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Ride a Horse to Church’
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This might look like a scene from “Little House on the Praries," but for the clothes. It’s
actually a scene from Peachtree Baptist Church’s “Cowboy Church" day, in which the
congregation was encouraged to worship “western" style. Contributed photo
By Claire Houser-Dodd
Contributing Writer
There is a Peachtree Baptist
Church located at 1202.
Highway 247 Connector in
Byron. They started building
the church 20 years ago. The
congregation held their first
worship services at the farm¬
house of William Gatliff for
ANDERSON CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Anderson's statement
on to say that the council
split evenly along racial
with Mayor John
“who is running for
against Counci I woman
Williams," casting the
vote. Council members
Ezell. Barbara Williams
Juanita Bryant voted in favor
firing Anderson; Beth
Jimmy Barnes and Melba
voted no.
“1 maintain my
of any wrongdoing."
wrote. The statement
Anderson's firing “for cause"
an attempt by the city to
paying him severance pay
required in his contract.
Anderson's contract states
he may be fired "for cause”
violations of the city's
and policies manual or for
to perform his duties as
in the contract.
Section IV 2 (a) of
contract says: "Termination
such shall constitute
'for cause' and shall relieve
City from any further
to Employee under this coot Act."
But termination
cause” would obligate the city
to pay Anderson severance pay
equivalent to three months' salary
for every year left in his contract
and prorated monthly amount
every fraction of a year left in
his contract. Anderson's contract
was set to expire on Oct. 1.
leaving about one year and seven
months. His salary was
a year.
Anderson wrote in his state¬
ment that he intends to appeal the
decision to fire him "with cause”
and change it to "without cause.”
“Hopefully, at that time, the city
will do (he right thing and award
me my severance pay. Otherwise
I will be forced to sue the city
for breach of contract." Anderson
wrote in his statement.
He referred any further com¬
to his attorney, Robert E.
Walker, of Ocilla. Ga.
In a phone conversation,
McAfee said Anderson has 10
from the date of his ter¬
to appeal the decision.
He would meet directly with the
Mayor and Council, which would
vote on the matter.
McAfee's 18-page memo
statements from and
of her interviews with
Pippin and several
and fire officers. The
from Pippin and other
recall various times when
allegedly made sexu¬
related comments to Officer
The statements also show
case in which Officer Pippin
she made a vulgar comment
Director Anderson.
The memo reports that
had been assisting Fire
Lt. Jeremy Morgan with
divorce and had loaned him
money to help with the
Anderson told McAfee
he had advised Morgan and
who were in a relation
not to see each other because
were still going through
and also that the depart¬
fraternization policy
employees report any
they have outside
work. Lt. Morgan's statement
Anderson using vulgar
MARCH 21,2012
terms to refer to Officer Pippin
and calling a “badge bunny," a
term for women who pursue rela¬
tionships with uniformed officers.
Anderson told McAfee that
he believed Officer Pippin was
making the allegations because
she was angry about having to
prolong her time riding with a
Field Training Officer (FTO).
New officers are required
to spend some time patrolling
together with an FTO before they
are allowed to patrol on their own.
The memo reports that Pippin
alleged Anderson sent her inap¬
propriate text messages. However,
Pippin told McAfee that her cell
phone had crashed and her new
phone did not include any of the
alleged text messages. McAfee
wrote that she found most of the
data deleted from Anderson's cell
phone when she examined it as
part of the investigation, and that
Anderson told her his attorney
had advised him to delete most of
the information from the phone
because it contained personal
information. The memo reports
that the phone was And* n s
and that he paid the bill for it.
The memo also includes state¬
ments from Anderson that he had
received complaints about Officer
Pippin engaging in appropriate
behavior during academy train¬
ing. McAfee wrote that Anderson
told her, "Officer Pippin had tried
to initiate conversations with him
on touchy subjects.”
McAfee's summary of her inter¬
view with Anderson concludes:
“Director Anderson advised me
that he feels that he has done
nothing wrong except maybe
allowed himself to get involved
in the personal lives of ones who
don't want him to.”
McAfee's recommendation to
the Mayor and Council to fire
Anderson was presented on
March 13 at the regular work
session The council voted at
the regular monthly meeting on
March 15, following a closed
session that lasted about an hour.
After the vote, City Attorney
Charles Jones said the vote also
meant the council accepted the
findings in McAfee's memo.
Talking to reporters after
the meeting adjourned. Mayor
Stumbo said he and the council
did mit feel that McAfee’s investi¬
gation produced enough evidence
to determine if Anderson was
guilty of the actions alleged in
Officer Pippin’s complaint.
“That basis of our vote was that
his ability to command and lead
has been compromised," Stumbo
said.
Stumbo said Anderson. "Has
been a very valuable employee
that has done wonderful things for
the city " He cited in particular
the Fort Valley Police Department
obtaining State Certification in
2010, a status only a fraction
of departments in the state can
claim. At the council meeting, it
was reported that the department
had been notified of recertifica¬
tion.
“I want the world to understand
we appreciate the work he’s done
for us." Stumbo said.
a year, and then the Georgia
Baptist Association stepped in
and provided the congregation
a double-wide mobile home.
It was then that building got
started for real.
Larry Wright, a Sunday
school teacher for Senior
Adults, called in to let us know
of some of their new twists. He
says; “We’re preaching the same
gospel, just changing the form a
bit to appeal to our congrega-
tion." He thinks they’ve been
trying to be an “urban church
in the middle of the country.”
Now they are trying some new
and fun events to interest the
people around them.
Last Sunday they had the
Farm Recognition Day to pray
for crops, rain, health and how
everybody should be a farmer of
sorts. Once a month they have
plans to have a special day of
worship.
A PUBLIC STATEMENT for The Leader
Tribune from John David Anderson:
“I am obviously disappointed by last
nights touncil decision. Six years ago
we began a journey at the Fort Valley
Police Department. A journey designed
to chonge the culture of an agency, that
at the time was plagued with problems
too numerous to list. Our actions as on
agency which led to Fori Valley PD's
first ever state certification in 2008,
ond subsequent re-certification this year
by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of
Police were proof thot we were making
a better agency. We developed profes¬
sional working relationships within the
law enforcement community and more
recently within the fire services com
munity which allowed for unprecedented
training to be available to the men ond
women of the Fort Volley Police & Fire
Deportments. I am exceptionally proud
of those men ond women who truly
worked to improve the ogency. I recog¬
nize that last nights vote was something
that certain members of council felt was
- ’ded. I have the utmost respect for the
..iizens of the City of Fort Valley and the
electoral process. I am fortunate to have
had the opportunity to serve the citizens,
and to have with their help developed
the agency into a department that the
citizens could be proud of. I want to also
toke this opportunity to thank those sup
porters who have been with me through
the last six years. I would be remiss if I
did not thank my loving wife, Christy,
for her patience and understanding and
sacrifice over the last six years. I am
truly thankful and blessed and looking
forward to moving on to the next chapter
of our life.
"My employment contract as Public
Safety Director was terminated follow¬
ing a split 7 city ' council vote Thursdoy
mght. . .. I was on administrative ...... i leave
with pay while the city investigated
what turned out to be an unsubstanti
oted complaint of sexual harassment
against me as well as against training
Lieutenant Randall Harris. We both were
cleared of ony wrongdoing in the inves
tigofion: However the city odministro
tor still choose to recommend that my
contract be terminated. The city council
vote, which was split down racial lines,
was twei 3 to 3 leaving the deciding vote
to Mayor John Stumbo who is running
for re-electiofl against councilwoman
Barbara Williams. I maintain my inno
cence of ony wrongdoing. I contend my
termination 'for cause' is merely an
effort for the city to keep from paying
my severance package as guaranteed
by my employment contract. I intend
to oppool the termination in occordonce
with city policy ond have it changed
from 'for cooso to no tout*.' Hopefully
at that time th« city wifi do the right
thing ond award aw my sever once pay.
OfhtrwHO I will bo forcod to sue the city
for brood) of contract. I am represented
fly attorney R^i^iert E. Wolker of the lew
firm Welters, Pujodos, & Walker, P.C. of
Ocilla. Georgia. Any furlhor comments
will be mode through the law firm.
V * '
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pi V •J J
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It’s actually very traditional: This is the way folks got to
church for centuries. Contributed photo
The first event was February
26, when they had Cowboy
Church. Everybody was encour
aged to wear their Western
garb, and they did. Pastor
Jay Lauritsen, who has been
preaching at Peachtree Baptist
for close to 10 years, got to wear
his cowboy boots and hats for
the first time. Other members
of the congregation even got to
ride their horses to church and
Obituaries
Dana Freeland
Fort Valley - Dena Freeland
Helms, 80, died Tuesday. March
13, 2012. Graveside services
wer e held at 2 p.m. on Saturday,
March 17, 2012, at Hillcrest
Gardens Cemetery in Mt. Holly,
North Carolina. Family will
greet friends at on Saturday at
Woodlawn Funeral Home in
Holly. Born in Gainesville,
Georgia, to the late Guy Ernest
and Ethel Winchester Freeland
Mrs. Helms was a homemak¬
er and member of the Baptist
faith. She loved gardening,
bird watching and drawing,
Survivors include her children,
Don Weathers of Michigan,
Deborah and Danny Gilleland
°f Lort Valley, Rick Helms
of Canton - ° hio ’ son-in-law.
Randy Dykes of Dothan.Ala
bama.grandchildren.Michael
Weathers, Angel Bryant (Joe)
of Dothan, Alabama, Thomas
Gilleland (Ann) and Tracy
Gilleland of Warner Robins,
greatgrandchildren, Tristan
Bryant, Chetn ie Bryant, Garrett
Gilleland. Zoey Gillela and and
Abbie Gilleland. sisters and
brothers. Louise Lindsey, of
Canton. Ohio, James Freeland
(Liz) of Ocala, Florida. Gladys
Bailey (Jerry) of Mt. Holly,
North Carolina, Joe Freeland
FORT VALLEY CONTINUED FROM PAGE I
$222,853 lower than budgeted,
The adjustments did not actually
change the overall budget.
In other business, the Fort
Valley Mayor & Council approved
two measures last week that will
. help . implement . ... hquor-by-the
drink in the cil
Ust November> F ort Valley
voters approved a ballot measure
to allow liquor by the drink in
restaurants, but the city still had to
put regulations in place to make it
happen. At their regular monthly
meeting, the Mayor and Council
unanimously approved two res¬
olutions prepared by the City
Attorney. The first established a
391 per drink tax, with the taxes
payable monthly. The second
sets a $1 jOOO annual license fee
an( j a requirement for a $500/100
liability insurance policy for busi
nesses that want to serve liquor by
the drink. Both ordinances took
effect immediately,
Mayor John Stumbo said the
cit * looked at re 8 ula,lons of ° ,her
cities and counties in the area
before writing its own. He said
Fort Valley's license fee is in line
with Byron's.
Supporters of Fort Valley’s
liquor by the drink law promoted
it as a way to attract more busi
nesses and jobs to the city. Last
year, voters in Bibb County. Peach
County, Byron. Warner Robins.
Houston County and Perry passed
vanous laws ™pandmg liquor
sales
In other business, the Mayor
and Council discussed plans by
owner Myma Serranzana to open
an indoor/outdoor flea market for¬
mer Bargain Town site on Martin
Luther King Jr., drive in Fort
Valley. The property is zoned
(commercial), however, the
ordinance Hoes no* list flea
THE LEADER-TRIBUNE
gave the kids a ride. There was
even Western music; everybody
had a great time and the new
agenda was considered a huge
success.
On April 22, the church will
celebrate a Cruise-in, and with
the number of people in the
area who are into vintage cars,
antique collectors and show
cars, it should be quiet another
big success. That day will
(L “ S) 0 ! 0l! T ‘;
sister-in-law, . Erma , Freeland
of Columbia, South Carolina,
nieces and nephews and other
extended family, very dear
friend, Eva Mason of Texas,
Linda and Mikki at Magnolia
Home Care and her friends
at Harmony Church and The
Oaks. She is preceded in death
by a daughter.Sharon Dykes,
and brother, John Freeland.
In lieu of flowers, donations
may be made to Alzheimers
Association, P.O. Box 96011,
Washington, DC 20090-6011.
Please go to www.rooksfuner
alhome.com to express online
condolences. Rooks Funeral
Home in Fort Valley was
incharge of local arrangements.
Donna layfiem
Byron - Donna Layfield,
66, died Monday, March 12,
2012. Graveside services were
held at II a.m. on Thursday,
March 15, 2012, at Macon
Memorial Park Cemetery with
Rev. Michael Fuller officiating.
Family greeted friends from on
Wednesday, March 14, 2012,
at Rooks Funeral Home, 109
West White Road in Byron.
Born in Macon to the late
Willard Richard Hattaway and
Ruby Helen Horton Hattaway,
Mrs. Layfield was retired
markets as a permitted use in
such zones. A memo from Zoning
Administrator recommended add¬
ing flea markets as a permissible
use for property zoned C-2.
Serranzana outlined her plans
for the Mayor and Council and
said he wants to begin preparing
the property.
Mayor Stumbo said the council
does not have any objections to
the property being used as a flea
market, but the city would have to
follow procedures to change the
zoning ordinance.
“We re very supportive of what
you plan to do," Stumbo said.
City Attorney Charles Jones
said the city has to advertise and
hold a public hearing before mak¬
ing any changes to the zoning
ordinance. He said he would
advise Serranzana run to take any
steps until the city did that.
The council voted to table
the matter pending the required
advertisement and public hear
mgs.
In other business approved the
following board appointments:
• Appoint Ruby Jefferson Fort
Valley Historic Preservation
Commission, term to expire in
march 2015;
• Re-appoint Ulysses Marable
and Ezekiel Harvey to the
Planning & Zoning Board, terms
to expire in March 2017;
• Appoint LeMario Brown to
the Zoning Appeals Board, term
to expire in March 2014;
• Re-appoint Betty Rinehart
and Otis Daniel to the Zoning
Appeals Board, terms to expire in
March 2015.
Melba Hester gave the finance
report. She said revenues should
be at 42% of budget but were
already at 66%. She said some
deoartments inrludino Police
feature singing and dinner on
the grounds. Anyone attend¬
ing is encouraged to bring their
favorite dish, at least enough for
their family and a few friends,
too. With the great cars to
observe and all that good food,
how can you miss this event!
You know’ car shows are all
called “eye candy." for the guys
and in this day and time they are
also eye candy for many of the
gals, too.
Later, on May 20, another
Cowboy Days in conjunction
with the Battle of the Grills will
be held. Be sure to wear your
Western garb, ride your horse
and bring along your outdoor
grill to cook up the meat of your
choice. Be it chicken, pork,
hamburgers, hotdogs, BBQ, or
veggie medleys; they will all
be welcomed ... and judged!
That'll be half the fun to battle
your neighbor for the title of
"Best Griller.*’ Sounds like lots
of fun.
Peachtree Baptist Sunday
school starts at 9:45 a.m. with
1-arry Wright teaching the adult
classes and church begins at
10:45 with Pastor Jay Lauritsen
in the pulpit. It is now known
that Pastor Lauritsen preaches
a really good sermon when he’s
got on his cowboy boots and
hat.
fron Robins Air Force Base
and member of Village Green
Garden Club. Survivors include
her husband of fourty-four
years. Alva F. "Butch” Layfield
of Byron, brother, Wayne R.
Hattaway (Stephanie) of Byron
and several nieces and nephews.
Family may be contacted at the
home of Wayne and Stephanie
Hattaway, 2301 Powersville
Road in Byron. Please go to
www.rooksfuneralhome.com
to express online condolences.
Rooks Funeral Home in Byron
was in charge of arrangements.
Jeffrey Alan Dawson
Byron - Jeffrey Alan Dawson
died Thursday, March 15,2012.
Graveside services were held at
10 a.m. on Monday, March 19,
2012. at Glen Haven Memorial
Gardens. Born in Warner
Robins. Jeffrey was a gradu¬
ate of Georgia Academy for
the Blind. He will be greatly
missed by his parents, Sam
and Lisa Spears Dawson and
sisters, Jennifer Dawson and
Aliyson Dawson, all of Byron.
Please go to www.rooksfuner
alhome.com to express online
condolences. Rooks Funeral
Home in Byron is in charge of
arrangements.
Fire and Public Works, were ove
budget due to some maintenano
and repair issues, unemploy men
expenses, and Christmas expens
es, some of which are reimburs
able.
Mayor Pro Tern John Ezell gavi
the Police Report for February
The department reported th<
following crimes: 3 Robberies
2 Aggravated Assaults, It
Burglaries, and 33 Thefts
Larcenies.
Total calls for service for thi
month were 6,475; for the calen
dar. the total is 86,297, up fron
83,761 in 2010 and 72,135 ii
2009.
Other categories for Decembe
include: 32 Warrants Served, 19!
Tickets, 48 Traffic Accidents
3 Drug Arrests, 49 Custodia
Arrests, 528 Training Hours, 7‘
Animal Control, 55 911 Erro
Calls.
Barbara Williams gave th>
monthly tire report. The 23 call
included I building fire, I cook
ing fire, 6 medical assist calls,
gas leak. I electrical arc. 1 illega
bum, 2 cancelled alarm calls,
smoke alert, 3 false alarms,
alarm malfunction, and 1 mal
functioning smoke detector unit.
Jimmy Barnes gave the Publ>«
Works report. For the month. th<
department hauled 759.56 ton
of material to the Taylor Count;
landfill. One demolished buildin)
from 204 No. Camellia countei
for 20 tons alone, Bames said
Fleet maintenance continued oi
a regular schedule, as did cem
etery and parks maintenance. Th<
department also added wheelchai
ramps to a few street owners.