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Front Jan 23 1/21/03 4:10 PM Page 3 AY PAGE 10A PICKENS COUNTY PROGRESS THURSDAY. JANUARY 23. 2003 Marshall’s office formed to assist Environmental Compliance Enforcement Pickens County will start its first county marshall’s office to better aid enforcement of environmental ordinances against illegal dumping. The new marshall’s office will enable Chris Romine, the newly hired environmental compliance officer, to have arrest powers, make traffic stops and prosecute cases in superior and magistrate courts. Pickens County Commissioner Bill Newton feels that the marshall’s office is a positive addition that will make enforcement more productive. As earlier reported in the Continued from page 1A Block scheduling, school starting date Stanley Goss of the church organization accused the board of intolerance if it votes for a calendar that would start school before August 25th. “You are infringing on our right to worship if you start school before revival is over,” he told the board. “We as saved people better speak up and take back our rights. Your deci sion could make a difference between a child making it and not making it.” But other citizens spoke against such accusations, citing the Consti tution and the separation of church and state. One said board meetings are “not an arena of God.” The Rev. Herb Flanders said, “I’m bothered that we would insinu ate that the board’s decision will make them a good Christian or a bad Christian, or for God or against God.” After the public participation was complete, the board discussed possi ble ways to accommodate the churches and make sure the kids pass the tests. Easterwood told the crowd, “We’ll chisel every day out of the schedule we can to help ya’ll. But we have to consider what’s best for your children’s academics.” Board member Shirley Whitaker proposed a third option for the cal endar which would start school on the 25th. Board member Mark Mit- ton said his major concern was to end the first semester before the Christmas break so students would n’t have to come back from vacation and immediately take finals. Superintendent Lee Shiver said with the new federal No Child Left Behind Act, grades and test scores will be tied to funding. If the school system does not perform well in these areas it could lose state and federal funding. The board voted to table a deci sion until its next regular meeting on Lebruary 6. Both sides of block scheduling presented to board At the block scheduling work shop, numerous prepared presenta tions and off the cuff speeches were given by emotional parents and determined faculty. Arguments were heard both for and against the scheduling method started at Pick ens High School in 2000-2001. When proposed then, the issue brought forth a lot of discussion as well. The workshop was scheduled at the board’s last meeting when a citi zen presented arguments against block scheduling. Chairman Tony Young said Mon day the purpose of the meeting was to “make sure [block scheduling] is achieving what we need to achieve. This is a fact finding mission.” Under the current system, known as the “4 by 4 block,” Pickens High School students take four semester- length classes of 90 minutes each per semester. Under the “traditional” style, students took six year-long classes of 55 minutes each. Most of the nineteen people who spoke were in favor of the 4 by 4 block. These included teachers, administrators, and parents. One stu dent, two teachers, and a handful of parents spoke against the block. Teachers supporting the 4 by 4 block gave multiple reasons. One claimed it allows more options for both the teachers and the students. Others cited the declining dropout rate and the fact that kids may retake a course if they fail. Parents particularly were con cerned that if the board makes another scheduling change the tran sition would make it difficult for juniors to acquire all the classes they need to graduate. Principal Lloyd Shaddix said more electives have been added to the curriculum since the block start ed. Most of the end of course test scores have gone up over the last five years, regardless of what kind of scheduling there is, he said. The only exception is the writing test. He also said overall attendance and enrollment have gone up, and the school system is saving money in costs for supplies and mainte nance. And curriculum director Susan Reeves said students now take 32 classes over four years, as opposed to the traditional 24. Shaddix took a survey on block scheduling last week among teach ers, administrators and counselors at the high school. The final tally was 62 in favor and 8 against. The major complaint against the block, even from several teachers who generally favor it, is that some classes should be a full year rather than just a semester. High school teacher Rosie Wigington said all AP classes should be a year long. Marcia Jasperse presented data that AP test scores in Pickens have gone down since the 4 by 4 block started. She said with traditional schedules, students “will be better prepared for college, technical school, and jobs.” Some English teachers are both ered that students are taking English classes only half the time they are in school. Student Josh Whitaker said the time between courses such as Algebra I and Algebra II can get too long — up to seven months count ing the summer — for many stu dents to remember the material. History teacher Roger Bennett said that since there is less class time under the 4 by 4 block, he is only able to teach what is in the end of course testing booklet. Generally both sides pointed out that some students achieve better under the block and some do not. Mitton said, “We want to make sure we’re doing what’s right for all our students.” Young said the board may con sider putting together a committee of parents and citizens to research the 4 by 4 block further. Board of Education facilities committee meeting A school board Lacility Commit tee meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 1:30 p.m. at Jasper Elementary School Media Center on D.B. Carroll St. in Jasper. As always, the public is invited to attend. Progress, the main duties of the environmental compliance officer are to investigate incidents, educate the public, issue citations and to make sure tire retailers are dispos ing of tires properly. According to Romine, the powers of the mar shall’s office will be directed toward these issues. Since the county’s program began last October, several dump sites have been cleaned up as well as numerous ongoing investiga tions. To report environmental offens es, call Romine’s office at 706-253- 8815. Pickens County’s new Chief Marshall Chris Romine (center) with Commissioner Bill Newton and Probate Judge Rodney Gib son (left). FREE VACATION! Auntie Em’s Used Cars 505 East Church St. • Jasper, GA 30143 Put $1,000 down* and receive a 3 Day, 2 night Stay Choice of: Biloxi - T\mica - Gulfport We also do tax returns if you choose Bring your W-2 - file here - get the car you want! 706-253-3001 *On selected vehicles where down payment is $1,000 or less, or total cash sale. Barfs Balt & Tackle 3RD AMIJAL CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY Feb. 1, 2003 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Featuring: Fishing Guides • Tackle Reps • Food and more! Continued from page 1A Senator Bill Stephens steps into leadership role in state legislature “I think we’re going to see a dif ferent culture in state government — more openness,” he said. “I’m hopeful it will bring a new way of looking at government.” As administration floor leader and a close advisor to the Governor, Stephens will have a big hand in shaping that new paradigm. He worked on the governor’s transition team following the elec tion, acting as its spokesperson and developing the legislative agenda. He was also involved with hiring personnel and working with con stituent groups, and doing a lot of “general trouble shooting,” he said. The transition is over, but that doesn’t free up any of Stephen’s time. The administration floor leader will continue to help the gov ernor develop legislation and push it through the Senate. Stephens said, when he finished listing his new duties, “And I have to do all this while representing the interests of my own constituents.” And while sitting on multiple committees. These include the floor commit tee; the banking and finance com mittee, of which Stephens is vice chairman; the insurance committee; the economic development and tourism committee; the rules com mittee; and the reapportionment committee. One of the hottest topics under the gold dome last week was the governor’s proposed budget, which was released last Monday. The new budget, if passed, would raise cer tain taxes and cut spending in almost every area. “I don’t think anyone is happy with the budget, not even the gover nor,” Stephens said. He added, however, that the colossal shortfall and lack of funds did not leave many other options. Stephens said the miserable state of the budget is due to general eco nomic suffering over the past two years. Also, he said legislators need to change the way they allocate money and be more efficient with spending. He blamed Governor Barnes and past members of the general assem bly, which has been controlled by Democrats for several years, for the budget dilemma. “We inherited a number of prob lems from the previous administra tion, who made some questionable spending decisions,” Stephens said. He said the claim that the gover nor plans on raising property taxes is overblown. The proposed budget would reduce tax breaks given to property owners to eliminate part of the budget shortfall, Stephens said. He added that when the econo my improves and the state has more money, property owners will not be forgotten. “We just don’t have the money to fund it now, but we’re hopeful that it will be restored in the future,” said the senator. One thing that sets this adminis tration apart from the last one, and is an important part of the new gov ernment culture, is they are open to different ways to spend and collect revenue. Stephens said he, the governor, and other party leaders plan to con tinue studying the budget to find other options. He said if anyone comes up with better ideas, “we’re more than willing to do it.” Along with the economy, educa tion and ethics reform are on Stephen’s list of top priorities for the year. And like the economy, he said, both are in urgent need of repair. “We could spend a lifetime try ing to fix education,” he said. Georgia has always lagged behind the rest of the country in the quality of its public schools. Last year, Georgia ranked 50th in SAT scores. While not a lot of extra money will go to education this year, Stephens said it will be one of the few things the administration does not plan to cut. He said he hopes to give individual school districts more flexibility in the way they use the money they get from the state. “The government should trust the local parents, teachers, and administrators more than we have in the past,” he said. The senator noted that redrawing congressional districts will be a pri ority. Last year, the general assembly redrew Georgia’s districts as required every ten years by federal law. Republicans since then have spoken out loudly against the new districts, saying the Democrats drew them with their political inter ests, and not the voters, in mind. “We ought to draw districts that favor the people who live in them if we’re interested in restoring faith and trust in government,” Stephens said. “Voters shouldn’t have to call long distance to contact their legis lators,” he said. Stephens is a co-sponsor of a bill to redraw the districts, and it will go before the assembly sometime in the near future. When asked for his prediction of what the major issues will look like at the end of the year, Stephens said: “There will be a tougher, stronger ethics package,” he said. “There will be more flexibility in funding in education. And we’ll have a leaner, more efficient state government. We expect to be suc cessful in everything we do, but that doesn’t mean it’s not going to be a challenge.” DOOR PRIZES Pickens County’s largest bait dealer Open 7 Days A Week at 5:00 A.M. till 8:00 P.M. WE FISH YEAR ROUND! Largest selection of ZOOM products in North Georgia! We at Bart's Bait & Tackle appreciate our customers and want to invite you to bring the whole family...COME ON OUT! “It’s Gonna Be Fun!!” Apparel Boots Hats Tack Boobs Gifts Open from 10 AM—6PM Monday thru Saturday January Clearance Event Savings of 30% to 50% Includes all adult boots, outerwear, shirts, pants, skirts, saddles and selected jewelry, hats, gifts and horse supplements. Shop early for the best selection! 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