Newspaper Page Text
=1
StarNews
"Faithfully Reporting on What Matters"
1 QQ*1 **** J, **********ALL FOR. ADC 3Q0
»®KfA A PER PROJECT
320 S JACKSON ST
ATHENS GA 3USU2-50U2
5 iiillii iii!,5 i i ii! s i i liSii ii ! i ii ll i i ii l Si £l l i iiiili i ‘i i 'iiii
I
beginning on page 10
SEPTEMBER 2019 • VOLUME 25 NUMBER 9 CARROLL COUNTY, GEORGIA'S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED LOCALLY OPERATED NEWSPAPER
www.starnewsgaonline.com
StarNews monthly traditional print publication /StarNews Online daily local i
Villa Rica City council votes 200% raise for
council members and 217% raise for mayor
Council also votes to reduce millage rate: 2018 6.056 mils to 2019 5.743 mils
WGTC Foundation
raises $61,000 at
annual “Black Tie
& Boots” event
from press release
West Georgia Technical College had
another record breaking year at its annual
fundraiser, Black Tie & Boots. The WGTC
Foundation raised $61,000 for scholarships
and general student support at the 18th
annual event earlier this month with over 40
event partners participating.
See $61,000 page 30
Carroll EMC offices to close
early Oct. 3rd for annual event
All Carroll EMC offices will close early
on Thurs, October 3 for their Annual
Meeting (see page 3.). The Carrollton office
will close at 3:30 p.m. and the district
offices will close at 3:00 p.m.
During the closing, you may still make
payments at the kiosks, automated phone
payment system (770-832-3552), online at
carrollemc.com or via the free Carroll EMC
mobile app.
To report a power outage, call 1-877-9-
OUTAGE (1-877-968-8243) or report it
online or via the mobile app.
by Prissi Sullivan
The Villa Rica City Council’s August 13,
2019 meeting centered on finances, con
cluding with the vote by council (mayor is a
by Sam Gentry
The City of Carrollton Mayor and
Council have announced an increase in the
2019 property taxes it will levy this year by
non-voting member) to raise the mayor’s
pay by 217% and council members pay by
200%.
6.38% over the rollback millage rate. Carroll
County officials calculated the rollback rate
to be 4.324 mills, but the city’s current rate
See CARROLLTON MILLAGE page 27
See HEFTY RAISES page 4
Carrollton City announces tax increase: 6.38%
Carroll County’s 2020
dates for elections,
candidate qualifying,
and voter registration
Commission Chairman Michelle Morgan is guest speaker
at Carrollton Kiwanis Club: the job is “easy and fun”
Newly elected Carroll County Commission Chairman Michelle
Morgan was guest speaker, Carrollton Kiwanis Club, Friday, Sept. 6,
2019. As the first female to hold the position, she said the title
“chairman” was a “generic term that goes with the history of Carroll
County” and she felt honored to use it. Morgan relayed that “every
day is fun” and the job was “easy”. Shown seated left is Sheriff Terry
Langley, club president. Photo and information by Sue Horn
February 24, 2020: Voter registeriation
deadline for Presidential Preference Primary
March 2- 20.2020: Early voting for
Presidential Preference Primary
March 2 - 6 2020: Qualifying for May Primary
March 24,2020: Election Day for
Presidential Preference Primary
April 20.2020: Voter registeriation
deadline to participate in May Primary
April 27,2020- May 15,2020: Early
voting for May Primary
May 19,2020: Election May Primary
June 29- July 17,2020: Early Voting for
Runoff Election
July 21,2020: Primary Runoff Election
October 5, 2019: Voter registeriation
deadline for November General Election
October 12- 30,2020: Early Voting
General Election
November 3,2020: General Election
December 1,2020: Runoff for General
Election (if needed)
Local seats open next year in Carroll
County include county commission
chairman, clerk of courts, probate judge,
tax commissioner, sheriff, and coroner
Candidates who qualified
for municipal seats in the
Nov. 5th Election - see page 8
City school system’s
summer meal program
serves record number
of meals: 29,527'
from press release
With the final tally of the 2019 summer meals
program now official, almost 30,000 free breakfast
and lunch meals were provided to Carrollton area
children and youth in May, June and July, surpassing
last year’s record total by 7,970 meals.
See 29,527 MEALS page 4
A leading educator on dementia
to present: Thursday, Oct. 3rd
“Walk to End Alzhemers” Sept. 28th
by Sam Gentry
The Alzheimer’s Group of Carroll County, Inc. is
dedicated to helping those affected by all forms of
dementia lead the best lives possible. As part of their
efforts, the organization is hosting a renowned
speaker and expert on the disease, Teepa Snow, and
the public is invited.
The non-profit organization, which has been in
See ALZHEIMER’S GROUP page 30
Restaurant inspections
Who passed? Who failed?
Where are you eating this week?
Page 29
Obituary Listing
Page 28
Marriage Licenses Issued
Page 29
LIKE US at
facebook.com/
StarNewsGaOnline
Your SPLOST dollars at work:
Carroll County’s parks continue to grow in attendance and activities
“Go-to” places for family fun, adventure year round
by Sam Gentry
Of the many things that make Carroll
County an amazing place to live, work, and
play, the unique park system with its acres
upon acres of forests, rivers, trails, and special
events is a true standout!
Some of the county parks have been around
for decades and are cherished by locals and
regular visitors alike. These parks have been
built largely with SPLOST hinds (a one cent
optional tax approved by citizens over the
decades). One such location is McIntosh
Reserve Park. The park is located at 1046
West McIntosh Circle in Whitesburg and
boasts 527 acres packed with history, trails, a
splash water park, pavilions, and sweeping
frontage on the Chattahoochee River. It is a
favorite of hikers and equestrian riders.
The park is open year-round except for
Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New
Year’s Day. Hours are 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. (Su
mmer) and 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. (Winter).
Camping and pavilion reservations may be
made by phone (770-830-5879) or in person
Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5
p.m.
Ben Skipper, director of Community
Development and Parks, said on the popular
ity of the county’s park system, “There is so
much for the public to enjoy year round at
their parks. We work hard to provide enjoy
able and safe outdoor adventure for families
and individuals. We are working on a new
enclosed [heated/cooled] pavilion for those
celebrating birthdays, reunions, or graduations
See COUNTY PARKS page 27