Entries from June 2009

BOC to vote Tuesday on layoffs, salary cuts

Posted by
Mike Buffington
in News, Top Stories
Wednesday, June 3. 2009
Comments (22)
Employees of Barrow County’s government will learn Tuesday night how severely the county’s fiscal crisis will affect them. The Barrow County Board of Commissioners is likely to vote Tuesday night on decisive steps to salvage the county’s finances.

The plan reportedly includes a significant “reduction in force” affecting most departments, as well as salary cuts for many of those who hang onto their jobs.

Salaries are expected to undergo a major correction to remedy the snowball effect of the aggressive implementation of a 2005 pay study that has resulted in salaries and benefits now absorbing nearly all of the county’s annual revenues.

At current staffing levels, salaries would require all but $2 million of the $28 million in anticipated revenue in FY2010.

The cuts to be announced Tuesday should also make a serious dent in the FY2010 budget shortfall, which currently is projected to amount to $7 million or more.

Statham youth killed by train

Posted by
Mike Buffington
in Public Safety
Wednesday, June 3. 2009
Comments (9)
A 17-year-old Statham youth was killed Saturday morning when he was hit by an oncoming CSX train just outside the city limits. But exactly what happened isn’t yet clear.

A report from the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office said Joshua Whiten may have been walking on the tracks at the time of the incident while listening to music. [Full Story »] 

Winder officials won’t face public

Posted by
Mike Buffington
in News
Wednesday, June 3. 2009
Comments (34)
Despite a difficult budget year and some recent city layoffs, Winder’s mayor and city administrator said this week that neither they nor the city council would be part of any public hearing process regarding the town’s impending $43 million FY2010 budget.

That position raised questions from one citizen at Tuesday night’s council meeting and appears to violate Georgia law regarding the city budget process.

City administrator Bob Beck said residents have “ample opportunity” to air their concerns at the hearings.

“If you are looking for an opportunity to sit there and do a conversation or have input back and forth between citizens and the council and the mayor, that does not happen,” Beck told a citizens who questioned the city's budget process.

The city’s proposed budget was distributed for the first time to the council Monday night. The city held a meeting May 26 at which a city employee met with two citizens, but that meeting did not have the mandatory seven-day public notice, and the mayor and council did not attend as required by state law for the meeting to be a legitimate hearing. In addition, the “budget” presented at that hearing was incomplete, consisting of a one-page data spreadsheet. [Full Story »] 

Gwinnett deputy killed Monday in Barrow wreck

Posted by
Mike Buffington
in Public Safety
Tuesday, June 2. 2009
Comments (0)
A Gwinnett County sheriff’s deputy was killed in a wreck Monday afternoon as he traveled to his Barrow County home on a motorcycle. [Full Story »] 

‘Jim’ Westfall

Posted by
MainStreetNewsObits
in Obits
Monday, June 1. 2009
WINDER - James “Jim” Westfall, 75, died Saturday, May 23, 2009. Survivors include Betty Greenway of Winder. No services will be held. Wages Funeral Home, Lawrenceville Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

‘Josh’ Whiten

Posted by
MainStreetNewsObits
in Obits
Monday, June 1. 2009
STATHAM - Joshua “Josh” Gene Whiten, 17, died Saturday, May 30, 2009. He was the son of Lisa Denise Long and stepfather, Carl Long III, both of Statham. Survivors in addition to his mother, include sisters, Nikki Fleeman and Jessica Whiten, both of Statham, Amber Esco, Winder; twin brother, Jacob Charles Whiten, Statham; brother, Adam Cody ... [Full Story »] 

Betty Jean Morris

Posted by
MainStreetNewsObits
in Obits
Monday, June 1. 2009
BETHLEHEM – Betty Jean Morris, 73, died Saturday, May 30, 2009. Born in Barrow County, she was the daughter of the late James W. and Allie Morris. She graduated from Winder High School Class of 1953 and worked for General Telephone for a number of years. She was a member of Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula, and was preceded in death by her ... [Full Story »] 

Alan Wood

Posted by
MainStreetNewsObits
in Obits
Monday, June 1. 2009
WINDER – Alan Wood, 62, died Sunday, May 31, 2009. Born in Floyd County, he was the son of Hazel Wood of Winder and the late Harvey Wood. He had worked for Gwinnett Police, was retired from the Winder Police Department, and had been employed by Farmers Pres. Shop. Mr. Wood was a veteran, having served in the United States Army. Survivors ... [Full Story »] 
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