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County Commission postpones action on subdivisions for 90 days KAV S. PEDROTTI kayspedrotti@gmail.com Following a public hearing on potential changes in an ordinance for subdivision devel opment, and further comments by citizens in the regular meeting last week, the Lamar County board of commissioners voted to table action on the matter for 90 days. Commission chair Charles Glass said the board needs more input and that having more time to consider the sub division regulations will enable the board to agree on a plan that would best serve the county in all areas. Zoning administra tor Amanda Buice said there are other stipula tions which could be in cluded, such as lot sizes, style of houses, minimum square footage, conser vation areas and usable greenspace, water and sewerage requirements and others. Commissioner Ben nie Horton commented that the extension of the subdivision plan docu ment and further work by the commission “puts us on board for coming together to do what’s best for the county.” The board plans to vote on extending or lifting the moratorium on major subdivisions at a special called meeting in June. Another town hall meet ing will be scheduled soon, Glass said. Several citizens expressed approval of the 90-day extension for more planning before the final vote. Speakers included Rick Stephen son, Melissa Cline, Chase Hassey, Elaine Hallada and Bill Daniel. The board unani mously approved a proclamation honor ing the late John Perry Walker Sr., the first Black bailiff in Lamar County courts, where he served for 10 years. Horton read the proclamation that included Walker Sr.’s long service to the com munity independently and through his church, Antioch Baptist, where he was a deacon. A U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, he held posi tions in several commu nity clubs and organiza tions and was employed at Continental Tire for 51 years. His son, John Perry Walker Jr., was tearful in thanks to the commission for honoring his father’s memory. In other action, the commissioners: • Voted to allow rezon ing of property owned by Clinton Middleton at 2889 Highway 36 East, from agricultural-residen tial to highway commer cial, with restrictions on the types of businesses located on the property. • Approved board appointments for the Region 04 Emergency Medical Services Adviso ry Board because of term changes from two years to three years as follows - Douglas Matthews, expiration June 30, 2023; Dr. Robert Cox, expira tion June 30, 2024. • Took no action pend ing discussion with other counties on the Towaliga Circuit Budget and Indi gent Defense Budget. • Discussed the Pike County agreement with Ameripro Medical Transport may increase the number of ambu lances available in Lamar County. • Approved right-of- way mowing at three cuts this year. • Approved pur chase of a fire truck for $504,374 from SPLOST collections. • Approved bids for gym renovations totaling $419,101; bids to build a new gym had been sub mitted at $3 million-plus. • Accepted a report by county administra tor Sean Townsend that $9,546,510.87 in SPLOST funds has been collected with 18 more months remaining on the tax; forecast is approximately $130,000 per month. The TSPLOST is fore casted at $10,800,000 for its allowed duration. Townsend said the col lections are enabling such needed purchases as the new fire truck to replace aging equipment. Shooting victim tells story FROM PAGE ONE probationer. Additional are pending both here and in Pike County. Wright reported one of the bullets went into his home, through two walls and into a cupboard where it shattered vari ous items. “They got that bullet out for ballistics,” he added. Wright was over whelmed with the response from his neigh bors, friends, law en forcement and especially his fellow veterans. “I’m kinda glad the po lice got him first. There were about 200 vets out riding around looking for that sonofabitch. There’s no telling what would have happened if they had gotten there first,” Wright concluded. Tuesday, May 24,2022 ®[je Hgraltr <©a?ttte 3A THE HERALD GAZETTE/WALTER GEIGER Man seriously injured in bike crash BPD officers and first responders attend to a motorcyclist who missed a curve on North College Drive May 19 and was thrown onto the railroad right-of-way adjacent to the roadway. Chief Craig Cooper identified the man as Robin Everette Smith. Smith was taken by ambulance to Atrium Health in Macon where he was listed in fair condition Friday. The crash happened at about 1:40 p.m. Local election today; polls open until 7 p.m. Wise Smith. Lurking on the November ballot will be Libertarian Martin Cowen. Incumbent Commis sioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black is running for US Senate. Those in the race to replace him are Republican Tyler Harper, Democrats Winfred Dukes, Nakita Hemingway and Fred Swann and Liberatarian David Raudabaugh. Incumbent Insurance Commissioner John King has two opponents in the GOP primary. They are Ben Cowart and Pat rick Witt. Battling for the Democrat nomination are Raphael Baker, Janice Laws Robinson and Mat thew Wilson. Incumbent State School Superintendent Richard Woods faces John Barge in the Repub lican primary. Democrats seeking the post are Currey Hitchens, Jaha V. Howard, James Morrow, Jr., and Alisha Thomas Searcy. Labor Commissioner Mark Butler (R) is not seeking reelection. Democrats in this race are William Boddie, Jr., Thomas Dean, Nicole Horn, Lester G. Jackson, 111 and Nadia Surrency. Republicans on the bal lot are Kartik Bhatt, Mike Coan and Bruce Thomp son. FROM PAGE ONE representative Beth Camp (R) faces chal lenger Dan Brue (R). The winner in that race has no Democrat opposition in the general election. The most crowded field of candidates can be found in the race for District 2 county com missioner where incum bent Bob Heiney is also not seeking reelection. Four Republicans are seeking the nomination in that race. They are Don Coffey, William Dan iel, Chase Hassey and Jason Lovett. A runoff is likely in that battle. The winner will face Demo crat U’Landa Barkley in November. Veteran District 2 school board member Sue O’Neal also declined to seek reelection. Robyn L. Roche is running un opposed for that spot. Other Candidates running unopposed: Towaliga Circuit Judge of Superior Court: Incum bent Tommy Wilson. School Board (at large): Incumbent Danny Turner(R). School Board District 4: Incumbent Ron Smith (R). Races to be decided in November: State Senate Dist. 16: Incumbent Marty Harbin (R) vs. Pingke Dubignon (D). State House Dist. 134: Incum bent David Knight (R) vs. Anthony Dickson (D). In the gubernatorial battle, Sta cey Abrams is the lone Democrat in the race. Battling incumbent Re publican Brian Kemp for the GOP nomination are Catherine Davis, David Perdue, Kandiss Taylor and Tom Williams. Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan is not seek ing reelection. Multiple candidates are in this race. The Democrat candidates are Erick E. Allen, Charlie Bailey, Tyrone Brooks, Jr., Tony Brown, Kwanza Hall, Jason T. Hayes, Derrick L. Jackson, R. Malik and Renitta Shannon. The Republicans bat tling for the nomination are Burt Jones, Mack McGregor, Butch Miller and Jeanne Seaver. Also seeking the post is Liber tarian Ryan Graham. In the US Senate race, incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock faces a primary challenge from fellow Democrat Tamara Johnson-Shealey. Six Re publicans are bat tling it out for the nomina tion in the primary. They are Gary W. Black, Josh Clark, Kel vin King, Jonathan McColumn, Latham Saddler and Her- schel Walker. In the 3rd District Congressional race, incumbent Republican Drew Ferguson faces a challenge from fellow Republican Jared Craig in the primary. The win ner will face Democrat challenger Val Almonord in November. Other statewide races: Secretary of State: Incumbent Republican Brad Raffensperger has multiple challengers. The Republicans are David Belle Isle, Jody Hice and T.J. Hudson. The Democrats are Dee Dawkins-Haigler, John Eaves, Floyd Griffin, Bee Nguyen and Michael Owens. Attorney General Chris Carr faces fellow Republican John Gordon in the primary. Run ning for the Democrat nomination are Jennifer Jordan and Christian VOTE Midway Baptist Church 158 City Pond Rd. • Pastor Rev. Charles Johnson Get more eyes on your business by advertising in Wl)t ID rra lb (Puu'ttf or Online at Barnesville.com (LQuoaEIfe UPSON Regional Medical Center Join us for a BhkfrVb CntEri# For our New Helipad for Emergency Medical Transport Thursday, June 16, 2022 10:30 a.m. Top Parking Deck Upson Regional Medical Center 801 W. Gordon St. Thomaston, GA 30286