The Commerce news. (Commerce, Ga.) 1???-current, March 30, 2016, Image 1

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The Commerce news., March 30, 2016, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextVol. 140 No. 6 24 Pages 2 Sections Wednesday MARCH 30,2016 www.CommerceNewsTODAY.com 50 Cents COVERING THE COMMERCE AREA SINCE 1875 Hiring of new rec. director expected soon Interim Commerce city manager James Wascher and three other people were scheduled to interview five candidates for the city’s vacant recreation director position Tuesday March 29. According to Wascher, the city had over 30 applicants for the job. One is from South Carolina, the rest are from Georgia. Former Commerce city manager Pete Pyrzenski fired Scott Rodgers from the position on Jan. 8. “We pulled out seven for interviews originally,” Wascher said Monday morn ing. “One didn’t return our call and we had another one who could not make it that day.” Wascher said he may arrange a follow-up interview with the candidate unable to attend the Tuesday inter views — depending on how the Tuesday interviews went. Besides Wascher, those interviewing the applicants include Tracy Williams, the city’s human resources director; Ricky Flint, a mem ber of the Commerce Rec reation Board; and Michael Williams, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Jackson County. As city manager, Wascher has the final say in the hiring, but he made it plain he will take under advisement the opin ions of the other committee members Wascher said he hopes to narrow the field to two finalists, after which he is considering arranging for them to meet the mayor and council. “Definitely two finalists,” he said, “then a second inter view unless we find someone coming out of the gate who is exactly what we want.” Wascher said he hopes to be able to offer the job to the top applicant within a couple of weeks. “They’d have to give notice, so we probably won’t have anyone in here for a month,” he said. In the meantime, Ricky Woodruff serves as the acting recreation director. INDEX Church News 7B Classified Ads. 10-1 IB Crime News 6-8A Obituaries 8B Opinion 4A School 6-7B Sports 1-5B Social News. 10-11A MAILING LABEL BELOW New Monday garbage/recycling pickup schedule starts next week The new schedule for residential garbage and recycling pickup in Commerce goes into effect next week. Starting on Monday April 4, Waste Pro will pick up both the recycling containers and the household garbage containers every Monday. That means recy- clables will be picked up weekly instead of biweekly. Waste Pro asks that all containers be at the curb by 6 a.m. on Mondays. Separate bucks will collect materials from the two containers, with the recycla- bles going to the Athens-Clarke Reclamation Center and the household garbage to a landfill. The pickup of brush, leaves and other yard wastes will not be affected, as that is picked up as needed by the Com merce Public Works Department. According to Commerce officials, Waste Pro changed the schedule after buying out another waste company made more bucks available for the Commerce pickup. The cost of service to Commerce customers will not change. Ready to roll Bryson Fleeman (front) and Caroline Fleeman await the signal to begin the Commerce Easter Parade Saturday, March 26. The two drove their battery-powered vehicles down Elm Street to the Commerce egg hunt at the First Baptist Church of Commerce. See more Easter photos on Page 12B. DDA hears proposal to have additional cruise-ins The organizer of the fourth annual Cruisin’ Commerce expects the April 23 event to be the biggest yet — and suggested having a series of smaller monthly cruise-ins through the fall. The Commerce Downtown Development Authority is taking that suggestion under advisement. Brad Ocock, who holds a vintage car race and swap meet at the Atlanta Dragway proposed smaller versions of the Cruisin’ Commerce event once a month through Sep tember or October. He said the DDA would have to spend about $375 per event for an emcee and sound setup, plus pay for plaques for award winners. “It’s amazing how just a little plaque will bring people out,” he said. The cruise-ins would be held in conjunction with month ly swap meets at the dragway and “give them (participants) a reason to stay in Com merce,” he added. When DDA members appeared con cerned about the costs, Ocock suggested that automotive-related businesses in Commerce could be solicited for sponsorships. “It really shouldn’t be difficult to get some body else to foot the bill for it,” he said. Awards would be voted on by the partici pants themselves. Ocock said he would promote the events through his newsletter, which reaches 4,500 car enthusiasts. “Monthly scares me,” admitted DDA chairman Mark McCannon. Other members appeared to share the same sentiment, but they also expressed interest in trying at least one more cruise-in after April 23 to see how it works out, or in having another larger cruise-in in mid-fall. They even discussed locations, ranging from the new parking lot being built off Cherry Street, to the parking lot at Quality Foods, the parking lot in front of Lanier Technical College and the former Bi-Lo parking lot. 1,000 People Expected As for the Oct. 23 Cruisin’ Commerce, DDA executive director Natalie Thomas said she expects about a thousand people to con verge in the downtown. “And several hundred cars,” McCannon added. As of the DDA’s March 22 meeting, Thom as said only two food vendors were lined up, but Ocock said he would announce the need for food vendors in an upcoming newsletter. New Events The DDA also discussed plans for poten tial new events. Susan Stephenson reported that ideas See “Cruise-in” on Page 12A Developer opts out of downtown 'boutique hotel' A potential developer of the “boutique hotel” proposed for the former Oxford building by the Commerce Downtown Development Authority has said thanks, but no thanks. John Whitten told the DDA on Tuesday March 22, that he was “sad because a developer decided not to do the Oxford building.” Whitten said the owner of a boutique hotel in Ath ens had “seemed interested” in the concept for the Oxford building, which was designed by a pair of University of Georgia environmental design students. “He called back two days ago, and they’re not interested in moving forward,” said Whitten. “He felt there wasn’t enough business to support the hotel.” Whitten said he told the man that the Commerce Civic Cen ter, which is across the street from the site, was busy and sug gested that proceeds from selling condominiums that are part of the concept would help defray the cost of the construction. “He said *we are not interested at this time, but thank you,’” Whitten said. At one point, the DDA had declared development of the Oxford site to be its top priority for 2016. Whitten, in particular, has expressed optimism that a developer can be found to do the project, which includes about 14 hotel rooms, a restau rant with outdoor dining, two retail spaces and a handful of “upscale” condominiums. The DDA has indicated that the city would be willing to sell the property for $1 to a developer who would commit to the concept. Downtown cleanup day set for Saturday The Commerce Downtown Development Authority will hold its annual beautification day Saturday, April 2, from 8 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will replant the downtown flower beds, power wash sidewalks, remove litter from streets and alleys, replant roses along the railroad tracks, add mulch to the playground in Spencer Park and weed flower beds and planted areas in the park. The project covers Broad, Elm, State, Little and Sycamore streets. “We are probably reaching about 70 volunteers,” said DDA manager Natalie Thomas, “but more are welcome.” The annual effort is sponsored by Southeast Toyota, which provides the money to buy plants and other materials and sends a large contingent of associates to assist with the work. In addition, SET associates will cook hot dogs for the volunteers. Boys & Girls Club dedication set Thursday The Boys and Girls Club of Jackson County will cele brate the grand opening of its new Commerce building this week. The building dedication ceremony will take place Thurs day March 31, at 3:30 p.m., followed by an open house from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The building is located on Ridgeway Street across from the existing clubhouse. Commerce woman killed in West Jackson accident A two-vehicle accident on Hwy 332 and McNeal Road in Hoschton Thursday night claimed the life of a 25-year-old Commerce woman. According to Jackson County Emergency Services direc tor Steve Nichols, a two-vehicle crash with injuries was called in at 8 p.m. on March 24. Amber Nicole Roberts was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the Georgia State Patrol, while driving east on GA 332, Roberts lost control of her Nissan Altima, crossed the centerline and was struck on the passenger side by a westbound Hyundai Sonata driven by Melissa Murphy, 39, of Jefferson. After impact, the Sonata left the road and overturned. Roberts was pronounced deceased at the scene while Murphy was transported to an area hos pital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.