Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

SUNDAY. DECEMBER 30,2012 FROM 1A Ease doing what he felt was right as a representative. “Every issue is its own issue to me. That didn’t gain me any favor," he said. “That’s why I’m gone. I didn’t play with the people who w anted to play.” He first got actively involved in local govern¬ ment during the discus¬ sions of two February 2008 referendums: an extension of the special purpose local option sales tax, or SPLOST VI, and the parks, recreation and green space bond. Bell opposed the $100 FROM 1A Impact “They get it right away and they’re in control of their own projects," Goldberg said. To Cunard, that’s a big perk for counties. “It makes it a lot easier for us,” he said. “Once the GDOT approves the appli cation, they will send the county a check for that amount of funding and then it will be the county’s obli¬ gation to spend that money on the project and comply with all of the state and fed¬ eral requirements." Under the LARP pro¬ gram, funding matches weren’t required. For State Aid, local governments had to cover engineering costs, acquire land and pay for at least 50 percent of construc¬ tion. Under the new setup, cer¬ tain costs paid by a county could be deducted from the 30 percent, which Hamilton FROM 1A Mills Mills unseated incum¬ bent Commissioner Patrick Bell in the Aug. 21 runoff for the Republican prima¬ ry, which secured her the job since no Democrats or independent candidates ran in the November general election. Probate Court Judge Lynwood “Woody” Jordan Jr. performed her swearing in ceremony last week before a large crowd of family, friends and resi¬ dents. Placing her hand upon her great-grandfather’s Bible bound with duct tape, loyalty fyiills took the oaths of and office. “This Bible signifies so muchjof why 1 ran for commissioner,” she said. “Because of the heritage and thtf history of my fami¬ ly here in Forsyth County and for the way they loved the county and they loved the land.” Mills said she wants to make her grandmother and other ancestors proud by doing what’s right for the county. After the ceremony. FROM 1A i Care we’ll be doing sporadic road checks throughout the county.” In addition to intoxicat¬ ed drivers, Chapman said deputies will be looking for seat belt use, speeding and child restraints. The Forsyth County Fire Department will also be fully staffed that night, said Division Chief Jason Shivers, though the holiday “doesn’t typically have the experience of fireworks related issues that the Fourth of July does." “But regardless, safety needs to be everyone’s top priority and please remember that the only fireworks that are legal in Georgia are those that are ground based ... any fire¬ works that are aerial devices are strictly illegal in the state of Georgia," he said. million bond for parks and the handling of the coun¬ ty’s negotiations with the city of Cumming about the sales tax. “As that was winding down, people had been nudging me to run," Bell said. “And off 1 went, not knowing anything about politics really." The first year in office brought some of the most difficult decisions, includ¬ ing laying off county staff and cutting benefits to meet the budget, he said. The county’s finances also needed a lot of work that year. Bell said. His service on the finance committee gave him a firsthand look at the budgeting process, which said is why local govern¬ ments may not see much of a difference in the bottom line. “It’s important to compare apples to apples," he said, “So the reality is if you look at the breakout, it’s reason¬ able to say most counties were already paying the equivalency of the 30 per¬ cent match anyway ... there’s a big misconception out there that our cost will go up and that’s not true." With the changes, the DOT is required to spend at least 10 percent of its money toward the grant program. “It was a way to increase the funding to local proj¬ ects,” Hamilton said. “It was a negotiation process ... there were many parts of the bill that we didn’t like, but there was something in there for everybody as a way to get the bill passed.” The transportation depart¬ ment shows funding under the program will total about $110 million for fiscal year 2013, with individual grants ranging from $1,000 to $4 Mills said she completed her commissioner training earlier in the month. She learned a lot during the four days of classes put on by the Association County Commissioners Georgia, and also had opportunities to network. Since August, the com¬ missioner-elect has spent time attending commission meetings, including closed sessions, and sitting down with the county staff. “Ultimately, 1 want to meet with all the depart¬ ments and just understand what it is they do and talk about how we might make it more efficient,” she said. Efficiency is a top goal for Mills, whose priorities for the start of 2013 also include county operations, transitioning the sheriff’s office and reviewing the recent local passage of the energy excise tax for man¬ ufacturers. She hopes to be a com¬ missioner who can unite the other four members of the governing panel in a working relationship. Overall, Mills said she’s anxious to get started. “I’m excited to have the opportunity,” she said, “and I appreciate the sup¬ port that got me here.” For those planning to light fireworks to cele brate the arrival of the new year. Shivers said recent rains have been in the department’s favor. “That’s certainly going to help keep from getting the grass and brush from being easily ignitable,” he said. “But we’ll be in our fire sta¬ tions at full staff levels and ready to respond to any needs.” Although public safety officials will be prepared. Chapman said Forsyth County typically sees few incidents over the holiday. “Usually people tend to be a lot safer on New Year’s Eve than they are on normal weekends because they realize there’s a larger [law enforcement] presence on the road,” he said. “Traffic enforcement wise, it seems to be slower on New Year's Eve ... but you still get people who don’t listen.” * has undergone revisions each year. Despite going through tough financial times. Bell said he’s proud of his work to maintain county services and tighten the budget. As a small business owner, Bell said he had been able to change opera¬ tions quickly. That process, however, moves slower as a government representative. “It’s very hard for a new commissioner to under¬ stand that they are not able to make those kinds of decisions,” he said. “It can be frustrating." Bell learned from staff and obtained optional county commissioner certi¬ fication in his first year, following up later with the million. Forsyth stands to receive about $1.42 million through the grant, according to the county's engineering depart ment staff. bek ■ ■BELK.COM pi i MODERN. SOUTHERN. STYLE. Special store hours: Mon. 9am-8pm Tues. close 7pm celebrate senior day new beginnings If you’re 55 & older, it's your day to save Tuesday, Jan. 1 • • TUESDAY, with your Belk Rewards JAN. Card 1 »bek % senior BhV/oFF it’s 55 .Jo your If & you’re older, save day DAY of other payment with form any 'See 15% 155f below OFF sale for home purchases details. and In 10% purchases regular (tore shoes off Horn© only & & sale Shoes ijMMi' XrjLyr* f/ * I ti J . bi scf 30-50di 30ofr 40-60** Ladies' 50oh- ENTIRE STOCK* Better sportswear from Rafaella, Be Inspired'* active sets boots from Madden Girl, Rampage, Fall & holiday kids’ sportswear Madison, Jones New York Sport, Orig 24,00-59.00, Sale 16,80-41.30 LifeStride, Rock & Candy by ZIGi, sets, dresses, outerwear, sleepwear Sunny Leigh & more for misses Plus, 55% off Kim Rogers* Kim Rogers*. ND New Directions*, from J Khaki*, OshKosh*. Rare & petltes. Orig 24 00-119,00 and Jane Ashley activewear for Naturalizes White Mountain, Easy Editions. Bonnie Jean & more Sale 11.99-82.99 misses, petltes & today's woman Spirit*, b.e.c*, Eurosoft and Orig. 10.00-100.00, Sale 5.00-50.00 Also available in today's woman Orig 30.00-48,00, Sale 13.50-21.60 Unlisted, a Kenneth Cole Production ‘Otter excludes Columbia sues at slightly higher prices orig 59 00-17900, Sale 29.50-131.40 t ... m 25-50Y HI' » ENTIRE STOCK H ® kitchen electrics A. KitchenAid* blender, * - g| 5-speeds to stir, chop, ■ mix. puree, or liquify ■ Orig 14999, Sale 99.99 J» I B. Keurlg Elite 40 brewer ; with three cup sizes, m 6 oz., 8 oz. and 10 oz uiw Orig 179.99, Sale 119.99 ■ C. K-cup tower ■ Orig 3999. Sele 24.99 K cups, 11.99-34.99 D. Cultlnart* toaster I- With 6 settings 30-50oti 30-50ob Orig. 79.99, Sale 49.99 § Men's sportswear by Chaps, Izod, ENTIRE STOCK sheets s tow«is gryLi Columbia, Saddlebred* 6 more Shown: Home Accent** Orig. 24 00-50.00, Sale 13.99-24.99 350-thread count wrinkle-free sheet sets by Home Accents* ,av® s I Orig. 70.00-90.00 Sele 39.99-59.99 Home Accents* Egyptian Luxe towels Orig 8.00-16.00, Sale 4.99-9.99 baby sale starts Tues., Jan 1. 25-50141 everything for baby Connect with us for special offers and promotions at Belk.com/getconnected [Ej If you'rs 96 or oMtr. taka an antra 20% tZf alorawida. or 15% off m our homo 6 .hoot dopartmonta with you* Soft flewiS Card. 15% off alotawtda K>% off m out homo 9 shoot doptrtmonu with any othti form of poymont on your ulo putchaaaa Only oiciudoo nod Ool. ciooitnco. lonytwdi wgnt Owe, Oootbuatart, Bonot Buy. Evorydoy vofcjoi A*grw. All Clod. Amim boonoy Rood S Bon Snarman. Fiohtr, Btighion, frm b Jowaky lomprd, wolchot. Buffalo Loom. CXuont at Humanity. piano Coach Co* Haan Columbia, coomotictltrogroncoo, Oanako. dooignoi handOogo. dowgnoi oungloMoo. Dock... oonoid J klmtr. Boutko. tAoon WfWCO Froo >000*0. Fur*. Gomtdoy Soar For Spot*. Manky hanky. Hart Schafnat Man. Hotond Mckay Ftoamon. Hugo Boot. Joooph Abboud MM Spado. Kaon. kMcharVnovaky oWctnc %l •oHm. edWo dottgnor t contamporary aportawaar t drooaot. *drot. kldo t mon o doorgnor moo. La Crtuoot. lovl'o inly nultUor, Lucky. Mottol Matron Mmnotonko Moccaam. Mill Mo, Munro, Nouhco. Original Ponguln. Ralph lauron/Pok), Robotic Com, Savon for Al Mankind. Spam Stuarl WtlOman. Thomaa Doan, tommy Bahama luOkt. Ugg. Undo. Armour. Vlnayatd Vinoa Wacoal Wutthof: nonmarchandao dtp*. *aat dapra and Ban gth card, Not vabd on prior purchaaaa. phono or apactal or dor. Cannot ba radaamad for caoh. cradtl or rafund. uaad m combmatlon with any othar dneount or coupon offer or on baft com valid January I. 2013 MD POT hinMad aickjwom m Brighton, St.gohri Moan F»har, ilHy Fulmar, natoti. Bridga Coltaction. lovt't. Cosch. ilatrgnar handbag, and |umot datum Junior, told Having, ara fO BOX off FaMuon Acctaaorw. Handbags Stria* laathor Qooda. Hoatary. Homo Sura and Mon a Tarlotad Clothing tptal aavmgt a<a SO 75% COURONS NOT VALID ON MD POT advanced certification. According to Bell, the knowledge he gained taught him how to work with the state to get results for the whole county and how to help a single resi¬ dent when an issue arose. A lesson that took him longer to learn, however, was a new perspective on other opinions. “Just because somebody has an opposing viewpoint doesn't mean they’re wrong,” he said. “1 didn't learn that until this year. 1 don’t agree with that view¬ point, and 1 don't think that’s the best way to go, but it doesn't mean they’re wrong.” When Bell got most fired up, he said his frustra¬ With a 30 pereent match of $426,(XX). about $1.85 million will go toward the 104 local roads the county plans to repave and improve, Among those projects are: fonythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS 1 tions came from seeing how “special interests can control what some believe is good for the communi «> The political games and personal attacks, he con¬ tends, started as soon as he finished the “fantasyland" period between election and taking office. Someone he knew well advised him at the start of his term “not to trust any¬ one, including me,” Bell said. “As it turned out, 1 couldn’t trust him." His experience in poli¬ tics has left him with "a more negative view of gov¬ ernment," but Bell contin¬ ues to hold a desire to elect and support those who will do the right thing. Union Hill Road from McFarland to Ronald Reagan Boulevard; Ronald Reagan from Hwy. 141 to just north of Old Atlanta Road; and Bagley Road 5A Bell said he’s not ready to rule out politics in the future. For now, he will continue to run his golf apparel business and work as a pre-litigation mediator for local governments. He has also taken a job as a commercial and business brokerage associate. What he won't be doing, he said, is staying active in Forsyth County govern¬ ment. "If people wanted to hear front me, they would have re-elected me,” he said. “The best thing 1 can do to help our community is continue to do some¬ thing that 1 feel the board should be doing and that’s embracing economic development." from Hwy. 141 to Mathis Airport Road, Several subdivision roads, including Old Atlanta Club and Polo Fields, are also on the improvements list.