About The Sylvania times. (Sylvania, Ga.) 2022-current | View Entire Issue (April 13, 2022)
(VOL. 1 NO. 14 April 13, 2022 Quality News SERVING ALL OF SCREVEN COUNTY SYLVANIA, GEORGIA • $1.25) Sarevm Cismwiiy named jl<P ffmmr SckmC National and local news re ported last week that Betty Lewis, widow of Julian E. Lewis has been awarded $4.8 million from the state of Georgia. In a statement by Hall and Lampros, attorneys for Lew is, they said, “while the settle ment does not bring back Mr. Lewis, it sends a message to the State that unnecessary use of force against citizens is un lawful, morally corrupt, and carries legal consequences.” Lewis, 60, was shot and killed when trooper Jacob Thompson attempted to stop -Joe Brady Editor State School Superintendent Rich ard Woods named Screven County High School one of 239 Advanced Placement Schools for 2022. The 2022 AP Honor Schools are named in eight categories, based on results from the 2021 AP courses and ex ams. Screven County was listed under the AP Challenge category with enrollments of 900 or less students testing in english, math, science, and social studies. The remaining categories are: AP Access and Support Schools- schools with at least 30% of AP exams taken by students who iden tified themselves as African-Amer ican and/or Hispanic and 30% of Commissioner John Triplett WORKS TIRELESSLY FOR DISTRICT 7 -Joe Brady Editor “I try to model my life after my Uncle Tom Triplett and if I can have the same impact as he did, I will have accomplished a lot.” John commented recently as we dis cussed his re-election campaign for District 7 County Commissioner. John is a native of Screven County and a 2004 graduate of SCHS. John entered politics to better un derstand both taxes and govern ment. In fact, his business knowl edge and experience as a business owner is what his peers took into consideration when asking him to head up the county budget process four years ago. John has been in the grocery busi ness since 2010 and is co-owner of B&T’s Food Fresh Market with several locations around Georgia and South Carolina. The father of four admits to run ning the county like his own busi ness. “I’m more conservative with the taxpayer’s money than my own. For instance, we have had a millage rate reduction as well as adding fire departments which lowers the hom eowner’s taxes.” There is a lot John is proud of dur ing his first term as Commissioner. “We saved our hospital, that is one of the most important things and it was essential for continued growth of the community. A county without a hospital is detrimental to future economic growth.” John also counts as a county com mission accomplishment the pro motion of Lori Burke as well as the Rec Department expansion. John doesn’t just talk the talk; he actively promotes Screven County growth. For instance, he put up his own money to develop land in his neigh borhood to promote the growth of his hometown. John and his family are members of First Baptist Church, where he is a deacon. “My parents instilled a strong work ethic and moral char acter in us. Mom and Dad taught us to live by the golden rule and to care about our neighbors.” In fact, John credits his parents, William, and Becky Oliver Triplett with equipping he and his two siblings with the strong moral character that makes up their lives today. The Triplett family also sponsors the Donnie Oliver Scholarship for high school senior football players each year. The scholarship is awarded to the player who exhibits Christian character and leadership. John’s list of goals for his second term is to focus on the infrastructure of the county to promote increased growth. He admits to enjoying be ing in government, “I enjoy the trust my constituents have placed in me. and I will continue to work tireless ly for a bigger, better Screven Coun ty. But let’s not talk about changing Screven, why change something that isn’t broken? Let’s improve upon what we have.” John believes as his Uncle Tom Triplett believed, who was instru mental in the redevelopment of downtown, hard work pays off. In addition to representing District 7 and running a small business, John sits on the advisory board of MDI or Merchants Dis tributors, as well as little league coach, putting his college bas ketball career to good use. He is also the liaison for the Industrial Development Au thority. This June he will travel to Washington D.C. where he will meet with the Na tional Grocers As sociation (NGA) and the MDI Ad visory board to discuss legisla tion with senators affecting small business. “Contrary to what some may be lieve, the relationship between the City and County is stronger than it has been in a long time. The budget is balanced, and the voters can be rest assured that their local govern ment is working for them.” “When it boils down to it,” John explained, “I am running again because I want to build upon what we have started and to leave my community better for my kids and my neighbors’ kids.” Pictured are John and his wife Kaylee with children Carlee, Avery, Aubree, and Emory. “I am running again because I want to leave my community better for my children and my neighbors’ children,” John said, (photo contributed) all AP exams earning scores of 3 or higher. AP Expansion Schools - AP schools with 25% grown in AP student par ticipation from May 2020 to May 2021 and a minimum of 25 students testing in May 2020. AP Humani ties Schools - Schools with a minimum of five students testing in ELA, two history/social science courses, one fine arts course and one world language course. AP Humanities Achievement Schools - AP Humanities schools with at least 50% of all AP Humani ties exams earning scores of 3 or higher. AP Schools of Distinction - Schools with at least 20% of the total student population taking AP exams and at least 50% of all AP exams earning scores of 3 or higher. AP STEM Schools - Schools with a minimum of five students testing in at least four AP STEM courses. AP STEM Achievement Schools - AP STEM schools with at least 50% of all AP STEM exams earning scores of 3 or higher. “I’m very proud of Screven County High School for being named a 2022 AP Honor School. Our offering of at least one AP course in each of the four core content areas is a testament to the commitment of the adminis tration and teachers at Screven County High School to provide challenging academic opportuni ties for our students and prepare them for post-secondary learn ing,” Dr. Jim Thompson, super intendent of the Screven County School System said. The Georgia Department of Ed ucation began recognizing AP Honor Schools in 2008. Register to vote for the May Primary -Joe Brady Editor The last day for citizens to register to vote in the General Primary/Non-Par- tisan/Special Election and Runoff Election is April 25, 2022. This is also the earliest day for the local registrar to mail a regular absentee ballot for the May General Primary. Registering to vote has never been simpler with a computer or phone. Simply visit www.sos.ga.gov and go to the elections tab. Through the Secretary of State site you may check voter registration or register to vote. Georgia law requires photo identification when voting, either in person or absentee. Acceptable identification for in-person voting is: • Valid state or federal government issued photo ID including a free ID card issued by the Screven County registrar’s office or the Department of Driver Services. • Georgia’s driver’s license, even if expired. • Student ID from a Georgia college or university. • Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, or Georgia. • Valid US passport. • Vaid US military photo ID containing a photo of the voter. • Valid tribal photo ID containing a photograph of the voter. Bring one of these forms of identification to vote in person. Lifestyles 2 Editorials 3 Church News 4 Obituaries 5 Classifieds 8 Legals 8 Sports ...9 & 10 Farm & Land .. 11 State awards widow $4.8 million -Joe Brady Editor him for a traffic-related of fense in the county back in August 2020. A grand jury de clined to indict Thompson on the charges of felony murder and aggravated assault. Julian E. Lewis TRIPLETT District 7 County Commissioner
