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Vol. 140 No. 38 24 Pages 2 Sections rpl WED l \\£ NOVEMI Commerce News Wednesday NOVEMBER 9,2016 www.CommerceNewsTODAY.com 50 Cents COVERING THE COMMERCE AREA SINCE 1875 Election 2016 Mangum, Trump win big in Jackson Jackson County Sher iff Janis Mangum has safely secured her seat for the next four years. Mangum defeated challenger Randy Moore with 86.19 percent of the vote in the November election. Provisional ballots aren’t included, but with all precincts reporting, there were 27,437 votes cast in Jackson County. That’s an estimated 81.37 per cent voter turnout, one of the highest on record. The Freeport measure to clarify tax exemption to fulfill ment centers like Amazon was defeated with 53.08 percent of voters opposing the refer endum. PRESIDENT In the presidential election, Republican nominee Donald J. Trump defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and will become the 45th Presi dent of the United States. Trump won Georgia and eas ily won Jackson County with almost 80 percent of the vote. Jackson County votes for the presidential race include: • Donald J. Trump, 79.48% • Hillary Clinton, 16.33% • Gary Johnson, 3.05% •Write-ins, 1.14% STATE RACES Jackson County citizens also cast their ballots on sev eral state races and amend ments. Incumbent U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson received 80 percent of the Jackson Coun ty vote and Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols received 84.65 percent. Both earned re-election in the state of Georgia. The controversial Amend ment 1, which would have allowed the state to takeover “failing” schools, was defeated in the state of Georgia. The other three amendments (penalties for sexual exploita tion; judicial qualifications commission; and fireworks taxes to be used for public safety trauma care) passed. INDEX Church News 8B Classified Ads... 9-10B Crime News 6-8A Obituaries 7 B Opinion 4A School 6B & 12B Sports 1-5B Social News. 10-11A MAILING LABEL BELOW Making it official Lee Fox, co-owner of State Street Bicycles, cuts the ribbon to brother Todd, organized volunteers to build the five miles of officially open the Smallwood Trails Bicycle Park in Commerce bike trails on the property. The park is located on Smallwood last Saturday as city officials and others look on. Fox, and his Drive about a quarter mile east of Waterworks Road. Commerce dedicates bike park With little fanfare and lots of hot dogs and beverages, Commerce official ly opened its Smallwood Trails Bicycle Park Saturday morning. As bikers took to the trails, approximately 45 people gathered in the field where the trails start for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. City manager James Wascher opened the event, thanking the volunteers for their work, particularly those associated with State Street Bicycles “who made it happen.” Mayor pro tern Keith Burchett recalled that when the city acquired the property it had other plans that “did not come together.” “Then State Street Bicycles came into the picture,” he continued, point ing out that Lee and Todd Fox marshaled the forces that built the trails. Lee Fox also spoke briefly. He recalled that at the grand opening of State Street Bicycles Mayor Clark Hill, who was unable to attend the event, “invited us to do a bike trail,” and that shortly afterwards, bicyclist Travis Thompson, who had just moved to town, got involved. Fox also expressed appreciation for the support of Wascher. “The first week that James took over (as city manager) changed every thing,” Fox said, adding that the city provided all the support the volunteers needed. “A huge thanks to James for backing us and getting things done,” he concluded. City council members Donald Wilson and Johnny Eubanks also spoke, thanking those who built the trails. Eubanks pointed out that the trails will not impede future development of the park. He also thanked the Foxes for locating their store in Commerce. “I appreciate you coming to Commerce. You could have gone anywhere, but you came to Commerce,” he said. The park comprises about 50 acres, including a lake. It now has a one- To feed the multitude Commerce employees Sandra Haggard, David Zellner and Natalie Thomas prepare hot dogs during the celebration Saturday morning of the opening of the Smallwood Trails Bicycle Park. mile bike trail and a four-mile loop, both of which are open to bikers and hikers. Check out the chick Payton Fountain, 7, Dylan Williams, 7, and Lucas Martin, 7, hold a two-day old chicken from Mar-Jac Poultry of Gainsville, during Ag Day at Commerce Primary School last Friday. See Page 12B for more photos. Photo by Wesleigh Sagon Commerce government Council mulls tree contract, annexation The Commerce City Council signaled its intention to enter a new tree-trimming contract, annex and rezone 8.8 acres and update its zoning map during a brief “work session” meeting Monday night. The council will act on those items on Monday, Nov. 21, at 6 p.m. in the Commerce Room of the Commerce Civic Center. Tree Trimming After soliciting bids, city manager James Wascher — who was out of town and did not attend the work session — rec ommended that the city accept the low bid from Waldrop Tree Service to trim rights of way and cut back or remove other trees as needed at a rate of $85 an hour. The city budgets $50,000 a year for such work and has been using ESG, the company that manages its water treat ment plant. “It does a couple of things for us,” Mayor Clark Hill said. “All of the people will be licensed and bonded and any damage will be their responsibility. ...This gives us more flex ibility. We can call them as needed month-to-month instead of being restricted to certain months.” See “Council ” on Page 3A E. Jackson senior slain in Winder shooting The East Jackson school community is mourning the death of an East Jackson Comprehensive High School senior killed in a shooting in Winder on Friday night. Jose Tovar, 18, of Athens, was shot while attempting to break up a fight. He was taken to Athens Regional Medical Center where he died during surgery accord ing to those familiar with the incident. Tovar had attended the Jackson County School Sys tem for many years, starting as a student at South Jack- son Elementary School. He ran cross-country and played soccer at EJCHS. EJCHS principal Jamie Dixon said both the soccer and cross-country coaches spoke highly of Tovar. “They stated that he had an infectious personality a significant desire to compete, and was a team leader,” said Dixon. “...Jose’s academic teachers all agree that he was an intelligent young man who enjoyed life.” His fellow students are also mourning the loss of Tovar. Multiple prayer vigils were held Monday outside of the school. Students released blue and white balloons into the sky in his memory. “Our school has endured a difficult day, but we will per severe,” said Dixon. “Know ing Jose, I believe that is exactly what he would have us do. I’ve been touched by the significant outpouring of support from all around our community. On behalf of our school, I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved with the efforts to help our student body today. Jose’s spirit is alive and well in the hearts of all the Eagle Nation.” JCSS superintendent April Howard said the school system is grieving the loss of Tovar, who attended the school system for most of his life. The district is provid ing increased counseling to students. “We are grieving the loss of this precious life,” said Howard. “Jose and his family have been part of our school family for many years, and our hearts break for all who have been part of this young man’s life at South Jackson Elementary, Kings Bridge Middle and EJCHS. In addi tion, we grieve the loss of some sense of safety and security for our students and their parents. As the process of the investigation unfolds, we know those difficult con versations will go on. Our faculty, staff, guidance coun selors and social workers See “Slain” on 3A