About StarNews. (Carrollton, GA) 20??-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 13, 2023)
StarNem CARROLL COUNTY, GEORGIA'S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED / LOCALLY OPERATED NEWSPAPER The 18th Annual Don-Rich Ford Villa Rica Frontiers Rodeo Friday, August 25th and Saturday, August 26th - see page 4 NEWS REPORTING / NEWS RECAP / NEWS ANALYSIS AUGUST 13, 2023 • VOLUME 29 NUMBER 8 StarNewS monthly traditional print publication/StarNews Online daily local news www.starnewsgaonline.com Subscription Drive StarNews Your locally owned newspaper Get in the KNOW! Do you know how your local governments are spending your money or voting on zoning issues? Do you know the inspection score of your favorite local restaurant? Do you know who your elected representatives are? Now during our SUBSCRIPTION DRIVE you can stay in the KNOW for just $20 for a one year subscription or $35 for two years See subscription form on Page 15 1992 murder of toddler in Carroll County, GA featured in three part docuseries “Demons & Saviors” on HULU story by Wayne J. Reynolds In 2008, The Carroll Star News (now StarNews) published an in- depth story that exposed a disturb ing cluster of events that led to a Carroll County, Georgia mother of a murdered three year old girl being sentenced to life imprisonment plus 20 years for that murder. This hap pened without a confession, without a trial, and with a solid alibi witness that this mother was not present when her daughter was murdered on April 14, 1992. In fact, it was Boyer’s boyfriend David Herrin who had been alone with the toddler for six hours during which time the fatal blow to her head occurred. See DEMONS & SAVIORS page 13 Boyer (2018) County Public Schools Public Hearing to Increase Property Taxes by 12.73% Over Rollback Rate The Carroll County Board of Education has tentatively adopted a 2023 millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes by 12.73% over rollback rate. Millage rate not announced yet. Citizens are invited to the Public Hearing on the tax increase to be held in the school board of education meeting room, 164 Independence Drive, Carrollton, GA, on Monday, August 21, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. City Council of Carrollton Public Hearing to Increase Property Taxes by 10% Over Rollback Rate Mayor and Council of the City of Carrollton have tentatively adopted a 2023 millage rate/same as 2022, which will require an increase in property taxes by 10.00% over the rollback rate to keep all of the property tax increase. Citizens are invited to the Public Hearing on the tax increase to be held at the Public Safety Annex, 115 West Center Street, Carrollton, GA on Thursday August 17, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. Ongoing Continual Property Reassessments: Law requires county and cities to decide annually whether to keep: - all of a tax increase - some of the tax increase - not any of the tax increase This decision is made through the setting of the millage rate Setting Millage Rate at “Rollback Rate” = not keeping increase Setting Millage Rate at a “Percentage Over Rollback” = keeping all or some of tax increase To Appeal Your Property ’s Assessment A written appeal must be filed within 45 days of notice date 1. download Appeal of Assessment form at: http s ://qpublic .net/ga / carroll/ docs/PT311 A_Appeal_of_ Assessment_Form.pdf 2. download instructions: http s ://qpublic .net/ga/carroll/ docs/Appeal%20Summary% 202021-10.pdf Upon request, documentation can be provided that supports the value of the assessment: assessors@carrollcountyga.com Email appeal to: appeals@carrollcounty ga.com Lake Carroll renovations: water level is now returning Phase 1 completed, Phase 2 underway, and Lake Carroll is currently - albiet slowly - filling up New pavilions, new playground, a natural area, an expanded boat ramp and a boardwalk been SPLOST funded. He also said because of the proximity of these improvements so close to the lake they had to also get permits from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. story by Wayne J. Reynolds If you have driven by Lake Carroll Park at 500 North Lakeshore Drive in Carrollton you may won der what is going on with all the constmction? And many have wondered when will Lake Carroll be back at full pool? The answer is that the park is undergoing a two phase renovation, with the first phase having been completed. Carrollton Parks and Facilities Superintendent Kent Johnston spoke at length on the improvements. Johnston said, “For many years, the park has not been renovated or changed. City Councilman Brett Ledbetter had a bold vision of what the park could become, and he led the charge. I added some ideas, and the mayor and council agreed with the ideas presented to them.” Phase 1 was adding one large pavilion and two smaller pavilions, a play ground, and a natural area - and is completed. Johnston said that Phase 1 was so successful that the city went ahead with Phase 2. Most of this project has “City Councilman Brett Ledbetter had a bold vision of what the park could become, and he led the charge.. the mayor and council agreed with the ideas presented to them.” Phase 2 includes a larger event pavilion which will be able to host musical groups, and events such as weddings. This phase also includes a boardwalk so visitors may walk around this area of the lake. There See LAKE CARROLL PHASE 2 page 8 November 7,2023 General Municipal Election QUALIFYING DATES: Mon., Aug. 21st 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Tues., Aug. 22nd 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Wed., Aug. 23rd 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. This qualifying is for all city councils, mayors, and school board members with terms set to expire Dec. 31,2023 QUALIFYING FEES APPLY Carrollton City Councilman Jim Watters to host town hall meetings to gain feedback from citizens Three term councilman for Ward 3, Watters is running for fourth story by Wayne J. Reynolds Recently StarNews sat down with City of Carrollton Councilman for 3rd Ward Jim Watters about his plans for reelection, as the qualifying period for his, and many other municipal seats, is fast approaching: Monday, August 21,2023 and ending Wednesday, August 23, 2023. Councilman Jim Watters said, “Yes, I am running for a fourth term. Qualifying is not until August 21st, but I want the voters to start hearing from me, and, more importantly, I want to hsten to them. “I will be hosting several town hall meetings in September and October that will be well publicized so they can hear directly from me and me from them.” Watters was asked what inspired him to mn initially in 2011, and has See WATTERS RUNNING FOR REELECTION page 8 JimWatters This issue is also posted on over 110 Facebook community pages, Twitter, Linkedln, & starnewsgaonline.com Call 770-722-7227 suehorn.starnews @gmail.com waynereynolds.starnews @gmail.com
