Wednesday, Aug. 23, from 9 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m.
Seats on the ballot this year include mayor, council mem
ber district 2 and council member district 4. Those are cur
rently held by Bill Orr, Peggy Slappey and Rhonda Stites,
respectively.
Qualifying will take place at Braselton Town Hall.
Fees are $360 for mayor and $180 for council member.
HOSCHTON
Qualifying for three City of Hoschton seats will begin at
8:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 21, and go through Wednesday,
Aug. 23. at 4:30 p.m.
Seats on the ballot include mayor and two council seats.
Those seats are currently held by Theresa Kenerly, Jim
Cleveland and Tracy Jordan, respectively.
Qualifying fees are $18.
Those wanting to qualify may do so at city hall, located at
79 City Square, Hoschton.
KEY DATES FOR VOTERS
•Oct. 10 — last day to register.
•Oct. 16 — first day to mail or issue absentee ballots
•Oct. 16 — advance in-person voting begins
•Nov. 3 — last day to mail or issue absentee ballots
•Nov. 7 — election
Developments ease
shrinking residential space
By Alex Pace
Recent growth in Braselton subdivisions has eased the
shrinking residential space available in the town’s portion of
Jackson County.
At the Braselton Town Council’s retreat earlier this year,
town manager Jennifer Scott noted that with the current
growth, Braselton’s developed residential property in Jack-
son County would be used up within a few years. That
estimation has changed, though, due to two developments.
“Since the time of the council retreat, newly developed
residential phases have been completed and platted which
will add to the inventory of buildable lots in the Jackson
County portion of Braselton,” said planning and develop
ment director Kevin Keller.
Those projects include the first phase of Broadmoor and
Creekside at Mulberry, he said. Keller also noted there are
several possible future residential developments including:
the undeveloped parts of the Reserve at Liberty Park, Liber
ty Crossing and Bakers Farm.
At least two new developments have also been proposed
for Braselton (Jackson County).
Tommy Slappey previously requested rezoning land
around the water towers on Hwy. 124 for a mixed use (com
mercial and residential). That request was denied by the
council, but renewed efforts are planned.
Mike and Robin Embry also recently presented a project to
bring townhomes and single-family units to downtown. That
request may also require rezoning and annexation.
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^ 1
Series on Hoard murder begins
A 5-part series about the
assassination of solicitor general
Floyd “Fuzzy” Hoard 50 years ago begins
this week starting on Page 1B.
Part 1: Bootleggers, car thieves
dominated the 1960s
Goodbye, summer break
Last days of summer break
Sabrina Evans, 9, slid down a water slide during Perfecting Hope Church’s back to school bash and
book bag giveaway in Braselton Park Sunday afternoon. See more photos on page 8A.
Photo by Wesleigh Sagon
Howard: Time to get rolling’ on WJ school relief
By Alex Pace
West Jackson school enrollment continues to swell
and district leaders are moving forward to provide some
capacity relief.
The Jackson County Board of Education met with
Southern A&E’s Steve McCune at a planning session
on Friday. The group discussed plans for a new West
Jackson facility and considered several designs for the
project.
An advisory council will discuss the project in Sep
tember.
The board previously approved moving forward with
a new West Jackson school when education local option
sales tax reserves reach $12 million. Superintendent
April Howard stressed that, although no ground has bro
ken yet, the board has been working on the project since
it was approved.
She said the district could begin construction in 2018.
“It’s time to get rolling,” she said.
Meanwhile, West Jackson school enrollment continues
to grow. Over 250 more students have already enrolled on
the west side of the county (compared to the same time
last year).
Jackson County Comprehensive High School has added
63, and West Jackson Middle School has added 56.
West Jackson Elementary School has grown by 58,
while Gum Springs Elementary School has added 79
students already.