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The www.MadisonJournalTODAY.com MARCH 26, 2009 Merged with The Comer News and The Danielsville Monitor, 2006 Vol. 24 No. 13 • Publication No. 1074-987 • Danielsville, Madison County, Georgia 30633 • A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers Inc. • 28 Pages, 2 Sections Plus Supplements TAXES EDUCATION Dove asks assessors Craft to leave MCHS First-year principal takes position as superintendent of Emanuel County Schools to resign Rubio to remain on appraisal staff — The BOC is scheduled to discuss the matter Monday. See Page 2A for the full agenda By Zach Mitcham zach@mainstreetnews.com Madison County Commission Chairman Anthony Dove has asked the four members of the county board of assessors to resign, but at least two board members say they won’t step down. “I have asked them in the best interest of the citizens of the county to consider resigning,” said Dove. “I have informed the commissioners of this, but I am doing this solely as the chairman. I feel this is the only way to go.... You can’t keep doing the same things over and over again and expect different results.” Board of assessor member Jim Escoe said he’ll fight any attempt to remove him from the BOA. “It ain’t going to happen,” said Escoe, regarding the request for his resignation. “I have the interest of the taxpayers at heart.” BOA member Larry Stewart said he doesn’t plan to resign either. “It’s a sad day when a person tries to do the best job they can and this is the thanks they get,” he said. The other two members on the BOA, Chairman David Ragland and Samantha Garland, had not returned messages from The Madison County Journal as of press time. A fifth spot on the BOA formerly filled by Bob Fowler remains vacant. — See ‘Assessors’ on 2A COUNTY GOVT Chairman to recommend Baker as chief appraiser By Zach Mitcham zach@mainstreetnews.com County commissioners will soon consider Robin Lynn Baker as the next Madison County chief appraiser. The proposed salary for the position is $60,000. BOC chairman Anthony Dove said Wednesday that he will recommend the Dacula native to the board. The BOC will hold a special meeting sometime after a two-week public notification requirement of the recommendation expires, meaning the group will probably consider the matter sometime after April 8. Baker, a Lawrenceville resident, served as chief appraiser in Banks County for a year before serving as deputy chief appraiser in Fulton County for a year and a half. He holds “appraiser IV” certification. Dove said Baker comes with good references and is knowledgeable and experienced. Dove said he interviewed four applicants for the post. “There is another one that is a close second that I will put before the board if he (Baker) is not hired,” said Dove. INSIDE Index: News—1-3A Opinions— 4-5A Crime— 6A Socials — 8-11A Obituaries— 14-15A Churches— 4B Schools— 16A Sports—1-3B Legate—5-9B Contact: Phone: 706-795-2567 Fax: 706-795-2765 Mail: PO. Box 658, Danielsville, GA, 30633 Web: MadisonJoumalTODAY.com 8 ,, 0 4879 14144* 0 Raider offensive explosion Madison County’s varsity baseball team has scored 57 runs in a four-game span and was tied for the region lead as of press time Wednesday. — PagelB By Ben Munro ben@mainstreetnews.com For the second time in as many years, Madison County will search for a new high school principal. Emanuel County Schools approved first-year Madison County High School principal Tommy Craft as its new superin tendent Monday. Craft will finish the year at MCHS before moving on to south Georgia. “I am a person with personal and professional aspirations,” Craft wrote in a letter to MCHS faculty. “This is an opportunity and challenge for which I am excited about undertaking. My decision, however, is in no way a Tommy Craft negative reflection upon the fac ulty, staff or students of MCHS.” Madison County School Superintendent Mitch McGhee hopes to interview candidates by late April and recommend Craft’s successor to the board of educa tion by May. Craft came to MCHS after a controversial ouster at Cedar Shoals High School during the 2007-2008 school year. Despite public support for Craft, the Clarke County Board of Education didn’t renew his contract. However, Craft wasn’t out of work long. He was hired by Madison County in June of 2008 to fill the principal position vacat ed by Wayne McIntosh. Madison County now has more time to replace Craft than it did McIntosh last year. With Craft notifying the school system now and remaining as principal through MCHS gradu ation ceremonies, it allows time for transition. “It's not really bad timing,” McGhee said. McGhee said he thought Craft would eventually land a superin tendent’s job. noting his qualifi cations. though the quick turn-of- events surprised him. “I figured Dr. Craft would even tually go this route, but I thought it would be two to three years down the road,” McGhee said. "I think he thought it would be two to three years down the road.” Craft spent Monday in Emanuel County being introduced to staff, but was scheduled to return to MCHS Wednesday. McGhee said the high school has already started to benefit from Craft’s leadership, especial ly instructionally, noting strong winter end of course test (EOCT) scores. “What we "re going to do now is try to find somebody to continue that,” McGhee said. Farming, fun and tractors 1 >4 L ahHT tp / yjff E . * I lj fl t«. AJjP ' V iJM/ if 11 ■ \ fj ft | ■ . * SB T ,j_ 1 . 'ml Madison County’s annual “Ag Day” celebration included a tractor parade around the historic county courthouse. Photo by Ray Dove Madison Co. celebrates 6 Ag Day’ By Margie Richards margie@mainstreetnews.com Young and old alike came out on a windy, cloudy Saturday to help cel ebrate the county’s rich agricultural heritage at the annual “Ag Day” held at the Madison County Freshman Academy. The event began with a tractor parade up Madison Street and around the old courthouse, followed by the opening of exhibits and other venues, such as the mobile dairy classroom, horse rides by the Madison County Trail Riders, farm equipment displays, FFA and 4-H demos, the Cooperative Extension Service, UGA’s Wamell School of Forestry and Natural Resources and others. Ag essay winners, Catherine Gilliam (first place), Heather Echols (second place) and Jordan Lunsford (third place), read their winning essays on “Agriculture - Every Day in Every Way.” Baby chicks at the poultry exhibit drew excited children, anxious to hold the soft little creatures, while braver folk stopped by the Forestry exhibit to hold a com snake or a lake sturgeon. Outside, hayrides, propelled by an antique tractor, took riders over to the site of the future county’s future ag center and back, stopping to watch a performance by the local horse drill team, coached by Danny and Virginia Roberts. There were also exhibits of farm animals and equipment on display throughout the day. Alley Skelton, 9, rides one of the horses provided by the Madison County Trail Riders during Saturday’s Ag Day held at the Freshman Academy in Danielsville. Margie Richards/Staff The Chamber of Commerce Agricultural Committee presented the winners of the Ag Essay Contest at their Ag Day Celebration Saturday. Pictured (L-R) are first place winner Catharine Gilliam, $100 prize; second place win ner Heather Echols, $50 prize; third place winner Jordan Lunsford, $25 prize and Madison County Extension Service agent Carl Vamadoe.