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Thursday, February 25, 2021 Volume 133 Number 45 Jasper, Georgia 20 pages in two sections Published Weekly
Election office accessibility
subject of state complaint
By Angela Reinhardt
Staff Writer
areinhardt@pickensprogress.com
The Pickens County
Board of Elections is one of
many entities Secretary of
State Brad Raffensperger
and the State Election Board
allege committed voter vio
lations during the 2020 elec
tion season.
The local elections board
as well as elections supervi
sor Julianne Roberts, are ac
cused of “failing to provide
adequate access in a polling
place as required by the
Americans with Disabilities
Act.”
On Wednesday, Feb. 17,
the State Election Board
five-member panel heard in
vestigative findings in 63
cases. The board voted to
refer 24 of those, including
the Pickens County case, to
the attorney general for
prosecution. The Secretary
of State’s office referred an
other 35 cases of elections-
While the county hasn’t been told
specifics on the case against their build
ing, voters publicly complained about
the steep hill where the lines formed
during early voting last year.
Progress file, Oct. 2020 / Photo
law violations to the attorney
general or local district attor
neys for criminal prosecu
tion earlier this month as
well.
The Secretary of State of
fice’s investigation division
investigates accusations of
voting irregularities and
presents their findings to the
board, which can levy fines,
issue a letter of instruction,
or refer the case for prosecu
tion.
“We will continue to root
out voting fraud and make
sure anyone guilty of it faces
prosecution,” Raffensperger
said in a prepared statement.
“Fortunately, these individ
ual cases aren’t large enough
to change the outcome of a
statewide election. Their
See Elections on 11A
Freedom/Liberty Trees planted in Lee Newton Park
Leaders from the Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution led a ceremony
recognizing the planting of three “Liberty Trees” at Lee Newton Park; (l-r) Stan Lewis,
Mary Turner, Kevin Karel, founder of the project, and Emil Decker.
By Max Caylor
Progress Contributor
Jasper has added three
Revolutionary War symbols
of patriotism and independ
ence with the planting of
three Freedom Trees in Lee
Newton Park. The planting
was made possible through
the Daughters and Sons of
the American Revolution
and the City of Jasper.
“Freedom Trees became a
rallying symbol for inde
pendence throughout the
colonies,” said Sons of
American Revolution mem
ber Kevin Karel and chair
man and founder of The
Liberty Tree Environmental
Education Program, who
spoke at the planting.
The original Freedom
Tree was an elm planted in
1646 on the main road in and
out of Boston. It was a land
mark and became a symbol
of revolt with other colonies
establishing their own or
poles.
In Georgia, Savannahians
erected a Freedom Pole out
side the governor’s mansion
to express their desire for in
dependence.
“Today a Liberty Tree
would be like putting a Bull
dog or Gator logo on a tree
trunk and having supporters
start cheering and singing,”
said Sons of the American
Revolution member Stan
Lewis, addressing the dedi
cation crowd.
The Bostonian tree be
came a rallying spot for
See Trees on 11A
County reduces contingency fund with personnel spending
School
board
terminates
supt.’s
contract
By Angela Reinhardt
Staff Writer
areinhardt@pickensprogress.com
In a called meeting Tues
day afternoon, the Pickens
Board of Education voted 3-
2 to terminate the contract of
Dr. Rick Townsend as super
intendent.
The motion also included
requirements necessary to
make the payment for the
final balance of his contract.
See Supt. on 11A
PHS Nettes are
region champs
Page 1B
Stancil says fund
balance remains
healthy
By Angela Reinhardt
Staff Writer
areinhardt@pickensprogress.com
At their February meet
ing, commissioners voted to
approve a new position and
increase a part-time position
to full-time, which will re
duce the county’s contin
gency fund to only $24,000.
But the county’s top officials
say Pickens is still in good
financial shape.
Commissioners approved
an amendment to their
budget to move $77,280
See County on 11A
Commissioners recognized former Commission Chair Rob Jones for his 16 years of sendee as the top county offi
cial. Current Commission Chair Kris Stancil read a proclamation honoring Jones and presented the former commis
sioner with a folded American flag that flew at the county administration office on his last day in office. He was
commendedfor a “commitment to excellence, including many civic contributions. ’’Jones is pictured with (L-R) Com
mission Chair Kris Stancil, commissioners Jerry Barnes and Becky Denney, and members of Jones ’family.
Masks had been worn by all until the moment the photo was taken.
Obituaries - 10A
• Barbara Thomason
• Benjamin Hitt
• Brenda Brown
• Deane Briegel
• Glenda Reeves
• Nicholas Parks
• Ronnie Byers
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