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Vol. 24 No. 22 • Publication No. 1074-987 • Danielsville, Madison County, Georgia 30633 • A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers Inc. • 24 Pages, 2 Sections Plus Supplements Pastor walks across Ga. Pastor Douglas Lee of Freedom Chruch of God has completed a 201-mile trek to raise money to feed needy fami lies and support youth programs. — Page 3A Carlton High School grads hold reunion Former students of the old Carlton High School gathered for the first time since 1984 last month to reminisce about the town and school that shaped their lives. — Page 7A Two killed in accidents A Comer man was killed in Hall County last week when his car collided with a horse. In a separate accident, an Athens man died in a sin gle-vehicle accident on Hwy. 29 south of Danielsville. — Page 6A Baseball facility to open Sat. in D’ville The Diamond Club, an indoor baseball and softball facility, will open Saturday in Danielsville. — Page 1B Attempted robbery reported An attempted robbery was reported Tuesday at the Food Mart off Hwy. 98 — Page 6A Index: News—1-3A Opinions—4-5A Crime— 6A Socials — 8-9A Obituaries— 3-4B Churches— 10A Schools— 9A.11A2B Sports— 1-2B Legals— 5B Contact: Phone: 706-795-2567 Fax: 706-795-2765 Mail: P.O. Box 658, Danielsville, GA, 30633 Web: MadisonJoumalTODAY.com COUNTY GOV’T HEALTH Occupation tax axed BOC votes 4-1 Monday to eliminate business fee after years of debate By Zach Mitcham zach@mainstreetnews.com M adison County commission ers said “enough is enough” Monday with the nearly three-year debate on the county occupation tax, agree ing to scrap the plan com pletely. “I THINK WE’VE WASTED TIME BICK ERING BACK AND FORTH TRYING TO GET THIS THING IRONED OUT.” — Commissioner Mike Youngblood “I think we need to trash the whole ordinance,” said Commissioner Mike Youngblood, before making a motion to do away with the occupation tax. “I think we've wasted time bickering back and forth trying to get this thing ironed out... We’re not getting anything accomplished.” The commissioners voted 4-1 Monday to trash the plan, with District 1 board member Stanley Thomas providing the lone vote against the measure. The original occupation tax ordinance was drafted at the end of 2006 and implemented in 2007, but the plan has been amended on numerous occa sions. The most recent version of the plan included a $35 flat fee on all businesses in unin corporated areas of the county. The fee would not have applied to agricultural operations. — See Tax’ on 2A On Hamburger Hill 40 years later, memories of Vietnam battle still vivid for Madison Co. native By Mark Beardsley mark@mainstreetnews.com T he 40th anniversary of one of the deciding battles of the Vietnam Conflict slipped quietly by during May, but Bill Wood didn't need a reminder. The long-time Commerce barber and Madison County “God told ME TO PUT MY HAND UP THERE AND TELL YOU YOU ARE GOING HOME TO SEE YOUR MOM AND DAD.” — Vietnam Army Medic Bill Wood native is constantly reminded of the 10-day battle and other horrendous experiences of a 14-month deploy ment by night mares and health issues from front line action as a U.S. Army medic. The battle for jungle-clad Hill 937 got its name from its grizzly aftermath, the body parts and wounds that “looked like ground-up hamburger meat,” said Wood, who was 21 at the time and serving with the 82nd Airborne Division. The official toll from the battle was 56 American dead and 421 wounded, not to men tion 630 known enemy deaths. Wood disputes that number, saying hundreds of American soldiers died, but the battle marked the end of major combat operations as the toll further intensified anti-war sentiment in America. One of 14 children of the late Esco and Leila Wood (and the first of those to be bom in a hospital - the old Commerce Hospital), Wood grew up on Jot-em-Down Road and graduated A The former Army medic operates a bar ber shop on the Ila Road. He returned from Vietnam with six medals and some permanent medical problems, but with his faith intact. Mark Beardsley/Mainstreet News from Madison County High School. Drafted in 1967, Wood followed two broth ers in claiming conscientious objector status. “Really and truly, 95 to 99 percent were conscientious objectors,” he said. “They didn't believe in killing, but they had no choice. I went one step further and stood up for consci entious objector.” — See Wood’ on 5A EDUCATION GHSGT results mixed among local schools Area High Schools GHSGT Results First Time Test Takers Percent Failing System E/LA Math Sci SS State 10 7 12 13 Commerce 7 6 7 5 Barrow 10 7 11 15 Banks 11 8 13 12 Jackson 12 4 11 14 Madison 13 5 16 17 Jefferson 12 3 8 10 77% of Madison Co. juniors fail social studies test on first try Local high school juniors who took the Georgia High School Graduation Test for the first time this year passed at about the same rates as their peers across the state, but results were mixed locally. While students are allowed to take the tests several times before graduation, the first-time GHSGT results are used as a barometer to see where students stand as they prepare to enter their senior year of high school. In the four counties covered by Mainstreet Newspapers — Banks, Barrow, Jackson and Madison — the variation between school results was narrow and closely fol lowed the overall state results. The strongest course showing among local school systems was Jefferson High School in Math where only three percent of juniors failed the GHSGT, compared to seven percent statewide. The weak est results were in Madison County where 17 percent of students failed the Social Studies section com pared to 13 percent statewide. Overall, the City of Commerce School System had the strongest results with all its failure rates in single digits. CITY NEWS Colbert water upgrades possible By Ben Munro ben@mainstreetnews.com Colbert could bar gain for a series of water system upgrades when it renegotiates its contract with Piedmont Water. The city’s 15-year agreement doesn’t expire until 2012, but the company wants to move forth with sign ing Colbert to another long-term deal. Colbert’s share of the revenue would increase from 20 percent to 40 percent upon signing a contract extension. However, the city could opt to maintain the 20 percent share and sub stitute half a million dollars worth of water system upgrades for the other 20 percent. “We’re going to fig ure it both ways and — See “Colbert’ on 2A CO. HISTORY Ayers estate auction set for Saturday An auction will be held Saturday to raise funds for the construction and maintenance of Jere Ayers Memorial Park in Comer. Ayers, the long-time owner and editor of The ComerNews/Danielsville Monitor, passed away in 2005. The Jere Ayers Family Foundation is planning a community park in his name on the Ayers farm in Comer. The auction will begin at 10 a.m. at 1567 Madison Street, Comer. And all proceeds will be used for the park. Local auctioneer Phil Piche’ of Piche’ Realty and Auction Inc. will be in charge of the event. “If you want a piece of history, plan to attend this sale," organizers said. For a list of auction items to be sold, visit www.picherealtyauc- tion.com or call Piche’ Realty and Auction Inc. at 706-795-5111. Ten rabies cases reported in county Residents urged to vaccinate pets By Margie Richards margie@mainstreetnews.com The Madison County Health Department reports that 10 wild ani mals have tested positive for rabies in the county so far this year. And in an ironic twist, environmental health offi cial Kathy Kelly, whose office is responsible for monitoring and reporting rabies cases in Madison County, was attacked this past January by a skunk likely infected with the disease. — See “Rabies’ on 2A PET SOUNDS Shelter to hold benefit concert Sat. By Ben Munro ben@mainstreetnews.com The Madison-Oglethorpe Animal Shelter is singing the economic blues right now. But MOAS hopes a day of country, bluegrass and gospel will rally the finan cially-strapped facility. The shelter hosts a music festival Saturday at Madison County Memorial Park in Danielsville, start ing at 10 a.m., in hopes of generating much-needed funds for the two-county shelter. “It’s pretty important, because our donations have been down,” MOAS direc tor Susan Fomash said. “Things like this fundrais ing event, they're critical.” The festival includes con- — See “Shelter’ on 2A COUNTY SEAT Danielsville agrees to pay back line of credit By Margie Richards margie@mainstreetnews.com Danielsville’s city council agreed Monday night to pay off the city’s $200,000 line of credit with Madison First Bank and Trust. The money will be repaid from the $248,103 insurance payment received last month to cover funds allegedly stolen by fomier city clerk Michelle Dills. The council agreed to leave a $1 balance in the line of credit, at the suggestion of First Madison VP David Hancock, who told them the line could be left open at no cost to the city unless they boirow from it again. "(That way) if you need it, we’ve got it and you won’t — See “D’ville’on 2A