CMYK Local
The Paper | Thursday, March 8, 2012
3A
FDIC seeks to recoup $11 million from failed bank From staff reports
Freedom Bank officers, directors named in suit
A dozen former directors and officers of Freedom Bank, the financial institution taken over by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on March 6, 2009, are being sued by the FDIC. Efforts are being made to recoup more than $11 million of the $48 million the closure cost the FDIC. The FDIC contends Freedom Bank officials were “grossly negligent” in regard to
risky bank loans for commercial land acquisition, real estate and development, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court last week. Named in the suit for negligence and breach of fiduciary duty are former president and CEO Vince Cater, loan officers Bruce Grout and Jim Purcell, COO and senior credit officer Ronnie Silva. Also named are directors
Richard Adams, Keith Ariail, Claude Philip Brown, Harold C. Davis, Thomas H. Hardy, Verlin Reece, Don Shubert and the late Harold L. Swindell. Theodore Sawicki of the Atlanta firm Alston & Bird which is representing Freedom Bank said the FDIC is attempting to lay blame for the national financial crisis at the feet of small-town community bankers like those at
PRIMARY from page 1A
Tuesday’s PPP yields ‘good run through’ bate Judge Margaret Deadwayler handling election duties. The Presidential Preference Primary marks the first election for four new polling places. One is the North Jefferson precinct. There, Bryan Robbins said the new setup at Faith Baptist Church provided more space and parking. Before 9 a.m., Robbins said turnout at the new North Jefferson polling location “had been good” with an estimated 120 voters amounting to more than cast early ballots last week at the Administrative Building. The first hour of voting was brisk. According to Robbins, the church had been gracious about serving as host for Election Day with the pastor, Dr. Keith D. Cudd, even brewing up coffee and providing biscuits. “The pastor of the church said he considers this to be a community outreach,” said Robbins. The North Jefferson precinct had formerly
been at the Jefferson Parks & Rec facility. The Wilson precinct is now at Maysville United Methodist Church, having moved from the Maysville Library, and Redstone voters now cast ballots at The Church at Southside. In Hoschton, Linda Holder is in her 44th year as a voting officer. At the Hoschton Depot, 339 of the precinct’s 1,044 registered voters turned out to vote for a 32 percent turnout rate. Some residents commented on what a “hard choice” this election was. In Braselton, the Porter precinct reported a 21 percent turnout rate as 665 of the 3,124 voted in the Presidential Preference Primary. According to GIS Manager Joel Logan, who handled the technology end of the election evening, “Overall, everything went pretty good. We had a good run through and practice tonight for how we want the results to go out during the July election.” Ramona Grace Evans contributed to this story. More scenes at ClickThePaper.com
COMMUNITY EVENTS The Barrow-Jackson March of Dimes invites you to join us for a night of fun as Moby Dick returns to rock Jefferson. At Rock to Save, there will be a free appetizer buffet and non-alcoholic drinks – this event is BYOB. Tickets are $25 or tables of eight for $150. Great cause (MOD) + Great Band (Moby Dick)+ Great food provided by Corleone’s Pizza, Braselton GA = one fun night, according to Wendy Mingus, one of the organizers. For more information or tickets, contact Wendy Mingus at 706-8247019 or wmingus@ hometowcb.com or Jennifer Stancil at 706367-5266 or jstancil@ northeastgabank.com sss The Friends of the Braselton-West Jackson Library will host Southern Folk Potter David Meaders as the guest speaker for the Lunch & Learn on Wednesday, March 14. David is the son of the late potter Reggie Meaders and the husband of the late potter Anita Meaders. He is also the grandson of Cheever Meaders and the nephew of Lanier Meaders. He carries on the tradition as a stalwart amongst the few and proud remaining potters of Georgia. David continues to make finely crafted traditional Southern Folk Pottery. Whether it be his “jug heads” or items resembling those of his grandmother Arie, his work is highly recognizable. The program will be held at the Braselton Municipal Building, lower level located on Highway 53. It starts at 11:30 a.m. with a homemade soup and salad lunch. The cost is $6 and all proceeds go to the Braselton Library. Call Judee McMurdo at 706-6544822 for reservations. sss
Winder-Barrow Community Theatre is announcing auditions for the production of “Red Velvet Cake War” by Jones, Hope & Wooten. This Southern comedy is the story of three cousins who decide to throw their family reunion and all of the family shenanigans that go on at the reunion. Auditions for the show will be held at 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 11, and at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 12, at the Colleen Williams The-
ater inside the Winder Cultural Arts Center. The show will be directed by Léland Karas, and cast requirements are 8 women and 4 men playing ages 30 to 120 (yes, 120). The audition will be a cold reading and is open to everybody. You are asked to bring a recent headshot, if possible, and also a list of any schedule conflicts from March 19 until the end of the show. Rehearsal dates are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights until tech week. For more information about Winder-Barrow Community Theatre, see the website at www.winderbarrowtheatre.org. sss Barrow-Jackson Civil Air Patrol Squadron #156 will be holding Safety Day from 1-4 p.m. March 10 at the Jug Tavern Park Pavilion off Athens Street beside the Winder Community Theater in Winder. Squadron Safety Officer 2LT Greg Phillpots announced that participants will include local police, local firemen, local emergency (ambulance) responders, and a medical EVAC helicopter and crew among others. sss
ShamRockin’ For A Cure is a St. Patrick’s Day party with a purpose - to raise funds to help find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. In its fourth year, the definitive party on the north side returns to Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park Saturday, March 10, at 7 p.m. For $75, attendees will be welcomed by 99X morning radio host Axel Lowe, and rocked by local sound from HardCrush. Food is being donated by 10 local restaurants; beverages are complimentary. Contact Ronda at 770-532-3311 ext. 116 or visit www. hallcountylibrary.org
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The sixth annual Hope…Cure 5K Run/ Walk will be held beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 17, at Russell Middle School in Winder. Register now with mail-in registration through March 13 for $20 or register the day of the race for $25. Call Victoria Patrick at 770-3207-7956 or email ewpkat@aol.com Make checks payable to the American Cancer Society and send to Victoria Patrick at ACS- 1684 Barnett Shoals Road, Athens, GA 30605. Register online at ACTIVE.COM. Timing will be handled by Classic Race Services. sss The Jefferson High School Air Force Junior ROTC is hosting its inaugural golf tournament on March 30 at Chateau Elan. Proceeds will support the AFJROTC and Disabled Vets. Entry fee is $100 and sponsorship opportunities are available. Call Major Bryan Watson at 706206-5810. sss
CASA Comedy Night will be Saturday, March 24, at the Jefferson Civic Center. Featuring comedian/hypnotist Doc Holiday, the fundraiser evening for CASA will have dancing, great food and beer/wine included. Contact Annette Bates at 706-387-6375 or annette@piedmontcasa.org See more about CASA on Page 4B. sss
The 14th annual Night of Hope for Children, benefiting The Tree House, will be held March 23 at the Winder Community Center with a live and silent auction and a catered dinner. Call 770-868-1900 for $35 tickets.
Freedom Bank. Sawicki maintains his clients “acted reasonably and in good faith.” To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Northeast Georgia Bank of Lavonia to assume all of the deposits of Freedom Bank.As of March 4, 2009, Freedom Bank, headquartered in Commerce with offices in Jefferson, Winder and Banks County, had total assets of approximately $173 million and total deposits of $161 million.
Local events will aid your spring cleaning By RAMONA GRACE EVANS revans@clickthepaper.com Over the next two months, locals will have plenty of opportunities to start their spring cleaning, but with an added bonus; the ability to make some extra cash. Businesses and the City of Hoschton have made plans for community-wide yard/consignment sales. • Heather Wayne Dance Studio in Hoschton is hosting a children’s consignment sale March 16-17. “Time to clean out those closets and make some extra money,” the tag line for the event explains. They are asking for Spring/Summer clothes, toys, baby furniture, children’s linens and dance accessories. There will be a seller’s preview sale on March 16 from 6-8 p.m. and the sale will open to the public on March 17 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. with all items at half price after 4. • Year One, a car enthusiast destination, will be holding its annual Community
Yard Sale on March 17 between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Paying $20 will get each participant four parking spaces with the opportunity to buy an addition two spaces for $10. The community is asked come out and “turn their trash into cash” on a first come, first serve basis. Proceeds from the event will go to the Hot Rodders Children’s Charity. His Hands Ministry and The Quinn House will pick up any left over items from donation after 1 p.m. • The City of Hoschton will be hosting an Earth Day-inspired Community Yard Sale on April 21 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. In the same theme, a recycling event will be added as well as a possible pickup for used computers and paint. There will be 44 lots available for participants allowing two parking spaces per $15 fee. Karen Butler and City Clerk Cindy George have been working to get this project moving as they are going for a nonprofit feel. At next month’s city council meeting, a resolution to close the street through the square for the event is expected.