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WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2008 THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS PACE 7A Death Notices Billy Matheson Billy (W.V.) Matheson, 81, of Cleveland, died Monday, July 14, 2008, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, following an extended illness. He was born in White County, the son of the late Chesley and Cordell Sims Matheson. He was retired from General Motors and was a veteran, having served in the United States Navy during World War II. Mr. Matheson was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Verdie Matheson; and a daughter, Vernell Matheson. Survivors include daughters and son-in-law, Louise and Robert Dorsey and Linda Loggins, all of Cleveland, Melba and Dennis Dunn, San Diego, Calif., Tammy and and Marc Southwell, Sautee; son and daughter-in-law, Vernon “Spud” and Melba Matheson, Cleveland; sis ter, Barbara Westmoreland, Helen; grandchildren, Vernon Magness, Angela Caldwell, Stuart Loggins, Heather Ferguson, all of Cleveland, Regina Pimentel, Las Vegas, Nev„ Shane Kinsey, Cornelia, Morgan Dunn, Eric Dunn, both of San Diego, Calif., Taylor Southwell, Shea Southwell, both of Sautee; great-grandchildren, Shea Magness, Savannah Magness, both of Homer, Chelsea Caldwell, Adeline Reynolds, Faith Ann Ferguson, Gage Ferguson, all of Cleveland, Christopher Pimental, Austin Pimentel, Katelyn Pimental, all of Las Vegas, Nev„ Mason Kinsey, Garrett Kinsey, both of Cornelia. Funeral services were held Friday, July 18, at Barrett Chapel with the Rev. Pete Martin officiating. Burial was in the Chattahoochee United Methodist Church Cemetery. Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland, was in charge of arrangements. The Banks County News, July 23, 2008. Angelita Perez Angelita Garcia Perez, 76, of Commerce, died Friday, July 18, 2008. She was the daughter of the late Frank and Francis Garcia. She loved gardening and cooking, loved ones stated. Survivors include her husband, Ramon Perez; sons and daugh- ters-in-law, Phil and Alicia Reyes, McDonough, and Felix M. and Erica Reyes, Chicago, Ill.; a sister, Gloria G. Garza, Stockton, Calif.; grandchildren, Risa, Gabrille and Austin; three nieces, Joann, Arthur and Anna; and a host of other rela tives. Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 22, at Memorial Park South Chapel Funeral Home with Deacon Bill Speed officiating. Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch, was in charge of arrangements. The Banks County News July 23, 2008. Ann Sizemore Ann Sizemore, 73, of Cumming, died Wednesday, July 16, 2008. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Sizemore; a grandson, Jesse Lientz; and several brothers and sisters. Survivors include children, Larry and Loretta Sizemore, Phyllis Sizemore, Tony and Michelle Sizemore, Shayne and Chastity Sizemore, all of Cumming, Juanita and Stanley Tatum, Commerce, Ray and Rhonda Sizemore, Oakwood, Kelly and Jason Blalock, Danielsville; brothers, James Jackson and Gene Jackson; 15 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and numerous niec es and nephews. Funeral services were held Saturday, July 19, in the chapel of Ingram Funeral Home. Burial was at Sawnee View Memorial Gardens. Ingram Funeral Home, Cumming, was in charge of services. The Banks County News, July 23, 2008. 'Bobby' Wright Robert Charles Wright, of Commerce, died Friday, July 11, 2008, from problems following his winning battle with leukemia. He was the son of Ellen Wright and the late Charles Wright Jr„ and was the owner of Alzheimer’s Care, Commerce. Survivors in addition to his mother, include his wife, Donna; a son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Jules Hanner; grandchildren, Isabelle, Noah and Ross; sisters and brothers-in-law, Pat and Bob Steck, Suzy and Rick Brown; and a host of nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service was held Saturday, July 19, at Wages and Sons, Stone Mountain. Memorial contributions may be made to The Humane Society of Forsyth County, 4440 Keith Bridge Rd„ Cumming, Ga. 30041. Wages and Sons Funeral Home, Stone Mountain, was in charge of arrangements. The Banks County News, July 23. 2008. Tuan Tarpkins Tuan Diamelen Tarpkins, 34, of Atlanta, formerly of Commerce, died Monday, June 2, 2008. He was the son of R.D. Nowells and Jennifer Staples. Survivors in addition to his par ents, include children, Brittney, Daisha and Elijah; siblings, Sinsemilla, Dontaze, Chaka, Skyy and Joel. Funeral services were held Saturday, June 7, at Chapel Forestglen Mortuary. Burial was at the family cemetery. Forestglen Mortuary, Jefferson, was in charge of arrangements. The Banks County News, July 23, 2008. Charles Hackett Charles Howell Hackett, 79, of Athens, died Tuesday, July 15,2008, at his residence. He was born on January 9, 1929, in Madison County, the son of the late Willie Lee Bowden. He was the last surviving member of his imme diate family. Survivors include distant cousins, Sidney Ann Stoyle and Donna and Dean Adams, all of Comer. Private services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Georgia Options, 185 Ben Burton Circle, Bogart, GA 30622-1791. Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Danielsville, is in charge of arrange ments. The Banks County News, July 23, 2008. Otto Balgemann Otto William Balgemann, 77, of Athens, died Thursday, July 17, 2008. Born in Elmhurst, Ill., on January 23, 1931, he was the son of the late Carl and Bernice McNichols Balgemann. He was a banker for 25 years and then worked for the U. S. Postal service for eight years. He was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Athens. Mr. Balgemann was preceded in death by a son, Stephen Castle Balgemann; and a sister, Carol Sroczynski. Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Dorothy Hanson Balgemann; a son and daughter-in-law, Peter and Janien Balgemann, Elmhurst, Ill.; daughters and sons-in-law, Jennifer and John Weis III, Heather and Michael Wepsiec, DeSoto, Ill.; stepson and spouse, Doug and Holly Funk, Lyons, Ill.; stepdaugh ter, Karen Bridges, Tallahassee, Fla.; and daughter, Bonnie Cooper (Matthew), Comer; and 19 grand children. Memorial services were held Sunday, July 20, at Trinity Lutheran Church with the Rev. David Heller officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 2535 Jefferson Rd., Athens, GA 30607. Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, East, Athens, was in charge of arrangements. The Banks County News, July 23, 2008. Marvin Lynn Marvin John Lynn, Sr., 81, of Milledgeville, died Saturday, July 19, 2008, at the St. Mary’s Hospice House. He was born in Jackson County, the son of the late George W. and Dovie Craig Lynn. He was pre ceded in death by a son, Weldon G. Lynn; and a special friend, Margaret Whibby. Survivors include sons, Marvin John Lynn, Jr., and Michael Lynn, both of Jefferson; a daughter, Pam Freedlove, Lawrenceville; brother, Edward Lynn, Piedmont, Ala.; sis ters, Alice Skelton, Braselton, and Vera Marlowe, Jefferson; several grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other family members; and a special friend, Rennie Johnson. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 22, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, with the Revs. Edward Lynn and Jerry Skelton officiating. Burial will be in Jackson Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday, July 22, from 9 to 11 a.m. Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements. The Banks County News, July 23, 2008. Obituaries Are Printed Free Of Charge For The First Publication. Email to: obits@mainstreetnews.com The Banks County News Get the local school church, sports and other community news delivered to your home each week! Just clip the coupon below to begin saving today over the newstand price! Name Address City State Zip Subscription rates for The Banks County News are as follows: $19.75 per year for Banks and adjoining counties; $17.75 per year for senior citizens in Banks and adjoining counties; $38.85 per year for delivery elsewhere in Georgia; $36.85 per year for delivery elsewhere in Georgia with senior citizen discount; $44.50 per year for delivery out of Georgia; $42.50 per year for delivery out of Georgia with senior citizen discount; $42.20 per year for the military with APO address. Enclosed is my check for $ Expiration Phone or □ MC or □ VISA # MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. 33 Lee Street. P. O. Box 908 Jefferson, GA 30549 706-367-5233 Fax: 706-367-8056 Website: www.mainstreetnews.com D.A. candidates trade barbs at meeting BY KRISTI REED With the runoff just two weeks away, the candidates for District Attorney have become more aggressive in their attempts to cast doubt on their opponents' qualifi cations. Candidates Brad Smith and Donna Sikes had just two minutes to address the Republican Party faithful at the Tuesday night meeting of the Barrow County GOP. The District Attorney for the Piedmont Judicial Circuit serves Jackson, Banks and Barrow counties. With an effort worthy of a high stakes closing argu ment, Sikes and Smith made their case for election as the next District Attorney of the Piedmont Judicial Circuit. Sikes fired the opening salvo in the night’s confronta tion between the two attorneys. Sikes said she was better qualified for District Attorney due to her seventeen years of experience and because of her ability to restore public trust in the office. “The problem with my opponent is that everything that went wrong in that office was because of Tim Madison and everything that went right was because of him,” she said. “You can't have it both ways. He either was involved in running the office or he wasn't.” Sikes remained on the offensive arguing that Smith’s experience was worthless without good judgment. Sikes also said Smith, as head of the Barrow County office, needed to take responsibility for excessive spend ing after Madison left office and for thousands of unpros ecuted cases. “I've learned as an attorney that you can delegate authority, but not responsibility,” she said. Sikes vowed to prosecute cases aggressively and restore public trust in the office. After thanking his supporters and all those who voted in the primary, Smith began his rebuttal of Sikes' argu ment. “Throughout her campaign, my opponent has consis tently used mudslinging and baseless personal attacks. Since the election, there have been rumors and con spiracy theories running rampant,” he said. “I am here to tell you now that these are not true. The things you have been reading about are not true.” Smith said the negative campaigning was causing citi zens to lose sight of the real issue in the campaign - who is better qualified to be the next District Attorney. Smith said police and sheriff's deputies risk their lives every day to get dangerous criminals off the streets. “If the District Attorney is not qualified, these crimi nals will be back on the street,” he said. Smith spoke of a quadruple murder case currently pending in Hoschton. He reminded voters that whoever is elected as District Attorney will immediately be faced with prosecuting that case. “I am the only candidate with any experience in the complicated world of death penalty litigation,” he said. “My opponent is not death penalty qualified.” Smith said the defendants in death penalty cases are guaranteed representation by counsel that is death pen alty qualified. If Sikes is elected, the defendant would have more qualified representation than the citizens of Barrow County, he said. The race for District Attorney of the Piedmont Judicial Circuit will be decided in a three county runoff to be held August 5. Sherry Ward selected YMCA finance chairman Sherry Ward has been selected to serve as the finance chairman for the State YMCA of Georgia in Banks County for 2008. The Finance Drive is currently underway to support the State YMCA program in middle and high schools in Georgia through Hi-Y, Tri-Hi-Y and Co-ed “Y” Clubs. “Y” Clubs are leadership devel opment, service-oriented faith-based school clubs for 6th-12th grade stu dents statewide. These “Y” Club members learn by doing. They con duct monthly school and community service projects and participate in a variety of conferences geared toward government education and Christian character. In Banks County “Y” Clubs can be found at Banks County High School. The State YMCA of Georgia, Inc. was chartered in 1929 to develop lead ership skills and a sense of moral and civic responsibility in middle school and high school students through out the state. Youth-in-Government programs, leadership training and character education initiatives based on Christian principles are offered at the district and statewide levels to complement the work of service- oriented, school based “Y” Clubs. For more information on the State YMCA of Georgia, visit www.yclub. org or call 770-455-9622. Homer native retiring from Flordia newspaper Homer native Phillip Gailey has announced his retirement as editorial editor of the St. Petersburg (FL) Times. Gailey, 64 accepted a pension offer made by The Times, one of the nation’s premier newspapers, in an attempt to slash its payroll. Gailey, 64, began his career at the Atlanta Journal- Constitution. Other stops in his career include the Washington Bureau of The New York Times. Later he took over the Washington Bureau of the St. Petersburg Times before moving to editor of editori als in 1991. Health dept, releases restaurant inspection scores The Banks County Health Department has released the food inspection summary for April 1 - June 30. •Pizza Hut, A, 95, June 25. - Be sure utensils are clean to sight and touch. Can-opener needs to be scraped washed and sanitized. Clean curtain of walk-in cooler so that no residue accumulates. •Ruby Tuesday, A, 98, April 9. - Air-dry utensils prior to nesting and stacking. Clean shelves and dry stor age rack better. •Sarah’s, A, 100, May 7. •Simply Southern Cafe, A 99, June 25. - Clean outside of ice chest. •Sonny's, A, 90, May 28. - Be sure all utensils are clean to sight and touch and stacked dry. Clean inside of ice machine in back of kitchen. Keep sanitizer at proper strength for wiping cloths. Clean knobs, shelves and fans in walk-in cooler. Repair leak in reach-in cooler. •Subway/Wal-mart, A, 93, May 21. - Clean drink machine nozzles more frequently, adjust equipment to properly maintain hot dog tem perature. •Wendy’s, A, 96, April 9. - Keep sanitizer at proper strength. Clean around single service dispenser/con tainer. •Wendy’s, B, 88, May 7. - Upright cooler not holding temperature. Will not be used until repaired. Discard food. Clean around single service containers. Clean front of ovens and heat lamps of fry station. •Wendy’s, A, 99, June 18. - Air- dry utensils prior to stacking. FUNERALS COST TOO MUCH! Address The North Georgia Burial and Cremation Society has prepared an ecologically responsible, economical alternative to the high-priced funeral* We offer environ mentally-friendly funeral packages which include burial and headstone for $2,995.00. We offer environmentally-friendly cremation packages which include burial and headstone for $1,995.00. This is a membership association, presented to the community exclusively by: The North Georgia Burial and Cremation Society For more information on these exciting new programs, please fill out the coupon below and mail today. You may also call for more information The North Georgia Burial and Cremation 770-965-2415 - 4121 Falcon Pkwy, Flowery Branch, GA 30542 Yes! Please send me more injormation! Name Phone Age Veteran? Yes □ No 1 montmemsvcs@att.net