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JUNE 12, 2022 • VOLUME 28 NUMBER 6
Independent Federal Deadline nears for package store lab finds Georgia applications in City of Villa Rica Election System secure City plans to have four districts, one liquor store per district “Infeasible that the Georgia election system could be effectuated by malicious actors” from press release The conclusions of a review by The MITRE Corporation, an accredited laboratory founded for the purpose of giving engineering and technical guidance to the federal government, of the Georgia Election System was released. The report states, “It is MITRE’s expert opinion that it is operationally infeasible that the Georgia election system ‘could be effectuated
See ELECTION SECURITY page 15
- see page 2 - see page 19 - see page 23 - see page 23
Voters approved a referendum during the November 2, 2021 General Election allowing the City of Villa Rica to permit package sales of alcohol. A strong majority of voters 78.6% - approved. This past April 12th, city council passed an amendment to the city’s alcoholic beverage ordinance permitting package sales, with conditions. A lottery is sched-
uled for July 13th to award, potentially, only four licenses. The city plans on having four districts within the city limits and allowing one store per district. None of the stores will be in the downtown area. The city has been accepting applications with the application deadline closing in on June 15th. After that date, a staffSee LIQUOR page 15
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Democratic Ballot only for Carroll County’s June 21st Primary Runoff Democratic Ballot will contain four state level races
Local winners include Tom Sizemore, county school board District 5; Steve Fuller, Commission District 4; Danny Bailey, Commission District 6
No local races in runoffs by Sue Horn Surprising many longtime election watchers, the Carroll County May 24th Primary Election had no local runoffs despite two races having multiple candidates. Not surprising was the low voter turnout at less than a third (27.24%) of the total current 82,192 registered voters: 22,385 Carroll Countians casting a ballot. Of those 22,385 total ballots cast,
May 24th Primary Election 22,385 ballots cast Ballots were chosen as follows:
Republican Ballot 82.28% Democratic Ballot 16.97% Non-Partisan Ballot 0.75% 82.28% (18,420) chose the Republican Ballot; 16.97% (3798) chose the Democratic Ballot; and 0.75% (167) chose the Non-Partisan See PRIMARY RUNOFF page 12
CFWG now selling tickets for comedienne Karen Morgan’s September 15th show Ticket sales raise funds for Foundation’s year round grant awards
Tickets are now on sale for a show featuring nationally-known comedienne Karen Morgan. The event will be at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 15, at the Carroll County
Schools Performing Arts Center. The show is a fundraising event for the Community Foundation of West Georgia’s Power of the Purse, a See TICKET SALES page 14
CFWG gives grants totaling $25,508 to teachers in 19 area schools
Liberty Baptist Church Bowdon Teen Group wins Georgia Right To Life’s video contest
Liberty Baptist Church Bowdon Teen Group, made up of students from Central High, Ranburne High, Heard County Middle, Handley High, Bowden High, and Haralson County High, captured the top prize of $350 at this year’s state level Georgia Right to Life (GRTL) Video Contest. The video “Why I am Pro-Life” was inspired by the youth department’s passionate stand on pro-life issues in today’s society. GRTL President Ricardo Davis is shown above center with the winners. “We believe that God is the giver of life and taker of life. Jesus stated that he had come that we might have life and have life more abundantly. Our teens have a heart to serve the Lord in which we support the West Georgia Right to Life movement,” said Youth Director Adam Mangram of Liberty Baptist Church. For more information see the GRTL announcement about the Oratory and Video Contest winners at https://conta.cc/3EAcLtU. Photo and information submitted by Duane Hack, President, West Georgia Right to Life, duane.hack46@gmail.com
ThisDON’T issue is ISSUE! also MISS AN READ DIGITAL MONTHLY posted on over PRINT EDITIONS on 100 Facebook www.starnewsgaonline.com community pages, LIKE Pinterest, US at Twitter, facebook.com/ LinkedIn, StarNewsGaOnline & starnewsgaonline.com PINTEREST Sherryreynolds.StarNews Call 770-722-7227 suehorn.starnews FOLLOW US on TWITTER @starnewswga @gmail.com contact us at: waynereynolds.starnews suehorn.starnews@gmail.com waynereynolds.starnews@ @gmail.comgmail.com
The Community Foundation of Children Fund, a component fund West Georgia announced grants of the Community Foundation. totaling $25,508 to local teachers at This is the fourteenth year of 19 schools from The Alice Huffard grants from this fund with distribuRichards Arts Enrichment for Our See GRANTS AWARDED page 14
Two foxes in Carroll County test positive for rabies after biting two residents from press release The Georgia Public Health Laboratory has confirmed that two foxes from Carroll County recently tested positive for rabies. The Carroll County Animal Control Office retrieved both foxes within 0.2 miles from each other in the vicinity of Highway 78, Villa Rica, and Old Villa Rica Road, Temple,
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after two separate incidents involving two residents of Carroll County. One incident occurred on May 20, and the second bite incident occurred on May 27. The Carroll County Animal Control Office sent both foxes for testing to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory and received results that both foxes See RABID FOXES page 14
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6 year old Jesi Smith of Villa Rica: Southeastern Regional Twirling Champion now headed to a five day national competition in July circumstances early in her life. Jesi is adopted and she was in a horrible environment when my husband James and I found her. Six year old Jesi Smith has accomplished quite alot in her six It took us two years to finalize the adoption. She was so behind years. She just graduated from the first grade - and she is also in her development. the Southeast Regional Champion in Competitive Twirling! Jeania said with pride, “I think the twirling helps her with her She accomplished that impressive feat after beginning train counting, confidence, and concentration among other positives. only last July. And, this July, she will travel to the campus of And her teacher, Ms. Soulsby, and others at Villa Rica Notre Dame in Indiana to compete for a national title! This will Elementary have been so wonderful helping her catch up!” be a five day competition. When asked how much she practiced, Jesi succinctly stated, Jeania Smith, Jesi’s mother, agreed this is certainly a “I practice every day except my birthday and the day after a tremendous accomplishment for such a young child, “But competition, then I don’t.” maybe her biggest accomplishment is overcoming her Mom added, “Generally, she practices about a half hour before school practicing tricks to add to the routine. After school, she may practice for hours. If I have to cook, my mother, who lives with us, works with Jesi.” Competitive twirling is a family tradition. Jeania also competed as a child under her mother’s direction and competed at Notre Dame as well. Jesi is coached online with Marylin Daniels at the Marylin Youmans & Marylin School of Dance/Baton in Savannah, just as her mother was before her. Last November, Jesi became Southeast Regional Strutting Champion in the 6 and younger age group. In April, she became the Georgia State Twirling Champion in the 6 and younger age group, and later in April, she became the Southeast Regional Twirling Champion in the same age category. But as Paul Harvey used to say, now for the rest of the story. . . Six year old Jesi Smith with her mother Jeania Jeania and her husband have five
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children of their own, and they have now adopted six children to become part of their family. Jeania said, “I guess I have a big heart. All six of our adopted children were through private adoptions, so we get no state assistance. “And it is a heartbreaking process. If the biological parent reappears for any reason, the process starts all over again. It really plays with the emotions of the children giving them false hope. “The adoption process, I think, is broken. But, Six year old Champion Jesi Smith James and I are so proud of our family.” The Notre Dame National Championship in Julywill have international competitors, so, Jesi is really competing for a world championship. And, yes, this reporter did get Jesi’s autograph - how often do you get to meet a champion?! StarNews will keep you posted on how Jesi fares in the July event, but win or lose - Jesi Smith IS still quite a champion!
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State Senator Dugan remarks on 2022 Legislative Session, and what to, possibly, expect next session by Wayne J. Reynolds
State Senator and Senate Majority Leader Mike Dugan (R) spoke to the Carrollton Kiwanis Club covering a multitude of topics. After opening remarks about the work he and others accomplished during the 2022 Legislative Session, much of his talk was answering questions. Senator Dugan represents the 30th District which includes parts Dugan of Carroll, Douglas, and Paulding counties. He was first elected by voters in 2013 and then first elected Majority Leader by the Senate in 2018. Senator Dugan serves as Secretary of the Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security Committee. He also sits on the Banking and Financial Institutions, Economic Development and Tourism, Ethics, Reapportionment and Redistricting and Transportation Committees. Senator Dugan serves as Ex Officio for the Appropriations, Assignments, Public Safety and Rules Committees. Prior to being elected senator, Senator Dugan was president of the Carrollton Kiwanis Club, served on the executive board of the Carrollton Housing Authority and West Georgia Athletic Foundation Executive Committee. The Senator opened his speech by exclaiming it was a good session for state employees. “All state employees got their
promised raises from years ago when the He touched on a variety of issues. On roads, large portion of that we took from New York deficit prevented it. Dugan agreed, “We can’t build enough roads. It and Massachusetts. We are asking ourselves “The state also got a surprising windfall takes $60 million for the state just to cut grass. how do we move forward? At the moment, budget surplus. It was due in large part to High speed transit is complicated because everything is a priority. We will break it down covid. A few years ago Georgia is spread out to six things that we will concentrate on in the On the daylight savings time we passed legislation with metro and rural next session.” issue, Dugan said Georgia will on internet sales tax. areas. But we must try to On the daylight savings time issue, Dugan People were home and revert to Daylight Savings when the get out in front of these said Georgia will revert to Daylight Savings used the internet to issues and it will take a when the federal government allows the states federal government allows the purchase - which was lot of work.” to choose. Tongue-in-cheek, he added, “You a boon for the state. states to choose. Tongue-in-cheek, When asked what the know it doesn’t change the amount of he added, “You know it doesn’t Dugan went on to say next ‘big thing’ is, Dugan daylight.” change the amount of daylight.” that because of the replied, “I don’t know. Dugan also explained that the state is surplus, the state Right now my staff is spending billions of dollars on broadband. returned one billion dollars to the people in the creating priorities for the next session. We go They are concentrating their efforts in the rural form of the tax refund checks that were mailed all over the country checking on states that are areas first. The state has already mandated that out in May. “It is not our money. It is your doing something well and we ask how this can every school must have WIFI. money and you should get it back.” work in Georgia. Senator Dugan may be reached at 404-656He went on to explain ways in which the “For example, on the voting rights bill, a 7872 or at www.mikedugan.org state operates that people may not know about. He commented that “95% of what we do is not headline catching. We aren’t like Washington. The media looks for entertaining headlines, that is their job. We are not like the federal legislature. Georgia is different. The vast majority of the bills are bi-partisan. There are five or six things that generate the conversation and headlines, and I assume that is what your questions are about.” On education, Senator Dugan explained, “Teachers should teach history. They should teach about slavery, Jim Crowe, and the We have what you Original 38. Labels are wrong. Not just about need for that race, but also the color of their skin. Educate Super Dad for the children - make them aware - light or dark. Father’s Day! Don’t single a child out, don’t shame them about race, ethnicity, and the physical color of their skin.” He also mentioned that education is 1111 Bankhead Hwy Suite 13 Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-5:30pm•Sat. 8:30am-2pm important to the state with the bulk of the state Carrollton, GA 30117 Brian Sammon Owner budget - about 62% - going to education.
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The Rouse Foundation - giving back locally and internationally “As much as we need donations to fund programs, we need volunteers more” by Wayne J. Reynolds
“For over 25 years doing mission work, my wife Deirdre and I laid the groundwork for what has become The Rouse Foundation here in Carrollton “ began Dr. Charles Rouse. “The roots began for me growing up in rural Georgia in Waynesboro. We had very little, but my mother created an atmosphere of helping and serving neighbors in need, even though we had little ourselves. It was that foundation of giving that we began providing healthcare services to disenfranchised people, but really anyone who needs help.” Deirdre said, “My parents provided the same atmosphere of always giving, even my grandparents. For us, it was a natural way of life.” Dr. Rouse said,” My mother always told us we need to address basic needs before talking about God. You need to represent the God you are talking about. Deirdre and I had, and have, the opportunity to make an impact, both providing basic needs but also putting a smile on faces. People are so appreciative and grateful for things that we take for granted. It is hard to put into words to understand what these people go through unless you are there yourself. We enjoy what we do.” The Rouse Foundation strives to optimize health outcomes in marginalized communities around the globe through education, early detection, prevention, and treatment. They do it through access to healthcare, preventative and educational programs, medical mission trips, research and development, scholarships and grants. “We have poured our lives into working face-to-face with people in need, partnering with service organizations on the ground to provide care, and helping build sustainable programs in the U.S.,as well as abroad in Honduras, Mexico, Nevis, and Zambia,” Deirdre continued. “Now, we aim to bring our experience to bear against healthcare challenges where our roots are - right here in Georgia! One lesson we have learned is
cultural sensitivity, understanding the barriers. Our goal is to serve more effectively based on building relationships by establishing credibility. Deirdra and Dr. Charles Rouse with Rouse Foundation Director Ursula Phillip “We have learned to listen to what they are saying.” up also is Caribbean Day and World Heart Day.” Their signature educational program is the Mini-Chefs “In August, we will host a 90 Year Old Plus event where they Academy, providing hands-on demonstrations of how to can share stories and avoid social isolation,’’ Dr. Rouse added. prepare healthy meals. They hope to create positive behavioral “In December, we will have Giving Heart where we will give change by promoting healthy eating habits in elementary hat and gloves to those children in need. Every child leaves with school-aged children. Hopefully, graduates of the program will a hat and gloves.” be able to take their knowledge home and affect change in their Ursula also explained the need for donations and volunteers. own homes and neighborhoods. “As much as we need donations to fund programs, we need “That is just one of the programs we offer,” Rouse volunteers more. You don’t have to have a specific skill, we will Foundation Executive Director Ursula Phillip said. “Locally, place you where you can help. We receive support from grants we also offer King of Hearts, a men’s health event Saturday as well as local individuals, churches, businesses, and groups.” June 11th where there will be free screenings, a cookout, and a “You can go on our website, rousefoundation.org where you variety of games. Also, we offer Heart 2 Heart, a person-tocan donate. You will see five areas where a volunteer is much person support group for people who have had a cardiac needed. Also you will find even more information on the experience. foundation,” Deirdra said. “The next meeting is June 21st. For students, we have an Dr. Rouse concluded the nearly one hour interview quoting Healthy Hearts Essay, where winners get a scholarship. We Matthew 25:40: “And the King shall answer and say unto them, offer so many events like vaccine clinics and the Red Dress Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of event for women, but these are just a few.” the least of these my brethren, he have done it unto me.” “Ursula is correct,” Deirdra said. “We do react wherever The Rouse Foundation Inc. is an authorized there is a need. We sent four pallets of supplies for the Bahama 501(c)(3)/509(a)(2) public charity. Your donation is taxrelief and also helped in the Honduras disaster relief. Coming deductible.
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The newly formed Villa Rica Mission Alliance presents at city council work session laying out a three part goal of assisting the homeless: food, housing, mental health issues, life skills, GEDs
by Janice Daniel The Mayor and City Council of Villa Rica met Tuesday morning, May 10, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. for their monthly work session. Mayor Pro Tem Matthew Momtahan presided in the absence of Mayor Gil McDougal. Amy Adams gave a presentation to council on the newly formed Villa Rica Mission Alliance (VRMA) which has been created to assist the homeless to get out of poverty. Adams said that a collective of churches, individuals and organizations have founded VRMA to “help empower others to raise themselves out of the darkness of poverty.” VRMA is focused on treating each person as a value to the community; VRMA is to empower, not enable; and that VRMA honors God in the way they help others. The first phase of their plan is a food and resource pantry where the items available will be tailored specifically to the homeless population (food pantry, community benevolence, prayer, clothing, and partner resources for those with mental health needs). Local businesses will be provided with business cards for VRMA which can redirect individuals soliciting donations and/or rides to the VRMA. Adams emphasized that their first objective is to create trust between the mission and the homeless. She said without trust, their “mission can accomplish nothing”. The Second Phase plan is to continue Phase One while expanding into mobile operations, life skills classes (GED preparation, money management, etc.) and life help operations (mobile showers, washing machines, haircuts, dental and medical check-ups). Phase Three will add long-term mentoring programs and housing assistance partnerships to the first two phases. VRMA’s projected launch date is June 16, 2022 at The Chapel at Life Gate Church, (older white building beside the railroad tracks). Councilmember Leslie McPherson expressed that she is glad they are doing this because government plans “usually make things worse”, and it’s “not something the police can handle”. Adams said she does not expect the Mission to reach Phase Three for at least 24 to 36 months. She said they are a non-profit, funded by donations from churches, private individuals and organizations. After 12 months in operation they are eligible to apply for grants. She also expressed they will be glad to accept volunteers. Police Chief Mike Mansour expressed positivity that someone is seriously addressing the homelessness issue in the city. Finance Director Jennifer Hallman relayed that the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for FY20 to
the City of Villa Rica for the report compiled by Villa Rica’s Finance Department and other city employees. Hallman stated the report was prepared for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, but delayed due to COVID. This certificate is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting/financial reporting. Several items of business were discussed to be taken up in the regular meeting following at 6:00 p.m., with the remainder of the work session was used to create a Consent Agenda to be voted on at the regular meeting: 1. Election of Georgia Municpal Association’s (GMA) District 4 Officers: President - Betty Cason, Mayor of Carrolltonr; First Vice President - William “Dub” Pearman, Mayor of Senoia; Second Vice President, Barbie Crockett, Mayor of Centralhatchee; Third Vice President, Joseph H. Walter, Mayor of Zebulon. 2. Approval of Generator Project, labor and materials to install at a cost of $85,500 by Coopsons, LLC. Generator has already been purchased for $90,000, a budgeted item. 3. Melissa Hill appointed to Main Street Advisory Board to fill remaining term (5/10/22 - 12/21/23) of Stephanie Warmoth who resigned. 4. Approval to enter into contract with Georgia Conservancy for the design contract on the Villa Rica Placemaking and Alleyway Activation Program, in the amount of $5,500. 5. Approval for mobile covered stage for July 3rd Fireworks Show Event at a cost of $3,650. 6. Approval for sound and lighting for July 3rd Fireworks Show Event at a cost of $9,471. 7. Approval of Glow Band and A1A Band for the July 3rd concert at a cost of $10,500 to be divided between the two bands. 8. Approval of lift-station supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) upgrade from Zile Technology at a cost of $46,232. 9. Approval of request for Engineering Services by Carter & Sloope Engineers for Bathymetric Survey of Lake Paradise and Yield Study for Lake Cowan, Lake Paradise and Lake Fashion for a cost of $48,650, identified as an Addendum #22 to Water Treatment Plant Improvement Proposal dated March 10, 2019. 10. Finance Director Jennifer Hallman, requested approval for Supplemental Excess Cyber Liability Insurance at a cost of $15,067. 11. Hallman also requested approval for a new five-year agreement with GFL Environmental, Inc. for residential curbside garbage pick-up, beginning June 1, 2022, at a cost of $13.75 per cart and $8.50 for a second cart. 12. Approval of the updated customer sanita-
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tion rates due to the new GFL contract, beginning June 1, 2022. New rates are as follows: First Cart Rate from $14.95 to $16.04, second cart rate $12.66 to $8.50 (a reduction) and Low Income Senior from $11.21 to $12.03 per month. 13. Approval of a resolution of support of a Rural Downtown Redevelopment Grant Program Application that would obtain $2.27 million dollars for the Villa Rica Transportation Reunification Program which, if granted, will require a 20% match from the city of $567,926. 14. Approval of agreement between the City of Villa Rica and RDJE, Inc. for work required to complete the Twin Oaks II pump station construction and start-up. 15. Approval to renew the lease of the old library to Southeastrans for a period of six (6)
months with a monthly lease amount of $1,000. Hallman presented the Financial Update for Villa Rica for the month of March, 2022 as follows: Total Cash and CD: $30,244,780, compared to $21,901,662 for the same period last year. Hotel/Motel tax up 63% OctoberDecember, and up 48% January-March. Carroll County Sales Tax at $159,055 compared to $131,401 same period last year, and Douglas County Sales Tax at $137,828 as compared to $113,654 same period last year. Sanitation/Solid Waste showed a net income of $117,002 compared to last year same time of $71,510. Hallman stated that the self-funded insurance is doing well with a bank balance of $975,237 - a savings of $194,326. With no further business to attend to, work session was adjourned.
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Villa Rica City council to spend an unbudgeted $1M on pay upgrades, building improvements, tree removals, concrete storage bins, personnel shortages by Janice Daniel County government and Carroll County Board The Mayor and City Council of Villa Rica of Education. had their regularly monthly meeting at 6:00 Villa Rica City Council approved an alcop.m. on May 10, 2022, following a work ses- hol/catering permit for Uncorked on Main to sion held earlier in the day. allow them to serve beer at the 2022 summer The Invocation was offered by Pastor Earl concert series at the MILL Amphitheater. This Smith of the Shepherd’s House of Prayer. only relates to catering, and their current Smith is an Army Veteran with 22 years of license is not changing. active Federal service, where he was recogCouncil also approved the following items: nized by the 45th President of the United - supplementary regulations for liquor stores, States for his service. He has been pastor of the package stores and liquor outlets, adding defiShepherd’s House of Prayer for 10 years. nitions of these establishments to the Corporal Tommy Thornhill led the Pledge of ordinance. Allegiance. Corporal Thornhill was in the - an amendment clarifying language for U.S. Marine Corps from 2007 to 2011 and townhouse developers changing the required served in Okinawa, Japan after which he width from 24 feet to 26 feet to allow for tworeceived an Honorable Discharge. He has been car front-facing garages. with the Villa Rica Police - an ordinance to establish Department since 2016. regulations for 5G wireless City Manager Tom Mayor Gil McDougal antennas based off the model read a letter from the Barber gave his opinion ordinance by GMA and the Georgia Association of that the bids received for State of Georgia. Chiefs of Police that gave building the north Bypass - a variance request by RBI the Villa Rica Police are so high that G-DOT holdings for their property at Department a Three-Year 15021 Veteran’s Memorial Achievement Certificate for will reject all bids, wait a Highway where they are buildexcellence in meeting or few months, and start the ing a headquarters/warehouse exceeding the high standards bidding process over. for Wayfair Foods and need the set by this agency. 2022 driveway to be 242 feet from Police Chief of the Year. the Florence Circle/Highway 78 Michael Mansour, Chief of The city is still in need intersection. the VRPD, stated that they Council denied a request of police officers since are one of 144 agencies in from Take-5 Oil Change for a the state to receive this three officers retired and sign variance that would allow one left for other certificate. them to install four additional Under Public Comments, employment in just the signs on their building at 688 Joel Crawford stated that the West Bankhead Highway. past three weeks. topography of the south side After much discussion, counof his property on Bellagio cil also agreed to approve Road has a stormwater run-off problem that budget amendments that detailed the spending should be considered for repair. The mayor of almost $1,000,000 ($1M) of revenues in said the city is aware of the problem in that excess of what had been budgeted. The area and it will be taken into consideration for requested spending was a list of funds for variany improvements. ous departments and reasons, including supply Kurt Kraft, who is opposed to the proposed chain problems, personnel shortages, pay TAD, said an article in Georgia Trends publi- upgrades for employees, improvements to cation gave the impression to him that Mayor buildings, dead tree removals from rights-ofMcDougal implied that Douglas County will way, concrete bins for storage. be a part of the TAD Intergovernment agreeCity Manager Tom Barber gave his opinion ment, but Kraft was told that was a “typo”. that the bids received for building the north Mayor McDougal responded that the Bypass are so high that G-DOT will reject all Georgia Trends article was about Douglas and bids, wait a few months, and start the bidding Carroll Counties, and since the City of Villa process over. Rica is partially in both those counties, there The city is still in need of police officers might have been a misunderstanding, but his since three officers retired and one left for other comments were not about an Intergovernment employment in just the past three weeks. Agreement with Douglas County on the TAD. Several Certificates of Recognition were The proposed TAD proposes an agreement given for licenses earned by five employees: between the City of Villa Rica and the Carroll - Hunter Oldham and C.J. McDougal went
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through the operator and training program and obtained their Class III Wastewater License. - Robert Elliott and Chase Martin received their Wastewater Collection License - Tyler Gable obtained his State Wastewater Lab Analyst License after the current analyst retired Two employees were recognized for achieving five years of service with Villa Rica: Christie Gail Frost was promoted in February of 2022 to the Distribution and Collection Department; Ethan Joseph Waits was promoted to run the Solid Waste Department. Mayor notified council of the scheduled work session and regular meeting on May 25th, and no work session/meeting for June. Council went into executive session (out of
public view) for about 45 minutes to discusss two items of business (only real estate and personnel may be discussed in executive session), then resumed the meeting. A motion to employ Lena Taylor as Human Resources Director was approved unanimously. Secondly, City Attorney David Mecklin announced that Municipal Judge Michael Hubbard resigned as of May 20th, and the city will be accepting applications for the job for the next two weeks. Hubbard was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Carroll County Magistrate Judge Alton Parker Johnson who died March 26th. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
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from stories on StarNews Online website at www.starnewsgaonline.com UWG hires new dean for College of Education: Dr. Mike Dishman Dr. Mike Dishman is now University of West Georgia’s College of Education’s new dean. U W G ’s College of Education (COE) has the 13th largest graduate education program in the United States. “As a department chair in Kennesaw State University’s College of Education competing with UWG for faculty and students, I knew the UWG College of Dishman Education offered outstanding programs, was well-known for quality in educator preparation,” said Dishman, who began his new role June 1st after spending 17 years at Kennesaw State University. Dishman began his career in law representing school districts. With a juris doctorate from the University of Mississippi, he concurrently taught graduate courses in school law, politics and ethics at University of Alaska before moving back to his home state of Georgia. He decided to make the switch to full-time academia and earned his Doctor of Education in Leadership and Policy, Vanderbilt University. WGTC becomes only the second college in Georgia to be NACEP accredited The Dual Enrollment program at West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) received official accreditation from the Accreditation Commission of the National Alliance of
Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP). This year, NACEP granted accreditation to 25 concurrent enrollment programs at colleges and universities nationwide, bringing total number of NACEP accredited programs across the country to 134, spanning 26 states. WGTC is only the second college in Georgia to become NACEP accredited. Receiving NACEP accreditation means an institution has met the nation’s most rigorous standard in concurrent enrollment program development, management, and evaluation across multiple, multifaceted program areas. To earn NACEP accreditation, concurrent enrollment programs conduct a self-study, document how their programs adhere to NACEP’s sixteen standards, and undergo a rigorous peer-review process conducted by a team of representatives from NACEP accredited programs as well as the NACEP Accreditation Commission. WGTC’s dual enrollment program allows high school students to enroll in college courses and earn credit for both high school and college at the same time. Students can take degree level courses that may transfer to colleges and universities in the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia and nationwide or choose from a variety of occupational courses in highdemand career fields. WGTC served over 1,700 high school students this year earning them over 17,000 college credits. NACEP’s accreditation is valid for five years for initial accreditation and then seven years for reaccreditation. Avian flu confirmed in a backyard poultry flock in Toombs County by Jay Stone, Georgia Farm Bureau The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) have con-
firmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial, backyard flock of various species located in Toombs County in Southeast Georgia. This is the first confirmation of HPAI in domestic birds in Georgia this year. Previously, the virus had only been confirmed in wild birds in Georgia. It is important to note that avian influenza does not pose a risk to the food supply, and no affected animals entered the food chain. The risk of human infection with avian influenza is very low. As of June 2nd, there have been no detections in commercial poultry in the state this year, according to the GDA. “Poultry is the top sector of our number one industry, agriculture, and we are committed to protecting the livelihoods of the many farm families that are dependent on it,” said Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black. Georgia is the 36th state this year to have a confirmed case of H5N1 in a domestic bird flock in this outbreak that has beset more than 350 flocks and nearly 38 million birds nationwide. At the Toombs County farm, the Georgia State Agricultural Response Team (SART) worked with the flock owner to perform testing, euthanize and dispose of more than 350 birds and GDA staff facilitated cleaning and disinfection efforts at the farm. This work was completed within 48 hours. Visit the GDA avian influenza webpage for biosecurity resources. Russia-Ukraine Conflict impacts agriculture worldwide by Jay Stone, Georgia Farm Bureau The war in Ukraine, ongoing since Russia invaded Feb. 24, is being felt economically worldwide; both countries are major exporters of agricultural products, materials used to make agriculture inputs and energy sources. Fertilizers are most concerning to U.S. farmers.
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In 2019 the U.S. imported $963 million of fertilizer from Russia. “Agricultural producers have faced a 300% increase in fertilizer prices since last November, and it’s gone up another 100% in the first 3-4 weeks of the conflict,” said UGA Professor of Agricultural & Applied Economics Gopi Munisamy. “Natural gas [for which Russia is the world’s top supplier] is a key ingredient in fertilizer production, and Russia is the No. 1 exporter of nitrogen-based fertilizer globally.” In 2019, Ukraine was the 59th-largest export market for U.S. goods and the 71st-largest supplier of goods to the U.S. Russia was the U.S.’ 40th-largest export market and 20th-largest source of imported goods. Munisamy said Ukraine and Russia combined account for about 3% of Georgia’s international trade. “Machinery is also a problem. It requires iron, steel, and both Ukraine and Russia are huge exporters of iron ore and semifinished iron products,” Munisamy said. Countries that normally trade with Ukraine and Russia have to fill in supply gaps, which can result in the countries paying higher prices for the imports, Munisamy says. When those prices reach a certain point, U.S. suppliers might be inclined to sell more of their goods to countries where prices are higher. This increases demand in the U.S., resulting in higher domestic commodity prices. Higher input costs pose the most risk for U.S. producers already operating on thin financial margins. The ripple effect could reach the U.S. in other ways. Ukraine supplies 40% to 50% of the world’s neon, a key component for lasers used in microchip production. Manufacturers in many sectors were already struggling for access to computer chips for their products and could find it more difficult.
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Cook’s Jewelry Shown above is the Composite Sample Democratic Ballot for Carroll County voters for the Tuesday, June 21st Runoff for the May 24th Primary Election. There are no Republican or Non-partisan ballots for this Runoff. If you did not vote in the May 24th Primary Election, you may vote in this Carroll County Runoff. If you voted in the May 24th Primary choosing the Republican Ballot or Non-Partisan Ballot, you may not vote in this Carroll County Runoff as there are no races to be decided in a runoff. PRIMARY RUNOFF from front page Primary. If you voted Democrat in the May Ballot. The 2020 United States Census showed 24th Primary, you may vote in the June 21st Carroll County’s total population at 119,148 Runoff. If you did not vote at all the May 24th Primary, you may vote June 21st. If you voted persons. Carroll County’s Tuesday, June 21st Republican or Non-Partisan, you may not vote Primary Runoff will have only one ballot in the June 21st Runoff as there are no choice: the Democratic Ballot, and that ballot Republican or Non-Partisan races that resulted will offer only four races, all at the state level. in a runoff, and you may not switch parties. May 24th Primary local races results: (See Composite Sample Democratic Ballot this Carroll County Commissioner District 4: page, above.) Those winning at the state level 2585 votes cast out of 13,206 in District 4 will go on to challenge the Republican winners Steve Fuller (R) Incumbent 64.88% 2326 of the May 24th Primary in November. 35.12% 1259 On the Runoff ballot will be the following Will Godbee (R) Carroll County Commissioner District 6: races and candidates: Lieutenant Governor: 4006 votes cast out of 13,744 in District 6 Charlie Bailey and Kwanza Hall: Secretary of 351 State: Dee Dawkins-Haigler and Bee Nguyen; Vicki Johnson Anderson (R) 9.03% 60.07% 2336 Commissioner of Insurance: Raphael Baker Danny Bailey (R) 11.39% 443 and Janice Laws Robinson: Commissioner of Kenneth Huddleston (R) Debbie Miles Neal (R) 19.52% 759 Labor: William Boddie, Jr. and Nicole Horn. Carroll County Board of Education: The State of Georgia does not register voters 2439 votes cast out of 9238 in District 5 by party. It does not permit voting in more than 617 one party’s primary. Therefore, for the June Bill Keckes (Non-Partisan) 23.34% 21st runoff, you are only allowed the same Tom Sizemore (Non-Partisan) 58.06% 1277 283 party ballot you chose for the May 24th Curtis Stepps (Non-Partisan) 13.00%
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NEWS RECAP from stories on StarNews Online website at www.starnewsgaonline.com Georgia has the third most veteran-owned business in the U.S.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are about 19 million veterans living in America. Many of these people who served their country are starting businesses, joining an increasing number of Americans who sought to become entrepreneurs after the onset of COVID-19, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Demographic data sheds light on who these veterans are. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, around nine out of 10 veterans are men. The largest cohort is over 60 years old, comprising about a 35% share of the U.S. veteran population. In October 2021, an estimated 8.4 million veterans participated in the civilian workforce, and in 2021, the unemployment rate for veterans (4.4%) was lower than the rate for nonveterans (5.3%). The rise in overall entrepreneurship seems logical in the face of an undeniable fact: a decreasing number of Americans are realizing the American Dream. According to Pew Research, the U.S. middle class has contracted steadily over the last five decades. In 1971, the share of American adults who lived in middleclass households was 61%. By 2021, that number was 50%. Pandemic-related financial issues impacted lower- and middle-income households the hardest; from 2019 to 2020, median incomes fell 3.0% for lower-income households and 2.1% for middle-income households. There was almost no change in the median incomes of upper-income households during the same period. For most business owners (roughly 64% according to the Census Bureau’s Annual Business Survey), achieving greater income is one of the primary drivers behind owning their businesses. And that number is fairly consistent across veterans and nonveterans. Interestingly though, when comparing veteran business owners to nonveteran owners across other metrics, there are a few notable differences. Compared to nonveterans, veteran business owners value being their own boss, working for themselves, and wanting to start their own business more heavily. On the other hand, nonveterans are more likely to report having flexible hours and a better work-life balance as primary motivators for business ownership. Bweware of text message driver’s license suspension scam Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) is warning of a new text message-based scam that is attempting to steal your driver’s license information. Customers have been getting text messages asking them to follow a fraudulent link to verify their driver’s license information due to a temporary suspension. DDS Commissioner Spencer R. Moore says such text messages are a fraud and likely an attempt by scammers to get your personal information. “DDS employees do not contact customers to ask for personal or confidential information, such as driver’s license or Social Security numbers via email, text or telephone. Anyone who receives such a communication should consider it is a scam to steal your identity. Customers who are pending a license suspension or other changes in their license status are notified in writing by DDS. Anyone who receives these — or similar — text messages should not open or respond to them and instead delete such messages immediately.” Customers can quickly verify the status of their license on the DDS website at this secure link https://dds.drives.ga.gov/_/.
DDS encourages all customers to create an online account at www.dds.georgia.gov and utilize the free mobile app, DDS 2 GO, for an easy way to monitor your personal information 24/7. Many transactions can be initiated online such as ordering a replacement license or an address change without visiting a DDS Center. Georgia hunters: quota application period opened June 1st Beginning June 1st, hunters may now apply electronically for quota hunts including youth, deer, alligator, waterfowl, dove and many others, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. Quota hunts place a cap on the number of hunters that can participate. A quota hunt is a scheduled event at a Wildlife Management Area or other state-managed property where a limited number of hunters are allowed. Selected hunters must be properly licensed to participate in a quota hunt. Visit gooutdoorsgeorgia.com and select “Quota Hunts” and follow the steps to complete your application. Visit https://georgia wildlife.blog/ for step-by-step instructions on applying as an Individual, a Group, or joining a Party. Remember to make sure your email is current and correct to receive quota updates, confirmations or any further notices about quota hunts. Call 1.800.366.2661 to receive assistance. Georgia joins $19.2M multistate settlement with Ford Motor Company Attorney General Chris Carr announced that theGeorgia has joined a $19.2M multistate settlement with Ford Motor Company. The settlement resolves allegations that Ford falsely advertised the real-world fuel economy of model year 2013-2014 C-Max hybrids and the payload capacity of model year 2011-2014 Super Duty pickup trucks. Joining Carr in filing this settlement are the attorneys general of 40 otherstates and jurisdictions. As part of the settlement, Georgia will receive $370,706.64. 2013-2014 C-Max Hybrids: The multistate investigation revealed that Ford made several misleading representations about 2013-2014 C-Max hybrids, including: misrepresenting the distance consumers could drive on one tank of gas; marketing that driving style would not impact real-world fuel economy; and claiming superior real-world fuel economy compared to other hybrids. Ford ran a series of advertisements called the “Hybrid Games,” which were narrated like an Olympic sporting event and depicted the CMax outperforming the Prius in a series of videos. The attorneys general allege that the videos deceptively reflected that C-Max vehicles offered superior real-world fuel economy and driving performance. The C-Max hybrid was initially promoted as 47 mpg in the city and highway. Ford had to lower the vehicle’s fuel economy rating once in 2013 and again in 2014, to eventually 42 mpg/city, 37 mpg/highway and 40 mpg/cityhighway mixed, impacting the 2013 (twice) and 2014 C-Max hybrid. This settlement corrects Ford’s deceptive advertising practices. 2011-2014 Super Duty Pick-up Trucks: The attorneys general also investigated Ford’s misleading “Best-in-Class” payload claims on its 2011-2014 Super Duty pick-up trucks, which include the F-250, F-350 and F-450 models – a line that caters to consumers hauling and towing heavy loads. The attorneys general allege that Ford’s methodology to calculate maximum payload capacity for advertising purposes was based on a hypothetical truck configuration that omitted standard items such as spare wheel, tire and jack, center flow console (replacing it with a mini console) and radio. Although advertised as available to all customers, only fleet customers could order the special configuration.
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Page 14 June 12, 2022 StarNews www.starnewsgaonline.com This year teachers received grants for proGRANTS AWARDED from front page tions of up to $1,000 each to art, music and grams at these schools: Bay Springs Middle, drama teachers in public schools’ grades Pre-K Bowdon Elementary, Bowdon High, Bowdon through 12 in Carroll, Haralson and Heard Middle, Carrollton Elementary, Central counties. “These grants have allowed teachers Elementary, Central Middle, Glantonto offer experiences and programs that would Hindsman Elementary, Ithica Elementary, Mt. otherwise be unaffordable. This year, in addi- Zion Elementary, Mt. Zion High, Providence tion to the usual art and music enhancements, Elementary, Sand Hill Elementary, Sharps there are programs for textiles and even profes- Creek Elementary, Temple Elementary, Temple sional musician clinics,” said Kim Jones, presi- High, Temple Middle, Villa Rica Elementary and Villa Rica High. dent of the Community Foundation. TICKET SALES from front page women’s giving circle. Tickets range from $28 to $40 and are being sold at townsendcenter.org, by phone 678-839-4722. or in person at the Townsend Center UWG Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For groups of eight or more, there is a 15% discount if purchased online. Karen Morgan, a former trial attorney, began her professional comedy career as a Finalist on Nickelodeon Television’s “Search for the Funniest Mom in America.” She has performed in comedy clubs and theaters from New York to Hollywood. In 2017 and 2018 she was a Super Finalist in Jeanne Robertson’s Humor Competitions. “Karen’s southern comedy style invites the audience to sit in the front porch swing and RABID FOXES from front page received results that both foxes were positive for rabies. Both victims were notified of the results and have been encouraged to begin Post Exposure Prophylaxis to prevent human rabies. All residents are encouraged to take precautions to protect their families and pets against rabies by learning signs of rabies and vaccinating pets. Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals that is most often spread through the bite of an animal that is infected with the disease. Rabies infects the central nervous system, causing encephalopathy (a disease of the brain) and, ultimately, death. Early symptoms of the disease include fever and headache. As the disease progresses, neurological symptoms appear and may include insomnia, confusion, hallucinations, a slight or partial paralysis, hyper salivation, and/or difficulty swallowing. “If you notice a wild or nocturnal animal moving about in the daytime and the animal appears to show no fear of people or the animal seems to behave in a sick or abnormal way, the animal may be infected with rabies,” said Melinda Knight, District 4 Public Health’s environmental health director. “People should avoid animals acting out of character and report it to animal control or their local environmental health office.” Treatment and prevention practices for rabies have proven to be almost 100 percent effective when initiated promptly. Please report any bite, scratch, or other contact with a wild animal to your local environmental health office. Seth Woodrow, District 4’s environmental health deputy director, said he encourages everyone to have all pets vaccinated to prevent rabies. “It is important to remember that although rabies occurs more often in wildlife, domestic animals like the family dog or cat can become infected as well,” he said. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the majority of rabies cases reported annually occur in wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats. For more information about rabies, please contact your local animal control office, county environmental health office, or visit the Georgia Division of Public Health at www.dph.georgia.gov/rabies or the CDC at www.cdc.gov/rabies. Please contact the Carroll County Animal Control Office for more information at (770) 834-8150 or the Carroll County Environmental Health Office at 770-836-6781.
laugh with her while she talks about family, parenting, marriage and life,” said Kim Jones, president of the Community Foundation. A total of $139,406 has been granted since 2009 through Power of the Purse fundraisers such as this one, and helps CFWG to continue to issue grants in support of women and children’s initiatives in Carroll, Haralson and Heard counties.
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ELECTION SECURITY from front page by malicious actors with very limited time and access to the machines.’ Even with high technical skills and resources, MITRE assesses the attacks to be difficult to achieve without detection at scale.” “The MITRE report shows what reasonable people already know - if bad actors are given full and unfettered access to any system, they can manipulate that system. That is why procedural, operational, and legal election integrity measures are crucial,” said Gabriel Sterling, Deputy Secretary of State. “We are pleased that MITRE recognized that existing procedural
safeguards make it extremely unlikely for any bad actor to actually exploit any vulnerabilities. The experts at MITRE recognized these types of claims have been shown to be exaggerated, over the top, and sensationalized.” The report come on the heels of one of the most successful elections in Georgia history with record turnout for a midterm primary, record in person voting in any primary, and record use of absentee by mail outside of a COVID pandemic environment. The office of Secretary of State will continue to assess and review both physical and cyber security.
BILL BOURIS from page 19 As our friendship grew, Lenny introduced me to his classmates and to Frank Reilly, which led to my going to the Annual Costume Ball given by the Art Students League. If you’ve seen the artists’ costume ball in the movie “An American in Paris”, you have an idea of what a wonderment it was for this teenager. There were three orchestras, one in each ballroom (of the Waldorf-Astoria and later the Plaza Hotel), and Dixieland was played by the Lester Lanin Orchestra. The theme of the first Ball that I attended was “Travels of Marco Polo” and I danced the Charleston as a Chinese fisherman. The next year I danced the Charleston as a Venetian nobleman in silk checkered cape and sneakers that were painted to match. The last year I attended, I took my dancepartner along. We were so in love that we hardly noticed the whirlwind of outrageous people in their outrageous costumes. As a matter of fact, I was leaving my neighborhood again. And this time, I was leaving the Central Plaza, as well. Soon my partner and I separated, she to begin leaving her neighborhood. My friendship with Lenny continued for many more years. I see that friendship as the major catalyst for my growing into adulthood. While I attended Columbia, having learned from Lenny’s excited revelations and insights into Painting and the Arts, I actually had a year of painting with a former student of Matisse, Professor Mangravite. Lenny had thought that my attempts at painting should be looked at by somebody in my new neighborhood. Lenny was a Brooklyn boy. I don’t know how he became interested in art. His father was an exterminator. The neighborhood friends he brought to Central Plaza were basically varieties of thugs in their 20s and 30s. None of them could let themselves “go”, either by dancing or losing themselves in the music. But, they were interested in their Lenny. He certainly convinced his neighborhood buddies that something remarkable was happening at the Plaza, and they attended every week. One night, a student from the University of Pennsyvania came to the table that I was sharing with the guys from Brooklyn, and invited me to his frat house in Philadelphia to demonstrate the Charleston. Conrad Janis and his band would be playing. I said okay, and in a minute he was extending the invite to Lenny and the guys from Brooklyn. So, a couple of weekends later, five of us piled into Claudio’s car and we drove the hundred miles to the U. of Penn. Campus. We arrived early so that Lenny could first take us to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, to show us some great paintings that he had only heard about. The Brooklyn guys were interested. They had never been to such a place, and when we came out of there, they argued
with their Lenny, that maybe this had been a waste of time. This made Lenny plead with them to not be so narrow-minded. The upshot of it all was that some saw some “beauty” back there at the museum, but they could not “get it”, and besides, if all that art was really the greatest, then why was Lenny trying to get into it in the first place? To me that reasoning was like there shouldn’t have been professional baseball after Babe Ruth had been on the scene. I now think that those guys were pressuring Lenny to remain in the neighborhood. Norman, from Lenny’s neighborhood, who was trying to become a comedian, could not be with us. Lenny told me that he needed Norman for that discussion, which incidentally, took place as we descended the museum steps. Anyway, we went on to the frat house and were told the invitation was not for a group like ours. The police were called and we were escorted to the Philadelphia city limits and told to stay away from the fraternity houses. Like I said, most people leave their neighborhood. But neighborhoods are not so alike. And, there are those who do not leave. I used to be able to identify them when all they seemed to be doing was quietly enjoying where they were, as they sat on some sunny stoops, with closed eyes and serene smiles.
checks, including fingerprints, will also be required. Licenses will be limited to one per family or corporation, neither of which may have an interest in another city liquor store. City employees will review the applications from June 15th until July 1st. If any application is rejected for technical reasons, the applicant will have 48 hours to make corrections. Those whose applications are rejected may appeal.
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June 12, 2022 Page 15
If more than one applicant for a district is approved through the process, then a lottery will be held to determine the order in which applicants receive final approval. That lottery is scheduled for July 13th. The council will vote on the first selections on August 9th, but if any are not approved, the second choice will be voted on at the next council meeting.
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June 2022 and CoVID: how are we faring in Carroll County and the state? Just prior to going to press, I checked up on CoVID facts concerning how we are faring here in Carroll County and the state. CoVID-19 shut down Carroll County on March 13, 2020. In the 38 months since, we reopened businesses, schools, and churches in EDITOR/ phases, took shots to lessen the PUBLISHER sickening effects if exposed, made serious personal decisions on mask-wearing continuation or not, all while covid strain variants pushed into our population. A serious illness that can kill, covid was a frightening time. But, how did we do? Where are we now? Georgia’s 2020 U.S. Census population total was: 10,711,908 (10.7M) According to the Department of Public Health for Georgia (dph.georgia.gov/covid-19), the state has had to date 31,836 confirmed deaths from covid, or 0.29% of the total population. Less than one-third of one percent. There have been 1,992,974 confirmed cases of covid statewide: 1.8% of the population, less than two percent. Carroll County specifically: total deaths 185, out of (2020 Census count) total population of 119,148: 0.12%. One-tenth of one percent. Total confirmed cases: 14,581: 12.23%. Another way of looking at these numbers is to ask: how many Carroll Countians sickened with covid died from covid? Using these statistics and assuming death certificates are 100% truthful in naming the cause of death: 185 died out of 14,581 sickened with covid: a 1.2% death rate. So, as a Carroll Countian, we each had a 12% chance of becoming sick with covid and then a 1.2% chance of dying from it. Without getting too deep into stats (remember, figures don’t lie, but liars can figure) I thought it would be helpful to list the top causes of death for Carroll County, according to Department of Public Health for Georgia (oasis.state.ga.us/CHNADashboard). It lists death causes by age groups: For ages 35- 75, first and second causes of death for this age group is “Diseases of the Heart” - roughly 300 deaths per year 2016-2020 in Carroll County: 0.25% For ages 32 - one year old, first and second causes of death for this age group is “Unintentional Injuries” or “Intentional Suicide” - roughly 35 per year in Carroll County. For less than one year old, the number one cause of death is “Congenital Malformations, Deformations, and Chromosomal Abnormalities” - 4 to 5 per year in Carroll County. In Carroll County, deaths from: heart disease 0.25% covid 0.12% injuries/suicide 0.03% How does the flu factor in? The state’s Weekly Flu Report shows that 27 people have died statewide from the flu since last October 1st: 0.00025%. My point here today is to keep facts pertinent in conversation, and realizing that any and every death is a tragedy, however slim the odds might have been. Injections taken proactively to lessen covid symptoms, masks, the early shutdowns, and the continual messaging on germ spread, certainly helped keep the numbers low. We appear to be in a stable place concerning the novel virus and its offshoot variants, adjusting as they settle into our way of life now. If you enjoy reading the StarNews, please consider subscribing (see page 20). We are the only locally owned and locally operated newspaper in Carroll County. Not to sound self-panegyric, we strive to be relevant, engaging, and thought provoking. And a sincere thank you to each of you who is already a subscriber!
SUE
HORN EVANS
2022 Session Overview Greetings from under the Gold Dome! As we stepped away from the 2022 legislative session, we stepped into a heated primary election cycle which concluded on Tuesday, May 24th. I encourage you to further study policies and issues which impact you prior to our General Election on November 8th, so that you will be prepared to make an informed decision. The last couple of years has highlighted how policy within state leadership impacts every Georgia citizen, every single day. We have worked hard to protect YOU from the federal government overreach, plaguing our nation. I have taken the liberty of providing a quick rundown of legislation passed during our forty days under the Gold Dome as we continue to work in strengthening our state. Thank you so much to all who have lent your support, wisdom and
J
COLLINS (R) STATE REPRESENTATIVE District 71 770-295-8143
prayers over the session and the primary season. You have no idea how much we appreciate you! As always, if you need anything at all, please feel free to reach out to our office anytime. Thank you for your support as we work on your behalf to continue our efforts to ensure that Georgia is the best state to work, live and raise a family. May God bless you and yours. May He continue to bless the great state of Georgia. This session brought no shortage of legislative debate. We accomplished a great deal during our 40 days on Capitol Hill! Fiscal Year 2023 Budge: We com-
pleted our constitutional obligation by successfully passing House Bill 911, the 2023 Fiscal Year Budget, which totals approximately $30 billion. The largest budget allocations for the coming fiscal year are education, healthcare, public safety and infrastructure. The budget will go into effect on July 1st of this year, and we will be sharing a full budget update at a later date. Tax Cuts: We have worked tirelessly to ensure hard working Georgians are able to keep their earned income. This year, we took advantage of our state’s healthy economic standing and were able to act upon this long-term goal thorough numerous bills which have been signed into law by Governor Kemp. All Georgians received a Tax refund through HB 1302; Failed energy policy on the federal level brought about the Gas tax suspension through HB 304; All Georgians will enjoy the Income tax cut which See STATE REP COLLINS page 21
Advice for the county school board members and newest seat winner My recent campaign for a seat on the Carroll County Board of Education has been a most gratifying and, at times, humbling experience. I must confess there are few more humbling experiences than taking 250 yard signs to the service center dumpster while others looked on. I 770-328-6450 personally went around early Wednesday morning collecting Early theseVotingwmk@bellsouth.net signs. Three days later, I see way too Until May 20 many yard signs of those who didn’t Tom Sizemore on his victory and prevail, now littering our community. offer my assistance to as he begins his Please pick them up. Now, I can service to our school system during thank the DOT and the County Public the next four years. I would also like Works Department for “removing” to thank Mr. Curtis Stepps for offer50-100 of my signs; though I wish ing his services to our school system. they had waited until May 25th (after As I often told the voters, I did not the election). have opponents, but rather there were I would firstly like to thank the 617 three proponents offering their servvoters who believed in the many poli- ices. I find it repugnant to say that I or cies and proposals I campaigned to anyone else was running against improve our school system as they another person. chose problem solving ideas instead Even though I did not prevail on of campaigns of vanity and vague- the May 24th Primary Election night, ness. I would like to congratulate Mr. that should not mean the policies and
proposals I offered be ignored. Of most immediate concern is an issue that was first raised four years ago, specifically, the need to immediately review the “hardening” of our schools to protect against AR-15 Shooters. It’s one thing to “harden” the front door, but all doors should be hardened and inspected many times during the school days ensuring that no door is accidently left open or unlocked. Transparency is the one thing that builds trust. There should be no “secrets” with the taxpayers money. In the coming days, the Board will be voting on a $154,000,000 budget for the coming school year. I implore every Board member to review this burgeoning budget line by line asking the same question for every proposed expenditure: “Does this expenditure benefit our school system and will it improve the learning opportunities for our 15,000 students?” I absolutely think our school sysSee BILL KECKES page 21
Americans celebrate Independence Day July 4th, to commemorate the day leaders of the English colonies in America declared separation from the English government. It is interesting to look 100 years earlier to another rebellion that set the stage for so many of our current problems. In the Bacon Rebellion of 1675, a charismatic leader assembled an army that captured the Capitol of the Virginia Colony twice, burning it the second time. The rebel army was comprised of indentured servants, slaves, and freedmen who joined together to demand access to land, the basis of livelihood. The elites at the time, the large plantation owners, were terrified by the army that Bacon had assembled. The Plantation Elites wanted to prevent any future alliance of the poor Blacks and Whites (these terms were coined by the Elites at this time) that
Like the Plantation Elites of 300 years ago, there are people who still profit from promoting divisions in our society. Talk show hosts boost rating and political leaders try to divide and conquer by promoting tribalism and otherism, the separation of people from each other. This was the primary tool of the Southern Democrats to stay in power through the Jim Crow era, demonizing blacks in order to promote white solidarity. By the early 20th Century, the Republican party had become the party of northern elites and needed a ruse to attract votes, so they created enemies to rally people to their side with attacks on unionists, communists, and immigrants. Starting in the 1960s, the party of Lincoln developed the Southern Strategy to use racist stereotypes to appeal to the Southern whites opposed to desegregation. See BRYAN HAGER page 22
BILL
KECKES
I believe that together is the only way forward
BRYAN
HAGER
carrollgadems@gmail.com might threaten their power. The Virginia Colonial Legislature guaranteed white freedmen access to land stolen from the Indians, and passed laws to codify enslavement of Africans and prevent social contact between Blacks and Whites. These laws were used as models by other Southern colonies which eventually led to the Civil War. The policy of racial separation became the basis for southern politics for another 100 years after that dreadful war.
Page 18 June 12, 2022
StarNews
COMMENTARY
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Shining stars on The Mountain
PATRICK
YURAN
Headmaster OAK MOUNTAIN ACADEMY
Shining Stars on The Mountain: Oak Mountain Academy Recognizes Class of 2022 Valedictorian and Salutatorian, Bartlett & Vavrik Oak Mountain Academy is truly blessed with many bright shining stars on The Mountain these days. Our student body shines the brightest of all. Academically, our current graduating class has already earned over $1.5
million in college scholarship offers and 100% of them have been accepted to a variety of topnotch universities including the University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory, and the University of Alabama... just to name a few. Nestled among these many bright shining stars on The Mountain are two graduating seniors – Anna Bartlett and Anjuli Vavrik – who graduated at the top of their class in 2022. Anna Bartlett is OMA’s Class of 2022 Valedictorian and has been a student at Oak Mountain Academy for thirteen years. Throughout her tenure at the Academy, Anna has proven herself to be a student of integrity while serving in many leadership roles inside and outside of the academic classroom. Oak Mountain Academy is a school that prides itself on providing a college-pre-
paratory education rooted in innovative academic excellence where students become leaders committed to living lives of service and integrity. Anna is a product of an Oak Mountain Academy education and represents our personalized, faith-based education well. Anna is an incredibly strong student who succeeds academically because of her natural gifts and superior work ethic. She has been on the Headmaster’s List, our school’s highest academic honor, throughout her entire high school career and has challenged herself by taking over eleven Advanced Placement (AP) courses, which are the most challenging classes our school offers, also throughout the course of her high school career. She has also secured many academic honors over the ast couple of years including the following: STAR Student Award, College Board’s Rural
and Small Town Scholar, National Merit Scholarship Commendation, AP United States History Department Award, Yearbook Department Award, Algebra II Department Award, AP European History Department Award, AP Government Department Award, AP Economics Department Award, AP Physics Department Award, AP Computer Science Department Award, Yearbook Department Award, French IV Department Award, National French Exam Bronze Medal, Public Speaking Department Award, UGA Certificate of Merit, and Medal of Honor. In addition to her academic success, Anna has excelled in student leadership. Throughout high school, Anna has excelled on the soccer field, on many cross-country courses (State Title), with the track team, and in the pool with See PATRICK YURAN page 23
rain from heaven during a drought. On top of this, he outran Ahab’s chariot 15 miles to Jezreel. My goodness, this could be the picture of on old testament “Superman”, with a cape and large yellow “S” sown into the front of his shirt! Yet, we now move to Chapter 19 of I Kings, and see the same Elijah. Jezebel the Queen had heard of the devastation that occurred to her false prophets, and sent a messenger to Elijah, stating “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time” Fear, anxiety, wonderment, and then depression sets in to the point that Elijah cries out to God - the same God that empowered Elijah with supernatural powers just 24 hours earlier… “and he requested for himself that he might die; and said It is enough; now O Lord take away my life; for I am not better than my father” I Kings 19:4 . Here we see one of God’s greatest Prophets become distraught to the point of ending His own life, under the heavy burdens of fear, anxiety, worry tiredness. If it can happen to Elijah, it can happen to you and me as well! Fear, stress, anxiety and depression are all REAL and are running rampant in society today. It should come as no surprise to us that recognized sources report an increase in adult, college, and adolescent anxiety, emotional stress, and other mental health challenges, as a result of Covid-19. We all lived through it with varying levels of stress that crossed nearly all areas of our lives - job insecurities, families couldn’t gather, children couldn’t go to school,
colleges were closed, concerts, sporting activities and vacations were canceled, churches were deemed non-essential, and much-needed surgeries were placed on hold. The high levels of emotional distress, anxiety and depression has led to a national mental health crisis that many health care practitioners are grappling with. Even before the pandemic there was already a mental health crisis. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, 264 million people struggle with depression and 40 million people struggle with anxiety. Further, according to Centerstone, each year, millions of Americans face mental illness. More than 51 million people experienced mental illness in 2019. - One in 5 adults and one in 6 youth experience mental illness each year - estimated are that only 45% of adults and 51% of children with a mental illness receive treatment - anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting more than 19% of the adult population each year Is there hope and healing for those who struggle with mental health conditions? The answer lies in choosing resilience, making social connections, taking good care of yourself - and, for the believer, a focus on prayer, praise and worship, studying God’s word daily and seeking out ways to cultivate a sound mind. The Bible does not specifically refer to the topic of mental health. However, it does speak a lot about anxiety and gives specific scripture references to assist us during those times of need. Here are a few of many scrip-
tures that provide comfort for those suffering from anxiety and depression: Cast all your care upon him, for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God Philippians 4:6-7 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof - Matthew 6:34 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 Beyond Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s pray for healing and restoration among our children and families, friends, churches, businesses, and our society as a whole. Let’s ask the Lord to restore what the locusts have eaten, and let’s keep praying until we see a great turning in this nation toward the Lord our God. There is a solution that will assist in tempering the high levels of anxiety, stress fear and depression that is sweeping our nation today and that’s getting back to the teachings of scripture taught in Scripture II Chronicles 7:14: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land Questions? Concerns? Fears? Anxieties? WGRTL and GRTL would like to be a resource to assist you in navigating through these uncharted waters! Selah.
could live out the rest of your life in luxury!” One night, the old man discovered that the horse was gone from the stable. The villagers kept up mockery toward him and said, “Someone stole the horse. What a terrible misfortune! You should have sold it to the king!” A few weeks later, the horse returned, but he was not alone. He brought with him a dozen wild horses. The gossipy villagers were taken aback and remarked: “How about that! We were wrong. The missing horse turned out to be a blessing after all!” The indomitable old man commented, “You are going too far again. Just say the horse is back with a dozen other horses. Don’t be so judgmental. Who knows it is a blessing or not? Life is vast. Don’t say that this is a blessing. Nobody knows what’s going to happen next.” The old man had only one child, a son. The young man started to domesticate one of the wild horses. But the wild beast kicked, jumped,
and became restive. At last, the young fellow lost control and was thrown off the back of the horse. His leg was broken. The terrible news of the mishap quickly spread among the farming community. Again, the old man’s neighbors gathered and offered the unsolicited opinion: “How terrible it is! The wild horses that your once lost horse brought with him were not the blessings after all. Your only son is now crippled which means diminished support from him in your future.” The old man admonished the neighbors once again and said: “It’s true that my son has broken his leg. Who knows if this is a misfortune or a blessing? Life comes in fragments. We will see what comes next.” A few months later, the country went to war against the strong neighboring country. All able-bodied young men were conscripted to the army, except the crippled son of the old man. There was a great deal of cry of agony in the community because the attacking country was
much larger and stronger than the old man’s country. The chance of surviving the war of those conscripted was, therefore, slim to none. The villagers once again visited the old man and said while sobbing: “Sir! You have proven to be correct when you said that no one knows if anything turns out to be a misfortune or a blessing. Our sons are gone forever – most likely never to return. In contrast, your son, though crippled, is at least alive and well. He can look after you when you are frail from advanced age. What a wretched lot we are thrown into!” The self-composed wise old man calmly replied: “Do not be so fatalistic. Let me repeat what I’ve said before. Accept the things as they are. Your sons were conscripted and mine was not. That’s all. No one knows what the future holds. Stop crying and get on with your life.” The moral of the story is: What appears to be a misfortune at the moment can turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
Hope, healing, and restoration for today’s anxious hearts
DUANE
HACK
West Georgia Right to Life PRESIDENT “The Heartbeat of Georgia” Duanehack46@gmail.com 470-370-2452
Mental Health Awareness Month is recognized in the United States each May and has been observed every year since 1949. The purpose of Mental Health Month is to help eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness by raising awareness of mental health conditions and those who have them. In my life, I have seen and been involved in numerous situations where high levels of stress, anxiety and mental fatigue became overwhelming and almost to the point of falling into a deep state of depression. The Bible presents numerous situations where mighty spiritual leaders of great magnitudes have succumbed to the challenges presented due to high levels of anxiety, stress and falling into deep depressions. Not to go into great detail, but one situation is found in the life of the Prophet Elijah found in 1 Kings 18 and 19. Here we find God’s man the Prophet Elijah. Having found victory from God by praying down fire from heaven which consumed a burnt offering that three times had been covered with four barrels of water. Then slewing 450 false prophets of Baal and 400 false prophets of the Grove and finally calling
Life comes in fragments
DAN
C. PAK AUTHOR and nonagenerian “The Wood Bracelet”
vunc61@gmail.com
A Tale of an Old Man and His Horse of China There once lived an old man in China. He was poor and chopped firewood from nearby hills, selling it in the market to eke out a meager living. The man also had a beautiful white horse that everyone admired. The king heard about the horse and offered a fabulous price to purchase it. But the old man refused to sell, and said, “This horse is my friend. How can you sell a friend?” The villagers taunted him and said, “You fool! With the money the king offered, you
COMMENTARY
Of rivers and libraries
SYBIL
ROSEN THOMAS
River Rambles syllabil@aol.com Once told, where do stories go? A story shared is a moment caught and carried forward by its listeners, alive and on a journey wide as the world. So, picture this moment: A full May moon rising and twenty people sitting under it above the Chattahoochee River at Macintosh Reserve. They’re here at the Overlook for the express purpose of telling and hearing stories of the river. Some tales take the shape of song. Others are spoken as memory or history, personal, sometimes philosophical, often hilarious. Or they’re emotional, filled with concern for the river and the earth. The evening of storytelling is recorded and, once transcribed, archived with other previously-told river stories in the Whitesburg Public Library (WPL), an anecdotal chronicle
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SWINDLE SWINDLE LAW GROUP, P.C. This year, the General Assembly passed sweeping changes to the state’s mental health care system. HB 1013 was passed with a 54-0 vote in the Senate and a 166-0 vote in the House. “Hope won,” said House Speaker David Ralston, who led the measure. He said this to the House as members gave him a standing ovation after the vote. “Countless Georgians will know that we have heard their despair and frustration. We have set Georgia on a path to lifting up and reforming a failed mental health care system.” Georgia ranks 48th or 49th, depending on how you measure it, in the arena
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of our town, and the life of the river. Storytellers in the oral tradition carry storybags filled with objects to inspire and remind them of stories. Libraries are a kind of storybag - admittedly not portable - yet the books, opportunities, and education they offer are there to be carried off and remembered. “There is no Frigate like a Book,” Emily Dickinson wrote. “To take us Lands away.” Libraries bring the wide world to us. The last story told on that recent moonlit evening at the Chattahoochee was an indigenous folk tale. A beautiful mysterious woman appears in a village by a river. The people are afraid of this stranger, though the river - and the creatures that live in her - fall in love with the gentle dignified lady. Taunted and shunned by the villagers, she leaves - and the river goes with her. Now the people see their mistake. They realize how essential the river is to their survival. They regret their fear. They find the woman and ask her forgiveness. She and the river return to the village and the water flows once more. The villagers rejoice. They vow to treat strangers as the river does: equally and without judgment. Last month’s River Rambles was entitled, “When the river goes away,” reflecting my con-
cern about the potential rock quarry and the political environment threatening our waters. Weeks after writing that column, the story of the marvelous woman and the disappearing river would echo the same theme. These currents were still resonating when we received the heartwrenching news that the Whitesburg City Council has refused to provide the monies allocated for the Whitesburg Public Library (WPL) in their current budget. By the time you read this, with any luck and justice, the situation will be resolved. But a blow dealt, however insupportable, still does harm. As of this moment, the betrayal of the needs and desires of the Whitesburg citizenry means that our rural library will have to close. What would a world without the library look like? What happens to Whitesburg when our library goes away? Let me tell you a story. Once, while sitting in my car in the WPL parking lot, I watched two local teenage boys shuffle down the sidewalk toward the library. Pants slung low, caps on backwards, they had what I affectionately think of as the “Whitesburg slouch,” their affect generally one of adolescent bravado in the face of hopelessness. Only on this day, these boys’ arms were full of books. Think of that. What
would they be doing if there was no library? How would they fill their idle hours? They were young enough to have come through the Whitesburg Elementary School at a time when it was strengthening, due in large part to its proximity to the WPL and the educational programs and resources it offers. Without that assist, these boys could have floundered early in school. As they got older, there would be no computers at a local library with which to look for jobs, or to apply for a job or college and vocational schools. Stuck, unable to move forward, too angry to accurately articulate the source of their discontent - all because the library went away. In the folk tale, the river went away with the woman because the villagers were afraid of her. In the case of the WPL, the library will go away because its city council insists on starving it. Which makes me wonder what they are afraid of. When the story of the WPL is told, it will set forth this fourteen-year struggle with the very community it has served so well and wants so much to continue to do so. And the questions for history will be: Why was the Whitesburg Public Library not allowed to thrive? Who and what made the library go away?
of mental health. The Senate made changes to the House’s original measure, including slightly weakening language aimed at enforcing federal requirements that health insurers provide the same level of benefits for mental health disorders and addiction as they do for physical illness. Ralston was very blunt. His message to insurers was, “Do the right thing, play by the law when it takes effect July 1.” The compromise keeps the current standard for a police officer involuntarily committing someone into treatment, providing the person must show an “imminent” risk of harm to themselves or others. However, new language allows an officer to take someone to an emergency facility to be evaluated after getting permission from a physician. The bill will provide support to those struggling with addiction, depression and other mental health issues. The measure still requires that at least 85% of money in public-funded insurance programs goes to patient care. The painful aspect of the changes under the bill will be an increase in state spending. One provision
aimed at boosting the state’s mental health workforce would forgive loans for people studying to become mental health professionals. Funding will be one obligation that the state has to maintain in the future. House Bill 1013 doesn’t solve our mental health crisis. Many parts of this bill require long-term investment in the years to come. However, untreated addiction, poor mental health, and depression cost our state millions of dollars a year. HB 1013 will also improve existing tools aimed at keeping people with mental health and substance abuse problems out of jail. A grant program would help identify people who should be in treatment. Another new law, SB 403, would require the state’s 23 community service boards, which are local mental health agencies, to provide coresponders to any local law enforcement agency that wants them. These services are currently available in six or seven jurisdictions statewide. In AthensClarke County, the share of people being arrested by police responding to mental health
calls fell from 90% to 10% after such a program was in place. Less arrests of mentally ill citizens equals less danger to our police officers. Even though I am a fiscal conservative, have friends and know many honorable people in the insurance industry, the above legislation is simply needed. Many Georgians will have to make sacrifices in order for the provisions in the law to work. However, there are three truths that these measures address: 1. As a staunch defender of the 2nd Amendment, I would never support legislation that infringed on this Constitutional right. These new laws will not create a pathway to taking away guns of people diagnosed with mental illness; 2. Law enforcement officers protect our community. They should never face an increase in danger; and 3. Jails are not meant to be mental health institutions. Sheriffs throughout the state overwhelming agree. Thank you for your courage, Speaker Ralston. You are a true public servant.
Georgia’s new mental health laws
JASON
StarNews June 12, 2022
Growing out of the Neighborhood and Lenny
BILL
BOURIS digi@mindspring.com Most people in New York City, as they come of age, learn to leave their neighborhood. That will happen during the teenaged years, especially among working-class families and families like those who are locally resident small business owners. It would begin with daring exploratory walks, against your mother’s warnings at age 6, to the next street or even across the avenue. This would involve crossing “unfamiliar” intersections, where you’d follow what the grown-up pedestrians were doing, acting as if you were one of them, walking tall and self-assured.
I once observed a kid, who attended P.S. 122 but not a classmate, cross a street pretending to read a newspaper walk right into a horse! I should mention that I spent the first 10 years of my life during the Depression and then during World War II. As part of the war effort, civilian automobile manufacture had been discontinued and horse-drawn wagons were a common sight throughout the city. Except for Park Avenue. Even we children of the lower East Side had heard about that exception. We knew such things because we had a very large horse stable on our block, the Amsterdam Stables whose premises you never openly entered for Mr. Clark would come after you with a horse-whip. However, neighborhood talk could inform us of Mr. Clark’s complaints and concerns. Who were those Park Avenue people and their exceptions? During the next 10 years, I had slowly learned my way through most of the entire East Side. Also, I had begun to learn that I might not ever realize a dream I’d concocted: to meet
everyone in the world! At one point I thought it was WWII that kept me from that achievement. I was good at arithmetic, except my dream had been more powerful than my reasoning. Maybe it’s like two intertwined vines. My part of the East Side, where Second Avenue begins, has incredible history. Forget the centuries before the 20th. In music: the Originial Dixieland Jazz Band (ODJB) debuted in 1917; Carol Burnett got her start at the Phoenix in the early ‘50s; the Fillmore East was established in the late 60s. So, my first serious ventures away from my neighborhood were actually just a three minute walk down the Avenue next door to the future Fillmore East at the Central Plaza. That’s where George Gershwin once had an apartment for piano practice and where 25 years later one Jack Crystal (Billy Crystal’s father) produced Dixieland Jazz concerts each weekend. That’s where I madly danced the Charleston for my drinks. Until I brought my childhood friends,
nobody from the neighborhood went to “Jazz at the Plaza” or was even aware of what had been going on there. It was at the Plaza, while literally wearing out suits and shoes, possessed by that wonderful New Orleans music, that I met Lenny Horowitz. Lenny came to the Plaza for the music, was taken by it, and could do nothing but bounce and rock in the great sounds. He was studying painting at the Art Students League under Frank Reilly. The League has turned out a wide variety of artists, from Norman Rockwell (who came to Carroll County, Georgia, to paint) to Jackson Pollock. Lenny originally wanted to use Jazz at the Plaza to provide him with subject matter for his painting. But he was blown away by the sound of the bands and the sight of the dancing. Looking back on it all, it seems that I lucked out. Instead of moving out into Life, Life was coming and visiting in my neighborhood, just a short walk down 2nd Avenue. See BILL BOURIS page 15
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J. Collins J. Collins
“A beautiful place for memories”
Our 26-acre perpetual care memorial park was developed to serve this area now and for generations to come.West Georgia Memorial Park is divided into beautiful & CREMATION SERVICE & CREMATION SERVICE gardens including our& traditional Funeral Directors & Directors Undertakers Funeral Undertakers up-right headstone section in the Garden of Memories as well as our flat bronze memorial section and our Mausoleum in the Garden of Cross and our Family Estates Garden.
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obituary listingslistings daily godaily to: www.starnewsgaonline.com for complete obituary listings daily go to: www.star for complete obituary go to: www.starnewsgaonline.com yary listings daily go go to:to: www.starnewsgaonline.com listings daily www.starnewsgaonline.com for complete
Shirley F. Joe Alexander, age 71, Tiffanee Dawne “Tiff” age Cook, Shirley F. Alexander, Dawne MasterMaster Danny Joe Jones, Jr.,71, Jr., JerryTiffanee Scott age“Tiff” 53, Shirley F.Jones, Alexander, 71, Tiffanee Dawne “Tiff” Cook, wne “Tiff” Cook, Danny Joeage Jones, Jerry Shedd, Scott Shedd, ageCook, 53, Danny Jerry Shedd, Dawne “Tiff” Cook, Master Master Danny Joe Jones, Jr.,age JerryScott Scott Shedd, age 53, 53, Pamela Grace Hayes Aldridge, ageJr., 68, born Pearly Adeline Mooney, age 80, born February 26, 1947, Patsy B. Smith, age 81, born February 16, 1941, born November 27, 1947, died age 45, born October 12, 1973, born November 27, died age 45, born October 12, age 2 months, born May 16, 2019, died Monday, July 8, 2019 born November 27, 1947, died age 45, born October 12, 1973, ctober 12, 1973, age 2 months, born May 16, 2019, died Monday, July 8, 2019 1973, 2 months, born May 16,16, 2019, died Monday, July 8,8,2019 n October 12, 1973,age age 2 months, born May 2019, died Monday, July 2019 September 27, Sunday, 1953, died May 22, 2022 1942, June 3, 2019 2022 age Sunday, July 14, 2019 died Friday, Julydied 12,July 2019 Sunday, July 14, died Friday, July 12, 2019 May 7, David 2022 died Thursday, July2019 4, July 2019died RonaldRonald Simpson, age age July 14, 2019 died Friday, 12, 12,12, 2019 died Thursday, 4, 2019 David Simpson, died Thursday, July 4, 2019 David Ronald Simpson, July 2019 died Thursday, July 4, 2019 David Ronald Simpson, age Dwight Bishop, Jr., age 62, James B. Dean, age 92, Dwight Bishop, Jr., age 62, James B. Dean, age8,July 92, Donald Dent Arrington, age 67, born November 30, Sybil Carroll Morrow, age 81, born January 7, “Marjorie” Nell Lovvorn, age 70, born July 21, 1948, died July Dwight Bishop, Jr., age 62, James B. Dean, age 92, Dean, age 92, Margerette Jane Turner, age 73, born March “Marjorie” Nell Lovvorn, age 70, born July 21, 1948, died “Marjorie” Nell Lovvorn, age 70, born July 21, 1948, died July . Dean, age 92, “Marjorie” Nell Lovvorn, age 70, born July 21, 1948, died July September 28,1932, 1956, died born September 02, 1926, died bornMay September 28, 1956, died09, born September 02, 1926, died born 86, born August 3, died 09, 2019 born September 28, 1956, died born September 02, 1926, died r 02,02, 1926, died 86, born August 3, 1932, died 1954, died 12, 2022 1941, did May 21, 2022 09, 2019 born August 3, 1932, died 2019 mber 1926, died86, 1949, died May 9, 2022 86, born August 3, 1932, died 09, 2019 Tuesday, July 9, 10, 2019 Wednesday, July 3,age 2019 Tuesday, July 9, July 20199, 2019 Wednesday, July 3, July 20193, 2019 Wednesday, July 2019 Zellie Fred Sprewell, 94, Tuesday, yJuly 3, 2019 July Zellie Fred age 94, Wednesday, July 10, 2019 Zellie Fred Sprewell, age 3, 2019 Wednesday, July 10, 2019 Rayford Cook, age 85, born March 28, 1937, diedWednesday, Virginia Anne Patterson, age 91,Wednesday, died December 19,10, 2019 Zellie Fred Sprewell, age94, 94, Betty Jane Wade, age Bushon 91, bornSprewell, November 1, 1930, Donald Brasseal “Don” Bonner, Barry Dickerson, age Donald Brasseal “Don” Bonner, Barry Bushon Dickerson, age Andra Dixon McGill, age 76, born February 28, 1925, died died Donald Brasseal “Don” Bonner, Barry Bushon Dickerson, age nhon Dickerson, ageage Andra Andra Dixon McGill, age 76, born February 28, 1925, Dixon McGill, age 76, born February 28, 1925, died Dickerson, Andra Dixon McGill, age 76, born February 28, 1925, died May 26,age 2022 1930 died May 29, 2022 age 76, born June 05, 1943, died 68, born September 7, 1950, died 76, born June 05, 1943, died 68, born September 7, 1950, died born October 18, 1941, died Saturday, July 27, 2019 age 76, born June 05, 1943, died 68, born September 7, 1950, died mber 7, 1950, died October 18, 1941, died Saturday, July 27, 2019 October 18,18,1941, died Saturday, July 27, 2019 tember 7, 1950, diedborn born October 1941, died July 27, 2019 Phillips, age 91, born James “J.W.” Daniell, age 92, born AugustSaturday, 16, Friday, Mildred “Jean” born July 10, 1930, Wednesday, July 10, 2019 Friday, July 19, 2019 Frances A. Walker, age 76, born July 1935, died Wednesday, July2019 10,July 2019 Friday, July 19, 2019 Wednesday, July 17, 2019 Daniel Lance Walker, age14, 40, Wednesday, 10, 2019 July 19, 2019age 2019 Wednesday, July 17, 2019 Daniel Lance Walker, age 40, Wednesday, July 17, Daniel Walker, 9, 2019 Wednesday, July 17, 2019 DanielLance Lance Walker, age40, 40, John D. Brown, Jr., age 53, Bobbie Jean Dodderer, age 84, John D. Brown, Jr., age 53, Bobbie Jean Dodderer, age 84, 1929, died Tuesday, May 10, 2022 died May 24, 2022 Eugene Parker Mullis, Jr., age born September 18, 1978, died John D. Brown, Jr., age 53, Bobbie Jean Dodderer, age 84, May 9, 2022 Dodderer, age 84, Eugene Parker Mullis, Jr., age born September 18, 1978, died Eugene Parker Mullis, Jr., age an Dodderer, age 84, Eugene Parker Mullis, Jr., ageborn bornSeptember September18, 18,1978, 1978,died died born August 18, 1965, died July born July 9,2019 1935, died Monday, born August 18, 1965, died July born July 9,July 1935, died Monday, 70, born December 31, 1948, died Sunday, July 21, born August 18, 1965, died July born 9, 1935, died Monday, 35, died Monday, Donna Jean Darnall, age 83, born December 7, 70, born December 31, 1948, died Octavian Gheorghe Pintea, age 70, born February Sunday, July 21, 2019 born December 31, 1948, died Sunday, July 21, 2019 1935, died Monday,70,70, Matthew Benjamin Wilson age 75, born April 21, born December 31, 1948, died Sunday, July 21, 2019 22, 2019 July 22, 2019 “Debbie” 22,July 2019 July 22,July 2019 July 8, July 20198, 2019 Deborah “Debbie” Ann West, 22, 2019 22, 2019died May Monday, Deborah Ann West, Monday, 8,30, 2019 Deborah “Debbie” Ann West, 9 1938, died April 2022 Monday, July 8, 2019 25, 1952, 27, 2022Monday, Deborah “Debbie” Ann West, 1947, died May 6,Anna 2022 Marie Elizabeth Phillips Bryce, Marsella Fazio, age Marie Elizabeth Phillips Bryce, Anna Marsella Fazio, age Randy Lee Nichols, age 66, age 58, died July 22, 2019 Marie Elizabeth Phillips Bryce, Anna Marsella Fazio, age ella Randy Lee Nichols, age 66, age 58, died July 22, 2019 Lee Nichols, age 66, age 58, died July 22, 2019 arsellaFazio, Fazio,ageage Randy Randy Lee Nichols, age 66, age 58, died JulyDarrell 22, 2019 Hyron Johnson, age 83, born 18, 1938, died May Ernest Pugh Sr.,age age 80, born November 27, 14, William “Larry” Windom, age 74, born November 89, born September 1929, 85, born on Jan 1, 1934, died age 89, born September 14, 1929, 85, born on Jan 1, 1934, died born June 24, 1953, died Friday, Wallace Allen Worthan, age age 89, born September 14, 1929, 85, born on Jan 1, 1934, died anJan 1, 1, 1934, died born June 24, 1953, died Friday, Wallace Allen Worthan, age June 24,24, 1953, died Friday, Allen age 1934, diedborn born June 1953, died Friday, Wallace Wallace AllenWorthan, Worthan, 16, 2022 1941, May 29, 2022 age died Saturday, July 20, 2019 Monday, July 8, 15, 2019 10, 1947,56, dieddied May 16, 2022 died Saturday, July 20,July 2019 Monday, July 8, died 2019 26,July 2019 Monday, July 2019 died Saturday, 20, 2019 Monday, July 8, 2019 2019 26, 2019 56, died Monday, July 15, 2019 July 26,26, 2019 56, died Monday, July 15, 8, 2019 July 2019 56, died Monday, July 15,2019 2019 July Earl Wayne Carden, age 80, Harris Nell Griffin Jennings, Earl Wayne Carden, age 80, Harris Nell Griffin Jennings, Jency Horton Jones, age 87, born November 25, Robert J. Redding, age 96, born March 6, 1926, Ara Bell D. Sanders, age 79, Carol Judith Chapman, age 55, Earl Wayne Carden, age 80, Harris Nell Griffin Jennings, Frances Folds Yates, age 88, born May 27, 1933, Griffin Jennings, Ara Bell D. Sanders, age 79, Carol Judith Chapman, age 55, Bell D. D. Sanders, age 79, Judith Chapman, ell Griffin Jennings, AraAra Bell Sanders, age 79, Carol Carol Judith Chapman,age age55, 55, born October 29, 1938, died age 83, died Tuesday, July 2, born October 29, 1938, died age 83, died Tuesday, July 2, born August 06, 1939, died July born June 24, 1964, died Sunday, born October 29, 1938, died age 83, died Tuesday, July 2, Tuesday, July 2, 1934, died May 29, 2022 died May 17, 2022 born August 06, 1939, died July born June 24, 1964, died Sunday, born August 06, 1939, died July June 24, 1964, died d Tuesday, July 2, born August 06, 1939, died Julyborn died May 16, 2022 born June 24, 1964, diedSunday, Sunday, Friday, June 28, 2019 2019 Friday, June 28, 2019 2019 24, died 2019 July 7, July 20197, 2019 Friday,Mauldin, June 28,age 2019 2019 24, 2019 24,24, 2019 7,7, 2019 Joyce Ann Waters 77, bornJuly February May 12, 2022 2019 July 2019Lynda Marie Smith, age 78,
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APRIL 11, 2021 • VOLUME 27 NUMBER 4
by Janice Daniel The Carroll County Mental Health Advocates will be hosting their 2nd annual community event “Miles for Mental Health - Running Over the Hurdles Together” 5K and 1-mile Fun Run on Saturday, May 15th, 2021, at the Greenbelt at Hobbs Farm, 1147 Rome Street, Carrollton, Georgia. Registration begins at 2:00 pm, Fun Run begins at 3:00 pm, and 5K Run begins at 4:00 pm. Proceeds will benefit the Carroll County Mental Health Advocate programs. Additional information can be obtained at the Carroll County Mental Health Advocates office at 306A Bradley Street, Carrollton, Georgia 30117, phone 770830-2048. The story of the CCMHA is one of true commitment to their mission. In 2008, then Carroll County Probate Court Judge, Betty Cason (now Mayor of Carrollton) brought together a group of concerned citizens for a con-
Dr. Julie Post will begin job April 16th from press release Dr. Julie Post, Vice President of Student Affairs at Gwinnett Technical College, has been selected at the next president of West Georgia Technical College (WGTC), as announced by Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Greg Dozier. She will begin her duties at West Georgia Tech April 16, 2021. Pat Hannon has been interim president of West Georgia Tech since Dr. Scott Rule retired as President December 31, 2020. See WGTC NEW PRESIDENT page 8
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Governor removes mask mandate, eliminates ban on large gatherings, reduces social distancing to 42 inches in some cases, moves mask wearing decision to the local levels Effective for time frame of April 1st through April 30th
eliminated (but “strongly encouraged” by the by Sue Horn On Thursday, April 1, 2021, Governor Brian governor) and replaced with a Local Option Face Kemp signed three executive orders, of which Covering Requirement (LOFCR) giving a city, one (temporarily) eliminates the year long CoVid county, or other government entity the authority large gatherings ban and any remaining to continue to impose the requirement of wearing sheltering-in-place for the time period April 8th a mask “when not able to maintain Social though April 30th. And although the mask wear- Distancing from non-cohabitating persons”. Social distancing has been reduced from 6 feet ing requirement has been (temporarily) eliminated at the state level, it was moved to a local to 3.5 feet (42 inches) of separation between level decision. Specifically, for the time period seating/parties at restaurants, bars, and movie April 1-30, 2021, the mask mandate has been See LOCAL OPTION FACE COVERING page 5
BeckyBecky Gentry Gentry STARNEWS
Travel Agent Travel Agent P.O. BOX 680 Carrollton, Ga 30112
Name Address
A scant 0.039% of Carroll County voters participated in SPLOST Referendum
404-291-1187 404-291-1187 by Sue Horn The March 16, 2021 Carroll County SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) passed by an 81% margin with only 3,368 citizens participating. Of those, See 0.039% VOTED page 19
by Sue Horn At the 3:00 p.m. Thursday, April 1, 2021 Special Called Meeting of the Carroll County Board of Commissioners, an amendment was passed 6-0 (one commissioner was
Zip
1911-2019: $20.024 Billion paid 2020 alone: $20.218 Billion paid
from press release The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) recently surpassed a major milestone in the organization paying claimants more in the past 12 months than in all of the combined years that GDOL has been in existence. Georgians have received $20.218 billion in unemployment insurance (UI)
$20
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absent) to increase the budget by $191,433 to match increased revenues. Three categories received the bulk of the cash: $53,000 has been assigned to increased “salaries”; See $191,433 page 11
CoVID-19 statistics for Georgia and Carroll County one year: March 23, 2020- April 5, 2021 GEORGIA
Life going forward, and out of the pandemic As pandemic restrictions have eased (3.5 feet now for some social distancing/mask use encouraged but not mandated), civic clubs are returning to more normal functioning, including the Carrollton Kiwanis Club who recently hosted Carroll County’s fire chief Tim Padgett. See story page 6. Photo by Sue Horn
As of APRIL 5, 2021: 856,340 total confirmed cases 16,749 total deaths Estimated state population: 10.6M
CARROLL COUNTY
As of APRIL 5, 2021: 7,271 total confirmed cases 129 total deaths Estimated county population: 122,000
Death total represents Death total represents 0.00158% of population 0.001% of population Source: Georgia Department of Public Health dph.georgia.gov/covid-19
See $20.218 BILLION page 27
PRINT EDITIONS on
3,368
Number of Carroll County citizens who voted in the March 2021 SPLOST Referendum
$191,433 to match extra revenue
See FUNDRAISER page 7
www.starnewsgaonline.com
Number of Carroll County citizens voted in the Nov. 2020 Election
County commission approves b.gentry@magicalvacationplanner.com b.gentry@magicalvacationplanner.com amendment increasing spending by
Georgia Labor Department issued more in unemployment payments in last 12 months than prior 82 years
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www.starnewsgaonline.com BILL KECKES from page 17 tem benefits with the Board paying all needed instructional program supplies and not relying on our students and parents to be fundraising sales staff. I also think the current disconnect between the Board and the parents would be easily corrected by rotating Board Meetings between our 24 schools affording parents a better opportunity to communicate with the Board Members and the Superintendent. Additionally, Board Meetings should be live-streamed over the school systems’ facebook page. It is also imperative that our Board pay strict attention to the looming attendance explosion in the Villa Rica area. There may well be thousands of new students coming to our schools within the next 2-3 years. An obvious immediate solution is to construct a very large high school and possible a middle school and elementary school upon the Board’s 100 acres (in title since 2002) on Highway 166 just south of Fairfield Plantation. One other priority is to “non-renew” the one year contracts of many Central Office Administrators. While well intentioned, the “duties” of these well paid administrators should be transferred to the Principals and STATE REP COLLINS from page 17 passed through HB 1437; Our Military retirement tax exemption shows our support for the men and women who serve our nation through HB 1064. Parents/Students FIRST: Contro-versial mandates on the local level, concerned parents and federal policy allowances led to the passage of many bills in protection of our Georgia students. Numerous bills were passed to support our Georgia parents in determining the best course of action for their children. After several schools refused choice, where masks were concerned, we took the initiative to Unmask Georgia Students through SB 514; Parents now have a say in what their child is being taught within the classroom through the Parents Bill of Rights, HB 1178; Our commitment to ensuring strides made by our female athletes will be enforced through our Fairness in School Sports legislation, HB 1084; Parents now have avenue to address any materials they deem Obscene through SB 226. Educated Georgia: Education is the bedrock of our Georgia workforce and economic health. Taking care of Georgia students and our educators is a priority. We continued our efforts towards quality education through a number of bills successfully passing the General Assembly. Retired educators are welcome to return to the classroom as we actively tackle our current teaching shortage through HB 385; Our budget passed through HB 911 restores pandemic cuts, brings about a much deserved teaching pay raise and allows for a historic investment into our K-12 education systems. Students also benefit through our new Diplomas Voucher Bill outlined in SB 397, our Streamlining Workforce Readiness Programs made possible through HB 1331 and our student access loan legislation signed into law through HB 1435. Agriculture: Did you know that Agriculture is our state’s number one economic engine? In order to protect our farm industry we passed the Farm to Food Bank SB 396 as well as the Freedom to Farm bill, HB 1150. Safe Georgia: Our commitment to the safety of our citizens, law and order as well as supporting our enforcement officers was made clear through several bills working to ensure Georgians are protected. Our historic Constitutional Carry legislation, SB 319, ensures our citizens maintain their right to keep and bear arms. Gang violence will not be tolerated and we will be cracking down on gang related crime through HB 1134, our Gang See UNDER THE GOLD DOME page 22
Assistant Principals of our 24 schools and these school-based Administrators should be strictly held accountable for academic improvements and results in our schools. I must note that while Central Office Administrators are nice people, many have been promoted to these positions simply to sweeten their Teacher’s Retirement System pensions. There is one exceptionally qualified Central Office Administrator who I’ve had the privilege of enjoying lunch with several times to discuss their possible candidacy for Superintendent, ands who is excited at the possibility. When Mr. Cowart finally retires, I would like this incredibly qualified person to be our next Superintendent, hopefully before May 25, 2023. Now, I’m off to rebuilding our kitchen, then gardening, then vacation. God Bless you all and thank you for your indulgence.
StarNews
June 12, 2022 Page 21
Stephen Martin
Southwire
Page 22 June 12, 2022 StarNews www.starnewsgaonline.com UNDER THE GOLD DOME from page 21 executive veto from Governor Kemp, will have Prosecution Unit. We will continue our efforts to be reintroduced and start the legislative procto end the vile practice of Human Trafficking ess all over again during the next legislative through SB 461. And our commitment to our term. Governor Kemp issued his veto statelaw enforcement community is solidified ments on Thursday, May 12th. All measures through HB 911 which makes budget alloca- receiving no action (signature or veto) will tions to allow for an additional Georgia State automatically go into effect July 1, the beginTrooper Class, as well as the allowance of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Degrees BRYAN HAGER from page 17 Most recently, the Republican party is added to the high-demand career initiatives list and a $5,000 Raise for State Law Enforcement. attacking people who are gay or transexual. We Healthy Georgia: This was a great year see these tribal attacks in Georgia with the where healthcare was concerned for our state. Republican controlled legislature limiting how Our Mental Health Parity Act, HB 1013 will teachers teach about racism in Georgia’s hisensure that much needed resources are put tory, or targeting student athletes who are trantowards those in need of mental healthcare. We sexual, and campaigning against cities that are also tackled various aspects of our healthcare run by Black American mayors. system by lowering insurance premiums, Georgia has so many real problems that we expanding healthcare choices and addressing should come together to tackle. We are among our physician and nurse shortages through HB the worst in the nation for access to healthcare, 911. maternal mortality, covid 19 death rates, and Veto Statements: All measures that did not homelessness. While information industry pass the 2022 session cycle or received an workers in our cities are doing well, too many
Carroll County marriage licenses
MAY 1-31, 2022
ning of our state’s fiscal year. Election Results: Tuesday, May 24th brought about our Georgia Primary Elections. We are preparing for a heated General Election cycle as overall turnout broke primary records, with more than 1.9 million Georgians having cast their ballots, compared to 1.16 million in
2018. Elections matter and every vote counts. The Georgia Secretary of State is scheduled to certify results sometime in the next week. Congratulations to all who will advance to the General as their party’s nominee and thank you to all brave enough to put their name forth for consideration.
Georgians are stuck in low wage jobs with no way to get ahead. Climate change and corporate monopolies are pushing farmers out of business. Instead of dealing with these issues, Republican leaders enact divisive bills that appeal to a minority of Georgians who happen to vote in Republican primaries. Like the Plantation Elites of earlier days, modern Republicans promote division in order to protect the wealthy and powerful. More than anything America is an idea that people can work together to govern themselves and create a better future for all. This 4th of July let’s declare our independence from the elites who promote division, attack and belittle
other people. Let’s engage with our fellow citizens to create a more perfect union. I chose to join the Democratic Party because it has a positive vision for the future of America. Democrats believe that the economy should work for everyone, healthcare is a right, our diversity is our strength, and democracy is worth defending. You may disagree with me on this vision, but please let’s discuss it respectfully. The people who wrote our Declaration of Independence disagreed about many things, but ultimately, they came together because they knew that was the only way to gain their independence. I believe that together is our only way forward.
Carroll County pistol permits Number of Weapons Carry Permits applied for: MAY 1-31, 2022: 134
Concerning Weapons Carry Permits: On April 12, 2022, Governor Brian Kemp signed into law the Georgia Constitutional Carry Senate Bill 319 and the License Reciprocity Measure House Bill 218 which now allows a lawful weapons carrier to carry a concealed weapon without a gun permit requirement. A background check is still required in order to purchase weapon - and the applicant must pass the background check but a permit to carry is now longer required. Georgia is one of 24 states that now has Constitutional Carry which follows the intent of the Second Amendment of the Constitution allowing the right to bear arms.
Carroll County births May 1-31, 2022: Tanner Medical Center, Carrollton: Girls: 50 Boys: 62 Tanner Medical Center, Villa Rica:� Girls: 26 Boys: 37
Carroll County jail population (The Jack T. Bell Detention Center, 1000 Newnan Road, Carrollton)
Total population as of JUNE 2, 2022: 495 Males: 427 Females: 68
Carroll County prison population Total population as of JUNE 2, 2022: 241 Capacity: 246 Males: 100%
The Carroll County Correctional Institute is a separate entity from the Carroll County Jail (which houses males and females on a temporary basis)
Carroll County cattle receipts Carroll County Sales Barn 225 Sales Barn Road, Carrollton May 2, 2022: 699 May 9, 2022: 431 May 16, 2022: 605 May 23, 2022: 384 May 30, 2022: 562
www.starnewsgaonline.com PATRICK YURAN from page 18 the swim team. She has also secured many award recognitions over the past couple of years including the following: National Honor Society Member, Student Government Association Vice President, Counselor’s Achievement Award, Junior Chamber Youth Leadership Award, Spring Literary Argumentative Essay Award 1st in Region & 1st in State, Spring Literary Region Argumentative Essay 2nd Place Award, and Spring Literary Region Girls Trio 3rd Place Award. Anna also has a passion for community service and has volunteered for more than sixty hours of service over the past four years. Anna graduated Summa Cum Laude from Oak Mountain Academy and will be attending The University of Virginia in the fall. Anjuli Vavrik is Oak Mountain Academy’s Class of 2022 Salutatorian and has been a student at Oak Mountain Academy for fourteen years. Throughout her tenure at the Academy,
Anjuli has also proven herself to be a student of great integrity while serving in many leadership roles inside and outside of the academic classroom. Anjuli is also a strong student who succeeds academically because of her natural gifts and strong work ethic. She has been on the Headmaster’s List, our school’s highest academic honor, throughout her entire high school career and has challenged herself by taking over eleven Advanced Placement (AP) courses, which are the most challenging classes our school offers, also throughout the course of her high school career. She has also secured many academic honors over the past couple of years including the following: AP Physics Department Award, AP Spanish Department Award, AP English Department Award, AP Psychology Department Award, Chemistry Department Award, and Medal of Honor. Anjuli is a dedicated student who values her academic opportunities and appreciates what a
Carroll County Department of Public Health
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both Anna and Anjuli as exceptional students, gifted leaders, and all around top-notch human beings. They are truly young women with unmatched character, many talents, and an overabundance of God-given gifts. I speak for all of us at Oak Mountain Academy when I say how incredibly proud we are of both young women and truly blessed to have been a part of their educational journey! Oak Mountain Academy, Class of 2022, consisted of 13 students who have been awarded 1.5 million dollars in scholarships for the next 4 years, not including the HOPE scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship. 100% of the Class of 2022 have qualified for the Georgia HOPE Scholarship and 42% have qualified for the Zell Miller Scholarship. More than 50 college acceptances were celebrated with this class and they also collectively completed 92 Advanced Placement courses. Congratulations to the Oak Mountain Academy Class of 2022!
To view complete inspection details: dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health
public swimming pool health inspections scores 5/25/2022: Whitesburg Water Park 50 Booster Field Whitesburg 100 Satisfactory 5/26/2022: McIntosh Park 1046 McIntosh Circle Whitesburg 100 Satisfactory 5/27/2022: Gold Dust Park Splash Pad 646 Industrial Blvd Villa Rica 100 Satisfactory 5/24/2022: The Reserve 912 Lovvorn Rd Carrollton 100 Satisfactory 5/25/2022: Hickory Falls Apts 801 Hickory Level Rd Villa Rica 100 Satisfactory 5/16/2022: Wyndham @Fairfield 1602 Lakeview Pkwy Villa Rica 100 Satisfactory 5/27/2022: Wildwood Apts 540 S Carroll Hwy Villa Rica 100 Satisfactory 5/05/2022: Woodland Christian Camp 90 Woodland Camp Rd Temple100 Satisfactory 5/19/2022: Sunset Hills Country Club 1 Club Dr Carrollton 99 Satisfactory 99 Satisfactory 5/24/2022: Hampton Inn 28 Price Creek Rd Bremen 5/20/2022: Woodglen Apts 114 Danny Dr Carrollton 99 Satisfactory 99 Satisfactory 5/12/2022: At Carrollton Waljk 227 Brumblelow Rd Carrollton 5/18/2022: Fairfield Plantation Splash Pad 6195 Lakeview Pkwy Villa Rica 99 Satisfactory 5/20/2022: Midtown Water Park 125 Leroy Childs Dr Carrollton 98 Satisfactory 5/18/2022: Ashley Oaks Apts 1121 Rome St Carrollton 97 Satisfactory 5/05/2022: Carrollton Spray Park 425 Willie North Dr Carrollton 95 Satisfactory 95 Satisfactory 5/19/2022: Oak Mt. Golf 409 Birkdale Blvd Carrollton 5/19/2022: Quality Inn 1077 Alabama Avenue Bremen 95 Satisfactory 5/19/2022: Sunset Hills Country Club Wading Pool 1 Club Dr Carrollton 95 Satisfactory 95 Satisfactory 5/27/2022: Days Inn 195 Commerce Dr Villa RIca 5/18/2022: Best Western Plus 104 S Cottage Hill Rd Carrollton 94 Satisfactory 93 Satisfactory 5/25/2022: KidsPeace 101 KidsPeace Bowdon 5/25/2022: The Bridge Carrollton Academy 259 Tom Reeve Dr Carrollton 91 Satisfactory 5/26/2022: Little Tallapoosa Park 1930 Hwy 113 Carrollton 90 Satisfactory 5/24/2022: Renew Carrollton 598 S Park St Carrollton 89 Satisfactory 5/18/2022: Bay Springs Academy 501 Bay View Dr Villa Rica 85 Unsatisfactory Violations: Two way gate is not self-closing when exiting the pool. Tighten gate, repair, or keep malfunctioning side closed. DID PASS REINSPECTION. 5/19/2022: Millstone Townhomes 233 Hays Mill Rd Carrollton 84 Unsatisfactory Violations: 2 out of 3 gates are not self-closing at all positions. Gates must self-close and self-latch. DID PASS REINSPECTION. 5/18/2022: Microtel Inn 104 Price Creek Rd Bremen 85 Unsatisfactory Violations: Multiple areas on fencing bars are loose and can be pushed great than 4 inches wide. Replace ladder buffer caps to prevent pool lining erosion. DID PASS REINSPECTION. 5/18/2022: Bay Springs Academy 501 Bay View Dr Villa Rica 83 Unsatisfactory Violations: Two way gate is not self-closing when exiting the pool. Tighten gate, repair, or keep malfunctioning side closed. DID PASS REINSPECTION.
restaurant health inspections scores
5/31/2022: The Blue Nomad 1002 W College St Bowdon 100 5/26/2022: Fresh Catch Catering 645 Amberwood Dr Villa Rica 100 5/26/2022: Mingo’s Snow Cones 451 W Bankhead Hwy Villa Rica 100 5/26/2022: Chipolte Mexican 814 S Park St Carrollton 99 99 5/26/2022: Starbucks 801 S Park St Carrollton 5/02/2022: Burger King 906 S Park St Carrollton 99 5/06/2022: Popeye’s 1517 Hwy 27 S Carrollton 98 5/20/2022: Rosie’s Cafe 619 Bankhead Hwy Carrolltob 98 5/23/2022: Starbucks 700 Hwy 61 Villa Rica 98 5/13/2022: El Rey Del Sabor 916 Maple St Carrollton 98 5/18/2022: Good Neighbor Meals 1031 Alabama St Bremen 96 5/24/2022: Big J’s 40 Villa Rosa Rd Temple 96 5/11/2022: Chicken Salad Chick 1765 Hwy 27 Ste 400 Carrollton 96
solid academic foundation can provide for her future. In addition to her academic success, Anjuli has also excelled in student leadership securing many awards including the following: National Honor Society Member, Student Government Association Secretary, Counselor’s Achievement Award, Junior Chamber Youth Leadership Award, One Act Play Award, and One Act Play Honorable Mention In Region.Throughout high school, Anjuli has excelled on the soccer field, the tennis court (State Title), the volleyball court (Stat Title), and in the Key Club. Anjuli also has a passion for community service and has volunteered for more than seventy hours of service over the past four years. Anjuli graduated Summa Cum Laude from Oak Mountain Academy and will be attending The Georgia Institute of Technology in the fall. Throughout our time together at Oak Mountain Academy, I have grown to respect
StarNews June 12, 2022
previous 100 previous NA previous NA previous 100 previous 97 previous 90 previous 98 previous 90 previous 89 previous NA previous 100 previous 96 previous 95
96 previous 93 5/11/2022: WNB Factory 1745 Hwy 27 Ste 100 Carrollton 5/12/2022: Captain’s D’s 913 S Park St Carrollton 96 previous 90 96 previous 89 5/09/2022: The Border 1210 Maple St Carrollton 5/09/2022: Samba Loca 104 Adamson Square Carrollton 95 previous 84 5/24/2022: Gallery Row Coffee 309 Adamson Square Carrollton 94 previous 96 5/16/2022: Corner Cafe 304 Adamson Square Carrollton 94 previous 91 5/23/2022: Zaxby’s 1125 S Park St Carrollton 93 previous 81 5/18/2022: Heavenly Bowls 301 W Georgia Dr Carrollton 93 previous NA 5/24/2022: Longhorn 1155 Bankhead Hwy Carrollton 92 previous 92 5/31/2022: Dairy Queen 300 S Park St Carrollton 92 previous 90 5/24/2022: Giovanni’s Pizza & Subs 1124 N Park St Carrollton 92 previous 90 5/03/2022: Hardee’s 587 Carrollton St Temple 91 previous 93 5/20/2022: Taqueria Tapatio’s 451 W Bankhead Hwy Ste 113 Villa Rica 90 previous 96 89 previous 94 5/27/2022: Lazy Donkey 334 Bankhead Hwy Carrollton 5/26/2022: Johnny’s New York Pizza 1670 Hey 27 S Carrollton 87 previous 94 5/24/2022: Waffle House 543 N 113 Hwy Temple 86 previous 95 5/06/2022: McDonald’s 1116 N Park St Carrollton 85 previous 82 Violations: Observed mold build-up inside the ice machine. Observed upright cooler with an ambient temperature of 50 degrees/ust be at 41 degrees or lower. Observed a bottle of Tylenol on a shelf above a table near the front counter. All personal items including medication must be stored in a designated employee area. 5/02/2022: Green Tomato 1315 S Park St Carrollton 83 previous 87 Violations: Observed walk-in cooler holding temperatures above 41 degrees,chicken/beef/milk at 48 degrees. Gaps of light present in back storage room around walls/around door. Seal all holes/gaps where pests may find entry. 5/25/2022: O’Charley’s 1591 S hwy 27 Carrollton 82 previous 94 Violations: Observed cooler near oce cream freezer holding ambient temperature of 53 degrees. All TCS foods must be stored at 41 degrees or less. Observed food (flour) stored in rolling bin out of original container and not properly labeled. Observed floor covering that is displodged from sub floor allowing water and food debris to collect as well as creating a trip hazard. 5/18/2022: Cracker Barrel 106 Price Creek Rd Bremen 80 previous 93 Violations: Raw hamburger patties stored over raw trout in reach in cooler. Chicken stored from night shift in breading cooler broken and holding chicken temp at 45 dgrees. Shelving rusted throughout facility. Debris buildup inside and outside of equipment. Mold present on walls in dish area.
We offer: Free Inspections 24 Hour Emergency Tarp Service Licensed and Insured Shingle Roof Install Storm Damage Repair Historic Restoration
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Straight Line Roofing 470-586-2724 1613 W Hwy 78 Villa Rica, GA 30180
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