About The Banks County news. (Homer, Banks County, Ga.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 26, 2012)
50<t • Homer, Banks County, GA 30547 • A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. • 28 Pages, 2 Sections Plus Supplements • Vol. 45 No. 3 Government Swearing-in ceremonies 3A-4A School Super Leopards 9A HOLIDAY GIVING STARTS OFF WITH BREAKFAST The guests at the Sheriff’s Office Christmas Kids event were served breakfast before heading out on their shopping adventure. Photos by Wesleigh Sagon Local law enforcement helps with Sheriff's Christmas Kids program BY WESLEIGH SAGON The annual Sheriff’s Office Christmas Kids event was held at the Commerce WalMart Thursday morning. The event kicked off with breakfast at 8:30 a.m. After breakfast, the children visited with Santa Clause then went shopping. The annual event was funded by WalMart employees, citi zens, and businesses in the community. There were a total of 24 children who were chosen to attend the event with 12 from Jackson and 12 from Banks County. Volunteers from Banks and Jackson County sheriff’s departments, along with JROTC members paired up with a child to shop for Christmas gifts. Each child was allotted $200 dollars to spend. Banks County School Resource Officer Jeff Bohannon says “it’s the highlight of my year,” Bohannon, along with Mark Savage from Jackson County and the other volun teers, expressed appreciation to WalMart for allowing the use of the building for this community event. FINDING A TOY Shawn Wilson from the Banks County Sheriff’s Department and Banks County JROTC volunteer Ashland Dunn help Kristen Nicholson pick out a More photos, Page 12A stuffed puppy at the annual Sheriff’s Office Christmas Kids event held at Wal-Mart Thursday. Inside •Banks County stu dents honored — page 9A Letters • A special thanks you from sheriff’s office — page 7A Other news •Social — 8A • Church — 10A •Obituaries — 11A •Public Safety — 5A-6A • Legals -8B-11B • Sports — 1B-4B OUTGOING SHERIFF RECEIVES PLAQUE At a reception on Dec. 18, newly-elected Banks County Sheriff Carlton Speed (R) presented long-time sheriff Charles Chapman with a plaque in honor of his 16 years of service to the citizens of Banks County. Approximately 200 people, including county employees and family members, attended the lunch reception to honor Chapman as he retires at the end of December. More photos from the reception, Page 2A BALDWIN Kilgore asks for one-time auction BY SHARON HOGAN The Baldwin City Council heard a request last week for a one-day busi ness license for an auction to be held in a building in the industrial park. Kurt Kilgore of Rockabilly Auctions in Commerce asked the council to issue him a business license or permit to hold a one-day auction on Jan. 12 in the industrial park building owned by Doug Michael and located at 230 Industrial Park Boulevard. City attorney David Syfan explained that a business license would be need ed. “Arguably, they are operating a busi ness within the city,” Syfan said. “He’s in the business of selling items ... not his items.” Syfan asked Kilgore several times if he was asking for permission to hold a one-time event. Kilgore said, “I am only asking for the one-time event.” The permitted use of Michael’s build ing has been the topic of discussion at several Baldwin City Council meetings in recent months. The council was first approached about the possibility of the build ing being used as an event center. However, Habersham County officials want the building to be used for indus trial purposes and they feel opening the building up for any other use could deter industrial clients from coming into the industrial park. The council failed to vote on the auction request so therefore no busi ness license will be issued until a vote is taken. Attorney Gary Thornton, who is also an associate of Michaels, encouraged the council to allow Michael to hold events at the building. “No uses are planned that would be disruptive,” Thornton said. Thornton referred to the city’s zon ing ordinance for allowed uses in light continued on page 2A Ausburn reception planned Thursday A reception for retiring tax commis sioner Margaret Ausburn will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 27, at the Farm Bureau, Homer. The public is invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served. Ausburn will be recognized for 24 years of service as tax commissioner. Early deadlines in place for next week's issue The news and ad deadlines for next week’s issue have been moved for ward due to the New Year’s holiday on Tuesday, Jan. 1 The deadline for news and ads will be at noon on Friday, Dec 28. The publication date will be on the regular schedule and will be on news stands on Wednesday, Jan. 2, and in the mail the next day. The Banks County News office will be open until noon on Monday Dec. 31.
