Newspaper Page Text
The Led County Ledger
Your Hometown Source Of Local News
Hometown Newspaper of George and Marri Kay Haggerty
Volume XLV- Number 42
Leesburg, Georgia - - June 14, 2023
Fifty Cents
Trish Batten: A Pioneer for Equality and Juneteenth Recognition
The Inspiring Story of a Woman’s Fight for Change in Lee County, Georgia
Submitted Photo
Congressman Sanford Bishop with Trish Batten
Special to the Ledger
By Ma’at Oliver
In the heart of Lee
County, Georgia, a re
lentless advocate by the
name of Trish Batten
has left an indelible
mark on her community.
As an Equality pioneer
and devoted employee
of the County of Lee,
Trish undertook a val
iant campaign to secure
recognition and paid
leave for Juneteenth,
a momentous day in
American history. Her
unwavering determina
tion and commitment to
justice have made her a
beacon of hope for all.
It all began in July
of 2022, shortly after
Juneteenth was official
ly declared a Federal
Holiday. Trish embarked
on a remarkable jour
ney, petitioning Chair
man Billy Mathis and
the Lee County Board
of Commissioners to
grant Juneteenth as a
paid holiday for all Lee
County employees. Her
conviction was rooted
in the belief that this
day should be celebrated
and honored, not just in
words but in action.
Through her im
passioned plea, Trish
successfully convinced
the Board of Commis
sioners to approve her
proposal. Afterwards,
the City of Leesburg
did the same for their
city employees. It was a
monumental victory for
equality and progress.
Starting from June 19th,
2023, all county em
ployees in Lee County
would have the day off
with pay, thanks to Tr-
ish’s tireless advocacy.
In her eloquent pro
posal, Trish powerfully
acknowledged the grow
ing public awareness of
Juneteenth, a movement
sparked by nationwide
protests in 2020 follow
ing the tragic killings
of black Americans
including Breonna
Taylor and George
Floyd. She highlighted
how President Biden
signed the legislation
that made Juneteenth a
Federal Holiday in June
of 2020. Trish articulat
ed the aspirations of the
citizens of Lee County,
expressing their desire
to observe Juneteenth as
a national holiday rather
than a mere recognition.
She emphasized the
importance of unity and
called upon the offi
cials to vote together in
favor of this significant
project.
Trish’s unwavering
spirit and determination
exemplify the essence
of true leadership. Her
words resonated deeply
with everyone present
that day: “So we’re
asking for this to be
observed as a national
holiday, forwarding the
citizens and employees
the same incentives as
federal employees.” It
was a plea for equality,
unity, and justice—a
plea that echoed the
aspirations of the entire
community.
Trish’s remarkable
journey stands as a
testament to the power
of individual action and
the impact one person
can make in transform
ing society. By fighting
for Juneteenth recogni
tion, she has become an
inspiration to those who
seek positive change.
Her commitment to
social justice has ignited
a spark of hope and
unity, reminding us all
that progress is possible
when we stand together.
As we celebrate June
teenth on June 19th,
2023, let us honor Trish
Batten as a true cham
pion of equality and
an embodiment of the
spirit of Juneteenth. Her
unwavering dedication
and advocacy have not
only secured a well-de
served paid holiday for
Lee County employees
but have also paved the
way for a future where
justice and equality are
paramount.
Trish Batten’s remark
able story serves as a
reminder that each of
us possesses the power
to create meaningful
change. It is up to us to
follow in her footsteps,
to amplify voices that
have long been silenced,
and to champion equali
ty and justice for all. As
Trish would say, “Let
God continue to bless
all of you,” and may we
continue to strive for a
better, more inclusive
world.
Board of Education Approves Fiscal Year 2024 Budget
Following the second
public hearing June 12th
on the proposed FY
2024 Budget, the board
approved the budget
4-1. Vice-chair Donna
Ford cast the no vote on
the budget that exceeds
96 million dollars. The
approved budget re
flects a tax increase of
two mills for property
owners.
The Fiscal Year 2024
Budget shows reve
nue of $82,833,653.54
which is comprised of
local, state and federal
funds. The largest share
($45,740,168.00) of the
budget is state funds
followed by local tax
money in the amount
of $31,955,500.00.
The federal share is
$5,137,985.54. Interest to
8 10499
02456 8
DOHERTY, DUGGAN,
HART&TIERNAN
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.ddhtins.com
Smithville
City
Council
will meet
Monday,
June 19 at
6:00 p.m.
at the
Community
Building
be paid during the next
fiscal year exceeds one
million dollars. Interest
rates for general obli
gation bonds and field
house projects average
two to three percent.
Each year, the amount
paid in interest is being
reduced.
During their meeting
Monday, June 12th,
the members of the
Lee County Board of
Education welcomed Dr.
Larry Walters, interim
superintendent, back to
the school system. Dr.
Walters is a retired Lee
County superintendent.
He will serve as interim
superintendent until a
permanent superinten
dent is named.
Leesburg
During the Leesburg
City Council meeting
June 6th, Cheryl Allison,
Finance Director, report
ed on the proposed Fis
cal Year 2024 Budget.
The city council held a
public hearing Tuesday,
June 13 to allow citizens
to ask questions con
cerning the proposed
budget. The council will
meet Tuesday, June 20th
at 6:00 p.m. to approve
the proposed the Fiscal
Year 2024 budget.
The proposed budget
includes a five percent
pay increase for all em
ployees. Two additional
resource officers for the
schools are included in
the proposed budget.
The proposed budget
for Public Safety shows
an anticipated increase
of $260,653. The pro
posed budget reflects an
increase in revenue from
water and sewer service.
The increase in customer
The board approved
the superintendent’s
recommendations for
employment. Hannah
Cory was approved as
a pre-k teacher, Kayla
Pritchett as a TOES
teacher. Lakeisha Elder
and Kamryn Lane were
approved as LCMS
West teachers and
Dalton Hughes as a
LCMS-E teacher. Lake
Owen was approved as a
high school JV assistant
soccer coach.
Laura Golden, Wayne
“Ty” Raper and Madi
son Stull were approved
as LCHS paraprofes-
sionals. Kathy Nye and
Jaylynn Glass were
approved as LCPS para-
professionals.
service fees will go into
effect in October.
The City of Leesburg
anticipates receiving
$504,000 from SPLOST
VII revenue during the
next fiscal year.
According to unaudit
ed revenue figures for
March 31, 2023, the City
of Leesburg has collect
ed $94,624 in Red Speed
Revenue (school zone
cameras). It is antici
pated that income from
the school zone cameras
will generate $110,000
during the next fiscal
year starting in July.
The City of Leesburg
is expected to spend
$22,500 during the next
fiscal year to update
Christmas decorations.
$12,000 is budgeted for
mosquito fogger chem
icals.
The City of Leesburg
is budgeting $11,375 for
the Lee County Cham
ber of Commerce. The
Madison Bullock,
Margaret Cox and
Megan Lashley were
approved as student
leaders for summer
camp. Ivy Kinkade was
approved as part-time
SLP - itinerant. Ga
briel Golden and Eryn
Coleman were approved
as LCHS theatre tech
student workers .Virginia
Harris, Quinian Parker
and June Flowers were
approved and are in the
new driver training.
During the meeting, it
was reported the food
service program served
54,990 lunches and
22,404 breakfast meals
during May. Free and
reduced meals account
ed for over 50 percent
$11,375 includes $4,624
for communications,
at all the schools except
LCMS-W which was 48
percent, the 9th grade
school which was 43
percent and the high
school which averaged
35 percent.
The board approved
a request from Mallory
Wise, Lee County 4-H
Agent, for the use of a
school bus and driver to
transport 4-H members
to camp at Rock Eagle
4-H Center in Eatonton
June 26-30. 4-H will pay
the fees associated with
the cost of the bus. Lee
County 4-H has used a
bus in the past to attend
summer camp. Ms.
Wise stated that this is
a fantastic opportunity
for the youth. There are
$1500 for building re
pair, $1000 for computer
30 Lee County students
registered to attend
summer camp.
The board approved
selling several items
as surplus including
Bus 01-93 which will
not start and needs an
engine computer. Other
items include a 2010
Chevrolet Van that has
engine issues, a Hon
da 4-wheeler that is
not running, a Polaris
side-by-side with a bad
engine, surplus lockers
from basketball locker
rooms, miscellaneous
furniture from LCPS
renovation project, and
a thermo-cool exterior
walk in freezer that was
removed from LCPS.
support, $276 for water,
sewer and trash service,
$3,175 for electricity and
$800 for cleaning/paper
supplies.
Homeownership
is within your reach,
even if you don't have
much to put toward a
down payment.
GCB has you covered
with low mortgage
insurance premiums.
Contact us to
get a quote today!
Georgia Community Bank
3000 N. Slappey Blvd.
(229) 446-0102
Online @ GCB.bank
NMLS # 648124
Subject tO Member
credit approval. FDIC | Lsi
Distinguished Alumni
Program Looking for
Sponsors
Lee County High
School is pleased to once
again partner with the
Lee County Chamber,
Lee County Family Con
nection, Lee County Re
tired Educators, and our
community to host the
Lee County High School
Distinguished Alumni
Program for 2023. The
purpose of this program
is to recognize outstand
ing alumni who have
maintained a high stan
dard of excellence and
distinguished themselves
through their work, per
sonal accomplishments,
or in the lives of others.
The 2023 Distinguished
Alumni will be recog
nized with a banquet on
To Subscribe Call 229-759-2413
Thursday, September 14,
2023. On Friday, Sep
tember 15, the recipients
will speak with students
at our secondary schools
and then our recipients
will be recognized from
the Football Field during
Pre-Game Festivities.
An honor wall has been
established inside of
LCHS to provide an ev
erlasting recognition of
each year’s recipients.
Chamber is reaching
out to local businesses
for financial support in
the form of sponsor
ships. Sponsorships can
be monetary or in-kind.
All sponsorships must
be finalized no later than
August 1, 2023.
City Council To Approve Budget June 20