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The Led County Ledger Your Hometown Source Of Local News Hometown Newspaper of Wyatt and Glenda Busbee Volume XLVI- Number 15 Leesburg, Georgia - - December 27, 2023 Fifty Cents Lee County Elementary School was chosen as a Title 1 Distinguished School for the state of Georgia. Candice Smith, Principal, and Hailey Kilcrease, Assistant Principal, are pictured with board members Fran Walls, Donna Ford, Dr, Truitt, Superintendent, board members Dr, Trey Newell, Claire Lang and Jamie McDowell. Lee County Primary School was chosen as a Title 1 Distinguished School for the state of Georgia. Lee County Primary School was chosen because of their exceptional performance in closing the gap among their students. Jamie Murdock, Principal, and Kayla Day, Assistant Principal, are pictured with board members Fran Walls, Donna Ford, Dr, Truitt, Superintendent, board members Dr, Trey Newell, Claire Lang and Jamie McDowell. Holt Named Twin Oaks Elementary School Interim Principal Dr. Brian Holt has been named as interim principal for Twin Oaks Elementary School. He replaces Ka tie Peppers as principal. Katie Peppers was recently named P-5 Senior Director of Learning and Leadership for the local school system. Dr. Holt has been the assistant principal at TOES since the fall of 2019. He spent the previous 21 years as a grades 9-12 teacher at high schools in Crisp County, Effingham Coun ty, Worth County, and Lee County. He taught Social Studies, English/Language Arts, Broadcast Video Production, Graphic Arts, and Journalism. He was the advisor for yearbooks and newspapers for 15 years. He also broadcast Lee County football games online and program the stadium’s jum- botron. Dr. Holt earned his Ed ucation Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, in 2017. He completed his Education Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Liberty University in 2022. He also has an Associate’s Degree in Education from Abraham Baldwin College and Bach elor’s and Master’s degrees are from Georgia Southern University. His wife Melis sa teaches at Lee County Middle School West. They reside in Lee County with their three children: Audrey, Zachary, and Levi. Dr. Brian Holt Girl Scout Troop 40523 Holds Winter Awards Ceremony Special to the Ledger Christmas came a bit early for the girls of Troop 40523, the local Girl Scout troop in Lee County, GA. On Monday, December 18th, the troop had their winter awards ceremo ny where the hard work and dedication of every member was rewarded. The tables displaying all the different awards was much like a Christ mas tree with all the different ornaments and decorations. Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassa dors all showed up to receive commendations and applause from their family, friends and leaders who worked to support and give these future leaders and adventurers won derful opportunities to 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 Leesburg City Council will meet Tuesday, January 2 at 6:00 p.m. at the Leesburg City Hall learn and explore new things. Patches, pins, badges and trophies were awarded for the accomplishments of the Girl Scouts of Troop 40523. Over 500 items of recognition were given out to almost 50 Girl Scouts. The leaders of Troop 40523 took great pride and joy in mentoring these young girls, helping to foster friend ships, build courage and compassion and strive to make the world a better place. These characteristics of our Girl Scouts are only a few attributes that describe the Girl Scout Law. Mathis Announces End Of Chairmanship Billy Mathis an nounced last week that he is ending his service as chairman of the county commission. He notified the other Commissioners that he no longer wish to serve as Chairman after this year. Mr. Mathis is the longest serving com missioner. He was first elected and served as a commissioner from 1999 to 2006. He ran again in 2014 and has been serving the citizens of Lee County since 2015. His current term expires in December of 2026. Billy Mathis has filled several roles while serv ing as a commissioner including chairman from 2001 to 2003 and from 2019 to the present. He was selected by his fellow commissioners to serve as vice-chairman in 2000 and from 2017 to 2018. He also served on the Utilities Author ity from January 2000 to December 2003. He was the chairman of the Utilities Authority from January 2001 to Decem ber 2003. As chairman, Billy Mathis devoted his time and energy to ensure the needs of Lee Coun ty’s citizens were being met while operating the county within a conser vative financial budget. Mathis noted that the recently completed audit reflected the overall financial strength of the county’s general fund. The county’s fund bal ance of 22 million will cover approximately 260 days (8 plus months). When Mr. Mathis was elected in 1998, the county used Tax anticipated Notes (TAN) to fund the daily business of the county until property taxes were collected. Many school boards, cities and counties borrow money to fund needed projects and repay the loans from property tax proceeds. Reserves have more than doubled during his tenor as chairman. Mr. Mathis is proud that a new fleet of ambulances and fire equipment were added to the county fleet. A new 911 com munications system was also installed to ensure the safety of the citizens. Mr. Mathis said he will devote his time to the needs of his district. He said he is proud of what Billy Mathis the commission has ac complished. Lee County is in the best financial condition ever with 22 million in reserves. The commission has lowered the millage by 12%. Mr. Mathis said “Thanks for the support. As always my phone and door are always open.” In January, the com missioners will elect a new chairman to serve during 2024. To Subscribe Call 229-759-2413 8 10499 02456 8 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 credit approval.