Fundraising auction begins tomorrow

Twenty-seven year old detention officer Alexander Matlaga is currently hospitalized in the last stages of terminal cancer. Fellow Sheriff’s Office personnel plan to auction several pieces of art online to help pay Matlaga’s medical expenses. Capt. Bruce Bley, one of Matlaga’s co-workers, is an artist. Bley has donated several pieces of pottery to be auctioned. Bley also asked several fellow artists to contribute pieces for the fundraiser. So far, approximately 40 pieces from a variety of artists have been donated. Many of the pieces offered are from highly collectable artists who are featured in regional and national collections and museums. The auction will also feature a signed helmet by NASCAR racer Tony Stewart.

Photos of the auction art are posted on the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office website, http://barrowsheriff. com/, along with a short description of each piece. On Wednesday Sept. 22, bidders may call or email bids from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bids may be placed by calling 770-527-8366 or emailing brucebley@bleypottery.com.

On Thursday, Sept. 23, the pieces will be on display at Constance Manor, located at 70 Church Street in Winder, from 9 a.m. until bidding ends at 4 p.m.

The day of the auction, prospective buyers may call 770-527-8366 or email brucebley@bleypottery.com to check on the status of their bid. Buyers may increase their bid during the day if outbid by another buyer.

Certain items may be posted with a non-binding, suggested opening bid or with a binding reserve bid. Reserves must be met or exceeded in order for the item to be sold.

Bids must include the bidder’s name, at least one phone number and an e-mail address if available. Sold items will be transported to the old Barrow County Courthouse, located at 30 N. Broad Street in Winder. Buyers may make payment and pick up won items at the courthouse or items may be shipped if the purchaser pays in advance for the item, the full shipping cost, insurance and a $20 handling charge.

Items not paid for by Sept. 28 will be offered to the next highest bidder. Unsold items will be transferred to John Breffle Auction for an October auction.

For more information, contact Sandra Mingus (smingus@barrowsheriff.com) at 770-307-3080 ext. 3098 or Capt. Bruce Bley (bbley@ barrowsheriff.com) at 770-527-8366.