The Monroe County reporter. (Forsyth, Ga.) 1972-current, April 26, 2023, Image 1

Previous Issue Next Issue

Clip Visible Area View Page Text View PDF

Newspaper Page TextA ^ ''SQtlTHSl DE Realtors Chad Tyler • 478-731-7072 LAND • COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL WWW.CHADTYLERREALTY.COM THIS WEEK’S INSIDE DEALS ►►► INGLES • SMARTSOURCE THE BEST LITTLE PAPER IN GEORGIA INSIDE ► ►► MC Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 4 SEE PAGE B4 NEW SUBSCRIBERS OF THE WEEK Barry Stuart Jason Greene S3 ' | I 2? V. - H" 11 ' ' S*; y is i\r j 1 ** 3i % ft 1 110 * 11 •• *** \ \ i A k , V v ■ m % i 3 mm f|[f| ■ . - ; m 1 linn j . hfk'rSgl ■ T, The Rev. Billy Beard said he was disappointed the UMC North Georgia Conference is moving him from Forsyth UMC, where he has served 2.5 years, to Peachtree City. The denomination is trying to stop a flood of churches from leaving the increasingly liberal heirarchy. (Photo Will Davis) DEATHS m6A ft ^ t ^ ^ et As split looms, Forsyth UMC Bessie Mays “M- * James Williams 1 ssi. pastor move seen as hardball By Will Davis publisher@mymcnnet Some members of Forsyth United Methodist Church (UMC) say they think their denomination is replacing their pastor of the past two years to try to keep the church from breaking away from the increasingly liberal hierarchy. The Rev. Billy Beard, who’s led Forsyth UMC for 2.5 years, said he was very disappointed to learn that the North Georgia UMC Conference is moving him from Forsyth UMC to Providence UMC in South Peachtree City in July. “I was very disappointed,” said Beard. “We love Forsyth and the people of Forsyth. Good things are happening at the Forsyth church.” Beard said he thinks new North Georgia bishop Robin Dease is using her power to re-assign UMC pastors to try to stem the tide of churches disaffiliating from the denomination. “It was a perfect opportunity for her to try to exert her influence about disaffiliation,” said Beard. Forsyth UMC member Hal Parrish agrees. “It’s unusual to move a preacher who wants to stay’ said Parrish. “It seems like they’re playing hardball.” Beard will be replaced by the Rev. Carol Grubbs Cook, who grew up in Forsyth. She is currently the pas tor at First UMC of McDonough. Beard said that Cook was his district superintendent at one time, and called her a good preacher, good lady and a fun person to be around. As a former UMC district superintendent, Beard See CHURCH Page7A s oaaos a Kroger, CVS ‘0 4 8 7 9 1 6 2 6 4 Publix, Dollar General, Circle K Long-awaited Special Day in Forsyth For the first time in five years, Monroe County was able to host the Special Olymp- cis on Thurs day, April 20 at the Mary Persons track. The event rained out in 2019 and then it was cancelled due to COVID, so kids were thrilled to be able to compete. Above, Kansas Rowlet leaps in the long jump. At left, Katie Phillips celebrates her award. See story and more photos on page IB and page 5B. (Photos/Will Davis) Whoops: Parents leave special needs son in Forsyth Forsyth police find 40-year-old enjoying Huddle House meal A 40-year-old special needs Wisconsin man went miss ing for several hours in Forsyth on Sat urday, April 8 after his parents inadver tently left him at the Royal 7 store. Thankfully Forsyth police found him a few hours later enjoying a meal See LEFT Page 5B WALLSCHLAEGER County postpones zoning vote on 311 -page restrictions Commissioners eye $500 fee for RVs as zoning board objects to ban on vinyl-sided homes, limits to Meadows By Will Davis publisher@mymcr.net Monroe County commis sioners have scuttled plans to approve a new 311 -page zoning ordinance next Tuesday, May 2 after the county zoning board urged them to slow down and make changes after finding some disturbing rules in the mammoth proposal. For one, the ordinance appears to ban vinyl siding in all subdivisions. “Are we saying no more vinyl-siding homes?” asked zoning board member Jim Rollins. “A lot of nice hous es have vinyl siding.” County attorney Ben Vaughn conceded the draft ordinance was confusing See ZONING Page 5B CO WANTTOBUY: 50 TO 500 ACRES CLOSE IN 7 DAYS • DAVID 470-202-3350

Georgia Historic Newspapers

The Monroe County reporter. (Forsyth, Ga.) 1972-current, April 26, 2023, Image 1