About The Banks County news. (Homer, Banks County, Ga.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 9, 2017)
500 Homer, Banks County, GA 30547 • A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. • 20 Pages, 2 Sections Plus Supplements • Vol. 49 No. 36 Index •Crime —8A •Obituaries — IIA • Classifieds — 4B-5B •Legals — 7B •Sports — IB-2B, 8B Mayor reports on TSPLOST effort BY CINDY R. EDGE Mayor Larry Poole is not in favor of any additional taxes for Gillsville property owners. At a meeting held Tues day August 1, Poole report ed he was shocked to learn at a recent meeting of Hall County Mayors that the county has proposed begin ning dialogue with local cit ies regarding the possibility of a TSPLOST referendum. A TSPLOST is a sales tax where the capital outlays are intended for transportation purposes only. Poole said he would only support the new tax with the addition of several stip ulations. “I see my role as repre senting the taxpayers more than anything else,” Poole said. “That’s the highest priority in decisions I make, what’s best for the taxpay ers whether it be Gillsville residents or taxpayers in general.” According to Poole, a meeting has been set for later this month to begin discussion regarding the possibility of presenting a referendum for a TSPLOST to Hall County voters. In other business: • the council is continuing to discuss repairs needed to the city ballfield dugouts. •the council discussed repairs needed at the down town building. • an election will be held in November to fill positions currently held by Mayor Larry Poole, Councilman Roy Turpin and the council seat vacated by the resigna tion of Jim Butler. •Poole reported the city has received a letter from Banks County regarding permits for non-profit tem porary food service during city sponsored events. The council agreed to address this matter when the need arises for a permit. •the council held a first reading of a request to annex property located at 5991 and 6001 Hwy. 52. Final acceptance of the request will be held at next month’s meeting. The prop erty is owned by Curtis and Kadi Hodge. We Remember 50 Year Ago: The Floyd Hoard Assassination Part 2: Floyd Hoard comes to a lawless county Starts on Page 4A FIRST DAY OF FIRST GRADE Landri Love is shown on her first day of school as a first grader at Banks County Primary School. BOE to lower millage rate BY ANGELA GARY The Banks County Board of Education unani mously agreed in a called meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 2, to lower the millage rate for the next fiscal year. The action was tentative with final approval coming at the BOE meeting on Monday, Aug. 21, at 7 p.m. The tentative millage rate approved is 15.135, a decrease from the current rate of 15.570. The BOE is able to decrease the millage rate because of the tax digest going up 5.8 percent. It had gone down the past eight years. “This is certainly good news for us,” finance director Mike Beasley stated. The increase in the digest is reportedly due to the commercial property value update and poultry house value update, as well as other factors. In other business at the Aug. 2 meeting, the BOE approved hiring the following: • Tristan Adams, bookkeeper. • Susan Black, paraprofessional. • Cassie Pate, SFN assistant. • Brittany Henderson, SFN assistant. • Jennifer Hicks, paraprofessional. The BOE approved the following resignations: •Angela Daniel, SFN assistant. • Neva Daniels-Trudel, paraprofessional. • Matthew Yeoman, bus driver. • Lindsay Shiretzki, paraprofessional. • Emory Gale, paraprofessional. County land use plan meeting ahead Aug. 14 Banks County citizens, the Banks County Board of Commissioners and the 2018 Banks County Compre hensive Land Use Plan Advisory Group will decide over the next year how the community will look moving forward. In a series of public meetings, the advisory group will address elements of community development. This process is required by Georgia state law every 10 years. The Comprehensive Land Use Plan addresses issues such as public safety education, housing, zoning and city-county cooperation. The advisory group will be assisted by a technical group consisting of subject matter experts from county staff. The advi sory group will also be assisted by Adam Hazell from the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission. A blue print for the future of Banks County is the goal. There will be a public hearing on Monday August 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Banks County Courthouse Annex, located at 150 Hudson Ridge, Homer. Res idents are invited to “come out and share what is important to you for the future of our community.” Recommendations will be accepted in writing as well. The 2018 Comprehensive Land Use Plan Advisory Group members include: Todd Hubbard - Co-Chair man, Scott Ledford - CoChairman, Vicki Boling, CJ Farmer, Jodie Goodroe, Bill Griffin, Julie Jackson, Brad McCook, Carissa M. McFaddin, Bobby Miller, Krysta Morrison, Jud Trapnell, Russell G. Williams, Carol Williams, A.D. Smith and Ben Ramsey. The schedule of meetings are as follows: • Future Vision of the County Monday August 14, 7 to 9 p.m., Banks County Courthouse Annex. A public hearing at 6:30 p.m. will be conducted to allow the public’s comments and introduce the process. •Needs and Issues of the County Monday Sep tember 18, 7 to 9 p.m., Banks County Courthouse Annex. • Meeting (meet only if needed) Monday October 16, 7 to 9 p.m., Banks County Courthouse Annex. • Priorities and Solutions, Monday, January 8,7 to 9 p.m., Banks County Courthouse Annex. • Development Strategy Monday February 12, 7 to 9 p.m., Banks County Courthouse Annex. •Implementation/Draft Review, Monday March 12, 7 to 9 p.m., Banks County Courthouse Annex. A public hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. to receive any public comments on the draft plan. Contact Code Enforcement Officer Paul Ruark at 7066774272 for additional information. Casting planned for October walking tour The Banks County Historical Society will be holding casting calls for the 2017 Historic Homer Haunted Walking Tours. They will be held on Saturday August 12, from 10 a.m. to noon and on Sunday, August 13, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the historic courthouse in downtown Homer. The tours are tentatively planned for the evenings of October 20-21 and October 27-28. 4 8 7 9 1 4 1 4 3 o BOC OK's purchase of fire truck BY ANGELA GARY The Banks County Board of Commissioners agreed in a recent called meeting to purchase a fire truck from a California public safety agen cy. Fire chief Steve Nichols presented the request to purchase the $73,000 truck, which includes all equipment on it. He said the 2001 pump er truck has 79,000 miles on it and is in great shape. The BOC unanimous ly approved the purchase. The total cost, which includes shipping it, is $80,152. The funds will come from the 2012 special purpose local option sales tax. Qualifying ahead for Homer election Qualifying will be held in August for the upcoming town election in Homer. The qualifying fee for the position of mayor will be $22.50 and for each council member will be $12.60. The qualifying for offices will be held at Town Hall, 943 Historic Homer Highway, Monday, August 21, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday, August 22, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.; and Wednes day August 23, from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. The Town of Homer will conduct the General Elec tion on Tuesday, November 7, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the purpose of electing the mayor and five council mem bers. The last day to register to vote in the municipal elec tion is October 10. WILEY FUNDRAISER Kahmal Wiley, and his family, pose for a picture together during Saturday’s “We Are Kahmal Wiley Fundraiser” event at Banks County High School. The fundraiser raised over $35,000. All proceeds go to help with Wiley’s ongoing medical expenses from an April car wreck, which resulted in both legs being amputated. The fundraiser featured a 5k, car show, raffle and “Camping For Kahmal” kids’ basketball camp. See more photos on page 8B. Photo by Charles Phelps
