Newspaper Page Text
Page 2 — Wednesday, September 28, 2011, TheTrue Citizen
Jobless rate falls to 11.6
Burke economy recovering
from sluggish summer
By Elizabeth Billips
lizbillips@yahoo.com
After a dismal summer, the
local economy is showing the
first signs of improvement.
Following a 13.1 percent un
employment rate in July,
Burke’s percentage of residents
searching for jobs has dipped to
11.6 percent.
According to Georgia Depart
ment of Labor (DOL) officials,
the drop reflects 180 fewer un
employed residents — from the
1.316 who reported being out of
work in July to 1,13 6 last month
“Burke’s manufacturing, ad
ministrative and support ser
vices industries are experienc
ing the largest decrease in (un
employment claim) filings,”
market analyst Corey Smith said
on Monday.
However, compared to this
time last year when the county’s
jobless rate was pegged at 10.8
percent, Burke is still lagging.
The rise in unemployment
over the long course. Smith
said, is largely due to layoffs in
education and health services
fields.
Georgia, as a whole, saw a
slight rise from 10.1 to 10.2 per
cent last month, with close to a
half-million residents looking
for jobs.
Burke County, along with
Putnam, had the 64th highest
unemployment rate of the state’s
159 counties - a marked im
provement from July’s ranking
as the 33rd highest.
BIG PICTURE
U.S.
9.1
Georgia
10.2
CSRA
10.6
Burke
11.6
AMONG NEIGHBORS
Emanuel
12.5
Jefferson
14.1
Jenkins
19.4
Richmond
10.9
Screven
14.1
BURKE BY THE MONTH
August
10.8
September
10.5
October
10.4
November
11.5
December
11.1
January
12.2
February
11.4
March
10.2
April
10.2
May
10.7
June
12.9
July
13.1
August
11.6
Commissioners give
spending plan final nod
By Anne Marie Kyzer
annemariek@thetruecitizen.com
A plan for spending county
dollars is settled for the coming
year.
Burke County Commission
ers gave final approval to the
fiscal year 2012 budget at a
called meeting last Tuesday.
The board gave the $43.8 mil
lion balanced budget unani
mous approval, following a
motion from Henry Tinley and
second from Lucious Abrams.
The fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
The approved plan is the same
as that proposed by commis
sioners three weeks ago, one
that includes raises for county
employees and a few new
equipment purchases. The addi
tional spending is to be funded
through increased sales tax rev
enue expected from expansion
activity at Plant Vogtle.
However, the spending plan
excluded any new personnel
and a proposed contract for ani
mal control with Burke County
Old Fella Animal Rescue. Re
quests for new positions and for
animal control were made sev
eral times, but commissioners
said the county simply could not
afford it without raising taxes.
With the budget in place,
county leaders are now turning
their attention to operations. In
the coming months, they will
survey neighboring counties to
see how dollars are spent there
and then compare those figures
to Burke County’s appropria
tions.
Once the figures are in, com
missioners are expected to hold
a series of meetings to discuss
the data.
The idea for the study
emerged during budget discus
sions when commissioners ex
pressed concerns about in
creased county spending and
proposed a way to look at how
efficiently tax dollars were be
ing used to fund current opera
tions.
Officials appointed to county boards
By Anne Marie Kyzer authority for more than two de- of Family and Children Services
annemariek@thetruecitizen.com cades. Hopper and Murray are (DFCS) board. Following a
Burke County Commission- id so longtime members. Devel- nomination by Terri Kelly, they
ers appointed five residents to opment authority members are unanimously approved the ap-
serve terms on local boards. appointed for four-year terms, pointment of Jackie Payton to
They unanimously approved John M. Lovett was unani- serve a five-year term. The re-
the re-appointments of W.H. rnously approved to serve an- tired educator will fill a vacancy
“Dub” Harper Jr., Billy Hopper other six-year term on the Board created by the expiration of
and Lamar Murray to the De- of Assessors. John Lovett’s term on the DFCS
velopment Authority. Harper Commissioners appointed a board,
has served as chairman of the new member to the Department
Rep. Frazier tapped for Pacesetter award
From Staff Reports
Rep. Gloria Frazier has been
chosen by the Women Legislators’
Lobby for the 2011 Pacesetter
Award.
The Hephzibah Democrat, who
represents
Burke and
Richmond
counties, re
cently joined
125 women
leaders at a
Capitol Hill re
ception where
she was recog
nized for her accomplishments in
the state legislature.
According to organizers, those
chosen as 2011 pacesetters have
m
not only provided “ground break
ing leadership” and “noteworthy
legislative service” but have made
notable contributions toward
sound and progressive policy.
‘‘Rep. Frazier was lauded for her
commitment to excellence and a
resolve that the voices of women
of all races and stations in life are
fully and fairly represented at the
policy table,” one organizer said
during the “Women at the Table
of Power” national conference.
The conference also brought
together luminaries, women state
legislators and women activists for
policy briefings, networking and
strategizing for national budget
priorities that can create good jobs,
enhance educational opportunities
and revitalize the US economy.
Much of the discussions were
dedicated to looking for ways to
responsibly reduce spending while
protecting critical programs at
home, such as healthcare, clean
energy and education.
“We need to invest in the
economy and create good jobs,
and we need to be smart about
where we put our money,” Rep.
Frazier said. “As we focus on the
budget and the economy, we must
weigh in for a robust state-federal
partnership to insure the necessary
resources and services are in place
for our citizens. We must protect
vital programs and insist that Pen
tagon spending be scrutinized for
savings as well.”
Keysville prepares for annual festival
By Anne Marie Kyzer
annemariek @ thetruecitizen .com
Residents in Keyville are mak
ing final preparations for the
town’s annual celebration.
The 23 rd annual Come Home
to Keysville is set for Oct. 8, when
entertainment, food and activities
will be on tap.
Organizers are still signing up
parade participants and vendors
for the event, which is themed
“Sharing and Encouraging Our
Future Generations.”
Georgia Power area manager
Lisa Smith will be the keynote
speaker, and Waynesboro Police
Chief Alfonzo Williams will serve
as the master of ceremonies.
Georgia State Senator Jesse Stone
will be the grand marshal, and $25. Anyone interested in a booth,
other elected officials including participating in the parade or pur-
Rep. Gloria Frazier, Rep. Tyrone chasing space in the souvenir
Brooks and Washington Mayor booklet should call City Hall at
Willie Bums will also be present. 706-547-3007 or send a FAX to
Vendor spaces are available for 706-547-3875 by Sept. 30.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
Monday and Friday at 7 p.m. at the Wimberly
House at 521 S. Liberty St., Waynesboro.
These meetings are open and
anyone can attend.
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