About Lake Oconee news. (Greensboro, GA) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 15, 2017)
Your official newspaper serving Greene, Morgan and Putnam counties in Georgia’s Lake Country \ www.LakeOconeeNews.us VOL. 19 NO. 50 G FRIDAY DECEMBER 15 2017 75 CENTS GREENE COUNTY B&G Clubs rebuilds following embezzlement Josh Lurie josh@lakeoconeenews.us The arrest warrant for a former chief executive office of the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia is just the beginning of a story for an organization that is working to not only adjust course but also to brighten the future for young people in its district. Current CEO Bob Mackey, who was appointed in May, has a clear message to communicate on behalf of the organization. “We wanted to make sure this was not covered up,” he said. ‘We want to be transparent. We believe in our community.” Mackey’s predecessor, Landers Thomas, turned himself in to the Morgan County Sheriffs Office Nov. 17 after an arrest warrant was issued alleging he embezzled nearly $50,000 from BGCNCG. The warrant was issued by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Mackey said the organization’s corporate board provided evidence and pursued an investigation by the GBI. “We brought this to the forefront to help other organizations,”he said. ‘We wanted to ensure this never happens again. We wanted to do the right thing.” Mackey said the organizationhas SEE CLUBS » A3 BGCNCG CEO Bob Mackey speaks during the 2017 Youth of the Year presentation in Madison. SEE COVERAGE » PAGES A6-7 Contributed Contributed Members of the local contingent included, from left, Dr. Otho Tucker, John Ellenberg, Larry Kludt, Mike Lynch and Dr. Chris Houston. Greene County brings home $3.15 million grant Dave Brown and Career Academy steering $3.15 million dollar grant. Career Academy. dave@lakeoconeenews.us committee and governance “It was a very interesting pro- “Everything from filling board, prepared for the big day cess,” said Larry Kludt, chair- out the grant application and The contingent from Greene like they were going on a game man ofthe Board of Governance County, including the College show - except the stakes were a for the Greene College and SEE GRANT » All PUTNAM COUNTY Mclver out on bond Lynn Hobbs lynn@lakeoconeenews.us Claud “Tex” Mclver posted bond and was released from the Fulton County Jail around 9 p.m. Monday night. Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills, a longtime, close friend of Mclver’s, on Monday said he had just received a text from Mclver’s sister saying he was out. Mclver, who lived in Putnam County part-time until his confinement in jail SEE MCIVER » A9 index Calendar B4 Churches B8 Classifieds D4 Obituaries A8 Opinions A4 Real Estate Sales D3 Recipes D1 Sports C1 Recipes D1 Sports C1 FRIDAY 50/32 Partly Cloudy WEATHER »D7 o 94922 87855 7 Published by Smith Communications Inc. MORGAN COUNTY HPC supports latest Foster Park plan T. Michael Stone michael@lakeoconeenews.us The latest iteration of developer Brad Good’s Foster Park plan passed its first test Tuesday night when the Madison Historic Preservation Commission voted to write a letter supporting variances that will be needed to implement development. Local attorneys James Orr and Elizabeth Bell, vocal opponents of Good’s two previous development concepts, argued that the HPC did not have the legal authority to pass on a letter of support. “You are only authorized to issue a SEE MADISON » A10 Local attorney James Orr discusses zoning ordinances with HPC members (from left) Cherie Vaughn, Flynn Clyburn, Richard Simpson and Brad Rice. T. Michael Stone/Staff GREENE COUNTY City approves annexation for Dollar General Dave Brown dave@lakeoconeenews.us The Greensboro City Council voted unanimously at its Dec. 4 meeting to move forward with the annexation of the land from the county where a new Dollar General is proposed. According to City Attorney Adam Nelson, to move forward at this point the city is now required to publish a notice as a requirement of annexation. At the city council’s November meeting, Dollar General was given the green light to close its existing store and build another one. Dollar General, the variety store that, according to its web site, features discount name brand and generic food products, home goods and health and beauty supplies, will be moving about a block away from its existing store at 1041 Town Creek Blvd to a more visible and accessible location at the corner of Willow Run and Highway 44. “Dollar General is in the process of being annexed into the city from the county,” said Greensboro city planner Rick Zeier. “The zoning is already in place. They’ve also got the sewer and the water right there, too. “The annexation process could take SEE CITY » A10
