Newspaper Page Text
This week we have an 8-page C section with
over 250 PHS senior pictures & graduation news
Thursday, May 20, 2021
Volume 134 Number 5 Jasper, Georgia 28 pages in three sections Published Weekly
School board meeting
Recognitions, drama
and a little business
Impact Pickens issues threat:
Step down or we ’ll not be
responsible for the consequences
By Dan Pool
Editor
dpool@pickensprogress.com
Valedictorian Heather
Vincent (left) and Saluta-
torian Brooke Bell. At the
board meeting, PHS
Principal Chris Wallace
said these students
weren’t only smart, but
were leaders at the school
and model citizens. Wal
lace said everyone should
appreciate the time and
effort it takes to be the top
academic performers.
Vincent and Bell were
among several students
and staff recognized at
the board meeting. See
other pictures on Page
UA.
With a meeting that at
times resembled a reality
show, members of the
school board recognized
high-performing students
and heard of a forthcoming
windfall courtesy of fed
eral COVID relief dollars.
But the good news was
bookended between open
ing public speakers who
lambasted them with the
strongest language yet
over ethical and legal is
sues, and it ended with
one board member saying
the elephant in the room
had cast a dark cloud over
the integrity of the whole
system.
Fiery Criticisms
For any members of the
community not aware of
the ongoing controversy:
Since January, three mem
bers of the board (Board
Chair Sue Finley, Steve
Smith, and Aaron Holland)
have been under fire and
facing a recall challenge
over the dismissal without
cause of Superintendent
Rick Townsend only a few
months into his tenure.
Tension throughout the
community rose sharply
See School on 11A
Teen hit by car walking
home from work dies
“He was
. ■'
such a
wonderful,
* Sf \ ■
; v Lq
sweet
kid,”
said aunt
t c*
Peter Genovese
By Angela Reinhardt
Staff Writer
areinhardt@pickensprogress.com
A 19-year-old-year who bought a one
way ticket to Jasper to make a better life for
himself was struck by a car walking home
from work last week. He died two days later.
Peter Genovese had been here about six
months before the tragic May 10th accident
on North Main Street that claimed his life.
“It was around Thanksgiving when he
came,” said Aunt Lydia Marsicek, who lives
in Pickens County. “He was such a wonder
ful kid. He was quiet, but once you got to
know him he was just goofy and funny, and
a hard worker. He was the oldest of all his
siblings so he always had to be the respon
sible one.”
It was late on May 10th when Genovese
was struck by a passing vehicle while walk
ing home from his shift at Walmart. The
driver called 911 after the accident and has
not been charged. The incident occurred on
North Main Street between Old Philadel
phia Road and Hood Road around 10:30
p.m.
Genovese was taken by helicopter to
Kennestone where he died Wednesday
morning, having suffered catastrophic brain
injuries, the aunt said.
The driver of the vehicle was also 19
years old, the same age at Genovese. Be
cause he has not been charged, the Progress
is not publishing the driver’s name.
Genovese was working at Walmart to
save for a down payment on a car - his fa
vorite, a Dodge Challenger. He didn’t get his
license until he moved to Jasper.
“Where he lived in Florida you could
pretty much walk everywhere you needed,”
the aunt said.
In Jasper, Genovese would walk 2.5
miles each way to get to Walmart, five miles
a day, and also had a second job at one point
to save money.
“We would pass him on the road walking
sometimes and ask if he wanted a ride,”
Marsicek said choking back tears, “but he
would always say no. He never wanted to
bother anyone or put them out. He wanted
to make it on his own, not looking for any
National labor crisis here
Employers say positions sit empty
despite higher pay, benefits
By Angela Reinhardt
Staff Writer
areinhardt@pickensprogress.com
Larkin Dailey has owned a staffing
agency for 25 years, and she says the em
ployment landscape has never been in such
bad shape. The CEO is seeing a record
number of open positions, chronic unpro
fessionalism, and people “going through the
motions” applying for jobs but never show
ing up. Dailey, who has a new location in
Jasper, is one of the multitudes of small
businesses struggling here and nationwide
during the ongoing labor crisis.
“In my 25 years I’ve never seen the lack
of interest in working since the pandemic
started,” said the Employ NOW owner. “It
wasn’t as bad in the very beginning of the
pandemic, but once the government starting
giving out more money it’s continually
gone downhill. We are trying everything we
can to get people to come through the door,
but they won’t. It’s very frustrating.”
Dailey said she “absolutely, no question
about it” ties the labor force crisis to federal
COVID unemployment ($300 weekly in
addition to state benefits), which Gov. Brian
Kemp recently announced Georgia will opt
out of beginning June 26. State unemploy
ment will continue, with a maximum bene
fit of $365 weekly.
Between her two offices Dailey has a
record number of available positions. In a
typical year she has around 40 or fewer
openings at a time, but currently has over
200. Ga. Department of Labor’s Employ-
See Help Wanted on 10A
Lions support DDM home
The Jasper Lions Club met on May 13 at the Jasper Griffith Developmental Disabil
ities Ministries (DDM) home. The club presented a check for $1,000 to help with ren
ovations on the house. Pictured with the check are Mark Hamilton, Ryan Austin, Sherry
Oen who is the lead direct care staff, Fred Matthews, and Aaron Bearden. "Congrat
ulations to the fine young men who live in this home, ’’said a Lions Club spokesperson.
handouts. It’s been hard on his
parents, because his brother died
seven years ago due to drown
ing.”
Genovese was enrolled at
Chattahoochee Technical Col
lege and dreamed of playing
basketball in college.
“He was a Christian and in
See Genovese on 10A
Sports
O’Neill Outdoors
columnist talks
about fishing with
a cane pole, and
getting that first
real fishing rod
Page 1B
Obituaries - 9A
• Billy Westbrook
• Frank Miller
• Morris Reece
Contact Us
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