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Commission Chairman Michelle Morgan presents brief state of the county address at chamber breakfast

120 in attendance for annual address

No questions were taken

story by Wayne J. Reynolds

On January 12, 2023, the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce held its membership breakfast featuring the 2nd Annual “State of the County” by Carroll County Commission Chairman Michelle Morgan, with approximately 120 in attendance.

Chairman Morgan began her thirteen and a half minute presentation by introducing those See CHAIRMAN MORGAN page 7

Three lose property in courthouse steps auction for failure to pay back taxes; each for less than $2,500

170 + county properties went up for public auction at March 2022 FIFA tax lien sale

story by Sue Horn Evans

A Fieri Facias Lien or Notice (FIFA) is the official notification that a tax account has been assigned to a state division for enforcing collection of unpaid and due taxes on property. This is the first step of aggressive collection.

Each year, the Carroll County Tax Office notifies property owners who are past due, and See BACK TAXES page 11

Commission chair schedules and approves purchase of $3,562 for tailored clothing for 26 employees

Tax money spent on jackets for 11 female and 15 male employees story by Sue Horn Evans

Carroll Commission Chair Michelle Morgan arranged and approved a $3,562 purchase for tailor-fitted jackets for 26 county employees and elected officials. Two elected officials refused the jacket offer: Carroll County Tax Commissioner Vickie Bearden and County District 5 Commissioner Ernie Reynolds. See $3,562 JACKETS page 11

Sheriff’s department offers possible solutions concerning rising anxiety between the law and the citizenry

story and photo by Wayne J. Reynolds

National news reports of traffic stops or the serving of civil papers to the home gone horribly wrong between citizens and law enforcement, has led many - if not most - citizens today experience anxiety or nervousness upon seeing flashing blue lights in your rear view mirror or when there is a knock on your door. “What have I done?!” you may ask yourself. The degree of anxiety certainly will depend on your personal life experiences.

. . .many - if not mostcitizens today experience anxiety or nervousness upon seeing flashing blue lights in your rear view mirror or when there is a knock on your door

StarNews sat down with Major Craig Dodson of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department to discuss what a citizen should or should not do and what to expect while interacting with law enforcement. Dodson also gave insight on what an officer/deputy faces each work day. Major Dodson’s background with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department began his career in 1990 having been hired by Sheriff Jack Bell. Over the years, Dodson has worked in K-9, narcotics, court services, and the jail as he was promoted through the ranks under three elected county sheriffs: Bell, Tony Reeves, and Terry Langley. He summed up, “I have done most everything.”

See MAJORCRAIGDODSON page 12

- see page 2

Auditors show county has accumulated $18.1M in revenues over expenses from past five fiscal years

Cash reserve: 6.4 months of operating budget on hand at $39,508,245

When questioned, Rushton CPA auditor opined, “I don’t think that’s too much” extra cash story by Sue Horn Evans

Carroll County Board of Commissioners met for their annual (overnight) retreat in Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA on Tuesday, January 31st (full day of meetings) and Wednesday, February 1st (half day of meetings). All six district commissioners and See $18.1M more collected page 5

County auto insurance to rise: $508,568 in claims for fire dept. wrecks

One wrecked 2018 Sutphen Pumper One wrecked 2019 Ford F-150 Pick-up

story by Sue Horn Evans

On the first day of their retreat, Tuesday, January 31st, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners heard from county insurance provider MarshMcLennan Agency, locally J. Smith Lanier,Carrollton. Newton Jennings,

Villa Rica council hear concerns about homeless camp

story by Janice Daniel

The Mayor and Council of Villa Rica recently heard from numerous citizens citing concerns about a homeless camp in the city. During Public Comments of the council’s Tuesday, January 10, 2023 regular meeting, citizens voiced serious concerns about a

March 30april 27 I Depot On Bradley

DaVinci’s Last Supper. The interactive exhibit is comprised of individual installations and a full-size reproduction of the High Renaissance classic, The Last Supper. The exhibit includes an audio accompaniment, in both English and Spanish, that walks through the creative choices that gave rise to DaVinci’s poignant recreation of Christ’s final meal with his apostles and the announcement of his betrayal.

For a limited time, come and expe rience carrolltonarts.com/thelastsupper

Tickets are $20 for adults with reduced pricing for youth and large groups .

Senator Dugan now chair of Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security committee; State Rep. Smith now chair of House Judiciary Non-Civil committee

from press release

Sen. Mike Dugan (R - Carrollton) was assigned by the Senate Committee on Assignments to serve as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security.

“I am both honored and humbled to have been selected by my Senate colleagues to serve as chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security,” said Sen. Dugan. “As a retired veteran myself, I understand first-hand the sacrifice it takes to dedicate yourself to serving this great nation. We have extremely high number of veterans that choose to call Georgia home and our committee responsibility is to ensure we address the needs of those veterans and their families. My fellow committee members and I will not take this responsibility lightly.”

In addition, Sen. Dugan was assigned to serve on the following Senate committees: Economic Development and Tourism – Vice Chair; Appropriations; Public Safety – Ex Officio; Rules. He represents Senate District 30 which includes Carroll, and Haralson Counties and portions of Paulding and Douglas Counties. mike.dugan@senate.ga.gov

The Georgia House of Representatives’ Committee on Assignments named State Representative Tyler Paul Smith (R-Bremen) as the Chairman of the House Judiciary NonCivil Committee.

“I am truly humbled and honored,” said Rep.

Georgia Farm Bureau art contest for middle, high school students

1st place $100 gift card; 2nd place $75 gift card; and 3rd place $50 gift card

Are you a middle school or high school student who likes to draw? If so, then enter the 2023 Georgia Farm Bureau Middle School Bookmark or High School Art Contests for the chance to win some great cash prizes! The Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Middle School Bookmark Contest is open to all public, private, and home-schooled 6th, 7th, and 8thgrade students statewide. The 10 GFB district winners of the bookmark contest will receive $100 each and compete for the state prize of $150. The 1st place winner of the Carroll County Farm Bureau Middle School Bookmark Contest will receive a $100 gift card; 2nd place will receive a $75 gift card; & 3rd place will receive a $50 gift card.

The GFB High School Art Contest is also open to all public, private, and home-schooled students in 9th-12th grades. The 10 GFB district art contest winners will receive a cash prize of $100. The 10 GFB district art contest winners will compete for the state prize of $250 cash. One state runner-up in the art contest will receive $150 cash. The 1st place winner of the Carroll County Farm Bureau Art Contest will receive a $100 gift card; 2nd place will receive a $75 gift card; & 3rd place will receive a $50 gift card.

Middle school students will be given a blank bookmark and asked to draw a picture that depicts some aspect of Georgia agriculture. Students may use crayons, markers, or colored pencils to create their bookmark that illustrates agriculture.

High schoolers entering the art contest should draw a scene depicting Georgia agriculture. Artwork submitted in the high school art contest must be on 8.5 x 11-inch white paper and should be created in the colors black,

See GFBARTCONTEST page 12

Smith. “This is perhaps the most important committee in in the House as it affects our liberties in every bill we consider. The pursuit of justice in our criminal justice system has and always will be the most important endeavor we face as policy makers.”

The House Committee on Assignments, chaired by House Speaker Jon Burns (RNewington), is charged with making all House committee assignments for the members of the Georgia House of Representatives.

Representative Tyler Paul Smith represents the citizens of District 18, which includes Haralson County and portions of Carroll and Paulding counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2020.