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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
County hopes to save $450,000 By LEANNE AKIN lakin@clickthepaper.com
Bond refinance may help through budget year
The potential for $450,000 in savings enticed the Jackson County Board of Commissioners Monday to pursue partial refunding of the 2004 Industrial Development Authority’s Economic Development bonds. The favorable interest environment has prompted a number of governments and authorities to look to refinancing bonds. County Manager Kevin Poe said more than $12.4 million remains on that series of Economic Development bonds and a partial refinancing could find the county realizing a grozz debt service savings of $462,261 with a present value savings of $447,473. The refinance is expected to lower the
current interest raet of 4.71 percent to 2.08 percent. “To provide budgetary flexibility,” Poe said, “the refunding has been structured so that the majority of savings can be realized in Fiscal Year 2013.” Commissioner Tom Crow said it seems the action would find the board “leaving a lot of our problems for future commissioners” rather than spacing out realized savings. Poe said the measure should give the county a cushion to allow time for the economy and tax digest to rebound. Crow was, however, more concerned about the fact that the refunding proposal had not
been put out for bids. “I support the effort in trying to save money in any way you can but I feel like this should be bid out like any other contract,” said Crow. He said he liked the idea of realizing thousands of dollars in savings but “I can’t support the ‘nonbid’ process.” Miller & Martin was recommended as bond counsel with Merchant Capital as the underwriter. Chairman Hunter Bicknell noted that the bidding process doesn’t always lead to savings. He also noted that “Merchant Capital has served us well.” The refunding opportunity was approved
Georgians prefer Newt Gingrich Jackson County goes for former House Speaker By LEANNE AKIN lakin@clickthepaper.com Newt Gingrich was the clear winner in Jackson County as he received 4,775 votes – well ahead of Mitt Romney who edged ahead of Rick Santorum. Across Georgia, with 92 percent reporting, Gingrich garnered 47.9 percent of the vote with Romney getting 25.1 percent and Santorum receiving 19.8 percent. In other Jackson County balloting, Michele Bachmann and Buddy Roemer each got a dozen votes while Jon Huntsman got six, Gary Johnson received seven, Ron Paul garnered 477 and Rick Perry received 22 votes. Jackson County gave Gingrich more than half of its 8,489 votes. For Election Day, the auditorium of the Jackson County Administrative Building was transformed into Election Central. “This is our maiden voyage in the annex auditorium,” said Deputy Registrar Judy Harper, who was complimentary of Elections Supervisor Lori Wurtz’ handling of the questions to be fielded on election day. Some South Jefferson voters went to the County Administrative Building to vote as they had in the past but they were directed to their new polling place at the Jefferson Civic Center. Voter Registration and Elections has been combined under one office located at the Admin Building so the consolidation activities relocated to the auditorium. In recent years, Election Nights had been at the Jackson County Courthouse with Pro-
See PRIMARY, page 3A
in a 3-1 vote with Crow in opposition and Commission Chas Hardy absent. In other business, the commission also voted to authorize the previously discussed settlement on the Palmer litigation. The lawsuit came as a result of water runoff onto the Palmer property. Settlement of the matter will find the county paying its deductible with the Association of County Commissioners and the other parties getting together to officially settle the case and obtain a release. The commission also heard a report from Poe on the staff recommendation not to take the State Court to fulltime. State Court Solicitor Don Moore said, “the conclusions drawn from the report are in error.”
HOSCHTON COUNCIL
Approval given for mandatory water connection By RAMONA GRACE EVANS revans@clickthepaper.com
Debbie Purvis The Paper
The auditorium of the Jackson County Administrative Building was transformed into Election Central as the tabulations got under way for the Presidential Preference Primary. This election was a test run of procedures in advance of the July 31 Primary.
ELECTION SUMMARY REPORT - Unofficial Michelle Bachmann Newt Gingrich Jon Huntsman Gary Johnson Ron Paul Rick Perry Buddy Roemer Mitt Romney Rick Santorum
12 4,775 6 7 477 22 12 1,520 1,658
.14% 56.26% .07% .08% 5.62% .26% .14% 17.91% 19.53%
Of Jackson County’s 29,642 registered voters, 8,643 – or 29.16 percent – cast ballots in the Presidential Preference Primary. On the Democratic ballot, a total of 121 votes were cast for President Barack Obama.
Monday’s Hoschton City Council meeting provided complete unanimity among officials for city business that has been hanging in the balance. The Council finalized the plans and granted approval for two ordinances and two agreements. An end had been made to what city officials call an unsanitary practice, bringing water from home for use at city businesses. The Mandatory Water Connection Ordinance has been passed, requiring that all properties within city limits and with a water/sewer connection available for use connect to the city water service. This includes the payment of connection fees and monthly water rates. The proposed Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance has been passed. In Hoschton, new construction and substantial improvements to existing development will be required to adhere to flood damage guidelines. This is expected
to assist some properties with insurance-related matters. A Memorandum of Understanding with Jackson County was appproved by teh council related to the construction of the new Lifepath that has been moving toward construction along Highway 53. Under the agreement which was on the work session agenda of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners on Monday, it is anticipated that Jackson County will provide the labor and use of equipment with the city providing reimbursement for all construction materials, fuel and administrative costs. The City of Hoschton will save a substantial amount of money on an outside contractor. The Board of Commissioners will have the item on its March 19 agenda. An aid agreement has been reauthorized between the City of Hoschton with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security.
See COUNCIL, page 2A
Local businesswoman adds auctioneer to her skill set Robbie Bettis sees the new venture as a way to enhance the profitability of her enterprises For The Paper Robbie Bettis, owner of Auction Ventures, has completed the course work and passed the state exam to become a certified Auctioneer. Most auctioneers are men. When asked why, Bettis explained, “The job is not easy. You are representing a seller and trying to get the highest possible bid while customers are trying to get something by paying a small amount. You may have to deal with irate people on both sides. “You must have knowledge of the products you are selling. But the hardest part is the fact that you are totally responsible for every aspect of the auction and if a mistake is made, you are to blame,” said Bettis. “You have to be a risk taker, work hard to get good quality merchandise and be able to think on your feet while remembering all of the procedures and laws for contracts and auctioneering.” Bettis is a retired educator who taught high school and then college students the skills of marketing, management, advertising, business law,
INSIDE Business News Entertainment Events Forum Features
5A 5B 3A 6A 3B
economics, entrepreneurship and more. When asked why she wanted to become an auctioneer, Bettis said, “It’s fun. It’s a challenge and it helps me understand my business better. I have auctioneered at a couple of charity auctions and found it to be a job I could do. “I can also save money for my business. For the past two years I have paid guys to auctioneer. I will work now at least two Friday nights per months and occasionally give the regular auctioneer, Mike Banks, a break on his night.” “Most people think auctioneers are just people who can talk fast and put on a show by rattling numbers fast, but part of the job is making the merchandise look its best,” said Bettis. “You may have to clean it and thank goodness I am married to the world’s greatest handyman who can fix almost anything,” said Bettis. “Many furniture items have problems, so I count on Fred to fix it. You get more money for an item that looks good or works well than you do for
See AUCTIONEER, page 2A
Volume 6, Number 18 7A Health Obituaries 4A Pastor’s Pen 4A Puzzles 5B Sports 1-2B
For The Paper
Robbie Bettis has become a certified auctioneer to better enhance Auction Ventures’ ability to make money as a Hoschton business.
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