Funding for the digitization of this title was provided by Georgia HomePLACE, a project of the Georgia Public Library Service.
About Jackson herald. (Jefferson, Jackson County, Ga.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 20, 2024)
o o 24 PAGES 2 SECTIONS PLUS INSERTS The Commerce News JEFFERSON, JACKSON COUNTY GEORGIA 30549 $1.00 COPY County BOC Vote on Hwy. 124 commercial development postponed Action on a proposed West Jackson convenience store and self-storage facility — where a truck drop-lot was fonnerly planned — has been delayed. The Jackson County Board of Commissioners (BOC) tabled its vote on Monday (Nov. 18) after newly elect ed District 3 Commissioner Ty Clack asked to work with the applicant and citizens on an amended conceptual plan. The proposed development site is a tract on Hwy. 124 at Maddox Rd. In October, the county’s planning commission voted to recommend denial of the commercial development. A large crowd opposed the proj ect during that meeting, citing traffic concerns and issues with building in that area. The project’s supporters said the plan is consistent with commercial growth along Hwy. 124, but an attorney representing nearby residents argued that there had been procedural paperwork defects in how the rezoning was sub mitted to the county. 66 TOWNHOMES APPROVED NEAR JEFFERSON The BOC OK’d 66 town- homes on nearly 12 acres at the intersection of Commerce and Wilhite roads near Jeffer son. The BOC unanimously approved a rezoning, with 13 conditions, from agricul tural rural fann district to multi-family residential dis trict to allow for the develop ment. The development would feed into the East Jackson school cluster. OTHER BUSINESS In other business, the BOC: •awarded a $207,128 bid to Jones Mechanical for a cool ing tower replacement at the county courthouse. •awarded an $818,608 con tract to Reeves Young to serve as the construction manager at risk for its fleet maintenance and public works facility proj ect. The project is expected to See BOC, page 2A CLACK SWORN IN Newly elected Jackson County District 3 Com missioner Ty Clack was sworn into office before the board of commissioners’ Monday (Nov. 18) meeting. Clack won a special election earlier this month to fill the vacated seat of commissioner Chad Bingham. An opponent of Vulcan’s quarry proposal holds up a sign in protest during the Jackson County Board of Commissioners’ (BOC) Monday (Nov. 18) meeting. The BOC rejected the quarry project with a 5-1 vote. Vulcan quarry BOC rejects quarry Jackson Co. Commissioners deny South Jackson quarry proposal with5-1 vote Following a near two- hour hearing, the Jackson County Board of Commis sioners (BOC) shot down the controversial Vulcan quarry plan proposed for 900 acres in South Jack- son. The BOC on Monday (Nov. 18) rejected special use requests for eight par cels that made up the proj ect with 5-1 votes each. Commission chairman Tom Crow cast the lone opposing vote against de nial. When the decision was reached, a loud cheer erupted from a large crowd that showed up to oppose the project. Many attending Mon day’s public hearing wore yellow shirts that read “Stop the rock quarry,” while some held up ban ners in opposition. This was the second pub lic hearing over the propos al, and attorney David El lison, representing Vulcan Materials, again denied the area was a major water re charge zone or a threat to the area’s wetlands while also presenting a legal framework for approval. “We understand there’s incredible pressure for you tonight to deny us, but we ask you, don’t be governed by the general will, be gov erned by the rule of law,” Ellison said to commission members. Meanwhile, opponents who spoke again raised multiple environmental concerns, including air and water quality issues, and concerns over traffic and noise they said would re- See Quarry, page 2A Commerce One killed in wreck on Hwy. 441 Saturday A female was killed in a single-vehicle wreck on Hwy. 441 over the week end. According to the Georgia State Patrol, a white Kia vehicle had fled from the Banks County Sheriff’s Of fice around 2 a.m. on Satur day, Nov. 16. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle after seeing it fail to maintain a lane on 1-85. “During the pursuit, the vehicle exited 1-85 NB at mm 154 onto Hwy. 63, ran through the roundabout on Hwy. 59, and traveled south on Hwy. 59 towards GA- 15/Hwy. 441,” according to a BCSO press release. “As deputies continued their attempt to stop the vehicle, the driver crossed into on coming traffic numerous times. “As the pursuit ap proached the intersection of GA-15/Hwy. 441, the driv er failed to stop at the red light and turned left onto GA-15/Hwy. 441 traveling southbound in the north bound lanes continuing into Jackson County.” Deputies lost contact with the vehicle and a multi-agency lookout was dispatched. The BCSO, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Commerce Police De partment searched the area, but weren’t able to find the vehicle. Later in the afternoon, the BCSO was notified that a vehicle matching the de scription of the vehicle that fled was found off the road near Hwy. 98 and Hwy. 441. The GSP’s report indi cates that the vehicle trav eled southbound in the northbound lanes of Hwy. 441 and the driver lost con- See Accident, page 2A MAILING LABEL Holiday events Christmas celebrations coming up across county Braselton kicked off the holiday season on with its tree lighting and parade on Nov. 16. Over the coming weeks, several cities and groups will hold Christmas events. Upcoming events include: COMMERCE • Tree Lighting, Nov. 26 — Commerce will host its Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Nov. 26 at Spen cer Park. The event begins with Santa in the Park for pictures from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., with the official tree lighting taking place at 6 p.m. Families are invited to bring their holiday wish lists and enjoy free photos with Santa, which will be posted online afterward. Attendees can also take a ride on the city sleigh and enjoy the festive holiday lights. • Christmas parade, Nov. 30 — Commerce will host an evening Christmas parade on Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. The city will also host all-day side walk shopping on Nov. 30 and several shops will stay open late. There will also be events in Spencer Park. • Silent Santa, Dec. 10 — Commerce Recreation and Commerce Mainstreet are partnering with Santa for a Silent Santa on December 10 2-5 p.m. This is by appoint ment only and will be for friends with sensory sensitiv ity and special needs friends. Call 706-335-2954 for infor mation. HOSCHTON •Hosehton holiday mar ket and Jingle Mingle, Dec. 6 — Hosehton will host its holiday market on Dec. 6 from 4-8 p.m. This mar ket will be held at 65 City Square, Hosehton. For more infonnation, visit cityof- hoschton.com. The Hosehton Downtown Development Authority (DDA) will also hold its fourth-annual Jingle Mingle on Friday, Dec. 6, from 4-8 p.m. in downtown Hosehton. See Events, page 2A The Grinch took time for an appearance on Jack- son EMC’s float Saturday (Nov. 16) during Bra- selton’s annual downtown holiday parade.
