About The Banks County news. (Homer, Banks County, Ga.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (May 7, 2008)
Sports: IB Gridiron Leopards begin countdown to new season 1 [V ,JJ.L 1 U-7G li ITJn V 11 ■ 1 Wi Community: SOA T £ i 34*^5 Alto holds 'Spring Fling’ m HU T1 T> 1 P ■ \T May7 '“ The Banks County News 504^ Homer, Banks County, Georgia 30547 • A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. • mainstreetnews.com • 24 Pages, 3 Sections Plus Supplements • Vol. 39 No. 39 Candidates line up to seek office BY CHRIS BRIDGES Qualifying for candidates in Banks County concluded Friday at noon and several races were set. Some incum bents, including county board of com mission chairman Gene Hart and sheriff Charles Chapman, have drawn challeng ers in the July primary. Other incumbents will face opposition in the November general election when a large turnout is predicted because of the 2008 presidential election. Those qualifying locally during last week’s qualifying period included: BOC CHAIRMAN •Gene Hart, incumbent, Republican. •Milton Dalton, Republican. SHERIFF •Charles Chapman, incumbent, Republican. •Carlton Speed, sheriff, Republican. TAX COMMISSIONER •Margaret H. Ausburn, incumbent, Democrat. •Becky Taylor, Republican. BOE, POST 1 •Neal Brown, incumbent, Republican. •John (David) Kennedy, Democrat. BOE, POST 4 •John Williams, incumbent, Republican. •David W. Martin, Republican. NO OPPOSITION Those candidates to qualify with no opposition include the following: BOE, POST 2 •Ron Gardiner, incumbent, Democrat. CLERK OF COURTS •Tim Harper, clerk of courts, Democrat. CORONER •Henry Galloway, Republican. SURVEYOR •Tim Lewallen, Republican. STATE, NATIONAL OFFICES Qualifying to represent Banks County at the state and national level include: U.S. CONGRESS, DIST. 10: •Paul Broun, incumbent, Republican. •Barry Fleming, Republican. •Bobby Saxon, Democrat. STATE SENATE, DIST. 50: •Nancy Schaefer, incumbent, Republican. •Jim Butterworth, Republican. •Terry Rogers, Republican. STATE REP., DIST. 28: •Jeanette Jamieson, incumbent, Democrat. •Michael Harden, Republican. News - 2-3A •I-85 cable barriers planned — page 3A • ‘Political fever can cer tainly be contagious thing’ — page 4A Other news •Social News — page 9A •School News — page 7B •Public Safety — page 6A •Legals — page 5B • Church — page 8A • Obituaries — page 7A Three die in Banks County accident BY CHRIS BRIDGES Three people died as a result of injuries sustained in a two-vehicle accident Monday morning just inside Banks County at the intersection of Hwys. 51 and 63. A 1997 Dodge Neon, driven by Michael Benefield, 50, of Carnesville, was involved in the accident when it collided with a 10-wheel garbage truck belonging to Waste Management. According to a report from the Georgia State Patrol office in Gainesville, Benefield did not stop at the intersection as he was traveling on Hwy. 63. Banks County sheriff Charles Chapman said traffic on Hwy. 51 does not have to stop at the crossing. Benefield, along with his wife, Sherry Benefield, 44, and another passenger, Robin Ayers, 39, were all killed as a result of the accident. Michael Benefield was lifeflighted from the scene but later died, Chapman said. The driver of the Waste Management truck, identified as Edward Harris, was not injured. The GSP handled the accident scene. BCSO deputies helped assist with re-routing of traffic for approximately two hours fol lowing the accident. New county building taking shape ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING IN THE WORKS Above, the new Banks County administrative building, off Thompson Road, is beginning to take form. Project superintendent Gib White, who gave The Banks County News a walk-through tour Monday morning, said the project remains on schedule for a late summer completion. White said the project, financed by Special Local Option Sales Tax funds, has been delayed only slightly because of rain. Below left, an inside view is shown, and a side view is shown below right. Photos by Chris Bridges Bank offers reward for robber's i.d. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Banks County Sheriff’s Office are seek ing the public’s help in identifying a man who held up the Northeast Georgia Bank at Banks Crossing on Highway 441 South Thursday, April 24, at 12:54 p.m. Northeast Georgia Bank is offer ing a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 5’9”-6’0” tall, wearing a white, pin-striped New York Yankees baseball cap; a black, long-sleeved, pullover shirt with the drawing of what appears to be a person’s head with a crown; black pants and black shoes. Contact the GBI tip line at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477) or the sher iff’s office at 706-677-3133. Calls will be kept confidential. Commissioners set two budget work sessions The Banks County Board of Commissioners will hold budget hearings next week. Budget workshops will be held at 3:30 pm. Wednesday, May 14, and at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15, in the conference room of the county courthouse. — In the Community — 16th annual art show planned at library Memorial Day salute set for May 29 at BCHS Armed Forces concert part of festivities A Memorial Day salute to the Armed Forces program and concert will be present ed in the Banks County High School auditorium at 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 29. Northwinds Adult Community Band of Gainesville will present a trib ute to all veterans. “Come hear this profes sional band play music from the different wars and famil iar American tunes,” said Jon Congdon, BCHS band direc tor. “There will also be special pictures from the wars and from local veterans. It will certainly be a moving experi ence.” For more details, contact Congdon at 706-677-4740. The 16th annual Art Show and Sale will be held at the Banks County Public Library in Homer May 5- 18 during normal library hours. Many local and regional art ists will have work on display and for sale to the public. This event has expanded with well over 50 local artists expected to participate. These contributing artists will have three to five of their origi nal works on display. It also offers visitors a chance to see the talent available in this area. Awards will be presented to the first, second and third place work in each category, such as pottery, woodcarving, painting, sculpture etc. and there will be a Best of Show award, a People’s Choice award and a Children’s Choice award. The People’s Choice will be voted on by library patrons dur ing the exhibit and the Children’s Choice will be voted on by the children who visit, including the classrooms who will visit as a field trip from the Banks County Primary School. This event culminates with a tea for the artists and guests on Sunday May 18, from 2-4 p.m. The public is urged to come out to meet the artists, see their work and learn what inspires them. Information on future library events will also be avail able. For library hours, directions or more information, contact the library at 706-677-3164 or by email at skrumnow@prlib.org. 32nd annual Lula Railroad Days coming up The 32nd annual Lula Railroad Days festival will be held Saturday, May 17. The festival begins with the parade down Main Street at 10 a.m. and continues throughout the day with entertainment, rides, crafts, food and drinks at the historic Railroad Park. There is no admission charge and parking is free for the event. For more information, contact city hall at 770-869-3801.
