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36 Pages 3 Sections, Plus Preprints A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Winder, Barrow County Georgia 50« Copy Wednesday, September 14, 2016 BOE joins OSD opposition By Alex Pace Neivs-Journa! Reporter Barrow County has joined a grow ing force of Georgia school boards opposing a proposed state constitu tion amendment creating Opportunity School Districts. The Barrow County Board of Education approved an opposition resolution at its Sept. 13 meeting. Connie Wehunt was not present for the vote. Rickey Bailey abstained from the vote since the resolution didn’t say it was based on the BOE’s interpretation of the amendment. But after the vote, he said he would support the BOE’s decision. Georgia voters will consider the amendment in the Nov. 8 General Election. The proposed amendment would allow the state to take over “failing” schools. Some BOE members were critical of how Governor Nathan Deal, a pro ponent of the amendment, is present ing the OSD. “My big concern is that the position that the Governor is taking is that all the systems that are against OSD are ones that do not have very good schools,” said Michael Shelley. “... And he’s saying that all the systems don’t want students — children — advancing and getting better.” See BOE on Page 5A Sunflower Festival scheduled Saturday The annual Statham Sunflower Festival will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17. Craft ven dors, food vendors and information booths will be set up in the downtown area. There will also be pony rides, inflatables, train rides and other activities. The entertainment acts are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with different performances all during the day. The street dance is from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., with Heavy Rain performing. A sunflower quilt will be given away from a drawing of tickets purchased between now and the afternoon of the festival. Barrow Briefs Low-cost spay, neutering offered Leftover Pets offers low cost spay/neuter surgeries at its 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 and $35 for a male cat. A $5 discount is available for any surgery patient no older than five months (as deter mined by Leftover Pets vet erinarian). All surgery prices include a free rabies vaccina tion. 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 clinic services, visit http:// www.leftoverpets.org. Appointments are required and must be made by calling 770-307-3499. Classes of 1948, ‘49 to hold reunion The Winder High School classes of 1948 and 1949 will host a combined reunion at noon on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Golden Corral in Winder. All class members and their guests are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Enoch Smith at 770-867-2061 or Martha Jean Barnette at 770-867-6786. 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 Mailing Label Below \ PAYING TRIBUTE Early Sunday morning, the Winder Fire Department hosted its annual memo rial service to honor the victims of 9-11. The ringing of the bell (left) honors the victims. Gary Mathews (mid dle) holds his 17-month-old grandson, John. (Bottom left) Winder mayor David Maynard and Winder Fire Chief Matt Whiting present a memorial wreath. See more coverage on page 1C. Photos by Jessica Brown Two die in Hwy. 316 accident Two drivers were killed in an early-morning accident Saturday on Hwy. 316 between Hwy. 81 and Carl-Bethlehem Road. Anthony Hawkins, 21, of Bethlehem, and Aileen Fisk, 39, of Monroe, were both pronounced dead at the scene. Fisk was driving a Dodge Charger westbound in the eastbound lane when she struck a Nissan Rogue being driven by Hawkins, Barrow County Sheriff’s Office officials said. Both vehicles were occupied only by the drivers. Hawkins is a 2013 graduate of Apalachee High School and was a member of the school's cross country, soccer and track teams. His funeral is Saturday, Sept. 17, at River Hills Church in Winder at 3 p.m. The visitation for Fisk, who taught at Atha Road Elementary in Monroe, is from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Smith Memorial Chapel in Winder. The funeral will follow. Hwy. 316 was closed for approx imately two and a half hours. The BCSO is continuing to investigate the accident, officials said. Former YMCA location to be special- events venue By Scott Tliompson News-Journal Reporter After more than half a decade of abandonment, the former YMCA site in the River Walk subdivision in Bethlehem is poised to become a special-events venue. The Barrow County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a change to the spe cial-use permit for the 3.3-acre site at 1947 Waterside Circle that previously only allowed a YMCA as part of a master planned devel opment. According to county documents, the property owner, FTH & SRT Properties & Investment, plans to operate an upscale event facility for weddings, corporate functions and other similar events. See BOC on Page 5A Classroom standouts: BCSS honors Teachers of the Year TEACHER SALUTE The Barrow County School System recognized its teachers of the year at the Sept. 6 board meeting. Photo courtesy of BCSS By Al ex Pace News-Journal Reporter Several Barrow County School System teachers received some special recognition last week. The Barrow County Board of Education recognized its Teachers of the Year at its Sept. 6 meeting. TOTY included: ANN MARIE MILLER Auburn Elementary School Ann Marie Miller, the Auburn Elementary School Teacher of the Year, was described as dependable and a team player. AES principal Shawn Wilson also noted Miller’s humility. “While she is probably the most passionate teacher I've ever come across, she is also the most humble.” said Wilson. This is Miller’s second career, but Wilson said she has “found what she loves and what she was put on earth to do.” Her colleagues recognize her for working late, coming in early and working during lunch. They say she is determined and dedicated to helping students succeed. Wilson also noted that Miller attends many of her students' extracurricular events and said, “The smiles on the children’s faces make you know that this is a moment they’ll always remember.” Her students said she always treats them fairly and “makes science feel cool to learn.” See Teachers on Page 2A