November 2023

StarNews

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NOVEMBER 12, 2023 • VOLUME 29 NUMBER 11

Search has begun to County school board replace retiring county names interim member elections supervisor Lawana Knight to fill vacancy

Greg Rigby to retire before end of year left by death of Clayton Kierbow

Carroll County government has posted a job “Vacancy” for a county elections supervisor. Greg Rigby announced his retirement in September.

Rigby See SUPERVISOR page 14

Whitesburg resident Lawana Knight was named interim District 4 board member by the Carroll County Board of Education during its October 20, 2023, Knight See KNIGHT page 7

Carroll Tomorrow /chamber: new faces, some familiar faces - see page 5 Mental Health Advocates: “a whole different approach here” - see page 6 Restaurant/Hotel Inspections - page 16 Marriage Licenses - page 26

StarNews monthly traditional print / StarNews Online daily local news www.starnewsgaonline.com

State EPD to provide oversight on plan of action by nursing home to finally halt raw sewage spill

According to Brian Boutelle, EPD, over Stormwater and Drinking Water, a plan of action has been submitted Yet to be determined whether nursing home owner will be held liable for damages to “waters of state” Current owner purchased Carrollton Nursing and Rehab 2 years ago from Great Oaks, owner/operator for 26 years

story by Sue Horn In the October 15, 2023 edition of StarNews, a front page story related the long time and ongoing sewage spill from an area nursing home into Buck Creek which flows into the Little Tallapoosa River. Five videos documenting

the sewage spill are posted online at www.starnewsgaonline.com. A large sewage pond has grown (estimated 13,000 gallons a day for years) to an estimated 1/4 acre. And, according to the Carroll County See SEWAGE SPILL UPDATE page 10

Two female county employees file See November 7th ELECTION EEOC Charge of Discrimination RESULTS page 14 against board of commissioners based on “gender” and “retaliation” Carroll EMC Board Communications Director Ashley Hulsey and Solid Waste Director Jacqueline Dost filed against board specifically citing Commissioner Ernie Reynolds for most of the complaints, Commissioner Tommy Lee for at least one, and “other male commissioners” for subjecting the two females employees to a hostile work environment

story by Sue Horn Two female Carroll County employees each have filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on the “Charge of Discrimination” based on gender and retaliation, October 4, 2023, against the Carroll County Board of Commissioners. Each comSee GENDER/RETALIATION DISCRIMINATION page 9

Circles of West Georgia: 20,000 families living in poverty in Carroll County

8 year old chapter of a community-driven program that “inspires” and “equips” families and communities to get out of cycle of poverty

Right to Life’s 19th “Stand for Life”

West Georgia’s Chapter of Georgia Right to Life held their 19th “Stand for Life” annual event October 21st in Carrollton along Highway 27 south from Stripling Chapel Road to the Verizon store. The roadside was lined with “Pro Lifers” - those who want to give a voice for preborn and aged. For more information: Duane.hack46@gmail.com Duane Hack, 470370-2452. Photo and information submitted by Duane Hack

story by Wayne J. Reynolds “There are 20,000 families living in poverty in Carroll County. This means one in four children here is living in poverty. That number is one in three children in Haralson and Heard,” said Michael Berg, director of Circles of West Georgia. “Circles of West Georgia is an innovative, community-driven way to affect poverty. It is different from simply providing assistance to people in poverty. Circles’ mission is to inspire and equip families and communities to thrive, ending poverty.”

Berg said Circles’ program participants see life-changing results.

Families who stay in Circles 18 months drastically increase their assets and earnings. Initial research showed that for every one dollar ($1) invested in Circles, two dollars ($2) in welfare and food stamp subsidies was returned to the state and four dollars ($4) to the community as new earned income.

contributes $50,000 to Tanner Cancer Care

from press release Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative (EMC) Board of Directors announced a $50,000 contribution to Tanner Medical Foundation to benefit the Roy Richards, Sr. Cancer Center at Tanner Health System.

“Carroll EMC is thankful to be able to support Tanner’s Roy Richards, Sr. Cancer Center with this donation on behalf of our members and employees who have fought and are fighting this horrible disease,” said Carroll EMC Chief Executive Officer Tim Martin.

See $50,000 page 17

UWG’s “A Day to Give West” raises $2.09M $2,094,075 is a record amount in the 41 years of the university’s annual fundraiser

from press release University of West Georgia hosted its 41st annual “A Day to Give West” raising $2,094,075, a record amount for this annual longtime fundraiser. Included in the funds raised, were contributions made to homecoming student royalty and supporters of UWG Athletics through crowdfunding campaigns See CIRCLES OF WEST GEORGIA page 13 See UWG RECORD AMOUNT page 17

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Page 2 November 12, 2023 StarNews www.starnewsgaonline.com

Lights sparkling on the downtown square. Concerts and carols. The aroma of freshly baked treats in the air. A warm cup of cocoa in your hands. The perfect gift found in a unique shop. A wave and heartfelt season’s greetings from a neighbor - or a stranger - passing by on the sidewalk. Raising a glass of good cheer with friends.

‘Tis the season to celebrate Christmas in Carrollton.

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www.starnewsgaonline.com StarNews November 12, 2023 Page 3

Join Us in Our Mission Join Us in Our Mission

Remember Remember

Honor Honor

Teach Teach

December 16, 2023 December 16, 2023

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Sponsor a wreath today to be placed on a Sponsor a wreath today be placedaton a veteran's grave this to December veteran's grave this December West Georgia Memorial Park.at West Georgia Memorial Park.

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Page 4 November 12, 2023 StarNews www.starnewsgaonline.com

County commission to liquidate General Obligation Sales Tax Bonds / T-Notes, and move that $36.5M into a higher interest earning account: from 0.47% to 4.25% County’s Registered Investment Advisor to receive management fee of 12% plus 0.07% Finance Director Alecia Searcy wants written opinion from county’s bond attorney to show that “We didn’t do anything intentional to avoid rebate” story by Janice Daniel may change daily on these DD-SLGS Bonds; Carroll County Board of Commissioners met however the county is expected to earn about Thursday, November 2, 2023, at 4 p.m. for $3.1 million in interest, which is a $2.8 million their monthly work session. increase over the money market rate the Bonds Finance Director Alecia Searcy gave the were previously invested in. financial report for the three When asked if all commisSearcy stated that, months of July, August and sioners were okay with putting although the legal risk is this item on a Consent Agenda, September as follows: Revenue $10,730,183 Searcy informed the board that very slim, she wants 14.65% of Budget the comfort of the Bond she would like to have a written Expenditures $18,469,225 opinion from the County’s Attorney’s opinion as a Bond Attorney, who has already 25.22% of Budget Searcy also presented a list sort of insurance policy. told County Attorney Stacey of Budget Amendments that She said it was a Blackmon that he will be willwill be listed in the county’s ing to provide and opinion at a relatively inexpensive legal organ for one month fee of $3,500. Searcy stated insurance policy prior to being approved in that, although the legal risk is compared to the amount very slim, she wants the comthe December meeting. of money the county David Sutton, Raymond fort of the Bond Attorney’s James & Associates, Inc. will be earning on this opinion as a sort of insurance presented to the board what policy. She said it was a relainvestment, to cover Chairman Michelle Morgan tively inexpensive insurance the finance director, described as a “wonderful policy compared to the amount whether it be herself opportunity” for the county of money the county will be at the present, or to move some investment earning on this investment, to monies and achieve a much someone else later on. cover the finance director, higher rate of return. whether it be herself at the preA letter will go out to Regions Bank instruct- sent, or someone else later on. ing them to liquidate the account known as the When Commissioner Reynolds stated this “Carroll County, Georgia General Obligation was a waste of money due to the fact Raymond Sales Tax Bonds, Bond Series 2021 James said that 14 or more bond attorneys have Construction Fund.” The bank will then be already given their blessing to other municiinstructed to invest such liqpalities who have made this uidation proceeds, together Searcy responded, “Well, investment, Searcy responded, with the T-notes maturing on everybody’s said it’s okay, “Well, everybody’s said it’s August 31, 2023 and okay, but nobody’s put it in but nobody’s put it in September 30, 2023, into writing . . And in reality, writing, so I’d just like to have United States Treasury if the IRS comes back, that security of knowing that I Obligations-State and Local have something in writing to they’ll probably come Government Series-Demand fall back on. And in reality, if back after my tenure as the IRS comes back, they’ll Deposits (DD-SLGS).

This is being done per the finance director here. . probably come back after my advice of Raymond James as . and if there ever is a tenure as the finance director the County’s Registered here, and I won’t have to deal Investment Advisor, who problem . . .pull it out and with it, but I think it’s my due say, hey, we got an procures the desired investdiligence as the finance director ments at the best price high- opinion on this. We didn’t that I should ask for that, have est yield, and charges fully do anything intentional it in the file, and if there ever is disclosed fees billed directly a problem, the next person to avoid rebate.” to the county, at an Asset down the line can pull it out Management Fee of 12% for up to $25 million and say, hey, we got an opinion on this. We didand .07% for $25 to $50 million. n’t do anything intentional to avoid rebate.”

The agreement will renew January 1st of Commissioner Chance said he feels the each year, and may be terminated by a 30-day Bond Attorney letter is needed, especially in written notice by either party. relation to the amount of money the county will Carroll County’s investment amount will be be earning. $36,500,000 in Tax Exempt Bonds at an interNext item of business came from the Fire est rate of 4.25% rather than the 0.47% it is Chief who asked for Motorola Radios for fire currently earning, resulting in a significantly trucks arriving in February and others throughhigher interest income on the county’s con- out 2024, in an amount of $41,486.58 to come struction fund. from SPLOST funds. It was agreed to put this Per Commissioner Clint Chance, this is not on the Consent Agenda. about the county trying to hoard money, but Public Works Director Danny Yates advised rather trying to leverage income to offset high the Board that after demolition of the old inflation rates, and any portion of the money administration building, some costs had been can be obtained on a day’s notice. discovered that were considerably higher than Commissioner Ernie Reynolds asked how what had been expected. He informed the long does the county have to spend these funds, Board that $65,000 could be saved by the and Sutton said the expectation is to spend the doing the additional work in-house, and this money quickly. But, he added that, as everyone was also put on the Consent Agenda. knows, construction projects come with probAll other items of business will be taken up lems that slow down the progress, and these at the Tuesday, November 7th regular meeting, problems needs to be documented. The rates so the work session was adjourned.

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www.starnewsgaonline.com StarNews November 12, 2023 Page 5

Carroll County Chamber of Commerce / Carroll Tomorrow: new logo, new branding, and website

Chamber/Carroll Tomorrow experienced leadership changes this year, but brought back some previous employees and added a few fresh hires now marching forward into 2024

story by Wayne J. Reynolds Jackson, also temporarily has returned to help The year 2023 has been one of unexpected with the transition. change and turnover for the Carroll County Owenby explained, “We were not fully Chamber of Commerce/Carroll Tomorrow staffed at that time and Daniel helped fill the organizations, with the two ultimately landing void.” on their collective feet with both broad and Dill added, “Daniel is a good mentor and focused goals already laid out for 2024. coach for us. He is even-keeled, and greatly The change began in Dill stated they had their 2024 helped with background March when Karen and information on proHandel unexpectedly projects and programming lined jects. He will remain resigned from her posi- up. They will be introducing a new going forward on special tion as president/CEO logo, branding, and website for projects as needed.” after only 21 months of both the chamber of commerce Jackson had retired in employment. Shortly March 2021 after nearly and Carroll Tomorrow after her hire in 2021, she 20 years as President/CEO spoke on her vision and thoughts about the of Carroll Tomorrow and the Carroll County position during a StarNews interview, pro- Chamber of Commerce. claiming, “This ain’t your grandaddy’s chamWhen asked about his dual responsibilities ber”. An official statement after her abrupt with the chamber and with Tanner, Dill departure thanked her “or her service”. responded, “It is about prioritizing time. It is Brian Dill was then named interim presi- probably 60/40, 70/30 on goals and objectives dent/CEO March 16th, and then hired on June depending on the week. On the front end, I had 1st. Dill had previously worked for Carroll more leeway focusing on the chamber putting Tomorrow as vice president of Economic everything in place and getting staffing levels Development & Global Commerce about ten up to 100% on both the chamber and Carroll years ago. He remains employed with Tanner Tomorrow sides.

Health Systems as Vice President of External “In the winter months, I will spend more Affairs, but has stepped down from his respon- time on Tanner with my responsibilities with sibilities as executive director of the Tanner the legislatures in both Georgia and Alabama Foundation. as well as in Washington.”

On June 17th Rhyne Ownenby also returned Dill stated they had their 2024 projects and to the chamber as Senior Vice President of programming lined up. They will be introducOperations, after an approximately six month ing a new logo, branding, and website for both absence. Ownenby reports directly to Dill. She the chamber of commerce and Carroll has day-to-day oversight of the Chamber.

Tomorrow.

Another very familiar chamber face, Daniel See CHAMBER’s CHANGES page 8

Brian Dill President/CEO

Zarah Spraggins, Program and Event Manager

Carroll County Chamber of Commerce & Carroll Tomorrow

Carroll County Chamber of Commerce

brian@carroll-ga.org

zarah@carroll-ga.org

Haley Bell Carroll Tomorrow Project Manager

Rhyne Owenby Senior Vice President

Carroll County Chamber of Commerce

Carroll Tomorrow

haley@carroll-ga.org

rhyne@carroll-ga.org

Paula Eason, Membership & Events Coordinator

Joseph Ingui Director Economic Development

Carroll County Chamber of Commerce

Carroll Tomorrow

joseph@carroll-ga.org

paula@carroll-ga.org

2023 Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee Chair: Jill Duncan, State Farm Insurance Treasurer: Sheryl Williams, Bank OZK At-Large: Dr. Allison Key, 3:16 Healthcare At-Large: Tim Brewer, Addison Smith

Christi O’Barr-Miller, Administrative Assistant Carroll County Chamber of Commerce

christi@carroll-ga.org

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Page 6 November 12, 2023 StarNews www.starnewsgaonline.com

For those suffering from mental health issues or addiction, Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays can be an especially tough time Carroll Mental Health Advocates offer help through ten peer support programs story and photos by Wayne J. Reynolds As the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays approach, for those who suffer from mental health or addiction this time of the year can be especially stressful. But, the holidays - a traditionally happy time - can be a negative for those who suffer from mental illness or addicition. Jodie Goodman, Director of Carroll Mental Health Advocates (CMHA), Carrollton, said, “There is no slow time with mental illness and addiction. They don’t take a holiday. But, we do get busier during the holidays. It can be a trigger.”

Goodman spoke more at length about this ‘trigger’, “For many of us, the holidays are about family and tradition. But some of us don’t have that. As a service to the community, we try to be that resource - not only here at this facility, but also through technology. We do it many ways. We do it through a variety of peer support groups, but also our wonderful community does as well. We try to be present, to be accessible. People need people!’

Goodman observed that this time of year can be tough. If a person is living with mental illness, it is important to stay in treatment therapy - and do not rely on drugs and alcohol.

There is a 20% overlap between anxiety and mood disorders with substance abuse disorders. Drugs and alcohol can exacerbate those disorders.

There are also major depressive disorders linked with seasonal patterns. It gets darker earlier, so take advantage of the sunlight when you can. There is evidence that it enhances

your mood. Goodman stressed, “You can say NO. No is a complete sentence. If you are not in the holiday spirit and feeling overwhelmed, just say ‘no’. Stressed about gift giving or financial stress? Show other ways of giving. It is not about how much you give. Give a personal letter, personal stuff. Spend time with loved ones, experiences are what matters. If you are feeling alone, reach out. Recognize these feelings and reach out. We live in an amazing community.

“We offer a whole different approach here, trying to get on their level when they walk into Shown above left and right are Carroll County Mental Health Advocates Director the office. There is no judgement here. We try Jodie Goodman and Lisa Merrell, Certified Peer Support Specialist, Forensic Peer to be real and transparent. There is always Mentor. Their office is located in the Tracy Stallings building, 118 South White fresh coffee and something to eat! We are Street, Carrollton (see photo below). never going to turn anyone away. We will find the service they do need, if we can’t help them.”

She clarified that, “We don’t serve children.

We focus on adults. But, if a parent calls about their child, we will refer them to the right people. Please also let me emphasize that all services are free, no registration, no calling, just show up!”

Carroll Mental Health Advocates have ten peer support programs including the Connections Support Group which is for individuals living with mental illness, and the amily Support Group open to family and which is open to anyone who has lost a loved She can connect with virtually anyone who walks through the door. I can spend hours with friends of the individual with mental health. one to suicide.

Goodman also commented they offer grief CMHA’s Certified Peer Support Specialist/ someone and cannot connect with them like support, CoDependents, Making Connections, Forensic Peer Mentor Lisa Merrell is described Lisa can in minutes.”

Merrell said, “I have lived with addiction, and All Recovery. She explained they also by Goodman as their “rock star.” offer Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group Goodman said, “Lisa has walked the walk. See MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATES page 27

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www.starnewsgaonline.com StarNews November 12, 2023 Page 7 KNIGHT from front page meeting. Knight was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Clayton Kierbow whose death earlier this year left District 4 without representation on the board. Knight will serve in an interim capacity until the end of Kierbow’s term on December 31, 2024. She is eligible to run for the permanent seat.

“I am excited about the direction the board took to appoint Mrs. Lawana Knight to the District 4 position for the Whitesburg and Sandhill community,” board chairman Bryant Turner said. “Mrs. Knight has a long heritage in the Central community and has proven how much she loves Carroll County Schools. I’m thankful we have someone that will not only love her district but have a heart for the entire system with a vision for even greater premier opportunities for our students and staff.”

Knight is a lifelong Carroll County resident.

She worked in a variety of jobs at both Central Elementary and Central Middle before moving to the district office in 2017. She retired in 2022 after 30-years in the county school system.

Knight’s three daughters graduated from Central High School and two of them work at Central Elementary School.

“It is truly an honor to fill this seat,” Knight said. “I was fortunate to know Clay Kierbow for his entire life and sincerely appreciated his dedication to our students, staff and community in District 4. I care deeply about the students and

ppy Thanksgiving

Carroll County School’s new program trains students as jail officers

County students can now train for Basic

Jail Officer certification at the College & ope your home is filled with family Career Academy’s South Campus iends sharing joy and laughter this from press release Carroll County School System and county ksgiving holiday.

officials gathered October 19, 2023to cut a ribbon on the program which is offered at the system’s College & Career Academy (CCA) South Campus. Students in the Law & Public Safety pathway have the opportunity to k T Newton,participate AAMS™ in training and certification during the spring semester. al Advisor “This partnership is a four-way win,” aple Street Superintendent Scott Cowart said. “It’s a win on, GA 30117 for Carroll County Schools, it’s a win for the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and it’s a win 2-9515 for this community. But the most important winners are these students.”

College & Career Academy South Principal Lisa Puckett said students receiving the Basic Jail Officer certification from the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council are eligible to work at any jail in Georgia but will be encouraged to apply locally.

“Not only can these graduates start out making around $40,000 as jailers in Carroll County, they receive full benefits and the opportunity to participate in two retirement systems,” Carroll County Sheriff Terry Langley said. “And from there, the sky is the limit in your law enforcement career.”

Puckett said Langley’s deputies have been instrumental in planning the curriculum which will be coordinated with Georgia POST. CCSO Sgt. Corey Allen and CCA instructor Dana Phillips will work together to provide Georgia POST curriculum including emergency procedures, inmate rights, inmate supervision, fingerprinting and self-defense.

Seventeen students are scheduled to participate during the spring semester. Other students who are interested in participating in the jailer program, the Law & Public Safety pathway or any of more than a dozen pathways offered at CCA should speak with their high school counselor.

staff of Carroll County Schools and am thankful that we have a board of education that strives to give our students the best education possible in a safe and loving environment.”

Knight will join the board for its November 13th work session.

Carroll EMC offices closed for Thanksgiving All Carroll EMC offices will be closed Thursday, November 23rd, and Friday, November 24th, for Thanksgiving.

During this time, make payments at the kiosks, through the automated phone payment system (770-832-3552), online at carrollemc.com or via the free Carroll EMC mobile app.

To report a power outage, call 770-832-3552 (Option 1) or report it online at carrollemc.com or through the Outage Pal app.

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Page 8 November 12, 2023 StarNews www.starnewsgaonline.com CHAMBER’s CHANGES from page 5 the Legislative Breakfast with the local delega“On the Tomorrow side, we are reconstituting tion on the 14th.

“On the 17th, the Women’s Business our Joint Development Authority into a three Allianceis scheduled with Missy Dugan as county authority with Heard and Haralson counties. We will be standardizing incentives guest speaker. On the 28th, Georgia Commissioner of with collaboration with “We are fortunate in that we have Economic the area development authorities as well as a good story to tell. We can answer Development Pat Heard and Haralson a business when they ask why they Wilson will be giving a counties. We will be should come here. It all begins with presentation.

Owenby said, “We taking a regional our sense of legacy/sense of place have a lot going on. We approach to business with our existing businesses and the have a talented staff recruitment. Businesses reinvestment in the community.” and they have really don’t see political jurisstepped up. I don’t dictions, we do. They see supply chains, work force, cost of doing think we have missed a beat. It’s a great team! business. They see a community supporting Brian has provided great leadership.”

Dill remarked in conclusion, “The best is yet them and helping them grow. We need to take a more regional approach and not to compete to come. The community has done a great job on planned incremental growth. We are doing it with each other.

See CARROLL TOMORROW page 15 “Examples of this approach are the Savannah/ Chatham Joint Authority and Covington/ Newton County Authority. They took a deeper dive on what they could and couldn’t do.

We will use a more collaborative approach. We must also take care of our existing companies, which is as important if not more so than bringing new businesses!.”

Dill said Carroll Tomorrow is target-market based with markets such as advanced manufacturing, food processing/agribusiness, retail/ commercial development, with new target advanced technology on how they can attract the work force moving forward.

“We are fortunate in that we have a good story to tell. We can answer a business when they ask why they should come here. It all begins with our sense of legacy/sense of place with our existing businesses and the reinvestment in the community.

“We are very excited on both organizations’ branding on how we tell our story. We are also done with 2024 programming on the Chamber side. Rhyne has done a wonderful job getting us ready. She has done a deeper dive on what is working and what is not. What are our business needs? We are booked out in the first quarter and excited to re-gage with them. And we are now fully staffed on both sides.

Owenby said, “Zarah Spraggins has come on board as Events and Program Manager and has done a super job. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. That now makes the chamber side also fully staffed.

“We are making sure our programs are speaking to the needs of our members. We are introducing a resource guide for our business partners to help them find the talent they need in conjunction with University of West Georgia, West Georgia Tech, and Three Rivers. We have made a recommitment to our Leadership Development Program and the Junior Chamber with the importance of leadership.

“We want to make sure we are creating a community where people want to stay and raise their families here. We need to make sure young people understand why Carroll County is the place to stay. We also have surveys going out on programs of interest.”

Owenby added that the chamber doesn’t need to tell businesses why to join but needs to show them why to join. “We need to walk the walk!”

She said they need businesses to see what they are doing, why they are doing it, and what being a partner looks like. The chamber is celebrating 68 years. “We need businesses to see we are not only committed to them as businesses but also committed to the community!”

“Paula has done a fabulous job on membership which is at 653 and I think it will continue to grow as we continue to show what the community is looking for and what our business partners need.”

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www.starnewsgaonline.com StarNews November 12, 2023 Page 9 GENDER/RETALIATION DISCRIMINATION

“privately advised Mr. Reynolds that it looked plaint states: “Because of District 5 like he was targeting the Commissioner Ernest Reynolds’ and other women in the Chairman’s male Commissioners’discriminatory and office, that people had retaliatory treatment of me, the Carroll County been saying that he was Board of Commissioners has subjected me to picking on women, and (1) discrimination and (2) a hostile work envi- that he should be more ronment based on my gender (female), (3) mindful. He did not retaliation, and (4) a retaliatory hostile work respond.” Also, #13 states Hulsey environment, all in violation of Title VII of the that at a “June 13 CCBC meeting, Mr. Reynolds publicly called out the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”

Hulsey’s complaint lists 59 incidents, Dost’s fact that I, along with Solid Waste Director complaint lists 44, although most of the com- Jacqueline Dost (female) and another woman, received an additional raise above that received plaint details/incidents overlap.

Overall, the complaints claim that “District 5 by all county employees” and #14, “He stated Commissioner Ernest (“Ernie”) Reynolds has a that it wasn’t fair, that we took away money problem with women, specifically women in from the other 600-plus county employees, that it was a ‘waste,’ positions of power”. and that he did not Each complaint has the same Both Hulsey and Dost, under oath, go into great verbatim statement: “Since I spoke understand why we detail in their extensive up about the gender disparities, Mr. received higher raises.” complaints.

Reynolds and other Commissioners #9 on Dost’s comBoth Hulsy and Dost’s and employees have retaliatorily plaint states that EEOC Complaints state “(Reynolds] called ostracized me, isolated me, and that “CCBC [Carroll the raises “inequity in County Board of cast me out. I believe that Mr. Commissioners] has Reynolds wants to get rid of me and salary increases” and “favoritism,” which done nothing to prevent have my employment terminated.” he blamed on the or correct the gender dis(female) Chairman. crimination and retaliaHe indicated that we were given money that tion to which Mr. Reynolds and other men at was not earned.” And Dost’s #10 states, “He CCBC have subjected us.”

Each complaint has the same verbatim state- then made similar comments at CCBC meetment: “Since I spoke up about the gender dis- ings, in the local newspaper, and on the parities, Mr. Reynolds and other Community Voice on the WLBB radio staCommissioners and employees have retaliato- tion.” And #11, “However, he did not say anyrily ostracized me, isolated me, and cast me thing about the three male department heads out. I believe that Mr. Reynolds wants to get who also received higher raises.”

Hulsey’s #36: “In August 2023, Mr. rid of me and have my employment Reynolds praised a male colleague and his terminated.” #10 on Hulsey’s complaint states that she department at a public meeting for all of their

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hard work on a project.” duties, as my projects require me to meet with and “37. Even though I the district commissioners.” was the head coordinator Hulsey’s #52: “Previously, one commisfor the project, I received sioner and I spoke almost daily and worked no recognition or closely together to share information about acknowledgment from Mr. current projects with the public. Now, howReynolds. . .” ever, he has abandoned me as a friend and colHulsey’s #42: “On July league and only includes me in necessary busi6, 2023, I made a proness matters.” tected complaint of disDost’s #22: “I have been afraid to ask for crimination via email to needed equipment for my department because Dost several officials including I fear being interrogated and unfairly scrutiChairman Michelle Morgan, HR Director nized by him because I am a woman trying to Anne Lee, County Attorney Avery Jackson, do my job.” and Mr. Reynolds.” and #43 “In my complaint Hulsey’s #54: “Previously, I often had I specifically reported Mr. Reynolds’ biased lunches and dinners with County comments regarding raises in which he called Commissioners and employees, but they have out only the female employees that were given stopped inviting me. I often attended ‘Catfish raises, and not the Friday’ at Jones BBQ, but it Hulsey’s #54: “Previously, I often is now attended only by male employees.” had lunches and dinners with Dost’s #25. men.”

“When E-911 Hulsey’s #26: ”Because County Commissioners and Director Felicia employees, but they have stopped of Mr. Reynolds’ false and Rowland (female) biased narrative, we have requested one inviting me. I often attended ‘Catfish been ostracized, glared at, vehicle for her Friday’ at Jones BBQ, but it is now and whispered about by the department, Mr. attended only by men.” Dost’s #39: other county employees, Reynolds conde- “Since I spoke up about the gender who now believe we are the scendingly quesonly employees that disparities, my colleagues have tioned her despite received higher raises.” that funds for the retaliatorily ostracizedme, isolated Dost’s #39: “Since I spoke me, and cast me out.” vehicle were up about the gender dispariavailable.” #26. ties, my colleagues have In contrast, Community Development Director retaliatorily ostracized me, isolated me, and Ben Skipper (male) faced no resistance when cast me out.” he requested a vehicle for his department.”

Ashley Hulsey has been Carroll County’s Hulsey’s #51: “County Attorney Avery Communications Director for the CCBC for Jackson told me that District 3 Commissioner the past three years.

Tommy Lee stated that I was not to be in the Jacqueline Dost was hired as Carroll same meetings he was in, or he would not County’s Department of Solid Waste manager come to them. This has made my job difficult July 2021, then became Solid Waste director in and hindered my performance of my job 2022.

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Page 10 November 12, 2023 StarNews www.starnewsgaonline.com early June.”

SEWAGE SPILL UPDATE from front In another attempt to clarify this conflicting Department of Environmental Health (CCDEH) exchange and garner facts, StarNews asked: who visited the site, “the pond then spills into a “1. You said the other inspector stated he/she [Buck] creek that is in close proximity to the saw and “believed it was entering the creek” pond”. According to Brian Boutelle, Georgia while visiting in person during early June Environmental Protection Division’s (EPD) “2. You said Buck Creek is a water of the Storm Water and Drinking Water employee, state GA EPD has observed, on at least one occasion, “3. But, you said earlier that ‘Fortunately, we unpermitted wastewater discharges from the have not observed where unpermitted disnursing home entering Buck Creek, a water of charges have entered waters of the state.’ the state.

“If the other inspector observed it entering Through a series of recent emails (November the creek, then there has been an observation of 1st-3rd) with Brian Boutelle, StarNews learned unpermitted discharges entering waters of the that the nursing home has correct?” provided EPD with a “CorreAccording to Brian Boutelle, state, Boutelle: “That is corctive Plan of Action” Georgia Environmental Protection rect. That was observed addressing this large environduring her initial site Division’s (EPD) Storm Water and mental spill. Boutelle was the visit along with Carroll EPD employee who was first Drinking Water employee, GA County Environmental alerted about the environ- EPD has observed, on at least one Health. She said it was mental spill last April 27th by occasion, unpermitted wastewater wet and rainy that day, CCDEH Manager Jake discharges from the nursing home but she believes that it Holloway. reached the creek.”

All of Boutelle’s email entering Buck Creek, a water of the Then Boutelle added, responses to these Freedom state.

“I should modify that of Information questions last statement to ‘I have not personally with StarNews over the course of the three days observed where unpermitted discharges have were expeditious. entered waters of the state’.”

According to Boutelle, the owner of StarNews: “Thank you so much for that Carrollton Nursing and Rehabilitation facility, clarification that GA EPD has observed on, at 2327 Highway 27, Carrollton, was given 15 least one occasion, unpermitted (sewage) disdays (that began from the date of receipt of the charges entering a water of the state.” violation letter which was mailed August 2, Through those email responses from 2023) to submit an action plan outlining correcBoutelle, he confirmed that Buck Creek and the tive measures to prevent - and in this case to Little Tallapoosa River were indeed waters of also halt - unpermitted discharges of wastewater the state (common knowledge); that although from the system. he did not witness the sewage spill, one EPD Boutelle said, “We have an active enforceinspector did observe the wastewater flow durment case at this facility to bring the site into ing an onsite visit to the nursing home in early compliance with the Rules.”

June.

Boutelle also said that GA EPD will provide StarNews: “With raw sewage from this nursoversight to this plan of action. ing home having spilled into Buck Creek StarNews questioned Boutelle as to “What (which connects with Little Tallapoosa River) remedial actions would be expected for the for what appears to be 20 continuous years, environmental areas affected by the longtime what actions would be expected from GA EPD sewage spill into that area’s watershed?” in the coming weeks or years insofar as the Boutelle’s response: “Section 12-5-51 of the environment and any damage to the biodiverWater Quality Control Act provides that any sity or watershed along the creek/river’s path?” person who intentionally or negligently causes Boutelle: “To be determined”. or permits any sewage, industrial waste, or other StarNews: “According to Section 12-5-51 of waste, oils, scums, floating debris, or substances to be spilled discharged or deposited, into the waters of State, resulting in a condition of pollution, may be held liable for damages to the State.”

Then he added in this initial email exchange that, “Fortunately, we have not observed where unpermitted discharges have entered waters of the state.”

This was an unexpected statement, as the wastewater spill has been witnessed and documented.

StarNews asked: “Is Buck Creek not a ‘water of the state’?

“Is Little Tallapoosa River not a ‘water of the state’?

“Did you or an EPD representative visit the spill in person?”

Boutelle’s response: “Both are waters of the state. I have been out to the site on 2 occasions – both after our violation letter was issued [August 2nd]. Our initial site visit was conducted by another inspector in this office.”

StarNews: “So to clarify: 1. You did not witness the spill entering Buck Creek?

“2. The other inspector did not witness the spill entering Buck Creek?

“3. You did not witness the flow from the pond into Buck Creek?

“4. The other inspector did not witness the flow from the pond into Buck Creek?”

Boutelle: “Correct. The other inspector was there in early June, and they said they believe it was entering the creek. I have not. They did – in

the Water Quality Act, what damages/fines could the Carrollton Nursing and Rehabilitation owner be facing?”

Boutelle: “To be determined”.

Carrollton Nursing and Rehabiliation was constructed in 1986. Current owner is Blue Stone Realty Associates LP, Daniel Allen Ehrich of Inwood, NY (Long Island) purchased Carrollton Nursing and Rehabiliation, also

known as Carroll Convalescent Center, August 5, 2021, from Great Oaks Nursing Homes for $13.9M ($13,957,895). Built in 1986, it sits on 15.36 acres. Importantly, Great Oaks Nursing Homes was owner and operator for 26 years (1995-2021). Great Oaks purchased the facility in February 1995 from Eugene Bishop for $1.9M ($1,953,429).

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www.starnewsgaonline.com StarNews November 12, 2023 Page 11

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Page 12 November 12, 2023 StarNews www.starnewsgaonline.com

Carrollton council awards Midtown Water Park Project to RA-LIN: “maximum price” to be set story by Janice Daniel Mayor and City Council of Carrollton met on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. for regular monthly work session. All members were present.

City Engineer Tommy Holland detailed the Midtown Water Park Project stating that it consists of renovating and expanding the existing park by replacing the restroom/concession stand structure, expanding the pool deck to include a splash pad, as well as parking lot construction and landscaping. A Request for Qualifications and Proposals for Construction Management (CM) at Risk was issued for this project, with proposals being received on October 12th. Holland added that only one proposal was received, that being RA-LIN Construction, and that staff recommends this proposal be awarded. RA-LIN’s proposal included a preconstruction fee of $18,000 and a construction fee of 17.3%. Upon approval, city staff and consultants will work with the construction manager to obtain a guaranteed maximum price and guaranteed days till completion, to be reviewed by mayor and council for approval. Bid award as stated above was approved unanimously by council.

City Manager David Brooks informed the mayor and council that an as yet unidentified industrial project is looking at opening operations on a 29-acre site along Highway 61 across from the Carroll County Livestock Sales Barn. Brooks said that this property is located in Carroll County’s jurisdiction, but they are asking to connect to city sewer services. This will be a voting item at the November Mayor and Council Work Session.

Brooks also detailed Site Plan Amendment request for the allowance of two manufactured homes within the Tanyard Creek Subdivision Planned Development that was tabled at the October 2nd, 2023 meeting. He said that no additional application information has been provided. Council discussed the current Unified Development Ordinance standards regarding manufactured housing, as well as the concerns brought up by adjacent property owners.

Community Development Director, Erica Studdard, stated that the rezoning request at 415 Bradley Street is to replace the existing mixed use planned development plan with a new mixed use planned development plan.

Studdard added that the applicant would like to utilize the existing structure and redevelop the site into 13 residential units with flexibility to transition some of the residential units to commercial, depending on market demand.

Applicant asked for the following waivers: - Waiver of required planned development land use percentages, since it is an existing site; - Reduction of minimum multifamily housing unit size from 800 sq.ft. to 750 sq.ft; - Waiver of sidewalk along Minden Place due to existing building line and existing narrow right-of-way; - Waiver to reduce the required parking to 23 spaces for tenants, with guests parking accommodated on the property the applicant also owns across the street; Commercial/residential unit flexibility as already stated. Studdard stated that the Planning Commission reviewed the request and recommended approval of the request and waivers with the following recommended staff condition: the existing chain link and barbed wire fence shall be removed from the Minden Place right-of-way and any new fencing shall comply with the City of Carrollton UDO standards for fences.

Director Studdard also detailed an annexa-

tion and rezoning request at 1807 Highway 27 North, stating that the applicant would like to bring the property into the city with a General Commercial Zoning designation in order to build a commercial subdivision (business/ office park) with four to six commercial outparcels. Studdard added that the applicant provided a conceptual plan, but since the rezoning is not for a planned development, the submitted plan is not binding unless conditioned. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the request at their meeting, with the following conditions: no vehicular access shall be permitted onto Linda Lane, and a 40-foot undisturbed buffer shall be maintained adjacent to all residential land uses.

Studdard also detailed the annexation and rezoning request for 98.23 acres on Bankhead Highway, stating that the applicant would like to zone the property to Light Industry in order to develop a warehousing and distribution facility. Applicant provided a concept plan with a 330,000 square foot building proposed for phase 1. Studdard noted that any development exceeding the 500,000 square foot threshold would be considered a Development of Regional Impact and would be subject to review by Three Rivers Regional Commission.

She stated that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the request with the following conditions: - site plan shall have a 100-foot buffer along adjacent residential use property lines, consisting of 50 feet of undisturbed land and 50 feet of plantings; - 20-foot planted buffer shall be planted along the property line adjacent to the church in the southeast quadrant of the tract; - 50-foot setback for any structure shall be in place adjacent to the church in the southeast quadrant of the tract.

Lastly, Studdard detailed the annexation and rezoning request for 110.87 acres on Bankhead Highway, stating that these properties are located east of the other annexation and rezoning request being presented on Bankhead Highway. Applicant would like to rezone the property to Heavy Industry in order for the property to be developed for an industrial use in the future. She said the applicant has not provided an industrial use at this time, and the proposed properties do not currently meet the 50 continguous feet requirement for annexation unless the previous 98.23 acre request is annexed into the city. She added that many adjacent property owners attended the Planning Commission meeting with concerns regarding industrial development close to their properties. She stated that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the request with an M-1 (light industry) zoning designation instead of M-2 (heavy industry), and the following conditions: - annexation is contingent on the affirmative vote of the Mayor and Council for the annexation and rezoning of the Hugh Butler tract west of the subject tract; - 100-foot buffer along adjacent residential uses consisting of 50 feet of undisturbed land and 50 feet of plantings shall be installed; - no vehicular access shall be permitted on Kennedy Estates Road and Hillview Drive.

City Manager Brooks stated that Studdard has developed Tax Allocation District (TAD) policies and procedures for development applications within the TAD district. Brooks added that these would be in the format of a resolution for a final vote at the November Mayor and Council meeting.

After an executive session, meeting was adjourned.

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www.starnewsgaonline.com StarNews November 12, 2023 Page 13 CIRCLES OF WEST GEORGIA from front page

Elayne Brown, Circles of West Georgia Coordinator/Coach explained how the program works. “Circles is part of a national organization that has been around for 25 years.

The West Georgia Chapter has been around for eigh years. Our mission is to inspire families and communities to work together to end poverty. The goal is to eradicate 10% of poverty in the community over 10 years.”

Brown said, “The way it works is we form a circle, and the individual in poverty is the circle leader - that individual is the leader. They go through a 12 week training period where everything in their life is revisited. They learn better money management and they set SMART goals.

“The goals must be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time tabled SMART. They set their own goals, so they are invested. But they must include financial, personal, and one of three: job, education, or career. But, they can be altered over time.”

The qualifications to be in the Circles program is they must have shelter (“roof over their head”, they cannot be homeless); not have any violent crimes or crimes against children; and fall under the federal guidelines of poverty which is 100% or less.

“And they must be committed for the program to work! But, please let me add that if a homeless person asks for help, we will share with them resources we know of.”

The Circle Leader is then grouped with two people whom the program calls Allies. The only qualification for a local citizen to be an Ally is to have a stable life.

Brown said, “The Ally is so important to the program’s success. It doesn’t matter your level of education. It is about sharing your expertise

and experiences, with which we all have it more than we think. Recently, a lady said she wanted to help in some way, but she was ‘only a homemaker’ that was her area of expertise. She was perfect!

The Ally, just like the Circle leader, will go through a 6 week training program that ends at the Elayne Brown same time as the Leader’s 12-week program ends. We try to match the Allies with the leader by a variety of criteria.

“Together, they go on a 18 month journey together.

Research says it takes about that amount of time to change a person’s behavior.”

“We have so many Michael Berg success stories. We have one leader who just earned her Masters. I started out myself with Circles as an Ally. It is the best thing that has ever happened to me!

My leader just bought her second home. It is such a wonderful thing!”

The program meets twice a month on Tuesdays for one and half hours. The first half hour includes a meal with enough provided that the Circle leader can take home extra food. One of those nights there will be a speaker. Of course, and it’s undersood that the Circle group can also meet outside of those two nights.

Circles’ research shows that: - 62% of current Circle Leaders have obtained or maintained full-time employment - 33% of current Circle Leaders have

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obtained or maintained part-time employment - 20% of current Circle Leaders have begun school full-time - 56% of current Circle Leaders have obtained improved transportation Berg and Brown emphasized the need of volunteers beyond the Ally. They need people to volunteer on resource teams in areas like community, recruitment, services, jobs and education, and legislative matters. They offer a children’s program for the families of the Leaders. Of course, they need funds, but also people and tangible items such as office equipment. And, they can always use food donations for the Tuesday night meetings.

“You can donate in so many different ways,” Brown said. “We have one lady who donates door prizes. We all have something to share— expertise, money, or simply time. Donations come from companies, individuals, faith based groups, civic clubs, from everywhere!”

Currently, they have “one the best classes ever” going on right now, Brown said. “We are working now on forming classes for January.

We are looking for Leaders, Allies, and volunteers. We like to start each class with 10 Leaders, which means we need 20 Allies.”

To make a donation, visit the Community Foundation of West Georgia at cfwg.net or 807 South Park Street, Carrollton, GA 30117.

Circles of West Georgia meet and have an office at St Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 606 Newnan Street, Carrollton. If you wish more information: circlesofwestga.com or call Elayne Brown or Mike Berg at 678-416-1122.

“The leader’s whole persona changes. This program changes lives,” Brown shared. “This program works and addresses underlying issues of poverty. But, what it really needs is you! You can help, please call us today. You can help in so many ways! Please join us in this wonderful program!”

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Page 14 November 12, 2023 StarNews www.starnewsgaonline.com

November 7th ELECTION RESULTS The following candidates qualified for office and were unopposed. Unopposed candidates were deemed to have voted for themselves, thus, considered the “winners” of the election: 1. City of Bowdon Mayor Randy Saxon 2. City of Bowdon City Council Post 2 Bobby C. Elliott 3. City of Bowdon City Council Post 3 Wes McEntyr A Run-Off Election will be held Tuesday, December 5, 2023 to determine the winner of the mayor’s seat for The City of Villa Rica.

None of the four candidates earned 50% plus one vote (836) of the total votes cast (1670) during the Tuesday, November 7, 2023 Municipal General Election.

A Run-Off Election will be held between the two candidates who received the top two vote counts: Incumbent Gil McDougal and Leslie McPherson.

Villa Rica Mayor Kendrick Davis 175 383 Gil McDougal (Incumbent)

Leslie McPherson 760 Mac Pilgrim 352 Villa Rica City Council Ward 3 Stephanie Warmoth 75% ✔ Phil Butch 25% City of Carrollton Mayor Betty Cason 76% ✔ Walt Hollingsworth 24% Carrollton City Council Ward 3 Stacie Gibbs 58% ✔ Jim Watters 42% Carrollton City Council Ward 4 Constance Glenn 13% Bob Uglum 87% ✔ Carrollton City School Board At Large Tim Holt 18% Melanie McLendon 82% ✔ Temple City Council Ward 4 Hiley Miller 64% ✔ Stuart Morlet 36% Whitesburg City Council Post 2 Robert Arnell 59% ✔ Steven Sutton 41%

SUPERVISOR from front page According to the county’s Communications Director Ashley Hulsey, Rigby will stay on as elections supervisor through the December 5th Runoff. Rigby was hired as the county’s elections supervisor eight years ago (March 2015).

This position is appointed by the Carroll County Board of Commissioners (S.B. 589) but will answer to the Commission Chair; hired by a board of seven members, but can be fired solely by the chair. This position is an “atwill” job, not covered by Civil Service. In Georgia, employees are presumed to be “atwill,” and their employment may be terminated for any reason, at any time, with or without cause, as long as the reason is not specifically prohibited by law. But, a a civil servant employee cannot be fired without cause and are entitled to due process when facing termination.

According to the county’s posting of the position, the job’s preferred education and experience: “Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or any related field, with five (5) years professional experience in the field OR - any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.”

Also, “Special Requirements: Must complete a certification program approved by the Secretary of State no later than December 31 of the year in which appointed. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Driver’s License.

Ability to drive and operate the department’s assigned vehicles and equipment in a safe and efficient manner.

“Pursuant to O.C.G.A. 21-2-100 shall attend a minimum of 12 hours training annually as selected by the Georgia Secretary of State to meet the requirements of mandatory continuing education for election and registration officials.

Applicants must pass a physical, drugscreen, and criminal background check prior to employment. Applications are available to print or complete electronically on the Carroll County website: <www.carrollcountyga.com .

Send resume and completed application to: Carroll County Board of Commissioners, Human Resources Department, PO Box 338, Carrollton, Georgia 30112 The job description states that elections supervisor will be responsible for “maintaining and updating all elections equipment, policies, and procedures. The position will work directly

for and organizationally report to the commission chair while supervising, directing, and evaluating the operations and staff for the elections department.

“The Elections Supervisor will be responsible for maintaining and updating all elections equipment, policies, and procedures. The position will work directly for and organizationally report to the commission chair while supervising, directing, and evaluating the operations and staff for the Elections Department.

“Other duties may be required and assigned: • Receive and act upon all petitions presented by electors, the board of registrars, or the county executive committee of a political party for the division, alteration, change, or consolidation of precincts.

• Receive and assist with the determination of the sufficiency of nomination petitions of candidates filing notice of their candidacy.

• Prepare and publish all notices and advertisements related to the conduct of elections, which may be required by law, and to transmit immediately to the Secretary of State a copy of any publication in which a call for a special primary, election, or runoff is issued.

• Assist with the selection of polling places for use in primaries and elections.

• Purchase, preserve, store, and maintain election equipment of all kinds, including voting machines.

• Procure ballots and all other supplies for primaries and elections.

• Receive from poll officers the returns of all primaries and elections, canvass and compute the same, and transmit as soon as practicable following the primary or election.

• Direct and control the administration of the affairs of the Board of Elections and Registration pursuant to law and the duly adopted resolutions of the board.

• Perform as filing officer for State Ethics Commission.

• Organize and direct the activities of the department, including developing long- and short-range plans and establishing and monitoring programs, policies, and procedures.

• Develop, recommend, and administer an operating budget for the department.

• Represent the county at various functions, including making speeches at civic and business associations and meeting with citizens, developers, officials, and representatives of the press.

There is a plethora of additional duties required for this position. To view application: www.carrollcountyga.com

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www.starnewsgaonline.com StarNews November 12, 2023 Page 15

MARCY

HEATH

Help younger workers understand their coverage

According to a recent survey, a significant number of employees lack a clear understanding of the health insurance benefits provided by their employers. This situation offers a promising opportunity for businesses to offer specialized assistance to their staff members as they navigate the open enrollment process.

The “2023 Optavise Healthcare Literacy Survey” revealed that 32% of employees lack confidence in their understanding of how their benefits function. As the plan sponsor, you have the opportunity to support them during open enrollment by furnishing them with personalized information and guidance.

Workers with a limited grasp of their coverage might inadvertently select plans that don’t suit their needs.

Additionally, due to their lack of knowledge, they are prone to sticking with their existing plan and may not consider alternative options during open enrollment. Your HR team has

several choices to support employees who may workers, one on one meetings seem to be the not be fully informed about how their health most effective. plan operates.

• 84% said they found one-on-one sessions Focus on younger workers very or extremely useful.

The research uncovered • 68% said online Employers can play an important resources were very or variations in health role in educating their workers extremely helpful. insurance comprehension across d i f ferent • Only 49% said that about their health coverage. generations within the email correspondence Smart employers will tailor workforce, highlighting was very or extremely their benefits communications, helpful. that millennials and Gen Z literature and meet the varying employees exhibit the Encourage your lowest levels of needs of their workers. employees to consider understanding. The study arranging in-person authors advise implementing a “back-to- meetings with the appropriate HR personnel. basics” approach during open enrollment for One-on-one meetings provide them with the these particular workers. In the case of a multi- opportunity to pose specific questions. generational workforce or employees with Through these conversations, where they can chronic health conditions, it’s essential to discuss their current medical requirements and customize your communication strategies for each individual. Your presentations should encompass various scenarios that clarify the most suitable options based on factors such as age, health status, and life circumstances of your workers.

One-on-one communications While group training and providing online tools and printed material can help your

CARROLL TOMORROW from page 8 the right way. Our local leaders have made good choices. Here at the chamber and at Tomorrow we have strong leadership. I am excited I know who we have on the bus!”

Carroll Tomorrow is Carroll County’s economic development partnership for creating, growing and attracting new job opportunities and investments.

It is a unique public-private partnership, Carroll Tomorrow and its team possess the expertise and connections needed to help meet

business goals.

The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce is the county’s largest business organization with 653 members. Their mission is to foster economic prosperity for all by serving as the voice of business, building cooperative partnerships, and enhancing the success of our members.

For more information visit Carroll-Ga.org or call 770-832-2446. They are located at 200 Northside Drive in Carrollton. www.carroll-ga.org

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family situation, employees can make the most informed decision about the option that suits them best.

The takeaway Employers can play an important role in educating their workers about their health coverage. Smart employers will tailor their benefits communications, literature and meet the varying needs of their workers.

It’s good to provide materials and education through various sources like a portal and literature, but meetings – and in particular oneon-one meetings are the most effective. A personal approach can be especially helpful to ensure that your workers choose plans from which they will benefit the most in light of their budget and needs.

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Carroll County Department of Public Health restaurant health inspections scores

in clean pans and dishes. Observed no sanitizer registering at three compartment sink. Observed ravioli and cheese sticks uncovered at reach-in freezer. Cover all foods to prevent contamination and frost.

10/17/2023: PJ’s 745 Bankhead Highway Carrollton 87 previous 91 Violations: Observed frozen chicken wings thawing in sink without water running over it. Evidence of pests present.

10/11/2023: New China Bankhead Highway Carrollton 82 previous 95 Violations: Observed multiple bags of flour open and stored directly on the floor.

Observed handwashing sink with what appears to be food debris present.

Handwashing sinks are for handwashing only. Install a proper vegetable sink to wash all vegetables. Observed clutter and debris throughout the facility.

10/30/2023: Crafty Crab 800 Bankhead Highway Carrollton 82 previous 81 Violations: Observed uncovered raw fish stacked above ready to ear precooked eggs. Many foods in coolers, freezers and at cooking area with no cover present.

Observed holes in ceiling above the large three compartment sink and in the dry storage area.

10/17/2023: El Tio Mexican 118 Highway 61 Connector Villa Rica 80 previous 91 Violations: Observed black mold present inside drink nozzles in drink machine.

Observed salsa cooler holding ambient temperature at 49F, salsa 50F, ranch dressing 51F, flan 51F. Observed clean knives with old food debris present. Dish washing machine in use and sanitizer not registering on test strips.

10/13/2023: A lo Catracho 207 Brumblelow Road Carrollton 77 previous 92 Violations: Observed meat juices and blood leaking from packaged meats at the bottom of reach in freezer. Observed potentially hazardous moldy cheese in reach in cooler. Observed prep top cooler holding foods above 41F. Observed several boxes of mear such as steak, beef, and whole tilapia stored next to uncovered desserts in dessert cooler.

10/10/2023: Irish Bred Pub 210 Adamson Square Carrollton 75 previous 91 Violations: Observed black mold inside both ice machines. Observed smoked bacon and ham stored voer raw meat directly in top allowing potential cross contamination.

Observed raw chicken stored adjacent to partially cooked chicken. Observed many foods in reach in freezer and reach in cooler by fryers without proper lid, protective layer or cover. Observed cooked uncovered bacon in main kitchen.

To view complete inspection details:dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health Following restaurants received a score of 100 during an OCTOBER inspection: Migration Coffee 1141 Rome Street Carrollton 100 Printer’s Ale 640 Columbia Drive Carrollton 100 budderdudder mobile 205 Davis Boulevard Bremen 100 Atlanta BluWater 131 Carden Lane Villa Rica 100 Starbucks 1355 South Park Street Carrollton 100 10/25/2023: Holiday Inn Express 125 Hwy 27 Bypass Bremen 99 previous 100 10/11/023: Five Guys 1435 South Highway 27 Carrollton 99 previous 92 10/10/2023: University of West GA Food Court 1601 Maple St Carrollton 98 previous 100 10/26/2023: Wendy’s 803 South Park Street Carrollton 98 previous 98 10/11/2023: Macro Meats 1004 Bankhead Hwy Carrollton 98 previous 98 10/12/2023: Captain D’s 203 Cooley Drive Villa Rica 98 previous 98 10/10/2023: International Food Creations 1601 Maple Street Carrollton 97 previous 100 10/12/2023: God’s Gym 139 City Hall Avernue Bowdon 97 previous 97 10/04/2023: Jump Time 100 Hwy 61 Connector Villa Rica 96 previous 100 10/10/2023: UWG Starbucks 1601 Maple Street Carrollton 96 previous 100 10/05/2023: Sunset Hills Country Club 1 Club Drive Carrollton 96 previous 98 10/20/2023: Hampton Inn 28 Price Creek Road Villa Rica 96 previous 96 10/23/2023: WNB Factory 1745 South Highway 27 Carrollton 96 previous NA 10/26/2023: Chick-fil-A 1316 South Park Street Carrollton 93 previous 98 10/24/2023: Zaxby’s 135 Highway 27 Bypass Bremen 93 previous 94 10/04/2023: Lazy Donkey 334 Bankhead Highway Carrollton 93 previous 94 10/27/2023: Around Towns Pizza 375 Highway 78 Temple 92 previous 98 10/03/2023: Big “J’s” 40 Villa Rosa Road Temple 92 previous 96 10/03/2023: Comfort Inn 132 Highway 61 Villa Rica 92 previous 95 10/04/2023: Samba Loca 104 Adamson Square Carrollton 91 previous 87 10/16/2023: Jack’s 91 Highway 27 Bypass Bremen 90 previous 97 10/02/2023: Corner Cafe 304 Adamson Square Carrollton 90 previous 95 10/03/2023: Chip’s Burger Bar 301 Adamson Square Carrollton 90 previous 92 public swimming pool health inspections scores 10/23/2023: Captain D’s 1641 South Alabama Avenue Bremen 90 previous 91 10/10/2023: Tropical Smoothie 1435 S Highway 27 Carrollton 88 previous 94 10/05/2023: Sportsplex, 106 Somerset Place Carrollton 98 SATISFACTORY 10/31/2023: Ruby Tuesdays 1685 S Highwy 27 Carrollton 88 previous 89 10/05/2023: Lakeshore Park Pool 116 Lumpkin Drive Carrollton 96 SATISFACTORY 10/16/2023: Little Caesar 160 Highway 27 Bremen 88 previous 83 10/05/2023: Lakeshore Park Training Pool 116 Lumpkin Dr Carrollton 91 SATISFACTORY 10/12/2023: La Trattoria on the Square 120 Alabama St Carrollton 87 previous 92 10/05/2023: Red Roof Inn 1125 Bankhead Highway Carrollton 90 SATISFACTORY Violations: Observed black mold present at ice machine. Observed old food debris 10/03/2023: Comfort Inn 132 Hwy 61 Connector Villa Rica 70 UNSATISFACTORY

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www.starnewsgaonline.com StarNews November 12, 2023 Page 17 $50,000 from front page Tanner Medical Foundation is currently in a capital campaign thanks to a generous community donor who has pledged a matching gift campaign and will match dollar for dollar up to $500,000 in support of Tanner Cancer Care.

Through acts of philanthropy, local patients battling cancer have gained access to critical care and support services at Tanner. Generous contributions help to provide advanced treatment options, medical technologies, and financial assistance to local cancer patients in west Georgia.

“Being able to give back to our community is one of the seven cooperative principles that Carroll EMC is founded on,” said Carroll EMC Board of Directors Chairman Eddie Gore. “This new facility will help thousands of

individuals in our local communities over the years.”

As a non-profit healthcare system, the generous contributions made by community partners like Carroll EMC are critical in expanding patient access and enhancing the services and care provided through Tanner. To learn more about how you can make a matched gift to help enhance Tanner Cancer Care, visit www.TannerMedicalFoundation.org Carroll EMC was formed in 1936 by a group of farmers who came together to bring electricity to their rural farms. Today, Carroll EMC is still operated by the same cooperative principles. The organization is owned by the members it serves, and each member can vote in favor of how the cooperative operates. They provide electricity to approximately 54,000 homes and businesses and the co-op serves UWG RECORD AMOUNT from front page members in Carroll, Haralson, Heard, and a Wolves Grand Raffle (a 2023 Jeep Paulding, Polk, Floyd, and Troup counties.

Wrangler was awarded to one ticket holder during the Homecoming football game).

President Dr. Brendan Kelly said, “UWG is committed to becoming a first-choice university for our students and the communities to which we are in service. Our elevation to NCAA Division I athletics, the advancements in our academic portfolio over the past three years and the overall growth of our institution are clear testaments of this shared dedication. A Day serves as a tangible celebration of the outcomes our supporters have created, enhancing our students’ experiences, continuing our relentless pursuit of excellence and elevating our visibility and reputation across our region, state and nation.”

Dr. Meredith Brunen, CEO of university foundations and UWG’s vice president for university advancement said, “The impact of individual investments and collective generosity reach far and wide on our campus and beyond,” Brunen said. “Through the ongoing support of our community, we can boost student social mobility, elevate the university’s financial stability and set a promising course for the future of our students. . . . We deeply value the generous support we receive from our community, which continues to propel the university’s mission to support students, equipping them for successful careers before graduation.”

Whether supporting the UWG Annual Fund, General Scholarship Fund, Wolves Fund or any other area of interest through an annual gift, the drive encourages community partners to give back.

For more information on how you can support UWG students through an endowment, scholarship, or annual giving, go to the UWG Give West webpage.

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Page 18 November 12, 2023 StarNews www.starnewsgaonline.com

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COMMENTARY

Page 19 November 12, 2023

StarNews / StarNews Online www.starnewsgaonline.com

“Not just what happened, but what matters”

SUSAN M. HORN EDITOR/PUBLISHER ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: WAYNE REYNOLDS

GRAPHICS DESIGNER: SHERRY REYNOLDS

REPORTERS: JANICE DANIEL

WAYNE REYNOLDS

Our goal is to produce a quality newspaper, locally oriented and designed with the readers’ interest in mind. Letters to the editor are welcomed and should include a signature, address/email addrees, phone number. Liability for an error will not exceed the cost of the space occupied by the error. We welcome reader input, ideas and criticisms. Your right to read this newspaper is protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Published monthly. Periodical postage paid permit #16154 Carrollton GA. Delivery mail/carrier $20 per year. $30 out of county. Send address changes: P.O. Box 680, Carrollton, GA 30112.

P.O. Box 680 Carrollton, GA 30112

suehorn.starnews@gmail.com cell: 770-301-1275

© 2023 Palindrome Enterprises

dba StarNews / StarNews Online

Hmmm. Google is advertising in newspapers.

“The Expanding News Desert” “Ghost papers: Journalists find themselves alone or with just a few left in the newsroom” “Since 2005, the country has lost more than one-fourth of its newspapers” “The Shrinking Newsroom Crisis Will Be Impossible To Ignore in 2024” EDITOR/ “The loss of local news is a crisis for PUBLISHER democracy” and “Half of Americans got their ‘news’ from social media, with Facebook as the most popular” Columnist Lee Hamilton writes (see column this page), “Studies have shown that, without strong local news, there’s more corruption in government . . . cause of the dysfunction we’re currently seeing in Congress.”

As adult Americans become increasingly and frighteningly less able to distinguish between a story written craftily to push an agenda - whether a political agenda or for promotion of a brand or product or simply pure entertainment - newspapers have been squeezed into the chicken-position of scrambling to please what they perceive as the majority of readers - who are the market for a newspaper’s advertisers/subscribers. Advertisers are the fuel for a newspaper. Advertising/subscription dollars make the next edition possible. Advertising/subscription dollars determine a newspaper’s number of pages. Advertising/subscription dollars determine the number of copies and how far those copies travel. This is why StarNews has been conducting its Subscription Drive for months now. Please subscribe. (See page 26.)

UNC’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media’s Knight Chair in Journalism and Digital Media Economics, Penelope Muse Abernathy wrote on reasons that lead to a “ghost newspaper”: one was newspapers changing the nature of their publications. She said, “Between 2004 and 2018, almost 600 once-stand-alone newspapers - or one-third of the 1,800 papers that the country lost - became advertising supplements, free-distribution shoppers or lifestyle specialty publications.” Meaning, these newspapers shifted from publishing news to either just lifestyle (recipes/games/crosswords/emotional stories about people), or to no news and became a shopper.

Why would a newspaper change? Because newspaper publishers/owners’ mistakenly think that social media “readers” are the ones they need to satisfy. Social media sharing repeats to ad nauseam of a temporarily flooded parking lot, seasonal recipe, cat meme, or a recap of last year’s photos has skewered the frightened brains of newspaper publishers into thinking, “OH, THAT’s what the buying public wants to read”. No. THAT’s what they want to read ON SOCIAL MEDIA. They already get that fluff there.

Also contributing to shrinking newsrooms/newspapers is that for us who have continued to do real news, working hard to research, cover, and edit, and then sell ADs and subscriptions to pay for the costs of that hard work GOOGLE has been raiding our websites since the 1990s taking - not purchasing - our news stories at will and then making a googillion dollars off same stolen stories. The anti-trust lawsuit concerning search engines against GOOGLE has begun. Ironically, GOOGLE has purchased full page ADs and double-truck ADS (two facing pages in the center of a newspaper) in big city physical papers (WSJ, NY Times) informing us on how much we need that particular search engine. GOOGLE directly caused the decimation of America’s Free Press bringing us to our knees financially. Now, GOOGLE needs what we have and they never had: the physical newspaper’s incredible and honest power to reach the American public directly. The newspaper is there forever in print and cannot be changed at a whim or to correct errors as online news is: “Unpublishing the Online News”.

At StarNews, we know our readers want real news. And we - the few of us left, as our newsroom, sales room, distribution room and graphics room have shrunk (by two-thirds since The Great Recession and The Great Pandemonium) - will continue to deliver it to the best of our abilities for as long as we can afford to do so. The thanks goes to our advertisers, subscribers, and readers! Please take some time to contact the advertisers in this newspaper and thank them for their support of this locally owned, locally operated community newspaper. Please subscribe. (See page 26.)

SUE

HORN EVANS

America: a collapsing democratic western civilization country “Freedoms we have put down in the West, particularly the Freedom of Speech is predicated on the viewpoint that human existence is worthwhile, that we should orient ourselves continually upward. Some people think this is a good idea and some people take the opposite tack. Like America, you are watching the collapse of a democratic western civilization country. It is happening one step at a time.”

- Jordan Peterson on the recent decline of freedoms in Canada Jordan Peterson has characterized himself as a classic British liberal and a traditionalist but is commonly mistaken as “right wing”. Peterson supports universal healthcare, redistribution of wealth towards the poor and decriminalization of drugs. The media generally cast him as a “far-right boogeyman riding the wave of a misogynistic backlash”.

Peterson was an associate professor at Harvard in the psychology depart-

TRAVIS

PITTMAN GEORGIA TECH Beta Theta Pi tpittman4787@comcast.net

ment until 1998 where he was known for taking on controversial and unconventional projects; returning to Canada to become a full professor at the University of Toronto.

He has been actively involved in podcasts, social media, authoring over a hundred academic papers, several books and a clinical practice. He is popular in conservative circles for his criticisms of government, identity politics and wokeness.

Prior to 2018 Peterson had no prior disciplinary punishments or restrictions from the College of

Psychologists (CPO) but was eventually ordered to undergo social media communication coaching, following concerns about his public comments.

He denied any wrongdoings and filed for judicial review. Lost the case and on appeal also lost, and was ordered to pay costs of his own training. The court noted failure to comply could result in his loss of license. He plans to put his personal involvement in a live podcast of his “training”.

The following is from a live interview in August: “Wokeness is threatening you guys down in the United States, but we are further down the road because we are run by the poster boy for political correctness himself, which is so amazing since his father’s (Pierre Trudeau) contribution to Canadian posterity was the introduction of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which hypothetically guaranteed Canadians’ right to free speech but has no teeth. To begin with See TRAVIS PITTMAN page 22

The loss of local news is a crisis for democracy A report from Northwestern University’s Medill School puts it bluntly: The loss of local journalism that we’re seeing in the United States is “a crisis for our democracy and our society.” I couldn’t agree more.

We rely on free and vigorous news media for the effective functioning of our democracy, at all levels of government. An informed citizenry is an empowered citizenry.

When we lose news coverage, we lose oversight of our public officials.

We need the press to be constantly looking in every nook and cranny where our politicians are working.

America’s founders recognized this, enshrining freedom of the press in the First Amendment.

Early American newspapers, of course, were often partisan and aligned with political factions, but they played a crucial role in creating an identity for the new nation. The

LEE

great way to learn what constituents were thinking.

But trends in business and technology have devastated local news. With the rise of the internet, Americans PROFESSOR increasingly got their news online; Indiana University many concluded they didn’t need to Center on read the local paper. Newspaper reveRepresentative nue declined precipitously.

Government Closings and mergers followed.

French political philosopher Alexis The United States has lost more than de Tocqueville, a keen observer of the a quarter of its newspapers since young American republic, wrote that 2005, according to the Medill School. its newspapers were “the power Most of the newspapers that have shut which impels the circulation of down were weeklies serving small towns and rural communities. That’s political life.”

We still rely on news media to been the trend here in Indiana, where understand the workings of govern- a third of all weeklies disappeared in a ment. Newspapers, especially, play a recent 15-year period. Readership of key role in civic education and com- the state’s newspapers shrank by half.

More than one in five Americans munity engagement, which are essential to good governance. While serv- now live in what scholars refer to as ing in Congress, I learned that visit- news deserts, communities that lack ing a local newspaper office was a See LEE HAMILTON page 22

HAMILTON

Illegal immigration in Georgia: who is most responsible?

Readers of all descriptions need to know that there is an ignorant attitude and potentially dangerous talking point on illegal immigration circulating under the GOP-ruled Gold Dome and in the Establishment political class. Some elected officials and trusted “conservative” commentators are telling all who will listen that the “don’t worry, it’s not an invasion” invasion at our southern border is “a federal problem.”

Looking back to last legislative ession, it is educational to know that multiple bills were passed in the state Senate that would reward and encourage illegal aliens in Georgia.

It is equally important to remember that Georgia is home to more illegals than green card holders and more than Arizona.

When pressed by voters who find the courage to broach the topic with their own elected public servants, many state legislators can be heard responding “there is nothing we can do about illegal immigration on the

D.A. KING

PRESIDENT The Dustin Inman Society 404-316-6712

state or local level.” This bizarre nonsense should be firmly challenged by voters.

To speed that agenda along, while the General Assembly is in session in the coming months there will be specific examples in this space of how treacherous and preposterous this “it’s not our job” attitude really is. As usual, names will be named.

For now, consider the reality that at least one Georgia politician has clearly acknowledged he has the power to address the matter. We should remember all the way back to 2018 when Gov. Kemp was candidate Kemp. Rrecall his campaign ads that led with his solemn promise on what

he would do about the crime problem generated by illegal aliens. Kemp promised to go after what he referred to then as “criminal illegals” and to create a public database of that group in Georgia. He pledged to end sanctuary city policies and to work to pass state legislation that would speed up the system that puts illegal aliens into the federal deportation system.

Here are some of Brian Kemp’s exact words from five years ago in describing the promised “Kemp Track and Deport Plan.”: “As governor conservative businessman Brian Kemp will create a comprehensive database to track criminal aliens in Georgia. He will also update Georgia law to streamline deportations from our jails and prisons.”

Brian Kemp’s criminal alien database summary: - Aggregates data from state, local and federal law enforcement and other criminal justice agencies.

See D.A. KING page 23

Page 20 November 12, 2023 StarNews www.starnewsgaonline.com

Hospice Care, Palliative Care, and Assisted Suicide

DUANE

HACK

West Georgia Right to Life PRESIDENT “The Heartbeat of Georgia” Duanehack46@gmail.com 470-370-2452

I’ve shared an in earlier column about the differences between Palliative Care and Hospice Care. Palliative care is specialized care for people living with serious illnesses, such as cancer, heart failure, kidney disease etc.

With palliative care, patients receive medication care for symptoms with hopes to cure the illness. Hospice care is health care that focuses on palliation of a terminally ill patient, tending to both spiritual and physical needs at the end of life.

There is a Bill that’s being developed in the Senate in Washington, SB 4260 PCHETAPalliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act. Washington is trying to secure

tax dollars for each of the above parts of the Bill, but not explaining how the funds will be dispersed within the bill: either for Palliative or Hospice care? The Bill will create an open checkbook to earmark the funds at their own discretion.

A group called “Compassion and Choices” sent out a request for donations and also a reach out request to respective constituents to contact their legislators to support SB 4260 PCHETA. Within the donation letter, it states: “If you are comfortable telling your personal story of how you came to support medical aid in dying, please include it in the editable body of your letter. We can’t overstate the importance of personal storytelling in this campaign.”

With no jurisdiction, discretion or accountability as to how our tax dollars will be used; Palliative or Hospice; are we again granting our government an opportunity to push Assisted Suicide even further?

There is a similar scenario going on today within Planned Parenthood and the use of our $620 million tax dollars they received in 2022.

Funding is fungible (interchangable), meaning the tax dollars given to PPH can be used at their discretion, as they see fit. Thus, we see the rise each year in the revenue-generating abortion on demand performed in their facilities throughout the U.S.!

There are now nine states and Washington, D.C. that legalize Physician Assisted Suicide: Oregon, Washington, Montana, Vermont, California, Colorado, Hawaii, New Jersey, Maine, and New Mexico.

As stated above, the goal of Palliative Care is to relieve symptoms, including pain and stress, at any stage in a serious illness.

Palliative Care can be provided in conjunction with curative or life-prolonging treatment.

Hospice is a subset of Palliative Care. Hospice provides comfort care when a person no longer has curative options or has chosen to forgo treatment because the burdens of treatment outweigh the benefits. The founding principles of Hospice were to maintain dignity, increase quality of life, and provide comfort and pain control. When these principles are followed and staff members are trained in proper pain

management, Hospice can be a blessing for people in need of expert end-of-life care.

Pretending to Provide Appropriate End of Life Care: Unfortunately, there is a growing trend to misapply palliative medications to make people die, particularly in the hospice care setting. Because people who are receiving Hospice Care have a limited life-expectancy, it is the “ideal” setting for stealth euthanasia. The term “stealth euthanasia” means to cause a patient’s death while pretending to provide appropriate end-of-life care. Patients and families must be vigilant.

“Numerous reports from families of hospice and palliative care patients indicate that a onesize-fits-all pattern of administering a combination of opioids and anti-anxiety drugs has emerged. Whether or not patients have pain and/or agitation, they may begin to receive these drugs upon admission.” [Quote from “Drugs Commonly Used in Hospice and Palliative Care,” Making a Difference, A Guide for Defending the Medically Vulnerable.]

Here is a typical report that HALO (Health

grammer. I had been working at Stanford University, in the Bay Area, and had just been hired by a lab at Emory in Atlanta. But before reporting to Emory, I was to spend a month in the Boston area at the factory where our new computer was being made, attending classes about its design, manufacture, maintenance, and programming. That month was eye-opening and life-changing, and I am forever grateful to Bryan Robinson from Emory, the man who had hired me away from Stanford. Back then, in the mid-60s, Computer Science courses were hardly established. So, the knowledge and training I received at the computer factory has served me well through the decades.

Ever since, I have felt I had a good grip on understanding our changing times. That is, until recently, when I used up the pills of one of my medical prescriptions. So, I dialed the phone number for my pharmacy.

Ever since we moved her to Carroll County, Georgia, more than 50 years ago, I have pretty much used the same pharmacy, and have recognized the different stages of automation that have been introduced into their business opera-

tions when handling my prescription requests.

I haven’t kept track, but I think it was in the 1990s when the “system”, which now required digital dialing (instead of rotary dialing) began asking you for single-digit button pressing to get to the right person, like a clerk or pharmacist. Today, there is hardly a possibility of speaking with a clerk or pharmacist. And, with the recent introduction of voice-recognition and AI, the design seems to be that the customer never needs to speak with staff.

However, you can get lost, and it can feel like it’s deliberate, in what seems to be a system of menus that waste your time. . . So, I dialed the phone number of my pharmacy.

After some preliminary choices (just saying the words or pressing the right keys), including my birth date, I was taken to the section that we can call “Prescription Refill”. The next step was really new to me. At least I hadn’t noticed it before. It went something like, “SAY or TYPE IN your prescription number...NOW”.

And I responded with saying that number, “123456789”. And I get, “You said ‘123456789’. RIGHT?”

And I said “Right”. After a short pause, I hear “PLEASE ANSWER ‘yes’ OR ‘no’...”

And it repeated, “You said ‘123456789’.

RIGHT?” And I said “Yes!”, and we moved on. At this point, I was thinking, “What a clever piece of new programming! And that rhetorical question, ‘RIGHT?’, and the follow-up reminder to stick to the rules (...ANSWER ‘yes’ OR ‘no’...)”.

Well, it truly seemed to be a sophisticated automated telephone-answering system! But, what happened next ended up taking several days of calling and finally talking to my physician’s receptionist who, it turned out, misunderstood me, which compounded my growing frustration, and made me feel outdated, technically as well as socially.

Anyway, it accepted the prescription number and then came back and informed me that the last refill had already been done and what was now needed was a “prescription renewal”.

Fine, done that many many times.

But there was a problem: It said that the phone number I was calling from was See BILL BOURIS page 23

its banks extended half-a-mile from one side of the river to the other. The roaring channel bore on its bloated back huge whole trunks of uprooted trees, torn-off mailboxes still on their posts, the wooden steps and painted planks of somebody’s back porch. The size and sound of the water made me, literally, weak in the knees.

The river was closer to the cabin than it had been in all of Glyn’s then forty years of living there.

Built into a hill held in place by granite boulders, the back deck of the house stands approximately 75 feet above the floodplain on thick wooden stilts cemented to embedded rock. In the ten years I’d been living here, I’d seen the river rise to just a few feet below these rocks, floods brought by Hurricanes Frances and Ivan. That day, in 2009, while the house was in no danger of being flooded, the water surrounded the rock on which one of the backdeck pillars stood. From our upper perch, we watched the river calmly lapping the boulder, as if she did this all the time and was planning to do more. Sobering, to say the least.

The entire county was inundated. Roads sank, wide pieces carried off. Bridges were impassable. Basements filled with mud, debris,

and sewage. Tragically, on Snake Creek, a flash flood poured down a ravine and broke a trailer in half. An toddler was lost. The event was being called a “500-year flood.”

Seeing Georgia on the news, far-flung friends called to see if we were all right.

“Don’t worry,” I told them. “The whole southeastern United States would have to be underwater for the cabin to flood.” I laughed a laugh intended to reassure. “That won’t happen in our lifetime.”

Fourteen years later, I’m still alive and no longer laughing. Feeling far less blasé about that won’t-happen-in-our-lifetime thing.

Unimaginable images of an underwater New York City at the beginning of October were shocking, but lest we forget the first 11 days of September brought eight devastating floods on four different continents. In Spain, Libya, Greece, Turkey, China, Hong Kong, Brazil, and southwestern USA. In the Mediterranean, Storm Daniel caused the death of 11,000 Libyans. Typhoon Haikui in Hong Kong and China created more than 100 landslides. Towns washed away. Mudslides and overflow from collapsed dams irrevocably damaged vital farmlands. Fast-moving thunderstorms in

southern Nevada stranded 70,000 festivalgoers at Burning Man in Black Rock Desert.

Whether or not you ascribe to the concept of climate change, it’s hard not to notice the weather has picked up. The difference between climate and weather was once explained to me this way: Climate is what you study, weather is what you get.

Those who study climate believe that human-driven changes are having an impact on the weather we’re getting, evidenced by the rainfall and flooding with which the world seems beset. Increased heat the globe over has intensified the planet’s water cycle. Warmer temperatures increase evaporation; a hotter atmosphere holds more moisture. Hence these storms that are unleashing unprecedented amounts of H2O. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, global precipitation has increased 0.04 inches per decade since 1901. That’s half-an-inch by now, and though that doesn’t seem like a lot, imagine an extra half-inch falling at once practically everywhere in the world.

Other things can affect the frequency, intensity, and duration of flooding. Dry or wet See RIVER RAMBLES page 27

Automated phone systems.... grrr

BILL

BOURIS digi@mindspring.com Back around 1957 or ‘58, I got my first computer job. It was with a nuclear engineering company that had been financed by the Rockefellers. Their idea, back then, was to pioneer peace-time nuclear reactor design for the generation of electrical power. I was told that the computer I trained on was probably the second programmable digital computer in the New York City area. Back then, you wore a suit and tie to work in the presence of such a machine, even during the night-shift, when no one else but the security guard was around.

Some seven short years later, because computers had become so useful to society, I was on my way to my fourth computer job as a pro-

Climate is what you study, weather is what you get

SYBIL

ROSEN THOMAS

River Rambles syllabil17@aol.com It was late September 2009. As Glyn and I drove north from New Orleans, we were receiving texts from friends in Carroll County, something on the order of “Do you want us to come and help you evacuate the cabin?”

We were perplexed. It was like being asked, “Is it time to come over and deliver your baby?” when you’ve been celibate for 3 years.

Did they know something we didn’t? We were aware that it was raining at home, but clearly we had yet to grasp the volume of water being dropped on Carroll County or the widespread flooding the storm was inflicting.

By late afternoon, we were home. The rain had mercifully moved on. But, now, we understood our friends’ concerns. The Chattahoochee River was breathtakingly high,

COMMENTARY

See DUANE HACK page 23

COMMENTARY

www.starnewsgaonline.com StarNews November 12, 2023 Page 21

Experiential Learning: the key to student success in independent schools

PATRICK

YURAN

Headmaster OAK MOUNTAIN ACADEMY

In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, independent schools are leading the charge in redefining traditional teaching methods by embracing experiential learning. This innovative approach which immerses students in hands-on, real-world experiences was developed by David A. Kolb, an American educational theorist, and involves a four-step process: having concrete experiences, reflecting on those experiences, refining concepts based on the reflection, and testing those new concepts before repeating the process.

As the first component of the experiential learning cycle, concrete experiences, relates to our everyday experience. These can be completely normal school experiences, such as

a student leadership role in a club, or they could a new strategy to aid in a successful outcome. involve other experiences under varying While reflecting on those experiences circumstances. For example, a student might focuses on developing observation skills, the experience a school-sponsored trip to Italy and third component of the experiential learning have to learn math skills As the world evolves, so must cycle focuses on refining through money conversion concepts by channeling independent education, and observations into a set while shopping, cultural experiential learning is at the game plan or theoretical differences and language skills while dining in approach. For example, the forefront of this educational restaurants, and geography revolution. It is not just about student on the schoolthrough physically teaching students what to think sponsored trip to Italy may navigating the trip encounter an Uber driver but how to think. . . destinations. and have a negative During the second component of the experience communicating with the individual experiential learning cycle, reflecting on those on directions and destinations. experiences, typically will naturally occur after However, through constant interaction, the having new experiences. While reflective student may develop a different theory as to observations can be impacted by preconceived why the Uber driver simply responds better to notions and learned ideologies, it is vital for different approaches. As the student reflects students to consistently reflect upon their upon their own learned assumptions and experiences and adjust their approaches to observes others, these ideas should be learning. For example, if the student on the reevaluated, revised and tested at this school-sponsored trip to Italy fails to conceptualizing stage. By practicing new successfully convert money, order food, or approaches and tactics, the student can have navigate to the correct destinations, the student more effective interactions with the uber driver. can reflect on previous approaches and develop The fourth component of experiential

learning cycle involves testing new concepts before repeating the process by creating new experiences. This stage of experiential learning is related to the concept of scientific experimentation, in which an individual forms a theory based on existing ideas and tests the theory in a structured experiment. For example, the student on the school-sponsored trip to Italy may form the theory that the negative experience communicating with the Uber driver has to do with the cultural differences between Americans and Italians, Therefore, the student tests a different approach in communicating more in line with Italian cultural norms and finds a successful outcome.

As the world evolves, so must independent education, and experiential learning is at the forefront of this educational revolution. It is not just about teaching students what to think but how to think, equipping them with the tools and mindset to tackle the unknown with confidence. In this new era of education, the possibilities are limitless, and the future of our independent school students is brighter than ever.

In adolescents, the part of the brain associated with the desire for attention and feedback is very sensitive and vulnerable, and the part of the brain that participates in one’s self control has not matured. This leaves our youth often with a lack of discretion, and sometimes participating in activities that are dangerous or placing them in other compromising positions.

They may even choose to follow someone who may be exhibiting negative or harmful behavior.

I write this short letter to our beautiful youth of today to advocate for them to get the most important ‘like’ they could ever receive…and that is the like from our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ! It is the only like anyone ever needs in this life. When this like button is pushed, it will change one’s life forever.

How do I get this like you may ask, and I refer you to The Holy Bible, Philliplipians 4:8: Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of

good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].”

The above scripture instructs us on what we need to do daily to get favor and approval from our Heavenly Father. We should not get tired of doing these good things (Galatians 6:9).

Reading God’s word daily places a desire in our hearts to live righteously, and helps us to be confident in doing so.

Our Heavenly Father knows each of us by name (Jeremiah 1:5), knows how many hairs we have on our head (Matthew 10:30), and he knows what is in our hearts! He desires to use each of us, through living our daily lives, as examples of his will. (2 Timothy 2:21-26). We are made in his image, and he loves us always!

(Genesis 1:27) Youth, we have to be careful also as to what posts/activities we choose to like as well.

Referring back to Philippians 4:8, not only do we not want to behave opposite of what this scripture says, but we do not want to advocate for anyone else acting against what this scrip-

ture says. Before making a post online, ask yourself: What is the goal for posting this post?

Am I going too far? How do I look doing what I am doing? Can this come back and hurt me?

Why am I doing this?

We may not always make the best decisions.

Sometimes, we may feel as if we have let our Heavenly Father down because we didn’t act the way he wanted us to. But I have some great news - Our Heavenly Father is forgiving! We can make a better decision next time. Our Heavenly Father gives us a chance each day to make better choices. Lamentations 3:22-23.

Try to do your best. Do and say nice things for others, strengthen your community, and set new positive goals and boundaries for yourself.

YOU CAN do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens you, and his plans for you are to prosper, and not fail, and have a future!

Jeremiah 29:11 For any parents reading this, take time out to frequently speak face-to-face with your children about social media, technology, and the potential harms it can bring. Ask your children See SHAKITA SMITH page 23

Some offenses make a defendant ineligible for a First Offender status. If the defendant is charged with DUI, serious violent felonies, severe crimes against law enforcement officers, a serious sexual offense, sexual exploitation of a minor, or child pornography the FOA is not available. Regarding all other crimes, if the defendant completes the sentence without violating conditions or getting into more trouble, he will be deemed to not have a felony conviction.

Today, this is extremely important because of employment issues. Most employers are very hesitant in hiring a convicted felon. The problem under this scenario is that during employee background checks, employers will see things like the arrest date, “first offender plea”, “first offender”, or other information that is confusing and sometimes misleading.

It is commonly misunderstood that a defendant must fully complete their sentence under the FOA before their arrest, disposition, and sealing of the record can take place.

This is untrue.

A few years ago, I was speaking with Judge Cynthia Adams (Douglas County Superior

Court) about the FOA. She pointed out that Georgia law provides that a first offender record can be sealed and restricted at the time of sentencing. She gave me a form that she created to present to judges in first offender cases.

The law that she provided fulfills the commitment of the FOA. Why? It is now possible to be sentenced under the FOA and have the background record “erased” and fingerprints, police reports, indictments, etc. to be placed under seal. This means that the public cannot access this information. This assists a defendant in gaining meaningful employment while on probation rather than having to wait for years to obtain a good job and contribute to the burden of state and federal taxation.

There is one exception. Both federal and state law enforcement officers and officials can have access to this information.

There is also a downside to being treated as a first offender. Georgia law mandates that GCIC (the state criminal database) change the sentence to a conviction if the person is arrested or convicted of another offense while

still on probation for the first offense. The defendant can also be resentenced to time in the state penitentiary.

Retroactive First Offender Status: Many individuals don’t know they may pursue First Offender status until years after their misdemeanor or a felony conviction.

But, Georgia has also taken another step to fulfill the commitment of the FOA. Today, first offenders with felony convictions who could have been eligible for a First Offender status but didn’t know about it, can petition the court retroactively.

They first have to prove they were eligible for First Offender status when they were sentenced and that they weren’t aware of that possibility. In addition, the prosecuting attorney has to approve the request, and then the court will hold a hearing to determine whether to grant First Offender status.

If the status is granted, they can get their criminal record restricted.

The FOA is now what it was truly meant to be; a second chance for people who have had one bad mistake that places them in the criminal justice system.

Doing it for the likes, a short letter to our youth

SHAKITA L. SMITH

Millennials Christian Ministry (MCM) Facebook. Instagram. TikTok. There are so many social media platforms. According to the American Psychological Association, an estimated 4.9 billion people worldwide were expected to use social media in 2023 alone.

Some people use social media to remain in contact with loved ones, advertise businesses, stay abreast of community events, and the list can go on and on. However, the fact remains, that the main goal for each social media post is for its viewers to ‘like’ what has been posted and, sometimes, forward it so others can see the post as well. The problem with the phenomenon of getting ‘likes’ is that it can be most harmful for our youth.

Fulfilling the First Offender Act

JASON

SWINDLE SWINDLE LAW GROUP, P.C. “A promise is a cloud, fulfillment is rain.”

Author Unknown Each year, there are thousands of Georgians who use poor judgment and are arrested on their first felony offense in their lives. This situation occurs across age, racial, and socioeconomic spectrums. Most of the time, these are not bad people. That is why our state enacted Georgia’s First Offender Act (FOA).

This Act allows for some first-time offenders to plead guilty or no contest to certain crimes and avoid a conviction. When the defendant goes before the judge and enters a plea under the FOA, the judge accepts the guilty plea, but does not order that the defendant has a conviction for the offense.

Page 22 November 12, 2023 StarNews www.starnewsgaonline.com TRAVIS PITTMAN from page 19 it was a bad document but what utility it had, Justin, who is now Prime Minister, has destroyed entirely.”

Interviewer then asked: “So this is an attack on western civilization, biology, gender, and the scientific method. Why would the left pursue an attack on western civilization when it has produced such amazing results over the past few centuries?”

Peterson: “People have been motivated by spite and resentment forever. The story is as old as Cain and Abel, to tear down what is successful and useful in spite because of your own sacrifices that have gone unrewarded. Same old endless archetypical story played out in political guise, and there is no shortage of people as well, especially more on the psychotic side of the continuum, who will adopt the camouflage of compassion. We see that expressed in the relationship to due care for group rights and the tear down of everything in tradition and dance

around in the ruins. There is now a lot of psychological literature detailing the relationship between narcissism, psychopathy, manipulativeness and left-wing political viewpoints.

Everybody has instances to feel alienated from existence itself from time to time. Life is difficult and does not aways turn out the way we want it to. We can all doubt the meaning of our own lives or its purpose. We are all subject to a certain amount of torture and one of the temptations is to get bitter and resentful, to lash out, to look for enemies and to tear down. To tear down tradition to merely shake your fist at destiny itself and express your dismay. It is a constant temptation to be enticed down that pathway but is a dreadful mistake. The freedoms we have put in place in the West is predicated on the viewpoint that human existence is worthwhile and we should orient ourselves properly upward.”

Even though this interview shows some right-leaning ideas, he has repeatedly stated his

LEE HAMILTON from page 19 news business before the internet; and, if print or are at risk of losing local news sources. newspapers go extinct, people will still seek Seventy million people live in counties without out news. But digital news outlets employ relaa newspaper or served by only one paper. The tively few journalists compared to the print newspapers that remain and tend to be conStudies have shown newspapers, employ fewer journalists. centrated in affluent urban areas Studies have shown that, that, without strong local and capitals. Rural communities without strong local news, and small towns are increasnews, there’s more there’s more corruption in corruption in government, ingly left without local news. government, and taxes and On a positive note, the situation municipal bond costs are and taxes and municipal is widely recognized as the crihigher. Voting rates are lower bond costs are higher. sis that it is. Universities, nonwhen no one is covering elecprofits and advocacy groups are tions. As Americans increasingly get their working to find solutions. Major philanthropies information online or from partisan cable TV, such as the MacArthur and Knight foundations political polarization grows more extreme. are pledging hundreds of millions of dollars to Fake news and conspiracy theories proliferate. revitalize local news. Civic-minded individuals This is an important cause of the dysfunction and organizations are stepping up to buy local we’re currently seeing in Congress. It’s true newspapers or start new ones. It’s essential that that news media have evolved throughout our these efforts succeed. The future of our democnation’s history. Radio and TV disrupted the racy and our society depends on it.

opposition to identity politics, “saying that it is would want to put him, since his statement in practiced on both sides of the political divide: 2017 that God is the “ultimate fictional characthe left plays them on the behalf of the ter” even though he considered himself a pragoppressed, and the right tends to play them on matic Christian. He states that Jesus (a perfect behalf of nationalism man) and God were and ethnic pride. Both Self-understanding is the goal of both archetypes, or symare equally dangerous bols that represent to the psychology; conversely in and individual personal Christian faith, self-understanding mind some universal responsibility should be pattern or form. is the by-product of discovering emphasized”.

Using psychology, His views differenti- the truth about God. At least in his while sometimes interstimulating conversation, he ate between order and esting, to explain human chaos, taking the side nature is usually a gives us convincing logic when that works in the modstretch for me. Selfhe equates order with ern world. The Wall understanding is the Christianity and conservatism.

Street Journal argued goal of psychology; that his success with eleconversely in Christian vated arguments for the importance of order faith, self-understanding is the by-product of have made him the most significant conserva- discovering the truth about God. At least in his tive thinker to appear in the English-speaking stimulating conversation, he gives us convincworld in a generation. ing logic when he equates order with Arguably that is the position that the left Christianity and conservatism.

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www.starnewsgaonline.com StarNews November 12, 2023 Page 23 care Advocacy and Leadership Organization-A non-profit Christian voice for the medically vulnerable) receives from grieving family members. Their loved one was alert and not complaining of pain. After admission to hospice, increasingly frequent and larger doses of pain medications. anti-anxiety drugs, and sedatives were administered to the point where he or she was sleeping all the time and could

not eat or drink. Some reported that patients were denied usual medications to control blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, infections, etc.

95% Were Enrolled in Hospice: Sometimes, Hospice is promoted as an antidote to Assisted Suicide. There is merit in the argument that we should ensure patients don’t commit suicide because they are not receiving adequate treatment to manage pain and other symptoms.

However, Oregon’s experience suggests that Hospice Care is not an antidote to Assisted

SHAKITA SMITH from page 23 about some of the things they are watching or have watched on social media, and how they feel about it. Ask them if they are being a victim of cyber bullying or having conversations with someone who could be a predator.

And youth, don’t wait for your parents to ask you about these things. Please go to your parents or an adult you trust if you are being a victim of cyber bullying, experiencing depression, or having any experiences after or while being online that you are uneasy about.

Parents, you are encouraged to set limits and well defined boundaries around your children’s social media usage. For instance, limit the amount of time your children can use electronic devices and access social media. It is

encouraged to remove devices from your child’s bedroom at night and monitor their behavior often, such as how does your child act when electronic devices / social media are not allowed, does your child have any changes in their self image, and are they lying to get on their electronic devices / access social media?

Youth, won’t you please do what our Heavenly Father likes? Keep being the remarkable, intelligent young man or young lady that you are! I KNOW you can make good, positive choices! I KNOW that you can model for others the behavior that our Heavenly Father wants to see and favors.

Know that your reward will be great.

(Galatians 6:9) Besides, the most likes always goes to those actions which warms our hearts!

BILL BOURIS from page 20 unknown. Would I type or say a number that I’d used in the past. (Really?!!, Was this was the first time I was using my cell phone in almost 30 years of having that number? Oh well...) So, I typed in my land-line number.

And, when it did not recognize what I’d typed, my chances ran out, and I was informed that it was terminating the call. Also, I was told that it would not call my physician’s office for a prescription renewal.

After hanging up, I immediately called the pharmacy and spoke with a clerk. They asked for the prescription number, I gave it, and the clerk tells me that the renewal request had been sent to the physician’s by the “system” automatically! But, she added, since this was Friday afternoon, I should wait until Tuesday, before following up. Come Tuesday: No Rx. Wednesday: I call and speak with a clerk and say that I’ve run out of medication, and reminded her that in the past, when this was the case, the pharmacy would issue some “loaners”

to me (which were later deducted from the new prescription) and could I have some loaners now? No, she says, I’d need to speak with my doctor before they could do that. So, I call the doctor, and the doctor’s receptionist says she’ll tell the nurse, and the nurse will call me back.

When the doctor’s nurse called back, she said, “that we no longer give out free samples of prescription medicines.” WHAT?!!!I laughed. Then I thanked her and said goodbye.

After a cup of coffee I called the pharmacy, to tell them about my conversation with the nurse. But, instead, I got, “Oh, Mr. Bouris! The doctor’s office just called with your prescription renewal. It will be ready in 15 minutes.”

Here’s a moral that I think you can draw from all this: Don’t blame humans for the shortcomings of the system they are working in. Because those people, who are available for the blaming, are not the responsible ones! The responsible ones are usually light-years away, and, maybe that’s only a tip of an iceberg.

D.A. KING from page 19 - Tracks the number of arrests, convictions, deportations and categorizes the crimes committed by criminal aliens.

- Destroy silos and provides new law enforcement with sophisticated tools to track organized crime, gang, cartel connections…

- Creates valuable data for lawmakers to develop common sense legislation that curbs illegal immigration in Georgia.

- Includes opportunities for partnership with President Trump and local universities.”

Readers paying attention may have noticed that not only has Kemp ignored every part of the above promises, but that to this writer’s attentive knowledge, he has not mentioned illegal immigration in Georgia since 2018.

On the topic of bizarre nonsense, please also consider the lengths to which at least one Kemp acolyte has gone to concoct an argument for defending the governor, now in his second term.

Radio show host explains Kemp’s refusal to honor his 2018 pledge on ‘criminal illegals’ Republican stalwart and influential Gainesville radio show host Martha Zoller (WDUN- 9-11 AM weekdays and online) says illegal immigration has increased so much that Brian Kemp had to abandon his campaign promises on “criminal illegals” and ending sanctuary cities in Georgia. She has promoted

this idea more than once on the air and says discussing Kemp’s betrayal is “wasting time.”

Zoller, a Kemp appointee to the state school board, has repeatedly expressed her irritation on-air with this writer for failing to forget Gov Brian Kemp’s many detailed promises on addressing “criminal illegals.” A former Kemp staffer, she says “he had to change his tactics” (because there are so many illegals). She has promoted this idea more than once on the air and says discussing Kemp’s betrayal is “wasting time.”

For those who need a recap, Talker’s Magazine 2023 Woman of The Year Martha Zoller is advising her trusting audience that Biden’s open borders have apparently made ending illegal sanctuary policies in Georgia, creating a public database of “criminal illegals” and sending legislation (“Brian Kemp’s Track and Deport Plan”) to the General Assembly an outdated, non-priority concept.

Sanctuary city policies are already illegal under at least two state laws. Georgia’s governor is not enforcing them.

So, closing questions: Is it more irresponsible that moderate Republican Martha Zoller offers up wildly absurd excuses for Kemp’s defiant dereliction of his duty as governor - or that Republican voters remain silent? And how is Republican Kemp any better on illegal immigration than Democrat Joe Biden?

DUANE HACK from page 20

Suicide. In 2020, it was officially reported that (VSED), particularly in states that do not 95% of patients who killed themselves using permit physicians to prescribe drugs for Oregon’s so-called “death with dignity” law patients to commit suicide. VSED means that a was enrolled in Hospice at the time of death. patient, who is capable of eating and drinking, It is significant chooses to refuse Their loved one was alert and not that the American food and fluids complaining of pain. After admission to Academy of with the hospice, increasingly frequent and larger Hospice and intention to Palliative doses of pain medications. anti-anxiety drugs, cause death. This Medicine and sedatives were administered to the point is suicide.

(AAHPM) “takes When a a position of where he or she was sleeping all the time and hospice supports could not eat or drink. Some reported that studied neutrality this decision by patients were denied usual medications. . . providing on the subject of whether PAD palliative care as [physician-assisted death] should be legally the patient starves and dehydrates to death, the permitted or prohibited.” Neutrality gives the suicide is assisted - not prevented - by the green light to Assisted Suicide as surely as hospice. support does.

The only real antidote to Assisted Suicide is Also, there is more than one way to assist a to make it illegal everywhere, in all suicide. For instance, some Hospices facilitate circumstances, and by any means. Law is a Voluntary Stopping Eating and Drinking great teacher.

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Shirley F. Alexander, age 71, Tiffanee Dawne “Tiff” Shirley F.Jones, Alexander, 71, Sally Elaine Monk,Scott age 65,Shedd, born July 24, Joe 1958, died53, Jr., Tiffanee Dawne “Tiff” Cook, Shirley F. Alexander, age 71, Tiffanee Dawne “Tiff” Cook, Helen “Tommey” Boyd, age 79, born July 8,age 1944, Thomas Fred Fox, age 86, bornMaster April 5, Master 1937, died Master Danny Jones, Danny Joe Jones, Jr., Danny Joe Jones, Jr.,Cook, Jerry Scott Shedd, age Jerry age 53, Master Danny Joe Jr., Jerry Scott Shedd, age 53, born November 27, 1947, died age 45, born October 12, 1973, born November 27, 1947, died age 45, born October 12, 1973, born November 27, 1947, died age 45, born October 12, 1973, age 2 months, born May 16, 2019, age 2 months, born May 16, 2019, age 2 months, born May 16, 2019, died Monday, July 8, 2019 died Monday, July 8, 2019 October 27, 2023 died October 16, 2023 October 16, 2023 age 2 months, born May 16, 2019, died Monday, July 8, 2019 Sunday, July 14, 2019 died Friday, July 12, 2019 Sunday, July 14, 2019 died Friday, July 12, 2019 Sunday, July 14, 2019 died Friday, July 12, 2019 died Thursday, July 4, 2019 died Thursday, July 4, 2019 died Thursday, July 4, 2019 David Ronald Simpson, age David Ronald Simpson, age died Thursday, July age 4, 2019 William C. Murdock, age 79, born July 10, 1944, died David Ronald Simpson, age Virgil Thomas Bowen, 71, died October 11, 2023.

Dr. Phyllis Rogers Nowlin Glover, age 82, born Dwight Bishop, Jr., age 62, James B. Dean, age 92, Dwight Bishop, Jr., age 62, James B. Dean, age 92, Dwight Bishop, Jr., age 62, James B. Dean, age 92, “Marjorie” Nell Lovvorn, age “Marjorie” Nell Lovvorn, age “Marjorie” Nell Lovvorn, age 70, born July 21, 1948, died July 70, born July 21, 1948, died July Nell24,Lovvorn, age 70, born July 21, 16, 1948, died July 24, 2023 October 31, 2023 He “Marjorie” was born December 1951 December 1940, died October born September 28, 1956, died born September 02, 1926, died born September 28, 1956, died born September 02, 1926, died born September 28, 1956, died born September 02, 1926, died 86, born August 3, 1932, died 86, born August 3, 1932, died 86, born August 3, 1932, died 09, 2019 09, 2019 86,Mary born August 3,Camp, 1932, died August 09, 2019 John DavidZellie Voyles, age 88, born April 23, 1935, died94, Smallwood Brock 83, bornTuesday, ageWednesday, 83, bornWednesday, May July 3, 1940, JulyTyrone 9, 2019 Wednesday, July 3, 10, 2019 Tuesday, July 9,age 2019 July Hartness, 3, 2019 Tuesday, July 9, 2019 Wednesday, July 3,David 2019 Wednesday, July 10, 2019 2019 10,July 2019 Zellie Fred Sprewell, age Fred Sprewell, age 94, Wednesday, July 10, 2019 ZellieWednesday, Fred Sprewell, age 94, Donald Brasseal “Don” Bonner, October 3, 2023 Barry Bushon Dickerson, age 28, Andra 1940, died October 29, 2023 died October 31, 2023 Brasseal “Don” Barry Bushon Dickerson, Donald Brasseal “Don” Bonner, Barry Bushon Dickerson, agediedage age 76, Andra McGill, Dixon McGill, 76, February Andra Dixon age 76,age bornAndra February 28,McGill, 1925, died born 28,Dixon 1925, died DixonDonald McGill, age 76, Bonner, born February 28, 1925, age 76, born June 05, 1943, died 68, born September 7, 1950, died age 76, born June 05, 1943, died 68, born September 7, 1950, died age 76, born June 05, 1943, died 68, born September 7, 1950, died born October 18, 1941, died born October 18, 1941, died Terri Lynn Weaver, age 64, born April 6, 1959, died born October 18, 1941, died Saturday, July 27, 2019 Saturday, July 27, 2019 Cheryl Anne Chapman, age 64, born June 8, 1959, Michael Edward Hill, age 39, born May 11, 1984, died born October 18, 1941, died Saturday, July 27, 2019 July 10, 2019 Friday, July 19, 2019 July 10, 2019Wednesday, Friday, July 19, 2019 Wednesday, 2019 Friday, July 19, 2019 Wednesday, July 17, 2019 Wednesday, July 17, 2019 Wednesday, July 17, 2019 Daniel Lance Walker, age 40, Daniel Lance Walker, age 40, October 11, 2023 died October 15, Wednesday, 2023 October 11, 2023 Wednesday, July July 17, 10, 2019 Daniel Lance Walker, age 40, John D.Bobbie Brown, Jr., age84, 53, Bobbie JeanMullis, Dodderer, age 84, D. Brown, Jr.,53,age 53, Jean Dodderer, age 84, Eugene Parker Mullis, Jr., age John D.John Brown, Jr.,Jr., age Bobbie Jean Dodderer, age Eugene Parker Mullis, Jr.,born age September Eugene Parker Jr., age born September 18, 1978, 1978, died Eugene Parker age born September 18, 1978, died Autumn Brooke Wilkins, age18, 28, died October 21, died 2023 Retter Mae Clark, age Mullis, 90, died October 12, 2023.

She Thomas Earl Houser, age 78, born November 22,1935, 1944, died born August 18, 1965, died July born July 9, Monday, born August 18, 1965, died July 70, born December 31, 1948, died born July 9, 1935, died Monday, born August 18, 1965, died July born July 9, 1935, died Monday, born December 31,died 1948,Sunday, died Sunday, 70, born70, December 31, 1948, 21, 2019 July 21,July 2019 70, 31, 1948, died Sunday, July 21, 2019 Robert MichaelMonday, Woodham, Jr., age8, 48,2019 born August 21, was born born22, onDecember January 8, 1933 died November 2, 2023 22, 2019 July 22, 2019 July 22, 2019 July 22, 2019 2019 July 22, 2019 July 8, 2019 Monday,Monday, July 8, 2019 Deborah “Debbie” Ann West, Deborah “Debbie” Ann West, Monday, July 8, 2019 Deborah “Debbie” Ann West, 1975,66, died October 18, 2023 Marie Elizabeth Phillips Bryce, Anna Fazio, age Tony Lamar Defulvio, age 65, born January 6,Bryce, 1958, Patricia Jiles, age 70, born January 15, 1953, died Randy Nichols, Marie Elizabeth Anna age Phillips Bryce, Anna Marsella Fazio, age Randy Lee Nichols, age 66, Randy LeeMarsella Nichols, age 58, died July 22, 2019 age 66, age 58,age died July 22,Lee 2019 RandyMarie LeeElizabeth Nichols, agePhillips 66, age 58, died JulyMarsella 22, 2019Fazio, age 89, born September 14, 1929, 85,June born on Jan 1, Friday, 1934, died born June 24,October 1953, Friday, age 89, born September 14, 1929, 85,October on Jan 1, died 1934, died age 89, born September 14, 1929, 85, born onborn Jan9, 1, 1934, DavidFriday, Lamar Wooten, age 83,Worthan, died 7,died 2023age died October 25, 2023 2023 born24, June 24,died 1953, died born 1953, Wallace Allen Worthan, Wallace Allen age born June 24, 1953, died Friday, Wallace Allen Worthan, age died Saturday, July 20, 2019 Monday, July 8, 2019 July 26, 2019 died Saturday, July 20, 2019 Monday, July 8, 2019 died Saturday, July 20, 2019 Monday, July 8, 2019 July 26, 2019 July 26, 2019 died Monday, 15, 2019 died56, Monday, July 2019 Wayne56, Edward Workmaster, age15, 74,July born November John Heyward Loy Dean Miller, 87, born July 27, 1936, died July 26, 2019 Douglas, Jr., age 83, born August 56,31, died Monday, July 15,age 2019 Wayne age Jennings, 80, HarrisD.Nell Griffin Jennings, AraChapman, Bell D. Sanders, Earl Wayne Carden, 80, Harris Nell Griffin Earl D. Wayne Carden, age79, 80,ageEarl Harris Nell Carden, Griffin Jennings, Bell D. Sanders, Sanders, age 79,age Carol Judith Chapman, 55, 79, Carol Judith age 55,ageage Ara Sanders, age Carol Judith Chapman, age 55, Ara BellAra 23, 1948, died79, October 2, 2023 November 2, 2023 1940, diedBell October 22, 2023 born October 29, 1938, died age 83, August died Tuesday, July 2, June born August 06, 1939, died July born October 29, 1938, died age 83, died Tuesday, July 2, born October 29, 1938, died age 83, died Tuesday, July 2, born 06, 1939, died July born August 06, 1939, died July born June 24, 1964, died Sunday, born 24, 1964, died Sunday, born 06, 1939, died July born 24, 1964, diedage Sunday, Arleen Marsden, 69, born 2019 April 16, 1954, died JohnAugust DouglasJune Englert, Sr., age 62,2019 born October 30, June Friday, June 28, 2019 24, 2019 Friday, June 28, 2019 Friday, 28, 2019 2019 24, 2019 24, 2019 July 7, 2019 July 7, 2019 24, 2019 July 7, 2019 October 24, 2023 1960, died October 13, 2023

Leslie McPherson For Mayor of Villa Rica

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www.starnewsgaonline.com StarNews November 12, 2023 Page 25

DERICK

Avoid these investment mistakes

NEWTON FINANCIAL ADVISOR

We all make mistakes in many areas of life.

These mistakes are usually fairly harmless — we took a wrong turn while driving, used the wrong ingredients in a recipe and so on. But sometimes, our mistakes can be costly — especially those connected to investing.

Here are some of the most common investment mistakes: • Too much buying and selling – Some people find it exciting to constantly buy and sell investments in the pursuit of big gains.

Yet, frequent trading can work against you in a couple of ways. First, it can be expensive — if you’re always buying and selling investments, you could rack up taxes, fees and commissions. Perhaps even more important, though, excessive purchases and sales can make it difficult to follow a unified, cohesive investment strategy. Such a strategy requires, among other things, careful construction and management of an investment portfolio that’s appropriate for your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. Heavy trading can disrupt this strategy.

• Failing to diversify – If you only owned one type of asset, such as growth-oriented stocks, your portfolio could take a hit when the financial markets go through a downturn.

But not all investments will respond the same way to the same forces — for example, stocks and bonds can move in different directions at any given time. And that’s why it’s usually a good idea to own a mix of investments, which

can include domestic and foreign stocks, ments that won’t fit into any single index or lenges — but you can help make it easier on bonds, certificates of deposit (CDs) and gov- benchmark, so you won’t get an apples-to- yourself by staying away from as many misernment securities. Keep in mind, though, that apples comparison. You’re better off compar- takes as possible. while diversification can help reduce the ing your portfolio’s performance against the Derick Newton is financial advisor, 937B impact of market volatility, it can’t guarantee only benchmark that really matters — the pro- Maple Street, Carrollton, GA 770-832-9515 profits or protect against losses in a declining gress you need to make to help achieve your Article was written by Edward Jones for use market. goals. Investing will always have its chal- by local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

• Trying to “time” the market – “Buy low and sell high” might be the original piece of investment advice, but it’s pretty hard to fol“Georgia Department of Driver Services who bring their Armed Forces Separation low — because no one can really predict (DDS) welcomes the opportunity to honor Papers (DD-214) to DDS or bring a Certificate when an investment will reach “low” or Georgia’s veterans with special services all year of Eligibility (DS-516B) “high” points. Also, trying to “time” the mar- long,” said DDS Commissioner Spencer R, - free licenses and IDs for active National ket in this way can lead to bad decisions, such Moore. “I encourage you to visit our website Guardsmen upon presentation of eligibility as selling investments whose price has (www.dds.georgia.gov) to review the special - Troops to Trucks Program: Special licensdropped, even if these same investments still military licensing options available.” DDS sup- ing process for military personnel to obtain a have good business fundamentals and strong ports veterans/active military service members commercial driver’s license (CDL) prospects.

- Special testing exemptions for troops who through several ways: • Not understanding what you’re investlicense during|service - free licenses and IDs for Qualified Veterans had commercial>vehicle edwardjones.com Member SIPC > edwardjones.com | Member SIPC ing in – If you don’t know the nature of investments when you buy them, you could > edwardjones.com | Member SIPC > edwardjones.com | Member SIPC set yourself up for unpleasant surprises. For example, some companies, by the very nature We We of their business and the type of industry Understand We they’re in, may consistently pay dividends to Understand Commitment their investors even though their stock prices Understand Commitment may only show relatively modest price gains At Edward Jones, At Edward Jones, over time. If you bought shares of this stock, Commitment we deliver candid we deliver candid thinking it had the potential to achieve quite guidance and Jones, At Edward Jones, At Edward guidance and substantial appreciation, you might end up personalized personalized we deliver candid we deliver candid disappointed. investment strategies investment strategies guidance and • Making the wrong comparisons –guidance and totohelp you plan help you plan You’re no doubt familiar with some of the personalized FredFred O'Neal, AAMS™ O'Neal, AAMS™ for thethe forand andrealize realize Financial Advisor most well-known investment benchmarks —personalized Financial Advisor investment strategies possibilities ofof your possibilities your 410 College Street Street 410 College strategies the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Averageinvestment to help plan future for you, future – –foryou you, Carrollton, GA 30117 Carrollton, GA 30117 and the Nasdaq Composite. But it might beto help 770-832-2141 770-832-2141 Fred O'Neal, AAMS™ your family and the plan your family and foryou and realize counterproductive to compare your results Financial Advisor generations to Fred O'Neal, AAMS™ generations follow. possibilities offollow. your realizetothe against these indexes. If you have a diversi-for and 410 College Street Financial Advisor MKT-1952H-A ©for 2022you, EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. future – MKT-1952H-A © 2022 EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Carrollton, GA 30117 fied portfolio, you’ll own an array of invest-possibilities of your 770-832-2141 410 College Street your family and Boutelle responded: “There is not currently afuture – for you, Carrollton, GA 30117 generations to follow. permitted system at this location. In addition,

Driver services: special services for veterans and military

We Understand Commitment

Fred O’Neal

NURSING HOME from page 10 In an effort to discover how such a long 770-832-2141 your family and time, huge wastewater spill could go we are not aware or 2 treatment systems at this MKT-1952H-A © 2022 EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. unchecked, StarNews questioned professionals location. We have an active enforcement casegenerations to follow. in the field of both real estate and permits. at this facility to bring the site into compliance MKT-1952H-A © 2022 EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. According to these experts, during the 1970s with the Rules.”

StarNews: “1. Are you saying that Carrollton and 1980s - Carrollton Nursing and Rehab was built in 1986 - permit . . . without a physical permit on file Nursing and Rehabilitation facility’s two on-site sewage records were “spotty”, meaning, it was com- (prior to computerized records) the treatment plants do not have mon for s e p t i c septics and sewage systems’ permits/original permits?

“2. Are you saying that tanks/systems to be existences would not be “known”, installed/constructed for although certainly assumed that a two on-site sewage treatnew homes/buildings nursing home would have a sewage ment plants were installed without permits? without obtaining a per“3. Are you saying that mit. And, thus, without a output to somewhere. And without physical permit on file “knowledge/permit” of a sewage neither on-site sewage treat(prior to computerized system existing, an inspection ment plant has been records) the septics and would not be scheduled. This is one inspected since 1986?”

Boutelle: “1. - I am only sewage systems’ exispossible explanation as to how this aware of one on-site plant tences would not be “known”, although cer- decades old sewage flow occurred (an old activated sludge tainly assumed that a without inspection, oversight, or plant followed by a polishing pond). The treatment nursing home would interference from EPD. system does not have a perhave a sewage output to somewhere. Without “knowledge/permit” of a mit through EPD. “2 - I do not know if the system was installed sewage system existing, an inspection would not be scheduled. This is one possible explana- without a permit. I do know it is not currently tion as to how this decades’ old sewage flow permitted by EPD. “3 – I do not know that answer. The files in occurred without inspection, oversight, or interference from EPD. Again, the correct asump- our office do not go that far back. I do know tion is that any operating nursing home facility that this site is not currently permitted by EPD would have wastewater exiting somewhere, and therefore we have not inspected this facility.” and that exit system would require inspection.

StarNews emailed Boutelle on November StarNews asked Boutelle for the following records: “1. Permit dates of the two (2) on-site 6th inquiring as to whether or not the sewage spill had been halted yet or not? sewage treatment plants On Tuesday, November 7th, Brian Boutelle “2. Inspection dates of the two (2) on-site sewage treatment plants since each was emailed StarNews with the following response: “There was not an observed sewage spill durpermitted “3. One copy each of each of the inspections ing either of my site visits. In October. Thanks, for each of the on-site sewage treatment plants BB.”

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l i n g g n l i J Save the Date! e

Council on Aging “Jingle Mingle” Wednesday, December 6th 2:00-4:00 pm

East Carrollton Recreation Center Gym 401 N Lake Drive, Carrollton Open to all senior citizens in the West Georgia area!

CARROLL COUNTY/WEST GEORGIA COUNCIL ON AGING

For more information, contact Danielle Jeffries @ 770-830-8857 or Sandra Morris @ 678-378-0985

Page 26 November 12, 2023 StarNews www.starnewsgaonline.com

Carroll County marriage licenses

OCTOBER 1- 31, 2023

Carroll County pistol permit applications Number of Weapons Carry Permits applied for: OCT 1-31, 2023: 111

Concerning Weapons Carry Permits: On April 12, 2022, Governor Brian Kemp signed into law the Georgia Constitutional Carry Senate Bill 319 and the License Reciprocity Measure House Bill 218 which now allows a lawful weapons carrier to carry a concealed weapon without a gun permit requirement. A background check is still required in order to purchase weapon - and the applicant must pass the background check - but a permit to carry is now longer required.

Georgia is one of 24 states that now has Constitutional Carry which follows the intent of the Second Amendment of the Constitution allowing the right to bear arms.

Carroll County births OCT 1-31, 2023: Tanner Medical Center, Carrollton: Females: 55 Males: 57

Tanner Medical Center, Villa Rica:� Females: 28 Males: 38

Carroll County cattle receipts

Carroll County Sales Barn, 225 Sales Barn Rd, Carrollton

October 9, 2023: 806 October 16, 2023: 555

October 23, 2023: 825 October 30, 2023: 675

Carroll County jail population

Total population as of NOVEMBER 2, 2023: 439 Males: 364 Females: 75

(Jack T. Bell Detention Center, 1000 Newnan Rd, Carrollton)

Carroll County prison population Total population as of NOVEMBER 2, 2023: 237 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 education levels

2022 DATA High school graduate or higher % of persons age 25 years+: 2017-2021 85.6% Bachelor’s degree or higher % of persons age 25 years+: 2017-2021 21.5%

Carroll County computer/internet 2022 DATA Households with a computer % 2017-2021: 91.6% Households with a broadband internet subscription % 2017-2021: 86.5%

Carroll County population sq. mile Carroll County TOTAL area in square miles: 504 Carroll County land area in square miles: 499.2 Carroll County water area in square miles: 4.8 Average number of persons per square mile 2020: 238.7 Average number of persons per square mile 2010: 221.5

Carroll County households/language

Carroll County total households 2022 DATA: 42,635 Number of persons per household 2022 DATA: 2.70 Language other than English spoken at home % of persons age 5 years+2022 DATA: 7.4%

www.starnewsgaonline.com StarNews November 12, 2023 Page 27 MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATES from page 6 homelessness, and mental illness. I can honestly say support groups like the ones we offer saved my life!”

The innovative Crisis Response Team was established in 2021. When there is an incident that may involve a resident in a mental health crisis, a licensed professional counselor rides with a law enforcement officer and after a law enforcement has cleared the scene, the response team immediately reacts. The law enforcement officer who cleared the scene leaves and moves on to his next assignment. The response team also tries to call off any additional help like the fire department, to save the taxpayers money.

Goodman said, “The goal is to de-escalate the situation and get them to a stabilization unit without going to the ER if there are no injuries, and do that within 50 minutes. To date, we have responded to more than 700 calls in two years.

Only two people have been arrested: one for family violence and another for an outstanding warrant.” This year, a second team was added.

Goodman shared some history of the inoovative program, “Carroll County Mental Health Advocates, a private non-profit organization, started in 2008 as an idea from then probate judge, now Carrollton City Mayor Betty Cason who saw case after case of people with mental health issues come before her and then, like a revolving door, returned to her. A stakeholders meeting was held in 2008, which I attended, and out of that meeting a group of volunteers became Carroll County Mental Health Advocates.” It was determined from that meeting that there was a “missing link” in the mental health treatment plan: an Advocate who would RIVER RAMBLES from page 20 ground impacts run-off. Dry soil is too dense and impenetrable to absorb water; wet soil too saturated to take more in. What doesn’t get into the ground heads for the river and a sea. A region’s basic topography will help or hinder, but water is determined. It seeks out those places where it can flow most easily toward the ocean and it doesn’t care if it runs through your backyard, your basement, or the front seat of your car.

When great amounts of rain meet oceans whose sea levels are rising from melting glaciers and the thermal expansion of water as it heats, coastal areas - the heavily populated urban zones like New Orleans and New York City - are especially vulnerable. The nature and experience of flooding in a particular area is also shaped by local land use plans, disaster management programs, government action or inaction, and the amount of investment in effective climate-change infrastructure. These latter have more to do with the response to flooding rather than its causes. Apparently we’ve reached the moment where all we can do is respond, as if there is no longer time to wonder why. Although we must wonder, if we are to have any hope of reversing this fatal trend.

Sometimes writing a River Ramble teaches me things I don’t want to know. In general, I’m an optimist. Maybe it’s a survival mechanism.

Or maybe I just prefer warm and fuzzy as a lifestyle. But I’ve made it to age 73 and I still have this congenital inability to believe, despite all appearances, that we are doomed. Will the cabin flood in my lifetime? Guess that depends on how long I live.

I do know a certain phyical sensation of anticipatory dread has picked up with the weather. Lately, I find my mind going to the foothills around the cabin, the 110 acres that were clearcut two years ago. Seeing them everyday I’m aware firsthand that they are still too fragile and denuded to slow any runoff racing toward the river. And that does make me wonder what the rest of this lifetime might look like.

work with the individual facing mental illness to provide information about the disease and the treatment, as well as connecting them with other available resources. Initially, CMHA acted as a volunteer board with no paid staff. In 2018, the organization established a Board of Directors and hired a part-time Director and Case Manager. CMHA received SAMHSA grant funds in 2020 to expand programs and staff, which now has ten paid staff members.

The Recovery Spot of West Georgia opened in 2022 which is a safe space for individuals whose lives have been impacted by addiction.

Just recently they held their annual fundraiser the Masquerade Ball and raised $150,000 - a testament to how the community feels. ccmhadvocates.org .

Tracy Stallings Building, 118 South White Street in Carrollton.

770-830-2048 or cmhadvocacy@gmail.com Come be a part of the missing link in fight against mental illness!

Allen’s

Allen’s Florist The Christmas House Flowers & Gifts

•Carriage Rides

Annual Open House Thanksgiving Afternoon 2pm-11pm www.AllensFlowersGifts.com

175 Head Avenue Tallapoosa 770-574-2482

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his PIONEER life for his friends.”

John 15:13

Thank you, Veterans

770.537.3673

150 HWY 27 I-20 EXIT 11 • BREMEN Sale Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am - 7pm Sat: 9am - 6:00pm Service Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am - 7pm Sat: 9am - 6:00pm WWW.1PIONEERFORD.COM

Page 28 November 12, 2023 StarNews www.starnewsgaonline.com