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WAYNESBORO, GEORGIA
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Vol. 143, No. 48 - Waynesboro, Ga. 30830 Established in 1882 Wednesday, January 17, 2024 - $1.00
Sheriff cuts inmate housing costs
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetuecitizen.shelliel@gmail.com
Sheriff Alfonzo Williams has
brought all his inmates home.
“The inmate housing program
ended on December 31, 2023,”
announced Burke County Sheriff’s
Office Budget Analyst, Austin
Miettunen. “All the inmates are back
in Waynesboro.”
Miettunen approached the Board
of Commissioners Tuesday, January
9 with a budget amendment request
for inmate housing and medical costs
that exceeded $467,000. Jenkins,
Jefferson, Washington and Glynn
Counties are still owed $185,000 for
inmate housing costs incurred last
year. The inmate medical contract
with Southern Correctional, which
requires a $31,366 monthly payment,
is currently two months past due, he
said. There is a remainder owed of
approximately $282,000 to pay it off
for the remainder of the fiscal year.
“I don’t know where we would
get the funds,” Miettunen answered
when County Manager Merv
Waldrop inquired if some of the
requested funding could be utilized
from the approximate $3.9 million
that remains in the detention center
budget. “If we do that, we will end up
like we did last year with the salaries
being overdrawn.”
Financial Director Michael
Wiseman reiterated the BCSO does
not have enough in their budget to
pay what is owed after exorbitant
inmate housing costs have exhausted
the funding. The BOC voted
unanimously to pay the overdue
$62,732 to Southern Correctional
out of the county’s contingency fund.
However, further discussion
ensued regarding the payment of
inmate housing costs. Commissioner
Art Lively suggested the BCSO
figure out where the money is going
to come from to pay for the bills that
have been incurred while housing
inmates in surrounding county
facilities. Commissioner Lucious
Abrams suggested the BOC give the
BCSO more money since the agency
was underfunded. However, Lively
pointed out that Abrams approved
the budget back in October.
Waldrop said the BCSO could
present a budget amendment within
the department without coming to the
BOC and a purchase order could be
issued promptly. Miettunen said he
would further discuss the issue with
Sheriff Williams.
In other news, the BOC decided
to retain attorney Adam Nelson to
represent them. The panel also asked
again for more information regarding
the USDA Distance Learning
Technology Grant that involves
the installation of technological
equipment at the BCSO. The panel
will readdress the issue during a
special called meeting January 17.
The Board of Commissioners
voted to retain attorney Adam
Nelson to represent them, replac
ing attorney Barry Fleming.
cookie
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
Waynesboro Girl Scout Troop 20384 is
accepting preorders for the iconic American
cookies.
Francina Smalls-Kobus began the Waynesboro
troop in 2017, after relocating from North
Charleston, South Carolina. A seasoned leader,
she led a troop for more than a decade before
establishing the Burke County group. Troop
20384 currently consists of 10 active members.
Nationally, youth membership fell by nearly
30%, from about 1.4 million in 2019-2020 to
just over 1 million in 2021. However, Kobus
said she believes participation is back on the
rise.
“Girl Scouts is a big hit everywhere,” Kobus
stated about the renewed interest. “Parents know
if their daughters go to Girl Scouts, they are
learning a lot, doing a lot and going places that
they have probably never been before.”
The local troop focuses on constructive,
positive activities. They went camping at
Magnolia Springs State Park. They also
experienced LTrban Air Adventure Park. Last
Waynesboro Girl Scout Troop 20384 participated in an
investiture and rededication ceremony last month at St.
Michael’s Episcopal Church. St. Michael’s and
Wimberly House Ministries sponsor the troop by pro
viding space for them to meet at no charge .Pictured:
Back row,( I to r) Kari, Aubrey , Nolah and Katelyn.
Front row, (I to r): Ever, Aubrey, Hope and Hayden. Not
pictured: Kaylee and Lamila'J.
year, they embarked on a trip to Savannah where they visited
Girl Scout Founder Juliette Gordon Low’s birthplace. This
year, they intend to explore Eudora Wildlife Safari Park and
Splash in the Boro waterpark.
To earn badges, the troop donated pet food and supplies to
Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue. This weekend they
will assist with breakfast preparation and serving during the
Heaping Hands ministry at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.
The troop plans to clean up litter at the Waynesboro City Park
this spring as a community service project.
Participating in the cookie program teaches the girls
valuable skills like customer service, goal-setting, decision
making, money management, entrepreneurship, g ^ ^
business ethics and marketing. The proceeds
assist in funding the troop’s trips, with 19% of
COOKIES,
the local sale proceeds benefiting the Waynesboro
2023- A Year In Review - Part Three
Compiled by
Roy F. Chalker Jr.
SEPTEMBER 6
BCHS Principal, Dr. Walter
Seabrooks and Superintendent
Dr. Angela Williams informed
Alumni, parents and the community
August 28 that the tailgating part
of Homecoming 2023 has been
canceled.
The General Municipal Election
promises to include interesting races
in Waynesboro, Sardis and Midville.
Obituaries included Willie Arthur
Levine, Helen Chandler Kirchner,
Willie Mae Wright and Albert
Holland.
SEPTEMBER 13
In a September 7 letter addressed
to the Board of Commissioners,
Sheriff Alfonzo Williams accused
the panel of “defunding” the police
and predicted that people will die
because of their fiscal management
practices.
“The Commission is on a very
dangerous path seeking to defund
and dismantle law enforcement
services, which will have catastrophic
consequences on public safety,”
Williams wrote. “...People will die
due to dangerous defunding. We
do not have alternative means of
protecting the public.”
Obituaries included Marianne
Bevan Hopper, Keela Denise White,
Linda Dunaway, Jimmy Rayford
Quick, Charles Prescott, Sr., Amos
Lee Brihm, Willie Mae Clay, Lottie
Lott Lewis and Ricky Coleman.
SEPTEMBER 20
The Board of SEE
Commissioners REVIEW
has contracted with
Future training center
in sight for BCSO
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
The Board of Commissioners is
not willing to approve the continued
leasing of a Sixth Street building for
more than a couple of months.
Chief Deputy Lee Webster asked
the BOC January 9 to approve a
renewal of a Sixth Street building’s
lease, rented from Robert McCafferty.
The current lease expires March 24,
2024. McCafferty offered to rent
the building again to the BCSO for
a fee of $40,800 for one year, if it is
paid in its entirety in advance. The
rental cost of the building is $44,880
annually if it is paid by the month.
Additionally, he charges a $170
late fee if the payment is not paid
or postmarked by the first of each
month. The BCSO has utilized the
building as a training center for two
years, but Commissioner Art Lively
criticized the use of grant money
to renovate the building to fit the
BCSO’s needs. However, the BCSO
may soon have a permanent training
center location instead.
The Tax Commissioner is moving
from the 801 Liberty Street location.
The building is expected to be vacant
by March 1. The BOC suggested the
BCSO speak to McCafferty about
continuing to rent the Sixth Street
building on a month-to-month basis
short term until the BCSO can move
into the Tax Commissioner’s space.
Commissioner Tommy Nix was
adamant that one month after the
lease expires should be adequate
time in the Sixth Street building.
The BCSO pays the rent out
of their confiscated assets fund,
however the BOC is the only one
who has the authority to purchase or
lease property.
The Tax Commissioner, Tax
Assessor and the Planning and
Zoning offices are moving to the
renovated cotton warehouse on
Myrick Street, behind the Judicial
Center.
Burke County hires first
airport superintendent
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
Louis Foss began his role January
2 as the Burke County Airport’s first
superintendent.
In past years, the airport housed
caretakers who lived onsite,
according to County Manager Merv
Waldrop. However, with the addition
of fuel and hangars, daily tasks at the
facility will increase. As the airport
continues its path to growth, Foss
will oversee the daily operations.
“I will be making sure the airport
is safe and operable,” he stated.
“Making sure the fuel is safe and
clean...and working with our
(future) tenants.”
Foss is enthusiastic about the
County’s plans to expand the
airport’s reach within the next couple
of years, including Burke County
access for attendees of the Masters
Tournament.
“Definitely the Masters,” he said.
“That will definitely be a large focus
for us... We are looking forward to
providing good service for them.”
The Burke County job vacancy
Louis Foss introduced himself
during the Board of Commission
ers meeting January 9.
came at the right time, Foss said. He
was ready to advance in his career.
He graduated from
Houston County High
School in Warner FOSS,
Robbins, Georgia. 10