About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (July 17, 2024)
4A Midweek Edition-July 17-18, 2024 The Times, Gainesville, Georgia I gainesvilletimes.com LOCAL FROM 1A Hall Taxes people in attendance. About half a dozen people spoke in opposition to higher taxes, though several well-known figures in Hall County expressed their support for the board. Schofield and longtime school board member Nath Morris said they have never seen so many people show up for a property tax meeting. But Schofield insisted that public opposition didn't ultimately influence the board's decision to lower the tax rate as much as it did. “The board was thinking of doing that all along," he told those in attendance. Outgoing school board member Nath Morris said he was happy with the tax rate and the budget adopted by the board. “I can sleep well tonight,” he told those in attendance. ‘I need a break’ Some of those who spoke out against higher taxes struck a similar note: They are struggling to make ends meet in this economy. “I'm just here to offer a plea,” said Patti Minton. “I'll be 67 in August. I'm working longer and harder than I've ever worked in my life. ... It is a real struggle. I'm single. I'm not extravagant, I drive a 2011 car. I love my life, I'm thankful for my life, but I need a break, and I just feel like there has to be some areas that some things can be cut to give people like me and these people a break, so please, please consider what we're going through.” Likewise, Susan Smith said she can barely afford to pay her bills. “My retirement check is just enough to cover my bills,” she said. “In order to help my child attend college, I have taken contract work to supplement my income. I do not feel that I should continue taking even more work on to help add to this budget.” She suggested Schofield's salary increases over the past decade were unjustified, citing what she viewed as poor student achievement metrics. Schofield's salary has increased nearly 60% over the last decade, from $189,821 to $302,000. “That seems a bit extreme,” she said. Schofield told The Times after the meeting that people are well within their right to scrutinize his salary, but he said he has turned down some pay raises over the years and is paid below market rate given the length of his tenure and the number of students in the district. Perhaps the most angry criticism came from Eric Miller, a biker wearing a cowboy hat and a leather vest, with a big patch that says “Don't tread on me,” and a smaller one that says “I voted for Trump and I carry a gun.” “You do not presume to lecture to (us),” he said to Schofield, later adding, “I'm telling you no.” He said that taxpayer money should not be used to educate the children of undocumented immigrants, whom he called “anchor babies.” The Meat Science Center comes under fire The district's Agribusiness Center and adjacent Meat Science Center in North Hall served as something of a focal point during the hearing, with some saying that it is not the school district's place to raise animals and slaughter them for meat. “I know we face a lot of things in our society as far as food security, but one thing I do want to note right off is, it's not the responsibility of the Hall County school system to build meat processing facilities,” said Brandon Dean, himself a beef producer, eliciting claps from the crowd. “It's also, in my opinion, an unethical use of funds when we have so many other areas that are areas of need in our education program in Hall County.” Schofield countered by noting that most of the funding for the $8.5 million Meat Science Center came from state and federal grants, not taxpayer funds. He said the center will eventually be able to provide some of the district's protein needs and will likely turn out to be a money making investment. Schofield comes from a long line of dairy farmers and has advocated for a return to local food production. Incoming state Sen. Drew Echols, R-Alto, spoke toward the end of the hearing in support of the district's agriculture programs. “I'm here to speak on behalf of the farm,” said Echols, who is the co-owner of Jaemor Farms in Alto. There's people hurting all over this county,” he said, referring to people's financial struggles, but he said the district's farm is important for training students for careers in agriculture. Phil Sutton, vice president of Kubota Manufacturing, also spoke in favor of the district's agriculture programs and its work-based learning programs more generally. “I couldn't be more proud of the tough work that you all have done to create the workforce that we need for the future,” Sutton said to the board. “We employ on average 50 to 60 young students from Hall County Schools every year in work-based learning, everything from accounting to engineering, from manufacturing to assembly.... And this is a huge benefit to this entire community.” Dipping into reserves The district says costs have increased significantly over last year, largely due to teacher raises and a state-mandated increase in health insurance premiums. Gov. Brian Kemp approved a $2,500 raise for teachers, but the additional state funding won't cover all teachers. And Kemp's raises don't apply at all to classified staff, such as bus drivers, custodians and lunchroom workers. Employee salaries and benefits make up the vast majority of the district's costs. Here are some of the cost increases the district will incur. • $2,500 teacher raises: $6.8 million • Health insurance increase: $6.2 million • New reading curriculum: $3 to $4 million • $1,000 raises for classified staff: $1.2 million Schofield told The Times after the meeting that the district will have to use $7 million to $10 million of its $80 million reserve fund to cover its costs for the 2024-25 fiscal year. When asked whether the district will have to keep depleting its reserve fund in the coming years, he said probably not. The district received a one-time $6 million slash to its state funding this year, he explained, but he expects it to be restored next year. The school board sought to keep a robust reserve fund after the 2007-09 Great Recession, when it had to lay off teachers and slash funding for various programs. Schofield Morris Echols Obituaries Thomas Beeland “Tommy” Martin, Jr. July 11,2024 Funeral services for Thomas Beeland "Tommy” Martin, Jr., 84, of Reynolds was held on Sunday, July 14, at 2:30 pm at Trinity Church of Reynolds. Visi tation was held one hour prior to the service. Burial followed in New Prospect Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery. Tommy passed away at The Oaks Nursing Home on Thursday, July 11. He was a member of Trin ity Church of Reynolds. After being a Boy Scout for many years, he earned Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in the Scout program. In 1958, he won the State track 100-yard dash. He graduated from Mercer University and the University of Georgia and was a retired educator, teaching at Hall County Board of Education and Bibb County Board of Education. He was also a Mason at Flowery Branch Masonic Lodge. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Beeland Martin, Sr. and Marie Freeman Gilson; a son, Todd Beeland Martin; and two grandsons, Mat thew Martin and Travis Martin. Survivors include his wife, Joanie Martin of Reynolds; two sons, Tim Martin (Wendy Ward ) of Missouri and Trent Martin (Beth Denny) of Flowery Branch; one daughter, Tammy Dudley (Todd) of Sandersville; one step sister, Gloria Sampson of Butler; two grandchildren, Amber Beaty (Jake) of Mt. Airy and Patrick Martin of Gainesville; two great grandchildren, Raelynn Beaty and Everly Davy; a niece and nephew and several cousins also sur vive. In lieu of flowers, memo rial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Trinity Church of Reynolds. You may sign the online guest register at www. mcleightonfuneralservice. com McLeighton Funeral Ser vice of Reynolds was in charge of arrangements. Gwendolyn (Gwen) Bond Owens June 28th, 2024 Gwendolyn (Gwen) Bond Owens, originally from Elberton, passed away on June 28th. She was the second of five children and attended Athens High School, excelling academi cally and in basketball. After high school, Gwen chose to support her fam ily financially instead of attending college, working as a secretary at GMAC in Athens. While there, she met and married Robert (Bob) Owens in 1962. They then moved to Dahlonega, Georgia, where Bob established the Fine Arts Department at North Georgia College, and later settled in Cleve land, Georgia. She lived there until moving to the Braselton Phoenix Senior Living Community in 2023. Gwen found joy in assist ing Bob with his pottery business, and their mar riage was a source of great happiness until Bob’s pass ing in 2004. Gwen worked at Truett McConnell Col lege and later served as the financial director for the White County Board of Education until her retire ment in 2000. She was also active in her commu nity, primarily through the Kiwanis Club and serving many leadership roles at the Cleveland United Meth odist Church. She and Bob had two sons, Benjamin and Rob ert, three grandchildren, and five great grandchil dren. Gwen is survived by her eldest son, Ben, who lives in Brasstown, North Carolina and Robert’s wife, Jean, who lives in Cleve land. A celebration of Gwen’s life was held on Sunday, July 7th, at 3 pm at the First Methodist Church in Cleveland, followed by a reception. It was Gwen’s wish that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Bob Owens Art Scholar ship Fund at University of North Georgia University. To share a memory or to leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.barrettfh.com Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland. Death Notices Anel Matias Diaz July 8th 2024 Anel Matias Diaz age 88 passed away on Monday July 8th. A Funeral Mass was held on Monday, July 15, at 5:00 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Nor- cross, GA. Betty Ann Roberts Hardy July 14, 2024. Evans Funeral Home of Jefferson announces the death of Mrs. Betty Ann Roberts Hardy, age 92 of Athens, Georgia (South Jackson Community) who entered rest Sunday, July 14. Bret Anthony Yancey July 10, 2024 Bret Anthony Yancey, age 60, of Dacula, GA passed away on Wednesday, July 10. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, July 22, at 1:00 p.m. at the First Pentecostal Church of Buford. Interment will be on Tues day, July 23, at 2:00 p.m. at the GA National Cem etery with Military Honors by the Navy located in Canton, GA. The family will receive friends at the church from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., prior to the Funeral Service. Charles Kenneth Crocker July 11, 2024 Charles Kenneth Crocker, age 70, of Powder Springs, formerly of Habersham County, passed away on Thursday, July 11. Funeral services were scheduled for 2:00 pm on Sunday, July 14. Interment followed in Yonah Congregational Holiness Church Cemetery. The family received friends from 12:00 noon until the service hour on Sunday at the funeral home. Clifford Eugene McDonald July 1, 2024 Clifford Eugene “Gene” McDonald died on July 1 after a brief illness in hos pital. He was 96. A Celebration of Life Ser vice will be held at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, July 18, in the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home. Donna Jean Barber Chandler July 11, 2024 Donna Jean Barber Chan dler’s departure on July 11, 2024, into the loving arms of Jesus marks the end of a life lived with purpose and grace. The visitation and funeral service to honor Donna Jean Chandler was held at Ivie Funeral Home in Commerce, Georgia, on July 14. The visitation commenced at 12:00 PM followed by the funeral ser vice at 2:00 PM. The inter ment took place at Grey Hill Cemetery in Com merce at 2:30 PM. Dorothy Marie Parker July 12, 2024 Mrs. Dorothy Marie Parker, age 91, of Cleveland, passed away Friday, July 12. Funeral services were scheduled for 2 P.M. Monday, July 15, from the Chapel of Barrett Funeral Home. Interment followed in County Line Baptist Church Cemetery. The family received friends from 12 Noon until the service time Monday. Dwenda Ann Slater Barton Bales July 13, 2024 Dwenda Ann Slater Bar ton Bales, of Gainesville, passed away Saturday, July 13, following an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Fri day, July 19, in the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home. Earl Dean McClure July 14th, 2024 Earl Dean McClure, age 68, of Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia, passed away on Sunday, July 14th. Funeral services are scheduled for 4:00 pm Wednesday, July 17th, at Bethel Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery where he will be laid to rest. The family will receive friends at Barrett’s Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 17th starting at 10:00am up until time of service. Emily Warfied Thompson June 30, 2024 Emily Warfied Thompson passed away on June 30, 2024, at age 84, after car diac arrest at her home in Lanier Village Estates. A celebration of Emily’s life will be held July 20 at 10 a.m., in the chapel at Lanier Village Estates. Geran Floyd Dodson July 5, 2024 Geran Floyd Dodson passed away July 5. There is no arrangements made at this time. Hazel Price Jacobs July 4, 2024 Mrs. Hazel Price Jacobs, 94, of Bethlehem died July 4. No Services are sched uled at this time. Jacqulyn Patricia Norman July 15, 2024 Mrs. Jacqulyn Patricia Nor man, 81, of Gainesville, passed away Monday, July 15, at Accent Hospice Care. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 20, in the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home. John Pershing Sullivan June 28, 2024 John Pershing Sullivan, Jr. went home to be with his Lord on Friday, June 28. Services will be at Antioch U.M.C. on July 27, 2024 at 11:00 am. Kay P. Hill July 11,2024 A memorial service will be held at Loudsville Commu nity Church on Saturday, July 27. Kenasha Tyrelle Collier Gore July 4, 2024 Kenasha Tyrelle Collier Gore died July 4. Funeral service was held Friday July 12, 2024 at 2pm at The Brook United Method ist Church in Myrtle Beach, SC. Lee Edwin Scarbrough, Jr June 25, 2024 Lee Edwin Scarbrough, Jr., age 76, of Buford, GA passed away on June 25,. A Celebration of Life Ser vice, with Military Honors, will be held on Friday, July 19, at 4:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, July 19 from 3:00 p.m. until time for the Service at 4:00 p.m. Leland Lanet Maddox July 13, 2024 Mr. Leland Lanet Maddox, age 84 of Flowery Branch, passed away on Saturday, July 13.No services will be held at this time. Merilyn J. Fowler July 12, 2024 Mrs. Merilyn J. Fowler, age 90, of Marietta, formerly of Sautee Nacoochee, passed away Friday, July 12. Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. Wednes day, July 17, at The Chapel of Barrett Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Mt. Yonah Baptist Church Cemetery. Myrtle Sue Peck Music July 13, 2024 Mrs. Myrtle Sue (Tench) Peck Music, 90, of Gaines ville, passed away Sat urday, July 13, at Ashton Assisted Living following an extended illness. Funeral services was held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 16, in the Chapel of Memo rial Park Funeral Home. Nancy Almand Werling July 7, 2024 Nancy Almand Werling of Sugar Hill, Georgia passed away on July 7, at the age of 84. A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, July 20, at Holy Trinity Parish, 515 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur, Georgia Nicholas James Moat July 12, 2024 Nicholas James Moat, infant son of Christopher and Chelsea Moat of Demorest, passed away on Friday, July 12. Graveside services were 11 am on Tuesday, July 16, at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Cemetery in Lula. All family and friends should meet at the grave side by 10:45 am on Tues day. Sara Deaton Hill July 14, 2024 Evans Funeral Home of Jefferson announces the death of Mrs. Sara Deaton Hill, age 80 of Auburn, (Formerly of Jefferson, Georgia) who entered rest Sunday, July 14. Memorial services will be held 3:00 P.M. Sunday, July 21, 2024 from the Chapel of Evans Funeral Home. Stephanie Michelle Everett June 28, 2024. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednes day, May 17, at the Whit field Funeral Home, North Chapel. The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., Wednesday, May 17, at the funeral home prior to the service. Vera Delores Matthews July 11, 2024 Mrs. Vera Delores Mat thews, age 76 of Flowery Branch, passed away on Thursday, July 11, at Manor Lake Assisted Liv ing following an extended illness. Funeral services were scheduled for Sun day, July 14, 2024 at 1:00 pm in the Chapel of Memo rial Park Funeral Home. Walter L. Blalock July 12, 2024 Walter L. "Walt” Blalock, 82, of Dawsonville died Friday, July 12. Funeral, Tuesday, July 16, 1 p.m., Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.
