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Barrow News-Journal
Barrow County News Est. 1893 • Barrow Journal Est. 2008
16 Pages, 2 Sections
A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Winder, Barrow County, Georgia
Merged August 2016
$1.00 Copy
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Credit: WPD
Winder PD search for those involved in overnight vandalism
on multiple public properties around the city, including the
train depot (pictured).
Winder PD
search for
vandals of
city property
The City of Winder’s
public works and pub
lic safety departments
are continuing their re
sponse this afternoon,
focusing on cleanup
and investigative ef
forts across various
parts of the city that
experienced overnight
graffiti vandalism.
Public properties, in
cluding the train depot,
various concrete struc
tures along the Wilkins
Greenway and street
signs were targeted.
Public works crews
began working Tues
day morning and will
continue removing the
spray paint by pres
sure washing the van
dalized concrete areas.
Teams will also be re
placing any street signs
that cannot be cleaned
to ensure they remain
clear and legible for
motorists.
Winder Police are ac
tively seeking any in
formation that may lead
to the identification of
those responsible.
The Winder Police
Department urges any
one with any informa
tion regarding this van
dalism to reach out via
email at Police.tips@
cityofwinder.com or
by phone at 770-867-
2156.
Local officials plan for the next 20 years
Legend
Targeted Residential
Employment/Industrial
Traditional Neighborhood
West Winder Bypass
l I Suburban Residential
Destination 211
I l Rural Residential
316 Innovation
HH Rural Reserve
E’ll Conservation
■■ Mixed Use Neighborhood
Commercial Corridor
Credit: BOC
Draft update to the county’s future land use map.
By Morgan Ervin
Future growth has been at the
forefront of the minds of elected
officials around the county over
recent months as comprehensive
plan updates are underway.
A comprehensive plan outlines
how a community’s long-term vi
sion will be met over time. Plans
typically provide a 20-year out
look and are required by state law
to be updated every 10 years for
local governments to remain eligi
ble for certain funding sources.
Community goals, land use,
transportation, needs and oppor
tunities are a few of the essential
components of these plans.
Stakeholder interviews and
steering committee meetings
identified key issues the compre
hensive plan should address, in
cluding more industrial and com
mercial businesses, more “middle
management” housing, expansion
of parks and community facilities
and more infrastructure and hous
ing for seniors.
Other key issues identified are
ongoing traffic issues, preserv
ing the rural character area of the
county and resolving the conflict
between the county and the City of
Winder.
THEMES
Findings from online sur
veys conducted March 20-April
11 identify the following seven
themes, all circling around a cen
tral goal of balancing the county’s
growth:
1. Aligning infrastructure in
vestments with development
2. Prioritizing workplace and re
tail growth where appropriate
3. Expanding housing options,
particularly for seniors, young
professionals and growing fami
lies
4. Investing in a parks and recre
ation system
5. Creating a more detailed plan
for south Barrow County (south of
SR 316)
6. Developing land use visions
for Carl and Statham and
7. Improving coordination and
collaboration across jurisdictions
and communities.
The updated plan identifies the
S.R. 316 and 1-85 corridors as the
most suited areas for growth as
they are best served by infrastruc
ture and favorable among develop
ers.
Also considered when identify
ing growth areas is the location of
sewer basins, which are necessary
to support more intense patterns of
growth.
Roadways were also a key con
sideration in identifying growth
areas as the county seeks to min
imize growth on roadways already
burdened with traffic issues and-
have no planned improvement
projects.
Some noteworthy changes to
the county’s future land use map
include expansions to the West
Winder Bypass, suburban resi
dential and traditional residential
character areas.
By expanding the suburban res
idential character area, the coun
ty hopes to better reflect existing
growth patterns, trends, sewer
potential and likely pressure from
the Rowen development in Gwin
nett. The traditional neighbor
hood character area’s expansion
intends to increase opportunities
for different housing types. Both
character areas intend to preserve
established neighborhoods and fa
cilitate quality growth.
The expanded West Winder By
pass intends to reflect the coun-
See Planning, page 2A
Homeless man treats strangers to lemonade
“Because it is better to
give than to receive”
- Terrence “Terry” Brown
Story submtted by Joel Jackson
Random acts of kindness can bring
about great joy for both the giver and
receiver. We have seen celebrities and
T.V. hosts give away millions of dollars
in cash and gifts to individuals. And
perhaps we ourselves have given food,
money or clothing to someone less for
tunate than ourselves. But, almost nev
er have we seen a homeless man give to
strangers... until a few weekends ago.
On Saturday, June 10, around 2 p.m.,
when the temperature was well over
80 degrees, Terrence “Terry” Brown
walked up to Jo Jo’s Gourmet Lemon
ade stand, located outside of the Wind
er Walmart, and offered to pay for the
large frozen strawberry lemonade that
was being prepared for a customer.
And that was just the start of it. Terry
stopped everyone who was entering
or exiting Walmart and informed them
that he wanted to treat them to a free
large frozen lemonade. Initially, people
were hesitant and wondering why this
stranger was willing to buy them some
thing, but, most of them took him up
on his offer and got in line to receive
their free drink. Dawn Carter, co-own
er of JoJo’s Gourmet Lemonade, was
manning the booth. After two hours of
preparing the slushies that were paid
in full by Brown, she ran out of large
cups and ice. But, Brown was not fin
ished with his random act of kindness.
He returned the next day to gift another
round of large frozen lemonade drinks
to more random strangers. “I called
Jo Jo to tell him I was out of large cups
and explained why. He couldn’t believe
it himself, but, was thrilled to learn of
Terry’s generosity and provided me ad
ditional supplies for the next day”, said
Carter. When asked why he was doing
this, Brown simply said, “because it
is better to give than to receive”. The
most surprising part of this whole sto
ry is that while Terry has a job, he is
Pictured: Joel “JoJo” Jakson, found
er and owner of JoJo’s Gourmet
Lemonade
a homeless man. He lives in his track
and randomly gifts strangers at local
food establishments in the area. This
past weekend, he gifted over 50 cups of
frozen lemonade and everyone walked
away with a big smile.
MAILING LABEL
SRTA approves major project on SR 316
By Dave Williams
Capitol Beat News Service
The State Road and Tollway Au
thority (SRTA) signed off Monday
on a major highway improvement
projects on State Route 316.
Board members unanimously ap
proved a resolution authorizing
agreements between SRTA and the
Georgia Department of Transporta
tion (DOT) to split oversight of up
grades to intersections along Geor
gia 316.
The project calls for building sev
en grade-separated intersections
along the busy highway connecting
Athens with 1-85 in Lawrenceville
both to improve traffic flow and
safety. The intersections involved
in the project are in Barrow and
Oconee counties.
The work will be done through
three contracts worth about $350
million in total. The first of the three
contracts will involve two Georgia
316 intersections in Barrow County.
The DOT plans to issue a request
for proposals from interested road
builders for the $100 million con
tract next month and announce the
apparent winner of the bidding in
December. Construction is due to
start during the fall of next year.
In April, the DOT chose the project
as a finalist for the work. The agen
cy plans to announce a “best value
proposer” during the second quarter
of next year. Under the agreements
between SRTA and the DOT, SRTA
will finance the project and pay the
contractor, while the DOT will man
age the construction.
The State Transportation Board al
ready has approved the agreements.
America
Local celebration guide
Auburn’s Independence Day Celebration
July l at 5 p.m. at 1369 4th Ave.
Bring your blanket, sit back and enjoy the largest fireworks
display in the area hosted by the City of Auburn. This year’s
event will also feature a live music performance by Trey
Odom Band, inflatables for the kids, craft vendors, food and
more. Character meet-and-greets will also be available for
those who pre-register at https://buytickets.at/
enchantedevents/937292. For more information or to sign
up as a volunteer, email bhaney@cityofauburn-ga.org.
Star Spangled Statham
July3 from 6 8 p.m. at 1898 Railroad St
Casto Trading Company presents the 5th annual Star
Spangled Staham for a night of family fun featuring live
music, vendors, food and fireworks at dusk. Character
meet-and-greets will also be available to those who RSVP
for free at https://buytickets.at/enchantedevents/943806.
Celebrate Braselton
July 4 from 510 p.m. at 9924 Davis St.
Highlights include a concert on the Town Green featuring
The Soul Purpose Band, kid-friendly activities throughout
downtown, food trucks, local dining and shopping. Fireworks
begin at dark. Restaurants and shops will be open and Town
Hall will be decorated for the holiday and a perfect spot for
family photos and to catch the parade. Food Trucks open at
5 p.m. Patriotic parade on Hwy. 53 - 6 p.m.-6:30 p.m. The
Soul Purpose Band performs 6:30 -9:30 p.m. Fireworks at
dusk.
Celebrate Winder
July 7 at 6 p.m. at Jug Tavern Park
Thank Goodness It’s First Friday presents Celebrate Winder
on July 7 to celebrate the city’s 130th birthday.The birthday
bash will be an evening of celebrating Winder’s past and
present momentum with live music, delicious food and
fireworks. A live performance by the legendary Swingin’
Medallions at 8 p.m. In addition to the Swingin’ Medallions,
there will be a variety of food vendors, activities for kids'
and plenty of opportunities to dance the ni
Admission to the event is free and everv e is invited.