The Braselton news. (Jefferson, Ga) 2006-current, March 09, 2022, Image 1

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The Braselton news., March 09, 2022, Image 1

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Newspaper Page Texto o Serving Braselton, Hoschton, Chateau Elan, Traditions, Reunion, Deaton Creek and West Jackson $1.00 copy Wednesday, March 9, 2022 Vol. 15 No. 13 A publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. www.BraseltonNewsTODAY.com 12 pages Transportation DOT study to examine possibility of Braselton-Hoschton bypass Traffic is pictured along Hwy. 53 in Hoschton. By Ben Munro ben@mainstreetnews. com A $1 million Georgia Department of Transportation study set to begin this year will determine the feasibil ity of a long-pondered bypass of Bra selton and Hoschton. The DOT study grew out of conver sations Jackson County leadership be gan a year ago — as members of the Gainesville-Hall Metropolitan Plan ning Organization (MPO) — with the DOT to examine a potential bypass of the two municipalities located along Hwy. 53. Jackson County assistant manager Gina Roy said the county sought a more localized study, costing roughly $125,000. though county leadership knew the study, outside the confines of an MPO, could be much larger. “We went ahead and applied for the small study, and that's when DOT said, ‘Thanks for that, but we're going to do this mobility study that’s much larger,"’ Roy said. The DOT has taken over the study and expanded the scope to include ar eas of South Hall County and Barrow County, according to a story in the Gainesville Times last week. The DOT is also starting a mobility study for an inland port in Hall Coun ty, which could possibly tie in to the bypass study. “There's a bigger picture involved,” Roy said. Roy expects the DOT-led bypass study to take approximately a year and a half. “I've already had conversations with them (saying), ‘Don’t forget our locals,”’ she said. “We want to partic ipate. We want citizen input or indus try input because this is our land over here. This is our mobility.” Braselton town manager Jennifer Scott called the study an important step. See Study, page 3A Jackson Co. BOE Hoschton Sanders to run for BOE District 2 Ricky Sanders has an nounced his plans to run for the District 2 seat on the Jackson County Board of Education. “I would like to announce my candidacy for the Jackson County Board of Education District 2 in the upcoming May 24th, Republican prima ry,” he said. “Our school sys tem faces many challenges, the biggest one being dealing with the rapid growth the county is experiencing that is putting pressure on classroom space, programs, and services the system provides. This growth will make it necessary to build new schools to accommodate the increasing number of stu dents. as well as, hiring the best teachers for our schools. I believe parents play an integral role in the education process and need to be involved in their child’s education and for their voice to be heard. Their sup port is key to having success in academics and extracurricular programs. I also believe that the Board of Education is re sponsible to the taxpayers who Ricky Sanders fund our school system and should make sure every dollar spent is maximized for student learning.” “I had the privilege of at tending Jackson County schools and graduating with a good education that prepared me for the future, so I feel it is important to give something back by serving as a board member. My knowledge of the county, local governments, as See Sanders, page 3A COVID decline continues Here are the seven-day moving averages of new area COVID cases this week (March 7) compared to last week (Feb. 28). •Jackson Co. 6.0, down 21.0% • Hall Co. 9.9, down 47.9% •Barrow Co. 4.0, down 32.2% •Gwinnett Co. 42.1, down 42.6% •State 673.3, down 28% COVID HOSPITALIZATIONS Northeast Georgia Health System: 50, down 26.5% from Feb. 28 Photo by Ben Munro Hoschton police chief Brad Hill stands in what will be his office at the city’s police station site. Hill estimates renovations to the Hwy. 53 building, formerly a florist shop, to be 80% complete. Getting closer Hoschton police station taking shape By Ben Munro ben@mainstreetnews. com HOSCHTON — Police chief Brad Hill walked through Hoschton’s soon- to-be police station on a Friday morning, pointing out the new touches and eagerly anticipating the final product. “I'm like a kid in a candy store right now,” said Hill amid fresh paint and new floors. “I’m ready to get moved in and get things rolling.” Hill estimated building renovations to be 80% complete, though that won’t prevent him from moving in early at the 4162 Hwy. 53 location. Installation of phones and internet ser vice was anticipated on Tuesday (March 8). so Hill could set up shop this week or early next week as Hoschton's fledg ling police department continues to take shape. The approximate 1,400 square-foot space — formerly a florist shop — will feature four offices along with an open space for an officer work station. The layout includes Hill’s office, a clerk's of fice. an additional office and an evidence room. The city budgeted $50,000 for the police station project. While the building is moving along. Hill pointed to one of the new depart ment’s biggest challenges right now — the availability of vehicles. “The biggest thing we’re having a run- in with is cars,” Hill said. “I’ve got an other (Dodge) Durango ordered, and it’s been pushed back to June or July now. In addition to working on this (the station) everyday and patrolling the city, I'm ac tually out looking for some cars.” “Of course, we've got to have some cars to hire somebody else,” added Hill, who also hopes to purchase a used vehi cle for part-time officer use. The department does have an employ ee on the way. According to Hill, the city has hired a police clerk, who will begin work March 22. Hill said the department can move See Police, page 3A MAILING LABEL Braselton Weekend event Wooden bridge repair project to begin By Ben Munro ben@mainstreetnews. com A wooden bridge in western Braselton will see its most significant improvements since its construction. With materials arriving last week, work is set to begin on the Silk Tree Pointe Bridge located in the Mulberry Park neigh borhood. Crews will replace all decking on the bridge, which was constructed in the early 2000s. The project will also replace some pieces on the side of the bridge that have splits and rots. The bridge, which crosses the Mulberry River, also sustained damage in December when a driver, later charged with DUI, crashed into it (a court decision could force the driver to pay for repairs to that portion). Braselton town manager Jennifer Scott said the bridge is serviced about every five years and inspected every two years and has no structural problems. “It’s not the first time we’ve done main tenance to it.” Scott said. “It's just the most Photo by Ben Munro The Silk Tree Pointe Bridge in Bra- selton’s Mulberry Park neighbor hood will be undergoing renova tions. significant maintenance project we've done.” The project, approved by the town coun cil in August, will cost just under $265,000. Money for the repairs will come from the See Bridge, page 3A Braselton Paddy’s DayPathFestand PathQuestset for March 12 The sixth-annual Paddy’s Day PathFest and PathQuest will be hosted at the Braselton LifePath on Saturday, March 12. Festivities mn from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. beginning with a St. Paddy's Day-themed dec orated golf cart Path parade along the east side of Hwy. 211, followed by a Quest challenge. Prizes for best-dec- orated carts and costumes are sponsored by the Braselton Community Improvement District (CID). This event is sponsored by the Buy Local Braselton pro gram. Learn more at www. BraseltonLifePath.com.