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About Jackson herald. (Jefferson, Jackson County, Ga.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (April 12, 2023)
THE ACKSON H Wednesday, April 12, 2023 ERALD VOL. 148 NO. 44 28 PACES 2 SECTIONS PLUS INSERTS Merged in 2017 with The Commerce News A PUBLICATION OF MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. JEFFERSON, JACKSON COUNTY GEORGIA S0549 $1.00 COPY Growth Jackson, Banks and Barrow among state’s fastest growing since 2020 Jackson. Barrow and Banks counties were among the fastest growing counties in Georgia between 2020- 2022. A report in Axios this week cited updated Census Bureau data in its analysis of estimated county growth rates in the state. Jackson was the third-fastest growing in the state at 9.4% growth behind Long County (12.8%) and Dawson County (11.4%). Banks County grew 6.9% and Barrow County 6.3%. Neighboring Madison County grew by 4% while Hall County grew by 4.4%. Both Jackson and Barrow counties have long known they are in the growth bull- seye. Between 2010 and 2020, Jackson County grew by 25% while Barrow shot up by 20%. Interestingly, Banks County lost popula tion (-2%) during the same period, which makes the recent growth of over 4% a new trend for that commu nity. Growth issues, from See Growth, page 8A Commerce Commerce talks backyard chicken rules By Alex Buffington alex@mainstreetnews. com A handful of Commerce residents are about to have something to crow about. The Commerce City Coun cil is considering a number of regulations on backyard chickens and ducks as part of its zoning ordinance update. While some of the proposals are standard (like prohibiting roosters), oth ers will likely ruffle some feathers. Chickens are not current ly allowed in the city, but the city isn't able to enforce any regulations. The pro posed changes would allow the city to enforce rules on backyard flocks. The proposal would limit chickens and ducks to res idential properties. Roost ers, crowing hens, peafowl, emus/ostriches and turkeys would not be allowed. The proposal also limits the number of birds to six per household and requires that they be confined in a fenced area (not free ranging). Coops would be required to be located 25 feet from any residential unit, includ ing your home and your neighbors’ home. Additionally, the enclo sure (which would need to See Commerce, page 8A Jefferson Jefferson looks at rec expansion, dog park By Hannah Barron hannah@mainstreetnews. com The future of recreational facilities was the highlight of the Jefferson council’s April 10 work session. Fenton Morris, the Jeffer son Parks and Recreation di rector, presented a proposal for the expansion of the Jim Joiner Recreation Center as participation has continued to grow. The department has been working with engineering MAILING LABEL firm Hussey Gay Bell on plans and drawings for the expansion. The expansion proposal includes a duplicate gymna sium at the back of the exist ing building with additional restrooms, parking and stor age space. The facility would be used for the active older adult fitness and gymnastics program that doesn’t have permanent facility space, as well as the storage of related equipment. The recreation department is also working on renovat ing the old Dollar General store at Jefferson Station to house the program as a tem porary short-term solution. The renovations are expect ed to be complete in May See Jefferson, page 8A Easter Easter Egg Drop held at Chaney Park Photos submitted and were taken by Jeffery Moon and Darius Harris An Easter egg helicopter drop pulled a crowd to Chaney Park on Sunday. The Easter egg drop was hosted by White Funeral Home.While many Saturday Easter events were cancelled or resched uled due to rain, Easter Sunday turned out to be a pleasant day. Hoschton and Jefferson both cancelled their Easter events on Saturday due to the weather, while Commerce rescheduled their event to Wednesday, April 12, at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Commerce. Families participate in the Easter Sunday egg helicopter drop in Chaney Park in Com merce. The event was sponsored by White Funeral Home. An Easter Sunday egg drop was held in Chaney Park in Commerce. The event was sponsored by White Funeral Home. Children have fun during the Easter Sunday Around 1,500 people attended the Easter Sunday event. event at Chaney Park. Religion Local UMC churches join lawsuit against North Georgia Conference A number of North Geor gia Methodist churches, in cluding some from Jackson, Barrow, Madison and Banks counties, have filed a lawsuit against the North Georgia Annual Conference over a dispute about the process of disaffiliation. In 2019. the worldwide United Methodist Church organization created a way for individual churches to disaffiliate from the UMC organization and keep their properties. Some UMC churches are unhappy with the UMC’s position on LGBTQ issues, among oth er items. Last year, 70 UMC churches in North Geor gia. including several local churches, voted to leave the UMC organization. But in December, the North Georgia Conference suspended the process, a move over 180 churches claim violates their right to disaffiliate under UMC rules. Churches have until the end of 2023 to disaffili ate under the organization’s original rules. “Churches in North Geor gia that want to disaffiliate using the previously ap proved process are stuck. These are churches that have done all that has been required; yet, at the last hour were denied the opportunity to proceed with what had been promised to them,’’ said John Kenney, pastor of The Quest Church in Grove- town. Georgia. The Quest was allowed to disaffiliate in 2022. Among the UMC church es in the area that have joined the lawsuit are: Col bert, Commerce, Ebenezer (Jefferson), Holly Springs (Jackson County), Jones Chapel (Madison County), Mt. Bethel (Commerce), New Prospect (South Jack- son), Redstone (South Jack- son County). Statham. Hick ory Flat (Lula), Homer, Lula, Zion (Alto), Winder and New Salem (Commerce). PET ■^Bfi pissly wiggly Pet Milk (Gallon) $ 3.99 PO m WORTSDI WER E - r * j IF* 7 i I ! 10 laftl Coca-Cola (2 Liter) Powerade (28 Oz.) 4 .99 __ o
