DIAMOND DOGS IN TOURNAMENT The Morgan County High School baseball team has made it to the third round of their summer league tournament, beating Commerce. PAGE B1
BEWARE A PIRATE INVASION With two casts, Madison Community Theater presented the play, “How I Became a Pirate” last weekend at the middle school. PAGE C1
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Elderly Bostwick man beaten and left 70-year-old victim recovering in Athens hospital By Patrick Yost
“It appears to be an aborted or interrupted robbery attempt.”
EDITOR
Morgan County Sheriff’s Office investigators have –Capt. Chris Bish, identified suspects in Morgan County Sheriff’s Office a brutal attack that left a 70-year-old Bostwick man According to reports, Etris had been lying in a pool of blood. Thomas Gary Etris was found by a badly beaten and was unresponsive business partner on the floor of the when authorities arrived. He was carport at his Bostwick Highway home last Sunday at approximately 5 p.m. >> See ATTACK Page A7
After 59 years, Madison’s Ye Olde Colonial Restaurant, a local institution, at the corner of Washington and Main streets, will close its doors Saturday. PHOTO BY STEPHANIE JOHNS
Ye Olde Colonial closes Saturday By Stephanie Johns STAFF WRITER
A downtown Madison staple, Ye Olde Colonial Restaurant will close its doors after 59 years this Saturday. Looking around the building, the smell of breakfast in the air, Manager Jimmy Cunningham, son of the restaurant’s founder, Joe, said the restaurant holds many more good
memories than bad ones. Asked why the restaurant is closing now, Jimmy replied, “It’s just that time.” Jimmy said Joe had an Economy Auto store at the site where the restaurant now sits. Joe added a sandwich counter around 1953 or 1954.
>> See COLONIAL Page A7
Joe Cunningham
City mixed-residential development to be vetted by Planning Commission By Kathryn Schiliro MANAGING EDITOR
PUBLIC MEETINGS
To receive the go-ahead for a new development, made of mixed residential units, in the Madison area known as Town Walk Circle and in the city’s West Washington Street Gateway, a change to the Planned Residential District (PRD) must be vetted by the county Planning
W. Washington Gateway rezone hearings for Sandy Sanford’s property and the Madison’s train depot Planning Commission Thursday, June 27, 7 p.m. County Administration Building Madison City Council Monday, July 8, 5:30 p.m. Madison Municipal Complex
>> See PRD Page A7
Woman not driving in crash that killed her baby, boyfriend By Patrick Yost EDITOR
A Morgan County woman whose 19year-old boyfriend and 6-month-old son were killed in a May 10 I-20 crash was not driving the 1994 Honda at the time of the incident, Georgia State Patrol reports state.
According to the results of a Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team (SCRT) report, Edi Rodriquez was driving the Honda at the time of the fatal crash. Despite various media reports to the contrary at the time of the crash, the SCRT investigation found no evidence of racing during the crash.
Rodriquez and Hunter Anderson, the 6month-old son of Kyrie Alassen Anderson, 22, Madison, were both killed in the 12:21 wreck that occurred on I-20 near the Salem Road exit in Rockdale County. Kyrie Anderson suffered serious injuries in the crash and was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital at the time for treatment.
The SCRT investigation states that authorities located video from a nearby gas station that showed the Honda pulling to the pumps and Rodriquez exiting the vehicle from the driver’s seat position. The video also, reports state, showed Rodriquez enter-
>> See DRIVER Page A7
HAVING A BALL AT CAMP
PLANNING COMMISSION
Zoo in Morgan County? By Kathryn Schiliro MANAGING EDITOR
You heard right: a zoo is being proposed for Morgan County. The county Planning Commission, this Thursday, will hear a proposal for both a text amendment allowing zoo facilities in the county as well as a proposal, submitted by Michael Vaden, 1021 River Farm Run, Madison, on Highway 83, south of the Williams Dairy, for a conditional use request allowing him to put a zoo on his 33.5acre property, which currently houses his private aviary and taxidermy business for exotic animals as well as his residence. If the county Board of Commissioners OKs the conditional use, the first
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phase of the zoo “I think we could open in can make it late spring or early summer work.” 2014, Vaden said, in an inter–Michael Vaden, view. who’s proposing a If successful, zoo on his property a zoo could be an economic boon to the county, as Morgan County Planning & Development staff, in their report, stated that of zoos researched, the average was 1 million visitors annually, about 2,800 visitors per day, with the average ticket price being about $20, not including ancillary purchases. The draw could be significant
>> See ZOO Page A7
The hometown newspaper of Jim Foskey
The Morgan County basketball team held their annual summer camp for kids last week. Here, Tyreese Nelson, Trevin Peters and Anaury Warren smile as their team scores another point. For more, see Page B6. PHOTO BY JESSE WALKER
EVENT OF THE WEEK FOURTH OF JULY IN MADISON The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center will host their annual, free concert and picnic on the lawn, followed by the city’s fireworks at Heritage Park, starting at dusk.
RIDIN’ AT THE RODEO The rodeo in Shady Dale was held earlier this month, and all the events drew quite a crowd. Check out our coverage, in photos. PAGE D1
Wednesday, July 3, concert at 7 p.m.
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A2 News & Features
www.MORGANCOUNTYCITIZEN.com JUNE 27, 2013
11ALIVE FILMS IN COUNTY
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT
Body hears proposal to move College St. house to Pearl St. By Kathryn Schiliro
sent to the landfill, and the site Move College Street cleaned up, a house to Pearl total of Street a r o u n d City pays $8,500$15,000. plus to get rid of as"They get bestos the house free Henry and Peters and clear, and fund the house's reclean up the location and site lot," Callahan clean-up told the DDA. If city demolished "The Canaan house, cost could be area (the around $15,000 neighborhood where Pearl Street is located) would gain a house and there's one less in the landfill." Before this happens, Callahan agreed to check on the asbestos estimate, as the asbestos removal quote a nearby house built at the same time for the same family came to about $3,500, and to take the proposal to the city's Historic Preservation Commission for comment.
PROPOSAL
MANAGING EDITOR
Madison's Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has been approached by IV Henry and Leon Peters about repurposing the house at 787 College Street, Madison, near the water tower, City Planning Director Monica Callahan told the body at their meeting last Thursday, June 20. An asbestos survey report and quote to remove asbestos-laden materials from the property was prepared for the DDA by Norcross-based Peachtree Environmental. For $8,500-plus Peachtree Environment would remove and dispose of the transite siding – $3,100-plus of the total – and wall board and joint compound – almost $5,000 of the total. Henry and Peters are interested in relocating the house to an available lot on Pearl Street, if the city will pay the $8,500-plus to deal with removal of the asbestos. This will reduce the cost to the city as, if the house was demolished, the city would have to foot the bill for it being demolished, removed and
Depot relocation depends on power easements, zoning change By Kathryn Schiliro MANAGING EDITOR
The crew of the Atlanta-based 11Alive channel visited Morgan County last week for a segment called "A Tank Away," about trips to touristy spots near Atlanta. Elle Duncan reported for the segment, which will air in mid-July, according to Ellen Ianelli, of the local Chamber of Commerce, who showed the crew around. Sites included the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center, downtown Madison, Town Park, The James Madison Inn (above), Madison Markets, Southern Cross Guest Ranch (top), and the Joshua Hill Home. PHOTOS FROM ELLEN IANELLI
Progress on moving the Central of Georgia Railroad depot continues as Madison's Downtown Development Authority (DDA) voted to endorse a $67,000 contract with Curtis Whitsel, contractor, to move the depot across the railroad tracks. The contract includes relocation of the depot onto a new foundation and stabilization, and doesn't exceed what the authority has already reviewed as far as this aspect of the project, City Planning Director Monica Callahan told the DDA at their meeting last Thursday, June 20. Related to the move, topsoil will be stored on the Shaffer lot, and extra dirt will be used to fill the lot where the blue house at 408 W. Washington Street was lo-
SITE SHUFFLE When the depot’s moved, the shortline operator leasing the building from Norfolk Southern will move to the Town Park cottage. The Artists Guild, now in the cottage, will move across the street to 217 W. Jefferson. cated. The house, which dated back to the late-1800s, contained asbestos and demolished by the city earlier this year. The DDA is also in the process of working out power easements with Georgia Power on behalf of themselves and Norfolk Southern, depot owner, to allow power to be run under the rail on the DDA's property to power the replacement building the DDA is building for the railroad company. The moving and repurposing of the depot will mean a location shuffle for all parties. The Norfolk Southern-owned depot is leased by a short-line operator, Squaw Creek, that will temporarily move to the city-owned cottage in Town Park currently occupied by the Madison Artists Guild.
The Artists Guild has elected, after this month, due to the need for more space, Callahan said, to move across the street to the space that formerly housed Southern Charms Bridal, 217 West Jefferson Street. When complete, the construction of the replacement building the city promised in exchange for the depot will eventually house the Norfolk Southern leasee. When Squaw Creek moves out of the depot, repairs to the structure will begin, Callahan said. The DDA is expecting a quote for the replacement building from Chad Roling. The moving of the depot is also dependent upon the passing of the modification of an existing Planned Residential District (PRD), of which the adjacent Town Walk Circle neighborhood is a part. The applicant, Morgan County Properties Unlimited, is proposing taking 0.72 acres from the current 5.8-acre PRD and zoning that 0.72 acres Professional/Limited Commercial (P2), thus allowing the the depot to be relocated there. The county Planning Commission is taking up the matter this month, at a meeting scheduled for this Thursday at 7 p.m. in the county administration building.
A6 News & Features
www.MORGANCOUNTYCITIZEN.com JUNE 27, 2013
PLANNING COMMISSION
Commission to hear argument for lighting on private tennis courts in city By Kathryn Schiliro MANAGING EDITOR
On behalf of Madison property owners Von and Christy Freisen, attorney Ben Whidham has requested a change in the city's zoning ordinance that will allow for the Freisen's private tennis court, and future private tennis courts in the city, to include lighting. The Freisens have already constructed their tennis court "with illumination," according to the Madison Staff Report, reviewed by the Morgan County Planning Commission at their work session last Friday, June 21. Windham submitted this application for the change on the Freisens' behalf
after the city's Municipal Court sent a Consent Order, "issued after the tennis court and its lighting were completed without a building permit after receiving a stop work order," the report states. However, this matter, to be taken up by the commission, is not "whether they violated procedure...but about the text amendment," City Planner Bryce Jaeck, who presented the report to the commission, said. City zoning language currently dictates that tennis courts in residential districts can't be illuminated. Windham is proposing an amendment to the zoning ordinance so that tennis courts can be illuminated, provided the property on which the tennis court sits is more than 2.5 acres and any lighting pole or
other lighting device is 50 or City currently doesmore feet n't allow lighted tenfrom any nis courts neighboring Christy and Von lot. Freisens' attorney This change argues lighting would apply should be allowed if to all residen(1) the property is tially zoned 2.5-plus acres and properties in (2) lighting is 50 or Madison, a more feet from total of 91 at neighboring lots present, acFreisens have alcording to the ready constructed staff report. tennis court with Light pollulights, but received tion is a constop work order c e r n , according to the report, which states that the pollution "could potentially affect nearby properties...if proper precautions are not made." Windham's letter to the city's Planning Department states that the Freisens' lot is 3.176 acres, and "the spill rate for lighting is very low." The letter goes on to note that the city's "blanket provision that disallows tennis court lighting...is patently unfair when applied to property owners who own residences with more than sufficient acreage and dimensions to have lighting without affecting neighbors or causing a nuisance thereby."
AT ISSUE
Approval of the lights themselves would have to go through the city's Corridor Design Commission, according to Jaeck, who presented the information to the commission. City Planning Director Monica Callahan was present at the meeting, and stated that light pole height and color may be restricted to no more than 20 feet and black, respectively, and the lights would have to point down at the ground so as to "protect Rutledge's night sky observatory," she said. At present there are two private, residential tennis courts in the city. This isn't the first time the issue of lighted tennis courts in Madison has been addressed. In fact, one residence in the city does have a tennis court with illumination: 411 Old Post Road. This lighted tennis court was installed in 1995 and modified in 1996 and 1997, the report states, and it generated "several legal actions," not to mention community concerns. In fact, the 1998 City of Madison Zoning Ordinance, as a response to the tennis court at 411 Old Post Road, prohibited tennis courts as an accessory use. The city's 2000 zoning ordinance adopted the language on the books today, which includes the restrictions on lighting. The commission will take up the matter at their meeting this Thursday at 7 p.m. at the county administration building, and the matter will then go before the Madison City Council.
Ga. Military College move goes before Planning Commission By Kathryn Schiliro MANAGING EDITOR
Georgia Military College (GMC) is slated to move into the former Morgan County Citizen building, 235 S. Main Street, Madison, contingent upon county Planning Commission's nod and Madison City Council's approval of their request for conditional use. The property is currently zoned Professional Limited Commercial, or P2, which could allow for educational
facilities, including private schools, provided conditional use is OK'd. Further, the structure is located in the city's Historic Preservation Overlay. The proposal, submitted by Michael Conrads, presented to the commission at their work session last Friday, June 21, states that the building will be used by GMC as classroom space, as the college has outgrown its current location at Madison South Executive Park. This location will stay open, according to the staff report. Both GMC locations will be open Monday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. The South Main location could house a maximum of more than 160 students, but will average about 80 at any given time, and 10 employees. The staff report states that approval of this conditional use wouldn't be detrimental to the area, and changes to the facade include city-approved signage and landscaping; in fact, it would "increase the customer base for businesses in the area." The sole issue in question seems to be that of parking. The property as it is has 10 parking spaces, but the conditional use requires 52. Conrads and GMC have approached both the city and Madison First United Methodist Church about using the deck near the county administration building and the churchowned lot behind the 235 S. Main location, respectively, and have come to an agreement with them about utilization of parking space. GMC has also approached neighboring Cornerstone Church and Madison Baptist about potential use of their parking spaces; they've also asked the city about use of parking behind the hardware/livery stable building, formerly Madison Hardware. In other news, Madisonbased Milford Construction's John Milford has submitted an application to the commission on behalf of Lake Oconee Baptist Church, 2411 Reids Ferry Road, Buckhead, for a con-
ditional use permit in order to construct a 1,000square-foot addition to the church's Fellowship Hall. The proposed use for the additional space is storage, but it may be used for classrooms in the future, according to the Morgan County Staff Report, which went on to state that staff had no concerns about the potential approval of this application; And Candace Carlson, on behalf of property owners William and Renee Pritchard, has asked for a variance to reduce the rear yard setback from 40 feet to 20 feet in order to construct a swimming pool and patio at their to-beconstructed residence at 1000 Apalachee Way, Buckhead. The Georgia Power rightof-way (ROW) from the lake is 40 feet, and the county requires another 40 feet from Georgia Power's ROW, a "buffer for the flood zone," Morgan County Planning Director Chuck Jarrell said, and the case for all Lakeshore zoning districts, and this lot is zoned Low Density Lakeshore Residential (LR1). According to the Morgan County Staff Report, the property is 1.05 acres and "wedge shaped." Staff, in their report, argues that the Pritchards chose to buy the property knowing its acreage and configuration, and they are choosing to construct a house of a certain size and layout on the lot "that may, or may not, be amenable to the lot configuration.” Additionally, Carlson states, according to the report, that the requested variance "is the minimum that will allow for a viable economic use of the land," an opinion staff finds "debatable." Staff recommends more information be heard by the commission on this matter. The county Planning Commission will take up all of these issues at their 7 p.m. meeting this Thursday, June 27 at the county administration building.
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News & Features A7
JUNE 27, 2013 www.MORGANCOUNTYCITIZEN.com
PRD
>> From Page A1 Commission and approved by the Madison City Council. The PRD is located off of Fifth Street, near the historic Central of Georgia Depot, which the city's Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is in the process of working to relocate and restore. Further, the PRD is located within the city's Downtown Urban Redevelopment Area, or DURA, established by the city "for extra concentration of community services, programs, and improvements to relieve slum and blight conditions and bring renewal opportunities," according to the City of Madison's website. The petition, brought before the Planning Commission by Morgan County Properties Unlimited, proposes (1) reducing the PRD from 5.8 acres to 5.08 acres, (2) mix types of residential housing, and (3) reallocation of a city park parcel, ac-
cording to the applicant's report, which was part of the information presented to the Planning Commission in their work session last Friday, June 21. The 0.72 acres that would come from the 5.8-acre property being reduced to 5.08 acres is proposed to be placed in the Professional/Limited Commercial Zoning District, or P2. The depot is to be moved from its current location to this new parcel across the railroad tracks. "Removing a portion of the original PRD area will provide a location for the refurbished Depot," the staff report states, and goes on to say that this area would "act as a buffer" between the PRD and the railroad. Other than Small Lot Residential (R4)-zoned property to the northwest of this PRD, everything surrounding it is zoned P2. The PRD requires at least five acres, so the removal of 0.72 acres still qualifies the proposed develop-
COLONIAL
>> From Page A1 As business at the auto store declined, business at the counter remained strong. Joe refashioned his business into The Grill. Following a fire, his father opened it back up as Ye Olde Colonial, Jimmy said. Its location right off of Main Street made it an ideal stopping point for people traveling from Augusta, he said, noting that this was before I-20 was built. The restaurant hosted a variety of people through the decades, from Lester Maddox, then presidential hopeful Al Gore, to mem-
ATTACK
>> From Page A1 transported to Athens Regional Medical Center, said Capt. Chris Bish and is recovering from injuries that include a fractured eye socket and lacerations to the head. Reports state that Etris' eye glasses had been broken in the attack. A tooth was also found on the carport floor. Bish said Etris was wellknown in the area for
DRIVER
>> From Page A1
gas station. Approximately five minutes later and six miles away from the gas station, the Honda lost control while driving westbound in the center lane, struck a guardrail and then reentered the travel lanes. Reports state Rodriquez then exited the Honda and both
ZOO
>> From Page A1 if advertised in conjunction with the county's major events and festivals. Further, a zoo would require a fairly large number of employees. In March, Vaden and his business partner, William Killmer, a landscape architect, who also owns land across River Farm Way, approached Planning & Development staff about turning Vaden's personal aviary, containing rare and exotic birds – hornbills, cranes, jays, toucans, kookaburras and storks – into a public commercial venture, according to Morgan County Staff Report, presented to the commission at their work session last Friday, June 21. The men's research led them even further, to considering the establishment of a zoo on Vaden's property. "We're looking to kind of take it to the next level," Vaden said, in an interview. "We're looking to do something world class, something the county would be proud of... I think we can make it work." There is no precedent for zoos in Morgan County so, before Vaden's conditional use can be considered, a text amendment for zoo facilities has to be on the books. The amendment proposal will be a "living document," the commissioners said, in which changes can be made. Staff suggested the amendment include that Morgan County Building Officials be present during construction inspections of enclosures by state agencies; that an emergency plan be established with
bers of the University of Georgia football team to local citizens. He added that the restaurant has had long-term employees, even the part-timers. “We had one who started working here in high school, worked here through college, started teaching and still stayed on,” he said. Jimmy, his siblings, and even his daughter worked at the restaurant at different times, mostly while they were in school. As Jimmy’s wife, Connie, noted, the restaurant has been a “home away from home” for many. “Getting to know different people was fun, the friends I’ve made,” Jimmy said. “Just
helping people with work. "It appears that individuals that he may have helped came bak to take things they didn't deserve," Bish said. "We do have people we are looking for." Bish said Etris was in "good condition" at Athens Regional and that investigators had been in contact with him searching for leads in the attack. "He gave us a good description of the individuals," Bish
ing the Honda on the driver's side before leaving the
ment, called "The Anchorage" in the applicant's packet, to be a PRD as it will be 5.08 acres. In 2006, a similar, 33-lot development, called Town Walk Circle, was proposed in the PRD; before that the property was zoned for Manufactured Home Park (R3) and there was a manufactured home development on the property. Since 2006, only three of the 33 lots of the failed Town Walk Circle proposal have been developed, and those dwellings are occupied. Morgan County Properties Unlimited, the applicant, is asking for the addition of one more detached dwelling unit, for a total of 34, which includes the three, alreadybuilt-and-occupied, single-family units. Further, Morgan County Properties Unlimited wants to mix residential housing unit types: A total of six, single-family homes, or "cottages," at 1,200 square feet; Five two-unit homes, or "patio
said. He said the sheriff 's office had dedicated eight officers to around-theclock investigation into the brutal attack. Nothing was taken from the residence, Bish said, but "It appears to be an aborted or interrupted robbery attempt." Bish said the criminal investigations division had identified suspects and are "in the process of locating them…"
Rodriquez and the Honda were then struck by a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Jody Shane Richardson, 34, Carrollton. Both Richardson and a passenger in the Silverado, Terry Lee Chane, 48, Carrollton, were injured and transported to Atlanta Medical Center. The report states that no charges will be filed in connection with the fatal incident.
four annual drills; and that a yearly inspection be required before a new business license is issued. Staff further recommended, in their report, that zoos be allowed as conditional uses in General Commercial (C2) and Agricultural (AG) zones; Vaden's property is zoned AG. As far as Vaden's conditional use application, Vaden owns two River Farm Run properties totaling 33.5 acres; he is trying to buy three more lots. If successful, this land would make the property near 50 acres, all zoned AG. Vaden is in the process of applying for 501 (c)3 non-profit status, and the project would be funded by a combination of sources, including grants and donations, the staff report states. Commissioners will also consider whether conditional use should be tied to the family; in the case the zoo fails, it could be a burden on the county. Vaden has worked with the Atlanta, San Diego, Nashville and Audubon zoos and St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. Writer Stephanie Johns contributed to this story.
homes," better known as duplexes, at 1,100 square feet; And four structures with 18 apartments, or "garden flats," at 1,100 to 1,200 square feet. "The greater mixture of residential structure types [as compared to Town Walk Circle] is sought to provide more options for future residential growth," the staff report states. "Zoning doesn't differentiate between [whether the homes are] owned or rented," City Planner Bryce Jaeck said when asked by a commissioner whether the homes would be owned or rented. As far as logistics, parking will be shared between the apartments and all the other units will have their own parking. Landscaping and parking lots will be managed by the Homeowners Association, according to the applicant's report. Additionally, because a similar development was planned in 2006, city staff doesn't anticipate an huge
good memories.” Joe offered steaks and seafood at a set price downstairs for a time. That changed following a visit from the football team. “Dean Tate made them apologize for eating us out of steaks,” Jimmy said. Joe closed the basement in the late 1960s after he bought the bank building next door and began using it as dining space. “Then it was all on one level,” Jimmy said. Jimmy and a younger brother, John, papered the vault in the second building with old railroad money issued in 1867. “Ben Fortson found a box of old money,” he said, noting the state was going to burn
impact on infrastructure. The P2 component of the PRD doesn't fit within the city's plans for future land use, so, provided the city council OKs the development, city staff will have to present a Comprehensive Plan amendment to address this. Finally, the applicant is also asking the city to reallocate the park parcel, currently part of the PRD, which the city, specifically the DDA, the body to whom the parcel was deeded, has designated to serve the historic Canaan neighborhood. The park parcel, referred to as the "tot lot," is set to be moved from farther away from its current location, near the package store at the intersection of Wellington, West Washington and West Jefferson streets. The package store does predate the PRD, which includes the tot lot. The Planning Commission will meet this Thursday, June 27 at 7 p.m.
it. Fortson called Joe and asked if he could come up with a use for it. Joe became sick around 1976 or 1977 and then passed away in 1978, which is when Jimmy took over as manager. When asked about future plans – for himself, the buildings, and his father’s collections of arrowheads, newspapers, and glass items – Jimmy shook his head, “I don’t know. … Nothing’s really been discussed on that part.” He and his siblings will get together to make some of those decisions, he said. Jimmy said he plans to stay in Madison, though, “It’s home.”