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CARROLL COUNTY,
StarNews
CARROLL COUNTY, GEORGIA'S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED / LOCALLY OPERATED NEWSPAPER
The Last Supper
i *L. exhibit at the
Carrollton Center
for the Arts
- see page 2
MARCH 30-APRIL 27 I DEPOT ON BRADLEY
| NEWS REPORTING / NEWS RECAP / NEWS ANALYSIS
StarNews monthly traditional print publication / StarNews Online daily local news \
FEBRUARY 12, 2023 • VOLUME 29 NUMBER 2
www.starnewsgaonline.com
Commission Chairman
Michelle Morgan
presents brief state of
the county address at
chamber breakfast
120 in attendance for annual address
No questions were taken
story by Wayne J. Reynolds
On January 12, 2023, the Carroll County
Chamber of Commerce held its membership
breakfast featuring the 2nd Annual “State of
the County” by Carroll County Commission
Chairman Michelle Morgan, with approxi
mately 120 in attendance.
Chairman Morgan began her thirteen and a
half minute presentation by introducing those
Three lose property
in courthouse steps
auction for failure to
pay back taxes; each
for less than $2,500
170 + county properties went up for public
auction at March 2022 FIFA tax lien sale
story by Sue Horn Evans
A Fieri Facias Lien or Notice (FIFA) is the
official notification that a tax account has been
assigned to a state division for enforcing col
lection of unpaid and due taxes on property.
This is the first step of aggressive collection.
Each year, the Carroll County Tax Office
notifies property owners who are past due, and
Commission chair
schedules and approves
purchase of $3,562
for tailored clothing
for 26 employees
Tax money spent on jackets for
11 female and 15 male employees
story by Sue Horn Evans
Carroll Commission Chair Michelle Morgan
arranged and approved a $3,562 purchase for
tailor-fitted jackets for 26 county employees
and elected officials. Two elected officials
refused the jacket offer: Carroll County Tax
Commissioner Vickie Bearden and County
District 5 Commissioner Ernie Reynolds.
Auditors show county
has accumulated
$18.1M in revenues
over expenses from
past five fiscal years
Cash reserve: 6.4 months of operating
budget on hand at $39,508,245
When questioned, Rushton CPA auditor opined,
“I don’t think that’s too much” extra cash
story by Sue Horn Evans
Carroll County Board of Commissioners
met for their annual (overnight) retreat in
Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA on
Tuesday, January 31 st (full day of meetings)
and Wednesday, February 1st (half day of
meetings). All six district commissioners and
See $18.1 M more collected page 5
County auto insurance to
rise: $508,568 in claims
for fire dept, wrecks
One wrecked 2018 Sutphen Pumper
One wrecked 2019 Ford F-150 Pick-up
story by Sue Horn Evans
On the first day of their retreat, Tuesday,
January 31st, the Carroll County Board of
Commissioners heard from county insurance
provider MarshMcLennan Agency, locally J.
Smith Lanier, Carrollton. Newton Jennings,
See $508,568 IN CLAIMS page 11
Villa Rica council
hear concerns about
homeless camp
story by Janice Daniel
The Mayor and Council of Villa Rica
recently heard from numerous citizens citing
concerns about a homeless camp in the city.
During Public Comments of the council’s
Tuesday, January 10, 2023 regular meeting,
citizens voiced serious concerns about a
See HOMELESS CAMP page 11
See CHAIRMAN MORGAN page 7
See BACK TAXES page 11
See $3,562 JACKETS page 11
Major Craig Dodson of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department
Sheriff’s department offers possible
solutions concerning rising anxiety
between the law and the citizenry
story and photo by Wayne J. Reynolds
National news reports of traffic stops or the serving of civil
papers to the home gone horribly wrong between citizens and
law enforcement, has led many - if not most - citizens today
experience anxiety or nervousness upon seeing flashing blue
lights in your rear view mirror or when there is a knock on your
door. “What have I done?!” you
may ask yourself. The degree of
anxiety certainly will depend on
your personal life experiences.
StarNews sat down with
Major Craig Dodson of the
Carroll County Sheriff’s Depart
ment to discuss what a citizen
should or should not do and
what to expect while interacting
with law enforcement. Dodson
also gave insight on what an officer/deputy faces each work day.
Major Dodson’s background with the Carroll County Sheriff’s
Department began his career in 1990 having been hired by
Sheriff Jack Bell. Over the years, Dodson has worked in K-9,
narcotics, court services, and the jail as he was promoted
through the ranks under three elected county sheriffs: Bell, Tony
Reeves, and Terry Langley. He summed up, “I have done most
everything. See MAJO r CRAIG DODSON page 12
.. .many - if not most -
citizens today
experience anxiety or
nervousness upon
seeing flashing blue
lights in your rear view
mirror or when there is
a knock on your door
This issue is also
posted on over
100 Facebook
community pages,
Twitter,
Linkedln,
&
starnewsgaonline.com
Call 770-722-7227
suehorn.starnews
@gmail.com
waynereynolds.starnews
@gmail.com
SERVING FAMILIES
Almon Funeral Home is here
to help you honor, reflect and
commemorate a life well lived. We
offer advanced funeral planning
to help you with the many service
and cremation options available
to you. Contact us to schedule an
appointment for advanced planning.
ALMON
FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL
SERVICE SINCE 1950
770-832-7056
www.almonfuneraIhome.com
548 Newnan Street
Carrollton, GA 30117
