About The Banks County news. (Homer, Banks County, Ga.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 9, 2013)
50<t • Homer, Banks County, GA 30547 • A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. • 24 Pages, 2 Sections Plus Supplements • Vol. 45 No. 5 Leadership Banks holds first meeting Leadership Banks held its first meeting this week with sessions planned through May. The Banks County Chamber CVB is coordinating the Leadership Banks County effort. The program prepares community leaders for service in civic, government, business and charitable organizations. “Leadership Banks County strives to provide a perspective that leaders need,” community planner Brad Day said. “This perspective will aid community leaders in effectively working in a collaborative way to move Banks County to the next level.” At the meeting this week, the topic was small business and the instructor was Mary Ellen McClanahan, director of Entrepreneur & Small Business and project manager for Existing Industry forthe Georgia Department of Economic Development. Her job duties include helping find solutions and effective ways to build an entrepreneur environment and support small business through men toring, professional development, strategic planning and resource awareness. She also connects with Georgia’s business and community associations so that thousands of businesses and local elected officials are aware of resources and opportunities. Jackson EMC sponsored this first session of Leadership Banks County. Other sessions are planned on Jan. 22, Feb. 12, Feb. 26, March 12, April 9, April 23 and May 14. Topics will include local government, tourism, hospitality and retail, agribusiness, economic development, non profit organizations, social media and state government. The graduation will be on May 16. Legislative breakfast planned Thursday On Thursday, Jan. 10, the board of direc tors of the Banks County Chamber CVB will present a legislative breakfast sponsored by Georgia Power. The breakfast will start at 7:45 a.m. at Certus Bank in Homer. This year’s legislative breakfast will fea ture Rep. Dan Gasaway and State Sen. John Wilkinson. These legislators will talk about their priorities going into this session of the Georgia General Assembly. Homer sets election qualifying fees BY CAMERON WHITLOCK The Homer City Council voted to approve 2013 election qualifying fees and dates at its reg ular scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 8. The council unanimously approved the quali fying fee for the position of mayor at $22.50 and the position of council member at $12.60. Qualifying will take place from August 26-28 and the general election will take place on Nov. 5. The voter registration deadline is Oct. 7. In other business, the council: • reappointed David Syfan as the city attorney for 2013. •reappointed Cliff Hill as the fire chief for 2013. • reappointed Carol Ayers as the city clerk and election superintendent for 2013. •planned Arbor Day ceremonies for Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. • reported that the city has begun receiving its share of SPLOST monies. • added a post offer of employment medical inquiry to the Homer new employ packet. This addition prevents city employees from getting workers compensation for pre existing injuries. 7 ' ■Mflr i '-v- v J DM |r J. East * wE - ~ ROBERTS ELECTED BOE CHAIRMAN During Monday’s meeting, Shane Roberts (second from left) was selected as chairman of the Banks County Board of Education for 2013. Mike Boyle (left) was chosen as vice-chairman. Other board members shown (from left) are: Atha Dalton, Anthony Seabolt and Wes Whitfield. Photo by Sharon Hogan Roberts elected Board of Education chairman Boyle to serve os vice-chorimon BY SHARON HOGAN During Monday’s meeting, by a unanimous vote, Shane Roberts was selected as Banks County Board of Education chairman for 2013. Mike Boyle was chosen to serve as vice-chairman. Superintendent Chris Erwin wel comed new board members, Atha Dalton, Anthony Seabolt and Wes Whitfiled, to their first official board meeting. Erwin said, “We are changing lives. I am excited to have you five sitting on this board and I am excited about the team work.” Erwin announced that board training is planned from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday Feb. 27 and 28. The location of the train ing event will be announced at a later date, Erwin stated. OTHER BUSINESS In other business at Monday’s meeting: •Erwin gave the board a con struction update on the agriculture lab addition and ninth grade acad emy at Banks County High. •Erwin advised the board of the two percent increase in Social Security withholding for employees that took effect on Jan. 1. •finance director Mike Beasley reported that the December Education Local Option Sales Tax (ELOST) check totaled $243,584. •Pam Strickland, Special Needs Director, talked to the board about the different special needs pro- continued on page 2A Inside •Wrestlers named region champs — page 1B Other news • Social — 5A •Church — 6B •Obituaries — 10A-11A • Public Safety — 3A • Legals -9B-11B • Sports — 1 B-5B, 12B • School - 7A, 12A •Classifieds — 7B-8B BANKS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Officials move to create election board BY ANGELA GARY The Banks County Board of Commissioners moved forward Tuesday night with a board of elec tions being appointed to oversee elec tions. The BOC approved a resolution to seek local legislation to create a board of elections to oversee elections instead of the probate judge’s office. “We believe this would better serve the county,” Probate Judge Betty Thomas said. “We also believe that down the road that the secretary of state’s office will require a board of elections.” Before approving the resolution, the BOC reviewed the proposed resolu tion, line by line, and made changes. One of the changes was that the board will be comprised of four people and a chairman instead of the proposed two people and a chairman. “I think this is critical,” commis sioner Charles Turk said in making the recommendation that the number of members be increased. ELECTION CHANGES Probate judge Betty Thomas (standing right, at the podium) and clerk Andra Phagan (standing left, at the podium) appeared before the board of commissioners Tuesday night to speak on the proposed change to a board of elections. It was the first meeting for newly- elected BOC chairman Jimmy Hooper (seated, left) and new commis sioner David Duckett (seated, right). Photo by Angela Gary Sheila Ledford named senior center director BY ANGELA GARY After meeting in closed ses sion for 25 minutes Tuesday night, the Banks County Board of Commissioners agreed to hire Sheila Ledford as director of the senior citizen’s center. The salary for the position is $39,095. Ledford replaces Tabor McCoy, who resigned recently. In other business Tuesday night, the BOC named Charles Turk to again serve as vice chairman of the board.
