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Sports: IB BCHS wrestlers shine at recent tournament Community: 7B Volunteer group donates wellness center equipment January 9,2008 rn n i r . \t ,anua 9 ' The Banks County News 504^ Homer, Banks County, Georgia 30547 • A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. • mainstreetnews.com • 16 Pages, 3 Sections Plus Supplements • Vol. 39 No. 22 Poultry operation request withdrawn BY ANGELA GARY A large crowd attended a hearing Thursday night about a proposed poultry plant locating in Banks County only to learn that the application had been with drawn. The Banks County Planning Commission was to hear a request from McEver Family Heirs Partnership LP to rezone 199.5 acres on Duncan Road from Country Charms Egg Company, Gainesville, has withdrawn a request to locate an egg laying plant in Banks County. ARR, (Agricultural, Rural-Residential) to CAD (Consolidated Agricultural District, Intensive). Country Charms Egg Company, Gainesville, had planned to locate a large-scale egg laying plant on the property. Representatives of the poultry com pany appeared before the Banks County Planning Commission in early December requesting approval for a new operation in the area of Brown Bridge Road and Duncan Road. After listening to an hour of discussion from company officials and concerned citizens at that meeting last month, the planning commission tabled the request until its next meeting to have time to go over additional submitted information. When it was announced at last week’s meeting that the request had been with- drawn, the more than 50 people in the audience cheered and applauded. In the only other business at the brief meeting Thursday night, the plan ning commission tabled a request from Bradford and Karen Leary for a condi tional use permit for a home occupa tion (home inspection) business. This property is zoned R-1, Single-Family Residential District at 132 Manor Place. Commissioners hear concerns from county's volunteer firemen BY CHRIS BRIDGES The Banks County Board of Commissioners heard a plea from local volunteer firemen Dec. 28 requesting something be done about recent demo tions handed down by fire chief Gary Pollard. John Creasy, a deputy chief for Banks County fire/EMS services, served as spokesman for a large group of volunteers during the called meet ing. Creasy, who said his position was being elim inated, said restructuring within the department resulted in several demotions for volunteers. “We feel this is a danger to the department,” Creasy said. “At one point we all felt like we simply should resign rather than work under these conditions. We would like to ask the commission ers to stop the current changes to investigate what is going on.” Creasy also said it was too “deep of an issue to resolve today” but he hopes the commissioners could look into the concerns of the volunteers, who help make the backbone of the department. “We want the volunteers to continue to be part of the department,” commission chairman Gene Banks County commis sioner Rickey Cain said he “supports the fire department 110 percent” after volunteer firefight ers questioned recent department restructur ing and demotions. Hart said. “We will take this into consideration.” Commissioner Rickey Cain said he “sup ports the fire department 110 percent.” “Anything that I can do I always do,” Cain said. “I don’t want our morale to go away. I hope and pray we can keep everyone.” Commissioner Joe Barefoot said he believed Creasy had made a reasonable request and that the commissioners should put a freeze on any demotions until the situation was investigated completely. “We need to get all the necessary information before any changes are made,” Barefoot said. BOC sets 'guaranteed price' for projects BY CHRIS BRIDGES The Banks County Board of Commissioners approved a new price of $7,766,382 for the construction of the county’s new administrative building and renovation of the current courthouse during a meeting on Dec. 28. Commissioners approved the change after hear ing from Scott Edwards of Turner Construction who said the price would be $99,842 lower than originally anticipated. Grading work has begun at the site of the new administration building, which has a target com pletion date of this summer. The commissioners also agreed to allow Turner Construction to handle materials testing at the site since the company had already been undertaking that duty. In other action, the BOC: •voted to have a maximum removal cost of $8,525 for an underground storage tank at the old Candler Street jail. The cost would be more if there is contaminated soil. •heard a request from Cynthia Stephens for the county to help Red Hawk Farms of Maysville obtain a Georgia Land Conservation Plan Grant. No action was taken. •continued discussion about how to word the referendum concerning a change in the form of county government from a three-person commis sion to a five-person commission. The discus sion centered on whether to have commissioners elected from districts or at large. Commissioner Joe Barefoot requested giving voters the option to decide. News - 2-3A •Maysville holds swear ing-in — page 3A Absentee voting under way Advance voting: Jan. 28-Feb. 1 I Absentee ballots for the Feb. 5 presidential preference pri mary are currently available from the Banks County Registrars Office. Rules regulating absentee ballots have changed as registered voters no longer have to give a reason for requesting an absentee ballot by mail. Those request ing an absentee ballot must ask for a Democrat or Republican ballot, however. Absentee ballots must be received by the Registrar’s Office a continued on page 2A jumping back into basketball Chase Armour and the Banks County High School varsity boys’ basketball team have gone through a layoff lasting several days, but will return to action Friday at Rabun County High School for a subregion contest. The Leopards have not competed since a tournament at Commerce High School in late December. Photo by Randy Crump • ‘Looking at the bright er side of winter months’ — page 4A Other news •School News — pages 4B •Social News — pages 6-8b •Public Safety — page 6A •Legals — pages 8-10A •Church — page 5B • Obituaries — page 7A Baldwin council approves permit for church in industrial area BY SHARON HOGAN Baldwin City Council members approved a special use permit for Fellowship Church to locate in the city’s industrial park at a Dec. 27 meeting. The council held a public hearing on this request at the start of the meeting. Several residents spoke in opposition to this request. Baldwin resident Elsie Sumner asked the council, “Why are you considering this?” The application was received from Craig Lee, pas tor of Fellowship Church, to lease a 10,000 square foot area from Eddie Russell located on 5.77 acres in the industrial park. The church was previously located in the old Baldwin Church of God building and after moving from this location they have been holding their service in a temporary location that they have outgrown. The building being pursued is zoned light indus- trial and Mayor Mark Reed told those in attendance that a church is not included in the business by right list for this area. The list of businesses by right included adult entertainment, salvage yard and saw mill, as well as others. Reed said a special use permit is allowable for airport, churches and other uses the council deems allowable. continued on page 2A — Local Candidates — Chapman to seek another term as sheriff BY CHRIS BRIDGES Banks County sheriff Charles Chapman announced this week he will seek another term in office. Chapman, who was first elected sheriff in 1996, said he has received a strong level of encouragement to run again. The veter an law enforcement official will run as a Republican in 2008 after previously run ning as a Democrat. “During my ten ure in office, there has been a lot of change come to our country,” he said. “With this change, the demands on this office have become greater, but we have risen to meet those demands.” The sheriff said during his time in elected office the BCSO has developed a spirit of cooperation among other continued on page 2A Ausburn to run for sixth term of office Margaret Ausburn will seek re election as Banks County Tax Commissioner. She took office January 1, 1989, and is currently serving in her 20th year in office. Prior to being elected in 1988, she worked in the office with former tax commissioner, Joleen Ferguson, whom did not seek re-election. She is a 1977 honor graduate of Banks County High School. Also, she graduated from North Georgia Tech, now known as North Georgia Technical College, with honors where she studied busi ness, specializing in business admin istration. She is a member of the Georgia Association of Tax Officials, Constitutional Officers Association of Georgia, Homer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and participates in many community activities. “I appreciate all the support I have received over the past 29 years and, if re-elected, pledge to serve my county to the best of my ability,” Ausburn said. “Your continued support will be greatly appreciated.” AUSBURN CHAPMAN