Madison County leaders will soon determine how a projected $12.4 million will be spent if voters renew a one-cent sales tax in November. But there’s another matter the commissioners now want to resolve before the referendum: how will the $3.3 million tagged from the 2008 special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) for expanding the county jail be used?
“We need to find out how much to spend on the jail situation,” said commissioner Pete Bond May 6.
Other commissioners agreed.
“In five years we haven’t done anything and we need direction before the next SPLOST,” said commissioner Stanley Thomas. “…We’re asking people to go to the polls and vote for SPLOST money and we need to know what we’re doing with what we already have (for the jail).”
The commissioners agreed to establish a committee to study jail expansion options. Thomas and commissioner Mike Youngblood were nominated by the board to represent the BOC on the committee, which will also include Sheriff Kip Thomas, county engineer Phil Munro and county road and building director Alan Lapczynski. The committee list was not finalized Monday. It may include a couple of county citizens and perhaps a representative from the judicial system.
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$1.1 million road contract approved
Madison County commissioners approved over $1 million in road improvements May 6.
The board of commissioners approved a contract with Pittman Construction for $1,149,600 to handle road resurfacing projects on Sanford Road, Blacks Creek Church Road, Madison Oaks Drive, Adams-Duncan Road, Sorrow Patterson Road and Colbert Danielsville Road.
The projects, which leaders plan to start after this school year ends, will be partially funded through the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) Program. The county received $543,713 from the state through LMIG for 2013. That means the county’s portion of the road project cost will be $605,887.
This money will be pulled from the county’s cash reserves. The county has maintained roughly $5 million in reserves over the past couple of years.
BOC chairman Anthony Dove reminded commissioners Monday that the approval of the road projects and the recent approval of four sheriff’s vehicles for $112,000 will bring down the county’s cash reserves.
[Full Story »]
The board of commissioners approved a contract with Pittman Construction for $1,149,600 to handle road resurfacing projects on Sanford Road, Blacks Creek Church Road, Madison Oaks Drive, Adams-Duncan Road, Sorrow Patterson Road and Colbert Danielsville Road.
The projects, which leaders plan to start after this school year ends, will be partially funded through the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) Program. The county received $543,713 from the state through LMIG for 2013. That means the county’s portion of the road project cost will be $605,887.
This money will be pulled from the county’s cash reserves. The county has maintained roughly $5 million in reserves over the past couple of years.
BOC chairman Anthony Dove reminded commissioners Monday that the approval of the road projects and the recent approval of four sheriff’s vehicles for $112,000 will bring down the county’s cash reserves.
[Full Story »]
Updated: Madison Co. now home base for DA
Madison County is now the home base for the Northern Judicial Circuit’s new district attorney.
Parks White and his staff held a ribbon cutting ceremony May 4 to show off their new office space at the Lakeview Business Park off Rock Quarry Road in Danielsville. The former commercial building will serve as the main DA office for the five-county circuit.
“I can’t tell you how grateful I am Chairman (Anthony) Dove and every member of the board of commissioners for allowing us to use this office space for the central office of the Northern Judicial Circuit,” said White, before he and Dove cut the ribbon. “It’s such a blessing to come here and be embraced by this community.”
White also told the crowd that he wants criminals to understand that the court system will be run efficiently under his watch and that those who break the law will be punished. He praised his staff, which was also on hand.
“We want the criminal element to know that justice is served here,” he said.
[Full Story »]
Parks White and his staff held a ribbon cutting ceremony May 4 to show off their new office space at the Lakeview Business Park off Rock Quarry Road in Danielsville. The former commercial building will serve as the main DA office for the five-county circuit.
“I can’t tell you how grateful I am Chairman (Anthony) Dove and every member of the board of commissioners for allowing us to use this office space for the central office of the Northern Judicial Circuit,” said White, before he and Dove cut the ribbon. “It’s such a blessing to come here and be embraced by this community.”
White also told the crowd that he wants criminals to understand that the court system will be run efficiently under his watch and that those who break the law will be punished. He praised his staff, which was also on hand.
“We want the criminal element to know that justice is served here,” he said.
[Full Story »]
Raider guys take second in state tennis tourney
By Dallas Bordon
JONESBORO: The Madison County Red Raider tennis team made history this season by advancing to the state championship for the first time.
They came up just short of the top prize Saturday as 5A-AAAA Columbus won the championship with a 3-1 win over Madison County.
The expected rain that was due to the area held off just long enough to get the matches in at the Clayton International Tennis Park in Jonesboro.
A rain-out would have given number one seed Madison County home court advantage on Monday or Tuesday, but as it turned out, plenty of the Raider faithful made the trip to Jonesboro.
Trey Morris remained undefeated on the season, winning at the number one singles (2-0). Ben Strickland battled to a tie-breaker but came up on the short end of a 2-1 loss. With the number one doubles team of Zach Peneguy and Adam Sartain falling to Columbus 2-0 and the number two doubles Hank Sartain and Koti Nguyen also losing 2-0, all eyes were glued to Strickland's match.
With Columbus leading overall 2-1 with Strickland and Tyler Terrell (number 3 singles) still playing, Columbus needed just one win to seal the championship.
Columbus got the win after Strickland fell 6-4 in the tiebreaker. Terrell's singles match was halted at that point as Columbus got the needed 3 wins.
The Raiders (22-4, 12-0) were able to reach the championship round by defeating Carrollton and S. Effingham in earlier post season play
JONESBORO: The Madison County Red Raider tennis team made history this season by advancing to the state championship for the first time.
They came up just short of the top prize Saturday as 5A-AAAA Columbus won the championship with a 3-1 win over Madison County.
The expected rain that was due to the area held off just long enough to get the matches in at the Clayton International Tennis Park in Jonesboro.
A rain-out would have given number one seed Madison County home court advantage on Monday or Tuesday, but as it turned out, plenty of the Raider faithful made the trip to Jonesboro.
Trey Morris remained undefeated on the season, winning at the number one singles (2-0). Ben Strickland battled to a tie-breaker but came up on the short end of a 2-1 loss. With the number one doubles team of Zach Peneguy and Adam Sartain falling to Columbus 2-0 and the number two doubles Hank Sartain and Koti Nguyen also losing 2-0, all eyes were glued to Strickland's match.
With Columbus leading overall 2-1 with Strickland and Tyler Terrell (number 3 singles) still playing, Columbus needed just one win to seal the championship.
Columbus got the win after Strickland fell 6-4 in the tiebreaker. Terrell's singles match was halted at that point as Columbus got the needed 3 wins.
The Raiders (22-4, 12-0) were able to reach the championship round by defeating Carrollton and S. Effingham in earlier post season play
Colbert to pave and patch roads
By Jeremy Elrod
The Colbert City Council received two bids for paving and repairing South Fourth Street May 6, but the group also discussed ways to better use the state funding.
“We’ve received two bids for paving the entire strip of S. Fourth Street and a few other places, but unfortunately they may be too high for us to consider taking on at the moment,” said Mayor Chris Peck. “We have $8,400 that we’re getting from the LMIG (Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant) to do the project, but we still have to come up with 30 percent of that to put forth ourselves in order to receive the grant.”
Peck said the city has up to three years to use LMIG funds.
“So we could hoard this year’s LMIG amount and add it to next year’s amount to do one big project,” said Peck. “Or, we could re-evaluate the entire project, and just accept a bid to take care of the worst parts of the road instead of doing the entire thing.”
City advisor John Waggoner offered a suggestion.
“Since we should get about the same amount of LMIG money next year, I would just patch up the worst places for the time being and use the combined funds to do a larger project later,” he said.
Peck agreed. [Full Story »]
The Colbert City Council received two bids for paving and repairing South Fourth Street May 6, but the group also discussed ways to better use the state funding.
“We’ve received two bids for paving the entire strip of S. Fourth Street and a few other places, but unfortunately they may be too high for us to consider taking on at the moment,” said Mayor Chris Peck. “We have $8,400 that we’re getting from the LMIG (Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant) to do the project, but we still have to come up with 30 percent of that to put forth ourselves in order to receive the grant.”
Peck said the city has up to three years to use LMIG funds.
“So we could hoard this year’s LMIG amount and add it to next year’s amount to do one big project,” said Peck. “Or, we could re-evaluate the entire project, and just accept a bid to take care of the worst parts of the road instead of doing the entire thing.”
City advisor John Waggoner offered a suggestion.
“Since we should get about the same amount of LMIG money next year, I would just patch up the worst places for the time being and use the combined funds to do a larger project later,” he said.
Peck agreed. [Full Story »]
Updated: Madison Co. had state’s second lowest unemployment rate in March
According to statistics released recently by the Georgia Department of Labor, Madison County had the second lowest unemployment rate of any county in Georgia during March, the latest month for which figures are available.
Madison County’s jobless rate fell to 5.4 percent from 6.2 percent a month earlier. Oconee County's rate of 5.0 was the lowest in the state. Jackson County’s unemployment rate for March was 7.7 percent, compared to 8.2 percent a month earlier.
Throughout Northeast Georgia, the unemployment rate for March was 7.4 percent, down from 7.8 percent for February — and down from 8.4 percent in March 2012.
Other area counties and their jobless rates for March include:
•Banks, 5.8 percent, down from 6.6
•Barrow, 7.4 percent, down from 8.2
•Hall, 6.8 percent, down from 6.9
•Athens-Clarke, 6.2 percent, down from 6.4
While Madison County boasted the lowest jobless rate for March, Chattahoochee County on the Alabama border had the distinction of having Georgia’s highest unemployment rate in March at 17.1 percent — down from 18.1 percent in February.
The Metro Athens area, comprising Athens-Clarke, Madison, Oconee and Oglethorpe counties, had the lowest rate among Department of Labor regions, at 5.9 percent.
The unemployment rate for Georgia was 8.1 percent in March, down from 8.6 percent in February.
Madison County’s jobless rate fell to 5.4 percent from 6.2 percent a month earlier. Oconee County's rate of 5.0 was the lowest in the state. Jackson County’s unemployment rate for March was 7.7 percent, compared to 8.2 percent a month earlier.
Throughout Northeast Georgia, the unemployment rate for March was 7.4 percent, down from 7.8 percent for February — and down from 8.4 percent in March 2012.
Other area counties and their jobless rates for March include:
•Banks, 5.8 percent, down from 6.6
•Barrow, 7.4 percent, down from 8.2
•Hall, 6.8 percent, down from 6.9
•Athens-Clarke, 6.2 percent, down from 6.4
While Madison County boasted the lowest jobless rate for March, Chattahoochee County on the Alabama border had the distinction of having Georgia’s highest unemployment rate in March at 17.1 percent — down from 18.1 percent in February.
The Metro Athens area, comprising Athens-Clarke, Madison, Oconee and Oglethorpe counties, had the lowest rate among Department of Labor regions, at 5.9 percent.
The unemployment rate for Georgia was 8.1 percent in March, down from 8.6 percent in February.
Madison Co.’s 15th Relay held
Mildred Strickland was diagnosed with cancer more than a quarter century ago.
And Friday night, at 91, she stood on the stage at the recreation department track during the 15th annual Madison County Relay for Life and talked about what it was like to be a survivor, and how grateful she and others like her are for the fundraising efforts of the Relay for Life.
Strickland was named honorary chair for this year’s Relay and presented with a plaque and a bouquet of flowers by co-chairman Ramona Booth.
Strickland, who has attended every one of the 15 county Relays, said she has enjoyed coming and being a part of this Madison County tradition.
“It’s a time to see old friends, and I’ve made new some new friends,” she said. “We’ve cried together, and we’ve laughed. It’s like a part of my family.”
She was escorted by her two daughters, Betty Sartain and Jean Ginn.
There were 12 teams at this year’s Relay – down slightly from years past, but those present made up for it in spirit and determination.
The evening was cool, but pleasant, and Booth noted it was a lot different from the cold and windy weather that held sway during the first Relay in 1999.
Boy Scout Troop 318 and Cub Scout Troop 377 served as honor guards during the opening ceremonies and Tommy Hall sang the national anthem.
Probate judge Cody Cross served as co-chair with Booth and he thanked the crowd for coming out to support the Relay.
There were numerous activities for children and many teams prepared food as part of their fundraising efforts.
As usual, hundreds of luminaries lined the track at the recreation department, waiting to be lit at sundown to honor survivors and to remember those who succumbed to the disease of cancer.
And Friday night, at 91, she stood on the stage at the recreation department track during the 15th annual Madison County Relay for Life and talked about what it was like to be a survivor, and how grateful she and others like her are for the fundraising efforts of the Relay for Life.
Strickland was named honorary chair for this year’s Relay and presented with a plaque and a bouquet of flowers by co-chairman Ramona Booth.
Strickland, who has attended every one of the 15 county Relays, said she has enjoyed coming and being a part of this Madison County tradition.
“It’s a time to see old friends, and I’ve made new some new friends,” she said. “We’ve cried together, and we’ve laughed. It’s like a part of my family.”
She was escorted by her two daughters, Betty Sartain and Jean Ginn.
There were 12 teams at this year’s Relay – down slightly from years past, but those present made up for it in spirit and determination.
The evening was cool, but pleasant, and Booth noted it was a lot different from the cold and windy weather that held sway during the first Relay in 1999.
Boy Scout Troop 318 and Cub Scout Troop 377 served as honor guards during the opening ceremonies and Tommy Hall sang the national anthem.
Probate judge Cody Cross served as co-chair with Booth and he thanked the crowd for coming out to support the Relay.
There were numerous activities for children and many teams prepared food as part of their fundraising efforts.
As usual, hundreds of luminaries lined the track at the recreation department, waiting to be lit at sundown to honor survivors and to remember those who succumbed to the disease of cancer.
Rabid fox chases couple on 4-wheeler
A rabid fox chased a couple riding on a four-wheeler recently in northern Madison County.
Beth Harmon of the Madison County Animal Control Department said that that a fox chased a couple on four-wheeler at the 1700 block of Young Harris Road.
The man on the four-wheeler shot the fox, which later tested positive for rabies. The people on the four-wheeler were not bitten or exposed to rabies, Harmon said.
Animal control officials remind citizens that puppies, kittens, and ferrets must be vaccinated at 12 weeks of age. If someone is unsure of the rabies vaccination status on their pet, it is safe to give the animal a booster shot.
Call your local veterinarian or the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter with questions concerning rabies vaccinations.
Georgia state law and the Madison County Animal Control Ordinance require all owners of dogs, cats and ferrets to have current rabies vaccinations.
The vaccination must be administered by a licensed veterinarian to be valid.
Beth Harmon of the Madison County Animal Control Department said that that a fox chased a couple on four-wheeler at the 1700 block of Young Harris Road.
The man on the four-wheeler shot the fox, which later tested positive for rabies. The people on the four-wheeler were not bitten or exposed to rabies, Harmon said.
Animal control officials remind citizens that puppies, kittens, and ferrets must be vaccinated at 12 weeks of age. If someone is unsure of the rabies vaccination status on their pet, it is safe to give the animal a booster shot.
Call your local veterinarian or the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter with questions concerning rabies vaccinations.
Georgia state law and the Madison County Animal Control Ordinance require all owners of dogs, cats and ferrets to have current rabies vaccinations.
The vaccination must be administered by a licensed veterinarian to be valid.
Sheriff’s office to get 4 vehicles
Madison County commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of four vehicles for the sheriff’s office April 22.
Sheriff Kip Thomas appeared before commissioners and asked to purchase four vehicles for his department: three patrol cars and a truck to replace an old work detail truck.
The projected total cost is $112,000. The money will come from the county’s cash reserves, which are at approximately $5 million, according to BOC chairman Anthony Dove.
The three Dodge Charger patrol vehicles will cost $27,749 apiece. The estimated cost of the truck is $23,000.
[Full Story »]
Sheriff Kip Thomas appeared before commissioners and asked to purchase four vehicles for his department: three patrol cars and a truck to replace an old work detail truck.
The projected total cost is $112,000. The money will come from the county’s cash reserves, which are at approximately $5 million, according to BOC chairman Anthony Dove.
The three Dodge Charger patrol vehicles will cost $27,749 apiece. The estimated cost of the truck is $23,000.
[Full Story »]
Commissioners start offering views on SPLOST allocation
Madison County commissioners got down to the nuts and bolts of the one-cent sales tax referendum April 22 — what organizations will get funding and how much will they get.
Of course, no decisions were made. And only commission chairman Anthony Dove and two district commissioners, John Pethel and Jim Escoe, offered any numbers.
But Monday marked the first time during weeks of special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) discussions that anyone at the BOC table gave any indication of how they prefer to allocate sales tax funds if voters renew the tax in November.
Dove started the discussion, noting that he and finance director Kathy Clark reviewed current SPLOST revenues and determined that a safe projection for the six-year, one-cent tax is $12.4 million.
The BOC received $8.3 million in SPLOST requests from the industrial authority, cities, fire departments and various county departments.
In the 2008 SPLOST, the BOC allocated just $3.95 million for county roads. And commissioners have repeatedly said that the road funding was woefully short in that SPLOST. However, if they accepted all SPLOST requests for 2014, then they would have roughly the same amount — $4 million — available for roads over the next six years.
Board members have said that they’ll have to chop away at SPLOST requests to ensure that roads get sufficient funding in coming years.
[Full Story »]
Of course, no decisions were made. And only commission chairman Anthony Dove and two district commissioners, John Pethel and Jim Escoe, offered any numbers.
But Monday marked the first time during weeks of special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) discussions that anyone at the BOC table gave any indication of how they prefer to allocate sales tax funds if voters renew the tax in November.
Dove started the discussion, noting that he and finance director Kathy Clark reviewed current SPLOST revenues and determined that a safe projection for the six-year, one-cent tax is $12.4 million.
The BOC received $8.3 million in SPLOST requests from the industrial authority, cities, fire departments and various county departments.
In the 2008 SPLOST, the BOC allocated just $3.95 million for county roads. And commissioners have repeatedly said that the road funding was woefully short in that SPLOST. However, if they accepted all SPLOST requests for 2014, then they would have roughly the same amount — $4 million — available for roads over the next six years.
Board members have said that they’ll have to chop away at SPLOST requests to ensure that roads get sufficient funding in coming years.
[Full Story »]
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