CMYK Thursday, January 24, 2013
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Children’s Place earns accreditation. 3B
EMS station still a citizen talking point BY LEANNE AKIN
lakin@clickthepaper.com
No resolution has come yet in the lawsuit challenging Jackson County of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) expenditures for the new EMS station in West Jackson. At the Monday meeting of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, Larry Ewing of Hoschton, in the public comments segment of the session, directed questions to Chairman Tom Crow. Ewing asked Crow if he helped initiate litigation against the county and if he was aware of the cost the lawsuit
had racked up for taxpayers to pay. A judge’s order halting work on the station, located off Lewis Braselton Boulevard, was lifted in mid-December after a temporary restraining order was granted Nov. 20, 2012, by Superior Court Judge David Motes. The merits of the case could not be heard in the absence of the attorney for Gilbert & others v. Jackson County. Crow said he provided some information to the individuals who brought the lawsuit. Ewing took issue with the actions by Crow and Smith to go to the media with information rather than discussing their concerns in a public meeting.
Ewing has previously raised questions about the lawsuit. “In my professional opinion, you could have discussed this in an open meeting with the county manager and commissioners,” said Ewing. Instead, he said Crow and Smith, while contending to be good stewards of the taxpayers’ money, chose to have taxpayers’ money spent on defending a lawsuit. “Do you think that is being a good steward?” “I am very concerned about you, Mr. Chairman and Commissioner Smith, and what has happened thus
See STATION, page 2A
Recognized for service
Crow questioning spending for new EMS station coded to Zion Church Road project BY LEANNE AKIN
lakin@clickthepaper.com
Was some of the property acquired as a part of Zion Church Road realignment project really needed? Or was financial coding to the road project just a means of securing property for a new EMS station in West Jackson? Those are among the questions County Commission Chair-
See ZION CHURCH, page 2A
Service contract with Chamber will be discussed The Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce will receive the first quarterly installment of payment for economic development services, however, County Manager Kevin Poe wants to discuss the proposed contract with new Chamber board chairman Mark Valentine and – hopefully soon – a new President/CEO. The contract calls for payment to the Chamber for $100,000 to be paid to the Chamber in quarterly installments on Jan. 1, April 1, July 1 and Oct. 1 for economic development services, similar to the 2012 contract. The Chamber has recruited and promoted economic development in Jackson County to foster job growth and enhance the tax base. The Chamber board’s search committee, now chaired by Valentine, is working with the search
LeAnne Akin The Paper
The Jackson County Board of Commissioners recognized three elected officials who concluded their service to the citizens at year’s end. County Manager Kevin Poe presented a resolution commended Margaret Deadwyler, who served as Probate Judge for 20 years. Longtime Sheriff Stan Evans, who was also commended, thanked each of the commissioners and also shook hands with Assistant County Clerk Ericka Johnson, whom former Chairman Hunter Bicknell also acknowledged. Commissioners joined in congratulating the honorees. See more at ClickThePaper.com
firm Spherion Staffing to locate a new president and CEO. While the search committee had previously narrowed potential applicants to three for interviews, the board agreed in December after much discussion to allocate a maximum of $20,000 toward recruitment of a new CEO. Chamber treasurer KathyWilbanks said interviews may be conducted later this week for the position, and Vice President of Member Services Linda Foster is currently interviewing for someone to assume the marketing role at the Chamber. The Chamber is holding down spending as income is below budgeted amounts. Without a CEO, there has not been sufficient staff to be out actively recruiting new members and renewals have been down.
Airport authority OK’s capital plan BY KATIE JUSTICE
kjustice@clickthepaper.com
The Jackson County Airport Authority (JCAA) is jumping into the new year with full force. With a new member, a new chairman and a new airport manager on the horizon, moving forward is the JCAA’s approach to 2013. During the JCAA’s first meeting of 2013 on Jan. 15, the newest Airport authority member, Rick Massey, was introduced. Massey is filling the position left vacant by former member and chairman Ken Botts. Stanley McClain was elected chairman of Airport Authority for 2013. “Two of us have strong aviation backgrounds and the other three have a strong background in business and finance, and I think
that makes a good mix,” said McClain. “I feel I have probably the most available time to devote to it, but as far as a chair, I don’t see myself as the head of the group,” said McClain. “I just consider myself one of the five.” Max Allen was chosen as vice chairman. The authority also voted to have the airport manager to always serve as secretary of the JCAA. Currently, that position is held by interim manager Len Bernat, and will be assumed by whoever is hired as the new manager. The position of airport manager will soon be filled. More than 60 applications were submitted. That number was narrowed down
See AIRPORT, page 7A
Construction on campuses
Work at JCCHS, Jefferson City Schools is progressing BY KATIE JUSTICE
kjustice@clickthepaper.com
Jackson County Comprehensive High School Panther Project is purring along nicely, with completion dates on the horizon. “We’re in line with the budget, and we’re in line with the completion [schedule],” said Jackson County School System Director of Facilities, Maintenance and Transportation
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Dennis Patrick. The Panther Project entails a new gymnasium and fine arts facility at the high school. The fine arts facility is expected to be completed on Feb. 6 and the gym will be completed this summer on July 16. “[JCCHS Principal] Scott Smith and I talked today about a ribbon cutting, and we would like to do that in March to get the building furnished,”
Volume 7, Number 12 Obituaries Police report Pastor’s Pen Puzzles Sports
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said Patrick, although an exactly date is yet to have been set.
Jefferson City Schools With the ongoing construction projects at Jefferson High and Elementary Schools running ahead of
See JEFFERSON, page 5A
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Katie Justice The Paper
Construction work is under way on two Jefferson City School campuses and at Jackson County comprehensive High School. This is work on the addition at Jefferson Elementary School. The Paper P.O. Box 430 Hoschton, GA 30548
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