Barrow Journal

Winder officials continue to struggle to find a sign ordinance acceptable for the city as well as local businesses and churches.

Following months of review by various city committees and planning commission, the proposed regulations continued to receive opposition from citizens and business owners at a meeting held Monday, Aug. 3.

Jimmy Terrell compared the regulations to Obama Care, due to the burdensome amount of information included in the
31-page document.

In regard to fees associated with sign reviews and permits, Terrell said, “It looks like it is a revenue source, and that’s a concern of several of the local business people.”

Terrell said he feels $100 to review a sign application is excessive. Terrell further voiced concern regarding banners at churches.

Special activities and events are advertised by churches each year. Under the proposed regulations churches, as well as businesses, would only be permitted use of a banner twice a year at a cost of $25 per banner.

This could affect the churches programs and other non-profit programs in the community, said Terrell.

Terrell went on to say the ordinance indicates the city’s intent is to promote economic development, but for those business owners he talked with, it appears the ordinance would really curtail economic development.

Kimberly Hancock, owner of Open Box Electronics, voiced opposition to the regulations as proposed, but noted she is in favor of an ordinance that will bring some consistency and some practicality to the downtown area.

See complete story in the Aug. 5 print edition of the Barrow Journal.

First day enrollment was up at the Barrow County School System. Superintendent Chris McMichael presented enrollment numbers at the board of education’s Aug. 4 meeting.

BCSS had 12,910 enrolled on the first day of school. This is up 228 students from the first day of school last year, a 1.8 percent growth.
Elementary schools added the bulk of the new students, up 133.

Middle school enrollment was up 54 students and high school enrollment was up 43 students. Two students were added to the Alternative Education Program.

The district is pulling every desk it can out of storage, according to McMichael. He said the district will continue to watch the numbers over the upcoming weeks.