Newspaper Page Text
THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 19. 2020 PICKENS COUNTY PROGRESS PAGE 7A
Ball Ground senior center reopens
while library remains closed
After eight months, the Ball Ground Senior Center has
reopened. Center director Julie Arthur reports the center is
now open two days per week, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
with some restrictions.
By Larry Cavender
Contributing Writer
Much to the delight of
Ball Ground's seniors, the
town's senior citizen center
has reopened after an eight-
months closure because of
the coronavirus pandemic.
According to director
Julie Arthur, the center is
now open two days a week,
from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on
Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
However, there are still some
restrictions, and Arthur says
no new members are cur
rently being accepted be
cause of COVID-19
limitations.
On the other hand, the
Ball Ground Public Li
brary remains closed as it
has been since last March.
Sequoyah Regional Library
System Director Anita Sum
mers said the long-time clo
sure is not entirely because of
coronavirus, although the
pandemic is a contributing
factor. She says the reason
why the Ball Ground Library
as well as the Hickory Flat
and Rose Creek Branches are
still not open for walk-in
service is because of a "se
vere staff shortage."
Summers added, many
staff members retired or re
signed with the onset of the
pandemic because of coron
avirus fears, and during these
uncertain times, "hiring has
been difficult." The library
system is currently advertis
ing and interviewing for va
cant positions but training is
proving difficult because of
social distancing. Stating that
the library staff is working
long hours to rectify the staff
shortage, she continued, say
ing, "We are making
progress. We are working
very hard to return to some
semblance of normalcy. We
are still planning on getting
all the branches reopened, I
just cannot tell you when."
In other news, the Ball
Ground City Council met
on Thursday, Nov. 12th and
addressed a short agenda in a
very brief meeting. There
was no new business with
only three items of old busi
ness all dealing with annexa
tion petitions. The petitions
were for property at 560 Old
Dawsonville Road, 619 Old
Dawsonville Road, and on
Roberts Lake Road where the
public access road ends. All
were approved without oppo
sition.
Ball Ground City Man
ager Eric Wilmarth recently
announced the completion of
the long-anticipated down
town public speaker system.
The system is now fully op
erational and is providing
background music to patrons
of downtown businesses.
Restaurant Reports
Inspected October 22
Bent Tree 19th Hole
1885 Little Pine Mountain
Road
Jasper
Current Score: 96
Previous Score: 99
Missing thermometers.
CA: All units must have ther
mometers. Corrected on site
(COS): New thermometers in
units. New Violation.
Observed shelving with
chipping/flaking paint. CA:
All shelving shall be smooth
and cleanable. Repaint
shelves. New Violation.
Inspected October 22
Club Tamarack
40 Little Pine Mountain
Road
Jasper
Current Score: 100
Previous Score: 96
Inspected October 22
Duffers
186 Clubhouse Drive
Jasper
Current Score: 98
Previous Score: 96
Observed exterior baffle
of ice machine with accumu
lations. Clean all non-food
contact surfaces with fre
quency that is adequate to
prevent accumulations. COS-
Manager sanitized baffle.
Repeat Violation.
Inspected November 5
Highland Rivers Health
CSB
323 Roland Road
Jasper
Current Score: 100
Previous Score: 100
Inspected October 22
Lake Sconti Clubhouse
186 Clubhouse Drive
Current Score: 87
Previous Score: 99
Missing proper date mark
ing on cooked TCS foods.
CA: Refrigerated, ready-to-
eat, time/temperature control
for safety food prepared and
held in a food establishment
for more than 24 hours shall
be clearly marked to indicate
the date or day by which the
food shall be consumed on
the premises, sold, or dis
carded, when held at a tem
perature of 41°F (5°C) or
below for a maximum of 7
days. The day of preparation
shall be counted as Day 1.
New Violation.
Observed cleaning sub
stances stored in kitchen area
which are not approved for
food contact surface clean
ing. Do not use non-approved
cleaners/sanitizers in kitchen.
Refer to the EPA list if un
sure. CA: (c) Storage, Sepa
ration. Poisonous or toxic
materials shall be stored so
they cannot contaminate
food, equipment, utensils,
linens, and single-service and
single-use articles. New Vi
olation.
Observed unclean can
opener blade with the can
opener stored in the holster.
Multi-touch food contact sur
faces shall be kept clean. CA:
Clean can opener blade after
every use. New Violation.
Observed accumulations
of food in the drain in the re
cess where the 2 reach-in
coolers are kept. CA: The
physical facilities shall be
cleaned as often as necessary
to keep them clean. New Vi
olation.
Observed multiple live
roaches in the back kitchen
area, near two reach-in cool
ers in the recess. CA: The
presence of insects, rodents,
and other pests shall be con
trolled to minimize their
presence on the premises.
New Violation.
Inspected November 12
Microtel Inn & Suites
171 H Mullins Ct.
Jasper
Current Score: 90
Person in charge (PIC)
provided annual gas fired
equipment inspection from
May 2019 but unable to pro
vide inspection from 2020.
All gas-fired equipment shall
be inspected at least annually
by a qualified licensed con
tractor or local fire authority,
if available. Must get gas-
fired equipment inspected.
New Violation.
Observed several rooms
on all floors with single serv-
All Computer Services & Repairs
On-Site Service Home or C^j^e!
/ Viruses, Pop ups, & Spyware*
/ Computer Repair & ParhfcX
/ Custom Build NewmSsed Computers
/ Software Installation & Upgrades
/ Network SolutiorjpvSetup & Security
Over 25 Years Experience
Bob Bell & Associates
^j\^TServing All of North Georgia
706-301-9148
24 hours a day - 7 days a week
In light of the recent Vet
eran's Day celebrations,
Wilmarth also released a
statement in which he said,
"The city is working on a
couple of long-term veteran
related goals. Coinciding
with this, we will be setting
up a committee to establish a
small veteran's memorial
here in the city."
If you are interested in
serving on this committee,
you are asked to contact city
hall at 770 735-2123 to vol
unteer.
As concerns over coron
avirus linger, the city man
ager also reminded residents,
"Please continue to remem
ber to social distance, espe
cially inside our stores and
businesses." He added,
"Mask wearing, although not
mandated, is still highly rec
ommended by the city."
TRADITION
TREE SERVICE
Jasper, GA
Generations of Tree Care
• Free Estimates
• Fully Insured
• Tree Removal
• Tree Pruning
•Brush Chipping
with our new chipper
traditiontreeservice80@gmail.com
Georgia Arborist Association Member
Josh Bail
C: 678-848-1751
H: 706-253-0122
Leafi&Filter
NO MORE GUTTER CLEANING,
OR YOUR MONEY BACK GUARANTEED!
»% CALL US TODAY FOR
V* A FREE ESTIMATE
1-877-735-0477
15offT10 %
YOUR ENTIRE SENIOR & MILITARY
PURCHASE* DISCOUNTS
Promo Number: 285 Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST
*For those who qualify. One coupon per household. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. ** Offer valid at estimate only. CSLB# 1035795 DOPL #10783658-
5501 License# 7656 Ucense# 50145 License# 41354 License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 License# 603 233 977 License# 2102212986 License#
2106212946 License# 2705132153A License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 License# WC-29998-H17 Nassau HIC License# H01067000 Registration#
176447 Registration# HIC.0649905 Registration# C127229 Registration# C127230 Registration# 366920918 Registration# PC6475 Registration# IR731804 Regis
tration# 13VH09953900 Registration# PA069383 Suffolk HIC License# 52229-H
ice articles not properly
wrapped. Single-service
items placed in a guestroom
or dwelling units shall be
commercially pre-wrapped to
protect against contamina
tion. New Violation.
PIC unable to provide any
documentation related to pest
control. A record must be
maintained on file and avail
able at request of Health Au
thority for no less than 18
months of any pesticide use
on the premises, except for
the occasional use of con
sumer insect sprays on small
spots in accordance with the
product label. New Violation.
Observed boxes, equip
ment and supplies stored di
rectly on the floor in storage
area and laundry room. All
equipment, food, and sup
plies must be kept at least six
inches off of the floor. New
Violation.
Inspected November 5
Pizza Hut
1529 W Church Street
Jasper
Current Score: 100
Previous Score: 100
Inspected November 5
Starbucks Kiosk at Ingles
Store #437
Current Score: 100
Previous Score: 95
Inspected November 5
The Last Catch
487 East Church Street
Jasper
Current Score: 92
Previous Score: 92
Different store bought
cleaners like Clorox and
Lysol being used to sanitize
tables. COS. Those cleaners
cannot be tested for strength
and not approved for use.
Must use chlorine, quat, am
monia or iodine and create
solution with adequate
strength for each chemical.
Must have matching test
strips for each chemical.
Advisory on consumption
of raw foods is not com
pletely adequate-must mark
menu food item such as oys
ters with an asterisk *. Menu
must indicate that the food
with * is raw and that con
sumption of raw oysters may
increase risk. There are also
font size requirements.
Check rales and regs at DPH
Environmental Health / food
service website or call office
for more details. New Viola
tion.
Inspected November 5
The Lunch Box
345 North Main Street
Jasper
Current Score: 100
Previous Score: 100
Clear, Pure Water. The way it should be.
Do you know what’s in your water?
We do. And we can make it
safe and clean for you.
WATER
DIAGNOSIS
CALL 888-604-8043
a * a
Our quality and service
are 100 %^g uaranjteed
Just ask our customers.
smfx
www. metrowaterfilter. com 888-604-8043
Refer a friend or family member and get $75 when they purchase a new system.
We are your American Legion!
We are dedicated to:
❖ Veterans
• Emergency assistance for homeless Veterans.
• Benefits counseling so that Veterans get what they earned.
• Fellowship for Veterans-We have served our country so we understand
what they are feeling.
❖
Community
College scholarships for Pickens County Veterans
College scholarships for a Pickens High School student each year.
Youth Sports Sponsorship for 5 teams and 50 baseball players.
Sponsorship of Scouting at the Senior and Cub levels.
Patriotism
Dedicated to the preservation of our country, its symbols and its values
Participation in community events and presentation of our flag.
Instructing in flag etiquette and proper disposal of worn flags
♦ Remembering the Cost of Freedom
• We know the cost because we helped to pay the bill.
• All gave some. Some gave all.
We know a thing or two, because we have seen a thing or two.
Contact your
American Legion Post:
|1 American Legion Post 149
P.O. Box 477
Jasper, GA 30143
706-253-1715 alpost149@gmail.com
www.americanlegion149.com
Donations are tax deductible.