Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

52 Pages 3 Sections, Plus Preprints A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Winder, Barrow County Georgia 50c Copy Wednesday, August 24, 2016 Officials eye 2017 SPLOST referendum Citizens committee organizational meeting planned for Oct. 17 By Scott Thompson News-Journal Reporter After failing to do so this year. Barrow County government officials are aiming to include a 1-cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) referendum on voters’ ballots in November 2017. If approved by voters, the tax, which would be a continuation of the current one already in place, would take effect July 1, 2018. It would fund various cap ital improvements across the county and in each of its municipalities, including upgrades to roadways, water and sewer systems and other infrastructure, parks and recreation projects and public safety improvements. A Citizens Project Selection Committee is being formed to vet a list of proj ects and make its recommendation to the Barrow County Board of Commissioners for which ones will appear on the ballot. An organizational meeting has been scheduled for Oct. 17 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Terry England Conference Room Inside Today: •Solar Farm vote postponed by BOC. •No tax increase in final budget proposal. — Page 2A of Lanier Technical College, 965 Austin Road, Winder, according to a county news release. County residents interested in serving on the committee are asked to contact Danielle Austin, the Board of Commissioners clerk, at 770-307-3005 or daustin@barrowga.org. The Board of Commissioners voted last month not to include a SPLOST referen dum on the general election ballot Nov. 8. It would have been in effect for five years through June 2023 and would have raised an estimated $56.6 million. Of that total, roughly $7.4 million - or 13 per cent - would have gone toward a county recreational complex project at Fort Yargo State Park. See SPLOST on Page 2A Barrow Briefs Statham Library to host upcoming events The Statham Public Library has the following programs and events planned for the upcoming months. •Thursday, Aug. 25, at 5:30 p.m.: adult beginning comput er skills class. For reservations, call 770-725-4785. •Thursday, Sept 1, at 11 a.m.: homeschool parents organiza tional meeting. •Friday, Sept 9, at 1 p.m.: knitting club starts back every other Friday. •Saturday, Sept 17, at 9 a.m, book sale in front of library during the Sunflower Festival. •Thursday, Sept 22 at 5:30 p.m.: adult beginning comput er skills class. For reservations, call 770-725-4785. •Saturday, Sept 24. at 11 a.m.: “The Book You’ve Been Meaning to Write For Years” Writing Class. •Saturday, Oct 1, at 11 a.m.: “The Book You’ve Been Meaning to Write For Years” Writing Class. Inside Today Church News 10A Classifieds 14-15A Legals 4-8B Obituaries 13A Pets of the Week 9A Public Safety 7-8A, 12A Sports 1-3B, 9-12B Contact Us SCENIC BARROW The water wheel in downtown Auburn made for a scene worth photo graphing Sunday afternoon. Photo by Jessica Brown V Foul play not suspected Phone: 770-867-6397 Mail: 77 E. May Street, Winder, Ga. 30680 Fax: 706-621-4115 Mailing Label Below Woman’s body found in Ft. Yargo State Park lake The body of a 52-year-old Covington woman was discovered in the lake at Fort Yargo State Park Friday. The body has been identified as Lynn Anne Bowen. A fisherman discovered the body near a designated beach area. Officials with the Winder Police Department and Winder Fire Department responded to the scene at approximately 8:30 a.m. Friday. A vehicle and other personal belong ings were found near where the body was discovered. The body was sent to the GBI crime lab although foul play is not suspect ed. WPD officials said. Barrow GOP, Democrats set to host political events By Chris Bridges News-Journal Editor With the 2016 presidential cam paign in high gear, both the Barrow County Republican Party and Barrow County Democrats will host events this weekend. The annual Barrow County GOP BBQ will be Saturday, Aug. 27, at 5 p.m. at the Winder Woman’s Club at 354 E. Broad Street. Event organizers said food, fun and door prizes will be available and patriotic music will be provided by the Yargo Community Band. U.S. Senator David Perdue, who is not up for re-election in 2016, will be the guest speaker. Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp will also attend along with GAGOP first vice-chair, Michael McNeely. Members of U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson’s staff are also scheduled to be at the event although Isakson himelf will not be able to attend due to scheduling conflicts. Barrow County Republican Party chairman Ken Young said various Trump for President items will be available, some free and others, including oval stickers and buttons, for sale at a small cost. Tickets to eat are $15 for adults, $7.50 for ages 6-12 and free for ages 5-and-under. Take-out plates will be available and tickets may be purchased at the door on the day of the event. Reservations can also be made by emailing chairman @barrowgop. org or by calling 770-867-5748. More information is available on the Barrow GOP website at www. barrowgop.org. In addition, the Barrow County Democrats will host a “Presentation of Candidates” on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Winder YMCA. Presenters will be City of Winder council member Michael Healan and state represenative Dewey McClain (D-Gwinnett.) McClain is a former Atlanta Falcon and president of the Atlanta North Georgia Labor Council AFL-CIO. Barrow County Democratic Party chairman Dwight Acey said every one is welcome to attend the event and there is no charge. For more information, vist www. barrowdems.com. See Politics on Page 2A World War II vet celebrates another milestone Auburn resident Arthur J. Burns turns 95 BURNS WHILE IN THE NAVY Although Arthur J. Burns was not born in Georgia, he currrently resides in Auburn, with his daughter and son- in-law, Susan and Larry Ballard. Burns was born and raised in Tallahassee, Fla., and to this day is proud to tell you about his heritage in that Sunshine State city. He will also be glad to tell you all about com ing up on “granddad- dy's” farm. His grand father sold his farm to what now is the home of Tallahassee Community College. He lived in Tallahassee for most of his life, except approxi mately seven years spent in New York. Give him the time and he’ll tell you all about that “adventure” also. He enjoys telling about his time in World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy. Unlike many vets who do not have fond memories and even very sad sto ries and memories. Burns was spared many of the bad war sights that many remember. He tells about being a diesel mechanic aboard the LCT landing crafts. See Veteran on Page 3A BURNS RECENTLY TURNED 95