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32 Pages 3 Sections, Plus Preprints A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Winder, Barrow County Georgia 50« Copy Wednesday, August 31, 2016 BOC member: Voters should tell Gov. ‘go to hell’ By Alex Pace News-Journal Reporter One Barrow County Board of Education member opposed to the governor’s Opportunity School District proposal thinks voters should tell the "governor to go to hell and take his money with him.” The Barrow County BOE plans to take a stand against a proposed state constitution amendment creating “Opportunity School Districts.” The BOE will likely sign a reso lution opposing the amendment at its Sept. 6 meeting. The BOE will join several boards through out the state that are voicing opposition. But BOE member Lynn Stevens said teachers and administrators also need to get involved. “If our teachers are happy being teachers in the cultures in the schools that we have created, then they need to fight this with their heart and souls,” said Stevens. "...And they have the power, along with the admin istrators to send a message to the governor to go to hell and take his money with him.” The OSD amendment, which would allow the state to take over “failing” schools, will be on the Nov. 8 General Election ballot. MISLEADING? Several have voiced opposition, includ ing the Georgia School Boards Association executive director Valarie Wilson, who slammed the amendment at the Barrow BOE’s Aug. 30 meeting. Part of Wilson’s concern is the wording. The preamble, which introduces the ballot item to voters, reads: “Provides greater flexibility and state accountability to fix fail ing schools through increasing community involvement.” Wilson warned the preamble’s wording is “dangerous.” See BOE on Page 2A Barrow Briefs Square dance lessons offered Modern Western Square Dance lessons for- beginners start next month at the YMCA in Winder. The Jug Tavern Square Dance Club will host dance lessons on Tuesday nights from 7:30- 9:30 p.m., at the YMCA at 50 Brad Akins Drive, Winder, beginning Sept. 13. No YMCA membership is required and no partner is required. The first three lessons are free, with donations appreci ated afterwards. The square dance motto is “Square Dancing is Friendship Set to Music”. Square dancing meets the physical education require ments for home schooling. Contact Boyd or Teresa McLocklin at 770-540-3341 or Sharon or Buddy Davis at 770-513-1189 for more infor mation. See more information at the club website by visiting www.jugtavernsquares.org. Inside Today Church News 12A Classifieds 2-3C Legals 4-8C Obituaries 15A Op-Ed 5A Pets of the Week 9A Public Safety 7-8A, 10A Sports 1-8BB Contact Us Phone: 770-867-6397 Mail: 77 E. May Street, Winder, Ga. 30680 Fax: 706-621-4115 Summer tradition: Politics and BBQ UMir 'ISS GOUERNI V<5> REP A BARROW COUNTY TRADITION The annual Barrow County Republican Party BBQ, held Saturday at the Winder Lions Club, is a mixture of politics, food and fellowship. Barrow GOP chairman Ken Young (above left) welcomes those to the 2016 event. Plenty of BBQ and other fixtures were available (above right). Photos by Jessica Brown SIGNS OF THE TIME With the 2016 presidential election now just two months away, plenty of Trump-Pence campaign items were available at Saturday’s Barrow County Republican Party gathering. The event draws a large crowd of local political enthusiasts each summer. SPD officer continues to recover 28-year-old female suspect in custody Jessica Fox is in custody. The 28-year-old woman who allegedly drove over a Statham Police Department officer has been arrested by the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office, a release said Tuesday morning. The BCSO had been request ed by the Statham Police Department to help track down Fox after the injuries sustained by Officer Marc Lofton of the Statham Police Department during a Saturday traffic stop. On Aug. 27 at approxi mately 5 p.m.. Officer Marc Lofton was injured while he was attempting to place Fox under arrest following a traffic stop on Dooley Town Road, when Fox reportedly put the vehicle into drive and sped off while dragging Lofton, before ultimately running over both of his legs. Fox fled the scene in the vehicle, which was later recovered on Corbin Drive in Statham. Officer Lofton was trans ported to an area hospital. Updates on his health have not been issued although reports indicated he suffered a con cussion. “I, along with the guys at Statham Police Department and the entire City of Statham. are greatly appreciative of the hard work and dedication of resources put forth by the Barrow Sheriff’s Office to bring this nightmare to a con clusion,” said Statham Police Chief Allan Johnston. “Just a great example of professional ism, work ethic and bonding of the men and women of the thin blue line.” See Suspect on Page 2A Mailing Label Below Barbara Dooley headlines United Way Barrow kickoff event County businesses aiming to raise $385K in annual campaign By Scott Thompson News-Journal Reporter As the wife of a former foot ball coach, Barbara Dooley under stands what it takes to accomplish goals. “When you set a goal, you have to go after it,” Dooley told a crowd of local company leaders from around Barrow County on Friday. Dooley, the wife of University of Georgia coaching legend Vince Dooley, was the keynote speaker for the United Way of Northeast Georgia’s annual fundraising cam paign kickoff event. Last Friday’s event was held at the Chico’s customer service cen ter in Winder. “I came because I love United Way,” said Dooley, who was on the advisory board of the Northeast Georgia branch for several years and at one time served as an hon orary campaign chair. “A lot has changed in the world, but one thing that hasn’t changed is that United Way still gives 99 cents for every dollar raised in our communities. They help take care of northeast Georgia.” See United Way on Page 3A KICKOFF LUNCHEON Barbara Dooley, wife of University of Georgia foot ball coaching legend Vince Dooley, was the keynote speaker at Friday’s Barrow United Way annual cam paign kickoff event at the Chico’s customer service center in Winder. Photo by Scott Thompson