About Upson beacon. (Thomaston, Ga.) 2008-current | View Entire Issue (March 20, 2024)
Vol. 17, No. 12 Wednesday, March 20, 2024 UPSON BEACON Shining Light & Keeping Watch on Our Community upsonbeacon.com 219 Thomas Street, Thomaston, Ga. 30286 • 706.646.2382 75 Cents Newsline March 20.2024 Trash Change Postponed to Start June 1st Changes in City of Thomaston trash service provided by GFL Environ mental have been pushed to June l from an initial implementation target date of May l, according to city officials. City council members plan to host a town hall to solicit feedback from res idents regarding garbage and trash service, specifi cally addressing changes in disposal of yard waste, prior to the change. Trump & Biden Receive 92+% of Primary Vote Former President Don ald Trump received almost 93 percent of Upson County Republican votes and President Joe Biden received more than 95 per cent of Democrat votes cast in the March 12 primary, according to unofficial and incomplete results from local election officials. Trump received 2,246 of the 2,421 Republican votes, followed by 145 for Nikki Haley. Ron Desantis received 16; Chris Christie, five; Vivek Ramaswamy, three; Tim Scott, two; and Ryan Binkley, Doug Bur- gum, Asa Hutchinson, and See Primary, 4A T-U Rec Director Resigns Thomaston-Upson Recreation Director Shaka Johnson vacated her position Wednesday, March 13, after three and one-half years of service, according to County Man ager Jason Tinsley. Johnson announced her resignation weeks ago to accept a position else where. “It is with mixed emo tions that I share the news: Shaka will be de parting from our team in a few weeks to pursue the next exciting chapter in her career,” Tinsley in formed county staff upon receipt of her resignation. “Her contributions as a public servant have been nothing short of remark able. Her impact is not See Rec Director, 4A 8 10499 02461 2 Complaints Aired at Thomaston Gardens Residents Document Raw Sewage Among Multiple Poor Conditions at Apartment Complex Debbie McClain Publisher dlord@upsonbeacon.com Thomaston Gardens residents are speaking out, again, about the conditions of the apartments in the 100-unit complex. The Beacon has obtained com plaints for more than 30 different units from concerned citizens at the complex, varying from raw sewage pouring from ceilings and outside buildings, to mold, bug infestations, and gang activity. At least one unit has been con demned twice in a month and another notice was given to the Bea con from a condemnation last year. City of Thomaston code enforce ment officers may inspect the units if there is a complaint filed with them and with the permission of the prop erty owner, management, or tenant without obtaining a search warrant. But some residents explained to the Beacon that they do not file com plaints to the city because they fear eviction and say they “have nowhere else to go.” They explained that they have filed multiple complaints with man agement - some work has been done since contacting the Beacon, but See Complaints, 6A The T-U Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024: From left are Troy Woodard, on behalf of Randy Marshall, Jaime Joiner, on behalf of the 2001 Upson-Lee Lady Knights soccer team, Jim Pruett, Jeannette Browning Bodhe, and Mike Majors. Andrew Carroll/Upson Beacon T-U Sports HOF Inducts Class of 2024 Andrew Carroll Sports Editor acarroll@upsonbeacon.com The Thomaston-Upson Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024 was officially inducted dur ing the 18th annual banquet on March 16 at the civic center. 2024 was a special year for the organization, as it marked the 20th class to be inducted into the HOF. Jeannette Browning Bodhe was the first to hear her name called. Bodhe earned all-region honors for each of her four years on the Upson-Lee High School soccer team, as well as region Most Valuable Player honors her senior year in 2001. Bodhe went on to play soccer at the University See Sports HOF, 5A Chastain Advocates for Tax Office Staying on Downtown Square Space Needs Analysis Under Way Bridge Turner Editor in Chief bturner@upsonbeacon.com Upson Tax Commis sioner Andy Chastain told county commissioners last week that he believes it would be beneficial to cus tomers, employees, neigh boring businesses, and taxpayers for his office to re main located at the court house annex in downtown Thomaston. A space needs analysis is under way to evaluate potential relocation of several offices in a shuffle that could reduce the county- owned property footprint. Court offices moving to the newjustice center in 2024 will free space in the Drake Building to house other government offices. The annex could be sold to create additional retail space on the square and add to the tax digest, along See Tax Office, 5A Andy Chastain T-U IDA Hires Executive Director BOC Approves Two Rezonings, Truck Purchase Updates Vision, Mission Statement Bridge Turner Editor in Chief bturner@upsonbeacon.com Commissioners voted unanimously last week to approve two rezoning requests and a $58,804 pur chase of a work vehicle for the county road depart ment. Following a staff recommendation, board members conditionally approved a request from See Rezonings, 6A MISSING PERSUN Thomaston Police Department is request ing that anyone with in formation on missing person Shekerria Wig gins contact TPD at 706-647-5455 or dial 911. Wiggins, in her mid- 30s, is described as 5- foot-eight, 245 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. She was last seen March 12, wearing black leggings and a green shirt. The Thomaston-Upson Industrial Devel opment Authority announced after a called meeting last week that the board hired Slade Gulledge, recent vice president of economic de velopment at Forsyth County Chamber of Com merce, as IDA executive director. Prior to his VP position with the Forsyth County Chamber, Gulledge served 17 years with the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce. “After several rounds of in-depth interviews, we are pleased to announce that we have final ized an agreement with [Gulledge],” IDA Board Chairman Chase Fallin said. Gulledge started Monday, March 18. Next Move Group, LLC served as consultant Carriker Announces Candidacy for County Commission District 1 George E. Carriker released the following statement announcing his candidacy for Dis trict l representative of the Upson County Board of Commis sioners: “We would like to announce that we are a Democratic candi date for Upson Conty Commission for District l. “We look forward to meeting with constit- See Carriker, 4A for the executive search and provided several highly qualified applicants for the authority’s consid eration, according to board members. “We were impressed not only by his knowledge and experience, but also his passion for economic development,” Fallin com mented. “He clearly understands every aspect of the job and the importance this position has in See IDA Director, 5A Maher Announces Candidacy for County Commission Chair Bill Maher released the following state ment announcing his candidacy for chair man of the Upson County Board of Com missioners: “Hello, my name is Bill Maher, and I am a candidate for the posi tion of Upson County Commission chairman. “Yes, I have been a candidate for this position before. Like Abraham Lincoln, who lost numer- See Maher, 4A George Carriker Slade Gulledge A- Bill Maher Jones Announces Candidacy for Clerk of Superior Court County Clerk Jes sica Jones released the following statement announcing her candi dacy for Upson County Superior Court Clerk: “I am Jessica Harper Jones, and I am honored and hum bled to announce my candidacy to become your next Superior Court clerk for Upson County. I am a lifelong resident of Upson County and I attend Logtown Bethel Church, See Jones, 4A Meier Announces Candidacy for Clerk of Superior Court Incumbent Teresa Meier has released the following statement announcing her candi dacy for Upson County Superior Court Clerk: “Upson County, it has been an honor to serve as your clerk of Superior Court for al most 16 years. I have dedicated myself to serv ing you to the best of my ability and I would be honored to continue to serve you for another See Meier, 4A Whaley Announces Candidacy for Board of Education District 1 Ken Whaley re leased the following statement announcing his candidacy for Dis trict l representative of the Thomaston- Upson Board of Edu cation: “My name is Ken Whaley, and I am run ning for school board District l. “I am a senior citizen, having retired from Norfolk Southern Railway. See Whaley, 4A Jessica Jones Ken Whaley ft) Griffin Ob-Gyn Holly Harrison, PA-C Nadine Noelting, CNM Abby Gibbs. CNM Accepting New Patients In Thomaston 403 West Main Street • Thomaston CAll (706)646-2888 or (770) 227-5505 for an appointment.
