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A NEW^APEP PROJECT univ. oe GA • 6 . ATHB^SGA 30602 . , FORA^^lSi «y f (lin^ctl/ W CURE &f/ t eas& ■J CURE FORA <o) ' ' Pidionth i (o) /TT ” vr* 1 > 1 Vol. 126 Issue No. 33 50tf Legal Organ For Peach County ; C/fy of Forf Valley and City Of Byron Jazz In The Valley pip 9m ■* Musicians do a sound check at the first annual Jazz in the Valley event held last Saturday on Main Street in Fort The event raised funds for Peach kids. Leader Tribune 2011 Candidate Profiles ir Name: Al Harper Sr. Running Far: Byron City Council Post 1 Current Post, If Any: First Time Running Why For This Are You Running Office? We love living in Byron, and want to try ana make it better for all concerned. What Do You See As The Mosf Significant Issues and Facing Your Community? Jobs Taxation Personal: Born and raised in Bibb County, member of Southside Baptist Church in Macon until moving here. My wife of 28 years, Beverly, and who I have also one resides son, Ray Harper Jr., in Byron. I have and three Michelle, daughters, of Lisa, which Sandy reside two retired in Byron. I am and a Painting Contractor, have lots of free time to devote to the City of Byron. I have many friends in this area, and wish to help out in any way I can, as well as speak up for them in any situa¬ tion that arises. . Contact. (478) 919-4196, email msbev77@yahoo.com i Name: Mike Love Running fot: Mayor, Cify of Byron (if Current Why Post any): None for are you running Mayor? Through the of life I course my have had the incredible oppor¬ tunity of living in soma of the reatest places in the United fates. I have also lived in some areas that were not so grand. The difference between the two poles simple really boils planning down to and two coneepts, involvement. While community I was a city manager for the city of Ogden, Utah, I took classes designed for city leaders from the University of Utah. These classes taught us how to plan for reach positive growfh and how to out to the community to help empower the citizens to transform their community into a town they would be proud of. I took those lessons learned in the classroom and placed them into action by organizing providing citizen groups and them the resources and support they needed. We did some pretty amazing things in that little town. Now, I see Byron is Continued to page 14 _ Rhythmic sounds of blues and jazz filled the air as the Fort Valley commu¬ nity gathered for the first annual Jazz in the Valley fundraising event. Located on Main Street, the fun¬ draiser was sponsored by Frito Lay, Com South, All-Stars Footwear and Apparef and various other benefac¬ tors to help raise money for Peach Academy Kids (PAK), a non-profit organization that provides educational programs for grades two through six. Peach Academy Kids was established in 2009 as the Peach County school system went from a five-day to a four day school week. PAK offers programs ranging from kids entrepreneurship, creative dance, and mock trials. “We had to come up with a way to help provide for our quality programs and what better way than with Jazz music,” said Kristie Kenney co-found¬ er and executive director of Peach Stumbo Reports Dill Arrest By Victor Kulkosky News Editor _ In an exclusive interview in his office Monday afternoon, Fort Valley Mayor John Stumbo told The Leader Tribune he had recently been arrested in Monroe County and charged with the driving under the influence of alco¬ hol and possession of an open alcohol container. “I'm incredibly sorry, embarrassed and humiliated by the bad judgement on my behalf,” Stumbo said. His wife Helen Rhea and City Attorney Charles Jones were also present at the interview. Stumbo said he was publicly report¬ ing his arrest out of his “Christian belief that I should acknowledge my fault, it shall not happen again.” Stumbo said he did not deny the Byron Council Approves 'Green' Purchasing Resolution By Victor Kulkosky News Editor it’s not just California; Byron is going green, too. At Monday’s regular meeting the Mayor and Council of Byron approved a resolution committing the city to reducing energy consumption, buying CQCrgy efficient products and finding alternatives to fossil fuels. In explaining the resolution. Mayor Larry Collins satd Byron is a mem¬ ber of the Middle Georgia Clean Air Coalition, an alliance of cities and counties that focuses on improving air quality in the region. Collins said tit h t mm tv l < h t i I (Iff 1 1 til Peach ■ Newspaper Academy Kids. “It’s great to trace back to the origins of music, before hip-hop or rap there was jazz." Different vendors set up along Main Street offering bar-b-que, drinks, and even tailored suits; soon the streets began to fill with a variety of lawn chairs from supporters and those want¬ ing to hear the sounds of soulful music. “I’m excited to be here, I feel won¬ derful 1 do a lot of jazz events in the Atlanta area and it feels good to be in Fort Valley,” said Ginger Davis the host of Jazz in the Valley. Originally from the Midwest Ginger Davis, also known as "Ginger D”. grew up around jazz and was excited about the oppor¬ tunity to help PAK by hosting the event. “That’s what it’s all about, anything to enhance the lives of kid’s especially through music, people are sitting and staying in their lawn chairs this is awe- charges. Attorney Jones added that the Mayor had pulled off the road and was not in motion at the time of his arrest. He said, there was no accident or injuries to anyone. Stumbo said he would follow all legal requirements and does not plan to fight the charges. Jones said he and the Mayor were working to close the case as quickly as possible. “We're trying to move it along," Jones said. "We don’t want it to be a distraction to some of the positive things that are happening here.” In addition M) the interview, Stumbo released the following signed state¬ ment to the public. "It is with great humility and regret that I inform you that I was recently arrested and charged with Driving The STWP lists planned projects in several categories; Community Facilities and Services, Economic Development, Housing. Natural and Cultural Resources, Land Use and Transportation, and Intergovernmental Coordination. The list includes a brief description of each project, the party or parties responsible for the project, the estimated cost, funding sources, and estimated time of completion. In other business. Mayor Pro Tem Michael Chides ter reported on items arising from the recent Utilities Committee meeting. Chidester the Continued to page 14, that while improving local air quality is good by itself, environmental issues are a major factor affecting the ability of Robins Air Force Base to keep exist¬ ing missions and take on new ones. The council unanimously approved the resolution. In other business, the council approved transmitting the Byron Short-Term Work Program for 2012- 20i<S to the state. Mayor Collins told the council the STWP is a part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan which lays out plans for several categories of local projects. He said transmitting the STWP is required to qualify for state and federal funds for the projects. some," said Davis. Jazz in the Valley featured many different performing acts throughout the day including Blynd Shadows, Hayiya Dance Theatre, Jules and the Gents, Ken Trimmins Jazz Quartet, Traficjam and Mike Walton Quartet_ “I’m honored to be playing’in fcort Valley’s first jazz festival, I had a great lime the audience is definitely into it and you can tell the crowd here is at least knowledgeable about jazz or at least wants to be,” said Mike Walton of the Mike Walton quartet. Walton, a recent Valdosta State grad¬ uate and jazz musician was asked to perform by Peach County Kids execu¬ tive director Kristie Kenney. “Originally when 1 heard about the event I didn’t know iff should sign up but then a day later JKristie Kenney] Continued to page 14 ___ Under the Influence of Alcohol and Open Container. I accept full respon¬ sibility for the terrible decision f made to consume alcohol and then drive. I am sorry for the embarrassment that I have brought upon my family and the city that I love. I am thankful for the support of my family, especially my loving wife, my friends and sup¬ porters during this difficult time. I have always cherished the trust that the citizens of Fort Valley have placed in me over the past 12 years. I will continue to work tirelessly for the city. Please know that my love for the City has not diminished and I hope that you will continue in our partnership to continue to move the city of Fort Valley forward. “Dr. John E. Stumbo, Mayor “City of Fort Valley "October 10,2011” I l\ <h It l*uhit\ltitti* ( V». \r’»*A/t <//>* OCTOBER 12,2011 Investigation Clears B0E Of Charges By Victor Kulkosky News Editor The monthly meeting of the Peach County Board of Education was wind¬ ing down when member Dr. Virginia Dixon brought up the issue of an inves¬ tigation of charges against the board made by former Superintendent Dr. Susan Clark. In response. Chairman Jamie Johnson read portions of two letters, copies of which were prov ided to the press. The first letter, addressed to cur¬ rent Superintendent Joe Ann Denning and stamped as received on July 22, 2011, said the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement had received complaints that the school district was violating accreditation standards set by AdvancED, the parent company of SACS CAS1, the agency that accredits schools in the Southeast. The letter was signed by Jay Wansley, Associate State Director in Georgia for AdvancED/SACS. The letter does not mention the source of the complaints, but in bring¬ ing up the issue. Dr. Dixon named former Superintendent Dr. Susan Clark “as the source of "charges made against the board.” Among the allegations were “inter¬ ference in the day-to-day operations of the district, employing personnel without the recommendation of the superintendent and conducting illegal executive sessions," the July22 letter says. Those illegal sessions allegedly took place in March, April, May and June 2011. State law permits school boards and other government entities to enter “executive." or closed session for a narrow list of purposes. They include attorney/client privilege (which applies only when the board attorney is present), discussion of real estate trans¬ actions, discussion of strategic and business plans and personnel matters (to protect employee privacy). The board must vote to enter closed session in open session, and votes on matters discussed in closed sessions must be taken in open session. The closed sessions must be announced at least 24 hours in advance, including notification to the county legal organ, which is The Leader Triune in Peach County. The July 22 SACS letter also says, "the former superintendent alleged she was given a document that directed her to 'allow the high school and its staff to develop the master and bell sched ules for the upcoming year including weight training classes for all athletic programs' and to stop micromanaging the high school principal.' The July 22 letter also says the former superintendent alleged a board member “was allowed to question, during a board meeting, the superin¬ tendent's budget proposal line items without the prior knowledge and consent of the superintendent." The July 22 letter says the com¬ plaints suggest the school district might have violated AdvancED Accreditation Standards 2, which covers governance and leadership. The letter quotes parts of that standard. "2.1 Establishes and communicates policies and procedures that provide for the effective operation of the system; 2.2 Recognizes and preserves the executive, administra¬ tive and leadership authority of the administrative head of the system; 2.3 Ensures compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws, standards and regulations." The July 22 letter says the Peach County School District had 30 days to respond and a special review team would be appointed if the response suggested violations of accreditation standards. A letter to Superintendent Denning received on Sept. 9, 2011 signed by Continued to page 5 ___