CMYK Thursday, February 12, 2015
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Braselton hosts Chocolate Walk. 3B
Braselton council delays cemetery vote By FARAH BOHANNON
fbohannon@clickthepaper.com
Braselton Town Council members officially voted Monday to postpone a decision in the proposal by prominent Gainesville businessman Jack Frost to build a cemetery and funeral home at the corner of Jesse Cronic Road and Broadway Avenue, adjacent to the Braselton Family Cemetery. Council member Peggy Slappey said that at least another month is needed to fully discuss the pros and cons of this project with Frost and with town residents, so a decision will be made during the March 9 voting session at 7 p.m. Mayor Bill Orr agreed. “I would hope that by doing that, that the two parties can come together regarding a plan for the cemetery that is being proposed,” said Orr, regarding those who are for the cemetery and those who are opposed to it. “As a council, we all feel like what we learned
Time provided for more discussion between Jack Frost, concerned community members of this matter in a very short amount of time. It is a very emotionally charged issue, and we would like to take the next 30 days to discuss all of the parts and the concerns that were raised.” With more time, Slappey mentioned there will be opportunities for Frost, the council and concerned residents to delve into the details of this project. She said the council believes it is a quality project but, due to the concern of many residents and those involved with the Braselton Family Cemetery, the extra time to think and discuss will be worthwhile. “This is a very nice plan that is before us,” said Slappey. “We have had much community opposition, and I want to ensure that the community and Mr. Frost had the time
to get together to look at the options and see the business plan. I struggled with this, and I think each council member has as well. This is a multi-generational decision that is very important, and it deserves our time and attention.” Slappey also said there are many pros and cons involved with this project, so a 30-day window should be enough time to decide what the best option would be. Frost is owner of Memorial Park Funeral Homes and Cemeteries and was the first recipient of the lifetime achievement award presented by the Southern Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association. Council member Rhonda Stites said the residents in her district are willing to look
into this project with the extra time and have showed concern with how Frost’s cemetery will affect the Braselton Family Cemetery as well as what the economic benefit will be to the community. “More information will help them feel comfortable in supporting a decision,” said Stites. Council member Richard Mayberry said he agreed with what everyone had to say about postponing the decision, and said that it is important to not implement anything too quickly because there is no going back after a decision is made. “We want to ensure this is the right decision not just for this year, but for many years to come,” said Mayberry. During the Feb. 5 work session, many opinions were stated. Frost’s attorney John Stell said that the cemetery will have quality
See BRASELTON, 2A
Jackson County School SYSTEM
Feedback sought on calendar for 2015-16 school year By LEANNE AKIN
lakin@clickthepaper.com
LeAnne Akin The Paper
Marlena Pearson and sons Leland Pearson, 7, who attends Benton Elementary, and Lucus Cheatum, 12, a Benton alum who is now in seventh grade, were showing their support for Benton Elementary remaining a K-5 facility. They were joined by her husband, John, as they displayed signs at the driveway entrance for Monday’s school board meeting.
Benton Elementary remains open By LEANNE AKIN
lakin@clickthepaper.com
After two community meetings at which public input was received about the possibility of Benton Elementary School being repurposed for another education-related use, Jackson County Board of Education chairman Michael Cronic announced Monday that Benton would remain open. “We are going to leave Benton open but we are going to need your help,” said Cronic, who pointed out that keep-
ing Benton open will come at a price which has yet to be determined. Redistricting of students will likely be ahead to help even out the student population between the east side where classrooms are sitting empty and the crowded and growing west side. The Jackson County Comprehensive High School fine arts auditorium erupted into cheers and shouts from Benton Elementary supporters. “Put your money where your mouth is, Ronnie. We need your help, buddy,”
said Cronic, who called out Nicholson Mayor Ronnie Maxwell, who had been openly critical of Superintendent Dr. April Howard and school board members for considering a possible Benton closure. Benton Elementary is one of three elementary schools in the system which are below state-recommended student population numbers and Benton is also in need of costly renovations which are
See BENTON, 3A
Two preliminary calendars for the 2015-16 school year are being reviewed by the Jackson County Board of Education, and community input is being sought through an online survey. A decision on a final calendar is anticipated at the March meeting, however, calendar reduction days could again be under consideration with Monday’s decision to keep Benton Elementary School open. At one of the community meetings held on the Benton matter, it was suggested that teachers would support a return to calendar reduction days to help keep Benton open as an elementary school. There had been consideration of utilizing Benton as a site for Foothills Charter High School, which will allow high school dropouts to complete their education and give other students another option for completing high school. Another repurposing option was for Northeast Georgia Regional Education Services Agency (RESA) to lease the facility, but that could have hindered the potential of ever reusing the
See SCHOOL CALENDAR, 2A
Town of Braselton gains its status as Classic Main Street Community The Town of Braselton was recognized at the annual Georgia Main Street luncheon as one of 17 communities that are graduating from the Georgia Main Street Start-up Program in 2015 to receive the national designation of a Classic Main Street Community. In 2013, Braselton was selected, out of 25 applicants, to participate in the largest Main Street Start-up class in the history of the Georgia Main Street program. Over 14 months, the town worked closely with the Office of Downtown Development at the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to prepare the community, downtown business owners, volunteers and elected officials for the journey ahead. Through downtown development trainings, community visioning sessions and ca-
INSIDE Church Entertainment Features Forum
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pacity building activities, the newly designated Main Street program is now ready to meet and exceed the guidelines for the ten National Standards for Accreditation as outlined by the National Main Street Center. Billy Peppers, director of the Office of Downtown Development, reflected that “Each of the communities recognized here today worked hard to earn the distinction of calling themselves a Main Street city. They join an expansive statewide network now comprised of more than 100 designated Main Street communities. “We know that no matter what challenges lay ahead, each of these cities worked hard to build a solid foundation upon which a successful Main Street program can be built,” said Peppers.
Volume 9, Number 15 Obituaries Puzzles Sports
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For The Paper
The Town of Braselton has received its official Main Street Community status at a recent luncheon with the presentation made to Braselton Town Manager Jennifer Dees (C) by Jessica Reynolds and Billy Peppers of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
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