Newspaper Page Text
Page 12 — Wednesday, August 10, 2022, The True Citizen
How to detect hidden fees
New school record
Edmund Burke Academy athlete Connor Syms set a new
school record in the 300m hurdles with a time of 43.36 sec
onds April 23 during the GISA state track and field meet held
at Strong Rock Christian School. Syms placed 8th in 110
hurdles and 4th in 300 hurdles.
Wiggins
Continued from front
KELVIN COLLINS
With the rising prices of gas
and seemingly everything else,
restaurants, travel companies,
rideshares and other businesses
are tacking on new fees to the
basic costs of their services.
Businesses are feeling inflation
impacts just as the rest of us
are, and some are adding fees
to help them survive. Consum
ers should be aware of what
fees businesses are adding, so
they can make informed deci
sions on where to spend their
money.
These hidden fees might not
be evident at first glance, so if
you want to avoid paying them,
or at the very least plan for
them in your budget, there are a
few things you should do. BBB
recommends the following tips
to help you spot fees and avoid
them where possible.
How to protect yourself from
hidden fees
• Don't believe the promoted
price. More businesses are
implementing "drip pricing,"
where additional fees are add
ed as you move through the
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
As the Russia-Ukraine en
ters into more than five months
of wartime, Rev. G. A1 Wright
says he stopped watching news
reports because it’s tough to
see.
“The scenes I have seen (on
TV) are scenes that I have
witnessed with my own eyes,”
the recently retired pastor of
the First Baptist Church said.
Wright has been teaching
in Ukraine for more than 15
years. He teaches in two semi
naries; one located in Kiev and
one located in Lviv. Kiev is
the capital and most populous
city of Ukraine. It is located
in the north-central part of
the country. Lviv is the largest
city in Western Ukraine, and
the sixth-largest in the country.
Wright teaches young pastors
leadership and pastoral skills.
2020, the FCC established a
program known as RDOF to
provide broadband service in
rural areas. They assigned a
large portion of Burke County
to this program in which the
FCC would pay the lowest bid
der to build a system to serve
the area.
In May of 2021, the Federal
government announced that
the American Rescue Plan
Act (ARPA) would provide
funds to cities, counties and
school boards to be used for
infrastructure and other needs
related to COVID. Broadband
internet service was specifi
cally mentioned as an allow
able use of these funds. Burke
County was to receive $4.3
million and the BOE was to
receive $15.2 million.
“I reached out to Chairman
Johnny Jenkins to see if the
BOE was interested in
partnering with us to get
broadband to every home in
the County using our ARPA
funds,” Waldrop said. “He
noted that they had commit
ments for approximately $1
million but he would work to
use the majority of the ARPA
money for broadband. He had
several discussions with me
previously about how to get
broadband service extended
throughout the county.”
In the meantime, costs of
broadband infrastructure start
ed rising as communities all
over the nation were extend
ing service at the same time.
Also, the RDOF was awarded
by the FCC to a company that
could not provide the service
in the Burke County area. In
addition the State Office of
Planning and Budget (OPB)
announced it was accepting
applications for broadband
projects across Georgia.
“In October we finalized
an application with Planters
Telephone requesting $19.9
million from the state with a
buying process. But before
you head to the store or click
the checkout button, find out
what fees, if any, will apply
to your purchase. Be wary of
low advertised prices because
you may discover expensive
cleaning fees, facility fees,
administrative fees, fuel sur
charges, kitchen appreciation
fees, noncash adjustments,
and more.
• Don't be afraid to take your
business elsewhere. Harvard
Business School found that
shoppers typically continue
with a purchase - even if they
are unhappy with the additional
hidden fees. If you think the
fees are too high, keep shop
ping around, recommends the
Washington Post.
• Comparison shop with
fees in mind. Fees make com
parison shopping more of a
challenge. Be ready to do a
little research before you buy.
Shop around, considering each
business's fees as you calculate
the total cost of any purchase.
• Pay with cash. Rising credit
card swipe fees are forcing
many retailers to add a noncash
He also preaches at churches
where he has developed re
lationships with people in
the congregations. Ukraini
ans have also visited Burke
County, staying as guests at
Wright’s home. However, the
last time Wright travelled to the
devastated country was shortly
before the war began.
“I have not been back since
then,” he said. “It is very tragic
and sad. Many of my friends
are there.”
Wright said he has previ
ously spent so much time in
Ukraine that he has favorite
businesses that he frequents.
“I walk around there with
as much familiarity with the
people and the places as here
in Waynesboro,” he said. “It
breaks my heart. This is my
family.”
Wright said he will return to
work in Ukraine as soon as the
environment allows.
match of $3 million from the
County and $3 million from the
BOE. We were advised by our
technical consultants to hold
back funds for a second round
of grant money. The applica
tion sent to OPB was rejected
because their maps showed
Burke County with extensive
broadband coverage due to the
RDOF assignment.
The OPB has a new funding
opportunity coming this fall.
They have changed the rules
and now want Broadband Ser
vice Providers (BSP’s) to be
the applicants rather than local
governments. The OPB appar
ently will provide preference
to BSP’s that have a partner
ship with local governments,
Waldrop said. Burke County
has a Request for Proposals
for BSP’s to partner with the
county to extend broadband
throughout the county.
The latest estimate to get it
throughout the County will be
near $40 million. The Board
of Commissioners is com
mitted to put its $4.3 million
ARPA funds plus $ 18 million
of SPLOST if approved by the
voters towards broadband ex
tension. Planters Telephone is
applying for broadband funds
from the OPB this fall as well.
“By mid-November we will
know how much money is
available for a broadband proj
ect,” Waldrop said. “I expect
the commissioners and our
partners to begin a broadband
project by early 2023 with
the funds we have available
whether that is $7 million or
$40 million. We are hopeful to
have state funds and SPLOST
funds to go along with our
ARPA money to reach the en
tire county. If not, we should
start a project to get broadband
to the most densely settled
areas first in order to reach the
most homes with the funding
available.”
surcharge or increase it for
consumers purchasing goods
or services with a credit or
debit card. Avoid these fees by
paying cash if you can.
• Make a complaint. Con
sumer Reports found that 64%
of consumers who complained
about a hidden or unexpected
fee successfully had the fee
taken off a bill or refunded.
If you get hit with a surprise
charge as you check out, try
speaking up tactfully and po
litely.
• Budget for fees. In most
cases, hidden costs are not il
legal, which means there are
some hidden fees you might
just be obliged to pay. Incor
porate necessary fees into your
monthly budget, so they don't
break the bank.
• Watch out for cramming.
Cramming is the illegal act of
adding unauthorized service
charges without your knowl
edge or approval. Less-than-
scrupulous companies add
small charges to your bill and
describe them with generic
terms, such as "service fee,"
"voicemail," or "other fees."
program is led by the Carl Vin
son Institute of Government at
the University of Georgia and
funded by a U.S. Department
of Agriculture grant. The pro
gram also received a generous
contribution from the UGA
Foundation. It is structured to
provide rural communities the
tools and know-how to plan for
their economic futures.
Tinley has a good grasp on
what the city is doing to move
forward, including working
on a new well on Hwy 56 and
modernizing the waste water
treatment plant. He strongly
encourages citizens to vote for
SPLOST in November as well.
“That’s what we have been
using to pay for infrastructure,”
he said.
However, Tinley feels there
is a gap in understanding the
function of local government.
There is also a lack of interest.
“I have been a city council
man for 30 years, within the
last year I have had people
ask me if I was still on the city
council,” he said. He specu
lated that finding someone
who wants to get involved and
make a difference enough to fill
his vacant council seat could
be an issue. At 75 years old,
Tinley realizes that younger
people must be inspired to fill
positions on the leadership
pipeline. He speaks to students
about what city government
does. While COVID-19 put
a halt on public gatherings, he
hopes to get the opportunity to
• Review your monthly bills.
Take a few minutes to review
your statements each month
and check for new or un
expected fees. If you find a
hidden fee, take it up with the
company. They may be willing
to reduce or remove the fee in
some cases. Even if they don't,
you'll still want to know what
you're paying for and how
much you can expect to pay
monthly for recurring bills.
Learn how to spot and avoid
hidden fees when traveling by
reading the BBB Tip: Avoid
hidden fees when booking your
next trip or read more about
keeping costs down during
inflation at BBB.org.
If you feel a hidden fee is
particularly unscrupulous, re
port it to your State Attorney
General or the Federal Trade
Commission. If you spot a fee
scam, report it at BBB.org/
ScamTracker.
Kelvin Collins is president
& CEO of the Better Business
Bureau serving the Fall Line
Corridor.
Continued from front
speak at the schools again.
Tinley first ran for a city
council seat in 1969 at the age
of 23, motivated by his concern
for dilapidated housing. He sat
on the panel for two years and
worked in code enforcement.
Some of the properties that
are on the city’s current eye
sore list were well-kept homes
when Tinley was a young adult.
“It hurts me because I knew
the folks that lived in those
houses and were buying those
houses, working hard to make
the payments,” he said. “They
didn’t have a lot of money but
most of them had pride in the
ownership.”
Tinley’s future vision for
the city includes a first class
history museum showcasing
local artifacts at the old cotton
warehouse. He would like to
see the current museum trans
formed into a place for local
artists to display their work.
His ideas tie in with his desire
to increase tourism. He would
also like to see an electric auto
charging station.
“I want us to be a destination,
not just a pass thru,” he said.
In three decades of sitting
on Waynesboro’s panel, Tinley
feels proud that the council has
worked to provide a better en
vironment for their employees.
“The first time I was on the
council in 1970, the city was
an employer of last resort,” he
said. “Now we have compa
rable pay and good benefits.”
honor him during 22-23 sea
son.” To do this, the football
team will wear a black patch
with his initials (CW) on the
back of their helmets. During
the ceremony, each player
was given a patch, placed
in groups, and given the op
portunity to apply the sticker
to their teammates helmets.
According to Parker, “this not
only symbolized a commitment
to Coach Wiggins but to each
other as well.” The coaches
also reminded the players of
Wiggins' love for them and the
game. They used this as a cor
nerstone to set the standards by
which the team will represent
both him and the community
with their actions on and off
the field.
As a final remark on the leg
acy of Coach Wiggins, Coach
Parker only had one thing to
say, “I'm big on loyalty. Win,
lose, or draw Coach Wiggins
loved the Bears, and the Bears
will love him back. May this
dedication be a great start to an
even greater football season.”
Continued from 7
Wayne Carpenter, Sr., Waynesboro; Debra Hayman Thames,
Waynesboro; Demetra Camelia Rackins, Midville; Woodrow
C. Thompkins, Blythe; Valencia Renee Jones Keysville; Kaitlin
Makenzy Veldboom, Waynesboro; Georgia Roland, Keysville;
Leslie Renee Medlock, Waynesboro; Devin Owen Leal,
Keysville; Zhane Aliz Watts, Waynesboro; Justin Ray Smith,
Hephzibah; Nikki Rachael Kyle, Hephzibah; Melvin Bell,
Waynesboro; Mark David Gosnell, Waynesboro; Mikos Antonio
Jordan, Hephzibah; Mary Elizabeth Frye, Sardis.
Willie Jean Morris, Hephzibah; Tiffany Quoshaela Gamble,
Keysville; Lorell Bianca Johnson, Waynesboro; Rebecca Anne
Vance, Waynesboro; Baker McBride Story, Waynesboro; Travoris
C. Davis, Midville; Barrett Vincent Wimberly, Waynesboro;
Latanza Denise Joyner, Sardis; Bernard Thomas Martin, II,
Waynesboro; Rudolph L. Gibbs, Waynesboro; Patricia A. Kelly,
Waynesboro; Shameana S. Spencer, Waynesboro; Kelly Donna
Whitney, Waynesboro; Uzziel Nehemias Rodas, Waynesboro;
Ellarea Clark, Girard; Eric Maurice Burdett, Waynesboro.
Jessica Leigh Reeves, Hephzibah; Mamie Lachelle Parks,
Waynesboro; Christopher David Lackas, Waynesboro; Jimmy
Walker, Waynesboro; Aracely A. Rangel, Waynesboro; Joan H.
Poythress, Midville; Tony Scott, Jr., Waynesboro; John Miller
Ayers, Jr., Waynesboro; Ida Gresham, Waynesboro; Tiffany
Shanae Brown, Waynesboro; Lisa Darlene Dojan, Sardis; Pris
cilla Ross Davis, Waynesboro; Emma J. Devine, Waynesboro;
Amanda Gail A. Johns, Girard; Lydia Anne Dye, Girard; Ethan
Tyler Haynes, Waynesboro.
Timothy Lance Coleman, Waynesboro; Derrick Fatt Jones,
Girard; Jonah Andrew Matthews, Waynesboro; Mae Ruth Dixon,
Girard; Betty N. Reynolds, Sardis; Patricia Dyches Atkinson,
Keysville; Thomas Andrew Carver, Keysville; Ceon Saquon
Snelling, Waynesboro.
Jury list
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31ZZfld AS33HD V
CALL FOR SPECIAL ELECTION
To be published in a newspaper of appropriate circulation-
O.C.G.A. §21-2-2(3)
Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with O.C.G.A. §
21-2-540, a special election shall be held in Burke County
to fill the vacancy in the office of Waynesboro City Council
Ward 1 Post 1, caused by the resignation of the Honorable
William B. Tinley. The special election will be held on
November 8, 2022.
Qualifying for the special election shall be held at The Burke
County Board of Elections and Registration’s office at 602 N.
Liberty St., Waynesboro, GA30830, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
on August22,2022, and ending at 12:00 p.m. on August24,
2022. The qualifying fee shall be $158.40.
All persons who are not registered to vote and who desire
to register to vote in the special election may register to vote
through the close of business on October 11,2022.
Advance voting will be held October 17, 2022, through
November4, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Burke
County Board of Elections and Registration Office 602 North
Liberty Street, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Polls will be open
from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
Should a runoff election be required, such runoff will be held
on December 6, 2022. This the 8th day of August 2022.
Beau Gunn, Executive Director
Burke County Board of Elections and Registration
Rev. Wright suspends
work in Ukraine
Broadband
Continued from front
Tinley