StarNews September 2021

StarNews

CARROLL COUNTY, GEORGIA’s ONLY LOCALLY OWNED / LOCALLY OPERATED NEWSPAPER

NEWS REPORTING / NEWS RECAP / NEWS ANALYSIS

Public swimming pool inspection scores, restaurant scores - page 21

Carroll EMC’s Annual Meeting: “You’ve Got Mail” -- page page 55

StarNews monthly traditional print publication / StarNews Online daily local news

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • VOLUME 27 NUMBER 9

New leadership at Carroll Tomorrow and the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce

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Proposed new landfill for Haralson continues to draw strong opposition

State Representative Tyler Paul Smith: “Let’s call it what it is - a dump”

by Wayne Reynolds a proposed site in the Buncombe area of Concerned Haralson County residents along Haralson County, would be the largest landfill with State House Representative Tyler Paul in the state of Georgia. While Rep. Smith fights Smith, District 18 (Carroll and Haralson coun- the landfill on a state level, concerned residents ties), strongly oppose a new landfill proposal by through the group “Haralson County Alliance Solid Solutions Development. The landfill, with for Responsible Waste Management “, fight on a local county level.

See HARALSON COUNTY DUMP page 4

CoVID fact: risk of death increases with Georgia Secretary of State absence of CoVID shots Brad Raffensperger visits Of the 99 local hospital deaths from CoVID in last 6 months, 93 had not received a CoVID shot of any kind

Carrollton Rotary Club to discuss election reform

by Wayne Reynolds Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger was guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Carrollton at the noon in-person meeting held Tuesday, August 24, 2021. He began his presentation by thanking the members of the club for their accomplishments in the community and worldwide. He then went on to say with a smile, “Wouldn’t [Washington] D.C. politicians be more effective if they followed the Rotary 4-way motto: Is it true?; Is it fair to be concerned?; Will it build goodwill and better friendships?; Will it be beneficial to all concerned? If we work together, we will get more done.”

Raffensperger, a Republican, was elected in

by Wayne Reynolds Dr. Laura Larson, chair of the Carroll County Board of Health and Medical Director of Infection Prevention for Tanner Health System, was guest speaker at the Wednesday, August 11th Villa Rica Leadership Luncheon, a well attended gathering that included many Shown above left and right are Karen Handel and Rhyne Owenby. Handel was community leaders. Dr. Larson presented an hired in July as the new CEO/president of the Carroll County Chamber of See COVID UPDATE page 7 Commerce and Carroll Tomorrow. Owenby was recently promoted from director of Business Development at the chamber to vice president. Photo by Sue Horn

by Wayne Reynolds interview with StarNews to discuss the Rhyne Owenby was recently promoted to changes occurring at the chamber, and what the position of vice president of the Carroll the business community at large may expect County Chamber of Commerce, joining in the near future. The first question asked Karen Handel as part of the new leadership of was as to how Handel ended up in Carroll See RAFFENSPERGER page 6 that local organization designed to promote County, considering her wide and varied Tanner Health System and protect the interests of area businesses. career. “I love this community,” said Handel.

Upcoming Vaccination Clinics Handel was hired in July as president and “One of the advantages of a statewide politi- by Wayne Reynolds CEO of the chamber and Carroll Tomorrow, a cal campaign was that my husband Steve and Do you know the signs of Alzheimer’s? Do for individuals needing first or second dose countywide public-private economic develop- I got to travel around the state visiting a vari- you or someone from your church or business Register for an appointment by visiting ment organization that was formed in 2001. ety of communities. We loved Carroll County, know how you can help? So many people are www.tanner.org/TakeMyShot Owenby had been hired by the chamber in and over the years have developed many impacted by Alzheimer’s, as it has not only a Third dose clinics will be announced soon 2019 as the director of Business friendships here. So, it is a small world that devastating impact on the patient, but family Development. Handel replaced presi- we ended up here. and caregivers as well. The Alzheimer’s Group For replacement of lost vaccination card, call Tanner Health Information dent/CEO Daniel Jackson who retired in “At the same time it is a professional of Carroll County, Inc has been helping those Management at 770-812-9606 March. opportunity for me,” she continued. “We are affected by Alzheimer’s disease for well over and select Option 2 Handel and Owenby sat down for a lengthy See KAREN HANDEL page 3 See ALZHEIMER’S GROUP page 10

Alzheimer’s Group of Carroll County: Teepa Snow to speak live on October 5th at Villa Rica First Baptist Church

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www.starnewsgaonline.com KAREN HANDEL from front page poised for great things here as we present a unified vision of where we are going….which has been presented by Carroll Tomorrow before my arrival and which we will fine tune as the community comes together. We need to understand what types of business we want to attract while at the same time cherishing and protecting our agricultural heritage.”

The two organizations - the chamber and Carroll Tomorrow - have a symbiotic relationship, whereas the chamber is committed to building a stronger business community by engaging progressive leadership and diverse resources, while Carroll Tomorrow is a unique organization that prepares for and promotes quality, sustainable growth in Carroll County.

Handel was born in Washington, D. C., and grew up in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. In a long and diverse career, she has worked extensively in both the private and public sector. In the private sector, she has worked for the global eye-care company Ciba Vision and the international accounting firm KPMG. She served as president and CEO of the Greater Fulton County Chamber of Commerce as well as Senior Vice President of public policy at Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a charity focused on fighting breast cancer.

In the public sector. she had a variety of positions including in United States House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019 and as Secretary of State of Georgia from 2007 to 2010, and Fulton County Board of Commissioners from 2003 to 2006.

When asked about how she will help small businesses, she stated, “The chamber is fueled by small businesses as well as large. Small businesses must have a seat at the table, too.

We need to make sure they have the opportunity to meet large businesses which will open doors. Just like with large businesses we need

to find out what they need. The days of just doing a ribbon cutting are over. We ain’t your granddaddy’s chamber!”

Handel said of Carroll County, “We have so many assets, and we are poised to be an even greater community than we already are. . . I want to be super focused on two points. One, making sure our chamber’s giving value to our investors; and secondly, helping our community find that unified vision for what we want to be, because the growth is coming. We as a community need to get ahead of it if we want to drive our own destiny.”

She continued, “We need to need to focus on high quality jobs versus quantity of jobs. . . .

We get multiple calls a week about warehouse distribution, and that gets to my point about getting ahead of the growth so that we can make a proactive determination of what we think really fits in our community. And I don’t think that having back to back to back to back to back warehouse distribution is what we want.

“We want to talk to our legacy companies and our new companies about what are the kinds of companies that help them be able to streamline their supply chain. What are the opportunities with a really terrific university and technical college, making sure we are really leveraging those assets as well.

Referencing the fact that Carroll County is just about half rural/agricultural, she said, “We also need to find that sweet spot that lets us really cherish and protect our very rich agricultural history.”

“Interestingly, hydroponic farming - just this week, I’ve had three calls about it!” she exclaimed. “If you are a hydroponic farm that does the prepackaged prewashed lettuces that you buy at the grocery store - what a great fit that is for Mt. Zion, and out that way. You could grow jobs - thirty, forty, fifty jobs a

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Karen Handel, newly hired president/CEO of Carroll County Chamber of Commerce and Carroll Tomorrow, sat down with StarNews in a recent interview to discuss the direction of these two local economic driving entities.

Handel, a past Georgia Secretary of State, and past president and CEO of the Greater Fulton County Chamber of Commerce, emphasized that, ‘the chamber is fueled by small businesses as well as large. Small businesses must have a seat at the table, too.” Photo by Sue Horn piece, but also really protect that agricultural area,” she shared.

Insofar as high tech jobs, she said, “One of the things that will come out of our Carroll Tomorrow strategy is having a deeper understanding of what those opportunities are that are ancillary to our existing industry.”

Handle also mentioned having received an inquiry about steel building manufacturing.

Handel mentioned that the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce now has 578 members

48 of those as new members this year.

“I think with COVID, people are rethinking their quality of life, forming new companies.

As I learned from my chamber experience in Greater Atlanta Fulton County Chamber was to ask questions and that is what I am doing. We are striving to reach that sweet spot on the types of businesses we wish to attract. Our job is to support our communities and its leaders, so together we can achieve the most we can achieve,” she concluded.

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HARALSON COUNTY DUMP from front page

Smith explained, “This is a statewide problem, as well as a Haralson County problem, and I introduced legislation in the last session to limit landfills in Georgia. Solid Solutions preys on poorer counties like Haralson with promState Rep. ises of tax revenue and Tyler Paul Smith jobs. Waste management has a powerful lobby in the legislature and my bill did not make it out of committee.

Smith explained, “Georgia is a pro waste management state, and we understand we need to work hard to get it passed in the next session.

I, along with State Senator Jason Anivatarte, will work diligently to pass a bill that protects residents, particularly in rural counties through bi-partisan support. In fact, this bill is my number 1 legislative priority in the next session,” Smith exclaimed. “And let’s call this landfill what it is - a dump!”

Johnny Wright of Haralson County Alliance said, “As of today, Solid Solutions has still not made an application for rezoning of property to be used for the mega landfill project. We do not know why they are delaying, but we do expect the application will be forthcoming,” According to their website, Solid Solutions Development, Inc., specializes in bringing long-term economic development projects to rural communities by partnering with them in permitting and constructing critical environmental infrastructure needed for their sustained growth. They have opened an office in Tallapoosa.

Solid Solutions has purchased land within Haralson County and is proposing a massive 2,000 acre landfill site. In a June 4th letter to Haralson County residents, Solid Solutions stated that their proposed landfill would have an area of 300 acres on a 2,000-acre site.

According to a March 2020, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency spreadsheet, currently the largest landfill in Georgia is 210 acres on a 560 acre site.

“Buncombe is a beautiful rural area with good farmland,” Smith continues. “This proposal has discouraged residents from buying land in the area, as well as current owners utilizing their property, as you can imagine.

Landfills present a host of concerns and problems. The water supply will be in jeopardy as the waste leaks into the streams in the area, contaminating the water.

“And because it is close to the Alabama border, it could continue across state lines creating a host of lawsuits. Love thy neighbor? It will create lawsuits until Jesus comes back to call his children home! It is simply too close to water supplies. Do I need to mention the odor it will create? And what about the gases that will emirate from the area?,” said Wright.

Opponents are concerned that coal ash ponds would be created, with possibly property values deceasing.

Wright said, “We need responsible waste management. We already have one closed dump in Haralson County off Cashtown Road that sits idle. What do you do with a closed dump site?”

Like Haralson Alliance, Smith, who resides in Bremen, proposes conservation measures to improve conditions at the current landfill sites as well as reducing waste. “We need to use existing landfills more effectively with methods to break down old trash. As residents, we need to utilize recycling better. We need every area, including urban areas like Atlanta, to be stewards of their own waste. We don’t want coal

ash taken to the landfill for environmental dents living in all parts of Haralson County. safety reasons! We need to conduct a study to According to their website their goals are: find out exactly what the lifespan of current - prevent Haralson County from becoming landfills are, Solid Solutions has purchased land within the home of the including the one Solid Solutions Haralson County and is proposing a in Polk County landfill which massive 2,000 acre landfill site . . . where our waste is would be the largest currently taken.”

Solid Solutions stated that their proposed landfill in Georgia.

On the local landfill would have an area of 300 acres - reduce the harm front, the Haralson done to those living on a 2,000-acre site. There are more County Alliance near the Polk than 500 homes in the area affected for Responsible County landfill by the proposed site, many with wells Waste where Haralson Management was County waste is as the source for their water. formed by many presently dumped. concerned Haralson County residents whose - turn waste into wealth via recycling to crehomes are located in the vicinity of this mas- ate more jobs and bolster the regional sive landfill proposed by Solid Solutions. There economy. are more than 500 homes in the area affected “Companies like Solid Solutions are countby the proposed site, many with wells as the ing on you not caring,” Rep. Smith says. “As a source for their water. county and as a state, we must show them we The Alliance has since grown to include resi- do care through local participation and through

Southwire

legislation on the statewide level. At the moment we are the number one state to do business in. We don’t want to become the number one state to dump trash in!”

For more information on the Haralson Alliance go to Haralsonalliance.org.

As of press time, Solid Solutions had not responded to StarNews’ email questions. For more information on Solid Solutions: http://solidsolutionsdev.com/ Tyler Paul Smith is an attorney, having earned a Bachelor’s Degree in political science from The Citadel and a Juris Doctor Degree from John Marshall Law School.

Smith (Republican Party) is a member of Georgia House of Representatives, representing District 18. He won the general election on November 3, 2020, assumed office on January 11, 2021, and his current term ends on January 8, 2023. Smith may be reached at: tyler.smith@house.ga.gov 404-657-1803

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StarNews September 12, 2021 Page 5

Review Carroll EMC's Annual Meeting Newsletter

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Page 6 September 12, 2021

StarNews

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RAFFENSPERGER from front page sion, while in 2020, Republicans claimed voter the 2018 General Election. The Secretary of fraud. So, we think this bill will eliminate these State in Georgia oversees elections and is claims.” chairman of the state election board. The secreIn 2019, a verifiable paper ballot was introtary also oversees business registration and duced with House Bill 316. For the 2020 elecoccupational licensing. He said, “More corpo- tion, he said he oversaw a 100% hand recount, rations were formed last year in a pandemic three separate times, with the same verified year than ever before. This is the best place to results. In Fulton County, he said there was a build a business.” problem with a few ballots The Secretary of State being scanned twice, which Raffensperger is the CEO in Georgia oversees and owner of Tendon was corrected. He also said Systems, LLC. Tendon is a elections and is chairman minor problems were found in specialty contracting and a few counties like in Floyd of the state election engineering design firm with County. board. The secretary nearly 150 employees. The Another feature of the bill also oversees firm has operated in 35 differwas that voter lines on business registration ent states. Raffensperger also Election Day must be kept owns and operates a specialty and occupational shorter than one hour. Also, steel manufacturing plant every county must have at licensing. . . . “More based in Forsyth County. corporations were formed least one drop box with 24 Additionally, he served two hour surveillance. In the 2020 terms in the Georgia General last year in a pandemic election, 25 counties had none. year than ever before.” Now, he explained, every Assembly from 2015-2019.

He earned a bachelor’s degree county must have a drop box in civil engineering from Western University for every 100,000 voters. and was awarded his MBA from Georgia State Raffensperger said, “As for the water ban in University. He is a licensed Professional this bill that has gained so much attention, peoEngineer in over 30 states. Brad and his wife, ple cannot pass out water within 150 feet. We Tricia, have been married for 42 years and live observed people with T-shirts clearly supportin Johns Creek. Brad is a member of North ing one candidate touching the voters one more Point Community Church. time.” Raffensperger did state that no one was The majority of his presentation to the reported wearing a shirt bearing a candidate’s Rotarians was devoted to the state election name. reform bill 202. He stated, “Bill 202 was a Another aspect of the new election law is the compromise legislation. It moves away from ability to hold counties accountable. He signature match verification,” which he called explained that Fulton County, for example, has “subjective rather than objective”. had issues since 1993 and “they can’t seem to Now, residents must show a photo ID with fix their problems”. Now, there is a review birth date and driver license number. process that includes a Republican and a Raffensperger said, “[Democrat candidate] Democrat to investigate and report back. It is Stacy Abrams lost by 55,000 votes in 2018 run- possible now for the state board of elections to ning for governor and claimed voter suppresSee NEW ELECTION LAW page 10

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Labor department’s physical locations remain closed; current number of employed in Carroll County at 55,935

The state’s department of labor physical locations closed at the beginning of the CoVID pandemic in March 2020, remain closed. Shown above is the Carrollton department of labor building closed and locked with the grass growing high.

Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler issued a press release that stated Carroll County registered an all time low unemployment rate in July 2021. “We are seeing positive labor market data across the state,” said Commissioner Butler. “The unemployment rate is down in every region, county, and metropolitan statistical area reflecting the strength of our state’s economy.”

The labor force increased in Carroll County ending the month of July 2021 with 55,935 employed. That number is up 2,705 from July of 2020.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed about 684 active job postings in Carroll County.

UCB 2019 21

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September 12, 2021 Page 7

Shown above center is Loy Howard, longtime CEO/president of Tanner Health System at the Carrollton Kiwanis Club Friday, September 3, 2021. Howard gave a heartfelt presentation on how the current CoVID pandemic is affecting the hospital, sharing that the area hospitals are at capacity Shown above on stage is Dr. Laura Larson speaking unmasked but at a safe with an overflow most of the time, even having to convert closets into patients’ rooms. distance from the mostly unmasked crowd at the ”Leadership Luncheon”, Villa Howard said, “I never thought I would use this word to decribe Tanner: overwhelmed. We are Rica Civic Center and Sports Complex, August 11, 2021. Dr. Larson has been overwhelmed by CoVID. We have had three waves of it so far and we went into this crisis in March faithfully at the forefront of the CoVID-pandemic locally since it began midof 2020 already short on nurses. Healthcare is a team sport; it is my hope that more of us will get March 2020. Villa Rica Main Street presents the Leadership Luncheon several vaccinated. The shots give you a fighting chance.” times each year and is open to the public. For information on the next luncheon, Shown left and right are the club’s president Craig Willard and vice president Johnny Tanner. contact Janet Chumley, Main Street Manager: jchumley@villarica.org COVID UPDATE from front page Tanner Health Systems March 19, 2020, followed the next day staff. As of July 9, 2021 over 23,000 doses had been adminisoverview and timeline of the CoVID pandemic specifically for by white medical tents set up outside the Carrollton, Villa Rica, tered to the community. She also emphasized her gratitude to Carroll County, plus she shared some strong statistics that have and Bremen hospitals for CoVID testing. By March 23rd, 2020, the community for their support and particularly the donations come to light during his year. all Tanner Hospitals prohibited almost all visitor access. On of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment; masks, etc.) to keep the Dr. Larson, a Carroll County native, is board-certified in April 5th, outside ‘carside’ testing with a doctor’s order began in staff safer when shortages arose. As of the week oa August 11, infectious diseases. She earned her medical degree from the Carrollton.

2021, only 24% of all people who were tested were found to be Mercer University School of Medicine and completed her resiBy early August, (according to the John Hopkins positive. Also this week, represents the highest number hospitaldency and fellowship at Shands Hospital at the University of University’s website dashboard) Carroll County had 1542 con- ized (95) since the COVID outbreak started. Dr. Larson said Florida. She is board certified by the American Board of firmed cases with 42 deaths.

335 (in the Tanner five hospital two state system) have died Internal Medicine-Internal Medicine and American Board of “On December 22, 2020, we received a Christmas miracle as since the outbreak and 80 since February.

Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases, and is part of the team at the health system’s first shipment of COVID-19 VACCINES Dr Larson revealed she had participated in the clinical study Infectious Diseases of West Georgia in Carrollton. had arrived,” Dr. Larson said. of the Moderna Vaccine in August 2020. She also expressed her She recapped that the first confirmed positive cases of On December 28th, Tanner announced almost 1,000 first- confidence in the CoVID shots by stating she had personally CoVID-19 - eight cases on the same day - were received by round CoVID shots had been administered to the healthcare See DR. LAURA LARSON page 12

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Shirley F. Alexander, 71,Jr., Tiffanee Dawne Shirley F. Jones, Alexander, age 71, Tiffanee Dawne “Tiff” Cook, Master Danny Joe age Jones, Cook, Jerry Scott Shedd,“Tiff” age Cook, 53, Tiff” Cook, Master Danny Joe Jr., Master Danny Jones, Jr., Scott Shedd, age 53, Jerry Scott Shedd, age 53, Master Shirley F. Joe Alexander, age 71, Jerry Tiffanee Dawne “Tiff” Cook, Danny Joe1947, Jones,died Jr., age Jerry Scott Shedd, age12,53,1973, born November 27, 45, born October born November 27, 1947, died age 45, born October 12, 1973, age 2 months, born May 16, 2019, Alice Virginia “Ginny” Childs, age 82, born Deborah A. Mahan, age 70, born October 16, 1950, 2, 12, 1973, died Monday, July 8, 2019 1973,ageage 2 months, born May 16, 2019, 2 months, born May 2019, died Monday, July 8,8, 2019 died Monday, July 2019 Smith, ageJuly 84, born January 15, born November 27,16, 1947, died age 45, born October 12, 1973, age 2 July months, May 16,Joyce 2019,Maxine died 2019 Sunday, 14,born 2019 diedMonday, Friday, July8,12, 2019 age Sunday, July 14,2019 2019 diedRonald Friday, July 12, 2019 age died Thursday, July 4, 2019 David Ronald Simpson, 019 died Thursday, July 4, 2019 died Thursday, July 4, Simpson, David Ronald Simpson, agedied December 17, 1938, died Tuesday, 2021 died Sunday, August Sunday, July 14, 2019 August 10, David died Friday, July 12, 2019 8, 2021 1937, died September 3, 2021 Thursday, July 4, 2019 David Ronald Simpson, age 92, Dwight Bishop, Jr., age 62, James B. Dean, age Dwight Bishop, Jr., age70, 62,born James B.1948, Dean,died ageJuly 92, “Marjorie” Nell Lovvorn, age 70, born July 21, 1948, died geage92,92, “Marjorie” July Nell Lovvorn, age “Marjorie” Nell Lovvorn, age July 21, born July 1948, died July Dwight Bishop, Jr., age 62,70, James B.21, Dean, age 92, “Marjorie” Nell Lovvorn, age 70, born July 21, 1948, died July Jimmy Matthew Collins, age 47, born September 6, Gerald Ben Maxwell, age 79, born April 7, 1942, born September 28, 1956, died born September 02, 1926, died Jason Brian Smith, age 56, born February 25, 1965, born September 28,died 1956, died born September 02, 1926, died 86, born August 3, 1932, died 26, died 09, 2019 1926, died86,86, born August 3, 1932, born August 3, 1932, died 09,09, 2019 2019 born September 28, 1956, died born September 02,August 1926,24, died 86, born August 3, 1932, died 09, 2019 Tuesday, July 9, 2019 Wednesday, July 3, 2019 1973, died Wednesday, August 18, 2021 died Tuesday, 2021 Tuesday, July 9, 2019 Wednesday, July 3, 2019 Wednesday, July 10, 2019 Zellie5, Fred 19 died Thursday August 2021 Sprewell, age 94, Wednesday, July 10, 2019 Wednesday, July 2019 Zellie Fred Zellie FredSprewell, Sprewell, age94, 94,Wednesday, Tuesday, July10, 9, 2019 Wednesday, July 3, 2019age July 10, 2019 Zellie Fred Sprewell, age 94, age Brasseal “Don” Bonner, Barry Bushon Dickerson, Donald Brasseal “Don” Bonner, BarryReverend Bushon Dickerson, ageDonald Andra Dixon McGill, age 76, on, ageage Andra born February 28, 1925,6, died erson, Terry Joe Dewberry, age 40, died Thursday, August Doctor Carl Dean Milford, age 84, born Dixon McGill, age 76, Andra Dixon McGill, age 76, born February 28, 1925, died born February 28, 1925, died Tressa Lynn Spray, age 57, 28, born January 1964, Donald Brasseal “Don” Bonner, Barry Bushon Dickerson, age Andra Dixon McGill, age 76, born February 1925, died age 76, born June 05, 1943, died 68, born September 7, died age 76, born June 05, 1943, died 68, born September 7, 1950, died born October 18, 1941, died Saturday, July 27, 2019 1950, 50, died 1950, diedborn October 18, 1941, died born October 18, 1941, died Saturday, July 27, 2019 Saturday, July 27, 19, 2021 onSeptember March 4, 2019 1937, dieddied Wednesday, August 11, 2021 age 76, born June 05, 1943, died 68, born 7, 1950, born October 18, 1941, died Saturday, July 27, 2019 died August 25, 2021 Wednesday, July 10, 2019 Friday, July 19, 2019 Wednesday, July 10, 2019 Friday, July 19, 2019 Wednesday, July 17, 2019 Daniel Lance Walker, age 40, Wednesday, July 17,17, 2019 Wednesday, July 2019 Daniel Lance Daniel Lance Walker,age age40, 40,Wednesday, Wednesday, July 10, age 2019 Friday, July 19,Walker, 2019 July 2019 Daniel Lance Walker, age 40, Kenneth “Ken” Mark Harris, 61,age born 53, January Hooper Wilkins Morrow, age 80, Eugene born May 22,17, John D. Brown, Jr., age 53, Bobbie Jean Dodderer, age 84, Khia Ann Thomas, age 46, born April 9, 1975, John D. Mullis, Brown, Jr., Bobbie Jean Dodderer, age 84, Parker Mullis, Jr., age ageage 84,84, Eugene born September 18, 1978, dieddied rer, Parker Mullis, Jr., age Eugene Parker Jr., age born September 18, 1978, died born September 18, 1978, died John D. Brown, Jr., age 53, Bobbie Jean Dodderer, age 84, Eugene Parker Mullis, Jr., age born September 18, 1978, died born August 18, 1965, died July born July 9, 1935, died Monday, born August 18, 1965, died July born July 9, 1935, died Monday, 19, 1960, died Sunday, August 22, 2021 Nancy 1941, died July 29, 2021 70, born December 31,Saturday, 1948, died Monday, Sunday, July 21, 2019 d Monday,70,70, born December 1948, died 14, 2021 born December 31, 1948, died Sunday, 21, 2019 Sunday, July 21, 2019 born August31, 18, 1965, died July born July July 9, 1935, died Monday, 70, born December 31, 1948, diedAugust Sunday, 21, 2019 22, 2019 JulyDeborah 22,July 2019 22, 2019 July 22,“Debbie” 2019 Monday, July 8, 2019 “Debbie” Ann West, Monday, July 8, 2019 Monday, July 8, 2019 Deborah Ann West, Deborah “Debbie” Ann West, Whitman Hutcheson, age 70, born April 28, 1951, died Mark A. Nixon, Sr., age 69, born November 5, 1951, Dr. Laurie Jowers Ware, age 67, born October 22, 2019 July 22, 2019 Monday, July 8, 2019 Deborah “Debbie” Ann West, 31, Marie Elizabeth Phillips Bryce, Anna Marsella Fazio, age Marie Elizabeth Phillips Bryce, Anna Marsella Fazio, age Randy Lee Nichols, age 66, o, age 58, died July 22, 2019 azio,ageage Friday, Randy Lee Nichols, age 66, Randy Lee Nichols, age 66, age 58, died July 22, 2019 age 58, died July 22, 2019 Marie Elizabeth Phillips Bryce, Annadied Marsella Fazio, age August 20, 2021 August 6, 2021 Randy Lee Nichols, age 66, age 58, died July 22, 2019 age 89, born September 14, 1929, 85, born on Jan 1, 1934, died 1953, died Sunday, August 15, 2021 age24, 89, 1953, borndied September 14, 1929, 85, born on Jan 1, 1934,age died born June 24, 1953, died Friday, 4, died Wallace Allen Worthan, age 1934, diedborn June 24, Friday, born June died Friday, Wallace Worthan, Wallace Allen Worthan, ageborn age 89,1953, born September 14, 1929, 85, born Allen on JanBrewer 1, 1934, died JuneSeptember 24, 1953, died Friday, Wallace Allen8, Worthan, age died Saturday, July 20, 2019 Monday, July 2019 Linda Reeves Jolley, age 81, born July 12, 1940, Kathy Patterson, age 75, born 22, died Saturday, July 20, 2019 Monday, July 8, 2019 Carolyn Irene Gilbert Westbrook, born July 26, 2019 56, died Monday, Julyage 15,82, 2019 July 26,26, 2019 July 2019 died Monday, 15, 2019 died Monday, July 15, 2019 Earl died Saturday, July 20, 2019 56,56, Monday, July 8, July 2019 July 26, 2019 56, died Monday, July 15, 2019 Wayne Carden, age 80, Harris Nell Griffin Jennings, Earl Wayne Carden, age 80, Harris Nell Griffin Jennings, Saturday, August 7, 2021 1945, died Tuesday, August 31, 2021 Ara Bell D. Sanders, age 79, ennings, Carol Judith Chapman, age 55, Jennings, died AraAra BellBell D. D. Sanders, age 79, Sanders, age 79,80, Carol Judith Chapman, age 55, Carol Judith Chapman, age 55, Ara January 22, 1939, died Friday, August 13, 2021 Earl Wayne Carden, age Harris Nell Griffin Jennings, Bell D.29, Sanders, agedied 79, Carol Judith Chapman, age 55, born October 1938, age 83, died Tuesday, July 2, born October 29, 1938, died age 83, died Tuesday, July 2, born August 06, 1939, died July JulyJuly 2, 2,born born June 24, 1964, died Sunday, ay, August 1939, died July born August 06, 1939, July born June 1964, Sunday, June 24, 1964, died Sunday, Jimmy Troy06, Landers, age29, 49,died born April 4,born 1972, Peggy Leedied Reid, age 65, born December 7,06, 1955, born October 1938, died age 83,24, died Tuesday, July 2, Elaine age 71, November 12, 1949, born August 1939, died JulyYancey, born June 24,born 1964, died Sunday, Friday, June 2019 Friday, June 28, 2019 2019 24, 201928, 2019 July 7, 2019 24, 2019 24, 2019 July 7, 2019 July 7, 2019 Friday, June 28, 2019 2019 7, 2019 died Sunday, August 29, 2021 died Monday, August 23, 202124, 2019 died Friday,July September 3, 2021

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CARROLL COUNTY, GEORGIA’s ONLY LOCALLY OWNED / LOCALLY OPERATED NEWSPAPER

HOW TO SPEND $11.6M from page 13 The commissioners discussed to 3rd and 4th floors, all at an estimated cost of some possibilities regarding the $1,000,000, along with $300,000 recomcounty park McIntosh Reserve, mended for Pathways Mental Health facility NEWS REPORTING / NEWS RECAP / NEWS ANALYSIS StarNews monthly traditional print publication / StarNews Online daily local news one of which was to purchase 30 and the CCMHA Mobile Crisis Response Unit.

APRIL 11, 2021 • VOLUME 27 NUMBER 4 www.starnewsgaonline.com Anne Lee and Avery Jackson presented a acres as an opportunity to Carroll County Mental WGTC announces LOFCR: Local Option Face Covering Requirement plan, requested by Sheriff Terry Langley, for provide a future footbridge across Health Advocates ask Governor removes mask mandate, eliminates ban on large gatherings, reduces social early retirement insurance options for employnew president distancing to 42 inches in some cases, moves mask wearing decision to the local levels the public to help be the river to connect to the Dr. Julie Post will begin job April 16th Effective for time frame of April 1st through April 30th ees who have worked longer than 20 years and their “missing link” from press release eliminated (but “strongly encouraged” by the

by Sue Horn Chattahoochee BendwillState

by Janice Daniel Dr. Julie Post, Vice President of Student Affairs are older than 60 years, and who are onlyThis summer Disney cruisers On Thursday, April 1, 2021, Governor Brian governor) and replaced with a Local Option Face enjoy Park. not one, The Carroll County Mental Healthsubscription Your at Gwinnett Technical College, has been selected Kemp signed three executive Coveringcruisers Requirement (LOFCR) giving not a city, one, orders, of which This summer Disney will enjoy Advocates will be hosting their 2nd at the next president of West Georgia Technical one (temporarily)This working for the health insurance benefits.

Lee or other government entity not the authority eliminates the year longDisney CoVid county, summer cruisers will enjoy one, but two stops at Castaway Cay! What makes annual community event “Miles for College (WGTC), as announced by Technical large gatherings ban and toat continue to impose the requirement of wearing any remaining stops Castaway makes was asked to poll the 22 employees who are Chairman Morgan will be Mental Health - Running Over the College System of Georgianews Commissioner Greg sheltering-in-place for the time period April 8th a mask “when not able to maintain Social brings you but but twotwo stops at Castaway Cay!Cay! WhatWhat makes Hurdles Together” 5K and 1-mile Fun Castaway Cay so special? There are uniquely Dozier. She will begin her duties at West Georgia though April 30th. And although the mask wear- Distancing from non-cohabitating persons”.

Run on Saturday, May 15th, 2021, at Castaway Cay so special?

There are uniquely recommending Lackey Tech April 16, 2021. Pat Hannon has been interim ing requirement has been (temporarily) elimicurrentlyVacation eligible Planner as to their in the early designed Social distancing has been from 6 feet ***Magical is ainterest professional the Greenbelt at Hobbs Farm, 1147 Castaway Cay local so special?

There arereduced uniquely areas for kids, Donna adults, and families! presidentVacation of West Georgia Tech sinceisDr.aScott to 3.5 feet (42 inches) of separation between Planner professional nated at the state level, itdesigned was moved to aareas Rome Street, Carrollton, ***Magical Georgia. for kids, adults, and families!

Rule retired as President December information! retirement plan.

If provided, the plan would not ***Magical Vacation Planner is 31,a 2020. professional as the new County Clerk, and level decision. Specifically, for the time period seating/parties at restaurants, bars, and movie concierge Registration begins atand 2:00 pm, Fun service that provides the ultimate designed areas for kids, adults, and families!

Explore the island by bike, choose a new water April 1-30, 2021, the mask mandate has been See WGTC NEW See LOCAL OPTIONchoose FACE COVERING pagewater 5 service thatPRESIDENT providespage the8 ultimate Run begins at 3:00 pm, and concierge 5K Run Explore the island by bike, a new go into effect until July 1, 2022. begins at 4:00 pm. Proceeds will bene- service that provides the ultimate concierge Dianne Roberts as a Deputy Clerk customer service experience for guests Explore the island by bike, choose a new water adventure, soak up the sun on a white sandy A scant 0.039% of Carroll County voters fit the Carroll County Mental Health customer service experience for guests adventure, up the a white sandy There was some discussion of the tax digest Advocate programs. Additional inforparticipated in Referendum customer service experience for guests adventure, soaksoak upSPLOST the sunsun on aonwhite sandy island beach, and so much more! Everything traveling to various Disney destinations, mation can be obtained at the Carroll by Sue Hornbeach, and so much more!

85,888 island Everything and the millage rate for FY2022. The millage traveling to various Disney destinations, County Mental Health Advocates The commissioners Thebeach, March 16,and 2021so Carroll Number of Carroll County citizens island much more!

Everything traveling to various Disney destinations, you need for a perfect discussed day at the some beachpossiis cruise vacations, and all-inclusive resorts. office at 306A Bradley Street, Nov. 2020beach Election is rate will be voted on at the August 31, 2021 County SPLOST (Special subscribe to StarNews, send $20 for you need for aPurpose perfectvoteddayin theat3,368 the cruise vacations, and all-inclusive resorts.

Carrollton, Georgia 30117, phone 770- to bilities regarding the county park McIntosh Local Option for Sales a Tax) passed by day at the you need perfect beach is included, even an all you can eat buffet lunch! cruise vacations, and all-inclusive resorts.

830-2048. an 81% margin with only 3,368 Number of Carroll County citizens included, anthose, all you eat buffet lunch!Special Called Meeting (see story page 13.)

The story of the CCMHA is one of Reserve, one ofme which wasFREE, to purchase 30 citizens participating. voted in the Marchlunch!

2021 FULL ONE YEAR subscription! included, eveneven an Ofall you canwhocan eat buffet for your true commitment to their mission. In SPLOST Referendum Chairman Morgan will be recommending acres asContact See 0.039%Contact VOTED page 19 for your me FREE, 2008, then Carroll County Probate an opportunity to provide a future Court Judge, Betty Cason (now Mayor Contact meobligation for yourapproves FREE, no obligation quote County commission Donna Lackey as the new County Clerk, and footbridge across ($10 for senior citizens) to: of Carrollton) brought together a no quote the river to connect to the group of concerned citizens for a conno obligation quotespending by Dianne Roberts as a Deputy Clerk at the regu- Chattahoochee Bend State Park. Corp amendment increasing of See FUNDRAISER page 7 $191,433 to match extra revenue lar September Board of Commissioner’s Engineer approval would be needed for the Georgia Labor Department

by Sue Horn absent) to increase the budget by At the 3:00 p.m. Thursday, April $191,433 to match increased reveissued more in meeting.

TravelReynolds Agent was tasked project. Commissioner 1, 2021 Special Called Meeting of nues. Three categories received the unemployment payments Agent the Carroll County BoardTravel of bulk of the cash: $53,000 has been Public Works Director Charles Pope pre- with researching the possible purchase as well Travel Agent in last 12 months than Commissioners, an amendment was assigned to increased “salaries”; passed 6-0 (one commissioner was See $191,433 page 11 sented a vehicle replacement schedule for as potential private and state funding. prior 82 years Name CoVID-19 statistics for Georgia and Carroll County 1911-2019: $20.024 Billion paid review. There are currently 118 vehicles in the Chairman Morgan requested that Chance one year: March 23, 2020- April 5, 2021 2020 alone: $20.218 Billion paid GEORGIA county fleet with over 100,000 miles. He will and Tim Padgett develop the proposed project CARROLL COUNTY from press release As of APRIL 5, 2021: As of APRIL 5, 2021: The Georgia Department of Labor Life going forward, and out of the pandemic Address 856,340 total confirmed cases 7,271 total confirmed cases be presenting a request for new mowing trac- description for the RFP on the Villa Rica Fire (GDOL) recently surpassed a major 16,749 total deaths 129 total deaths As pandemic restrictions have eased (3.5 feet now for some milestone in the organization paying Estimated state population: 10.6M Estimated county population: 122,000 tors and excavators at the September meeting. Station, based on design needs and wants. This claimants more in the past 12 months social distancing/mask use encouraged but not mandated), civic Death total represents Death total represents Zip than in all of the combined years that clubs are returning to more normal functioning, including the 0.00158% of population 0.001% of population He will now be asking bidders to provide a would need to be ready for discussion at the GDOL has been in existence. Carrollton Kiwanis Club who recently hosted Carroll County’s Source: Georgia Department of Public Health dph.georgia.gov/covid-19 Georgians have received $20.218 bil- fire chief Tim Padgett. See story page 6. Photo by Sue Horn service commitment/agreement when avail- October Commissioners meeting. lion in unemployment insurance (UI) See $20.218 BILLION page 27 able, and this request for service commitments Meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m. on DON’T MISS AN ISSUE! will be part of future RFPs, when applicable. $20 $10 Senior Citizen August 25, 2021.

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ALZHEIMER’S GROUP from front page on caregivers. Please keep in mind that on three decades. “I think we have been true to average, people who have Alzheimer’s generour mission for these past 31 years in providing ally go three years undiagnosed and then live our local residents education, respite, and sup- on average, seven to ten years. So, as soon as it port for those affected by this dreaded disease,” is safe, we will continue the respite program!”

There are materials and tools that the reflects Jenn Nasser, president of The Alzheimer’s Group of Alzheimer Group of Please join them for a special Carroll County provides.

Carroll County, Inc. “In event in hearing renowned If you are interested in addition, we haveworked to offer education and national speaker and Dementia checking out books or needing more educaawareness to the commuauthority, Teepa Snow on nity in general. We want Tuesday, October 5th at First tional information such as videos, articles, semito share some of the proBaptist Church, Villa Rica, in her nars, and other referral grams we offer and hope only Georgia appearance this sources, feel free to conyou will join us. We think year. The topic is “Navigating tact them at 770-832we can offer education so 9010 and they will be your business, church, The Journey of Dementia” more than happy to supgroup, or family can identify symptoms but also how to handle the ply what you may need. They will also prosituation. Many wait until there is a crisis vide speakers for your civic organization, because they simply didn’t know or realize church group, or business so you can better understand this disease and its effects. what was happening to their loved one.”

So, what should you look for if you think “If you read no further, we want everyone affected to know: - you are not alone,” Nasser someone you know and love is suffering from said. “The outpouring of help and resources Alzhimer’s? Some signs of a problem may has been amazing. For those of you not famil- include short-term memory loss. For example iar with Alzheimer’s, it is a 24 hour/7 days a they forget to bathe or change their clothes, week challenge for a caregiver. I want to thank thinking they already have. We all lose our car both our members and the community for their keys, but we don’t find them in the freezer is another example. They might have difficulty hard work and support to these caregivers!”

The Alzheimer’s Group of Carroll County is learning new tasks or they might not be able to a non-profit organization in which all monies do a task they always have done. They have raised stays here in local communities, putting judgment issues such as paying a worker a a face with the money. The group consists of ridiculous price for a service they had done the geriatric professionals who volunteer to serve previous year, for example re-roofing a house.

“But, please have them checked by a profesthe community to help families find more information for their loved ones. The sional as there are a variety of diseases and Alzheimer’s Group is dependent upon dona- medications that may present similar symptoms and could be remedied,” volunteer memtions, fundraising, and grants.

“We always need more volunteers and more ber Lisa Deming suggests.

The Alzheimer’s Group of Carroll County funds,” Nasser said, “Please call us today at 770-832-9010 for more information on volun- provides a variety of events to raise awareness teering your time. If you would like to make a and funds to continue their work. Whether you donation, please mail your check to P.O. Box have a family member with Alzheimer’s or you may simply want to honor a loved one by pur1272, Carrollton Georiga, 30112.”

The money raised supports monthly support chasing a brick at The Alzheimer’s Garden at group meetings for caregivers, education mate- Worthy Park in Carrollton at the corner of West rials and books to community members and Avenue and Dixie Street. Each brick is $100 professional caregivers, resource events, com- and can be ordered online at www. munity educational sessions to employers, alzgroup.org, alzgroupofcc@gmail.com, or by civic groups, and church groups, and tempo- calling 770-832-9010. Again, all funds raised rary respite care to caregivers for those who stay here helping local caregivers.

Please join them for a special event in hearqualify. Everyone needs a break. Respite care provides caregivers a temporary rest from care- ing renowned national speaker and Dementia giving, while the person with Alzheimer con- authority, Teepa Snow on Tuesday, October 5th tinues to receive care in a safe environment. at First Baptist Church, Villa Rica, in her only Using respite services can support and Georgia appearance this year. The topic is “Navigating The Journey of Dementia”.The strengthen your ability to be a caregiver.

Nasser continued, “With the pandemic, we church is located at 1483 W. Highway 78 in are not able to offer respite services at the Villa Rica.The public is welcome. There is a moment, which makes it even more stressful $10 fee, which includes lunch. Registration NEW ELECTION LAW from page 6 manage that county’s elections. Also, absentee ballot requests must be made 11 days before the election so there is ample time to get ballots to the voter and back again.

Raffensperger took questions from the audience (both in-person and through zoom) and responded to an inquiry about the controversy concerning a phone conversation he had with former President Donald Trump shortly after the November 2020 General Election.

Raffensperger said has twenty investigators who tape record phone conversations when deemed necessary, with Chief investigator Frances Watson recording every conversation.

Raffensperger affirmed that he personally did not tape the Trump conversation, and that the taped conversation was released to clarify the issues after misrepresentations were published.

He said believes Trump was given wrong information. One claim was that up to 55,000 people voted who were not registered to vote.

“We found only two,” he said.

Raffensperger also explained that in Georgia underage residents can register to vote before age 18 as long as they are 18 years old on Election Day. His office found none (zero) who were ineligible to vote.

Raffensperger is encouraging a constitutional amendment that requires voters must be United States citizens. At present, there is a loophole can allow non-citizens to vote.

Moving forward, his office will focus on cyber security which Raffensperger believes it is the largest threat to election integrity.

In conclusion, he stated, “We are always looking for ways to improve fair and honest elections. The machines were effective and accurate. In every election, half are happy and half are sad.”

The Rotary Club of Carrollton, established in 1939, celebrated its 80th birthday in 2019. The club meets on Tuesdays at noon at Sunset Hills Country Club.

starts at 8:30 a.m., the event begins at 9:00 a.m. and should end around 4:30 p.m. Please register online at alzgroup.org.

Once again, and again, because of the pandemic, the Family Fun Day has been moved to the spring. Their annual Benefit Dinner and Auction, which is their largest fundraiser each year, will be held at WPA Center on Friday November 19th at 6:30 p.m. There will be both a Silent Auction and Live Auction. There will be live entertainment by Lard Bucket and a catered dinner by Josh McCorley. For individuals, tickets are $50; $400 for a table of eight.

They have seating for only 175, so please call 770-832-9010 to reserve your seat. Also if your business or church would like to offer items of any kind for auction please call that same number. It is always a fun evening that helps bring a little joy to others who need it so much.

This hard-working volunteer non-profit group works year around to provide awareness,

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support, and respite to the Alzheimer’s community. Won’t you take a moment and lend a helping hand, whether purchasing a brick, requesting a speaker for your group, attending the resource day, or simply making a donation?

Alzheimer’s already affects one in three of you reading this today in some way, either as a caregiver, family member, or as a patient.

When safe, monthly Support Group meetings will be held in both Carrollton and Bremen.

“At these meetings we typically will have a speaker, a time to share experiences, and a time to share ideas,” Jenn Nasser explained. “Most find it a bonding positive experience. At the moment we are hosting meetings on Zoom the first Tuesday of the month.”

Learn more today: www.alz.org, alzgroupofcc@gmail.com, on facebook at Alzheimer’s Group of Carroll County, or by calling 770832-9010.

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StarNews September 12, 2021

Page 11

Villa Rica Council and mayor recognize First Responders and more during lengthy meeting

Villa Rica Chief of Police Michael Mansour was voted Outstanding Chief of the Year 2021 by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police Summer Conference his mom’s house. Corporal Tolbert also made and public comments, 12 were residents of question. sure that his years of service recognition could Mirror Lake, and opposed to the City’s request.

According to City Attorney David Mecklin, be shared with his family.

The only one in favor was the representative of the Mirror Lake Subdivision was developed in Chief Mansour gave a presentation of the the developer who owns the property in See VILLA RICA COUNCIL page 12 2020 Annual Report, which gives information on employees, stats, budget, etc., but the Chief said the important part was the Dedication, which this year was to the Health Care Professionals of the Community for the very By retaining the 2020 millage rate in the wake of 2021 property reassessments, important part they played in the difficult time homeowners will pay a slight increase in 2021 property taxes, and council and of the pandemic, including EMTs and Firemen, mayor will have a larger budget to work with in 2022 who served others while enduring the stress of by Janice Daniel minus exemptions of $123,116,009, leaving a worrying about their own families. Eric Dalton, On Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., net figest of $700,741,698. After reassessments Administrator for Tanner, and Chief Tim the City Council and Mayor of Villa Rica met of existing real property and other changes to Padgett and Chief Bud Benefield of the Fire at the Holt-Bishop Justice Center, Municipal the taxable digest, the 2021 net digest was at Department, were present for the Dedication. Courtroom, 101 Main Street, Villa Rica, for the $732,138,973, a 4.48% increase over 2021.

Chief Mansour stated that he had also issued first 2022 Budget Workshop and the first State law requires the calculation of a “rolinvitations to the EMTs, but they are so very Public Hearing on the 2022 Millage Rate. The lback” millage rate to offset any inflationary busy right now they weren’t able to come.

City of Villa Rica has an annual budget that increases to the digest, which in Villa Rica’s Lastly under Ceremonial Presentations, the runs January 1 through December 31, unlike case equaled to 0.222 mils. The 2020 millage Mayor appointed Todd Anduze to the Villa most other government entities that use a Fiscal rate was 6.250, and the rate after deducting the Rica Development Authority for a term from Year from July 1 to June 30. rollback would set the rate at 6.028.

8/1/21 through 7/31/25.

Jennifer Hallman, finance director, gave a Councilmember Michael Young questioned The Mayor called for a round of applause for presentation of the 021 Tax Digest, which whether an average of $17.76 increase in city all these well-deserving people. showed the city’s gross digest at $823,857,707, See SAME TAX RATE page 12 The room was also full of citizens wishing to speak in Public Hearings, the majority of which were for item RA-05-21, a City-initiated request for an alteration to the Mirror Lake Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning, to alter the number of units to be constructed and assign densities and minimum lot sizes for the remaining undeveloped acreage. Mirror Lake has multiple pods that have not been conBring in ad for structed, and the city only has 33 more permits that can be issued within the PUD, based on maximum unit counts approved in 1997 and *Valid for ONE mount only* subsequent years. The city’s proposal is to increase the number of single-family units (SFUs) from 1,729 to 2,522, while decreasing the number of multi-family units (MFUs) from 1,265 to 767. This would allow for a total of 790 more SFUs and 517 MFUs to be constructed in order to finish the subdivision. Of WWW.HEADSTAXIDERMY.COM. the 13 people who spoke in the public hearing

by Janice Daniel The Villa Rica City Council held its regular monthly meeting on August 10, 2021, at the Holt-Bishop Justice Center, Municipal Courtroom, 101 Main Street, Villa Rica. In attendance was Mayor Gil McDougal, Ward 1 Councilmember Shirley Marchman, Ward 2 Councilmember Matthew Montahan, Ward 3 Councilmember Leslie McPherson, Ward 4 Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Michael Young, and Ward 5 Councilmember Danny Carter, as well as various members of staff.

The meeting was called to order by the Mayor, and the Invocation was given by the Rev. Whit Martin, Pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Villa Rica, who graciously offered the City any help his church might be able to offer. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Villa Rica Police Officer Kai Waldo, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Germany patrolling the Iron Curtain, graduated from UWG, and has 18 years of service in the Villa Rica Police Department, as well as being a member of the multi-jurisdictional S.W.A.T. team.

Under Ceremonial Presentations the Mayor first mentioned one not on the list, Villa Rica Police Chief Michael Mansour, who was voted Outstanding Chief of the Year 2021 by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police Summer Conference, in recognition of Chief Mansour’s 39 years of contributions to public safety and police work. Mayor McDougal stated that Chief Mansour is “a great friend to the City of Villa Rica”.

Chief Mansour introduced the next recipient of a Ceremonial Presentation, Corporal Noah Tolbert, for his five-year anniversary of service with the Villa Rica Police Department. Chief Mansour referred to Corporal Tolbert as “one of our better hires”, and reported that the Corporal had such a great love for his family that, when his mom was unable to attend his promotion ceremony due to health issues, the department actually conducted the ceremony at

After three public hearings, Villa Rica Council keeps millage rate the same: 6.250

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VILLA RICA COUNCIL from page 11 the early 2000s by a single-owner entity which the city dealt with to create the pod standards.

The city did approve a number of lots that could be built there, and over the years those lots filled up. At the beginning of 2021 a study was done which revealed that there were only 81 SFUs left, (now dropped to 33 because on May 4, 2021, the Planning Commission approved a preliminary plat application for Phase II of South Harbor, which deducted 48 units), and there was 800 to 900 MFUs that were approved at that time, and essentially, whoever wanted the 33 lots and the MFUs was entitled to get them, leaving hundreds, if not thousands, of lots that were available to be built

on there, and that would have to be dealt with “in one way or another”.

Mecklin stated that, even though the original developer built consistently, “there are no rules though as to what size houses have to be in the individual pods, there are no rules on that, no guarantee as to what could be built there. It could have been anything.” This meant the city needed to solidify and makes rules clear for the build-out of Mirror Lake. The city’s focus is that Mirror Lake needs to be built out under the same standards it has now, but legally the city could not refuse to issue permits for the lots.

Now the city has the opportunity to once again deal with a single-owner entity who is willing to negotiate and work with the city to

SAME TAX RATE from page 11 whether an average of $17.76 increase in city taxes was accurate if the council did not adopt the rollback rate, especially to homeowners in the Mirror Lake area. Hallman explained that that example used a property value of $200,000, which is the average fair market value of properties across the City of Villa Rica, and that houses with higher market values would see a proportionally larger tax increase if council kept the same millage rate from 2020.

A Public Hearing was held, the first of three required, on the millage rate, and there were no citizen comments at the 10:00 a.m. meeting.

A budget workshop took up the remaining time of the meeting.

At 6:00 p.m. the second Public Hearing on the millage rate was held, and three citizens spoke, all asking council to keep the current millage rate of 6.25 mils. Jodi Mount felt it would be “fiscally irresponsible to roll back our millage rate” and told the Council “I beg you not to jeopardize our city just to get re-elected.

We need the increased revenue. We need it.”

John Mount stated “of all the taxes I pay, this is probably the least amount I pay and get the most benefit from.”

During the third Public Hearing on the millage rate, at the August 31, 2021 meeting at 6:00 p.m., one citizen spoke for the rollback, and one against.

The August 31st meeting was the final Public

Councilmembers Shirley Marchman, Matthew Montahan, and Michael Young voted for keeping the same millage rate of 6.250. Leslie McPherson and Danny Carter wanted the rollback amount of 6.028 so taxes would not increase.

Hearing for the Millage Rate, as well as the Council Adoption of the 2021 Millage Rate.

Councilmember Marchman attended the meeting by phone.

Staff recommendation was to adopt the 2021 Millage Rate of 6.250. After some discussion between the Councilmembers, the Resolution was adopted as follows: Maintenance & Operation of Villa Rica’s General Fund 10.568; Local Option Sales Tax Rollback (4.318); Net total for Villa Rica’s General Fund: 6.250 mils Councilmembers Shirley Marchman, Matthew Montahan, and Michael Young voted for keeping the same millage rate of 6.250.

Leslie McPherson and Danny Carter wanted the rollback amount of 6.028 so taxes would not increase. So the adoption of Villa Rica’s 2021 Millage Rate of 6.250 was approved, 3-2 on August 31, 2021.

Council is scheduled to approve the 2022 Budget in their meeting for September 21, 2021.

DR. LAURA LARSON from page 7 administered the shot to her husband and had encouraged her children to receive it.

“As we all know, the [current] Delta variant is a faster progressing strand, but we know what to expect and know how to treat it. It helps that with some people vaccinated, it helps prevent severe illness,” she said.

She encouraged all to mask up, particularly those older or more vulnerable to sickness.

Dr. Larson shared a strong fact that has emerged with the Delta variant: as of August 11, 94% of patients hospitalized were those who had not received any of the CoVID vaccines. The CoVID vaccines act by stimulating a person’s own body to create some type of immunity to the illness. The local statistics show that - by far -those who took a shot and became sick with CoVID had lesser symptoms than those who didn’t take a shot, thus avoiding hospital level treatment.

Dr. Larson said a booster shot has been approved for those with specific conditions and hopes the government will open it up for more people. She explained the Delta variant has been a “game changer!” Protective percentages of the vaccine have gone down in relation to the Delta variant.

When asked about effective treatment options, Dr Larson mentioned that Dexamethasone, a corticosteroid used to relieve inflammation, and Remdesivir, a antiviral medication, seem to work. She also added that Regeneron, an antibody cocktail to help generate an immune response to COVID has

shown results as well.

She took questions from the audience, one of which was concerning hydroxychlorioquine, and she said that has not been proven to be effective.

Dr Larson stated that wearing masks offers another level of protection, conceding it is not 100%, but is better than not wearing one at all, particularly with Delta and does offer protection to those around you. She used the example of seat belts—not offering complete protection in an accident, but increasing your percentage of safety.

Dr Larson advises those with mild symptoms to call your primary care physician or go to urgent care. If you are ill, go to the emergency room for treatment. She added in conclusion, that if more had been vaccinated, there would be less danger now from Delta.

For the latest information from Tanner Health System, updated figures on hospitalizations and testing results weekly go to: https://www.tanner.org/patients-and-visitors/patient-services/coronavirus/tanner-covid19-updates.

Also upcoming vaccination opportunities and the CDC’s Vaccine Finder can be found at tanner.org/takemyshot The Villa Rica Leadership Luncheon Series brings together executives, entrepreneurs, educational leaders, and innovators throughout the region to discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities facing their respective fields. Open to the public the series is held bi-monthly on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 11:30am.

set standards binding on the build-out of Mirror Lake. Without this opportunity, it would be a “free-for-all”, dealing with multiple people over long periods of time, multiple law suits that the city could win, or possibly lose, with no guarantees as to what would happen.

Mecklin also answered the question of why the city didn’t make the investor apply individually for the pods. The process is that Villa Rica needs to be able to negotiate a comprehensive plan for building out Mirror Lake, and “we are better able to do that with one individual investor who has control of the whole plan”. That’s why this rezoning is a city-initiated request.

Although the point has been made that the city didn’t follow the rules that individual applicants have to follow in a rezoning request, according to Mecklin, “our zoning ordinance is written specifically so that the city, if we are the applicant, can - we need to do what it takes

to comply with due process, but we’re not held to each and every rule that an individual developer would be held to if the city initiated the zoning request, which we did in this case”.

Mecklin also said the city has complied with due process and that public notice has been sufficiently given by virtue of the fact that plenty of people have provided input. In answer to questions by Councilmember Young, Mecklin advised that the developer does not have to negotiate with the city, but has acted honorably, he wants what the city wants, too, and in answer to a question by Councilmember McPherson about were there are any apartments planned, he stated that he doesn’t know if they’re planned, but they are permitted, but more were already permitted before this plan was made.

As council had no further questions, the mayor then called for the Public Hearing on See MORE page 23

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September 12, 2021 Page 13

Board of commissioners adopt 2021 millage rate of 7.639; 2020 rate was 7.668

by Janice Daniel The Carroll County Board of Commissioners met in a Special Called Meeting on Tuesday, August 31st, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. to approve the Resolution to Levy 2021 Carroll County and Carroll County Schools Property Taxes, and to adopt the 2021 Homestead Exemptions. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Michelle Morgan, and all six district commissioners were present.

Prior to the Pledge of Allegiance, Morgan called for a moment of silence for the family of Deputy Tax Commissioner Pamela Malone who passed away that day.

There were no public comments.

Commissioner Clint Chance made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Tommy Lee, and approved by the board unanimously to adopt a millage rate to 7.639 mils (2020 millage rate for Carroll County was 7.668.) in the unincorporated area of Carroll County, and to adopt the proposed resolution that provides for the Homestead Exemptions for the residents of the county, and includes a reduction in the City of Carrollton and the City of Bremen for duplication of services for fire protection: Carrollton at 6.201 mils, and for Bremen at 6.280 mils.

The educational levy for school purposes used in Carroll County as passed and recommended by the Board of Education of Carroll County, Georgia, is 17.998 mills, or $17.998 per one thousand dollars of taxable property for the year 2021.

In addition to the above, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners adopted homestead exemptions as approved by the voters of Carroll County in an election held November 3 1992, as follows: (1) A $4,000 homestead exemption from

Carroll County ad valorem taxes for County purposes, and (2) An $8,000 homestead exemption from Carroll County ad valorem taxes for County purposes for persons who are 65 years of age or older.

In addition to the above, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners adopted the homestead exemption as approved by the voters of Carroll County in an election held on November 4, 2008, as follows: A full value homestead exemption from Carroll County School District ad valorem taxes for educational purposes for qualified residents who are 65 years of age or older.

In addition to the above, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners adopted the following homestead exemption as approved by the voters of Carroll County in an election held on August 20, 2002, as follows: A homestead exemption from certain Carroll County ad valorem taxes for county purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of that homestead exceeds the base year assessed value of that homestead, in order to assume that ad valorem taxes on such property for county purposes will not be increased as a result of the reassessment of such property.

Commissioner Chance, referring to the above exemption (which went into effect in 2003) as the “floating homestead exemption”, explained that the millage rate approved in this meeting would actually allow for a tax decrease to residents who have this floating homestead exemption, due to the fact that their homes cannot be assessed at a value higher than what was assessed in 2003, or in the year the base homestead exemption was filed if after

2003, plus the value of any improvements made since that time, such as add-ons, added garage, swimming pool, etc. He added that those who do not have the floating exemption will see an average of $15.00 increase per parcel.

Commissioner Chance clarified that the Tax Assessor’s Office runs according to the rules of the State Department of Audits & Revenue, separately and independently of the County Board of Commissioners. The Tax Assessor’s Office determines the value of properties, and the Board of Commissioners sets the millage

rate. The general rule of assessment for county tax purposes is 40% of the property value determined by the Tax Assessor’s Office.

Commissioner Ernest Reynolds also commented that he is glad that Carroll County has a “frugal” Board of Commissioners. He advised that Carroll County’s budget per capita is $490, a very favorable comparison to surrounding counties who are at twice that amount, or even more.

At 4:17 the Commissioners went into Executive Session, and at 5:14 reconvened to regular session, and meeting was adjourned.

The following is a summary from minutes of Carroll County Board of Commissioners Educational Board Development and Planning Retreat Aug. 24-25, 2021 at 4500 Southern Pine Drive, Pine Mountain, Georgia.

Discussion centered around how to spend $11.6M in stimulus funds.

In attendance: Chairman, Michelle Morgan, Commissioner Montrell McClendon, Commissioner Clint Chance (by phone), Commissioner Steve Fuller, Commissioner Ernest Reynolds, and Commissioner George Chambers. Absent Commissioner Tommy Lee; facilitator: Theron Gay; staff: Donna Lackey, executive director, Alecia Searcy, finance director, and Stacey Blackmon and Avery Jackson, county attorneys.

After providing an overview of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Education stimulus funding program, Commission Chairman Morgan said that Carroll County has been allocated $11,653,519.50. Commitment of funds must be made by 12/2024 and expenditures must be complete by 12/2026.

Matt Windom, Carroll County Water Authority (CCWA) and Perry Hicks of Bremen, presented a proposal for $6.2 million in ARPA for a water expansion project and wastewater infrastructure in the northwest portion of Carroll County, including the cities of Mount Zion and Bremen.

The project would help protect public health by providing clean drinking water, and services for the collection and treatment of wastewater and storm water. In addition, the project would potentially reduce water rates across the county, provide wastewater treatment to an unserved area, provide redundancies of service in the event of an outage, and enhance economic development opportunities (manufacturing) along the I-20 corridor.

Under ARPA Public Health Response, recommendations were discussed for Courthouse improvements, adding enhanced COVID protections by completing 5th floor for occupation

by Superior Courts, adding Public Defender’s offices in building, and moving lower courts up See HOW TO SPEND $11.6M page 8

Commission receives $11.6M in stimulus funds

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The first “Buffalo Creek Fall Festival” is scheduled for all day on Saturday, October 9th

The first “Buffalo Creek Fall Festival” presented by the Carroll County Master Gardeners is scheduled for Saturday, October 9, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 900 Newnan Road in Carrollton.

Events are to include the sale of fall shrubs and trees, house plants, native and carnivorous

plants, food and craft vendors, and guided walks on Buffalo Creek Trail.

Also there will be activities for children and speakers on horticulture topics.

Vendor spaces are still available.

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JOHN LEMMINGS from page 18 sin cursed world one day. The word “caught” is a word that means to be snatched, with force, and quick. This is what is called the Rapture of the believer. Our bodies will be changed in a moment and a twinkling of an eye. We will have a body that is made for heaven. No more sugar diabetes, arthritis, gingivitis, or Covid virus. Praise the Lord!

Finally, there will be a great reunion that will take place in heaven. Many people like reunions, a time to see people that you have not seen in a long time. There is coming a day when believers will be reunited again with

loved ones that have went to heaven before us.

One day you will see your mom, dad, sister, brother, child, or friend again. Oh, what a great reunion it will be. Paul tells the church to comfort one another with these words. May your heart be comforted and lifted up today.

Remember, heaven is a prepared place for prepared people. In order to go to heaven you must place your trust in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.

Journey Fellowship Baptist Church would love to help you with this decision by contacting us at 770-537-2300. So, I say to you, “Maranatha, Our Lord is coming!”

PATRICK YURAN from page 17 remote learning, which has resulted in a much smaller learning gap for these students as compared to other learning environments.

Independent schools have the benefit of... independence. This independence or freedom allows school officials and leadership to custom design solutions with quick response times to specific issues when they are presented.

All schools – public, private, and independent – will continue to deal with learning gaps in the future and each school district will address

the gaps to the best of their ability while striving for educational equality among the students. From my experience as an independent school leader, collaborating with other independent school leaders, we will continue to remain calm and deliberate with our instructional approaches to closing the learning gaps created by the fallout from the continued spread of the Coronavirus. Only time will tell, but for now, we will move ahead with teaching and learning and continue to celebrate each student and their success.

RIVER RAMBLES from page 17 moisture in the atmosphere, which then produces changes in established rainfall patterns.

Heavier rain raises the risk of flooding - in particular flash flooding in the webbing of creeks that make up the Chattahoochee watershed with longer dry spells in-between. Perhaps you’ve noticed recently how, after a torrential downpour, the ground seems thirsty again so quickly, as if it can no longer be quenched.

And if there’s less fresh riverwater going into the ocean, the salinity of seawater goes up, which disturbs and alters ancient salt-andtemperature-driven water-circulation patterns in place for millenia. Hence the term, climate change.

I try to imagine the circumstances that led to those haunting photographs. Though I’ve never seen them, I think it’s safe to say they were taken sometime in the first decades of the 20th century. The U.S. Geological Survey has recorded precipitation and drought in Georgia since the 1890s. Drought has always been part of the natural weather rhythms here.

From1903 to 1905, USGS records chronicle the earliest known severe drought, a dry spell so pervasive it marked an exodus of farmers out of Georgia to literally greener pastures.

By then there were at least two dams upstream of Carroll County; the Morgan Falls Dam, built in 1904, introduced hydroelectricity to Atlanta and to this day controls the river flow and water levels in the County. Could these two factors coming together have emptied the Chattahoochee then?

Another possibility is the 1924-1927 drought, which marks the first time Georgia media used the term, “Drought of the Century.”

Or the drought from 1930 to 1935 whose “severity exceeded a 25-year recurrence interval.”

Each of these, in confluence with the new urban dam system above Atlanta, might have temporarily reduced the millions of gallons of water that pass through Carroll County every

. . . the Morgan Falls Dam, built in 1904, introduced hydroelectricity to Atlanta and to this day controls the river flow and water levels in the County. Could these two factors coming together have emptied the Chattahoochee then? day to a dusty gulch, a junkyard for drowned jalopies.

Anyone who spent time at Banning Mill in the 1970s and ‘80s can recall the wild white rush of Snake Creek, a tributary of the Hooch, tumbling so loudly past the renovated yarn factory you could hardly hear yourself speak.

Since then the fettered stream has been tamed and depleted, a mere whisper of its former self, ripe for flash flooding. In the ‘500-HundredYear Flood’ of 2009, a ravine sculpted out by Snake Creek filled with run-off so quickly, it broke a trailer on its banks in two and an infant was lost to the flood.

The Chattahoochee appears timeless. But the changes time and man have made insist on speaking through her. Of that we can be certain. Will we hear her in time?

Editor’s special note: This editor has been in the newspaper business in West Georgia since 1987, having edited/handled/processed, to date, around twenty area newspapers/ publications over the past three decades, including Heard County’s News & Banner during the years 1987-1993 when I worked side by side with owner/publisher Mr. Mac McCutcheon.

Sometime during those years, I remember Mr. Mac ran a front page black and white photo of the Chattahoochee River during an early 1900s drought that showed Heard County residents walking on a mostly dry river bed, with some having picnics on the banks. Perhaps, that photo can still be found in the News & Banner archives.

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September 12, 2021 Page 15

City of Carrollton awards $177,276 for recreation track resurfacing, but bids received for city hall renovations deemed well over expected costs

by Janice Daniel On Thursday, August 19, 2021, the Mayor and Council of the City of Carrollton met with two voting items on the agenda. The meeting was held in the City Hall Second Floor Meeting Room, 315 Bradley Street, at 2:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Betty Cason, Mayor Pro Tem Jacquelene Bridges, Councilmember Jim Watters, Councilmember Brett Ledbetter, and Councilmember Bob Uglum. City Manager, Tim Grizzard was also present. Mayor Cason called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Pro Tem Jacquelene Bridges offered the Invocation.

Mayor Cason offered condolences to the family of Carroll County Deputy Fire Chief Tommy Hopson, who passed away from COVID-19.

There was a motion by Bridges, seconded by Uglum, to amend the agenda by removing item #9, Vaccination Incentives Discussion, and adding Budget Amendment FY21-09 to the end of the agenda. Motion passed 4-0 with Mayor Cason abstaining.

The first voting item was about the Bid Award for the Lakeshore Recreation Center Track Resurfacing project. Parks Director Kent Johnson stated that the surface of the Lakeshore Track has been pitted for a long time and is in urgent need of repair. He informed the Council that the proposed materials for the project include a coating that will increase the longevity of the track. He recommended awarding the project to Sports Turf Company in the amount of $177,276. Motion to approve by Ledbetter, seconded by Watters, passed 4-0 with Mayor Cason abstaining.

The second voting item was Budget Amendment FY21-09, presented by Grizzard, to increase the budget for legal fees by $39,000, to be paid for by sales tax revenue. Motion to approve by Bridges, second by Uglum, passed 4-0 with Mayor Cason abstaining.

On the subject of the bid award for the City Hall Renovation and Addition Project, Grizzard advised council that bid amounts received regarding this project were well over the expected cost, and added that the city staff would like to look at revisions and bring this project back to the council at a future date with new estimates and alternatives.

Grizzard also brought up the suspension of the City’s Recycling Services. He said the employee division which covers the recycling services is working with 1/3 of their team missing due to various reasons, and that the suspension of recycling services is simply a matter of not having enough staff. Grizzard said he is

hopeful this will only be a temporary suspension.

Marketing Director April Saunders brought forward a discussion about the issue of numerous restaurants on the square pouring their used fry grease from inside their restaurants into containers outside of the restaurants, and that many of the containers and the ground surrounding them are covered with grease, creating an unsightly, bad-smelling, slippery situation.

Saunders pointed out how hard it is to hold individual restaurants accountable for cleaning up the area because many restaurants use the same containers. Saunders presented several potential alternatives for implementing a program to keep those areas of the city clean. She also stated that the Main Street bylaws needed to be updated due to the expansion of the Main Street district, and to ensure that the bylaws are in line with the current branding vision.

Two rezoning requests were discussed.

1. Annexation and rezoning request for 653 Blandenburg Road, from Carroll County to ER1 (Estate Residential 1-acre lots), applicants, Brandon and Ann Rayburn. Assistant City Manager David Brooks stated that this request is because the property owners would like to be in the city limits of Carrollton to receive city services and ensure that their children will be able to continue attending city schools. The property already has a constructed single-family residence and no new construction is proposed with this request. The Planning Commission recommends approval of the request with no conditions.

2. Rezoning request for 415 Bradley Street, applicant James Fulford, from C-1 (Central Business District) to Mixed-Use Planned Development with a waiver request of PD use standard percentages. This property currently has two structures, one fronting Bradley Street, and a vacant structure on the back of the property. The applicant desires to convert the rear structure for either a residential or commercial use. Brooks added that the planning commission recommended approval of the request and waiver with the following conditions: that existing chain-link and barbed-wire fence be removed from right-of-way, and any new fencing shall comply with standards for fencing; and due to the narrow right-of-way staff recommends a waiver from the sidewalk requirement.

There was also need for two appointments to the Main Street Board. Marketing Director Saunders recommended Kelly Houck and Kelsie Burge to fill these positions.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

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COMMENTARY

Page 17 September 12, 2021

StarNews / StarNews Online www.starnewsgaonline.com

“Not just what happened, but what matters”

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JANICE DANIEL

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One way to stay out of the morgue: take the shot

As CoVID continues to draw down on day to day life and CoVID cash continues to prop up budgets both public and private, it becomes apparent that we will never return to the “normal” of 2019 and life before.

As each day passes in which we actively avoid close physical interaction EDITOR/ with others, huge doors open wide to PUBLISHER allow social paranoia to walk right in and set up its ugly destructive workshop. As each weekly or monthly budget is met with monies we did not earn, a warped dependent mindset is silently spoon fed; a mindset that will be increasingly difficult to reset.

StarNews covered two public presentations recently, both about CoVID (see front page story “CoVID fact”.) One was given by the Carroll County Board of Health Chair Dr. Laura Larson and the other by Tanner Health System CEO/President Loy Howard. As I listened at each presentation, two strong points became clear: the mental health effects from CoVID are widespread and scarily unknown; and, out of 99 people who died in our local hospitals from CoVID, 93 of those people had not had a CoVID shot.

Children are growing up now observing both neighbors and strangers acting the same: wearing smile-covering masks, visibly standoffish, avoiding contact. The ‘village’ is no longer be helping raise healthy, happy, hopeful children. The village is filled with frightened isolated adults who have abandoned our children. The mental health ramifications of the ongoing “CoVID lifestyle” show the promise of longlasting, detrimental effects.

CoVID shots were developed and administered in an historically rapid timeline which has frightened about half of us into not getting the protection. I am reluctant to use the term “vaccine” as that has an implication to me of complete immunity. With the polio vaccine, you will not become sick with polio; with a smallpox vaccine, you will not become sick with smallpox; with the MMR (measles/mumps/rubella) vaccines you will not become sick with MMR. With a CoVID vaccine, you can still get sick with CoVID, but the severity is greatly reduced. The shots ARE a game changer. Perhaps the accurate word is CoVID Lifesaver Shot.

I want to stay out of the hospital, and the morgue, so I have taken the shots.

Marian Elizabeth “Prissi” Sullivan: We at StarNews take a somber moment here today to remember reporter Prissi Sullivan who died one year ago, September 3rd, from severe injuries from an automobile crash. (See photo left of highway memorial marker.)

Prissi truly took on a one of a kind approach in every project or adventure that interested her, including reporting for StarNews.

She, along with her husband David (who died from CoVID just three months after Prissi died), were a great asset to the City of Villa Rica, and to Carroll County, having been involved in just about every aspect of activity in life.

They were well known and well liked.

We miss them both.

SUE

HORN

Where is the - twice - approved SPLOST county administration building?

County voters have twice approved, through a SPLOST vote, a new county administration building: approving once in 2012 and again in 2020. Commissioned feasibility studies show two things: 1: at least a 70,000+ square foot structure is needed and, 2. the present location on College Street, Carrollton, has site limitations prohibiting the construction of a structure that size while still functioning in the old admin building.

This has created a dilemma: where to build while remaining in the city limits. Former County Chairman Marty Smith didn’t advance this project during his six years before he left his job (two years remaining in his term) to join Governor Kemp’s staff as State Property Manager.

It became Chairman Michelle Morgan’s task when she was elected in 2019, but in the past two years, all that was accomplished was the sec-

BILL

KECSKES 770-328-6450 wmk@bellsouth.net ond SPLOST approval. There is no visible forward path to constructing a new building. We do know that Morgan is studying 10 different possible parcels that would, each, yield tidy profits to the land sellers.

Two years ago, when contemplating my own candidacy for commission chairman, I wrote that the “interests of the Carrollton City and the county are not mutually exclusive” meaning both should work closely together for the benefit of everyone in

When the Chattahoochee dried up

There are several reliable occurrences in Carroll County that lend a sense of certainty: The Sun will come up every day; there will be air to breathe; and the Chattahoochee will always flow. Part of what draws us to the river is her feeling of timelessness. Hard to imagine a world before she was, or even her exact beginning, though I suppose there must have been one. Equally hard to imagine her end, though that too must come eventually, in some far distant future we hope. Our imaginations can’t summon up an evaporated Hooch. What would she look like empty of water?

We can only picture it because apparently it has happened before.

Some years ago, through the auspices of The Whitesburg Public Library and the Friends of the McIntosh Reserve, we held storytelling campfires at the Reserve and at Moore’s Bridge Park outside Whitesburg. The Chattahoochee Story Project invited county residents to come and tell their stories of grow-

SYBIL

ROSEN THOMAS

River Rambles syllabil@aol.com ing up on the river. At the first gathering, local oldtimers showed up with tales, good gossip, and startling information. Born in the 1930s, these homegrown raconteurs had never seen the riverbed dry, but they remembered seeing sepia photos of a long-ago, bone-dry river.

The images they described have stayed with me: Riders on horseback galloping pell-mell down a waterless riverbottom; a field of collards planted where the river used to run; exposed rusting shells of Model-Ts, like skeletons of mechanized aquatic creatures (evidence that the unfortunate human habit of driving unwanted

the city and county.

Today, we are presented with an absolutely ideal scenario for the City of Carrollton and the county to work together: Since the county needs to construct a 70,000 square foot building for county administration workers, and Carrollton City wishes this building to be “near the downtown area” for many obvious reasons; logic and simple common sense say solving this should be a no-brainer.

Carrollton is commendably beautifying the city, most recently acquiring property fronting Park (US 27) (for 532 feet) and Alabama streets (for 200 feet) and demolishing the old relics that blighted the site. Now this property sits vacant and in dire need of beautification.

This scenario presents a rare opportunity for both the city and the county to achieve their desired goals. With See ADMIN BUILDING page 21 vehicles into rivers has been with us since automotive history began). I wondered what the stretch of river in front of the cabin would look like bare-boned. What secrets would be revealed? What might be learned of the old fish camp that once flourished here?

The name Chattahoochee is often translated as treacherous waters, I assume because of the hidden rocks and snags that sometimes emerge, like tips of icebergs, in low water.

What other mysteries lie below her inscrutable surface?

Around the world rivers are drying up. In the US, the Colorado, Rio Grande, and Sacramento Rivers are especially threatened. Why? Rivers lose water through the installation of dams and other development projects; through the siphoning of water for irrigation in agriculture; and through excessive heat and drought. Extended hot dry weather means more water evaporation, which in turn puts more See RIVER RAMBLES page 14

Independent schools managing covid caused instructional gaps

As the nation monitors the continued spread of the Coronavirus, independent schools remain calm and deliberate with their instructional approach to ensure all students achieve their full academic potential despite loss of valuable instructional time. Learning gaps have been a hot topic in the world of education for decades. In 2001, the No Child Left Behind Act was established with the primary goal of ensuring education equality by bridging learning gaps among student populations in K-12 schools. This Act built upon the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 which focused on equal access to education.

Historically, independent schools have not experienced the same level of instructional gaps due to the nature of independent education – until now.

Today, all educators – public, private, and independent – are faced with the historical challenges of ensuring edu-

PATRICK

YURAN

Headmaster OAK MOUNTAIN ACADEMY

cational equality while addressing learning gaps as a result of our immediate switch to remote learning in the spring of 2020.

Unfortunately, the coronavirus has served as a catalyst to widen the learning gap for many students. Most school districts have already reported learning loss among their student populations due largely to missed instructional time and the necessity of remote learning.

According to a December 2020 report by McKinsey & Company, an estimated three-month gap in math

content existed when students returned to school in the fall of 2020 and the gap was expected to grow up to nine months by the spring of 2021.

However, for many independent schools, the learning gap is not nearly as large due to population size and technology-driven, individualized, remote learning plans.

As an example, with Oak Mountain Academy’s teacher-student ratio being just 12:1 along with the recent installation of instructional cameras and sound systems in each classroom, students were afforded the opportunity to remote learn in a real-time, synchronous environment, when remote learning was necessary.

Having a low teacher-student ratio and this innovative technology has allowed Oak Mountain Academy’s students to receive direct access to teachers and other students through synchronous instruction while in See PATRICK YURAN page 14

Page 18 September 12, 2021

StarNews

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Concerning the “rights of rivers” and the Man from Samoa

BILL

BOURIS digi@mindspring.com In last month’s edition, my neighbor and fellow contributor to StarNews, Sybil Rosen Thomas, wondered, in her “River Rambles” column, if rivers should have rights. Other than having a personal opinion on the matter, I am not otherwise qualified to give a definitive answer to that question. BUT (here it comes...)

I have to tell you this, if the reader will allow a “ramble” of my own...

Years ago, back around 1958, I registered for a graduate course in anthropology with the famous Margaret Mead. Because I aced the course, a very rare event in my history as a grown student, Margaret Mead, the author of the popular and classic “Coming of Age in

Maranatha!

JOHN

LEMMINGS

PASTOR Journey Fellowship Baptist Church www.journeyfbc.com johnlemmings316@gmail.com The early Christians greeted each other often with the word “Maranatha!” The word expressed the exciting expectation of the coming of the Lord Jesus. They fully expected Him to come in their lifetime and their lifestyle demonstrated it. They turned their world upside down for Jesus Christ.

In a world that is full of heartache, pain, and disappointment it sure is good to know that

Samoa”, has remained in my mind as a wonderful woman and teacher.

So, it is understandable, when years later, around 1970 or ‘71, while listening to an early morning TV news program, my attention was grabbed away from getting dressed for work.

The aged Prof. Mead was returning to Samoa (to Pago Pago, in what we now call “American Samoa”). It would be her first time back since her field-research days in 1924.

There was something else happening in Samoa, sort of connected to Mead’s return: the TV switched over to a Samoan native who was making a statement. The man spoke in English.

I do not remember which, but this man was selected (elected?) either to represent American Samoa in the U.S. Congress or at the U.N. General Assembly. He sounded very excited about it. He was gray-haired, maybe in his 60s.

It was mentioned that he also happened to have been one of the children who were interviewed by the young anthropologist Margaret Mead when she first did her research on Samoan teen-agers. This was an interesting coincidence. Anyway, he was describing what

there is coming a day of great expectation and excitement for God’s people. This day is known as “The Rapture of the Church.”

Christian leaders are expecting the return of Christ.

Pastor David Jeremiah states about end time events: “The hour of God’s time clock is wound up and spinning.” Dr. Henry Blackaby states about the Lord’s return: “How are your bank accounts? They will not matter when He comes back. What about your long-range plans? They won’t matter when He comes back. The Lord’s return is so near. Long-range plans are foolish when there is so little time left.”

The Rapture is when Christ will come for His own and take them “bodily” to Heaven.

The Rapture is a literal bodily movement of a Christian from earth to heaven. The Lord’s imminent return should affect what we do, what we think, and what we plan. A great pas-

his responsibilities would be, in representing Samoa. It was sort of comically memorable, and now unforgettable, thanks to Ms. Thomas’ ramble on our river.

It cracked me up! I adjusted my necktie, turned off the TV, and walked out the door.

What he said was “so cute”! He said that he would represent Samoa. All of Samoa. The people, the waters, the trees, the pigs. . . ALL of Samoa! Such naivete! It just cracked me up.

In my mind, as I drove to work that morning, I tried but could not make a funny coffee-break anecdote of what I’d just heard about Samoa. I mean, the man was just too innocent, sincere, to be made fun of. Nevertheless, his association with Margaret Mead, in my memory, would always be brought to mind whenever her name had been mentioned.

Now, because of Ms. Thomas’ comments that brought up the subject of Rivers and their representation, I have new connections that take me back to that man from Samoa and his concept of Representation. I thank Sybil Thomas for helping make this new mental connection. This time around, I now have a

profound appreciation of what that man from Samoa had to say 50 years ago, and I’m very glad that I did not have the insensitivity to crank out a witty anecdote in order to make conversation at coffee-break.

About a year after we came to Whitesburg, there appeared an article in the Atlanta Constitution. It contained a map of Georgia which highlighted the most cancer-causing locations. Number one (or two) in that list was the Chattahoochee River as it passed by Whitesburg. Coincidentally, the Clean Water Act had just recently been enacted by the Nixon Administration.

I think that because of those regulations our river has gotten back to a reasonably healthy state. It has taken decades, but it is looking like the fish will soon again be edible! This kind of thought causes me to wonder: If today, given our population and given that our continent is no longer “pristine”, we had a new generation of “Founders” who were about to convene and discuss a new Constitution, don’t you think that they, like the man from Samoa, would give the rivers some due consideration?

sage that tells us about this exciting event is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. In these verses, we find great hope that helps us when going through pain, loneliness, sorrow, and tragedy.

Look with me as we discover some great hope.

First of all, the Rapture gives the believer hope. The Apostle Paul told the church to not sorrow, as people without hope. I have had the privilege and task of helping families through the most difficult days of life when a loved one dies. Sometimes the family does not know the Lord Jesus and the hopelessness they encounter is very sad. Other times, the family has a relationship with Jesus Christ and there is hope.

As a pastor I try to minister to the family and confront the finality of death with the hope of Jesus Christ. This hope is only made possible because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is alive and because He lives we can live.

What a great, confident hope we have in Jesus!

Next, this passage tells us that our Lord Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. What will happen is the Lord Jesus is going to call up every born again believer that has died who knew Jesus as their Savior. The dead in Christ will be physically resurrected.

I like the song that says, “Ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down…gonna get up, get up, get up out of that ground.” Halleluiah, we are getting a new body one day. The grave is not the end. Let that encourage you today.

Then, the passage says the believers that are alive and remain will be caught up to ever be with the Lord. I am about to have a shouting fit. Friend, if you are a born again child of the Lord then we are going to get out of this old sin cursed world one day. The word “caught” is See JOHN LEMMINGS page 14

Mental health of our youth during this pandemic

CEDDRICK

LOVINS

Millennials Christian Ministry (MCM) When 2020 came in, it brought strange tidings in the form of a pandemic that started in 2019, including social distancing and sheltering in place. COVID-19 is not the only pandemic in modern times. We also had the 1918 Spanish Flu. To me, one of the things that makes this pandemic different is how socially, and in general, connected we are.

Almost everyone, regardless of age or income, has one or more communications device. Our smart phones are computers. We have the capability to stay connected 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year long. That means we can be connected to each other more than ever in the history of mankind. And usually, we are. We are social creatures and have gotten used to an increased availability and access to one another. So, what happens when that gets hindered, or in some cases, taken away?

Take that and couple it with the sentiments

of so many being indifferent to the hope that is found in God. Consider how that might affect someone, or even a particular grouping or segmentation of society.

I was thinking about our young people and the effects of the pandemic on them without the power of Jesus Christ in their life, or in their parents’ lives. I came across several pieces of information and videos addressing youth mental health during this current pandemic. They talked about how drastically reduced the quality of life was for our youth. The CDC reported that mental health emergency department visits are up 24% for those who are 5 - 11 years old.

It’s up to 31% for those that are 12 - 17 years old. This data covers April of 2020 through October 2020, as compared to 2019.

The news and information did not get any better. It talked about how older youths have lost out greatly, even more so than younger youths. Teens have lost their peer relationships which actually matter more to older teenagers than it does to younger youth. Benchmarks such as proms, graduations, the senior dance, and others were lost due to the pandemic.

Additionally, they mentioned how some social skills were affected due to the lack of interaction between youth, meeting new people, and even dating.

It did not stop there. They went on to men-

COMMENTARY

tion that not only are teens dealing with their own issues, but they have become more empathetic to their parent’s predicaments as well.

Specifically, their parent’s hardships as it pertains to household finances, possible loss of job, transportation, and homes. At a time of life when most teens don’t think about death, or even getting older, some have lost close friends, loved ones, teachers, co-workers, and other associates. When they previously may not have considered their own mortality, some are now afraid of dying. Others deal with an overwhelming sense of powerlessness, lack of safety, and fear of the future.

The articles and videos solution for this problem, in supporting teens, is just listening to them. Don’t invalidate or minimize them. Be present and listen to their concerns. Realize that parents cannot fix it. Parents should not be overly positive. Parents should be mindful of their teen’s changes in behavior and get them mental health help if needed.

I’m pretty sure that this is not what the Bible meant when it said that a child shall lead them.

Parents are supposed to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of God. Parents have to take the lead. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a ditch. Somebody has to be able to see the way. It is a parent’s responsibility to secure their children.

The world’s way will not help. I absolutely believe that you should listen to your children, but you do so in order to guide them, not in order for them to lead you. You cannot bring forth correction if you don’t know what the problem is. Children are a great gift, and they are smart, but they don’t have the answers.

Unfortunately, they don’t always make the best decisions.

Regardless of a teen’s age, I would never let an unlicensed or untrained youth drive me on the street or the highway. My job as a parent is to guide them and train them on how to drive a car. Then practice with them and get them ready to take their driver’s test. Even once they pass the test, there are still some areas that they cannot navigate without their parents being in the car with them. At the right time, they will be able to drive on their own.

There is a way that seems right to the world, but the end of it is destruction and possible death. It is up to parents to set the standard for their household. Speaking as one who had job loss and COVID-19 in this pandemic, I trusted in the Lord. I was never fearful of losing my life or of losing my home. God is a keeper. He kept me and my household. He can keep you and yours. You have to make the decision to trust in Jesus. You have to make the decision to follow after Him.

www.starnewsgaonline.com

OF CARROLL COUNTY, INC.

StarNews September 12, 2021 Page 19

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Page 20 September 12, 2021

StarNews

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Yes, up to $9000 in CoVID funeral assistance may be available to you through FEMA

ELLEN & SCOTT

McBRAYER JONES-WYNN FUNERAL HOME We have spoken on this before, but it is important and worthy of repeating again here today. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. At FEMA, their mission is to help people before, during, and after disasters.

Q. Do you know that you might be eligible for assistance if your loved one died due to covid-19? A. You and your family may be eligible for a special program from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that offers funeral assistance to families that have experienced the death of a loved one due to COVID-19. Financial assistance of up to $9,000 could be provided for certain expenses that families have incurred as they laid a loved one to rest (e.g., funeral and memorial services and burial and cremation). It covers eligible expenses for the services you’ve already paid for when your loved one died.

And, as our community becomes safer, your family may choose to plan a memorial service in your loved one’s honor that includes all of your family and friends – something that many families are finding to be a meaningful experience. Those expenses may also be covered.

Q: Who is eligible for this funeral assistance?

A: To be eligible for funeral assistance, you must meet these conditions: • The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the

District of Columbia • The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to or caused by COVID19 • The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, noncitizen national or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20, 2020 • There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien Q: How do I apply for funeral help from FEMA? A: Applicants should call the agency’s helpline at 844-684-6333. According to FEMA’s website, no online applications will be accepted. Applicants must provide the name of the deceased person, the date of the funeral and documentation of the expenses. Documents can be uploaded onto a special website or sent by fax or mail, according to the helpline.

Many funeral homes are making families aware of the federal program, but funeral directors cannot apply for aid on their behalf.

Directors, however, can help provide the documentation of costs and copies of death certificates.

Q: What costs does FEMA’s funeral-aid program cover? A: Eligible costs include funeral services, cremation, interment, transportation for up to two individuals to identify the deceased individual, transfer of remains, a casket or urn, a burial plot or cremation niche, marker or headstone, clergy or officiant services, arrangement of the funeral ceremony, and cremation or burial costs.

Q: What Information do I need to provide to FEMA? A: Please have the following information before contacting FEMA to apply: Your name, social security number, date of birth, mailing address and contact phone numbers; the name, social security number and date of birth for each deceased individual;location

or address where the deceased individual passed away; documentation and receipts for any assistance already received from other sources, including burial or funeral insurance, donations, voluntary agencies, other government programs or non-profit organizations.

If you and another person both incurred funeral expenses for the same deceased individual(s), you can also provide that person as a co-applicant: include their name, social security number and date of birth on the application.

The FEMA website has complete information about eligibility requirements, the documentation you will be required to provide as part of your application (e.g., a copy of your loved one’s death certificate and proof of funeral expenses incurred), and how to start the application process. Visit https://

www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic /funeral-assistance.

If there is anything we at Jones-Wynn Funeral Home can do to assist you with the application process – such as ordering copies of a death certificate or providing copies of receipts or contracts showing the expenses you incurred – please call us at 770-459-3694 or 770-942-2311 or visit jones-wynn.com Scott & Ellen Wynn McBrayer Jones-Wynn Funeral Homes & Crematory Meadowbrook Memory Gardens “A Family Serving Families® ...Since 1950” 770-459-3694 - 770-942-2311 www.jones-wynn.com www.facebook.com/MeadowbrookMemoryG ardens /www.facebook.com/WynnMcBrayer caringbridge.org/visit/mcbrayer

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Storm Products

ADMIN BUILDING from page 17 this in mind, I took it upon myself as a volunteer initiative to prove this site could accommodate a 74,000 square foot office building. So I drew a proposed site plan (shown this page) that beautifully accommodates a 74,000 square foot building (5 stories) and 156 parking spaces; while emphasizing a generosity of “green space” with trees enhancing the building and the westside entrance to our downtown.

I now envision a bold realty transaction in which the city and the county “trade” properties with stipulation that the county would then pay for burying power lines on Alabama Street to further enhance our downtown.

There are many benefits to constructing the County Admin Building on this site. Most obviously, the westside entrance to our downtown would be greatly beautified. Another benefit is economic: county workers could walk to the town square for lunch, dinner or shopping. This proposed site site is easily accessible for those using the county services and is conveniently located for early voting.

As we all know, government moves way too slowly as evidenced by the 9-year lapse since

the first SPLOST approval. I now appeal to the citizens of this county to contact our county chairman and the city’s mayor and manager and urge them to get together and advance this proposed project for our benefit. Please contact them and tell them the County Admin Building should be built on this city owned site.

Carroll County Department of Public Health

www.starnewsgaonline.com County Commission Chairman Michelle Morgan 770-403-2398 or 770-830-5800 or mmorgan@carrollcountyga.com Carrollton City Manager Tim Grizzard 770830-2000 or tgrizzrd@carrollton-ga.gov.

Carrrollton City Mayor Betty B. Cason 770830-2000 or bcason@carrollton-ga.gov.

StarNews

September 12, 2021 Page 21 Thank you, and thank you in advance for communicating to our leaders your support this proposed project.

PS. Again, I state no financial interest in this proposed project. I’m simply one volunteer citizen wanting to help do something positive for our city and county.

To view complete inspection details: dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health

restaurant health inspections scores

tourist accomodation inspections scores

08/25/2021: Southern Dogs and Catering 182 Hwy 78 W Temple 100 previous 100 08/17/2021: Little Tallapoosa County Park 1930 Hwy 113 N Carrollton 100 previous 98 08/19/2021: Oak Mountain Golf Pool House 409 Birkdale Blvd Carrollton 100 previous 100 08/17/2021: John Tanner County Park 354 Tanner Beach Rd Carollton 98 previous 98 08/16/2021:Young’s BBQ 3763 Hwy 61 Carrollton 98 previous 100 08/25/2021: Banning Mills 205 Horseshoe Dam Rd Whitesburg 96 previous 100 08/17/2021: John Tanner Park Campground 354 Tanner Beach Rd Carrollton 91 previous 100 08/05/2021:Jammin Cafe 4921 Carrollton Villa Rica Hwy Carrollton 98 previous 99 08/13/2021: Western Inn 180 Centennial Rd Carrollton 83 previous 87 08/11/2021: Blue Nomad Grill 306 College St Carrollton 96 previous 100 public swimming pool inspections scores 08/19/2021: Big Chic 650 W Bankhead Hwy Unit B Villa Rica 96 previous 99 08/13/2021: University Lofts 785 Lovvorn Rd Carrollton 100 SATISFACTORY 08/23/2021: Pizza Hut 941 Alabama Ave Bremen 96 previous 96 99 SATISFACTORY 08/12/2021: Woodglen Apts. 114 Danny Dr Carrollton 08/12/2021: O’Berry’s Pies and Pints 208 E College St Bowdon 95 previous 95 08/04/2021: Club Fitness Pool 830 Maple St Carrollton 95 SATISFACTORY 08/12/2021: Smokin’ Pig 409 W College St Bowdon 94 previous 98 08/12/2021: Oak Mountain Golf 409 Birkdale Blvd Carrollton 91 SATISFACTORY 08/17/2021: Moe’s Southwest 700 Hwy 61 Ste C Villa Rica 94 previous97 08/10/2021: Elizabeth Village Mobile 1065 Alabama St Carrollton 85 UNSATISFACTORY 08/02/2021: Angels in the Kitchen 814 Bankhead Hwy Villa Rica 93 previous 100 Violations: pH measured during time of inspection was less than the minimum 7.2 08/31/2021: Hardee’s 1375 S Park St Carrollton 93 previous 94 08/28/2021: Mayfair at Carrollton 318 Columbia Dr Carrollton 84 UNSATISFACTORY 08/20/2021: Maple Street Diner Carrollton 93 previous 82 Violations: Gate not self closing/self latching. Pipes need marking for direction of flow 08/04/2021: Holiday Inn Express 1545 Hwy 27 S Carrollton 80 UNSATISFACTORY 08/19/2021: Oak Mountain Golf 409 Birkdale Carrollton 92 previous 100 Violations: Chlorine 0 ppm. No life ring at pool. No records available at time of inspection.

08/19/2021: GC Feathers Wings 883 W Bankhead Hwy Villa Rica 92 previous 98 08/13/2021: Hampton Inn 102 S Cottage Hill Rd Carrollton 79 UNSATISFACTORY 08/09/2021: Subway 101 North Way Blvd Carrollton 92 previous 95 Violations: Shepherd’s Hook could not be found. Mark the direction of flow on pipes.

08/18/2021: Trading Post 664 W Bankhead Hwy Ste 2B Villa Rica 92 previous 94 Keep a daily record of free chlorine and pH. 08/19/2021: Station 1 Hot Wing Cafe 118 Hwy 61 Ste B Villa Rica 92 previous 90 08/12/2021: Rodeway Inn 160 Centennial Rd Carrollton 75 UNSATISFACTORY 08/02/2021: Pizza Hut 614 Bankhead Hwy Carrollton 91 previous 95 Violations: Emergency phone at pool has been disconnected. Free chlorine 08/02/2021: Blazer’s 23-B Tyus-Carrollton Rd Carrollton 91 previous 94 measrued at 0 ppm, must be at least 1 ppm. pH measured at 7.0, pH must be maintinaed between 7.2 and 7.8 at all times. Daily water chemistry and safety 08/31/2021: Olive Tree 150 Stone St Villa Rica 90 previous 100 check not being performed and recorded for pool.

08/20/2021: Kong Long Chinese 82 Hwy 61 Connector Villa Rica 90 previous 96 08/16/2021: Renew Carrollton 598 S Park St Carrollton 69 UNSATISFACTORY 08/20/2021: Brothers Bar & Steakhouse 901 S Carroll Rd Villa Rica 90 previous 92 Violations: Free chlorine measured at 0 ppm. pH measured ay 8.0. Pool missing 08/31/2021: Applebee’s 1105 S Park St Carrollton 89 previous 83 float line. Vaccuum line shall be protected with a self closing, self latching fitting.

88 previous 90 08/02/2021: Watering Hole 123 Tri-County Plaza Villa Rica 08/25/2021: Banning Mills 205 Horseshoe Dam Rd Whitesburg 86 previous 100 08/13/2021: Tropical Joe’s Smoothies 928 S Park St Carrollton 85 previous 95 08/26/2021: New Evergreen Chinese 1004 Bankhead Hwy Carrollton 84 previous 98

08/23/2021: Bojangles 102 W Perennial Dr Temple

84 83 83 83

Violations: Mold present on shield at ice machine 08/05/2021: Jefferson’s 750 W Bankhead Hwy Villa Rica

82 previous 95

08/05/2021: Subway Walmart 600 Hwy 61 Villa Rica 08/19/2021: Subway 827 Maple St Carrollton 08/23/2021: Little Caeser’s 160 Hwy 27 Bremen

previous 86 previous 97 previous 82 previous 99

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Violations: Dish machine not registering any sanitizer while use. Prep top chicken cooler holding ambient temp of 51F. 08/20/2021: Thai Basil Cuisine 921 Moore’s Ferry Rd Villa Rica 80 previous 94 Violations: Observed raw chicken stored over raw shrimp. Observed foods across multiple coolers stored uncovered.

594 Carrollton Villa Rica Hwy Tues. - Thurs. 10am-4pm other times by appt only

(between Verizon and Waffle House)

770-456-9980 www.rwbtax.com

Page 22 September 12, 2021

StarNews

www.starnewsgaonline.com

Plan ahead before joining the “Great Resignation”

C HARLES

SHIVER

FINANCIAL ADVISOR

It’s been called the “Great Resignation” – the large number of Americans voluntarily leaving their jobs. If you plan to be part of it (ideally with another source of employment lined up), you’ll need to make the financial moves necessary to keep making progress toward your long-term goals.

Here’s some background: After a year in which the pandemic caused so many people to lose their jobs, the economy is opening

back up, but the “quit rate” – the number of jobs people have voluntarily left – has been breaking records. Some economists say this high quit rate is because people are confident of getting better jobs, with higher pay and more flexibility to work at home, or because they are preparing to start their own business or join the gig economy.

If you’re thinking of joining this temporary migration from the workforce, how can you help ensure that you’ll be financially stable and can continue to make progress toward your long-term goals?

Your first move is to look clearly at your financial situation. As mentioned above, it’s best to have new employment in hand before

Carroll County marriage licenses

you quit your job. Alternatively, perhaps you have a spouse or life partner who earns enough to sustain the two of you, or you’ve built up an emergency fund that gives you a cushion.

However, if your short-term income is less than you previously earned or you need to go without a paycheck for a while, could you still pay your bills? If you are strapped for cash, you might be tempted to tap into your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan.

But this move will generally result in taxes and, if you are younger than 59 ?, a 10 percent penalty as well. Because of this, and because your retirement accounts are designed to be a financial resource after you retire, think twice

AUGUST 1-31, 2021

marriages chart

before dipping into these funds if you leave your current employer.

If your employer allows it, you can leave your money in the 401(k) so you’ll still be accumulating resources for retirement. You also have the option to roll those funds into an individual retirement account (IRA) or a new employer’s retirement plan.

And if you plan to work for yourself as a freelancer, consultant or business owner, you’ll still want to save toward retirement.

Possible retirement plans for the selfemployed include an “owner-only” 401(k), a SEP-IRA or a SIMPLE IRA, all of which may be relatively easy to establish and offer tax benefits. A financial advisor can help you find a retirement plan that’s appropriate for your needs.

Here’s something else to keep in mind – an emergency fund. As mentioned above, if you already have one, you’ll have some breathing room if you’re thinking of leaving your job and might have a temporary gap in income.

But as the name suggests, an emergency fund is there to help cover unexpected costs, such as a major home repair, without forcing you to take out a loan, or cash out part of your longerterm investments. So, if you are planning to tap your emergency fund, work to restock it as soon as possible.

If you’re participating in the “Great Resignation,” it means you’re feeling positive about your future employment prospects, which is great. But you’ll want to support that optimism with a strong financial foundation.

Charles Shiver is a financial advisor, Edward Jones, 102 Trojan Drive, Suite B, Carrollton, Georgia, 770-834-4311

Carroll County pistol permits

Number of Weapons Carry Permits applied for: AUGUST 1- 31, 2021: 181

Carroll County jail population

(The Jack T. Bell Detention Center, 1000 Newnan Road, Carrollton) Total population as of SEPTEMBER 2, 2021: 456 Males: 412 Females: 44

Carroll County prison population

Total population as of September 2, 2021: 206 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 August 30, 2021: 457 August 23, 2021: 690 August 16, 2021: 596 August 9, 2021: 692 August 2, 2021: 618

Carroll County births August 1- 31, 2021: Tanner Medical Center, Carrollton: Girls: 62 Boys: 43 Tanner Medical Center, Villa Rica:� Girls: 31 Boys: 25

www.starnewsgaonline.com MORE from page 12 this matter. The first speaker was Cathy Zickert, with Smith, Cantrelle, & Russell, 1230 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA, the firm who represents the investors who purchased the property in 2015. Zickert said the investor has already made many concessions they didn’t have to make under the code. In fact, they even made some “last-minute” changes that the Mirror Lake HOA presented. But as of now, “we would insist on protecting our constitutional rights in terms of what we can do with this property, and we would protest any effort to impose something on us beyond what we have agreed to at this point in time.”

Citizen Kurt Kraft opposed the rezoning request, and contends it should be tabled

because the zoning ordinance process was not followed, and his desire is to prevent the city from being sued. “This is the biggest mess I’ve seen in the 16, 20, actually 20 years of zoning for and in the county, that I’ve ever seen presented to a Council.” He asked the request be tabled for further study. According to citizen Debbie Dickinson, ‘this is a railroad job, it’s not following protocol, it’s too fast”. She also asked the city to table the request and form a committee that involves all parties. “Let’s step back, let’s do it right.”

Citizen Ken Willis and vice president of the Mirror Lake Community Association, stated that it was not a true statement that 95% of the HOA of Mirror Lake requests had been agreed to, but only that they were “in favor of contin-

ued negotiations”. A total of twelve people spoke. The mayor said, “One thing I know for sure is that, in 1998 and 1997, and when some of these great people came to this community, there was no misunderstanding that all of that land was going to be developed.”

Some councilmembers were receptive to tabling for 30 days, but others were concerned that the builders might walk away and leave the city with even bigger, according to Councilmember McPherson “what sounded like really crazy” problems to deal with.

Councilmember Young commented that “everyone” knew it was always going to be 2,500 homes plus, and it took from 1998 to the housing crash of 2009 to get where they are now, so it will certainly take another ten years to get the

PIONEER FORD “Mustang Show”

StarNews September 12, 2021

Page 23

rest done. The Mayor added that the contemplated map is really only a concept which will certainly change once city-required engineering starts taking place. Further outcry ensued, but the Mayor called them to order stating, “There is nothing to report while negotiations are going on, and if bad or short information got out, it was not intended”, that certain things could not be discussed under advisement of the City Attorney.

At this point the Mayor entertained a motion, and Young moved to approve, the rezoning with conditions, and that the document is fully transferable to any future developer or builder on this site. Motion was seconded by Marchman, and approved 4 to 1, Carter opposed.

Page 24 September 12, 2021

StarNews www.starnewsgaonline.com