About The Forest-blade. (Swainsboro, Ga.) 1996-current | View Entire Issue (May 27, 2020)
NEW LIVING ROOM SETS IN OUR SHOWROOM! MATTRESS W E Find uson check out our website: Facebook www.customfurn itureflooring .com FURNITURE*FLOOR COVERING CO. 104 West Pine St., Swainsboro GA • 237-6483 CHEVROLET • BUICK • GMC TRUCKS I ^^w.widanielscffev.'comf U.S. Hwy. 80 East at SR #56, Swainsboro, GA 478.237.4111 • 1.800.424.8721 0% APR FOR 84 MONTHS for very well qualified buyers on most 2020 Buick SUV models. 1 The Forest-Blade EMANUEL COUNTY jii/e.Cdm ©2019 Emanuel County News-payers Inc. All rights reserved. VOLUME 161, NO. 22 Swainsboro, Georgia • May 27,2020 ONE DOLLAR KARRH O'CONNOR SMITH JNC recommends candidates for Middle Judicial Circuit From JNC.GEORGIA. GOV The Judicial Nominating Commissionhas submit ted recommendations to fill a vacancy within the Superior Court of the Middle Judicial Circuit. The vacancy was creat ed by the resignation of the Honorable Kathy S. Palmer, effective April 13,2020. Governor Brian Kemp will fill the vacan cy from among the list. The Governor's Office will contact candidates to schedule interviews. The following names were submitted to Governor Kemp: • Tobe C. Karrh — Attorney, The Law Office of Tobe C. Karrh, LLC; Office of the Public Defender, Middle Judicial Circuit • Rizza Palmares O'Connor — Chief Magistrate Judge, Toombs County Magistrate Court • Tommy J. Smith — Judge, State Court of Toombs County Karrh and Smith were to appear on voters' ballots in the primary election as the sole two candidates for Superior Court Judge of the Middle Judicial Circuit. However, due to the JNC's decision on May 22 to appoint one of the three aforementioned individuals, neither of their names nor anyone else's will appear on voters' ballots because a race for the judge's seat is no longer required. Confused about how to vote in the primary? Here's what you need to know Voting in primary elections can be tricky if you're not prepared. The Honorable Judge Bobby Reeves wrote a helpful, informative post on Facebook, and The Blade has publish es the following, some taken from his post, with the intent of informing voters about what to expect when heading to the polls over the next two weeks. In a nutshell, voters can not cross party lines in neither this election nor the run-off, should there be one. Primary voting can be confusing because voters have to select between a Democrat ballot, a Republican bal lot, or a Non-Partisan ballot. This applies to absentee ballots, early vot ing, or Election Day voting. Different candidates appear on dif ferent ballots, and you have to know what ballot the person you want to vote for is on. For instance, in the sheriff's race, if a voter wants to sup port Billy Brantley, Allen Durden, or Johnny James Smith, that voter must select a Democrat ballot. Conversely, if a voter wants to support Jeffery Brewer, Rocky Davis, or Ashley Riner, that voter must ask for a Republican ballot. They are not all on the same (Continued on page 2A) Absentee, early voting show huge turnout already The Emanuel County Office of Elections opened its doors for early voting last week and according to Director Kerry Curry, 1,632 absentee votes via mail and 463 in-person early votes have been cast thus far as of 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, prior to press time. This is a massive increase in absentee voting and early voting compared to other elections. The Elections Office is located at 105 South Main Street in Swainsboro. Their staff can be reached at 237-3471 for questions about voting. BEGINNING OF CLYDE BARNES ROAD AT HIGHWAY 80 Commissioners grant road closure request for portion of Clyde Barnes Road by WHITLEY CLIFTON The Emanuel County Board of Commissioners convened Monday, May 18, at 6 p.m. at the John C. Coleman Hotel for its regularly sched uled monthly meeting. Calling the meeting to order, Commissioner Jim Sherrod wel comed all prior to Commissioner Keith Thompson leading the prayer. Minutes from meet ings held March 16, April 1, and May 8 were reviewed and motioned for approval by Commissioner Hugh Foskey. Commissioner James Canady second ed this motion, and all voted in favor. County Administrator Guy Singletary addressed board members about an amendment to the Emanuel County Joint Comprehensive Plan that was adopted as a result of the county tak ing over the Emanuel County Senior Center. A motion for approval was made by Canady to adopt said resolution. Commissioner Desse Davis seconded, and all board members voted in favor. Singletary then addressed the commis sioners about renew ing a transfer station's contract with AllGreen Services, LLC. Canady made a motion to enter into a contract with the company for (Continued on page 2A) Only 1 coronavirus case in Emanuel by HALEI LAMB Emanuel County's coronavirus count has decreased to only 1 active case, according to the county commission ers' latest update before press time on Tuesday, May 26. Total, there have been 27 confirmed cases in Emanuel since the virus was first documented locally back in April. Twenty-four of those 27 have recovered while two people have died. A total of 660 patients have been tested alto gether, including 87 patients who are await ing the results of their COVID-19 tests. This time last week, the local count reflected 2 cases. All Emanuel County coronavirus data is gathered by the Emanuel County Board of Commissioners. The commission works with Emanuel Medical Center, East Georgia Healthcare Center, and the Emanuel County Health Department to provide updates Monday through Friday at noon on Facebook. To receive these updates, follow the board of com missioners and turn on your notifications. Also, look inside this edition for a spe cial tabloid, COVID- 19 Frontline Fighters, dedicated to all of our local heroes who have played a part in helping us see our way through this health crisis. QAAaf’s inside... Obituaries Thunderstorms Church Page Sports News....C Section j Editorial Columns.. ...4C tar" Crime Blotter. Classified Listings... Legal Notices ..3D 8122 kkkkk REMEMBER & HONORAAAyA AS WE CELEBRATE THIS MEMORIAL DAY LET US REMEMBER THAT WHILE THE WORLD AROUND US MAY BE DIFFERENT OUR HEARTS REMAIN THE SAME. WE GIVE THANKS AND HONORTO THOSE WHO SACRIFICED ALL. PHONE + INTERNET + TECHNOLOGY + SECURITY I WWW.PINELAND.NET 1 800.247.1266
