Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

The Lee County Ledger (Jour Hometown Source of Cocal JVews Hometown Newspaper of Jane and Kenneth Dykes Pictured left to right-Chief Magistrate, Jim Thurman, Sheriff Harold Breeden, Probate Judge John Wheaton, Tax Commissioner, Betty Johnson and Superior Court Clerk, Ann Nix Lee County Officials Meet for Lunch Lee County elected officials gathered Monday for lunch at the Lee County Jail conference room. Sheriff Harold Breeden, Probate Judge John Wheaton, Tax Com missioner Betty Johnson, Clerk of Superior Court, Ann Nix and Chief Magistrate Jim Thurman have decided to have an informal luncheon on a regular basis to dis cuss the needs of the citizens of Lee County. Sheriff Breeden stated that the officials want to discuss current issues and keep each other informed of changes in legislation, regulations and other matters affecting the daily operation of the elected officials offices. “We have not had the opportu nity before to meet and discuss common issues affecting our county. As everyone knows, Lee County is changing every day and we must stay informed in order to better serve the public.” the Sheriff stated. Judge John Wheaton said that what started as an informal gath ering of the elected officials proved to be very educational. “Each of us cares deeply for the needs of our citizens and we are dedicated to working together as elected officials in a constructive manner. The first time we got to gether for lunch, we were able to discuss several issues that impact our county. All of us agreed to try and meet occasionally in order to talk about the common goals and needs affecting each office,” Wheaton said. Tax Commissioner Betty Johnson summed up her feelings about getting together for lunch. “So many counties have elected officials at odds with each other. We are all friends and we respect each other’s responsibilities. To- Doherty Duggan ~s~ Rouse Insurors Home • Auto • Business • Life/Health P.O.Box 71628 (229)888-2040 Albany, GA 31708-1628 800-628-2040 2301 Dawson Road (31707) Fax (229) 435-3036 www.ddrins.com Lee County Board Of Education Will Meet Monday, February 11 at 6:00 p.m. gether, we have more than 98 years of public service to the citi zens of Lee County. By combin ing our experience and working Kelli Powell was crowned Jun ior Miss Plantation Trace on January 26. Kelli will be support ing Miss Amanda Goodson, Miss Plantation Trace, as she competes for the title of Miss Georgia in June. Kelli is eleven years old and attends Twin Oaks Elemen tary. Kelli is the daughter of Mike tation Scholarship Board. Leesburg Police Files Weekly Police Report Chief Charles Moore released the Leesburg Police Department’s most recent incident reports. Calls included larceny, criminal trespass, and traffic violations. Cheri James, 25, of Americus, was charged with driving on a suspended license and speeding on January 30. Officer Prokesh clocked Ms. James at 71 mph. She told the officer that she did not have a drivers license. When Officer Prokesh ran a G.C.I.C. check by name, her license came back as suspended. Also on January 30, a 16 year old Lee County High School stu dent indicated that a play station had been taken from his locker. He indicated that the locker Holbrook Ready To Serve Lee County together, we can better serve our citizens. Keeping each other in formed and pulling in the same direction is good for Lee County.” Langford Holbrook, who was named Lee County Administra tor, expressed enthusiasm and excitement at the opportunity given to him Monday night by the board of commissioners. Holbrook, 35, was the assistant administrator and planning direc tor for Lee County from January 1994 until he resigned in July and moved to Kennesaw where he served as assistant city manager and director of community devel opment. Mr. Holbrook said it is almost impossible to describe the excitement that builds up within him as he turns off Interstate 75 onto Highway 300 to return to Lee County. He said that he can not envision wanting to live any where else but Lee County. While coming from a big city back ground, Holbrook said that Lee Countians, during the past seven years have made him feel at home. Expressing optimism, Holbrook talks of the opportuni ties Lee County offers including upscale development as well as the preservation of the county's agricultural heritage. He said Lee County provides a high quality place to raise a family. Stressing openness in govern ment, the new admin istrator said he will focus on where Lee County will go from here. Mr. Holbrook assures Lee County citi zens and employees Langford Holdbrook (most of whom are residents of Lee County) that their concerns will be heard. He said that he and the other county employees are here to serve the citizens. Langford Holbrook said that nothing will be done in secret. As an example, he intends for depart ment heads and elected officials to present their budget request to the board of commissioners and establish priorities for their de partment. Holbrook said that he and the finance director will es tablish a proposed budget based on available tax revenue for the commissioners consideration that will include input from the de partment heads and elected offi cials. Langford said that he con siders it his re sponsibility to make sure that the county staff has what they need to carry out their duties to serve the citizens of Lee County. In discussing his role in rela tionship to the county commis sioners, Holbrook said that he is paid for his education and expe rience and that the elected offi cials will weigh his advice along with information that they will collect from other sources and make decisions that they feel are in the best interest of Lee Countians. In response to a question con cerning employee morale, Holbrook said people should feel good about coming to work and that he intends to address the is sues that have negatively affected morale. He said that he will lis- Smithville Police Files Weekly Report Powell Crowned Junior Miss Plantation Trace and Betsy Powell and the grand daughter of Mr . And Mrs. Will iam Powell of Leesburg, and Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Finley of Hamp ton, Georgia. Kelli competed in the areas of introduction, inter view, and on stage question. Kelli is very proud to represent the fine organization of The Miss Plan- Smith ville Chief of Police Walt Causey said that officers worked several cases recently including cases for criminal trespass, dis orderly conduct, lost or stolen property, simple battery, disor derly while intoxicated, and bat tery. Jeffery Brown, 19. 132 Wells Street, Apartment A-5. Smith ville, was charged with criminal trespass, disorderly conduct (cursing) and threatening a fam ily member on February 4 by Chief Walt Causey. Chief Cau sey received a call that Brown was threatening a family member. Chief Causey told Brown to stay away from the apartment. Later that same day, Brown returned to the apartment after being told not to go back there. He was arrested and transported to the Lee County Jail. He was released on bond. Chief Causey received a report of lost or stolen property on Feb ruary 3. The victim reported that her cellular phone was removed from her car. Chief Causey worked a stalking case on January 23. A Leesburg female reported to Chief Causey that she was being stalked every where she went in Albany and Lee County. Chief Causey in formed the victim that she would have to make the original report in Leesburg since that was where the stalking occurred. Marcus Butts, of 506 Hartman Street, Americus, was charged with simple battery on January 23. The complainant reported to Officer Strain that she was hit in the mouth after her mother told Mr. Butts to leave. Walter Mae Brown, 50, of 142 Boulevard Street Apt. C-l, was charged with disorderly conduct while intoxicated on January 28 by Chief Causey. Chef Causey was sent to 153 Main Street in reference to a disorderly person. Ms. Brown was intoxicated and was giving problems to the resi dent at that address. She was transported to the Lee County Jail. Kristal G. Cunningham, 19, of Americus, was charged with bat tery on January 28 by Chief Cau sey. The complainant said that he and Ms. Cunningham were argu ing and got mad with other. The complainant told her to leave. She left but returned and hit him. She was contacted at her home in Americus about the incident. She came to the Smithville Police Department on January 29 and was transported to the Lee County Jail. Her bond was set at $5000. ten to all employees. Holbrook will implement a staff meeting each Friday with department heads as well as meeting on a regular basis with the elected of ficials. He did point out that if a concern exists that people should not wait until those meetings but feel free to contact him at any time. Department heads will be asked to submit a summary each week detailing what has hap pened in their department that will then be included in a memo to the board of commissioners so that the board is also aware of the activities undertaken by each de partment. Holbrook said that he will expect the staff to not only come to him with problems but with potential solutions to those problems. Langford Holbrook expressed his excitement about returning to Lee County and rejoining a highly skilled county staff. Since he has been gone from Lee County only six months, Holbrook said that he is familiar with the major projects in Lee County including the East - West Connector and the construction of fire stations and parks. Holbrook said that he will have an open door policy. He invites all Lee Countians to call or come by the county administration building to see him or any other staff member. The administrator said that he was employed to handle the business of Lee Countians. would not lock. Case is pending. On February 1, Captain Moody responded to a call regarding van dalism and criminal trespass. The victim reported, that during her work hours, her car window had been damaged while in the park ing lot of Applied Fiber. The of ficer noticed that the front pas senger window had been broken from the inside. The vehicle was unlocked. Captain Moody worked a case of theft by taking on February 2. A complainant indicated that his 1986 GMC Safari van was sto len from a Walnut Street address. The keys were left in the vehicle. Case is pending further investi gation. 33 Permits Issued For New Homes During January During the month of January, 33 permits were issued for single family dwellings. Twenty-five permits were issued in the unin corporated area of Lee County and eight were issued in Lees burg. The 25 single family houses in Lee County has an estimated construction cost of $2,646,500.00. The 25 permits cost $10,004.00. Five permits were issued for mobile homes at a permit cost of $1,120.00. Seven permits were issued for other nonresidential use at a per mit cost of $438.00. One permit was issued for structure other than building at a cost of $25.00. Six permits were issued for resi dential addition and alteration at a cost of $500.00. Thirty-seven electrical permits were issued at a permit cost of $2,030.00. Thirty-five plumbing permits were issued at a permit cost of $2,760.00. Thirty-one heating and air permits were issued at a cost of $1,737.00. Eight single family permits were issued in Leesburg with a construction cost of $565,625.00. The permit cost were $2,210.00. Five electrical permits were issued in Lees burg at a permit cost of $300.00. Two plumbing per mits were issued in Leesburg at a permit cost of $132.00. One heating and air permit was is sued at a cost $47.50 in Lees burg. BUFFALO ROCK LCHS Trojan Baseball Opening Day On Saturday March 2, 2002 LCHS Trojan Baseball Field Meet The Players Intra Squad Games BBQ Plates Homerun Derby Ole Timers Games 10:00 a.m.- until Volume XXIV - Number 26 Leesburg, Georgia -- February 7,2002 Fifty Cents