Newspaper Page Text
THURSDAY. APRIL 22. 2021 PICKENS COUNTY PROGRESS PAGE 7A
To the Editor:
Community Thrift Store
The situation at the
Thrift Store has gotten out
of hand. If you're not aware
the Thrift Store as a non
profit organization has
given lots of money to var
ious organizations to help
the community. Also over
the years some members of
the community have fig
ured out that it's cheaper to
dump anything and every
thing there. There were
enough good things being
donated to offset the
garbage that was being
“donated.” The Thrift Store
paid out of what they give
to the community to dis
pose of this trash. Fast for
ward to the pandemic
where they lost most of
their volunteers both old
and at risk and the Timothy
House men who provided
the strong backs. They had
to shut down several times
but the inflow of trash con
tinues non stop.
It is time for the com
munity to step up and help
the Thrift Store out of this
mess. Kris Stancil needs to
show that he is the leader
of Pickens County and sit
down with the Thrift Store
board, the new marshal, the
sheriff, public works, the
recycling center, etc. and
figure out how to change
the behavior of some mem
bers of the community that
continue to overwhelm the
Thrift Store with their
garbage.
Now THAT would pro
vide a great photo op.
- Mark Tooker
Letters Welcomed
“Letters to the Editor” is an
important public forum in the
community and the Progress wel
comes and encourages these let
ters. Letters addressing issues will
be accepted but not those express
ing a personal grievance directed
toward another individual. Letters
OVER 400 WORDS in length will
not be considered for publication.
All letters must have a full name
with address, e-mail and phone
number given where the author
can be reached to verify informa
tion. The contact information is
never published. Letters may be e-
mailed to news@picken-
sprogress.com.
Call 706-253-2457 to discuss this
further.
City of Jasper firefighters temporarily
relocated during mold remediation
By Angela Reinhardt
Staff Writer
areinhardt@pickensprogress.com
Jasper firefighter quarters
have been temporarily relo
cated after an inspection
found mold at the Jasper Fire
Station on Burton Street. As
of press time, mold remedia
tion efforts were underway
and it was anticipated the
crew would be moved back
to the station by the end of
the week.
Firefighters were relo
cated to Georgia Public
Safety Training Center
(GPSTC) on Church Street,
in the old Pickens High
School building.
The initial inspection was
paid for by firefighters who
felt like they were working in
unsafe conditions. Firefight
ers told the Progress the city
refused to conduct a test after
they were approached about
the issue. All 12 firefighters
split the $395 cost of a pro
fessional test, which was per
formed by Certified
Inspectors of America on
March 7, 2021. In a summary
of their findings, the report
states, “The results came
back with a total fungi count
that was ‘Slightly Elevated’
to ‘Elevated’ with regards to
the ‘total fungi’ spore counts.
There is remediation that
needs to, at the very least,
take place in the attic and
may need to take place in the
living areas as well.”
City Manager Brandon
Douglas said firefighters
have since been reimbursed
for those inspection costs. He
noted that in situations such
as these, it is “better to follow
with the city’s purchasing
policy,” but that they were
able to make this approach
work.
Douglas solicited three
bids for remediation, and re
ceived two. They accepted a
bid from No Mold Atlanta for
around $9,700 for the
turnkey project. After
cleanup, the city will pay for
a post-remediation inspection
to be performed by Certified
Inspectors of America.
Jasper Fire Chief Steve
Roper said operations have
been going smoothly in the
temporary facility, and dis
puted claims about poor con
ditions there.
“People are saying
they’ve got no A/C, but this
morning it was 62 degrees in
there,” Roper said. “They’ve
got A/C, showers, internet,
photo/Angela Reinhardt
City of Jasper fire trucks and emergency vehicles on the backside of the Georgia Public
Safety Training Center on East Church Street, where they are operating from temporarily.
TV, fridge, coffee maker,
new mattresses. All they
don’t have access to is a full
kitchen.”
The mold problem sur
faced just a week after issues
over low pay among fire
fighters exploded publicly.
An entire shift of firefighters
did not report for one day
after ongoing complaints that
they were underpaid and had
been refused a raise they
were promised. Firefighters
did not confirm the mass call
out was a response to low
pay, and at least one said he
called in sick, but the
Progress reported several of
them had been put on proba
tion and one demoted as a re
sult of being out that shift.
Since that time there have
been no changes to the pay
scale, but the city manager
repeatedly said pay for all
city employees has been on
his radar since he was hired
in 2019. The topic came up at
city council’s March work
session. Douglas added that
the mayor sets the regular
meeting agenda and that they
will have to see if it comes up
at the May council meeting.
No appointment walk-up
COVID-19 vaccine clinics
For a limited time in north Georgia: April 19-22
Are you a Georgian aged 16 or older?
Then come on down to a limited Walk-Up
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic where no appoint
ment is Needed! These limited no-appoint
ment walk-up clinics will be conducted by
Public Health Departments at their current
COVID-19 vaccine clinic sites in Fannin,
Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield coun
ties, April 19-22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There
is No cost to clients.* Pfizer and Moderna
COVID-19 vaccine will be offered, as avail
able. Teens ages 16 to 18 are only permitted
Pfizer vaccine and must be accompanied by
a parent or legal guardian.
Get safely vaccinated against COVID-19
and protect yourself, your family and your
community. See locations for participating
county public health COVID-19 caccine
clinic sites below:
Fannin County: Kiwanis Club of Blue
Ridge, 124 Jones Street, Blue Ridge, GA
30213
Gilmer County: Piedmont Com
munity Center, 824 Industrial Blvd., Ellijay,
GA 30540
Murray County: Murray County
Parks & Recreation Dept, 651 Hyden Tyler
Rd, Chatsworth, GA 30705
Pickens County: Pickens County
Recreation Department, 1329 Camp Road,
Jasper, GA 30143
Whitfield County: Whitfield County
Health Department, 800 Professional Blvd,
Dalton, GA 30720
*Health insurance accepted if presented,
but there is no out-of-pocket expense to
clients.
AMAZING HEARING AIDS,
BUY 1, GET 1 FREE!
Nano RX2000 Rechargeable Hearing Aids don't
come with the big prices you're used to seeing.
You Don't Need to Spend Thousands for Quality
Hearing Aids.
• A fraction of the price of other leading brands
• High-quality, rechargeable, and nearly invisible
• Noise filtering & reduction technology
• Extremely easy to use
• No doctor appointments. No audiologist visits.
No fittings necessary.
• Ships direct to your door in 7 days
NANO ™
Hearing Aids
877-573-9010
For mild hearing loss. These are Class 1 hearing aid devices under FDA regulations per 21 C.F.R. sec 874 3300.
Arenas ant
MORTGAGE LENDING
Get A Home Loan From
THE BEST BANK
IN THE SOUTH
There's something to be said for developing a relationship with a bank
whose people live and work in your community. We get to know you.
We understand your individual needs. Whether you're building, buying,
renovating, or refinancing your home, Donna can help.
DONNA TORRES
678.895.7599
dtorres@renasant.com
www.donnatorres-renasant.com
NMLS#: 1204791
Ask about our single-close construction-permanent
options for new construction or renovation!
criiri ©2019 R e na sa nt Bank. All l°an s °r °ffer s of cre dit am object
sSS rUlt to credit and underwriting approval. Other fees, conditions, and
restrictions may apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Please contact a loan
officerfor details and questions. Bank NMLS: 402669 I Effective Date 04/11/2019
04112019-ACT-1
SPRINGTIME GIVES LIGHT SHOW - Light and clouds make an interesting palette on the mountains which are green
ing up for spring, as seen from near the intersection of Highway 108 and Refuge Road. Photo / Eddie Donato
ROSE PARADE & LOS ANGELES TOUR
5 days, departs December 29, 2021
Los Angeles • Pasadena — Immerse yourself in the pomp
and circumstance of the 133rd Rose Parade with pre
parade viewing of the floats, dinner with the Tournament
of Roses Committee, and grandstand seating to see the
parade up close. You’ll enjoy 5 days in Los Angeles, and
enjoy one of the world’s most memorable New Year’s
celebrations.
promo code N7017
vacations 1-866-721-2490
Other tern & conditions may apply. Ask your Travel Consultant for details.
CALL NOW
°'$500 Off i 844-947-1448
• Over 850 Authorized Dealers
i • Factory-Trained & Certified Installers
• Lifetime Warranty
1 • Made in the U.S.A.
OR
NO PAYMENTS &
NO INTEREST
FOR 18 MONTHS
Offer Expires 6.30.2021
BATH &
SHOWER
“We make bathing safer’
Includes product and labor; bathtub, shower or walk-in tub and wall surround. This promotion cannot be combined with any
AiU —tv apply. This offer expires June 30,2021. Each dealership is independently owned and operated.
)le for those customers who qualify. See your dealer for details. ©2021 BCI Acrylic Inc.
Military & Senior
Discounts Available
other offer. Other restrictions m\
“Third party financing is available
Good Samaritan
HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER
Restoring Health. Saving Lives.
All kinds of care for all ages.
All types of payments.
All under one roof.
Medical • Dental
Behavorial Health • Pharmacy
Open Monday - Friday.
Call 706-253-4673 for appointments.
75 Samaritan Drive • Jasper GA 30143
goodsamhwc.org
We accept a wide variety of insurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield,
Cigna, United Healthcare, plus Medicare, Medicaid & Veterans
Choice. Plus, we have a low-cost sliding fee scale for
ndividuals without insurance.