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32 Pages 3 Sections, Plus Preprints A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Winder, Barrow County Georgia 50« Copy Wednesday, March 1, 2017 Saunders gets 2 years in prison Former Adult Literacy Barrow director sentenced at hearing By Scott Thompson News-Journal Editor Barrow Briefs School system stakeholder meetings set for this month Each school in the Barrow County School System will hold meetings to get input from families and communi ty members as each begins to identify areas for improve ment for the 2017-2018 school year. The following list indicates when schools will hold their comprehensive needs assess ment stakeholders meetings. Parents are encouraged to attend and provide input in the following areas: •School and district improvement plans •Professional Learning plans •Federal program budgets and plans Meeting locations, dates and times are as follows: •Apalachee High, March 2, 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. •Auburn Elementary, March 21, 5 p.m. •Bear Creek Middle, March 21, 6:30 p.m. •Bethlehem Elementary, March 15, 5 p.m. •Bramlett Elementary, March 9, 5 p.m. •County Line Elementary, March 7, 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. •Haymon Morris Middle, March 9, 6 p.m. •Holsenbeck Elementary, March 9, 6 p.m. •Kennedy Elementary, March 21, 7 a.m. and March 22, 5:30 p.m. •Russell Middle, March 21, 6 p.m. •Statham Elementary, March 9, 5 p.m. •Westside Middle, March 16, 6 p.m. •Winder-Barrow High, March 8, 5 p.m. •Yargo Elementary, March 9, 5 p.m. Index: Church News 10A Classifieds 3-4C Legals 5-11C Obituaries 11A Opinions 4-6A Public Safety 7-9A Sports 1-6, 8B Mailing Label Below 8 *0 4 8 7 9 14541 7 For nearly two decades, Lisa Maloof considered Ron Saun ders her mentor and friend. He was her supervisor from 1998-2002 when he was the Barrow County School System superintendent and she was exec utive director of the non-prof it organization now known as Adult Literacy Barrow — a role he took over post-retirement in 2012. Maloof never could have envi sioned standing in a Barrow County courtroom last week, tearfully detailing how Saunders betrayed her trust and that of an entire community. Saunders pled guilty on Feb. Last month. Barrow County Emergency Services began using the LUCAS device on all cardiac arrest patients. The LUCAS device is an automatic machine that provides continuous compressions to the chest of cardiac arrest vic tims. This means a crew mem ber no longer has to push on the patient's chest (known as compressions) during CPR. It is portable, easily attaches to the patient's body, and delivers per fect chest compressions while the patient is being moved to the ambulance and during transport. High quality CPR is critical for patients experiencing a cardiac The Barrow County Board of Commissioners approved several items at Tuesday's meeting that require budget amendments. Approval was given to spend $261,512 to purchase five Intel- liHot water heaters and storage vessels for the Barrow Coun ty Detention Center. Sheriff Jud Smith talked to the commis sioners about the problems with 22 to a single count of felony theft by taking and was sen tenced to two years in prison for stealing $121,625 from Adult Literacy Barrow over a 23-month period between August 13, 2014 and July of last year. During that time, he forged the signatures of three members of the organization’s board of direc tors on checks roughly 780 times without their knowledge. Saunders was transported late last week to Georgia Diagnostic and Classification State Prison in Jackson. The Georgia Depart ment of Corrections will deter mine if he remains there, or if he will be sent to another prison. Saunders was sentenced to an additional eight years’ probation and must pay full restitution of arrest, and the LUCAS device delivers just that. ‘A special thanks to the Board of Commissioners for approving the purchase of these devices for our community,” said chief John Skinner in a news release. “These devices not only improve patient outcomes, but also reduce potential workers' compensation claims from injuries that may be sustained while performing CPR.” Quality chest compressions can be exhausting, especial ly in less than ideal environ ments (like the back of a moving ambulance). The LUCAS devic es don't get tired, and provide the current 400- and 600-gal- lon tanks. He said the current units were installed at the time the Detention Center was con structed and maintenance per sonnel has determined that the polymer coating lining the tanks has deteriorated to the point of causing system leaks. The new water heaters will be purchased from Ken Clary & Associates LLC and they will come with a 10-year warranty. Funding for the water heaters the embezzled funds within two years of his release from prison. He paid $109,000 the morning of his plea hearing, assistant district attorney David Qulliams said in court. The money comes from the mortgage of property his sister and he owned, Saunders' attor ney, Mark Wiggins, said. Saunders also was required to waive his Fourth Amendment rights, which will permit search es of his home without require ment of a warrant, and he will have to undergo a mental health evaluation and submit to random drug and alcohol screenings. “Dr. Saunders betrayed a trust.” Piedmont Judicial Circuit Court Chief Judge David Motes said while issuing the sentence. perfect CPR compressions, even when moving patients down stairs. This new tool will assist Barrow County Emergency Ser vices in continuing to deliver the highest quality patient care available. New developments in the field of emergency medicine mean more lives are being saved every year. “Barrow County Emergency Services thanks the citizens of Barrow County for their support in providing our service with the most up-to-date, high quality equipment and funding for our department as we continue to build for the future,” Skinner said. will come out of the Detention Center’s fines and fees. OTHER BUSINESS In other business at the meet ing, the BOC: •approved the adoption of the updated employee handbook to become effective March 1, 2017. •unanimously approved a $4,633 budget amendment for the Mental Health Court Grant See BOC on Page 2A “He took money from a pro gram that was designed to help the most needy of the citizens of Barrow County, those who were struggling to read and bet ter themselves. “The evidence is he has con victions, but that does not dis pute his conduct. Dr. Saunders must be punished. ... This pun ishment must let everyone in the community know this type of conduct cannot be tolerated.” ‘23 months of deception’ About 70 people packed a third-floor courtroom at the Bar- row County Courthouse to hear testimony from state and defense witnesses as well as Saunders himself. Statham sued over transfer station By Ron Bridg'eman News-Journal Reporter A company seeking to build a transfer station for solid waste in Statham Industrial Park has sued the City of Statham and city council members. Statham Industrial, which also owns Roll Off Systems, a recycling and waste equipment company, filed the lawsuit Feb. 15 in Barrow County Superior Court. The company charges the city supported the project but then switched positions. The city has denied permits for the company. Mayor Robert Bridges has said several times in public meetings that “we will not be issuing a permit until told to by a (judge).” At the end of a work session Jan. 12, Bridges reiterated, “I done promised you that we’re not going to issue no permit. I don't know what more you want.” He made those com ments in response to prop erty owners in the industrial park who oppose a transfer station. Robert Wall, owner of Cable East, was among the first to publicly oppose the project. He was joined at meetings early this year by Scotty Thurmond, Oconee Foundations, and Dave Headley, Premier Market ing. John Stell, Winder attor ney, also argued against the project, representing Wall. Stell said at one meeting the city would get financial support from the proper ty owners in the industrial park to help pay for a law suit. “We have told the city on many occasions that we would support the city,” Wall said Friday. “Yes, we will support the city financially as soon as that gets worked out (how to provide for private people to contribute to the city’s defense).” Douglas Dillard. Julie Sellers and Jillian Arnold, attorneys with Pursley Friese Torgrimson in Atlan- See Station on Page 3A See Saunders on Page 2A High-quality CPR BCES PLACES LUCAS DEVICES IN SERVICE Barrow County Emergency Services (BCES) began using the LUCAS device on all cardiac arrest patients this month. The LUCAS device is an automatic machine that provides con tinuous compressions to the chest of cardiac arrest victims. BCES places LUCAS devices in service Commissioners approve purchase of hot water heaters for Barrow Detention Center By SL aron Hog'an News-Journal Reporter