The wiregrass farmer. (Ashburn, Ga.) 1984-current, December 31, 2008, Image 2

Georgia Historic Newspapers

The wiregrass farmer., December 31, 2008, Image 2

About The wiregrass farmer. (Ashburn, Ga.) 1984-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 31, 2008)

Page of 10

Prev Issue Next Issue

Text PDF JP2 (2.5 MB) Clip/Print Image

Page of 10

Prev Issue Next Issue

Return to Top

Newspaper Page TextPage 2 - The Wiregrass Farmer, December 31, 2008 Keenagers elect new officers Keenagers of Turner County met Dec. 1st at 2 pm at Sycamore Baptist Church social hall. The meeting was called to order by Lounelle Smith, President. Prayer was led by Diane Wideman. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Judy Lorenzen, also singing of “God Bless America.” Mrs. Imogene Wells had the devotional. She talked about women in the Bible. There are 187 women in the entire Bible. She read Genesis 2; 22-23. She also read from Luke 1; 26- 38. It was on Mary, the Mother of Jesus. We had nine people in our club with perfect attendance for the year. They were Hazel Bell, Patsy Brown, Pauline Childs, Sara Griffin, Berty Kendrick, Karlene Martenn, Mary Ann Wilson, Lounelle Smith and Myrle Ann Zorn. I’ve had 31 members present. Our birthdays for December were Blanche Branch, Annette Allen's Tire FREE AIR New & Used Tires Auto • RV • Truck ‘Trailer* Open 6 days ‘Sycamore,GA 1-75 & Exit 80 Bussey Rd 567-3390 Salmon-tastic Dinners! Grilled Salmon Grilled or Blackened - wild caught Pacific salmon. Dusted with our special seasoning and perfectly grilled or blackened. Served with rice pilaf and tomato basil salad. $8" Bourbon Street Salmon Wild caught Pacifc salmon, grilled and glazed with our Bourbon Street sauce. Served with rice pilaf and lemon wedge. $9 29 GIFT CARDS Easy to get. Great to give. Always the right size. Community Calendar GOVERNMENT Emergency Siren test 1st Wednesday at noon TCMS School Council, 3rd Monday 4 p.m. TCDA 2nd & 4th Monday 8:30 a.m. Chamber County Commission 6:30 p.m. 1st Tues, School Board Bus Shop Ashburn Council 6 p.m. 1st Thursday City Hall Board of Ed. 2nd Monday 7 p.m. Bus Shop Rebecca Council 1st Monday, 6:30 City Hall Sycamore Council 2nd Thurs., 6 p.m. City Hall TCHS Council 1st Monday 4 p.m., TCHS Community Relations Board, last Thursday, 7 p.m. Ashburn City Hall SPECIAL Chamber 3rd Friday noon Chamber Fire Ant Festival Wednesday noon, Shoney's CIVIC Rotary Noon, each Thursday, Shoney's Exchange 7 p.m., each Monday, Club Building Kiwanis Noon, each Tuesday, Shoney's Sycamore Lodge #210 Masons 1st and 3rd Monday 7:30 p.m, Lodge American Legion 2nd Tuesday 7 p.m, old Legion Hall Child Abuse Prev. 3rd Thurs. 6 p.m. Special Services School A.A. Tuesday & Friday 7:30-8:30 Alt. School Cub Scouts every Mon, 7 pm at First United Methodist Church. Ages 6-11 Boy Scouts every Tues. 7 pm at American Legion. Ages 11 & up. Community Calender Deadline: Noon FRIDAY! To be listed, call 567-3655 Tifton. He is the son of Blanche Branch. He sang sev eral Elvis songs. He also sang his mothers’ favorite song, “Amazing Grace”. He sang gospel songs such as “Working on a Building”, “Lead Me Lord”, “White Christmas” and “My Way”. Everyone enjoyed him very much. Our new officers for 2009 were installed. Our Christmas party was catered by the Wheeler ladies. It was a very happy time, a lot of love and fellowship. We had several door prizes given out. The party was dismissed by Diane Wideman with a prayer. The next meeting will be January 5th, 2009. KEENAGE OFFICERS President Polly Hill; Vice president Sara Griffin; Secretary Jan Winter; Adviser Diane Wideman and Treasurer Sue Mullins. RON BRANCH enter tained the Keenagers at their December meeting. Murray, Karlene Martenn, Ann Chummney, Shirley McDonald, Polly Hill and Myrle Ann Zorn. Our meeting was dismissed by Diane Wideman with a prayer. A delicious snack was served by Lounelle Smith, Myrle Zorn, Frances Horton and Patsy Brown. On December 6th we had our Christmas party. Our enter tainer was Ron Branch of Banking & Finance students THE BANKING & FINANCE class after their lunch trip - Back - Kyle Gay, Javier Landeros, Ashley Wheeler, Brian Burdett, Chris Spears and James Berry. Front - Jason Huey, Demetria King, Ashton Bell, Katie Myers, Jessica Eldridge, Meagan McCurdy and Jamail Brown YEAR (Continued from Page 1) By the end of the year, the County Commission contracted with an outside collection firm to collect past due accounts. Tyler Reid, appearing as pro wrestler wannabe on the cover of the Moultrie Technical College class schedule book, helped the college win a national advertising award. MARCH Week 1 The contractor for sidewalk work in downtown Ashburn encouraged people to continue to shop downtown. He said people would be able to get in and out of stores. Howard Jordan takes his second-in-a-row state title in wrestling. Severe winds whipped Golden Peanut, causing two bins to collapse. The plant also lost bins in the December tor nado. This wind was ruled not a tornado. Jeffery Lynn Speck was arrested in Texas for the 1997 murder of Michaella Maria Swaney. Her body was found in a ditch on a dirt road off I- 75. Speck was later convicted of the murder. Sonny Walker said the Ashburn Council makes promises but does not deliver. Mr. Walker has routinely com plained about the smell coming from the City’s inert landfill and the animal pound not far from his house. Week 2 The Council revisits the decision on Christmas beer sales, with a divided vote bringing it back for a final decision in April. The Rebels take No. 2 in the state in basketball, falling to Hancock-Central. The County Commission split a decision to allow a homeowner to put up a home on less than 5 acres. At the time, 5 acres was the minimum on which a person could build a home in the County, unless the property was subdivided. Week 3 Pete Giddens’ appointment as EMA director is confirmed by the state. A Department of Justice representative plans to meet with the Ashburn Community Relations Commission. Alex Guess won grand champion market hog at the Turner County show. Week 4 The Fire Ant Festival is the 4th weekend in March every year. Ashburn Mayor Jim Hedges excused himself from mayoral duties temporarily because of his son’s arrest during the festi val. A fire destroyed Walker’s BBQ in Sycamore. The busi ness reopened a few months later with a new building. APRIL Week 1 A shooting victim remained in a coma in the hospital in Tifton as one man was arrested for the shooting and warrants were issued for another. The Ashburn Council reaf firmed a decision to eventually close a street for Golden Peanut. Sales tax income for the County, School Board and the cities drops, an indicator the economy might be slowing down. Karli Whiddon won Grand Champion heifer in the annual heifer show. Week 2 An investigation into the County Fire Department ended with the County Commission satisfied everything was appro priate. Austin Douglas and Steven Tuller, both Eagle Scouts, are saluted by the Ashburn City Council. Week 3 The Board of Education agrees to spend $47,000 on software for the high school. The City of Ashburn was looking at a 24 percent increase in health insurance premiums, $86,000 more than last year. After checking around, City Manager Ben Taylor recom mended staying with the same company, but changing the plan to make it cheaper. County Manager Charles Kinney said the County’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax proba bly won’t cover some vehicle purchases. Week 4 A problem with the aircon ditioning unit at the Health Department has cause more problems in the building for some time. A HVAC firm from Cordele was contracted to replace the unit. Ashburn adopts an anti-lit- tering ordinance. The Turner County Special Olympics are held. Week 5 A German man, son of a WWII POW housed in Turner County, makes contact with members of the family his father worked for in the 40s. Holger Deitze said his father talked little about the War, but recalled the Turner County family with much fondness. Govind Chinna won the state championship in doubles tennis is the AA division of the Georgia Independent School Association. MAY Week 1 Chief Deputy Andy Hester can run for County Commission, but if elected, he could not work for the Sheriff’s Department. Hester eventually dropped out of the County Commission race. He then resigned from the Sheriff’s department and launched an unsuccessful write-in campaign for Sheriff. Teen Maze is bigger and better than ever, showing even more consequences of irre sponsible behavior, including a dramatic wreck scene. The Special Response Team staged drills at the Eureka school, including blowing up a door to gain access to the building. Week 2 911 continues to be an issue as Coroner Edgar Perry says emergency response depart ments’ concerns are not being addressed. Lillian Burgess complains of rough treatment by the Ashburn Police Department. A later investiga tion into the incident by an out side investigator said the APD officers in the incident were not forceful enough in their response. Ashburn announces a sum mer rec ball program. In short order, several teams are formed, coaches are found and games are underway. Relay for Life is Friday night. Week 3 Ashburn City Councilman Robert Callaway dies of heart- related problems. Soon after, his son died in a stabbing attack. A joint funeral service was held. 911 Director Kathy Morgan addresses concerns about the running of her department, including statements that some people are not properly trained. Chief Bryant McCard paid a fine for having a loose dog and requested a story and pic ture be put in the paper to that effect. He said no one is above the law. Week 4 Ashburn calls for a special election to replace the late Robert Callaway on the Council. Mr. Callaway died of heart-related problems. He had not attended a Council meeting in more than a year. Retired City Clerk Sandra Lumpkin went on to win the election for the seat. She held the post in the November general election. The Turner County Career Technical Instruction program won a state title at the annual statewide meeting. The Class of 2008 took their final walk as students. A manhunt for Tom Whitsett Jr. stepped up. Mr. Whitsett was eventually taken into custody without incident. He was charged with shooting another man. JUNE Week 1 Local governments are in the final stages of planning the coming year’s budgets. Tight is the word to describe things. Very tight. Councilman Major Sanders, responding to some exchanges in past meetings, asks City Councilmen to tone down their rhetoric. The Summer Reading pro gram begins at the library. Week 2 Garbage fees go up by near ly a dollar. Within a few months, yet another increase would go through. This 950 increase was tied directly to fuel costs. As gas prices dropped late in the year, some of this expense was rolled back. Emergencies, such as the December tornado, push Ashbum’s books into the red. Week 3 In a sign of the tight bud gets, the Sycamore City Council votes to set the millage as high as 14.5. Later when the tax digest became final, the Council backed off that. Relay for Life raised $28K, short of its planned $30,000. (See YEAR Page 3)