StarNews
CARROLL COUNTY, GEORGIA’s ONLY LOCALLY OWNED LOCALLY OPERATED NEWSPAPER
NEWS REPORTING / NEWS RECAP / NEWS ANALYSIS
NOVEMBER 8, 2020 • VOLUME 26 NUMBER 11
24th annual Economic Forecast Breakfast predicts positive: Construction industry “robust”; lowest mortage rates “in history”; housing market on an “upward trajectory” submitted by Sam Gentry, UWG The University of West Georgia’s Richards College of Business held its 24th annual Economic Forecast Breakfast Tuesday, Oct. 27th, with business, government and community leaders gathering virtually via Zoom and Facebook Live to hear from three speakers on what to expect as the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Georgia Commissioner of Mark Butler Labor Mark Butler was one of the three speakers. Hosted by the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce and the Richards College of
ANNUAL SPECIAL on how we are doing as a county and community, including stats on our quality of life in West Georgia PART TWO OF THREE beginning on page 9
w w w. s t a r n e w s g a o n l i n e . c o m StarNews monthly traditional print publication / StarNews Online daily local news
Smith wins with a commanding 75.17% Dugan, also strong, has a 67.65% win
Mike Dugan
State labor department warns of phone hoax Tyler Paul Smith
by Daniel Jackson The Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020 General Election proved to be a momentous night for Georgia State District 30 incumbent Senator Mike Dugan and newly elected Georgia State House District 18’s Tyler Paul Smith. Senator Dugan defeated Democratic challenger Montenia Edwards by a large margin. Dugan collected 67.7% of the 85,888 total votes cast, while Edwards won just 32.3% with 27,781 votes. Dugan thanked his supporters for his victory stating, “I want to say how much I appreciate the voters selecting me to continue to serve them. I’m proud of the work we’ve done and look forward to working with the entire Senate body, to continue to move Georgia forward”. Dugan will begin his fourth term in January. Tyler Paul Smith ended the night with an equally impressive win, collecting 75.2% of the 18,160 votes cast, to Pat Rhudy’s 24.8% and See ELECTION RESULTS page 8
See NO ROCK QUARRY page 3
Annual “Empty Stocking” fundraiser seeking generous donors during this tough year of CoVID Carrollton Evening SERTOMA Club has undertaken goal of raising $50,000 for this Christmas’ giving
Despite CoVID challenges, Carroll County Ag-Ed Center continues to strongly support county farmers and public alike
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submitted by Jackie Pate The next step has been reached in the review of a proposed rock quarry in southeastern Carroll County as it now is to be considered by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). The comment period expired that allowed local residents, governments, and other interested parties to comment to the Three Rivers Commission through the Development of Regional Impact process. The proposed rock quarry would encompass 360 acres bordering Black Dirt Road in Whitesburg (near Byers Crossroads) on one side and the Chattahoochee River on the other side. Almost 300 responses were received during the comment period, which was extended three times, ending on
See EMPTY STOCKING FUND page 5
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Georgia EPD
photo and story by Daniel Jackson The Carrollton Evening SERTOMA Club looks to bring gifts and smiles to children and needy families through their “Empty Stocking” fundraiser this Christmas holiday. The Carrollton Evening SERTOMA (Service to Mankind) Club, is both an international and local civic club, with a mission to improve the quality of life for
See PHONE HOAX page 4
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PART 2
Mike Dugan (R) wins fifth “NO ROCK QUARRY” term; Tyler Paul Smith (R) to Proposed rock quarry go to Gold Dome for first time review now moves to
See ECONOMIC FORECAST page 19
from press release The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) is warning Georgians of recent telephone scammers attempting to steal personally identifiable information (PII) while posing as an employee of the Georgia Department of Labor. The GDOL received several reports of an automated call claiming that the individual’s social security number had been compromised in Texas and asking for individuals to press a button to talk with a representative about next steps. The call appears to come from the Georgia Department of Labor. The GDOL is not calling claimants to address potential fraud in another state. If
STATE OF CARROLL 2020
Paula Burke is Carroll County’s first female extension agent having been hired in 2012 by then Commission Chairman Bill Chappell. She is shown above with her most recent award The National Association of County Agricultural Agents “2020 Distinguished Service Award”.
photos and story by Daniel Jackson In many large parts of Carroll County, agriculture plays a central role in everyday life. Whether growing crops or cattle on a large scale, or simply planting a raised garden bed or raising a few chickens, the Carroll County Agricultural Education Center is a bedrock resource for farmers and the general public alike. The Carroll County Agricultural Extension program located at the Ag-Ed Center, has been operating for over 100 years, starting in 1907 with its founder and Georgia’s first County Farm Agent, Samuel Cown. Cown blazed the trail for the current Ag Ed Center, recruiting leading farmers and teaching modern farming practices with the help of government provided seeds. Cown also taught the community’s children how to grow corn more efficiently, with those children passing See PAULA BURKE page 26