CMYK Thursday, March 14, 2013
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Braselton rejects road-naming by Hall lakin@clickthepaper.com
By LeAnne Akin
Council affirms Ga. 347 as Friendship Road
The Town of Braselton maintains the Hall County Board of Commissioners has overstepped its authority with the recent renaming of Ga. 347 to Lanier Islands Parkway, and thus “does not recognize Hall County’s purported renaming of Friendship Road.” In a resolution approved Monday, the Braselton council ratified Friendship Road as the state route’s name within the town’s boundaries. The ordinance states, “no authority exists for a county to unilaterally change the name of a state route within the corporate limits of a municipality” and Braselton “is desirous of defending its right and sovereignty to prevent a name change of such roads running
through its jurisdiction absent its consent.” Councilwoman Peggy Slappey made the motion to approve the resolution with Mayor Pro tem Richard Mayberry providing the second. Councilman Dudley Ray joined in making the motion unanimously approved by those present. Mayor Bill Orr and Councilman Tony Funari were absent. While no comments were made at the meeting about any possible legal action, Mayor Orr has previously said the town could pursue litigation as a remaining option if the name change was approved in spite of overwhelming community opposition. Orr said at the town’s recent strategic planning session that his efforts to talk with
commissioners about the name proposal had fallen on deaf ears. None of the other comments from the community seemed to be heard either, according to Orr, who said the meetings were merely for show and not convened to truly gauge community sentiment. In a January letter, Orr had suggested a new road name should pay tribute to both destinations along the route and name the section of Ga. 347 from I-985 to Spout Springs as Lanier Islands Parkway and designate the road from Spout Springs to Ga. 211 as Chateau Elan Parkway. Orr has expressed his displeasure about the Town of Braselton having no input into the commission’s decision.
“The mayor does not think the Hall County Board of Commissioners has the authority to rename a road in the town,” said Town Manager Jennifer Dees, who said the resolution, which was drafted by City Attorney Gregory Jay, spells out the town’s contention that that commission has no legal authority to rename town roadways. “The town is mindful of the rich history and heritage of Friendship Road and its inhabitants and its significance to the region,” the resolution reads. “To the extent necessary and in affirming the present name” the council ratified Ga. 347 including any future realignment ending at Ga. 211 within the town as Friendship Road.
See BRASELTON, 2A
Hoschton taps Ali Merk to serve as city manager From staff reports
Katie Justice The Paper
West Jackson Middle School student Kara Griffin correctly guessed the number of Cheerios in a jar to win a brand new bicycle in a contest held during the celebration of National School Breakfast Week. On Tuesday morning, she was surprised swith the special presentation attended by the nutrition staff at the school.
Lucky guess nets bike
BY KATIE JUSTICE
kjustice@clickthepaper.com
Thanks to a partnership between Jackson County School System and General Mills, West Jackson Middle School Student Kara Griffin is riding along on a brand new TREK bicycle. Griffin correctly guessed the number of Cheerios in a jar to be 1,483, and lucky for her she was right. The contest was part of the school system’s celebration of National School Breakfast Week. Activities included a whole grain taste test and of course the “Great Whole Grain Give-a-Way.” According to Jackson County Director of Nutrition Dr. Debra Morris, General Mills provided a jar full of the cereal for each school. Each jar had exactly 1,483 pieces within it. On Tuesday, Kara was presented with her new bike in the WJMS cafeteria. “This feels like winning the lottery or something,” said Griffin, in shock from winning. Griffin said she made her guess based on a gut feeling, and the win helped her replace her old broken bikes. “My friends are going to be so jealous,” she said as she wheeled her bike to the office for storage until the end of the day. National School Breakfast Week was observed March 4-8 and aimed to increase awareness of the school breakfast programs.
Ali Merk was sworn in Monday as Hoschton’s new city manager. The Hoschton Town Council convened Monday for a five-minute executive session and returned to announce Merk would serve as the new city manager starting at an annual salary of $44,000. She was among the five interviewed for the position. She was sworn in by City Attorney Thomas Mitchell. Merk is currently office manager of the Jackson County Farm Bureau office in Jefferson where she has worked since October of 2005. She was named Georgia Farm Bureau Office Manager of the Year in 2009 after being a state finalist the
Merk previous year. She previously worked in public relations with Mayfield Dairy in Braselton. Her family also owns Merk Farms in Dry Pond where they raise cattle and grow hay and seasonal vegetables.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management with a minor in public administration from Ashford University. She also attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Merk will be transitioned into the position by her predecessor Cindy George, who is now Jackson County’s senior auditor. The council has earmarked $1,000 for George to help Merk familiarize himself with city hall operations. Contacted Tuesday, Merk said, “I love that the clerk is where public work meets the private sector. That position offers the opportunity to be the translator of all the government paper to a wanting
See HOSCHTON, 2A
Community urges BOE to slow decision on plans BY KATIE JUSTICE
kjustice@clickthepaper.com
At the latest in the series of community meetings hosted by the Jackson County Board of Education and superintendent, plans were discussed to help bring the school system back into accord with its decreased budget. According to Superintendent Dr. Green, the budget adopted last month showed a $3 million shortfall compared to previous projections. “Simply we must reduce operating expenditures for the ‘13-’14 school year, or face serious shortfalls in our budget reserves,” Green said at the meetings held March 7 and March 11.
Community members were presented with five options to reduce expenditures over the next school year. The option, which the county currently favors, is to operate fewer facilities. This would involve the closing of South Jackson Elementary School (SJES). Students from SJES would be moved to the current site of Kings Bridge Middle School (KBMS). KBMS sixth and seventh graders would be moved to East Jackson Middle School (EJMS). The eighth graders from each school would be moved to a wing at East Jackson High School. Additional options included increasing the millage rate, adding additional
furlough days, decreasing the number of teacher jobs, or pulling from the reserve balance. Community response was clear. Attendees repeatedly asked the board to “slow down” in their decision making and to seek community input. “I think we need to slow this bus down, and I think we need to really listen to the people,” said Angeline Scarborough. “This meeting and the next meeting is a legal requirement to close that school, and I just am very concerned that our input is not making really any difference.”
See sCHOOLS, 2A
Retail needed to support Jackson County growth By LEANNE AKIN
lakin@clickthepaper.com
What a difference a year makes, according to Frank Norton Jr., of The Norton Agency. Norton, speaking to the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce on March 6, said there has been a change in the marketplace and, related to the economy and real estate in particular, Norton says there are five things you need to know about 2013. Known for this keen marketing and business sense, his annual economic development forecast has been a guide for business for the past 24 years. Norton said there have been changes from a year ago, from three years ago and five
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years ago back in 2008 when economic conditions suffered a meltdown. Norton said his company’s insurance footprint helped during the economic times when real estate slowed to a crawl. With 65,000 policies, the company is the largest independent insurance agency in Georgia and will soon be in four states, but “real estate is really what we do.” Norton tracks 54 counties and shares his unique insight at nortonintelligence.com “We are in a powerful place,” said Norton. “Swifter, faster, higher, we are in a unique place.” Fortunate to have experienced industrial growth, the list of major industries helping to expand the job growth in wedge that includes Jackson County shows that “business is happening here.” He said that 43 percent
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of all new business since 2007 has occurred in one-tenth of the state – a wedge across from 400 to Highway 316. “Y’all led the way,” said Norton, saying the activity of industrial/office development is occurring right here. “What is next,” he asked. With 10,000 zoned acres of industrial land in Jackson County, potential remains but the community is out of buildings. He said there must be a change in the lending climate to provide the next wave of growth. Momentum will remain on Interstate 85 because of the direct pipeline of I-85 and I-75 to the ports. He said while Atlanta media touts the growth around the Port of Savannah and in Columbus around the Kia plant, three times as much of the Kia-related growth is
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across the Alabama line, what Norton called the DMZ. Norton credits the leadership of Jackson County for the infrastructure that enabled developers to build inventory through 2000. Only one or two buildings remain: “You need to encourage more,” he said. Times are tough when looking for shelter, said Norton, who used the example of a company relocating 35 executives from New York and Kentucky to Atlanta. Because housing inventory has dropped for quickly, only five of the 35 had found houses to buy in spite of their relocation packages meaning they had money in hand.
See NORTON, 7A
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