About The Georgia post. (Knoxville, Crawford County, Ga.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (March 13, 2014)
ftaelies TO TH E Beaches TO THE VXNl T VI > \ l*I > SALE Eagle Thunder Car and Bike Show Saturday, March 15 th Crawford County High School 9 -11:30 a.m. Benefits CCHS football program. THE SECOND FRIDAY AND SATURDAY IN MARCH $53- - # "I # /Of/t t (ic/e/fnation CANDIDATES QUALIFY SCHOOL DISTRICT 1: Raymond Dickey will face Bill Patton SCHOOL DISTRICT 5: Jackson Defore, III COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 1: Larry Cooley will face Sterling Braswell COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 5: Paul Chapman is unopposed Issue 9 Thursday, March 13, 2014 The Voice of Crawford County Since 1921 2 Sections, 12 Pages One Dollar also serving Byron and Peach County County, Coroner to seek independent counsel O'Neal says county cant make him do anything BY VICTORIA SIMMONS The Georgia Post Alan O’Neal was added to the agenda for the Crawford County Board of Commission ers last week. O’Neal began by asking the board members to notify him before any meeting which involved the Coroner or his office so that he would be pres ent when it was discussed. O’Neal reiterated the past relationship on how the county ended up paying for his fax line and his cell phone. Commissioner Paul Chapman asked if O’Neal had a phone line in his home which was paid for by the county. The coroner said the phone line at his home was approved by a previous board, adding that he only used the fax machine. The coroner was adamant that the board of commis sioners could not make him do anything and that he could spend the funds approved for his budget as he saw fit. He said the commissioners had taken upon themselves to run his office and that he was an elected official. He continued that his issues with the county he had raised, had been ongoing, at least 14 months, and therefore he did not feel it could be resolved. He requested that the board approve funding for him to hire an independent attorney as he may bring a “cause of action” against the Board of Commissioners. There was some discussion from commissioners on whether or not they had to approve the request. If they did not approve the request, it would have been sent to the superior court where a judge would have been asked to interview and compel the board to fund the request for an attorney. According to the discussion, most likely it would not have been denied unless it was something outlandish. County Manager Pat Kelly, said the judge would have allowed O’Neal some type of due process. County Attorney David Mincey III, explained that the law was clear regarding issues between county officers and that as county attorney there would be a conflict of interest and therefore each side would have to seek independent counsel. Mincey suggested both parties retain counsel familiar with government law and he suggested Tom Rich ardson and William Nolan. The attorneys are paid the same as the county attorney ($125 per hour). So that means the county will be paying $250 per hour ($125 per hour for each attorney). A lawsuit, depending on how long it went on and the amount of time involved, could cost anywhere from $10,000 on up. Commissioner John Thomas asked O’Neal what an attorney was going to do for him. O’Neal responded that he needed a car. Mincey said that the coroner was enttiled to have legal advice on what he should and shouldn’t do. Thomas replied but that if he (Thomas) needed representa tion, he would have to pay for it out of his own pocket. After more discussion, the board approved allowing O’Neal to hire an attorney at the county’s expense. In other business, Kelly asked the board to consid er approving the Indigent Defense Agreement between Crawford, Peach and Bibb counties. Crawford’s portion is 7% or $156,828.00. The contract was approved unani mously. The board discussed a surplus property sale of parcels that had been sold for non-payment of taxes. Kelly presented the board with 17 parcels that would be eligible for sale. The board approved investigating the parcels for consideration of a surplus sale to get the property back on the tax digest. The board adopted the Au thorizing Resolution - Craw ford County Transit Authority. The resolution states the coun ty is required to give assurance and it will comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Kelly reported that no one had applied to fill the expired terns of current Development Authority Board members and that the current members all had agreed to continue serv ing. The board reappointed Roy Shepard, David Mathews, Arthur Bentley, Troy Cook, Brenda Carroll and Charles Westberry. Board chainnan Dean Fripp noted nay on the appointments but they passed 4-1. Public responds The Georgia Post asked the community on our Facebook page, what they thought about this issue with the coroner. As you might expect, emotions run high and the verdict was about split 50/50 as to whether or not he should be supplied a car. County Coroner O’Neal has cited legislation which states the county has to furnish him the equipment needed to do his job. O’Neal contends that includes a vehicle. When com missioners have asked him if he knew the position did not have a vehicle when he ran for the office, O’Neal has said he assumed he would have a vehicle. The county contends that “equipment” does not mean vehicle. Though he did say he wanted a Cadillac he also indicated he would accept one of the county vehicles not being used regularly. However, the county has contended he will not be happy no matter what they do and commissioners have stated they are also elected officials and are not supplied with a county vehicle. They also contend they should do what the law requires and O’Neal’s idea of what the law requires differs from the county’s. O’Neal requested an office which he was given but the coroner says it is not acceptable. County on social media Manager Pat Kelly has said it was the best the county could do in an emergency and that the county offered to do work on the office to make it more presentable. Most of the responses on facebook in favor of the coroner having a vehicle, suggested that checks and balances for accountability be in place where the coroner would only use the ve hicle while in the performance of his duties, not for personal use. One, Don Bickel, also suggest ed that if they provide him with a vehicle, he would expect to see less of the deputy coroners. A few suggested the county pay him mileage and be done with it. The county commissioners have indicated they want to see this resolved and want the best possible solution for all. Regardless of opinions, the county and the coroner are seeking independent counsel and if they cannot resolve it in that manner, then a lawsuit could go forward and there is no estimate as to how long this issue could go on or the final cost. If you are not friends with us on Facebook, send us a friend request so you can weigh in on this issue and others as well. Thank you to all who participated. Patricia Bassett, far right, presenting Dakota Tharpe STAR Student and James Moore, STAR Teacher with this year’s certificate of excellence. Parents Robert and Cathy Tharpe and sister Rebecca Tharpe proudly look on. Tornadoes hit seven years ago BY BOBBIE EVANS The Georgia Post February was actually severe weather awareness, but the tornadoes of March 2007, which hit Crawford County, will never be forgot ten. Fire Chief Randy Pate and Judy Samuels with the Crawford County Fire Department witnessed the devastation and volunteered their help behind Sandy Point Road and other sur rounding areas where sever al residents’ homes (Sherry Tucker, Linda McClammy Curtis and Joyce Minix) ex perienced the destruction. Linda McClammy’s home was picked up and moved to the surface of the road. She and her pets took refuge in the bathroom and survived. “God protected us,” she stat ed. Curtis and Joyce Minix were thrown in their field with major injuries but both survived. The local residents said the hand of God spared homes, businesses and stor age buildings. Chief Pate said he was proud of the response in Crawford as it was not the same in nearby towns. He said people in Macon were complaining of not getting their driveways cleared, while here in Crawford County, the people stuck together. They made care packages with toothpaste and toothbrushes and people didn’t want to take them and said, “give them to someone else who needs them more than we do.” It could have really been a mess, but Pate said, “what really helped, was clos ing down specific areas to people who lived outside the county. Some people were coming in picking up scrap metal. By closing the roads down, they were able to cleanup areas and get the job done, the chief said. He stressed to people to not get out if they didn’t have to do so during that time. It went smooth, Pate recalled. “MID GA Ambulance sent every ambulance they had. “It’s all about people coming togeth er,” said Chief Pate. For more information about being prepared, contact the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) at 478-836-2616. Crawford County’s Emergency Man agement’s mission is to coor dinate the preparation for, response to, recovery from and mitigation against a host of potential hazards and threats that may affect the citizens of Crawford Coun ty. You can email them at Council grills Chief about overtime STAR student sees biology degree in his future Crawford County Kiwanis honored Dakota Tharpe as 2013-14 Student/Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) recipient and Coach James Moore as this year’s STAR Teacher chosen by Tharpe at their regular meeting held at Hudson’s on March 5,2014. “He has been inspiration to me and I believe he is the best teacher in the system,” said Tharpe of his chosen teacher. Patricia Bassett presented both with recognition plaques as well as monetary prizes. Both have a chance to be honored at a luncheon held in Macon. Tharpe is also the Crawford County High School Valedictorian. A student with intent to succeed, he mapped out his research of all colleges offering quality education in a biology field. His end result af ter what he noted will be eight, possibly nine years, of second ary education at a place in the medical field holding a degree in dentistry or a specialized biology degree. An Advanced Program (AP) student, Tharpe is preparing to devote years to his educa tion in a chosen field of study expected to open to employ ment but also relying on back up of and overall education in the biology field with possi bilities directing him in many areas. Moore could only speak with great praise of Tharpe and his ability to prepare, initiate, and hold to a high work/study ethic. He holds down a job at Piggly Wiggly and plans to work/study in college with the same con centration in study as he has held in school—especially high school. “I have been very proud of Dakota’s accomplishments and I can only say great things about his work ethic and study ethic, producing a pleasure to teach a fine young man,” said Moore. Eight or nine years down the road—2022 or 2023 our readers may hear about Dr. Dakota Tharpe and his abil ities or accomplishments in his final choice of degrees. BY BOBBIE EVANS The Georgia Post The Roberta City Council met for a work session prior to their regular meeting last week to discuss overtime with the Roberta Police Depart ment. Mayor Becky Smith wanted to know how many hours the part-time people had worked over the last 12-month period. There are currently four full time officers, Benny Thomas, Chief, Wesley Griffis, Paul Noe, George Halliburton. Part-time are Tony Steward, Belinda Penamon, and James Roberts. There was discussion to change the vacant position to a fulltime position. Chief Thomas said, “with five em ployees they could cut back on the overtime.” Chief Thomas handed out job descriptions for council to review Overtime. Cody had an issue with two people working every day (during the day) stating he was against it. At that point of discussion, Cody resigned his position on the police department committee. Cody and Councilman Erv Patton mentioned they saw Chief Thomas sitting at Turners Wings for a prolonged period. There was some concern about officers not being at the school zone every day. Patton recommended going into executive session to discuss further. Thomas told them he was assisting the county on one of those days. Cody said he was sorry for getting out of hand. Thomas said they would be at the school zone from now on and that they needed to ex tend time for the school zone. Patton stated not to throw away the COP Grant. Over time is handled with Mayor Smith, she can ask questions. Officer Wes Griffits said he would like someone to teach DARE. DARE is on Mondays and Wednesdays. Wes said he hears the grief all the time. For all the hours they put in, this is the grief they get. Do your job, Cody and Bassett said. Bassett stated the city needed to consider the COPS Grant to cut down on over time. Thomas said, “with schools, there will be over time.” There are other areas where the overtime was com ing from. This is part of the expense. Five officers will be a big help with this problem. Bassett suggested discussing further at another time.
