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o o DECEMBER 24, 2020 Madison County Journal Merged with The Comer News and The Danielsville Monitor, 2006 MadisonJoumaITODAY.com Vol. 37 No. 47 • Publication No. 1074-987 • Danielsville, Madison County, Georgia 30633 • A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers Inc. • 20 Pages, 2 Section Plus Supplements $1.00 EDUCATION State BOE approves .01 EOC course weight State school lead ers decided Monday to weigh end-of-course (EOC) tests at .01 per cent of students’ grades for the 2020-21 school year. The tests typically count 20 percent of a student’s final grade. The vote followed some back and forth by the Georgia Board of Education on how to handle EOC tests. State School Superintendent Richard Woods pro posed the .01 weight to reduce students’ stress during a pandemic year, a move supported by Madison County School Superintendent Michael Williams. U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy Devos wrote education leaders in September, saying that she didn’t plan to waive regular require ments this school year. The Georgia BOE then voted in October to weigh the tests at 10 percent. However, the BOE heard from many who supported the .01 weight for 2020-21. And the board unani mously adopted the .01 weight for this school year. The Georgia Milestones EOCs are typically taken in high school in four subject areas — Algebra, U.S. history, biology and American literature and composition — and count for 20 percent of a student’s final grade. Index: News — 1-3A, 6A Opinions — 4-5A Crime — 7 A Social — 8-9A Obituaries —10-11A Features — 1B School — 2-3B, 6B Legals — 4-5B Classifieds — 7B Contact: A Madison Co. Christmas tradition — Page IB COVID-19 case rate remains high — Page 2A EGGS AND ISSUES Lawmakers talk elections Madison County Chamber holds annual Eggs and Issues breakfast By Margie Richards margie @ mainstreetnews.com Election reform, education and continuing healthcare issues during the pandemic will likely be the big issues on the minds and agendas of state lawmakers in the upcoming 2021 legislative session. Representative Alan Powell and Senator Frank Ginn were on hand for this year’s annual sponsored “Eggs and Issues’’ legislative break fast, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and Jackson EMC. Though some members were in attendance, the breakfast was broad cast via Zoom and Facebook Live in order to comply with COVID-related restrictions. Representative Rob Leverett, who won the election to replace long-time representative Tom McCall, was in COVID quarantine and unable to attend. Both Powell and Ginn wished him a speedy recovery. Powell, who spoke first, said the country was the most divided he had ever seen it, at least since the early 1970s. “It’s all about the ‘haves and the have nots,”’ Powell said. He said he feared the country under the new administration might be on the road See ‘Issues’ on 3A HELPING HANDS Madison County Sheriff Michael Moore, Torie Lester, Angel Fisher and county 911 director Brenan Baird are pictured Saturday with trash bags full of toys for needy Madison Coirnty kids. The toys were picked up by families this past weekend to give to children on Christmas. Community steps to the plate for needy kids at Christmas By Zach Mitcham zach @ mainstreetnews.com Two hundred and eighteen needy Madison County kids are having a brighter Christmas this year thanks to the county sheriff’s office and com munity volunteers and donors. Over $10,000 was raised by the county Toy Ride in honor of the late Stan Elrod this year, and trash bags full of toys See ‘Kids’ on 2A BOC Three at BOC table say ‘goodbye’ By Zach Mitcham zach @ mainstreetnews.com Three elected officials at the county commissioners’ table said their goodbyes Monday — BOC chairman John Scarborough, District 1 commissioner Lee Allen and District 2 commissioner Tripp Strickland. They will be replaced Jan. 1 by Todd Higdon, Dennis Adams and Terry Chandler. The officials offered numerous thank yous, and they were met with fond farewells from their fellow commis sioners who voiced appreciation for their service at the BOC table for the past four years. New BOC chairman Higdon thanked each of the outgoing members and thanked Scarborough for being very helpful during the transition. “He has been helpful to me and has definitely made the transition much easier,” said Higdon of Scarborough. Scarborough said people do have differences, but he said public service can’t be about that. “I think the mark of good character is you get beyond that,” he said. You put your personal grievances and gripes aside and work for what’s best.” The outgoing chairman said he enjoyed his time in office. “From my perspective, it’s been an honor serving the citizens of Madison County and working alongside so many good, dedicated people, the employees, the com- See ‘BOC’ on 2A LITIGATION Ag practice or waste disposal? Madison Co. company sued over spreading practices in Oglethorpe, Wilkes counties Phone: 800-795-2581 Mail: P.O. Box 658, Danielsville, Ga. 30633 Web: MadisonJournalTODAY. com Residents in Oglethorpe and Wilkes counties have filed suit against Madison County’s Smith Dairy Farms and several businesses supplying poultry materials. Plaintiffs say what’s happening on Smith properties isn’t an ag practice, but a waste-disposal arrange ment that has affected their quality of life. The Smiths say it is indeed an ag practice. By Zach Mitcham zach@mainstreetnews.com William Beck’s college-age daughters called him one day in 2018 and said they couldn’t stay at the family property. Their friends were throwing up due to the overwhelming stench. “They said, 'Dad the smell is so bad we can’t be outside; the flies are like what we’ve never seen before,”’ said Beck. Beck says owning land in rural areas involves being exposed to agricultural smells. That’s just life in the country. “It could be the sour smell of silage or food materials,” he said. “Those are smells you should buy into if you have rural property. But the smell of death is something you would probably not expect.” He said he reached out to the Smith brothers of Madison County’s Smith Dairy Farms, who own property across from his land on Centerville Road in Rayle. Beck said he was told it was just manure. “I said, 'No, it’s more than that,”’ he said. Donna Blanton lives about half a mile from Smith’s property in Lexington. She said there were numerous truckloads of waste dumped per week and that being outside was intolerable. “Horrific is the best term I can use, but when they were having this sludge dumped, it was impossible to do anything outside,” she said. “It was impossible to cut the grass, feed the dogs. It was horrible and it is not as bad today. They are using a different product, but the stench is still there.” THE ALLEGATIONS Beck and Blanton were joined by several prop erty owners in Oglethorpe and Wilkes counties who have taken the Madison County farming business to court over spreading practices near their homes. They are also suing the companies providing the material. A civil case was initially filed in Oglethorpe County Superior Court, but it was transferred to Madison County Superior Court in November. Plaintiffs in the case include Beck, Blanton, Thomas Adair, Scott Powell, Wade Powell, Raymond Arnold and Ruth Wilson. Defendants are Smith Dairy Farms Inc., Smith Land & Cattle Company, Jeff Smith, Isonova Technologies, Wilbros, Denali Water Solutions, Prime-Pak See ‘Lawsuit’ on 6A