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PAGE 2A — THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL. THURSDAY. MAY 28. 2009 Robbery .cont’dfrom 1A robbery, but because of the time proximity, we "re thinking either it was involved in the robbery or it was a witness we need to talk to. We "re looking to try to identify who was in tire car at the bank at that time.” Fullington said investigators don’t have a positive identification of the car’s make and model. “You can see enough to see that it’s a compact small, four-door, late model sedan, greenish in color, very similar to a late-model Toyota Corolla,” said Fullington. “But it could be a Dodge Neon. There are some other cars that are similar. Tire picture is not clear enough to say 100 percent that that’s what it is." The armed robbery occurred around 3 p.m. Friday. The lone masked gun man fit tire same description as the person who robbed the bank earlier this month: a black male, 5 "5" to 5’7” and approximately 150-160 lbs. He wore a red hooded sweatshirt and carried a small pistol. Authorities believe the suspect may be the same person who robbed the bank May 4. The robber left on foot, exiting into a tree line to the left of the front entrance. He left with an undisclosed amount of cash. “We (the GBI) are working four separate bank robberies that have hap pened in the Athens area since April 9,” said Fullington. "However, we’re not saying they’re all linked. And we don’t know they’re linked. But we're saying there are some similarities between the robbery that happened in Ha on the 4th and 22nd that we're looking that possibly being the same person.” Fullington said the robber in both incidents at Merchants and Farmers approached tire bank in "the same general way and exited the same general way.” “He was in tire bank the same general amount of time and once he got in the bank he approached the same way," said Fullington. "He was in the bank less than a minute, closer to 30-35 seconds.” Anyone with infomration regarding the crime is urged to call tire Madison County Sheriff's Department at 706-795-6202 or the Athens post of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation at 706-542-7901. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is also involved in the hunt for the bank robber. Attendance .cont’dfrom 1A the Madison County Cattlemen’s Association provided 800 hamburgers and buns and Merchants and Farmers provided 800 hotdogs and buns. Parents sold donuts to by a Wii game system and three iPods to give away for perfect attendance and bell-to-bell winners. Popcorn, snowcones, nachos and cotton candy were also provided by First Madison Bank, the special ed department of Madison County schools, the school board cen tral office and the Madison County Rotary Club. Three large inflatables were sponsored by C&S Plumbing and Fireco. Numerous parents volunteered to set up, serve and clean up, while youth pastors from area churches organized and led games. MCMS teacher Doug Wood was DJ and karaoke man. “Leading up to the Extravaganza we had Bell-to-Bell rewards, which is a monthly reward for students with no absences and no tardies every month,” said McCannon. “Local restaurants and organizations donated food and money for these ‘lunch with a friend reward.” McCannon said next year’s event will be May 20. She said the day of fun seems to be a good motivator for the kids. “Fun was had by all, even the adults!” said McCannon. “Our efforts seem to be improving attendance.” Tax ..cont’dfrom 1A issue for over two years. And county building inspection direc tor Eddie Pritchett asked the BOC last week to put an end to dis cussions with a final vote. But commissioners postponed final approval of the tax, agreeing to review the latest 10-page version of the ordinance. Numerous county residents have spoken out in opposition to the tax over the past couple of year's. And two people, Mildred Baker and her son, Marion, both spoke against the occupation tax last Thursday, saying it is unnecessary and an unfair' burden on small businesses. “I reckon this occupation tax is just sort of a pet peeve of mine,” said Marion Baker. "What benefit will it be other than revenue to the county?" Baker said it would give the county attorney and code enforce ment officer "a little something else to do.” “But as far as a personal benefit from anybody considering going into business, I don't see it,” said Baker. “If you do a good job, there’ll be word of mouth. Your phone will ring. You don't have to be on their' list of businesses.” Baker said this is a good year for someone to get in the grass cutting business. “My son hits me up about get ting business going,” he said. “I’m going to tell him, son, you got to go over there and give the county $35 before you can even do that.” Commissioner Stanley Thomas said the tax is not intended as a money maker. He said leaders need a way to track what busi nesses are in the county, noting that it is helpful to have that infor mation handy when pursuing state grant funding. He said the chamber of com merce and industrial authority, which are trying to bring business to the county, support the tax. The commissioner noted that business licenses also help the government keep up with who's filing Georgia sales taxes. “Is it fair for that business per son not to pay their' sales tax and yet you (the property owner) end up having to pay the difference?” asked Thomas. The commissioner added that Madison County’s occupation tax is lower the most anyone else's. “My feelings are, if you don’t have $35 per year to spend, you probably don’t need to go into business," said Thomas. According to the ordinance, those who don’t pay the tax can be "punished by a fine not less than $250 and not to exceed $500 for each day such violation con tinues.” The ordinance also states that “Where a person conducts business at more than one fixed location, each location or place shall be considered a separate business for the purpose of occu pation tax." BOC chairman Anthony Dove said he doesn’t see the prudence in taking people to court for $35. “I want you to be sure of what you’re voting on," said Dove to the BOC. “I don’t want to take somebody to court for $35. They can't afford to pay the $35, then we're going to take them to court. I don’t think they’re going to be able to pay it in the court either ... My concern is not the bigger businesses. It’s the smaller person who's out there. I know men that haul garbage for a living and $35 might be all they make in a few days. I know it doesn’t sound like that much, but to some people it is. And I've been there. So I want you to read each line and know what you're voting on.” Schools .cont’dfrom 1A under $11.25 million in local tax revenue, down 5.85 percent from last year. Following a public hearing, the school board will approve the final ized 2009-2010 budget in mid-to-late June. The decrease in next year's budget is due to a $1.24 million revenue shortfall — a result of a drop in state funding, a dip in the local tax digest and the expectation of some uncollected property taxes. The revenue shortage would have been worse if not for nearly $1.4 million in federal stimulus funds headed Madison County’s way. In addition to the $1.24 million revenue shortfall, the system is look ing at $ 1.66 million in added expenses. Most all are costs — such as step increases in teacher pay and health insurance coverage expenses — over which the school system has no control. To compensate for both the lost revenue and the required expenses, school leaders had to slash $2.9 million elsewhere in the budget. Included was $915,278 worth of teacher reductions since the state is funding 14 less positions in 2009-2010 (Most all teachers affected retained their jobs by moving into spots vacated by retirement or resig nation). School leaders also cut $751,061 in central offices expenses and an aggregate $320,766 from the school campuses. School officials composed the 2009-2010 budget with a hard look at 2010-2011 too, which could be just as trying. "We think we're pretty lean,” McGhee told the school board at its Tuesday night work session. "There's a lot of things we’d like to do. We just know we can't, and we’re also kind of keeping one eye on next year (2010-2011) as well.” BOC ..cont’dfrom 1A nues,” said Dove. “And she (Clark) has been reviewing each department and looking at ways we might trim or cut the budget, because it looks like they (revenues) could be down.” The BOC may start meeting on the budget next month. "Kathy will be sending out a form to each department head and elected officer and start getting into some numbers," said Dove. “It will probably be based on what we project the (revenue) numbers to be. So we’re going to ask them to make their budgets comply with that.” Boutier Winery hosts chamber coffee Victor and Mary Boutier, owners of Boutier Winery on Hudson River Church Road, hosted the Madison County Chamber of Commerce Coffee Hour this month. The win ery opened on Nov. 15, 2008, on a 32-acre tract, complete with vineyard. The Boutiers received an award for the best white wine in Georgia last year. Margie Richards/Staff First Madison Bank & Trust Is proud to announce its ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY For its Danielsville location Come in to see David, Ann, Gidget, Veronica and Telina for all your banking needs. Your only locally owned bank pro u dly serving Ma dison Co un ty. FIRST MADISON BANK &“ TRUST Colbert Danielsville Athens 5536 GA Highway 72 200 General Daniel Ave., Ste. 223 780 US Highway 29 706-788-0039 706-795-5000 706-389-7979 & www.firstmadisonbank.com FDIC COUPONS Monday 2 Bacon Biscuits $4.00 1 coupon per order. Expires 6/13/09. Tuesday 2 Sausage Biscuits $4.50 1 coupon per order. Expires 6/13/09. Wednesday 2 Steak Biscuits $4.50 1 coupon per order. Expires 6/13/09. HOMESTYLE COOKING DINE-IN / DINE OUT Hwy. 72 • Hull Mon. - Fri. 5 a.m. - 11 a.m. • Sat. 5 a.m. - 12 p.m. 706-546-6141 r