The Monroe County reporter. (Forsyth, Ga.) 1972-current, February 25, 2009, Image 1

Previous Issue Next Issue

Clip Visible Area View Page Text View PDF

Newspaper Page TextInside Transfer issue forces MP to quit tourney See Page C1 Sports See our big Bulldogs baseball preview See Section Inside Deaths Samuel Forrest Arthur See Page 6A 1 O 11- LU P CO LU 111 o (0 D (0 CD CD E ' CD 5 & 3 < O C/} CD a o _C= CL S$ -J C) 8^ 0) o © £ -Z " r a. « ® o ^ 3 ra t m N M 10 O L MM Weapons permits skyrocket in Monroe BY WILL DAVIS Marvin Bowdoin of Juliette may have saved his family's life by carrying a concealed weapon. Pulling a pis tol from his pocket and firing two rounds repelled an armed home invader the night of Feb. 3. And it appears an increasing number of Monroe Countians are arming themselves just like Bowdoin. The county issued a record 477 concealed weapon permits in 2008, a 75 percent increase from one year ago. And the county is on pace to double that number in 2009. Issued by the Monroe County Probate Court, concealed weapon per mits allow citizens to carry a concealed weapon on their person in public places. The number of permits had held pretty steady between 2005-07. In See GUNS page 7A Three chickens and a possum? A possum was found trying to have lunch in the trash can outside the Monroe County Reporter on Jackson Street on Wednesday af ternoon. Reporter staffers, from left, Trellis Grant, Laura Thackston and Denzil Hansford hid behind the newspaper box in the office doorway while Forsyth police officer C.J. Czerniejewski (unseen) tried to roust the possum out of a trash can. Attached to a half full milk jug, the possum put up a good fight to stay in the blue plastic receptacle. But he was finally flushed out of the trash can and scurried back underneath Hugh Mercer’s surveying office next door to the Reporter. Czerniejewski was asked to shoot the pos sum but he joked that officers have to fill out a ton of paperwork if they do that. (Photo/Will Davis) Booker resigns BY GINA HERRING After four years as CEO of Monroe County Hospital, 0. J. Booker is calling it quits. Booker turned in his resigna tion last Wednesday night at a called meeting of the hospital authority. Authority chairperson Becky Corley said Booker was not fired, nor was he asked to resign. However, Corley did acknowledge that it was not entirely Booker’s decision to go. Booker had been undergoing a yearly evaluation, but Corley said the findings are confidential. “There were a lot of things we discussed, but I assure you we all parted on good terms,” said Corley. “The board shook his hand and hugged his neck when he See BOOKER page 10A BOOKER Co. workers to get raises in new budget Monroe County employees will get a 3 percent cost-of- living raise under a $21.8 million budget that commis sioners are proposing. Commissioners finalized their 2009 budget proposal during a Feb. 13 work ses sion. The new spending plan is up 3 percent from last year's $21.1 million budget. Taxpayers can have their say on the budget at a hear ing set for 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 at the commissioners' office on See RAISES page 7A Register for 1st FaithFest by Fri. Friday is the deadline for those who want to win up to $600 in the first annual Forsythia FaithFest music com petition. A new addition to the Forsythia Festival, FaithFest is an ecumenical music competition celebrating music, faith and our community. It’s set for 7-10 p.m. on Saturday, March 14. This competition celebrates music of all styles, everything from con temporary rock to southern gospel. Performers (soloists, ensembles, or groups) will have the opportunity to sing one song and be judged on that song (sound like a familiar TV show?). The first place winner(s) will receive $600, second place will receive $300, and third place will receive $100. For applications, call Karen Manus-Pennings at 994- 9239, or download an application at www.forsythiafestival.com. A $15 registration fee is required and applications are due by noon this Friday. Local leaders met Thursday to talk about how Forsyth might change when the state Department of Corrections moves to town next year. Above, real estate company owner Connie Ham makes a point as Mayor Tye Howard, Monroe County Coummission Chairman James Vaughn and assis tant school superintendent Jackson Daniel look on. (Photo/Will Davis) What’ll Forsyth look like in 2014? BY WILL DAVIS If Forsyth is featured in a national news maga zine five years from now, what will the headline be? That's the question community leaders were asked to ponder on Thursday as they consid er the Department of Corrections' imminent move to town. "A thriving downtown," said George Berry, a member of the Monroe County Development Authority. "State Capitol- South works for Forsyth and Monroe County." Added Royal Palm Cafe and Inn owner Art Rauscher: "Small busi nesses see growth with more local participation." "The benefits of de-cen- tralizing state govern ment," said James Vaughn, the county com mission chairman. Whatever the angle, community leaders agreed the move will be good for the community. "I'm excited about it," said local real estate agent Connie Ham. "I think it's a great oppor tunity for the people of Monroe County." And it's closer than it's ever been. DOC commissioner See FORSYTH page 7A

Georgia Historic Newspapers

The Monroe County reporter. (Forsyth, Ga.) 1972-current, February 25, 2009, Image 1