About The Georgia post. (Knoxville, Crawford County, Ga.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (June 13, 2013)
Thursday, June 13,2013 2 Sections, 18 Page Uoice> of CizuuffoiA. County bince- 7927 f f7lbo beitving ^Dyiorv & ^Peoa/t Co. J 1 % More SPLOST County Gives City By Victoria Simmons The Georgia Post Four Roberta City Council members and the mayor at tended a joint called meeting with the Crawford County Board of Commissioners last week to discuss distribution of the 2015 SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax). The county intends to call a special election in Novem ber of this year to extend the current SPLOST for another six years. A year and a half is left on the current SPLOST (2009) and if it should not pass this year, the county would introduce it again in 2014. County Attorney David Mincey III told city council and Mayor Becky Smith that they would need to come up with language for the refer endum that would detail how their portion of the SPLOST monies would be spent if approved by the voters. In the previous SPLOST the city had indicated it would use the funds for public safety and water/sewer. Mayor Smith asked the board to consider an 86% to 14% split, (for 2015)rather than the 13% the county had approved. Smith said that the city expects to replace the water tower near city hall and that the additional 1% of SPLOST revenue would be enough to cover that task. Chairman Dean Fripp wanted to know how that 1 % extra to the city would impact the county. County Manager Pat Kelley said it would be a total of $36,000 over the six years and that the county would not be greatly impacted. Commissioner Paul Chap man posed the question of what would happen if a con solidation issue passed here. It was noted that everything would be put together if con solidation did occur. After more discussion, Commissioner John Thomas made the motion for the 86%-14% split of the 2015 SPLOST and that the city would receive its potion of the revenues as they are received by the county, not just once a year as has been the case. The motion passed 3-0 (only Fripp, Thomas and Chap- See COUNTY, Page 11 Councilman Wants It Clear SPLOST Split Can’t Change By Charles Cook - Special to The Post Mayor Becky Smith called the meeting of Roberta Cty Council to order and asked to add SPLOST to the agenda. Councilman Erv Patton made the motion to approve an 86- 14 percent split on the 2015 SPLOST if approved by the voters. This was the result of an earlier joint meeting with the County Commissioners. In that meeting Mayor Smith asked that the percentage be raised one percentage point. When asked why, she said she had calculated the amount needed to replace “her water tank” at the city hall. She stated that it would be 13.88 percent so she rounded to the next point. Councilman B. J. Bassett, who was not at the joint meet ing, wanted it made clear that the county could not come back and change the split after it was approved. Planning and Zoning Of ficer Frank Miller presented a proposal to change the wording in the city’s P & Z Manual. This would clarify the way a special exception and variances would be al lowed. Dr Bassett asked if an exception was sent to them and they disallowed it could there be any way it could be over turned. Patton tried to explain the process. Jerry Gibb brought the pre disaster plan to council. Robert Smith of the regional council was in attendance to answer questions. Mr. Gibb explained what they had been able to accomplish: Added sirens throughout the county, added code red to the warning system, extension of the county water system, communications update and contact with the surrounding counties by using a common radio system. This will allow the county to be classified as a storm ready community. See CiTY, Page 12 from left are Commissioners Paul Chapman and John Thomas, Ed Westbrook - Area 4 Field Coord- iantor GEMA, Commission Chairman Dean Fripp and Commissioner Bobby Blassingame and Jake Watson, CC Emergency Management Director. The BSA Golden Eagle Dinner featured Kenny tie) and Chief Randy Pate (far right) who helped Walker (center in back) as keynote speaker, Sheriff preside and present the award. Others pictured Lewis Walker as the honoree (back with suite and include: Local scouts and the leader. County By Victoria Simmons The Georgia Post After amending the agen da to include the discussion of reimbursement of prop erty taxes (2008-09 Logan Hirsh), the Crawford County Board of Commissioners welcomed Barry Gooden and Ed Westbrook from the National Weather Service. Gooden congratulated EMA Director Jake Watson and the board for the success of the county achieving its “Storm Ready” Status. According to Gooden, Crawford County is the only county to have achieved this status with an all volunteer EMA staff. “This demonstrates,” said Westbrook, “that the board of commissioners is con- Sheriff Walker Is Golden Eagle Recipient Certified Storm Ready brothers, George, Jerome Jr. and Kenneth. A member of Cool Spring Baptist Church, Walker serves on the deacon minis try, as Assistant Superinten dent of Sunday School and chair of the Trustee ministry. He is a member of the Mu- sella Masonic Lodge #381 and Musella O.E.S. Charter #319. Walker was hired by then Sheriff Kerry Dunaway as a Deputy Sheriff with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office in December of 1987, working the patrol division. He was later promoted to squad supervisor and then promoted to Captain of the Patrol Division in January 2006. Walker worked 21 years as a Deputy Sheriff. When Dunaway stepped down, Walker ran and was elected as Sheriff in 2008. He graduated from the Sheriff-Elect Academy in December of that year. He was re-elected in 2012 and has over 2000 hours of law enforcement training. See SHERIFF, Page 11 cemed with the safety of its citizens.” A sign was presented to Watson and the board. Watson thanked them say ing that the commissioners and Gerry Gibb (Deputy EMA Director) had been instrumental in being able to achieve storm ready status. Watson also addressed the board concerning the Hazard Mitigation Plan Adoption which is a resolution the county needed to approve and sign. By completing the Pre-Disaster Hazard Miti gation plan the county will remain eligible for Federal mitigation funding. Watson said the plan was pretty much the same as the last two years. The resolution was unanimously approved. D’Lynn Jones, Tax Asses- By Victoria Simmons The Georgia Post Sheriff Lewis S. Walker was the Central Georgia Council, Boy Scouts of America, Gold Eagle hon oree this year. A dinner was held last Tuesday to honor him and featured Kenny Walker as the keynote speaker, former local NBA star. The Golden Eagle Dinner is a fund raising event for the Boy Scouts and proceeds benefit the programs and scouts. Sheriff Walker, a native of Crawford County, gradu ated from Crawford County High School in 1978. He is the third son of the late Jerome Walker Sr. and Ola Mae Walker. He is married to Nettie Walker and they have have two children, Markith and Lewis Jr., two grandsons, Ke’Sabian and Jamarrion. He has three Charles Westberry, right, was presented with a plaque of appreciation by Development Authority chair Brenda Carroll in recognition for all his years on the board and his contributions to economic de velopment at last week’s meeting. Crawford County was presented with Storm Ready signs indicating Crawford has become certified as be ing prepared for storms. The presentation was made by Barry Gooden - Warning Coordination Meteo rologist with the National Weather Service. Pictured sor Chief Appraiser was on the agenda and came in late thinking they still met at 7 missioners to a work shop on the Pictometry software, 2nd Chance Prom To Benefit Fire Department Prom time is over for students but a fundraiser by the Crawford County Fire Department is giving a second chance to those who may never have attended their high school prom or who enjoy getting dressed up for the prom. The Second Chance Prom with a theme of “Stairway To Heaven” will be held Saturday, June 29, 6-10 p.m. at Camp Grace. Tickets are $20 each or $25 per couple and all proceeds will go toward equipment for the CC Volun teer Fire Department. Dress up in a tux and formal or just a suit and tie, the choice is yours. A king and queen of the prom will be an nounced. If you missed your prom here’s your chance to make up for it, or relive past proms. You can have a good time while supporting our firefighters. For more information and tickets contact Fire Chief Randy Pate at 478-957-9006.
