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The www.MadisonJournalTODAY.com APRIL 16, 2009 Merged with The Comer News and The Danielsville Monitor, 2006 Vol. 24 No. 16 • Publication No. 1074-987 • Danielsville, Madison County, Georgia 30633 • A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers Inc. • 28 Pages, 2 Sections Plus Supplements COUNTY GOV’T Baker is new chief appraiser By Zach Mitcham zach@mainstreetnews.com Robin Baker is Madison County’s new chief apprais er. The new head of county appraisals sat at his new desk in the county govern ment complex Monday, his first day on the job, familiar izing himself with the new role. “I’m looking forward to getting to work and seeing where we are,” said Baker. County commissioners approved Baker by a 5-0 vote last Thursday, with the new appraiser’s salary set at $60,000. Baker, a Lawrenceville resident, served as chief appraiser in Banks County before serving as deputy chief appraiser in Fulton County. He holds “appraiser Robin Baker IV” certification. County commission chairman Anthony Dove read positive references for Baker at Thursday’s meet ing. And county commis sioners voiced satisfaction with the hire. “I’ve talked with people in Banks County who would be thrilled to have Mr. Baker back,” said Commissioner John Pethel. COUNTY POLITICS BOC to hear appeals from dismissed assessors By Zach Mitcham zach@mainstreetnews.com Madison County commis sioners will hear appeals from dismissed members of the county board of asses sors Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the county government complex. County commissioners recently voted to remove all four members of the board of assessors from their posts. Each BOA member will be given 20 minutes to speak. If no resolution is reached at that meeting, then the matter is expected to head to Superior Court, where a judge will hear arguments from both the BOC and BOA. The BOC says the asses sors have failed to submit tax digests by deadline, that they failed to secure a chief appraiser, that there has been constant turmoil among BOA members and that a 2008 Department of Revenue audit revealed numerous assessment prob lems. Assessor board mem bers said the BOC’s action against them is in direct conflict with Department of Revenue regulations. THE ECONOMY Madison County foreclosures jump Foreclosures in Madison County jumped significantly for the upcoming May sale date, hitting 40 for the month. That is a new all-time high for a single month’s foreclosure actions. Year-to-date, Madison County foreclosures are up 48 percent over the first five months of 2008. A total of 138 foreclosure actions have hit the county so far this year. In 2008, some 260 foreclosures took place in Madison County, up from 150 in both 2006 and 2007. INSIDE Index: News—1-3A7A Opinions— 4-5A Crime— 6A Socials — 8-9A Obituaries— 12-13A Churches— 14A School— 15-16A Sports — 1-2B Legate— 3-9B Contact: Phone: 706-795-2567 Fax: 706-795-2765 Mail: P.O. Box 658, Danielsville, GA, 30633 Web: MadisonJoumalTODAY.com County extension coordinator retiring Retiring Madison County Extension Coordinator reflects on his days working with the agriculture commu nity and Madison County youth. — Page 3A EDUCATION School deficit grows But federal stimulus money expected to help shoulder burden Projected teacher layoffs reduced from 15 to 3 INSIDE: -*• 65 apply for MCHS principal’s post, Page 2A -** Snow days won’t be made up, Page 2A By Ben Munro ben@mainstreetnews.com The bad news is that Madison County Schools’ near-$2.5 million funding deficit has grown to $3.18 million. But the good news is that enough federal stimulus money should be heading Madison County’s way to shoulder that burden. Madison County Schools Superintendent Mitch McGhee doesn’t know exact ly how much is heading the school system’s way, but does think it will be enough to cover the new deficit. “In the ballpark, we shouldn’t have a problem covering the extra $712,206 that we need to (cover) that $3.1 million in cuts,” McGhee said. The county school system expects to receive half of its 2010 federal funds this month. McGhee had asked all prin cipals to cut $102,000 at their schools as part of an overall spending reduction plan to meet the shortfall. But now — with word of the federal stimulus money — those cuts have been reduced to $80,000 By Ben Munro ben@mainstreetnews.com Three Madison County teachers still face potential layoffs as the school board approved teacher contracts for next year on Tuesday. The Madison County Board of Education (BOE) went ahead and offered contracts to teachers for the 2009-2010 school year, per school and are not to include personnel cuts. “I have asked the princi pals to put any future per sonnel cuts on hold until we get the exact dollar amount of the stimulus funds that we’re going to be receiving,” McGhee said. though it has another month before making any decision regarding layoffs — or a “reduction in force (RIF).” The state legislature pushed the contract dead line back to May 15, leav ing time for more potential openings through resigna tions or teachers seeking employment elsewhere. The school board won’t — See ‘Layoffs’ on 2A The school system origi nally targeted a $2.5 million funding shortfall due to a slumping county digest and decreased funding from the state. However, state revenue being less than expected — See ‘Deficit’ on 2A Carrying the cross Approximately 60 students and accompanying adults took to the road Friday in a show of faith. Members of the youth groups of Comer and Colbert Baptist churches walked from Colbert to Comer along Hwy. 72 after school on Good Friday, carrying a life-size wooden cross. A “six-mile walk of remembrance for the price that Christ paid upon the cross,” the walk was described by church leaders as an “amazing event” that has already been scheduled for a repeat performance next year. Photo by Charles Richards GOV’T OFFICES Courthouse security beefed up Madison County deputy Steve Waller mans the metal detector at the front entrance of the coun ty government complex Monday. Zach Mitcham/Staff Second metal detector planned for back door By Zach Mitcham zach@mainstreetnews. com The recent episodes of public gun violence in the United States have led local leaders to rethink courthouse security. Now, anyone enter ing the Madison County Courthouse must pass through a metal detector at the front door. There is also an X-ray machine for purs es and other carry items. The outside doors to the courthouse, except for the front entrance, are locked during business hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. “The incidents over the past few years, and here recently, in the country have led to the tightening of security,” said Madison County Sheriff Kip Thomas. “...This change was made with the sole purpose of protecting the employees in the court- — See ‘Security’ on 2A CITY NEWS Power wins Colbert runoff By Ben Munro ben@mainstreetnews.com The seven-month vacancy on the Colbert City Council has at last been filled. Long-time resident Evelyn Patton Power has won the seat after an extended elec tion campaign, defeating Ellyn Trinrud in a rare run off Tuesday, 54-34. Patton Power, who will fill the post of former council man Jeff Roberts, becomes the first woman to hold office in Colbert. “Well, it’s about time,” Mayor John Waggoner said. — See ‘Runoff’ on 2A