StarNews October 2022

StarNews

Sample ballots for Nov. 8th General Election available online on “My Voter Page” mvp.sos.ga.gov

from press release

Voters in all 159 Georgia counties can now view their sample ballots on “My Voter Page”, mvp.sos.ga.gov, for the 2022 General Election. The sample ballot is designed to replicate the display of a ballot marking device. Georgia voters will have at least 17 days of in-person voting, or voting at their precinct on election day. Once a voter logs in to My Voter Page, they will see “VIEW SAMPLE BALLOT” under their address information.

See SAMPLEBALLOTS page 15

Tanner Health System buys West Georgia Ambulance

from press release

Tanner Health System has completed its purchase of West Georgia Ambulance. With this acquisition, the 911 EMS Zone License remains inCarroll County.

Established in 1977 by Steve Adams, West Georgia Ambulance employs 60+ people, including 27 full-time paramedics and 20 full-time emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Other staff work in support services, including fleet maintenance and billing. The company also employs several part-time paramedics and EMTs.

Adams, long-time member of Tanner Health System’s board of directors, sold West Georgia Ambulance in 1996, and then reacquired the company in 1999.

No TAD between Villa Rica and county commission: next stop, county board of education

Villa Rica City Council rejects county commission’s final proposal Mayor Gil McDougal, “What seemed so simple became so complicated.”

by Janice Daniel and Sue Horn Evans

The City of Villa Rica mayor and city council met for a regular meeting 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 13, 2022. All councilmembers and mayor were present, as well as City Manager Tom Barber and City Attorney David Mecklin.

Negotiations to arrive at an

Chamber of commerce supports Carrollton Revelopment Powers Nov. 8th Referendum

from press release

The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted unanimously to actively support the referendum on the November 8th General Election Ballot to authorize the City of Carrollton to exercise redevelopment tools under the Redevelopment Powers Law, including the creation of Tax Allocation Districts (known as TADs).

Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) to create an Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) between the city and the Carroll County Board of Commissioners failed as Villa Rica City Council voted to reject the county’s last proposal. Numerous proposals had gone back and forth over the past year

New bivalent covid-19 boosters shots offered

from press release Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) began offering the new bivalent covid-19 booster in September, as shipments arrived in the state. District 4 Public Health’s county health departments, which includes Carroll County, are expected to receive the new boosters. Hospitalizations and deaths from covid continue to decrease in the state.

See COVID BOOSTER SHOT page 25

City of Mt. Zion’s Randy Sims is in his eleventh year as mayor

City of Mt. Zion: growing, improving, and working on attracting ‘Mom and Pop’ owned businesses

The City of Mt. Zion - a roughly ten square mile small Carroll County municipality - has 2167 residents, according to the 2020 U.S. Census, increasing by 471 since the last census

ten years ago. The city has one retail business located within the city’s limits. There are no traffic lights. City officials have been working on improvements in water supply, while home-

James “Jay” Gill, chamber’s immediate past chairman, said, “This referendum

See CHAMBER SUPPORTS page 13 UWG not requiring ACT or SAT test scores from prospective freshmen University extends “test-optional” policy

submitted by Julie Lineback/UWG

Following guidance from the University System of Georgia, the University of West Georgia will continue to waive ACT and SAT test score requirements for qualifying prospective first-

See TESTS OPTIONAL page 14

Brad Raffensperger defeats Stacey Abrams’ “stolen election” claims in court

from press release

The lawsuit alleging discriminatory and suppressive election practices in Georgia has been decided in favor of Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and the State Elections Board on all counts, according to a 288-page order entered by U.S District Court Steve Jones.

A CLEAR VISION FOR

Dr. Val Almonord

story and photo by Wayne J. Reynolds

Lawsuit alleging discriminatory election practices is decided in favor of Georgia Secretary of State

story and photo by Wayne J. Reynolds

Major Craig Dodson of the Carroll County’s Sheriff’s Department was guest speaker for the Guardians of Liberty September 20, 2022 meeting held at Uncorked On Main, downtown Villa Rica.

Liberty meetings, hosted by Carroll County Commissioner Clint Chance and Villa Rica Council member Leslie McPherson, focus on education for the public on government entities. These interactive meetings are open to the public, and usually consist of a presentation with a

Major Dodson opened with a brief overview of his background with the local sheriff’s department. He began his career in 1990, and over the years, has worked canine, narcotics, court services, and the jail as he was promoted through the ranks under three sheriffs: Jack Bell, Tony Reeves, and the current sheriff Terry Langley. He said, “I have done most everything.”

“The sheriff is a constitutional officer and is elected every four years. We are funded by Carroll County, but in reality we answer to the people,” Dodson said. “We sincerely appreciate the community support you give us. We also appreciate the support of the county commissioners and government. I would like to mention some things you may not realize we cover.”

Currently, the sheriff’s department is budged for 195 employees; 83 are assigned to the jail

while 103 to law enforcement and nine to clerical, leaving 16 current vacancies. This equates to a 10% vacancy whichDodson said is “good” considering the tough employment market, not only in finding applicants but finding qualified applicants.

“The law enforcement division is broken down into uniform, courts, and criminal investigation. The State mandates Sheriff Langley, because he is a constitutional officer, to staff security at the courts, serve warrants, and staff the jails. The department also manages sex offenders and transports all mental prisoners.

“We cover 501 square miles in Carroll County and receive over 50,000 calls a year. Our patrol cars average over one million miles per year. That is more than the police departments in Carrollton and Villa Rica receive combined, and may be more than all the police departments in the county together. We have 18 people in court services which includes speciality courts. We screen over 100,000 people a year at the courts.”

The Carroll County Jail, located on the corner of the bypass in Carrollton and Newnan Road, is officially called the Jack T. Bell Detention Center. The jail houses not only local prisoners and prisoners from surrounding cities and other counties as needed. Those other government entities pay a daily fee per inmate to the Carroll County govenment. This compensation is paid towards the budget of the Carroll County Board of Commissioners, which in turn is part of the sheriff department budget. The jail is a separate entity from the Carroll County Prison, also located in Carrollton, and houses state prisoners.

The major continued, “On this day, we have 501 inmates in the jail. We give them three

meals a day, medications, laundry, and keep them from hurting each other or themselves as well as getting them to court and attorney dates. The jail is a big deal and I think it is under-appreciated. Keep in mind, Paulding County, a larger county, has only 181 inmates. I think part of that is court systems.”

Major Dodson also explained that court services transferred over 3600 inmates and that there is a 96 bed jail at the courthouse.

“Most inmates are repeat offenders,” the major observed.

“And, no,” Major Dodson said, “We do not enforce immigration laws. About 15 years ago, we tried to enter into a federal program where we would have statutory authority and could house immigrants. The process was long, and it was difficult to get all our questions answered. Our ... jail... would had to have been upgraded, and along with increased staffing, would cost millions.

The Sheriff’s Department offers an 8 week Citizen’s Academy course which you can apply for through their website. They offer a Citizens Firearms class once a month where citizens bring their weapons and receive safety, constitutional carry, and shooting at the range. “Hopefully, citizens leave safer and more confident,” Dodson said.

Each summer they offer a youth camp which this year 140 kids participated in. “All these events are free and are offered for community support and education,” he said.

Dodson added that the department is budgeted 16 million with about 10 million salary and benefit packages. They spend 1.6 million on inmate medical needs.

In an answer to one question from the audience, he stated he didn’t know the average time of inmate stays, but added that one inmate has been there 1100 days in part due to mental

health issues. He added that most have mental health and substance abuse issues. They have nine or ten in for murder. Last year, there were four homicides in the county. On the sheriff’s website, names of inmates and associated crimes are listed.

In a question about the drug fentanyl, Major Dodson explained the department estimates that 90% of heroin is laced with fentanyl. He also added that meth probably is still the most prevalent drug, but heroin is making a comeback. All officers carry Narcan which has saved many lives, and that they now have the technology to test drugs without touching them.

In the first of many immigration questions, Major Dodson explained, “On any arrest, we fingerprint every suspect which is sent to ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement]. If something comes up on their end, they send us a questionnaire on that person, and they may come pick him up if warranted.

“And, no,” Major Dodson said, “We do not enforce immigration laws. About 15 years ago, we tried to enter into a federal program where we would have statutory authority and could house immigrants. The process was long, and it was difficult to get all our questions answered. Our brand new jail at that time would had to have been upgraded, and along with increased staffing, would cost millions.

See SHERIFF’s DEPARTMENT page 13

owners have enjoyed the same millage rate for the past twelve years - with the good news that residential housing is on a strong upswing. The city is small, but holding steady, poising itself for future growth.

Mt. Zion Mayor Randy Sims said, “”We would welcome new business,” the mayor said. “We have improved our infrastructure to accommodate new business if they come. We would like to see mom and pop businesses and they would succeed. Residential development has been booming and will continue as long as the economy allows it.”

The mayor says, “Our police department is 24/7, and we think the best around. Our response time is typically two to three minutes. Our officers know the people they are protecting and interact with them. They know what is going on here. We do have our occasional problems, but simply not at the frequency of other communities. Most of our officers do have tactical training. We now have a resource officer at the middle school. We already have one at the high school and elementary schools, but with the distance from them to the middle school we thought it important to have one there as well.”

The mayor’s son, Brian, is the police chief. Sims commented, “Brian worked for the department probably ten years before I became mayor, having already served under three mayors and appointed by the city council before I began my term. I understand how it may look like nepotism, but it is not.”

The City of Mt. Zion has 15 full time employees and four part-time. Sims has been mayor for the past 11 years.

The lone retail business in Mt. Zion is a Dollar General. “We have companies come in and do their traffic surveys, but we don’t fit their business model either in traffic flow or

pedestrian traffic,” Sims explained. “Many years ago, Dollar General took a chance on Mt. Zion, and that store is now one of the highest producing Dollar Generals in the state.

“It is the ‘Mt. Zion Walmart’,” Sim humorously likened. “Dollar General already had decided to come to Mt. Zion before I became mayor, so I can’t take credit for that.”

“We would welcome new business,” the mayor said.

“We have improved our infrastructure to accommodate new business. . . We would like to see mom and pop businesses and they would succeed. Residential development has been booming and will continue as long as the economy allows it.”

StarNews last interviewed Mayor Sims in July, 2021 about a water sharing agreement with Carroll County, City of Bremen, Carroll County Water Authority, and City of Mt. Zion for residents in the north part of Mt Zion and the county. On that issue concerning water supply, pressure, and quality, Sims said, “Last July, I was all excited about the agreement with all the parties involved, but since then the agreement has been dissolved. The Carroll County Water Authority says they will provide the water to those residents in the north part of Mt. Zion and the county, but as of today that is still just conversation.

“We, here in Mt Zion, have already run a new pipeline from down here at the intersection of Highway 16 to the city limits but we have nothing to tie into. I can say we are disappointed in the actions of the Carroll County Water Authority and we are exploring our legal options,” Mayor Sims stated. “Those residents are also not getting fire protection and have higher ISO ratings because of this situation. We put the lines in up there, so we are ready because we had the funds. We are waiting on tie-ins. Hopefully, that happens soon.”

Mayor Sims said, “We have not changed the

millage rate in over 12 years. We do watch what we spend and the cash flow. The staff here does a great job of watching cash flow and expenses every day, and the council and I do biweekly.

“We also now are getting revenues from the county and the state we were not getting before. Some of the revenue we should have been getting was being used elsewhere, but we are getting it now. Keep in mind taxes collected are only 18% of our revenue generated. The money from the state trickles in, but it makes a stream if you understand what I am saying. We are maximizing what we

are entitled to.”

The senior center operates three days a week with bingo on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and lunch served on Wednesdays. The library and recreation department are open full time.

“We are actively trying to expand those activities. Our senior center was hit hard by covid, but we are now beginning to come back and expanding. The rec department is also rebounding after covid with all the activities we host.”

On November 19th, Mt Zion will host their annual Christmas Tree lighting at the park and with a parade. “We suggest getting here around 4-4:30 p.m. to get a good parking spot! We will be offering free hot dogs and hot chocolate. Come see what Mt. Zion is all about.”

For any locally owned businesses who wish to learn more about the City of Mt. Zion may contact Mayor Randy Sims at 770-832-1622, extension 2.

Re-Elect

Tyler Paul

FAILED TAD from front page

faced in the fall of 2021. District 2 County Commissioner Clint Chance had stepped in this past year to assist in the negotiations.

At the Villa Rica meeting, Mayor Gil McDougal stated that in the commission’s last proposal the county wanted to receive any monies left in the TAD fund at the end of each month for themselves and that this was something to which the bondholders would not agree. McDougal also said that possibly some people perhaps closed their minds and didn’t attempt to understand the the TAD. He acknowledged that Commissioner Clint Chance and Commission Chair Michelle Morgan did give the proposal serious consideration, but the county’s final version contained language that Villa Rica could not agree to.

Villa Rica Council member Danny Carter said he felt the county did not negotiate in good faith on the TAD. He made a motion to reject it, seconded by Council member Anna McCoy. Council member Leslie McPherson said, “I can’t say whether they negotiated in good faith” because she said she was not aware of all that went on during the process.

McDougal also said that possibly some people just “closed their minds” and “didn’t attempt to understand the intricacies of the TAD itself”.

In the final proposal from the county, the commission wanted Villa Rica to agree to no new annexations without their

approval, and to receive monies remaining in TAD at each month’s end. The city would not agree to the month-end monies stipulation.

“What seemed so simple became so complicated,” said Mayor McDougal.

During the commission board August 9th meeting, District 5 Commissioner Ernie Reynolds cited many reasons for voting against the IGA, among them urban sprawl, and “loss of the last bastion of peace and tranquility in Carroll County”. He also stated that it appeared that Villa Rica was getting all the benefits and the county was getting nothing except increased demand on county services.

But Mayor McDougal stated that the county would not lose any of the property tax that they were already collecting from Villa Rica. And that the county, city, and school board would not be liable for repayment of any portion of the bonds that would be issued on the open market to pay for the infrastructure.

“To me, it was a no-brainer,” the mayor said. “The county had nothing to lose, and would gain in new growth property taxes in the future.”

As to the county’s last counter-proposal,

In September, StarNews reported that a source close to the county school board stated that the school board would vote to approve the Villa Rica TAD if/when the commission approves. Despite no agreement with the commission, that will not stop Villa Rica from attempting an IGA with the county school board “on the chance that the schools can see the advantages of the TAD and join the city on their own”.

If not, the development, according to Mayor McDougal, “is going to happen, but it won’t be nearly as nice.”

The mayor also expressed his disappointment that the county failed to join in the TAD, saying “the county should want to support their City.”

City manager Tom Barber compared the TAD to someone trying to buy a house from someone who didn’t want to sell, and that this is what the mayor has been up against this

See TAD REJECTED page 26

City

by Wayne J. Reynolds

On November 8th, voters will have a the opportunity to approve or turn down the issue of creating a Tax Allocation District (TAD) for the City of Carrollton. The issue of a TAD has been in local news for over a year, but that one, concernsa different municipality, the City of Villa Rica, and has not been agreed upon at press time.

Carrollton’s city manager David Brooks spoke at length about the Carrollton TAD, “On the November 8th ballot, there will be a referendum Redevelopment Powers Law which is a ‘yes or no’ question. If approved [by the voters], the city would then have the authority to assign a tax allocation district, or TAD, as it is called.

“As I have told people who ask, this is not a tax increase; it does not increase your taxes. It is a way to increase revenue without increasing taxes. It will have no effect on anyone financially. The tax baseline set at the end of yearif the city, county, and schools all agree to TAD - would receive the same tax revenue; the same amount they have been getting. Anything collected above that would go into the TAD account,” he said.

Brooks, as the city manager, is the chief administrative official of the city, responsible for establishing organizational goals. According to the City of Carrollton website: “The city manager develops recommendations and provides information the mayor and council need to develop policies and directives. This office prepares reports, submits the annual city budget, monitors expenditures and provides and/or coordinates support services and resources for the mayor and city council. The

city manager prepares and reviews agenda items for all regular and called mayor and council meetings.” (https://carrolltonga.com)

of

Brooks said, “The TAD would be used to incentivize businesses; restaurants, industry, developments, whoever to come here. It allows the mayor and city council to be selective in the developments. It is another tool to attract the type of growth - to control the rate and the type of growth. The mayor and the council are committed to getting input from the residents. We are going to grow, but how?

“We don’t have a specific target. I think downtown will be helped with the corner lot [Alabama Street at Highway 27] and would be a great location to use it. We need to get that right, something very very nice and that fits in with our downtown that we are so proud of. It can be used for green space, parks, recreation. We are also looking to revitalize the Maple Street corner and would be considered.

“And residents need to know that only 10% or less can be used of the tax base in TAD. Still 90% will still be used as it has always been used. We are not trying to take away future revenue from the tax base.”

Brooks added, “TAD can be used for things like infrastructure, roads, curbs, and gutters. We might want to put in a roundabout, for example. Yes it could be used for projects to encourage developers to come in.

“We live in a great city. No matter whether you live in a TAD district or not, you will reap the rewards of the improvements.

“We are a really a small city so we have the opportunity of moving from one end to other to enjoy.it, We hope this fund can attract more amenities like restaurants or the things we want.”

He stated that the city works to improve both in things seen and unseen, such as water capacity and sewer rehab. The city is finalizing the new fire station, two new parks on Alabama Street, and just completed PhaseI at Lakeshore Park. He also mentioned the continual street paving - a seemingly neverending cycle.

“As I have told people who ask, this is not a tax increase; it does not increase your taxes. It is a way to increase revenue without increasing taxes. It will have no effect on anyone financially. The tax baseline set at the end of year - if the city, county, and schools all agree to TADwould receive the same tax revenue; the same amount they have been getting. Anything collected above that would go into the TAD account. . .

Brooks was promoted by council to city manager on January 1, 2022, after working six months as assistant city manager, filling the vacancy left by retiring Tim Grizzard.

Brooks obtained his Municipal Revenue Certificate with Georgia Municipal Association.

“After thirty years in public education, I retired, but through contacts had the opportunity to do this job. I have really enjoyed it.”

“There is also a lot of interest in developing here in the city. Controlling growth is a continuing task. There is a lot of stuff going on and we are working hard,” the city manager boasted. “We are proud of the job Chief Richards has done, particularly with community out reach. We have a nice downtown we all can enjoy. We are proud of the Crisis Response Team team and the job with mental health issues with residents. We are fortunate to have great leaders who take their jobs responsibility seriously and take input from the community.”

Brooks earned an undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of West Georgia and completed a master’s degree in Leadership and Administration and a specialist degree in Leadership and Administration from Jacksonville State University.

Brooks grew up in Tallapoosa where his parents still live.

He began his career at Haralson County High School, and after five years moved to the Carrollton School System. He then retired from the school system as the principal of Carrollton High School.

He and his wife, Melanie, have been married for 29 years and have two daughters, Hannah and Katey.

David

by Wayne J. Reynolds

Fred O’Neal is a longtime, well-known, and well-liked fixture in the Carrollton area. Through his career, his family, and his service and volunteer work with so many area organizations, he has been sincerely interested and involved in making positive differences in his community.

Most people know of Fred O’Neal through his work, Edward Jones Investments, on College Street in Carrollton. He has been with the firm for 35 years, and he is the longest employed African-American at Edward Jones. He started his career with Edward Jones in 1988 after working with the Social Security Administration from 1982-1988 as a claims representative. “I found so many people had done very little retirement planning and I felt like I can help these people to do better and prepare better, to build better lives. Starting out, I had to knock on doors, to hustle. Didn’t have that government check.

“I chose to work for Edward Jones, because at that time, they offered the best training in the industry, and they truly focused on the customer - and that has not changed,” he said. “ This is a difficult industry, in that you are offering something the client can’t see, and there are variables I can’t control. But I have learned that once people learn about me, I gain traction. They realize we share more similarities than differences. As I teach, when training employees, you must be good at what you do. People will then make their decisions. I also always represent my clients no matter where I am. I am careful making sure I have the right presence. Edward Jones has allowed me to provide for my family as well helping the community, and support other organizations. The Edward Jones catch phrase is ‘human centered wealth management’ which focuses on helping people fulfill their goals and purpose—whether their retirement or providing education for their children.”

O’Neal grew up in Dayton Ohio, “I was part of the great migration with African-Americans moving up north in the 50s and 60s, and the children moving back in the 70s, as there were more opportunities in the Atlanta area and other cities. And, in the south, I knew where I stood with people because they told you. In the north you could not tell. Those who had the same bias didn’t express them. . . People are more laid back here.”

Over the years, he earned several degrees, including a BBA and MBA from the University of West Georgia.

O’Neal is very involved in his community, sitting on several boards including Tanner Health Systems, Community Foundation, University of West Georgia Foundation, University of West Georgia Technical College, and First Baptist Church, among many, and is past president of the Carrollton Lions’ Club.

Over the years, he has received numerous community and professional awards as a result of his service. He was the 2019 A.F. Mckenzie Award winner at Edward Jones and was awarded the 2019 Centennial Service Award from the Optimist Club of Carrollton. He was selected Melvin Jones Fellow for the Lions Club International in 2014, and received the Distinguished Leadership Award from the Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in 2018. He has taken on several heavy volunteer duties including the role of president of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, hosting the university’s A DAY, and other civic organizations. He accomplished many of these before he was forty years old, while carrying job and family responsibilities at the same time. He also managed to do volunteer work with his church, and for Edward Jones at conferences and offices throughout the region and nation.

He expressed his observation that the covid pandemic has changed lifestyles and points of view. “Towns are going to see a re-birth,” he said, “People want to experience living, and with less stress. Our towns here are going to explode! The pandemic gave people the flexibility to do it, to live anywhere. They want this lifestyle. They want to walk downtown. Here, we have good rent, good leaders, and a great hospital.”

He also believes that not only will there be a cultural shift to downtowns, but also going back to how we used to connect with people and do business, such as thank you notes and personal contact. “Ultimately establishing relationships, making a difference in people’s lives,” he opined.

During this interview, Fred mentioned that afterwards, he was headed to a visitation for the passing of one of his clients. When asked why he attends funerals of his clients, he shared, “I want to pay my respects and honor that person, but I’ve discovered that I learn a lot about that client and their family that I was not aware of before.

“For example, I had one client pass. I struggled to see if I had enough time to attend the visitation. It was at Martin Hightower, and as I approached, I saw the parking lot was packed. I thought,

this must be for two visitations [two funerals], but, it was just the one!” Fred saw so many people there to pay their respects to this man he knew only as his client. Inside, as he joined the visiting crowd, he saw a military photo with a later signed signature. It was entitled “To my good friend”, and it was signed “John Wayne”. Fred said, “I go to learn.”

O’Neal resides in Carrollton with his wife of 36 years, Lillian Rozena Wilson. They have two children, son, Wilson, and daughter, Maya. He mentioned Lillian stayed home with the children growing up, but as they reached college age, she went back to nursing school. She graduated the same day as their son Wilson did from college. She is now a nurse at Tanner Medical Center.

His office is located at 420 College Street in Carrollton. There are five other Edward Jones’ offices in the Carrollton area. Visit www.edwardjones.com for more information

Prevent Halloween Back Pain!

a stroller when Trick-or-treating with your young kids

shoes now that’s Scary!

Lifetime Chiropractic

Plan a family trip to chiropractor! Halloween is only the beginning of the holiday season, and soon it will be Thanksgiving and Christmas, which can have an impact on your health and wellbeing. Seeking chiropractic care regularly will allow you to correct any joint restrictions that may be contributing to your pain and learning general health tips to improve your overall health. Furthermore, chiropractic care will aid in maintaining a healthy immune system, which is important as cold and flu season approaches!

Fred O’Neal

in

story by Wayne J. Reynolds

On Wednesday October 5, 2022, KidsPeace in Bowdon held their 6th annual “I AM AWESOME FIELD Day” under the direction of IAM Seminars, a national organization that donated their time for this event. “It is a day where kids can be kids,” Wanda B. Darrah, Chair, KidsPeace Georgia Board of Associates, Trustee, KidsPeace National Foundation explains. “It is their favorite day of the year. Forty-five children participated, and the day culminated with a dinner and awards.”

KidsPeace helps youth and adults live resilient lives, through its expertise in mental health treatment programs and crisis intervention. KidsPeace is dedicated to helping people connect, transform and overcome their challenges to ensure a stable future, transition to adulthood and gain independence.

“In 2004 KidsPeace constructed and opened a residential care and treatment facility in Bowdon to help meet the overwhelming need for such services in Georgia,” said Louis Shagawat, Executive Director of KidsPeace Georgia. “But, here is what KidsPeace really is: a boy is in the car with his mother who is threatening to drive off a cliff and wanting her son to join her. The boy jumps out and runs for help, but by the time he returns, it is too late; a young girl, under her father’s care is molested by him who then trafficked her out and put repulsive tattoos all over her body. We work with children who have been through unimaginable experiences that you and I can’t fathom. Yes, we work with children who can’t function in a traditional school or community setting and you can see why.”

The field events began at 10:00 and included eight events, climbing wall, trust falls, whale watch, spiderweb, wobbly log swing, blind

trust walk, multi-vines, and catwalk. Six teams of kids rotated through the high wire, climbing, and trust events. The events are designed for the children to deal with a variety of behavioral issues. And by the laughter and yells, the

Day” for their juvenile residents

children thoroughly enjoyed the day.

If you would like to help KidsPeace financially or in other ways please contact them at 770-437-7210 or visit their website https://www.kidspeace.org/georgia

Call Wanda at 770-843-8473 or email her at wbdarrah@peoplep.com and she will help you navigate the website and answer any questions.

KidsPeace is located at 101 KidsPeace Drive in Bowdon just off Highway 166.

Moore’s Discount Furniture

Residents of KidsPeace in Bowdon are shown participating in the 6th Annual “I AM AWESOME Day” held Wednesday, October 5th.

The 45 juveniles enjoyed a day of various field events, including climbing wall, trust falls, spiderweb, wobbly log swing, blindtrust walk, multi-vines, and catwalk. These physical and interactive activities are designed to build confidence and camaraderie.

Georgia Cardiology celebrates their nonagenarian patients

On a rainy September 10th Saturday, West Georgia Cardiology, in conjunction with the Rouse Foundation, honored patients who are 90 years old or older with a drive-by celebration. The practice distributed $15 Walmart gift cards, certificates, an award medallion, as well as fruit and candy. An all girls chorus, The Trojan Trebles, performed 1940s, 50s and 60s tunes for their enjoyment. Practice and foundation staff members, plus 12 University of West Georgia student volunteers hosted the event.

West Georgia Cardiology and The Rouse Foundation founder Dr. Charlie Rouse said this was a way to honor the achievements of the clinic’s nonagenarian patients. They have been hosting this annual event since 2105. The practice has 97 patients in this 90s club. Thirty accepted the invitation to the event and on a rainy day, fifteen showed up for the celebration!

Dr. Rouse added, “Cardiovascular disease takes the lives of over 600,000 Americans every year. In many cases, early detection and prevention strategies could have saved lives. We care about you, and we want you to experience the fullest life possible for yourself and those you love. Take time to come see us, and allow our team to give you the care and the knowledge to make the best decisions for your long-term health.”

For more information on West Georgia Cardiology, visit www.wgcardiology.com 770838-8440. Rouse Foundation: www.rousefoundation.org 770-328-5458. The practice and foundation are located 129 Bankhead Highway in Carrollton.

NOW HIRING

Water Source

J.Best Hair

CHAMBER SUPPORTS from front page for redevelopment tools is crucial to the City’s plans to revitalize and upgrade the Maple Street Corridor, the Adamson Square District, and other distressed areas in the city. With these tools, Carrollton will be better positioned to attract high-end development, including more restaurants, retail, family entertainment, and other amenities. We encourage the citizens of Carrollton to support this referendum and vote ‘YES’ on November 8.”

It was also announced at the Board meeting that Friends of Carrollton, co-chaired by Gill and Chamber Past Chairman Kirby Butler, will be formed to lead a promotional campaign to highlight the ballot question and urge Carrollton voters to vote “YES” on the ballot referendum.

VOTE”YES” from page 17

stimulate new investments in designated areas where redevelopment would not otherwise occur because of blight, unsightly streetscape, lack of sidewalks or parking, or inadequate roads, sewer or water. As private investment takes place within the TAD, the value of the properties being redeveloped increases. As a result, more tax revenues are generated. The increased revenue is then allocated to a special TAD fund to be used to pay for the new sidewalks, more parking, enhanced greenspace and other public infrastructure – instead of raising taxes.

Some have asked how the TAD impacts the City School System. The School System continues to receive the same amount of revenue even if a TAD is created. As investments are

SHERIFF’s DEPARTMENT from page 4

“At this moment, out of the 501 prisoners we house, only 16 are Hispanic and none are on ICE holds. We don’t see much crime with illegals, and when we do it with each other like domestic violence.”

On another question about buses of illegals being dropped off in Georgia, he responded, “We are not aware of any buses of illegals in our area. If we did, we would investigate and contact ICE if it was suspicious.”

To another question, he explained that mental health in Georgia is underfunded and that jails are used as mental health facilities. Replying to another question, he said the crime rate is stable. “During covid, property crime was down because people were home, but domestic issues were up for the same reasonpeople were home together.

“We see the same crimes that they see in New York or Atlanta, just not the same frequency. Just recently, we picked up a pursuit from Atlanta on street racers. We caught four of the five cars. It was difficult, because they had devices that would cover their tags if we were close. It was really pretty neat, but we caught them and arrested them. They think they are in a video game.”

Going back to another question on illegals arriving and why doesn’t the sheriff do something when the federal government won’t, the major commented, “It isn’t an issue here. If we were overrun with illegal crime, I am sure the sheriff would step in. We don’t see illegal crime.”

Major Dodson said they do see some gang activity and have for a long time with some around the college, and one “white group in Villa Rica”.

On cyber crime, he explained the department has two forensic investigators and has access to special technology. “It is super difficult and hard to find them and to prosecute.”

Covering a variety of topics: they are not seeing much human trafficking; they have two drones they use; they see some child porn; and work with the GBI with special technology.

Butler commented, “A ‘YES’ vote in favor of these redevelopment powers is our path to revitalizing key areas of Carrollton, such as Maple Street and the Adamson Square area. A ‘YES’ vote is a vote in favor of more restaurants, expanded greenspace, more sidewalks and parking, and appealing family experiences. It’s a way to fund these enhancements in our city without raising taxes.”

During the Board meeting, Carrollton City Manager David Brooks gave an informational overview of the Redevelopment Powers Law and TADs. He explained that TADs are not tax increases. Instead, TADs give the City a funding mechanism for much-needed infrastructure and beautification projects that make these vital corridors more attractive to private investment

made in the TAD and redeveloped properties increase in value, it is likely that the Schools will see increased tax revenues when the TAD ends.

You can find more information about the Ballot Question, redevelopment powers, and TADs at www.FriendsofCarrollton.com

A ‘YES’ vote for these redevelopment powers is our path to revitalizing Maple Street, the Adamson Square area and other communities in Carrollton. A ‘YES’ vote is a vote for more restaurants, expanded greenspace, more sidewalks and parking, and appealing family experiences. It’s a way to fund these enhancements across our city without raising taxes.

Support Carrollton’s future ... vote ‘YES’ for Carrollton’s Redevelopment Powers on November 8th.

There are eight resource officers covering 24 schools. They have active shooters program and are working with the schools. He stated that the first officers on an active shooter scene do not wait. As for training teachers to carry firearms, the major didn’t think it was practical as teachers would have to undergo ongoing firearms training at the range.

Two citizens remarked that they had seen crime in their neighborhoods. After the meeting, Major Dodson met with both to get their information.

For more information: carrollcountysheriff.net

-- without raising taxes.

Chamber President and CEO Karen Handel led a discussion among Chamber Board members about the advantages of TADs, noting that TADs have been used effectively and successfully across Georgia and throughout the country for several decades. She pointed to Rome and Gainesville as two Georgia communities

that have employed TADs to create high-end, well-received investments for their downtown redevelopment.

Chamber board members Dr. Mark Albertus and Mayor Betty Cason recused themselves from this board vote. Albertus is superintendent of the Carrollton City School System, and Cason is mayor of the City of Carrollton.

Merchantile

West Georgia Ambulance has 14 ambulances, each outfitted with advanced life support equipment. The fleet also includes vehicles used for the company’s administrative staff and fleet maintenance.

West Georgia Ambulance holds the 911 EMS Zone License for Carroll County, a special, perpetual license issued by the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Regional EMS Advisory Council. The license can only be moved to another ambulance operator if the council finds a move necessary to preserve public health. West Georgia Ambulance has held the license for 44 years, and the acquisition by Tanner ensures that the license remains under local control.

TESTS OPTIONAL from front year, freshmen applicants for admission for the 2023-24 academic year (Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024).

Students must still meet all other admission requirements and a recalculated minimum grade point average of 3.2 for admission to UWG.

Students who have SAT/ACT scores may still submit them, but those who decline will not be at a disadvantage.

The company’s contract with Carroll County to serve as the county’s 911 emergency medical service provider has already been approved for renewal this year and will be active through 2028.

Under the contract, the West Georgia Ambulance provides six ambulances to respond to 911 calls 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Those ambulances operate out of six regional EMS stations: Bowdon, Clem, north Carrollton, south Carrollton, Temple and Villa Rica.

patient transport services between Tanner’s facilities and for Willowbrooke at Tanner. The company services

West Georgia Ambulance holds the 911 EMS Zone License for Carroll County, a special, perpetual license issued by the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Regional EMS Advisory Council. . . the acquisition by Tanner ensures that the license remains under local control.

Tanner’s Paramedic Home Visit program, following up on Tanner patients at their home within 24 hours of discharge.

Tanner joins other regional health systems in operating ambulance services, including Atrium Health Floyd in Rome and Grady Health in Atlanta.

West Georgia Ambulance also provides

UWG applicants. UWG is providing the ACT On-Campus at both the Carrollton and Newnan locations at no cost to students.

Scores from this test are only valid for admission at UWG and may not be submitted to any other institution.

must still meet all other admission

a recalculated minimum grade point average of 3.2

admission to UWG. . Any applicant with a GPA that falls below

requirement

UWG enrollment counselors remain available to assist applicants via phone (678-8395600) and email (admiss@westga.edu).

“West Georgia Ambulance has been one of our most important partners since taking over emergency response for the county in 1977,” said Loy Howard, president and CEO of Tanner. “Their team has always worked closely with us. Bringing West Georgia Ambulance into the health system fosters a more cohesive, holistic approach to care for our neighbors and loved ones.”

“It has been a great honor for me to serve the county commissioners and people of Carroll County as president of West Georgia Ambulance for the past 45 years,” said Adams. “The time is right to pass the organization on to a local institution with exceptional healthcare credentials and expertise. I know Tanner will strive to enhance the emergency medical service experience for the employees of West Georgia Ambulance and the residents of Carroll County that they serve.”

With the acquisition complete, the process of onboarding West Georgia Ambulance’s employees will begin.

“West Georgia Ambulance has always felt like family,” said Howard. “Now, they are family.”

Roy’s Tires

be eligible

Any applicant with a GPA that falls below the requirement may still be eligible for admission under the university’s standard admission requirements.

For students who do still need to submit test scores, UWG is offering the ACT On-Campus, a convenient testing option available only to

To experience campus firsthand, tours are available in person and virtually, and prospective students can reach out directly to their specific admissions representative.

UWG student enrollement is 12,700 students from Georgia, 34 other states and 64 countries.It generates a regional economic impact of more than $626 million.

Medicare Open Enrollment for 2023 begins October 15th

MARCY

The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $164.90 for 2023, a decrease of $5.20 in 2022. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $226 in 2023, a decrease of $7 from the annual deductible in 2022.

Medicare Open Enrollment for 2023 will begin October 15, 2022 and ends on December 7, 2022. During this time, people eligible for Medicare can compare 2023 coverage options between Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Part D prescription drug plans. Medicare health, Part D plan cost and Part D formularies can change from year to year, so people with Medicare should look at their coverage choices annually and decide on the options that best meet their health needs.

The Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification Act (BENES Act) creates some major changes for Medicare beneficiaries beginning January 1, 2023.

First, those in the last three months of their Medicare Part B IEP will be able to get a Part B effective date the month after they apply!

Second, those applying for Medicare Part B through the Medicare Part B General Election Period will have their Medicare B start the month after they apply. You will no longer need to wait for a July 1st start date!

Third, there will be several Medicare SEP’s for those applying outside of their IEP or the Medicare GEP. These include those that had an emergency or disaster during their Medicare B IEP or Medicare B GEP, those where an employer or health plan made an error or material representation of information as it relates to the members Medicare enrollment, those who were formerly incarcerated and those who lose Medicaid.

Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, hospice, inpatient rehabilitation, and some home health services. Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible that beneficiaries pay if admitted to the hospital will be $1,600 in 2023, an increase of $44 from $1,556 in 2022. The Part A inpatient hospital deductible covers beneficiaries’ share of cost for the first 60 days of Medicare covered inpatient hospital care in a benefit period.

In 2023, beneficiaries must pay a coinsurance amount of $400 per day for the 61st through 90th day of a hospitalization ($389 in 2022) in a benefit period and $800 pre day for lifetime reserve days (778 in 2022).

For beneficiaries in skilled nursing facilities, the daily coinsurance for days 21 through 100 of extended care services in a benefit period with be $200 in 2023 ($194.50 in 2022).

Medicare Part B covers Physician services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment, and certain other medical and health services not covered by Medicare Part A. Each year the Medicare Part B premium, deductible, and coinsurance rates are determined according to the Social Security Act.

“Our job is to ensure that Georgia voters have the information they need to successfully cast a ballot,” said Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. The new sample ballot provides voters an interactive experience with the option to create a marked sample ballot that they may to take with them to the polls when they vote. These sample ballots downloaded from My Voter Page (or any others) are not an official ballot, and should not be returned to their county election offices.

In addition, people could see around a 9% increase in their Social Security benefits, thanks to a historically large cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

And unlike 2022, when most recipients had to use a chunk of their COLA to cover the higher Part B premiums, the Part B premium will not increase in 2023. So, the COLA will be available to use to cover other living expenses, which have increased sharply in 2022.

Another notable change for 2023 includes

the recording of Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plan phone calls and meetings. CMS recently passed new regulations requiring licensed and certified independent agents to record phone calls that result in the enrollment of a Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan

The Inflation Reduction Act includes numerous provisions that will improve Medicare beneficiaries’ access to affordable prescriptions, with provisions phasing in over the next several years. Starting in 2023, Part D plans will have to offer all their covered insulin products with monthly costs of no more than $35. And they will also have to cover recommended vaccines without any copays, deductible, or coinsurance, meaning they’ll be free for the enrollee.

Individuals should also keep in mind that many Medicare Advantage Plans include Part D drug coverage with formularies that change annually.

We are here to answer any questions. Insurance Solutions of the South offers inperson, phone and video visits.

Call Marcy Heath or Dawn Cook at 770537-5300 for your personal Medicare consultation. We do not offer every plan available in your area.

Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800- MEDICARE to get information on all your options.

MarcyHeath, Insurance Solutions of the South and Inoventive Benefits Consulting, 678-821-3508 marcy@beinoventive.com

SAMPLEBALLOTS

COMMENTARY

Vote “Yes” for Carrollton Redevelopment Powers on Nov. 8th

KIRBY BUTLER JAMES “Jay” GILL

CO-CHAIRS

The dreaded Atlanta spillover has finally reached our pasture fences

SUE HORN EVANS EDITOR/ PUBLISHER

The long watched, dreaded growth from the east has finally reached our pasture fences.

Intelligent decisions must be made now to guide that growth that is staring us down with envious eyes and open pockets.

The county commission is currently revamping zoning ordinances: which way will it go? Will it follow the current, active comprehensive plan that is supposed to be the rule of thumb until the year 2040? Or will that board give in to the current numerous developers pushing to create flag lots or reduce the 4 acre minimum for lots? The year-long negotiations for the proposed TAD between the county and the City of Villa Rica failed to reach an agreement. The city is now wooing the county school board in the hopes of getting a partner to help manage that growth already planted there. Villa Rica is about to burst out all over - with or without a plan or timetable of direction. The City of Carrollton is also working with developers (one out of South Carolina) and, in addition, has a TAD proposed on the November ballot. Will it pass? Will the growth that is at their door be managed or flow out into the county?

Carroll County is a gem, and we know it. So does the outside world that is weary of traffic congestion, long commutes, high living costs, crime, and pollution. And they are wanting to come here. Our pastures, and our workable liveable cities are in danger. Carroll County’s acreage is, and has been kept - through a comprehensive plan that has been updated regularly and at great cost/$2M for the last update - as basically half agricultural/half not.

Carroll County successfully carries, and nurtures, both agriculture and urban populations. Carroll’s leaders of this 21st Century have worked deligently to achieve a balance of workable lifestyles, and have been succeeding in providing most of the desirable amenities one could hope to have for quality lifestyles. That is, to raise a family, enjoy friends and neighbors, earn a living to not only be able to provide for themselves and their family, but enough to donate to our many charities to help those around us whose lifestyles have substandard aspects. We can boast to having here at home the Southwire Company, Tanner Health System, two public school systems (only 21 other counties in Georgia sport two separate public school systems), UWG, private school OMA, Decostar, chamber of commerce, Carroll Tomorrow, Greenway, Bremen-Bowdon Investments, Pilgrims Pride - so many more. Each of these has a 21st Century leader who contributes to the brilliant shine on that gem called Carroll County, including Rich Stinson, Loy Howard, Elizabeth Buttimer, Dr. Mark Albertus, Scott Cowart, Patrick Yuran, Karen Handel, Tim Warren, and so many more, so many more. (I apologize to all those I did not mention here, space restricts.)

I say we have “most” of the amenities not as a negative, but to be real in my observations. Broadband and water supply are not yet ubiquitous in the county (I live off well water, and daily work around a landline that dips in and out) but both are currently being expanded in the county through the diligent attention and commitment of three of our longtime 21st Century leaders Carroll EMC President Tim Martin, SyncGlobal CEO Kyle Williams, and Carroll County Water Authority Executive Director Matt Windom. Thank you! And, sadly, there are still some pockets of racism/antisemitism/homophobia (I’ve lived here for almost four decades, I know who you are) but, with a few grand funerals and the loving examples of our spiritual leaders and innumerable grandparents of many colors, we can keep moving toward the growing/healing of community relationships.

From the 2010 Census to the 2020 Census, Carroll County grew by only 8,621 citizens: 110,527 to 119,148. That’s 71-72 people per month either moved here/born here, minus those who moved away/died. Perhaps, some of the above mentioned 21st Leaders could put together a concise “How I Did It” guide for our political leaders as they navigate this difficult mountain pass so we don’t end up with a suffocating 2030 Census number?

In this November ’s election, Carrollton voters have the opportunity to approve redevelopment powers for Carrollton that are crucial to upgrading the Maple Street Corridor, the Adamson Square District, the Bankhead Block, and other underserved or distressed areas. With redevelopment tools like Tax Allocation Districts (TADs), Carrollton can pay for much-needed city improvements that we will all enjoy – without raising taxes.

Please join us in voting ‘YES’ on this referendum on the November 8 General Election Ballot.

Do you wish we had a few more restaurants? Maybe a bowling alley

or some other family entertainment experience? Carrollton is an exceptional place to call home, but we have some areas that need upgraded roads, sidewalks, and other infrastructure and beautification projects. These improvements will make Carrollton more appealing to the private investment that will bring the nice restaurants, retail, and family attractions that will enhance the great living experience that we have here in Carrollton.

Imagine Maple Street with more sidewalks, a golf cart path, upgraded utility poles with fewer wires hanging overhead, and a more appealing streetscape. Think about Adamson Square with high-end, mixed-use centers that combine residential, restaurants, and retail. Consider the Bankhead Block with greenspace and more inviting shopping centers. What if we could have enhanced walkability and connectivity from the

Bypass to Bankhead, at Adamson Square and along Maple Street, and from the University to the Technical College?

With these redevelopment tools, Carrollton can create special zones in distressed areas of the city called Tax Allocation Districts (TADs). TADs have been effective redevelopment finance tools for decades, allowing cities to fund important infrastructure projects without having to raise taxes. Rome and Gainesville are two Georgia communities that have employed TADs to create high-end, well-received redevelopment investments that have transformed their downtowns.

Here’s how a TAD work: A TAD is temporary, and it does not raise your taxes. In fact, a TAD has no legal authority to set property tax rates. Only the Mayor and City Council can do that. A TAD works to

See VOTE”YES” page 13

Importance of Comprehensive Plans and the “big picture”

West Georgia counties have recently squared off with developers seeking to use ag zoned land for nonag purposes. Attorneys for the developers consistently deny the validity of comprehensive plans and future land use maps arguing that they are not definitive articles and are subject to change.

Comprehensive plans are a requirement of local governments pursuant to Georgia regulations since 1989 and are for 10-year segments (updated at five-year intervals). This allows for a steady pace of development and adjustment. They are not an exercise in futility nor is the comprehensive plan a suggestion. Comprehensive plans contain the guidelines for a municipality and/or a county’s growth. These plans are a vision of what type of development will happen, where the development will occur and approximately when the changes will take place. The comprehensive plan controls growth, ensuring that growth is developed in an orderly and healthy manner. The plans are also placed into a visual document called the future land use map. Most importantly, these plans are designed to protect and preserve the quality of life for an area and its citizens.

Many developers consistently ignore the efforts of these plans and seek to dismantle the comprehensive plan process. As Georgia’s rural counties face more and more development pressure, comprehensive plans have become vital in assisting governing authorities to protect the characteristics that make their areas unique and desirable. Perhaps more simply stated, a comprehensive plan is a contract between the administration and the citizens defining what the landscape will look like in the future.

Zoning has become a “dirty” word in recent years and has come under pressure from developers as well. Zoning ordinances and comprehensive plans are designed to work

DEE

together. Comprehensive plans represent the big picture and the ordinances are the detail supporting that big picture. As development pressure rises, zoning ambiguities, loop holes and inconsistencies become more evident and are being abused to force government entities to capitulate to developers demands.

Zoning ordinances are living regulations that need to be reviewed and fleshed out in as many details as possible to protect the citizens and the landscape as well as support the comprehensive plan. Like the comprehensive plan, zonings strive to promote controlled and healthy growth as well as keep similar land uses grouped together.

Zoning review and amendments have a tendency to take a back seat to the business of running a government. This results in a reactive posture when issues are used by a developer to apply for a land use in conflict with the comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances. This leads to lawsuits creating time and money spent on cases defending those zoning ordinances. The answer to this growing problem is for governments to be proactive by reviewing the ordinances and addressing issues such as ambiguities, loop holes and inconsistencies on a regular basis. This will ensure consistency and aid in preventing legal action. Zoning ordinances and their review should be a priority, not a reaction to a plan already set in motion.

Another more complicated problem is emerging for counties. As cities grow, they are annexing more and

more county property which also has an impact on a county’s comprehensive plan. While an annexation has to occur on a contiguous city property, they typically absorb tracts of undeveloped land with different county zoning designations. This often kills a green space buffer between city limits and county land. While the growth of the city is kept close to the city area which is far better for a rural area, it can also have a serious impact on traffic patterns in that rural area. It is more than losing greenspace and buffers, it is about traffic control, education needs, density levels and infrastructure services. Development in either a city or county should analyze under utilized areas for projects before annexing and re-zoning new areas.

A recent amendment to Georgia annexation laws, effective July 1, 2022, states that cities must notify their counties within thirty days of receiving an annexation and re-zoning application. A county has several points on which to raise an objection to the proposed annexation. This amended rule found in HB 1461 will help counties and cities maintain their comprehensive plans and vision toward controlled and stable growth.

As part of these processes, it is imperative that governments work toward promoting an air of cooperation among the offices that work with zoning and land issues. Each area of responsibility should be on the same page and working toward the same goals of supporting and implementing the comprehensive plan. It is critical that the language in the zoning ordinances adequately and definitively reflect the comprehensive plan so that these offices have the tools they need on a day-to-day basis to handle the applications arriving in their offices. This would provide stability and lessen pressure of litigation.

As West Georgia continues to grow, preserving the landscape is a priority. The rural atmosphere is a

just what happened, but what matters” SUSAN M. HORN

DANIEL WAYNE

I am the Democrat nominee for U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District

DR. VAL ALMONORD

CANDIDATE

Congressional

I am Dr. Val Almonord, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District. Let me tell you a little bit about me. I am a father, grandfather, physician, healthcare student, veteran, and union leader. I was born in Haiti and emigrated to the United States 53 years ago. I went to high school while working on a factory line.

I attended college and medical school on College Work-Study, Pell Grant, and Student Loan. After 35 years of Federal service, I retired from Fort Benning, Georgia.

YBIL ROSEN THOMAS

River Rambles syllabil@aol.com

I don’t want to write this column. I’ve been avoiding it all day. I never intended these River Rambles to be harbingers of bad news. And mind you, not all the news is bad.

As a volunteer water -sampler for Chattahoochee Riverkeeper’s Neighborhood Water Watch, I can report that the river below Plant Yates is so far relatively healthy, with diminishing levels of E.coli, detergents, and heavy metals. In certain circles, it’s even whispered that it’s now possible to eat the fishoccasionally (no one is advocating a steady diet). Still, that’s reassuring evidence of the river’s rebound into health over the last three decades, largely through the activism of nonprofits like Chattahoochee Riverkeeper.

Yet, ever since I read here in StarNews Carol

As a physician, a healthcare student, and a cancer survivor, I know how our healthcare system works, how it is supposed to work, and how I can make it work better. I will fight to enhance the Affordable Care Act by lowering the deductible and expanding Medicaid so that every man, woman, and child can access affordable quality healthcare.

codify Roe v. Wade; in other words, to make it the law of the land.

In Congress, I will sponsor legislation to codify Roe v. Wade; in other words, to make it the law of the land.

We are all Georgians; let’s work together for a better Georgia.

The very conservative United States Supreme Court just took away our women’s civil rights. What next may be the right to buy contraception, same-sex marriage, right to vote? Nobody knows. But, then, women’s reproductive health will be on the ballot in November. To restore our mothers, wives, and daughters’ civil rights, we must - we have to, we need to - vote overwhelmingly for Democrats.

In Congress, I will sponsor legislation to

Boyd’s August 7th front-page article “Plant Yates coal ash threat to nearby Chattahoochee River area,” I’ve been haunted by those 13 coal-ash ponds just half-a-mile upstream from the house. The first time I heard about our “wet,” or unlined, ponds was December 22, 2008, the afternoon of the Kingston Fossil Plant Coal-Fly Ash Slurry Spill (as described by Wikipedia) in Tennessee - arguably the worst industrial disaster in US history. I remember thinking then that a coal-ash accident at Plant Yates would make a ghost of this cabin. It would reduce our stretch of the Chattachoochee, which now includes McIntosh Reserve and Chattachoochee Bend State Park, to a suffocated tomb, uprooting rural families who have lived within the river’s sphere for centuries some of them.

What’s shocking about the Kingston spill is not so much its enormity - unfortunately we’re getting used to that - but how recently it occurred. Just 14 years ago, yet it feels like an event from a more distant time, maybe because it echoes the terrifying horror movies of my childhood, films like “The Blob” where whole communities were literally enveloped by a deadly substance they could not control.

person in blue wants to go home tonight and he or she does not want to find an undeclared firearm.

ED WILSON

I often get e-mails commenting on my articles here in StarNews. Some value my commentary, while others condemn my bias. I value both for I learn from your feedback. I wish to thank other contributors for their commentary, and more, on these pages.

First, Attorney Jason Swindle (some think an appropriate name for his chosen profession). Thank you for informing me that I have the right to decline a Field Sobriety Test (FST). Now in my 90s, I could not pass a FST cold sober on my best day.

May I add, that if you are stopped and if you are carrying a firearm, put your hands visually on the upper part of your steering wheel and inform the officer that you have a firearm. The

Thanks to Ellen and Scott McBrayer (JonesWynn Funeral Home) for pointing out the legal authorization for cremation. I verified that I had an appropriate Durable Power of Attorney (POA) plus an Advanced Medical Directive covering my wishes. Information as to who can make the decision as to final disposition of the remains was also informative.

The story on the “Carrollton Democracy Project Phase 1” by Margery Bouris covered a LOT of ground, but in all honesty, I was frequently lost in the details. I did find that the comments by Blacks as to a general breakdown in society was at odds with my interaction with my Black friends. As I understand them, their concerns are pretty much the same as my White friends, that free money and inflation hurts us all. I do not understand Black tolerance for Black on Black crime.

The article by Wayne Reynolds indicating that Carroll County Georgia was 12th in the nation for “food insecurity” was surprising as I note that those on TV picking up “free food” generally drive (cost of gas) nice cars (financed

Thanks to President Biden, inflation is decreasing, gas prices are going down. I will support legislation that will reduce the oil companies’ excessive profits from price gouging and lower the Federal tax on every gallon of gasoline.

It is time to stop giving tax breaks to the wealthy while low-income and middle-class families are struggling with student loan debt. Two months ago, something unthinkable happened: my opponent sponsored a bill in Congress that will prohibit the Federal Government from forgiving or canceling any portion or whole student loan.

Climate change is not a hoax; it is real. It is time to address the changing climate affecting our lives and will change the lives of our kids and grandkids.

I’m not making light. The numbers are awful, any way you look at it. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) built the Kingston Plant in 1954. As the world’s largest coal-fired facility, it provided electricity for the atomic energy installations at nearby Oak Ridge. Fifty-four years later, a coal-ash pond dike would rupture and 1.1 billion US gallons of coal-fly ash - enough to fill 1660 Olympic swimming pools (if that helps you conceptualize; or, said another way, think 5.4 million cubic yards of toxic sludge)would devastate 9300 acres of surrounding land with up to 6 feet of lethal gunk.

The mudflow wave of ash and water completely overwhelmed 12 houses, pushed one off its foundation, left three others uninhabitable. Forty-two residential properties were damaged, as were roads, gas pipelines, and railroad tracks. Coal-ash slurry polluted the Clinch and Emory Rivers, both of which flow into the Tennessee River.

Now is our chance to make West Georgia the number one manufacturer of good-paying technological jobs to fight climate change. We need to elect a Congressional leader to support climate change legislation.

Most importantly, I will be a voice for the people, not the big corporations and the lobbyists. It’s about time to select a leader from the people who will work for all people.

But we have many obstacles on our way to victory, like the SB202 voter suppression law. To overcome SB202, we must work together to educate and encourage citizens to vote for democrats.

We are all Georgians; let’s work together for a better Georgia.

But, I can’t do it alone. Join the movement. We need volunteers. We need your help. Please donate at almonordforcongress.com or scan the QR code on our front page ad. No amount is too small.

Thank you for reading! Any questions, email me!

humans were killed or injured during the dike rupture, though it hurts to imagine the plight of plants and animals living there then. And among the ill-equipped clean-up crews, 30 workers died of brain, lung, and blood cancers before the 10th anniversary of the tragic and avoidable event.

Uncertain who to vote for this November? Vote for those who will protect the river for the benefit of all, as opposed to those who exploit it for their gain alone. Cast your vote for the Chattahoochee River.

I repeat this history as cautionary tale. The scope and toxicity of a potential Yates spill would not compare to the magnitude of the Kingston catastrophe. The fact that our coal ash is spread out over 13 separate ponds likely eliminates the possibility of a single cataclysmic rupture. Nonetheless, any spill is a needless travesty.

Found liable, the TVA spent more than one billion dollars cleaning up the mess. No

or paid for?). Make no mistake, no one, but absolutely no one in this country should suffer food insecurity.

But, I ask which political party promotes insecurity? Can you identify political prostitutes that use your taxpayer monies to buy votes? Does student loan forgiveness come to mind? Will you support these thieves again in November? In my view, if you can put whatever you want in a grocery cart and not be concerned about the cost at checkout, you are very, very blessed.

Longtime StarNews columnist Dan C. Pak discussed his Christian faith and some of the multiple religions of Asia. I always enjoy Pak’s articles as he has a different prospective from native-born Americans. Perhaps some of our contributing church ministers could expand, positively, upon the core beliefs of various religions and cults and how they developed.

They could start with Biblical Christianity and the numerous churches that have evolved and why, then expand their discussion to include say: Jehovah’s Witnesses, Latter-day Saints, Unification Church, Christian Science, Unity School of Christianity, Scientology, Wicca, New Age Islam, Nation of Islam,

Even more troubling is the insidious leak of toxins into the groundwater surrounding Plant Yates. Since an unlined pond has no underlying container, pollutants like arsenic, lead, and mercury can seep into the earth without any intention of becoming something more pleasant; they just keep poisoning. I worry for the employees of the plant. And I

Baha’i World Faith, Judaism, Hinduism, Hare Krishna, TM or Transcendental Meditation, and or Buddhism and its variants and include those that I have missed.

Tread lightly, for believers know only their version and if they believe it, for them it IS TRUE! Do not question their beliefs. Be sure to cover the horrors imposed upon some nonbelievers by Catholic and Episcopal Church leaders around 1100 AD in the name of the faith to combat heresy. Does the inquisition or martyrs created by the Church of England come to mind?

Are you sick of the endless requests for “monies for good causes”? They tell you “it is only X cents per day”. The unanswered question is “how much goes to the good cause and how much goes to the promoters or fundraising efforts? If you see a need and are so inclined, give DIRECTLY to the person in need and be grateful that you can. You nor the needy require a “middleman” to skin off some of your donations.

Political: Some years ago, I unwisely ran for political office and while seeking support from a local contractor, he pulled out his checkbook

The power of the silken purse, and zoning

BOURIS

The other night, Margery came home from a meeting in Carrollton. It was a public hearing by the Carroll County Board of Commissioners held in the historic courthouse during which citizens of the county voiced their opinions about proposed zoning regulations. I believe the motivation for this hearing came from concerns about the direction Carroll County is to take, now that we are facing a wave of population increase and its concomitant increase in real estate demand and sales. I listened to Margery’s recap of what went

on, and at the end she overheard a remark. It was something like, “...some day people will realize what a genius past Carroll County Commisson Chairman Bill Chappell was!” “Genius?” I don’t know. But qualities that might cause a person to make such a summary statement? I have to say, that though I knew the man slightly, I’ve always thought he was smart, and very effective.

Back then as publisher ofThe CarrollStar News, he once ran an editorial stating he was against the county’s further acquisition of large tracts of land. He felt that way because such action removed the acquired property from taxation, which was a county’s main source of income. But the interesting thing is that early in his administration as commission chairman he did exactly the opposite, and caused the county to buy several large tracts that were to be held as parklands.

I believe that Mr. Chappell’s earlier experience, as a developer in Gwinett County, had something to do with his change in attitude

toward such matters. When Atlanta was first exploding out of its seams, Gwinnett County, which had allowed virtual uncontrolled growth, especially in the hands of real estate developers, had been rewarded with concomitant riches, but now was paying incredible prices to gain back measly-sized tracts that it could call “parks”. I think Chappell saw that Carroll would be in the next Atlanta expansion, and wisely got the acres at a bargain price. In this regard, he worked with the Trust for Public Land to put up about half the asking price for some 500 acres on the Chattahoochee River. During his administration, there were several more instances of such cooperation with the TPL.

Today, we are extremely fortunate to be in this position. Our stretch of the Chattahoochee is also part of our parks’ heritage, and we have neighbors across the river, Fulton and Coweta counties, who are trying to match what we have. Even Georgia Power is trying to look like they’re making environmental efforts.

Incidentally, they happen to be the previous owners of our own McIntosh Reserve. And our part of the Chattahoochee is making a very healthy comeback, after decades of being a leading cancer-causing body of water. (Sarcastic: Thanks, Atlanta.)

Broadly speaking, Carroll County’s major parks start by coinciding with the river, and then dot their way across the southern part of the county, East-to-West, via Highway 5. Beautiful: three parks, starting with Moore’s Bridge Park, east of Whitesburg, and ending at Black Jack Mountain, west of Tyus.

At the same time the county’s industrial, commercial and residential developments, are distributed along the North-South corridors, generally defined by Hwys 27 and 61. = From what I know, this is the general outline of the various interests that affect our county. = I’m only pointing out that Bill Chappell helped define and maintain those outlines, and they seem sound.

Carroll County government in violation of state laws aimed at illegal immigration

D.A. KING

PRESIDENT

The Dustin Inman Society 404-316-6712

“Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed; everything else is public relations.” - often attributed to George Orwell

As readers may have heard, more than 2 million illegal aliens crossed the U.S. borders in the fiscal year (Oct. 1- Sept. 30); an estimated 3.5 million have crossed since President Biden took office. Because it is easy to get a job here illegally, Georgia is a very popular destination for these illegal “migrants.” It cannot be said too many times: we host more illegals than Arizona.

The news from the southern border leads us to the below bit of local information you likely will not see on “the news.” It isn’t public relations.

Despite more than six months of “heads up” notifications from here, as I write on September 29 and 30, Carroll County government is in violation of at least three longstanding state laws put in place to make Georgia a difficult place to live for illegal aliens - and for the employers who want to hire them. This is not a “maybe” - the responses to August open records requests sent to the county from my office clearly show that many of your county officials have been in long term violation.

It does not require a law degree to understand what is going on in Carroll County and our state.

Anyone involved in an honest effort to deter the organized crime of illegal immigration knows that the main driver of this ongoing catastrophe is illegal employment and the hope of the illegals to take advantage of the long list of taxpayer-funded public benefits available in the U.S., ncluding in Georgia. Absent fulfillment of the constitutional duty of the Washington Democrats who are running the Biden Regime’s open border scheme to increase the future far-left voter base, it falls to the states to create a hostile environment for the hordes of illegals who are being bussed around the nation, including to Georgia.

I have been involved in creating and passing legislation aimed at illegal immigration under the Gold Dome since 2005.

A massive bill (“The Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act” - SB 529) was passed in 2006 over the vocal objections of a long list of business interests and corporatefunded far-left anti-borders groups. The legislation began a process of making it more difficult for illegal aliens to access jobs, benefits, and services here.

The President of Mexico at the time opposed the bill too. “Implementation potentially effects human and civil rights of Mexicans who live in or visit Georgia,” he said in a press release.

We note here that then State Senator Brian Kemp was the Chairman of the Senate Public Safety Committee that passed out SB 529. Kemp also voted “YEA” on final passage. He told Atlanta media in 2011 that many Georgians are “fed up” with illegal immigration. It’s a “burning issue” he said then. He doesn’t talk about illegal immigration in Georgia now. Neither do most state legislators. Voters should change that fact.

After a ferocious fight with the same opponents, in 2011 another piece of legislation (“The Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011” - HB 87) went into law. It increased public safety while adding penalties for government officials who would refuse to comply with the laws aimed at preserving jobs, benefits, and services for legal residents.

The goal was to make Georgia less hospitable to illegal immigration. Business licenses/ occupational tax licenses are public benefits under state law.

Georgia’s “Verification of Lawful Presence Within the United States” law requires that an applicant for public benefits swear on a notarized affidavit that he/she is either a U.S. citizen or a “lawfully present” and eligible foreign national. The applicant is required to present a “Secure and Verifiable” ID. The foreign national’s “lawful presence’ is then supposed to be verified using a federal database known as SAVE. It is the responsibility of the government agency that issues these benefits to offer and collect these documents which have been standardized by law.

It is amazing how far outside the clearly written state statutes the Carroll County Board of Commissioners et al have been allowed to operate since the original effective date of July 1, 2012. The response to my open records request shows that department has likely illegally issued 4746 occupational tax licenses (business licenses) since then.

Like county officials, I have no idea how

many of these mistakes served to welcome illegals to Carroll County. For readers with a curiosity for detail, the two laws in question here are OCGA 50-36-1 and OCGA 50-36-2.

Be warned up front that enforcement of these laws is not on the priority list of the people who run “the number one state for business.”

There are stiff penalties for violation. Government officials ignoring this law should know that offense is “a violation of the code of ethics for government service… and subject such agency head to… penalties… including removal from office and a fine not to exceed $10,000.00; and a high and aggravated misdemeanor offense where such agency head acts to willfully violate the provisions of this Code section…”

reporting agencies.”

- More: “Contingent upon appropriation or approval of necessary funding and in order to verify compliance with the provisions of this subsection, each year the Commissioner shall conduct no fewer than 100 random audits of public employers and contractors or may conduct such an audit upon reasonable grounds to suspect a violation of this subsection.”

Meanwhile, I have filed a complaint with the Carroll County Sheriff against the county officials who ignored repeated warnings on this and are operating an illegal occupational license issuing system.

There is more: Carroll County government is also in violation of the state law that requires private employers with ten or more employees to swear they are using the no-cost federal online work eligibility verification system called “E-Verify.” The goal of this law (OCGA 36-60-6) is to keep illegal aliens from working illegally in Georgia.

Another law, (OCGA 13-10-91) requires government agencies (“Public Employers) and most contractors paid with tax dollars to use the E-Verify system.

The state does not enforce these laws either. I challenge anyone, including Gov. Kemp, to present any example of prosecution in court of these hard-fought-for laws.

Solution: Fund the state enforcement tools already in the laws

These laws, hated by the people who profit from illegal immigration and intentionally ignored by state officials charged with enforcement, have wording that was put in place to make monitoring and prosecution seem certain in a then future version of Georgia. One that had money for investigation and enforcement.

- An example from 2011: “Subject to available funding, the state auditor shall conduct annual compliance audits on a minimum of at least one-half of the reporting agencies and publish the results of such audits annually on the department’s website on or before September 30.”

None of the built-in audits or monitoring are being done. There has been no appropriation of funding. Not many legislators in today’s state Capitol are educated on any of this. Even fewer want to hear about it. That goes double for the “journalists” who decide what’s in “the news.” But the liberal Atlanta Journal Constitution ran a Sept. 24 headline that unintentionally tells us where to get the money for state level enforcement: “Georgia’s fiscal tax surplus hits $6.57 billion.”

Readers who have an interest in fewer illegal aliens migrating to Georgia should hound their state legislators and the governor on this until our illegal immigration laws are as enthusiastically enforced as seat belt, no smoking and touching cell phones-whiledriving statutes.

Meanwhile, I have filed a complaint with the Carroll County Sheriff against the county officials who ignored repeated warnings on this and are operating an illegal occupational license issuing system.

* Update at press time, October 6, 2022: Apparently as a result of a Sept. 29 phone call and email exchange with the Carroll County Attorney, we see that one of the violations we informed county officials about early in the year has been corrected. Others have not been changed. We note that this correction does not change the fact that Carroll County is and has been in violation of state public benefits/illegal immigration laws for nearly a decade. And it does not change the need for appropriation of state audit/enforcement funding. Readers with an interest in details and more information can use the search box and you can read much more on ImmigrationPoliticsGA.com. Enter “Carroll County.”

-

And: “Subject to funding, the Department of Audits and Accounts shall annually conduct an audit of no fewer than 20 percent of such

D.A. King is president of the Marietta-based Dustin Inman Society and proprietor of ImmigrationPoliticsGA.com. He is an independent voter.

THOUGHTS WHILE SHAVING from page 18 and asked “What do you need?” When I replied that I was self-funding, he immediately lost interest in my candidacy. It appeared that if he could not buy a favor, he had no interest in my candidacy. Lesson learned: While small political contributions are often made out of conviction, larger contributors very often expect a “return” for their money.

Of interest, Senate candidate Raphael Warnock reportedly has raised over $70,000,000.00 for his campaign. Yeah, seventy million dollars for a part-time job. That is about $10.00 for every active voter in Georgia. A lot of big donors want Senate Warnock very badly, and why not? He was the deciding vote on some of President Biden’s inflation

However, where the established “areas for Agriculture and Nature” overlap with the established “areas for Development”, things can get complicated. Take Roopville. It is at the intersection of Hwys 27 and 5. A developer desires Carroll County to redefine “Agricultural zoning”.

The proposed changes seem to be the minimal conditions necessary for the conversion of agricultural usage to accommodate a higher density residential use. In this case, the developer’s interests are something akin to creating long narrow 4-acre strips that have minimum road frontage. That way, since the zoning is kept “Agricultural”, a subdivision may be brought in with greatly reduced requirements (Water, Sanitation, Access Roads, etc, etc.)...

Just let me say: Though I fully accept the

RIVER RAMBLES from page 18

worry about the toxins slowly leaching into the soil and the river. The weekly Riverkeeper testing is reassuring, yet it boggles the mind that nothing has been done to secure the ponds in the years since the Kingston spill.

This neglect is due in part to a lack of oversight and enforcement by a weakened Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Last term, when the Supreme Court further crippled the EPA’s ability to demand environmental compliance from coal-burning power plants, the conservative Justices may have delivered a fatal blow to any effort to rectify threats to our life here. SCOTUS rulings have resonance on a personal level, as we have seen. That same decision also made it more difficult for citizens to implement their environmental will locally, which may have helped empower the widelyopposed rock quarry soon to resound on our shores. (I’ve made this argument before. It feels necessary to keep reminding us that these rulings are not made in some unrelated stratosphere; they affect all of us on the most intimate level.)

When I began these River Rambles two and a half years ago, I vowed to let the river lead me. And this is where it has led: To a communion with the river that compels me to speak on her behalf; and to the desire to try to express the innumerable ways in which her life is interwoven with mine, and yours. At this moment, it feels imperative that these ideas find expression in the highest level of governance. Perhaps in an attempt to bolster the EPA, the Biden administration recently announced a new branch specifically devoted to environmental justice. If we’re going to have clean water, soil, and air in Carroll County, we need to direct our intention toward people and actions with the same goals.

Uncertain who to vote for this November? Vote for those who will protect the river for the benefit of all, as opposed to those who exploit it for their gain alone. Cast your vote for the Chattahoochee River.

increasing-vote-buying-giveaways.

More political: Holding or running for public office can be a great gig. The net worth of our Governor Kemp and his opponent Stacy Abrams is both a little over $3 million each. Surely, they relate to your everyday economic challenges.

Of interest, in 2018, Abrams’ net worth was a little over $100,000 and she had unpaid tax bills, student loans and credit card debt. After losing the governor’s race in 2018, over the past four years, her net worth has increased some 3,000%. You might conclude that even the losers win.

Is this illegal or necessarily bad? Not really. I just wanted to make the point that if you are economically challenged and willing to work a campaign 24/7 and have a thick skin, consider running for a high public office. Even losing can produce a big payday!

E-mail: cedwilson587@yahoo.com

ONE

Edward Jones

Carroll County Department of Public Health

tourist accomodation inspections scores

9/14/2022: Woodland Christian Camp 90Woodland RD Temple 100 previous 98 9/12/2022: John Tanner Lodge 354 Tanner Beach RD Carrollton 98 previous 98 9/07/2022: Motel 6 35 Price Creek RD Bremen 95 previous 93 9/06/2022: Carroll Inn 1485 Hwy 27 N Carrollton 94 previous 92 9/08/2022: Little Tallapoosa Park 1930 Hwy 113 N Carrollton 93 previous 100 9/08/2022: John Tanner Park Campground 354 Tanner Beach RD Carrollton 93 previous 100 9/08/2022: Red Roof Inn 1125 Bankhead Hwy Carrollton 93 previous 95 9/12/2022: Holiday Inn Express 125 Hwy 27 Bypass Bremen 92 previous 92 9/07/2022: Econolodge 124 Hwy 61 Connector Villa RIca 90 previous 96 9/07/2022: Quality Inn 128 Hwy 61 Connector Villa Rica 90 previous 94 9/07/2022: Alden Motel 973 E Hwy 78 Temple 90 previous 87 9/07/2022: Hometown Lodge 120 Hwy 61 Connector Villa Rica 86 previous 95 9/01/2022: Royal Inn 101 Royal Crown CT Carrollton 82 previous 88 9/06/2022: Rodeway Inn 160 Centennial RD Carrollton 79 previous 74

Violations: Observed ice machine with mold present inside chute, observed ice machine vents/filters with heavy dust and debris accumulation/ Observed moldy shower curtain in bathroom in room 119. Walls in room 119 need patching as well as ceiling needs to be repainted. Walls in room 123 are stained as well as floors are stained with white paint. Garbage dumpster with lid open, observed trash outside of dupster, old furniture stores outside of dumpster and outside of building. A/C units coming off loose and detaching from wall. Ceilings in hallways coming off loose and in bad condition. Many areas outside the facility have trash, old furniture, construction materials, bosed, etc.

9/12/2022: Budget Inn 405 Columbia DR Carrollton 78 previous 78

Violations: Bedbugs observed in room 150 and spiders. Store ice scoop in protective manner. Mold observed in restrooms on walls and ceilings and shower curtains. Stained linens, bed bug covers, pillows, and mattress pads. Dirty box springs and mattresses need to be replaced. Filters and A/C units need tobe clean and free of dust and mold.

9/01/2022: Crown Inn 102 Crown Ct Carrollton 71 previous 83

Violations: No gas-fired equipment inspection. Old inspection expired. Mold on shower curtain, shower handles come off easily, tile borken, hole in ceiling stuffed with toilet tissue, loose outlet cover. Generally unkempt, unlean, and damaged. No screen in windows. Large cracks around doors. Microwave and fridge contained food debris. Clothing rack was moldy. TV has oily substance all over it.

public swimming pool health inspections scores

9/08/2022: Historic Banning Mills 205 Horseshoe Dam RD Whitesburg 98 Satisfactory

9/08/2022: Red Roof Inn 1125 Bankhad Hwy Carrollton 81 Unsatisfactory

Violations: Observed free chlorine at 0ppm.Observed ph below 7.0. Observed chlorine tablets in skimmer baskets. Fix. leak in pump room toadjust chemcial levels. Chlorine tablets in skimmers are accessible hazards to swimmers

9/08/2022: Sportsplex 106 Somerset PL Carrollton 76 Unsatisfactory

Violations: pH higher than 7.8. Pressure gauge currently reading at 0psi. Flow reader currently reading low at 20gpm. Previous records show that normal operational range for this pool is 60-70gpm.

restaurant health inspections scores

9/22/2022: Bre’s BBQ 149 Garrison Ct Temple 100 previous 100 9/21/2022: T&T Southern BBQ 131 Lowell Rd Carrollton 100 previous 100 9/28/2022: West GA Mini Donuts 39 Estates Dr Villa Rica 100 previous 100 9/14/2022: Brent’s Burgers 1048 Alabama St Carrollton 100 previous 100 9/13/2022: MS Evoy’s Island Spice 1027 Maple St Carrollton 100 previous 100 9/07/2022: Sprinkles 312 Newnan ST Carrollton 100 previous NA 9/28/2022: Shane’s Rib Shack 1141 Bankhead Hwy Carrollton 98 previous 95 9/16/2022: Waffle House #1311 1980 Alabama Ave Bremen 98 previous 94 9/16/2022: Popeye’s 95 Hwy 27 Bypass Bremen 98 previous 91 9/01/2022: Suzie’s Wings 451 W Bankhead Hwy Villa Rica 98 previous 90 9/29/2022: Irish Bred Pub 210 Adamson Square Carrollton 98 previous 90 9/28/2022: Dairy Queen 1515 Alabama Ave Bremen 96 previous 91 9/20/2022: Arby’s #6702 31 Price Creek Rd Bremen 95 previous 93 9/16/2022: Wendy’s 1995 Alabama Ave Bremen 95 previous 90 9/22/2022: La Finca 727 Bankhead Hwy Carrollton 95 previous 87 9/12/2022: Smoothie King 1670 Hwy 27 Carrollton 95 previous 86 9/02/2022: McDonald’s 1175 Bankhead Hwy Carrollton 94 previous 90 9/06/2022: Subway 24 W Hwy 5 Whitesburg 93 previous 91 9/08/2022: Tacos California 826 Newnan Rd Carrollton 92 previous 95 9/06/2022: La Estacion 1018 Main St Whitesburg 90 previous 91 9/13/2022: Billy Bob’s BBQ 811 S ParkSt Carrollton 90 previous 90 9/22/2022: Sutton’s 477 Rome St Carrollton 90 previous 90 9/02/2022: Wing Citi 2502 Hwy 61 Carrollton 90 previous 83 9/15/2022: DairyQueen 811 W Bankhead Hwy Villa Rica 88 previous 92 9/02/2022: La Vaquerita 1124 N Park St Carrollton 88 previous 85 9/15/2022: La Chiquita 901 S Carroll Rd Villa Rica 87 previous 88 9/01/2022: Martin’s 1100 W Bankhead Hwy Carrollton 85 previous 86 9/21/2022: O’Charley’s 1591 Hwy 27 S Carrollton 84 previous 82 9/08/2022: Little Caeser’s 911 S ParkSt Carrollton 84 previous 79 9/19/2022: El Morelia 225 David Blvd Bremen 78 previous 77 Violations: Observed mold built-up in drink nozzles. Observed sugar and flour bins stored directly on floor. Observed multiple dirty in-use wiping clothes stored next to dishwasher. Observed floows and ceiling tiles with heavy debris dust accumulation.

Should you consolidate retirement accounts?

FRED O’NEAL

FINANCIAL ADVISOR

One of the rewards for working over several decades is the ability to contribute to taxadvantaged retirement accounts, which can help provide needed income for you when you do retire. As the years went by, you may well have accumulated several retirement accounts, such as IRAs and 401(k)s or similar

employer-sponsored plans. But you might find it advantageous to consolidate these accounts with a single provider:

Less confusion and clutter – If you have multiple accounts in different locations, it may be difficult to keep track of tax documents, statements, fees, disclosures and other important information. Consolidating could help provide clear, simplified maintenance.

Less likelihood of “lost accounts” – It may be hard to believe, but many people abandon their retirement accounts, leaving thousands of dollars behind and unclaimed.

In fact, at the end of 2021, there were

Carroll County marriage licenses

nearly 25 million forgotten 401(k) accounts, worth about 20% of all 401(k) assets, according to an estimate by Capitalize, a financial services company that helps individuals roll over retirement plan assets into new accounts.

It’s possible that employers can even move small, old accounts out of their 401(k) plans and into an IRA on behalf of their former employees, thus increasing the chances that savers will lose track of their money. By consolidating with one provider, you can ensure you don’t lose track of your money.

Ability to follow a unified strategy – With multiple retirement accounts, and different

investment portfolios, you might find it difficult to maintain a unified financial strategy that’s appropriate for your goals and risk tolerance.

But once you’ve consolidated accounts with a single provider, you’ll find it easier to manage your investment mix and to rebalance your portfolio as needed.

Possible improvement in investment options – Often, 401(k)s may have limited investment selection, so consolidating accounts with a full-service firm may allow for a wider array of products and strategies. This broader exposure can potentially help you improve your overall strategies.

Greater ease in calculating RMDs – Once you turn 72, you will need to start taking withdrawals — called required minimum distributions, or RMDs — from your traditional IRA and your 401(k) or similar plan. If you don’t take out at least the minimal amount, which is based on your age and account balance, you could face a penalty.

If you have several accounts, with different providers, it could be cumbersome and difficult to calculate your RMDs — it will be much easier with all accounts under one roof.

Fred O’Neal, financial advisor, 410 College Street, Carrollton, GA 770-832-2141

Carroll County pistol permits

Number of Weapons Carry Permits applied for: SEPT. 1-30, 2022: 96

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

SEPTEMBER 1-30, 2022:

Tanner Medical Center, Carrollton: Girls: 57 Boys: 63

Tanner Medical Center, Villa Rica:� Girls: 25 Boys: 21

Carroll County cattle receipts

Carroll County Sales Barn 225 Sales Barn Road, Carrollton

Sept. 12, 2022: 673 Sept. 19, 2022: 1074 Sept. 26, 2022: 608 October 3, 2022: 719

Carroll County jail population

Total population as of OCTOBER 6, 2022: 473

Males: 399 Females: 74

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

Carroll County prison population

Total population as of OCTOBER 6 1, 2022: 242 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)

next wave of “Atlanta expansion” and am trying to welcome it, calling a new residential area “Agricultural” for the sake of finessing real estate development is an inane way to solve a problem. For example, once it is established, and you have the inevitable rise in demand for water, you will certainly end up with the county’s water department supplying water to “farms”!

If property owners of rural Roopville wish to go “Residential”, then that is what they should ask for: “Residential” zoning. The same goes for urbanized county residents who want a neighborhood park: They should not be asking to zone the area as “Agricultural”. That way the county knows how best to consider the request. It’s so much more difficult to conduct the public’s business by calling a project a silk purse when it’s still a sow’s ear!

But, I digress. What I meant to point out was that even if you were to accept my basic proposal, that of broadly dividing the county into “for Development” and “for Nature” zones, there are still many problems, the one in Roopville being a good example. And, I’m also using details of the Roopville situation to warn of convenient, right-sounding solutions that in reality are just wrong-headed approaches that would lead to the misapplication of resources as well as misunderstandings.

Maybe I’m wrong, but let’s assume that Carroll County has no “big plan”. I venture to say that because in recent time I’ve gotten the feeling that our Comprehensive Plan, whose development had so many of us excited and involved, seems to have turned into a backshelf reference-subject - instead of being a banner to lead the county into the 21st Century. Oh, I’m sure this is not absolutely true, but let me remind the reader that during that recent xoning meeting, mentioned at the beginning of this article, when the situation in Roopville came up, the only reference made to the Comprehensive Plan was by citizens, and not by county officials.

When the subject for discussion is something like zoning, I would think that the Comprehensive Plan would be foremost in the

disappearing way of life. This fact will affect food security, greenspace, clean air, clean water and historical legacies. The very things that make this area unique and desirable are the very reasons to create solid and defendable zoning ordinances. The West Georgia rural character requires zoning ordinances that balance, control and support healthy growth in appropriate areas as designated by the comprehensive plan and visualized in the future land use map.

While the power to make decisions regarding zoning issues lies with the zoning commissions, city councils and county commissioners, citizens can impact these decisions. Attendance at zoning commission meetings, zoning hearings, town hall meetings, city council meetings and commission meetings are all opportunities to speak up about what is important to the people who live and work in West Georgia.

The power of the people can have a lasting and profound impact on how governments react to zoning situations. The comprehensive plan, the future land use map and zoning ordinances are public documents available online or at planning offices. Take the time to learn about how your government operates and contribute to the process.

Don’t wait until an unwanted project is happening on your own doorstep - pay attention to what is happening in your city and county and then speak out on issues that concern you. We can all work together to create the kind of future we want for future generations.

minds of county officials. I may be way offbase with this, since I don’t circulate as much as I used to 20 years ago, but here’s something to think about: since a county, or a city, allows itself to consider purchasing property for the purpose of creating a park of some sort, why couldn’t it consider buying property, rezoning it, and then putting it back on the market? As long as such a move is consistent with an approved plan, it should be constitutional.

If such a move were possible, then the zoning part of a County’s Comprehensive Plan could be put into practice and field-tested with very little risk - I would think! After all, our neighbor, Alabama, has such provisions in its constitution. In their case, they base it on every citizen’s right to hunt! Google “Forever Wild Land Trust”. Though their goals are not exactly ours, this variation of their idea could have use in Carroll County. (But, before the great stampede.)

A Personhood Amendment DUANE HACK

West Georgia

“The

to

It has been three months since the historic Mississippi Dobbs case decision, which led to the overturning of Roe vs. Wade. Although the Dobbs decision was a battle victory, the war to protect the lives of the preborn and aged continues to rage hotter than ever within the ProLife movement. In 1973, Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmon wrote following his supporting decision of the “Roe vs Wade”, legalizing abortion on demand: “If the suggestion of Personhood of the pre-born is established; the abortions rights case (Roe v Wade), of course, collapses. For the right of the fetus

to life is guaranteed specifically by the 14th Amendment of the constitution.”

The 14th Amendment of the US Constitution reads: “Nor shall any state deprive any person of Life, Liberty or Property without due process of the law. Nor deny to any Person with its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

The establishment of the fetus in the womb as a “Person” was paramount to the Pro-Life movement’s cause in overruling the 1973 Roe vs Wade decision through the Mississippi Dobbs case.

So, what is Personhood? In the simplest terms, Personhood is the right to have rights. It is the cultural and legal recognition of the inalienable (God-given, not man-made) and equal rights of all human beings, regardless of age, ability, environment, or manner of conception.

When the term “person” is applied to a particular class of human beings, it is an affirmation of the individual’s rights. In other words, to be a person is to be protected by a series of

God-given and constitutionally protected rights such as Life, Liberty and Property (see 14th Amendment above).

History has shown us that when a people group has been targeted for genocide (American Indians, African Americans, Jews in Nazi Germany), the first denunciation of those groups that occurred is their personhood rights had been legally denied. The same thought process is true and being applied to the preborn child in the womb. With Personhood removed, that individual is negated and thus has no intrinsic value, or “right to life”.

One has to beg the question: “If the babe in the womb is not a “Person”, that what is it?”An argument presented by the pro-abortion crowd centers around: Size-Location and Dependency of the babe in the womb to justify abortion rights.

-Size of baby: If two 7-year-olds stand next to each other, one being much shorter in stature, does the taller of the two have the right to life

Legislative bold initiatives and strides concerning public education

J COLLINS

(R) STATE REPRESENTATIVE District 71 770-295-8143

Greetings from under the Gold Dome!

2022 has been quite a year for our school aged children as we celebrate the much awaited “return to normalcy.” School events and extracurricular activities have resumed, all Georgia children have the opportunity for inperson learning, and we have taken steps to ensure personal liberties and freedoms are kept intact for parents to choose the best course of action where the health of their child is concerned.

For the last few years, we have been learning, evaluating, and processing how to properly handle the unprecedented impact the pandemic would have in all facets of our society.

During COVID, and beyond, we watched many advocates push for closed schools, masked children and distance-learning that DID NOT work for parents or students. There is no doubt that, as time passes, we now see how those policies would have been detrimental to all, highlighting that we made the right decisions in Georgia in the best interests of our children and their development.

Mental health issues, which include a rise of depression and suicidal thoughts have plagued

COMMISSION BOARD from page 27 or industrialized dwelling; and tents and other camping arrangements. Definition of a “Recreational Vehicle” shall be amended to a wheeled vehicle, with or without motive power, primarily designed as temporary living quarters for recreational camping or travel use, to include camping trailers, travel trailers, fifth wheels, motor homes, park models, truck campers, and other similar vehicles. Definition of a “Residential Occupancy” shall mean fixed habitation when, for thirty (30) or more consecutive days, the occupant performs household activities of daily living there (i.e. living, sleeping, eating, cooking, dressing, etc), and whenever the occupant is absent, the occupant has the intention of returning, but it is not necessarily the occupant’s permanent domicile.

Skipper said the purpose of these changes is to prevent people from using shelters that do not have proper water and sewer hook-ups, and they do not affect approved RV parks that have

our school aged children while standardized tests have seen a huge decline in comparison of the same tests given in 2019, prior to the pandemic.

Can you imagine how much worse off we would be in Georgia had we continued the “lockdowns?” Despite pressures from opposition, our state leadership took bold initiatives to keep our schools open, unmask our children and protect parental rights. Below I have offered a quick overview of what we accomplished for education over the last few years.

As always, if you need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time. Thank you for the honor of allowing me to serve as your voice under the Gold Dome.

I challenge you to take a closer look at the numerous strides we have made in the last few years to increase the educational opportunities within our state. Truth be told, we have long been taking bold initiatives and steps to better our educational systems through innovative ideas, going against the traditional train of thought that one size “fits all,” especially where education is concerned.

Below I have taken the liberty of highlighting for you the many ways our conservative leadership has changed our educational systems for the better: fully funded our K-12 public schools, giving teachers a $5,000 pay-raise; passed legislation to limit our testing requirements, allowing teachers to teach; increased transparency in our local school’s curriculums, removing divisive politics from the classroom; protected the rights of parents and their ability

such adequate hook-ups. Storage containers can possibly be approved if an engineer has brought such up to the code of a conventional home, but only then. These code changes were unanimously approved by the board.

3. Thirdly, subsection (a) of Section 13.9 of the Zoning Regulations shall be amended as follows: Upon receipt of an application for a variance or an appeal to the Office of Community Development, appeals board shall hold a public hearing and give notice thereof, as provided by law, in the following manner:

A. Publication, stating information about the request, contact information, and date, time, place and purposes of the hearing, in the official organ of the county, at least 30 but not more than 45 days prior to the hearing date;

B. Posting a notice, as provided by law, not less than 30 days prior to the date of the hearing, in a conspicuous place or places on the property affected, and each notice or sign shall contain information about the request, contact

to voice concerns within their local school systems; expanded school choice through the development of charter schools; expanded opportunities for work experience through private partnerships with Georgia businesses; incentivized career and technical training through dual enrollment and career, technical, and agricultural education programs.

2019: House Bill 59 allows parents or guardians on active duty to pre-enroll a student in a K-12 school when official military orders to transfer into or within the state of Georgia are received.

Senate Bill 25 seeks to increase safety for students by clarifying that drivers must stop for school buses on roadways separated by a grass median, unpaved are, or physical barrier.

2020: House Bill 444 also known as the Dual Enrollment Act; limits the number of credit hours the dual enrollment program will fund to 30 hours.

Senate Bill 367 eliminates the fifth-grade end-of-grade social studies assessment and reduces the number of end-of-course assessments in high school from eight to four.

2021: HB 32 creates an income tax credit for a teacher recruitment and retention program managed by the State Board of Education.

SB 88 allows the Georgia teacher of the year to serve as advisor ex-officio to State Board.

SB 42 allows home study students to participate in extracurricular and interscholastic activities within the student’s resident public school system.

HB 606 will allow the inclusion the Georgia

information, and the date, time, place and purpose of the hearing; and

C. Notification at least 30 days prior to the hearing, by regular U.S. mail to the owner of the property subject to the proposed action, to adjoining property owners, and to other affected proper owners if applicable, stating the request, contact information, and the date, time, place and purpose of the hearing. These changes to Section 13.9 of Zoning Regulations were approved unanimously by the Board.

In Business Section, a resolution approved to authorize application for a GOSP Grant and matching funds of $300,000 to expand the McIntosh Reserve to a total of 956 acres. Board also approved disposal of unserviceable personal property: 162 phone handsets that consists of Yealink SIP-T46G and SIP-T42s series, chairman is authorized to take all necessary action for sale and disposal of such property.

In the Zoning Session, three items were considered as follows:

COMMENTARY

over the shorter?

-Location of baby: Do those individuals living in Roopville have more of a right to life than those living in Temple? Is there a difference in the baby that is in the womb or birth canal versus the baby that was just delivered?

-Dependency by the baby: If a person has to take high blood pressure or heart medication to continue everyday normal living, should their dependency on these medications not allow them a right to life?

In response to a 2012 non-binding GOP primary question, 66% of Georgia voters expressed support for amending the State of Georgia constitution and to grant the “paramount right to life” to all innocent human beings, from their earliest biological beginning until natural death”

Today is the moment, now is the time. Let’s adopt a Personhood Amendment to the Georgia Constitution as well as to our US Constitution! Let’s not leave any child behind.

Independent School Association in the list of accepted accrediting agencies for the purposes of establishing HOPE eligibility for private high schools.

SB 66 creates a nonprofit corporation in order to receive private donations to fund grants to public schools. Grants given will be awarded for the implantation of academic and organizational innovations to improve student achievement.

SB 153 directs the General Assembly to study alternative education models and funding focused on dropout prevention, high school credit recovery, and education services of adult and incarcerated students during 2021 and 2022 and make recommendations back to the General Assembly upon conclusion.

SB 246 adds ‘The Learning Pod Protection Act,’ which exempts learning pods from being regulated by state, local, or local school systems when the student’s primary educational program is offered through remote virtual learning.

2022: HB 385 allows Retired educators are welcome to return to work as we actively work to decrease our current teaching shortage

HB 911 restores pandemic cuts, brings about a much-deserved teaching pay raise and allows for a historic investment into our K-12 education systems.

SB 397 benefits Students through new developed Diplomas Voucher Bill.

HB 1331 Streamlines Workforce Readiness Programs.

HB 1435 Streamlines student access loans

1. Approximately five (5) acres on Ithica Gin Road from Agricultural to Residential for the purpose of building two single-family homes, by T&S Holdings, LLC. Approved unanimously with the condition that it is a one-time split and there shall be no pass-through for traffic allowed.

2. Secondary dwelling at 2740 Shady Grove Road by Kenneth Harrison was approved unanimously with conditions that second home be built at least 50 feet from the current residence and the two use a shared driveway.

3.Approximately 2.9 acres from Commercial to Industrial at 565 Columbia Drive, for the purpose of opening a manufacturing facility, EPak Container Co. E-Pak intends to clear the lot behind the present building to use for a welding facility. Surrounding areas are all industrial. Commissioner Reynolds said, “This type of industry is what we are looking for.” Rezoning was approved unanimously.

Meeting was adjourned.

Carrollton council tables rezoning request for 252 apartment complex across from Central High School

Developer, Middle Street Partners, is out of Charleston, South Carolina; if built, traffic would increase significantly on Central High Road

by Janice Daniel

The Mayor and Council of the City of Carrollton had their regular monthly meeting on Monday, September 12, 2022.

Resolution 08-2022 was brought before the council by City Manager David Brooks. He said the resolution was to amend section 4.02.01 of the Unified Development Ordinance of the city for design standards for single-family dwellings and townhouses which was approved by the Planning Commission unanimously. Council member Bob Uglum made a motion to table the resolution, which was approved unanimously.

Council then considered a rezoning request by Middle Street Partners Development, LLC, 146 Williamson Street, Charleston, South Carolina, to change 17.16 acres, tax parcel C06 0100037 bordering Central High Road and Centennial Drive, from C-2 (general commercial) to Mixed Use PD. Central High School and football field are located on Central High Road.

This request had been tabled at the July 12, 2022 meeting of the planning commission which did not meet in August, so for this

September meeting, there was no recommendation by the planning commission for the commission to use as consideration for a decision.

John Bass, representative for the developer, stated the plan was for approximately 103 onebedroom apartments, 123 two-bedroom apartments, and 26 three-bedroom apartments. Bass said there will be a live/work building, amenities and a retail area, as well as garages for rent by the residents. He said it is a carriage-house concept.

Since the land is behind the fire station currently being built by the city, a traffic engineer will be retained for a traffic study should the rezoning be approved. Bass said the parcel was zoned for commercial, which, if developed for that purpose, could cause a significant increased traffic count.

Council member Brett Ledbetter asked if the developer was open to a smaller number. Ed Alexander of Middle Street Partners, the applicant, stated that the number of units or the mix of the units is not definitive yet, but they typically build around 225 units in their developments. Alexander said they usually retain own-

ership of 60% of their developments and that the other 40% are sold to property management companies.

He said most of their work is in the Charleston, South Carolina area, though they do have two high-rise developments currently underway in the Atlanta area, and that they are pursuing areas in Locust Grove, Calhoun and Lawrenceville.

He said their plans in Carrollton call for three- and four-story buildings, with the live/work building fronting on Central High Road. He added that rentals will range from the $1,100 range up to around $1,800 for the threebedrooms.

Bass said the parcel. . . if developed. . . could cause a significant increased traffic count. . . Uglum said he would like to talk to the fire department about the possible impact there before making a decision, so he made a motion to table for now, which was seconded and unanimously approved.

revise the GEFA Loan application for an amount of $15 million rather than the $10 million on the current application, due to the increased cost of materials, etc. The resolution was approved unanimously.

Uglum said he would like to talk to the fire department about the possible impact there before making a decision, so he made a motion to table for now, which was seconded and unanimously approved.

Resolution (12-2022) was presented to

City of Carrollton October 4th regular meeting

by Janice Daniel

The Mayor and City Council of Carrollton met for a regular meeting Monday, October 4, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. One rezoning request and one site plan amendment request were withdrawn from the agenda, and three rezoning requests were approved unanimously.

First was a rezoning and waiver request for 244 West Avenue by applicant Steven Hill to split his land into two tracts.

Second was a rezoning request from the Carrollton Water Tower LLLP to rezone 10.88 acres at 501 Lovvorn Road from M-1 (light industry) to Mixed Use Planned Development.

Third was an annexation, rezoning and waiver request by Tributary Real Estate Group and Fairfield Tributaries II LLC for 34.41 acres at 831 Horsley Mill Road from county high density detached residence to city planned development.

The third item had one citizen in opposition, Jennifer Patrick, a representative of the Oak Mountain Golf Course HOA who requested that the applicant consider their rules when designing fences, etc. to retain similarty. There was no opposition to either of the other two

COVID BOOSTER SHOT from front

The CDC recommends the bivalent booster manufactured by Pfizer for individuals aged 12 and older. They recommend the bivalent booster by Moderna for adults aged 18 and older. The current COVID booster doses contain the genetic recipe for the original strain of COVID-19. The bivalent shot contains the genetic recipes for two versions of COVID-19; the original strain, plus the omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, offering better protection against the currently circulating COVID-19 variants.

People should wait at least two months after completing their initial vaccination or their last booster shot before getting the bivalent booster.

At this time, the bivalent vaccine is considered only a booster. It is not to be used as the initial two-dose COVID shots. The monovalent mRNA COVID-19 shots will still be administered for the primary series and as a booster for children under the age of 12.

Georgia is currently seeing an average of 3,000 cases of COVID reported a week. More than 89% of newly reported COVID cases are caused by the BA.5 variant.

requests.

An annexation and rezoning request by Benchmark Brokers for 2.43 acres (parcels 077 0456 & 077 0760) at 2032 West Highway 16/ Maple Street was tabled due to changes made that had not been fully studied by the council.

Board appointments/re-appointments for the Carrollton Parks and Recreation Department were made as follows:

1. Chastity Smith to finish the unexpired term of Ricky Walker, who passed away, with a term expiration date of 10/1/23.

2.Greg Waldrop, term of 1/1/23 to 10/1/25 to replace Julie Parrish, who declined reappointment.

3.Vicki Andryc, re-appointed, term of 1/1/23 to 10/1/25.

4.Eric Simmons, re-appointed, term of 1/1/23 to 10/1/25.

Council then went in executive session (secret session/ not public). Upon returning to regular session, they presented an item regarding real estate. City had been approached by the District 4 Board of Health about a building

Lastly, the mayor and council considered appointments to the nine-person Redevelop-ment Authority due to nine positions whose terms have expired. The new one-year terms, expiring December 31, 2023, were for Mark Foster, Fred O’Neal, and Gilbert “Bubba” Barker. The new two-year terms, expiring December 31, 2024 were for Kirby Butler, Eric Simmons, and Becky Cranford. The new three-year terms, expiring December 31, 2025 were for Brian Dill, David Brooks, and Dr. Brendan Kelly. All were approved unanimously.

There being no further business to be considered, the meeting was adjourned.

located at 200 Alton Estes Drive, currently used for training and other benefits for special needs adults. The city had donated the land on which the building sets, and should it be no longer used or demolished, the land would revert back to the city. Housing by Arc proposes to purchase the land from the city for the sum of $1.00 (one dollar), then go immediately into a lease agreement for the building. This item was approved unanimously.

There being no further business,meeting was adjourned.

by Janice Daniel

The Mayor and City Council of Villa Rica met on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 for their 10:00 a.m. Work Session. All were present with the exception of Council member/ Mayor Pro Tem Matthew Momtahan.

There was a presentation by Karen Handel, President/CEO of Carroll Tomorrow, who said that Mayor Gil McDougal will be joining the Board in October. She also presented information about the capital campaign focus on existing industries in the county. She said that 80% of new jobs come from existing industries and 35% of Carroll County residents work in Carroll County. She further stated that five of the top 500 businessmen in Georgia are from Carroll County.

Council began the process of preparing the Consent Agenda for the 6:00 p.m. meeting that evening, and agreed upon the following:

1.City Attorney David Mecklin presented an Amendment to the Special Requirements for Package Distilled Spirits Licenses since the mechanism for award of licenses beyond the initial round of license issuances is not clear. The proposed amendment would involve the city setting a deadline by which all applications for the open license must be submitted, and require that the applications must be complete to be considered for issuance.

2.Mecklin also presented the Intergovernmental Agreement for the Special Purpose Local Sales Tax Distribution in Douglas County. If approved in the November election, the Agreement calls for Villa Rica to receive 5.04%, an increase from the 4.89% they had

someone who didn’t want to sell, and that this is what the mayor has been up against this whole time, “Villa Rica had a deadline, and the county did not.”

Barber spoke about the city’s next steps. He stated, “at a pivotal time in development as a city, operating in an environment of different and conflicting descriptions, there is a threat of growth that could overwhelm us. We have an economy that could choke it, a housing shortage that could fuel it”, and neither of those are a good thing. The city is at the point of needing to either replace a water treatment plant at a cost of over $20 million, or purchase water at a high cost from somewhere else with no control over the price.

Barber said, “We’ve got to do it smart, or look back with regret. Time is not on our side.” He said that even before COVID, such things as easement acquisitions take 12 to 24 months, “very time-consuming, very expensive”.

Barber said the city is trying to grow their services differently than it was done in 2008, with small lift stations scattered all around, and having to be interconnected, “Small lift stations in a position where developers need sewer is simply not going to work.”

He said the building of the new water treatment plant and the outcome of the TAD will shape the future of Villa Rica.

Under Public Comments, Courtney Schnubbling requested a traffic study for South Carroll Road in the wake of several traffic accidents in front of Wildwood Apartments.

Under Council Updates, Council memberMcPherson presented some economic news regarding housing costs. She said that in the second quarter of 2022, household net worth fell over six trillion dollars nationwide, and that the average home price in Villa Rica went from $234,000 to $335,000, a 22% increase. She also noted that the food banks are needing help with donations.

Jennifer Hallman gave Public Hearing #2 for

received in the prior SPLOST Agreement.

Villa Rica’s portion would be $8,064,000 of which 37.2% is to be used for transportation and streets; 49.8% for infrastructure; and 13.0% for public safety.

3.Request for approval of a modification to Allied Plan Document which was approved by council at the August 9, 2022 meeting, for a change of the age at which employees could obtain a colonoscopy to 35. However, new information has found that the Allied Plan cannot lower the age for initial screening colonoscopy from 45 to 35, so this request is to put that age back at age 45. Human Resources Director, Lena Taylor did say that in cases of genetic history of colon cancer, employees can come to her office or go directly to Allied for information on how to obtain a colonoscopy prior to age 45 for higher-risk individuals.

Taylor also stated that since Villa Rica’s medical insurance program is self-funded, employees can also obtain from Allied a list of the approved facilities that offer mammograms and colonoscopies and the comparison of prices for each procedure. By choosing lowercost facilities of vetted competence, employees can help their medical insurance rates while receiving wellness tests at equally competent facilities.

She also wanted to point out that the age to obtain mammograms does remain at 35 rather than the previous age of 45. It was only the colonoscopy age that was changed back to 45.

4. Request to upgrade the current sidewalk section on South Dogwood Street from in front of the Villa Rica Elementary down to the

the 2023 Budget, which will be approved by the Mayor and Council at a Special Called Meeting on Tuesday, September 20th.

Consent Agenda (grouped items prepared for a single vote) that had been prepared earlier in the day at the 10:00 a.m. work session was then read and approved unanimously by council. (See Villa Rica work session story this page.)

In other business, there was approval of an amendment to Article 3 Code of Ordinance raising Heavy Motor Vehicle fines to $250 for first offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses; approval of an Extension of Rezoning for the Avemore Development, and approval of a variance to permit Residential Units on the ground level of the building at 105 West Church Street; and approval of three new 2023 trucks for the water distribution and wastewater treatment plant. The Financial Report was then given by Jennifer Hallman who reported that the city is doing well in all areas for the period ended July 31, 2022.

Barber said, in the Highway 61 corridor south of I-20, there are 28 or 29 parcels which represent properties with large acreage. This acreage does not have city water or sewer. Zoning in that area allows one house per every four acres. But Barber presented thoughts on how to develop the land with higher density. Higher density would reap more tax revenue for the city, but create growth costs for the county commission and school board.

Barber said the possibility that the Eastside TAD will become a reality is now a “very, very unlikely outcome”. He said the City of Villa Rica could simply do nothing and terminate developments other than what is already approved, or attempt to create a collaboration of developers and landowners on the 61 corridor and have all contribute to a fund to build the infrastructure needed, perhaps many millions of dollars. Barber said this would only work on the west side of Highway 61 and would necessitate another I-20 crossing, “It doesn’t benefit the city to fix the problems from Summergate to the railroad.”

pedestrian bridge across the creek. This current section of sidewalk is not ADA compliant, so the request is to demo the current sidewalk (approximately 315 linear feet) and pour back a six-foot-wide sidewalk. The work is to be done by HNC Construction for a labor cost of $14,150.45 andcity will furnish the ready-mix cement at an estimated cost of $5,000.00.

5.Request to purchase two Electronic Message Boards to be placed at either end of the Punkintown Road/Mirror Lake Blvd. corridor in order to further deter tractor-trailers from using this section of road, since the smaller “NO TRUCKS” signs have been ignored. The proposed message boards are programmable and are solar-powered, and are cheaper to buy than to rent by the month. The pair will cost $36,600 with a five-year warranty and training on programming them, and if the need arises, are also portable. They are to be provided by Transafe Transportation Safety Products.

6. Request for consideration of adding speed humps as traffic “calming” devices on Cleghorn and South Dogwood streets, south of Highway 78. Council decided that one speed hump for each street would be the best plan.

7. Request to upgrade all existing SCADA units in the Distribution System to Cellular Service at a cost of $65,852.00.

8. Request to engage with the Vaughan Company for West Plant Station Pump Repair at a cost of $17,742.76.

9. Request to engage with Zile Technology for the purchase and installation of the third round of six lift station SCADA upgrades, at a cost of $57,832.00. Wastewater Plant Manager Erick Broz reported to council that SCADA upgrades already installed have resulted in a reduced number of night and week-end call-ins and the overtime associated with them, due to the new SCADA and its more in-depth reporting of problems.

10.Request for renewal of an agreement between Villa Rica and the Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Family and Children Services for the LowIncome Household Water Assistance Program Agreement. Approved households will receive a rate reduction of $300 or $500, based on the household’s income. The bill must be current and dated no older than 30 days prior to the intake appointment. Douglas County residents should contact Tallatoona Community Action, and Carroll County residents should contact the Community Action for Improvement, and these entities will submit payments directly to Villa Rica. Funds will assist with: arrearages of disconnected households; arrearages of households at risk of disconnection; reconnection and late fees; reduction of rate charges.

11. Request to approve proposed FY2022

RAFFENSPERGER WINS from front

“This is a win for all Georgia election officials who dedicate their lives to safe, secure and accessible elections,” said Raffensperger. “Stolen election and voter suppression claims by Stacey Abrams were nothing but poll-tested rhetoric not supported by facts and evidence.”

Stacey Abrams-founded Fair Fight Action and other plaintiffs filed an initial complaint in November 2018, shortly after Abrams lost her bid to become Georgia’s governor, alleging illegal and unconstitutional practices had denied the right to vote to thousands of Georgians. The allegations attempted to raise issues regarding Georgia’s absentee ballot procedures, voter registration, and voter list management practices. The court has denied every allegation on each issue.

Raffensperger argued that Georgia’s elections systems and procedures were accessible

Budget Amendments #305 - #311, mainly to record Hotel/Motel Tax Revenue increases.

12.Request by Dr. Nancy Mims to display temporary signage for “A Taste of Villa Rica” event, for six large signs, 4x4 each, and 25 18”x24” yard signs, which the Lions Club members will obtain permission to put in the yards of residences around the City.

13.Request to set dates for the Villa Rica 2022 Cleanup Week, timed to occur after the Keep Carroll Beautiful events. City’s cleanup week will begin October 17th, and on Wednesday, October 19th is the date to help seniors cleanup from their porches. A notice of the dates will be sent out in the monthly utility bills, as well as on the City’s newsletter. Seniors must call to be put on the list.

14.Request for a Resolution of Support for city to apply for a Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program Grant application and 20% Match Commitment. City has a number of transportation infrastructure projects, including the Mirror Lake Connector, The Cleghorn/North Carroll Connector, upgrades to Anderson Road, Cleghorn Street, Darden Street, and a new 10-inch waterline on Anderson Road. The grant would be in the amount of $5,120,120, with Villa Rica’s match of $1,280,030, for a total project amount of $6,400,150.

15.Request for Resolution of Support for the City to apply for a Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Application with a 20% City match, to benefit the Villa Rica Railroad Crossing Safety Enhancement Program. This program includes pedestrian rail crossings in various locations around the City, and would be for $584,458, with a City match of $146,114, for a total project cost of $730,572.

Councilperson McPherson thanked Chris Montesinos, Director of Special Projects, for his efforts in obtaining such grants, and said it would be “just wonderful” if the City could receive the money to complete such needed infrastructure work.

In Public Comments, Mr. Michael Young expressed disappointment that the IGA with Douglas County for the SPLOST didn’t set aside any quality of life programs, such as parks and recreation, for the Douglas County portion of Villa Rica, to which City Manager Barber replied that the IGA with Douglas County has some flexibility for infrastructure money, and he sees no reason that some of it could not be used for parks, etc. in the Douglas County portion. Councilperson McPherson agreed that they need some parks and playgrounds for public use in the Douglas County part of Villa Rica.

There being no further business, the work session was adjourned.

and secure, and acknowledged the challenge in balancing voter access with election integrity while strictly abiding by voting laws and the Constitution. In its decision, the court agreed, noting the impossibility of perfect elections given the millions of voters and tens of thousands of poll workers necessary to run an election, “[a]lthough Georgia’s election system is not perfect, the challenged practices violate neither the constitution nor the Voting Rights Act (VRA.)”

Raffensperger said he is grateful the matter is settled, adding “this allows our local election officials to fully focus on the task at hand this year - running a safe, secure, and accessible election. “This decision should quiet all those who sow fear and public distrust by denying the results of Georgia’s elections, so that Georgians know they can cast a vote, and that it will be counted in elections that are free and fair.”

by Janice Daniel

The Carroll County Board of Commissioners met Thursday, September 1, 2022 for their regular work session, with all commissioners present except Commissioner Steve Fuller.

Financial Recap for the month ending July 31, 2022 was presented by Finance Director, Alecia Searcy, who reported that revenues of $3,218,102 were down slightly compared to the same period last year at $3,294,678, but that key components, such as Motor Vehicle Tax and LOST were up by approximately $161,000 compared to last year. Expenditures for July 2022 were $4,209,301 compared to last year at $4,729,373. The total fund balance for July, 2022 was $39,962,879 versus July 2021 of $30,504,617.

Business portion of the meeting began with preparing a Consent Agenda, combining numermous items for a single vote during the regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 6, 2022, as follows:

1.confirmation of Morgan’s hiring of Lynda Bingham as county clerk.

2.consideration of recommendations by selection committee for Jericho Design Group, LLC to provide design professional services for

finishing and renovation of Carroll County Courthouse 5th Floor.

3.consideration of a Master Software Agreement with Nitorco, Inc. dba Assurance, for property tax collections for the Carroll County Tax Commissioner for an initial cost of $35,000 and monthly fee of $2,525. Tax Commissioner Vickie Bearden stated confidence that Assurance is the right company to provide and maintain the software, and that the current provider has not been adequately responsive to problems she has had.

4.consideration of the Sheriff’s Office request to purchase fourteen (14) vehicles at a total cost of $532,659, [average cost of $38,000 per] a capital project for FY 2022-23. Ten of the vehicles will be for patrol, two for shift supervisors, and two for transport deputies.

5.consideration to authorize payment not to exceed $49,500 to the City of Carrollton for fifty percent (50%) of the cost of a new security camera system for the Tanner Street parking deck. Major Craig Dodson said the sheriff’s department paid for the camera in the parking deck now, and they are outdated. In response to questions by Commissioners Clint Chance and Tommy Lee, Dodson assured the board that the

new cameras will be compatible with the new judicial center and any other areas that require security cameras; that the life cycle of the cameras is ten to twelve years; and they will provide facial recognition in low light situations, and all other security camera needs.

6.consideration of the purchase from Jasper Engine Exchange, Inc., of a 6.0L remanufactured diesel engine replacement for a 2003 Ford F250 2WD Service truck, with a two-year unlimited mileage warranty. Cost will be $17,373 with a $3,000 refund when the old engine block is returned to Jasper.

7.consideration of a Resolution to apply for a grant under the State Fiscal Recovery Fund in an amount of $31,886,000 ($31.8M)to fund construction costs for the Indian Creek Reservoir dam and raw water intake, and enter into a Subrecipient Grant Agreement with the Carroll County Water Authority (CCWA) for said project.

8.consideration to partner with the City of Carrollton on a Georgia Outdoors Stewardship Program grant, including an equal split of a local match. The county’s (commission) match portion will not exceed $366,125, to connect and construct new trails in Carrollton and unin-

corporated Carroll County along the Tallapoosa River connecting Hobbs Farm Park and Little Tallapoosa Park. Reynolds asked if this application would hinder in any way his district’s plans for a grant for McIntosh Reserve, and County Attorney Stacy Blackmon said there was no limit on the number of grants that could be applied for.

9.consideration of Amended and Restated Solid Waste Services agreement with Waste Industries Atlanta, LLC. County agrees to pay the contractor for the collection and disposal of garbage the sum of $1,500,000 annual fee to be made in equal monthly installments.

10.consideration of Amended and Restated Solid Waster Transport and Disposal Agreement with ETC of Georgia, LLC.

These ten items will be voted on in a single vote at the Regular meeting.

In the Business Session, Chance asked for consideration of an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between Carroll County and the City of Villa Rica relating to the Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD), which will be discussed at the regular meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Three district commissioners voice concerns with TAD proposal with Villa Rica

by Janice Daniel

Carroll County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 for their regular monthly meeting. All were in attendance.

Board unanimously approved the consent agenda of 10 items that had been prepared at the previous Thursday’s 4:00 p.m. work session, then entered into a discussion about Villa Rica Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD).

District 2 Commissioner Clint Chance, who has volunteered to help negotiations between the board and the City of Villa Rica, said the mayor and council of Villa Rica, in a Special Called Meeting on August 30th, 2022, had approved what they hope is the final draft of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Carroll County. However, the commission had issue with at least three conditions of the Villa Rica document:

1. commission will not agree to extend the 30-year bond limit which Villa Rica had requested.

2. commission will not agree to specific numbers on staff and equipment at the fire station that is part of the TAD, and for which Villa Rica will pay $500,000 of the operational cost for such fire station to the county.

3. if Villa Rica wants to annex anything south of the furthermost southern property zoned in the City of Villa Rica, they would need to come before the commission to obtain permission for such annexation, and also incur the costs of any impact to county roads within the TAD.

Chance said that Villa Rica and Carroll County are at an impasse for other items listed in the TAD proposal, and these three new conditions mentioned will be sent back to Villa Rica with no other changesin the proposal

Chance said that Villa Rica will continue to grow, even if the county does not participate in the Eastside TAD, and that he feels that participation by the county would give the board at least some control over costs and benefits of such TAD. He also stated that the retail component of the TAD will bring immediate sales tax income into the county, and that county services will have to be extended to any areas outside of the TAD with no revenues to offset them in the absence of a TAD agreement.

Chance made a motion to approve the nonbinding agreement, contingent on all other pertinent events and agreements that must take place before a final agreement can be reached.

The motion was seconded by District 1 Commissioner Montrell McClendon, followed by comments by Disrtict 5 Commissioner Ernie Reynolds.

Reynolds said it seems like the county is being placed in the position with Villa Rica of “the tail’s wagging the dog” with the county as the dog. . . this decision will determine the future fate of Carroll County: whether the county wants to be headed toward becoming an urban county - “part of the urban sprawl” - opening the floodgates of the I-20 corridor, or will continue to be the “last bastion of rural tranquility”.

Reynolds said it seems like the county is being placed in the position with Villa Rica of “the tail’s wagging the dog” with the county as the dog. He stated that this decision will determine the future fate of Carroll County: whether the county wants to be headed toward becoming an urban county - “part of the urban sprawl”opening the floodgates of the I-20 corridor, or will continue to be the “last bastion of rural tranquility”. He said that actual numbers are not addressed in the agreement, and the actual total cost is not named. He said the timing of the TAD is very bad, with interest rates going up, inflation going up, while the economy is going down. He presented home sales statistics for the Atlanta area showing that fewer and fewer people are buying homes.

Reynolds also said that there is no return on investment for residential for the local government; that only industry brings a real return in investment, and the TAD does not mention any industry that will participate in this plan. He also said a great portion of the residential property will be renters, who have no vested interest in the county. “Is it affordable housing for our own Carroll County residents?” or is it affordable housing for people wanting to get out of the counties closer to Atlanta? He said property taxes in Carroll County would be adversely affected by the TAD agreement, and that the lifestyle of the county would also see adverse effects, including increases in crime.

“We represent a respite of safety and tranquility,” Commisisioner Reynolds said.

Commissioner Chance said that the county “will continue to receive the current property tax base that we’re currently receiving now” from Villa Rica. The incremental increase is what the county will be giving up, because it will go toward the development of the TAD. He also pointed out that the bonds in question

are not backed by any governmental entity for repayment. They are sent out to the free market, and the ones who buy them are the ones who are “on the hook” for the bond repayment.

Dsitrict 3 Commissioner Tommy Lee pointed out that the agreement also has to be accepted by the county school board. Vote taken on the motion made by Chance was approved 43. Approving were Chance, McLendon, Chairman Michelle Morgan, and District 6 Commissioner George Chambers Chambers. Opposing were Reynolds, Lee, and District 4 Commissioner Steve Fuller opposing. (Note: This returned TAD proposal was rejected by The City of Villa Rica. See story front page.)

During public comments, three citizens spoke. Kenneth Smith of Barber Road (a dirt road) said he’d like to see the county replace a good gravel base then keep regular maintenance.

Kelly Hyatt, Spring Street, Villa Rica, expressed concerns about the overload at the animal shelter and said she wishes that more

help would be given in advertising animal adoption events through social media, newspapers, etc.

Kevin Hemphill, Bethlehem Church Road, said speeders are a problem: speed limit is 40 mph and vehicles travel at 50-60 mph, and that he rarely sees a sheriff’s car patrolling Bethlehem Church Road for speeders.

Chairman Morgan read three proclamations:

1. official recognition of October 22, 2022 as University of West Georgia Day, listing ways that UWG has impacted the county, including an economic contribution of $626.7M in 2021 fiscal year. Dr. Brendan Kelly, UWG president, thanked the board for the recognition, and expressed his thanks to the county for their support. He also said that this fall’s return of students to the university was “magical” showing that covid did not prevail over the spirit of UWG.

2. September, 2022, as National Recovery Month: “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.”

3. recognized 10th Anniversary of the Southeastern Quilt and Textile Museum located in a remodeled portion of a former cotton warehouse, 306 Bradley Street, Suite C, downtown Carrollton.

Board then went into executive session and adjourned the regular meeting.

Vice Chair Montrell McClendon presides over Oct. 4th commission regular meeting

Board defines “Residential Occupancy” to prohibit use of tents/RVs, etc. as fixed living quarters; also defines “RV” for temporary living quarters purposes

by Janice Daniel

On Tuesday, October 4th of 2022, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners held their regular meeting 6:00 p.m., with Commissioner McClendon, Vice Chairman, presiding in Michelle Morgan’s absence. There were no public comments.

Zoning Ordinance amendments presented by Ben Skipper, director of the Department for Community Development. Each items had a Public Hearing, but no one spoke: 1.Amendments to the Zoning Regulations to add “new farm equipment, farm tractor, and farm implement dealerships” as a permitted use in the Commercial Zoning district, and to add “used farm equipment, farm tractor, and farm implement sales, service and repair” as a condi-

tional use in the Commercial Zoning District. This amendment was approved by the Board unanimously.

2.To add a new section to the “General Provisions” of the Zoning Regulations, Section 5.19, as follows: Residential occupancy is prohibited in any structure, vehicle or other shelter which is not a conventional home, a manufactured home, or an industrialized dwelling as each are defined in Section 4 of the Carroll County Zoning Regulations. Such prohibited residential occupancies include but are not limited to: recreational vehicles; shipping containers; accessory buildings or structures; “tiny homes” which do not fall under the definition of a conventional home, manufactured home,