About StarNews. (Carrollton, GA) 20??-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 15, 2023)
v, / 1 it it vy ll v- vy iy / \ i i ^ StarNews CARROLL COUNTY, GEORGIA'S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED / LOCALLY OPERATED NEWSPAPER Mayor of Villa Rica candidate Leslie McPherson - seepage 11 Carrollton City Councilman Jim Watters - see page 23 Restaurant/Hotel Inspections - page 28 Marriage Licenses - page 29 A FREE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER IS VITAL TO A FREE CODNTRY StarNews monthly traditional print/StarNews Online daily local news I OCTOBER 15, 2023 • VOLUME 29 NUMBER 10 www.starnewsgaonline.com Nursing home spilling raw sewage into Buck Creek: 13,000 gallons a day Buck Creek watershed drainage area is 32.4 sq. mi./ Buck Creek flows into Little Tallapoosa River EPD alerted twice by Carroll County Department of Environmental Health (CCDEH): EPD goes to wrong nursing home; then cancels inspection of correct nursing home; finally dogged by CCDEH into visiting site Raw sewage continues to flow into open well in Buck Creek watershed/Tallapoosa River System is only home to rare fish “Tallapoosa Darter” story by Sue Horn Acting on a tip from a close source and utilizing the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A.§50-18- 70), StarNews obtained information, photographs, and videoes from Carroll County government and state revealing a long time ongoing large environ mental spill in Carroll County discovered this past April by an employee of the Carroll County Department of Environmental Health (CCDEH). Records show that the Georgia EPD was repeat edly informed of the spill and had to be dogged by a CCDEH employee into finally visiting the site. EPD has not, as of press time, fulfilled their obliga tion to stop this egregious ongoing contamination in Carroll County. Since this site is strictly under EPD jurisdiction to inspect/monitor, serious ques tions need answers: When was the last EPD inspection? Did it pass? If the site failed inspection, why has the spill not been stopped? Carrollton Nursing and Rehabiliation facility, built in 1986, is spilling (through flushing/draining) an estimated 13,000 gallons of raw sewage per day running through a non-operational onsite treatment See 13,000 GALS. SEWAGE PER DAY page 8 To view video clips of the ongoing sewage spill, go to: www.starnewsgaonline.com (video clips made September 19, 2023) The sewage spill has created an approximate 1/4 acre human waste pond that is visible on satellite imagery maps Adult diapers, tampons, and medical sharps are visible in the trail of decomposing human waste • Carrollton Nursing and Rehabilitation, 2327 Hwy. 27, Carrollton, has two onsite sewage treatment systems: one working; one not operational for decades • Facility was purchased in 2021 from GREAT OAKS NURSING HOMES who owned/operated for 26 years (1995-2021) Carrollton Councilman Jim Watters hosts Town Hall Meetings On the campaign trail for re-election is Carrollton Councilman Jim Watters, shown above left at one of his eight Town Hall J Meetings. Joining Watters | at Oak Mountain Golf Clubhouse, Carrollton, are volunteers Amber Nixon, Laura Carter, and Landon Moss. The municipal election is November 7th. Photo by Sue Horn Carrollton Mayoral Race - Election November 7th -Early Voting begins October 16th Carrollton Incumbent Mayor Betty B. Cason challenged by past mayor Walt Hollingsworth Mayor Cason story by Wayne Reynolds Betty B. Cason began serving her first term as Mayor of Carrollton in 2020 and is now running for reelection for her second term. She is the first female mayor of the 106 year old city. “I enjoy the involve ment with citizens, speaking to civic clubs, and with staff. Many of the statewide organiza tions I am now part of allows us to bring new things and ideas to Carrollton,” Mayor Cason said. “I have been in public service for 40 years, first working for the City of Bowdon, then 22 years as a probate judge, and now for over three and a half years as mayor. “People ask me all the time: is the job of mayor full time? For me, it is! From visiting with and speaking to the clubs, organizations, and other cities, and, most importantly, being See INCUMBENT MAYOR CASON page 6 Hollingsworth story by Wayne Reynolds Past City of Carrollton mayor Walt Hollingsworth has decided he would like to have that job again, and is mnning for the position to be decided in the November 7th elec tion. “I had so many peo ple approach me about mnning again, that in late July I decided to run again,” Hollingworth explained. “Since I left office in 2020, many local residents called me and asked how to handle a question or con cern in dealing with city hall. They weren’t complaints, but more so on how to navigate city government, which I could help with. I have stayed involved.” Hollingsworth served as mayor from 2016 to 2020. He is the lone challenger to Incumbent Betty B. Cason. Hollingsworth is a lifetime resident of Carrollton. He shared that he was diagnosed See CHALLENGER HOLLINGSWORTH page 15 Starting a business takes long days, late nights, and often, a flying leap into the unknown. You know, because you've been there. American Family Insurance is focused on protecting the dream you've worked hard to build. Let's talk about the business you've built and how I can help protect it. Subscription Drive StarNews Your locally owned newspaper Now during our SUBSCRIPTION DRIVE you can stay in the KNOW for just $20 for a one year subscription or $35 for two years Subscription form: Page 26 starnewsgaonline.com Call 770-722-7227 waynereynolds.starnews @gmail.com suehorn.starnews @gmail.com Lauren Grubb, Agent L. Grubb Agency LLC (470) 517-4810 lgrubb@amfam.com Villa Rica, GA 30180 AMERICAN FAMILY American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.l. & Its Operating Companies, American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, Wl 53783 ©2016 011770 - Rev. 8/19-19974900
