Newspaper Page Text
— www.JacksonHeraldTODAY.com
VOL. 133 NO. 15 44 PAGES 4 SECTIONS PLUS INSERTS A PUBLICATION OF MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. JEFFERSON, JACKSON COUNTY GEORGIA 30549 50<f COPY
— Inside —
Area news:
•Maysville looks at
water rate hike
page 2A
•Runoff ahead Dec. 2
page 2A
Op/Ed:
•'Jefferson should nix
pay hikes, new posi
tions' page 4A
Sports:
•JCCHS basketball
opens Thurs.... page 1B
Features:
7h:s property Has BM!V plaproun the
NATIONAL Rl.iilSTJ- K
Ot HISTORIC PLACLS
BY IHF I IN 11 tU STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE IN IE.R1DR
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• Maysville begins
marking historic district,
plans tour of homes
page 1C
Other News:
•School News
. . pages 10-12A, 6&8B
•Public Safety
pages 6-7A
•Legals
pages 9-24 C
•Church News
page 7B
•Obituaries
page 6B
4 8 7 9 1 4 1 4 0
Consultants OK in budget crunch
Former manager
still on payroll
BYANGELA GARY
THE FINANCES may be tight in
Jackson County and other local govern
ments, but one group appears to not be
hurting too much in the downturn —
consultants.
So far in 2008, the Jackson County
government has paid over $2.5 million
to consultants. In addition, the county
has retained its former interim manager
as a staff employee even after having
hired his replacement.
Leonard Myers served as interim
manager before Darrell Hampton was
hired as the county manager. He has
remained on the payroll as a county
employee to finish projects that were
begun during his time as interim man
ager, officials said. He has also facili
tated several retreats for the board of
commissioners.
The tab for those duties has come
to a little over $68,000 in 2008 on top
of the $112,000 salary being paid to
Hampton.
Another former county employee
who is now working as a consultant for
the county is also doing well in 2008.
Former county planning director/engi
neer Don Clerici’s company, BM&K
PC, has earned over $552,000 year to
date as consultant to the county. Clerici
oversees county capital projects, includ
ing the fire training facility, new jail,
airport expansion, senior center con-
-’iJS?
■
NEW JAIL UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Construction continues at the new county jail, although the budget for public safety is among those
which have been cut by five percent or more. Consultants with the county have been paid to design the
facility, as well as to oversee the work at the jail.
County budget cuts continue
continued on page 8A
BYANGELA GARY
COUNTY LEADERS are still working to cut budgets
while less revenue is coming in for some departments.
One department that is seeing a significant decrease is
building permit revenue, which is down to $273,490 so
far this year, compared to $535,203 last year, a 49 percent
decline.
As for cutting expenses, four of the biggest depart
ments - court system, general government, public safety
and public works — have already cut their budgets by five
percent or more.
The court system budget has been cut by $26,921; the
general government budget has been cut by $55,721; pub
lic safety has been cut $53,011; and public works has been
cut $85,488.
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Dragons advance in the state playoffs
START THE PARTY
The Jefferson Dragons rush onto the field prior to the start of last week’s round one playoff game against
Coosa. The Dragons beat the Eagles handily, 31-13. Jefferson will face Lovett in playoff round two on Friday
at home. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Photo by Brandon Reed
A change in attitude:
Some members of the black community
comment on Barack Obama s election
By Jana A. Mitcham
WHAT IS the black commu
nity’s reaction to the election of
Barack Obama as the next presi
dent of the United States?
It’s not a clear-cut, black and
white issue.
It’s about race, yet, at the
same time, it’s not about race.
On one hand, Obama’s father
is black, and there has never
been a black president.
On the other hand, skin color
aside, some local people in the
black community say Obama’s
intelligence and his desire for
change are what his election
was about.
“It’s not just a color,” said
Lucille Cooper, Jefferson.
“What inspired me was this is
a young man who really wanted
to see change. His education
helped. He inspired everyone —
black, white, green or purple.”
“He’s a smart man, it’s who
he is,” agreed Lucille Law,
Commerce.
For Jim Scott, Commerce,
the focus is on the economy,
education and healthcare — all
priorities for Obama — and
optimism that improvements
can be made.
“We "re real hopeful and very
optimistic that he’s going to do
a good job,” Scott said. “It is a
positive thing for America to
elect him. I’m not sure he’ll
be able to do all of that at one
time..but I think the world scene
will be favorable to some of his
initiatives.”
Yet, there is sense of excite
ment that does have roots in
what the election of Obama
may indicate about the chang
ing attitude of the country and
its people. While Obama did
not win the majority vote in
Jackson County or in Georgia,
he did carry the country over
John McCain.
“I cried all day,” Law said.
“He’s everybody’s president, and
I’m sure everybody’s excited.”
One comment that has been
heard from some members of
the black community is disap
pointment that local newspapers
did not run a photograph of
Obama after the election results
were determined.
“It’s a historical day, not only
in Jackson County, but in the
whole world,” Cooper added.
“Everyone knows the history of
the U.S. This didn’t just happen
overnight. A lot of people sacri
ficed and it paid off.”
Cooper said she is encour
aged that this election truly sig
nifies a change — a change in
attitude.
“This election showed some
people are coming out of the
mold,” she said. “We hope
America has the hope now to
bring the country together.”
Scott added: “He is our first
black president, we all know
that he is. That’s historic for
America, not just the black
community.”
Law cautions that the presi
dent is only one person and can
only do so much, saying, “We
need to pray for our leader...
we know we have to pray for
everybody in authority.”
continued on page 8A
Jefferson looks
at water, sewer
rate increases
Employees may get
5% pay hike in ‘09
BYANGELA GARY
SOME MAJOR water and
sewer rate increases are being
considered by the Jefferson City
Council to help balance the 2009
budget, which is expected to be
tight due to fewer tap fees being
sold.
Customers who use less than
2,000 gallons of water per month
will see no change to their water
and sewer bills. Those who use
less than 6,000 gallons per month
will see their bill increase by
$8.45 per month, or about 16
percent. Officials said two-thirds
of all users use less than 6,000 gal.
per month.
The biggest increase will be for
major commercial users. A com
mercial user, such as a restaurant,
continued on page 8A
Jackson Park
rezoning plan
withdrawn
BYANGELA GARY
DEVELOPERS looking to
locate a major industrial devel
opment in South Jackson have
withdrawn their request.
The request for the proposed
Jackson Park development was
on the agenda for this week’s
meeting of the Jackson County
Planning Commission. However,
county staff reports that the
request has been withdrawn.
There had been a good bit of
criticism about the proposal by
Forestar Real Estate Group for a
zoning change that would have
allowed the development of a
701-acre industrial park along
Hwy. 129, starting 1.3 miles north
of the Athens-Clarke County line
at Mary Collier Road. The prop
erty is a large tract of forestland
continued on page 8A