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32 Pages 3 Sections, Plus Preprints A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Winder, Barrow County Georgia 50« Copy Wednesday, September 7, 2016 No action taken on OSD opposition By Alex Pace News-Journal Reporter The Barrow County Board of Education did not take any action Tuesday to oppose a proposed state amendment creating Opportunity School Districts. The BOE deferred any potential action on an opposition resolution until at least next Tuesday, when it meets for its BOE self-evaluation. The item was notably absent from the BOE's agenda Tuesday night after a lengthy discussion the previous week. But chairman Mark Still did comment that the headline of last week’s Barrow News- Journal reflected only one BOE member’s opinion. “I want to clarify something from our meeting from last week,” said Still. “I was pretty clear that I understood what the article meant but I’ve had people in the community tell me that they weren’t clear that an individual board member made the comment that made the headline on the (.Barrow News-Journal). That was Mrs. Stevens’ opinion, not my opinion, not the opinion of this board. I just wanted to be clear that that was the case.” Following a presentation by Georgia School Boards Association executive director Valarie Wilson last week, Stevens said local school leaders should fight the proposed amendment and had the power to tell the governor to ‘‘go to hell.” See BOE on Page 2A Barrow Briefs Headline Correction In the Aug. 31 edition of the Barrow News-Journal, there was an incorrect headline. The main headline for the story “Voters should tell Gov. ‘go to hell’” was correct. However, the subheadline above it said “BOC member.” Lynn Stevens, who made the comment about Governor Nathan Deal, is a mem ber of the Barrow County Board of Education, not the Barrow County Board of Commissioners. Low-cost spay, neutering offered Leftover Pets offers low cost spay/neuter surgeries at their clinic in Winder at 610 Barrow Park Drive. September clinic days are Mondays, Tuesdays. Thursdays and Fridays. Prices are $85 for a female dog over 25 lbs., $65 for a female dog up to 25 lbs., $55 for a male dog, $55 for a female cat. $35 for a male cat. A $5 discount for any sur gery patient no older than 5 months (as determined by Leftover Pets veterinarian). All surgery prices include a free rabies vaccination. The group does not add fees for in-heat or pregnant animals. Financial assistance is available for any low income Barrow County resident. For more information on clin ic services, visit http://www. leftoverpets.org. Appointments are required and must be made by calling 770-307-3499. Inside Today Church News 10A Classifieds 5-6C Legals 7-12C Obituaries 11A Pets of the Week 4C Public Safety 8-10A Sports 1-8BB r Friday Knight Lights: CHEERING FOR THE HOME TEAM With Winder-Barrow High School and Apalachee High School both on the road last Friday, the Bethlehem Christian Academy Knights were the only game in town. The Knights are in their second year of playing their home games on campus. See today’s sports section, beginning on page 1B, for complete high school football coverage. Photos by Jessica Brown Downtown Winder: Jug Tavern Festival set Sept. 9-10 The annual Jug Tavern Festival is coming up Sept. 9 and 10 in downtown Winder. The festival will host live entertainment, a corn hole tour nament, more than 50 arts and crafts booths, a car and truck show, kids’ activities, a carnival, food vendors and BBQ. For the 2016 event, a Jug Tavern Festival Bed Race has been added. “Bed races are a ton of fun and provide an opportunity for busi nesses, organizations or friends to compete with one another while racing a constructed bed down the street.” organizers state. Who’s Bad, a nationally-known Michael Jackson Tribute Band, will headline Friday’s entertain ment and Phil Vassar is Saturday’s headline entertainer. Admission to the event is free. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FRIDAY. SEPT. 9 •5 p.m. - Festival opens •5 p.m.- Corn Hole Tournament (Individual entries, blind draw) •7 p.m. - Joe Hall will perform •9 p.m. - Who’s Bad will per form SATURDAY. SEPT. 10 •10:30 to 11:30 a.m. - Bed Race Team check-in •11 a.m. - Festival opens •12 p.m. - Bed Race • 1 p.m. - Corn Hole Tournament (Individual entries, blind draw) •3 p.m. - Chris Garner •4:30 p.m. - Megan Fowler •6 p.m. - Georgia Red Clay will perform •7:30 p.m. - Lance Stinson will perform •9 p.m. - Phil Vassar will per form Inside Today: •BOC holds hearing on new fiscal year budget. •Winder Fire Department to host 9-11 memorial service. •BOE to keep same millage rate. — Page 2A Mailing Label Below FY 2017: Auburn approves budget By Sk aron Hog'an News-Journal Reporter The Auburn City Council approved its Fiscal Year 2017 budget on Sept. 1. The General Fund budget is $3.1 million, up from $2.97 million in FY2016. The total increase is $129,525 or 4.4 percent. The proposed water budget is $1,535 million in revenue and $1,507 million in expenses. The proposed storm-water budget for FY2017 is $102,459 in revenue and $102,459 in expenses. The combined city budgets for FY 2017 are $4,738 mil lion in revenues and $4,710 million in expenses, compared to $4.6 million in revenues and $4.6 in expenses in FY 2016. The Barrow County rate is expected to stay at 4.931 mills. The council also approved the Gwinnett County millage rate at 4.951 mills. See Auburn on Page 3A RIBBON CUTTING Barrow County Schools superintendent Chris McMichael speaks last Thursday during the official ribbon cutting for the new Russell Middle School. See more coverage on page 2A. Photo by Jessica Brown