Bethlehem jumps into annexation race

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Bethlehem jumps into annexation race

Posted by

Mike Buffington

in Statham/Bethlehem Archives, Top Stories & Breaking News

Wednesday, October 3. 2012

Comments (17)

With the City of Winder beginning an aggressive campaign to annex property near Highway 316, Town of Bethlehem officials want to play a role in determining which commercial areas go into which municipality.
“I don’t think we are out of the race yet,” Bethlehem Mayor Sandy McNab said during Monday’s council meeting. “I want to hire someone to help us with annexation. I want to do what we can to convince people on our side of (Hwy.) 316 that it will benefit the town and them to be with us in the long run.”
For the full story, see the Oct. 3 issue of the Barrow Journal.

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#1 Life-Long in Barrow on 10/03/12 at 11:26 AM [Reply]

The areas South of 316 should be annexed to Bethlehem! That territory is closest to Bethlehem. The residents in that area have sent their kids to Bethlehem Elementary. Winder has no businesses getting the territory south of 316. Greed is their only motive.

While I greatly enjoy the small-town feel of Bethlehem, it's about time the city takes steps forward that are beneficial for itself. Those steps can be taken while maintaining a balance with the small-town aspects. The whole community will advance with the inclusions. Businesses may be more inclined to donate to Bethlehem area schools which have lagged behind those in Winder. Bethlehem festivals will may enjoy more participants. Property owners will benefit with the fact that more services are located within their city.

#2 coolbluerick84 on 10/03/12 at 12:31 PM [Reply]

This is a good thing for Barrow County and the cities within because it will make the towns larger and all cities will be able to put in city sewage and eliminate or reduce the use of septic tanks like a normal
town not a country hick town. Although I agree that Winder shouldn't take it all for themselves but let Winder have the upper half with Gateway shopping center with the Theater/Chick fil a, let Bethlehem have the lower half with Barrow Crossing/Home depot, and let Statham have upper/lower of their side and Auburn have upper/lower of their side. It would be fair and everyone would be happy.

#3 Concerned Bethlehem Citizen on 10/03/12 at 08:11 PM [Reply]

If we let Winder come into our town of Bethlehem the response times for Fire Service will GREATLY INCREASE due to nearest station being on Fire Tower RD. Winder fire personnel are not all trained to the same level as Barrow Fire/EMS personnel. Also if Winder does this the amount of county Fire/ EMS personnel that man the ambulances will then be on the verge of layoffs dues to a decrease in the tax base. Bethlehem citizens stand up for your town and be at the Planning Meeting on Oct 23 at the Community Center and voice your oppisition! Leave Bethlehem alone!!!!

#4 Get the Facts correct... on 10/03/12 at 10:04 PM [Reply]

First, Winder is Not coming into nor taking anything from Bethlehem, Barrow Crossing is Not in Bethlehem, it is an area that was assigned as a former rural postal route by the USPS decades ago when there was only a few rural farms. The area could have their mail delivered from any post office, there is areas SW of Bethlehem with Winder addresses, so that is only mail delivery.
Next Bethlehem cannot offer anything and it had little control of the services they do offer, because those are provided by Barrow Co or Winder. You have no idea about the Fire Depts at all, Winder has one of the lowest ISO Ratings in the state of Georgia, about 3X Less than in the County and in Bethlehem, as well as faster responce times and more staffed units, at this time, but they still work together, back each other as professionals, Bethlehem itself is not providing fire, police or lowered Insurance Rates. Bethlehem is actually not closer to Barrow Crossing than Winder. Winder is offering services to this area and taking a burden

#4.1 Reality on 10/05/12 at 04:49 AM [Reply]

Of course their response times are faster, BECAUSE they have a smaller area of responsibility and less calls for service than Barrow FD. Annex the area, you'll increase the response area, add in one of the most "dangerous" portions of 316, which will lead to more calls for service, and you'll see their ratings decrease and your insurance go up.

#5 Wiggles on 10/04/12 at 07:29 AM [Reply]

It funny how everyone is on the band wagon for this area now . I remember when no one wanted it and look at it now. As for the fire departments you should leave them out of it . They are both good departments and as for the ISO yes winder is 2points better than the county not 3x. This is only because the city backs their department . The two departments will always work together to handle any call that may come no mater where it is. The staffing level for trucks is a joke for both departments , they both don't meet the standard. So you can't say winder staffs more trucks when they only staff 3 , the county staffs 13. This shouldn't be about the fire or the police because they will always respond and the city and county departments will always work good together . I would like to see Bethlehem grow but they need to start offering more.

#6 Trust me call Winder Fire on 10/04/12 at 11:37 AM [Reply]

Being a retired firefighter from the county I know the City of Winder has less EMTs & Paramedics than Barrow. Call the City & ask them. Barrow requires all personnel to be at minimum Ff/EMT & Winder does not. Do you need their number?

#7 animal control on 10/04/12 at 07:30 PM [Reply]

Stop talking about fire departments lets talk about the Animal Control what the heck is there deal.

#7.1 jj on 10/05/12 at 06:14 AM [Reply]

I never seen an Animal Control that closed on the weekends..Any animal shelter would tell you the weekends are usually busy with family off from work and school looking to adopt ..I know I volunteer before..

#8 longtime on 10/04/12 at 11:18 PM [Reply]

Winder Annexing this area also takes a burden off of the Sheriff's Department too, which allows them to continue to cover our still growing county, the Sheriff's resources were getting tight and there is NO Money unless taxes get raised so this is a Win for everyone (IF you will open your eyes and minds), Bethlehem uses the BCSO so trying to go that direction doesn't aleviate anything or offer anything that they don't already have so I agree either go into Winder or Stay in the County. Winder is the main city here whose existence is what led to the development anyway, and Winder businessmen put this together. This is not a Winder v Bethlehem issue, quit your petty games and see the positives here.

#8.1 Life-Long in Barrow on 10/06/12 at 08:21 AM [Reply]

The idea that Winder should annex this area because Winder businessmen organized the development in South Barrow is the exact representation of GREED that we don't want in the Bethlehem area. Barrow County businessmen, while in Winder or not, put this development together! Barrow County commissioners, whether in Winder or not, facilitated its development. There should no special privileged given to Winder just because it it is the seat of our count. Bethlehem should get a fair shake.

As far as the Sheriff's department..I would rather have my elected sheriff providing services than some appointed chief. Barrow County Sheriff and EMS are way better equipped than anything Winder has.

#9 stretched?? on 10/05/12 at 06:58 AM [Reply]

please just like Gwinnett is stretchedyet their deputy flipped his patrol car while have a passenger and drinking open containers of liquor.... maybe your idea of stretched is not enough benifits for deputies extras and perks....

#10 Why on 10/05/12 at 08:53 AM [Reply]

If this were such a great Idea winder would be thriving and not chasing after development. They want to put their hand in someone else's cookie jar because they don't know how to bake their own. We are not stupid, they piggy back off the radio system, remember the merger months back and the county picked up cost and now addin more officers and hose toters what band they gonna be talking on? Who will add and pay for that? The deputies drive through their anyway and are fine. They don't stay out of downtown wider now, they drive through. Stop feeding lines of crap to sell plans to bring down an area because you can't make yours thrive. The county should dissolve winder and bring back, Jug Tavern.

#10.1 Honey Booboo on 10/05/12 at 05:04 PM [Reply]

Chip stay off the blogs while you had a few...you are not making sense.

#11 Brad on 10/05/12 at 11:21 PM [Reply]

Winder is only seeking revenue. What's new there? ANY true barrow county resident knows that shopping center sits in what will always be Bethlehem. Matter of fact, the Bethlehem city limit sign was planted almost exactly where the 2nd entrance off carl-Bethlehem rd sits.

#11.1 ANON on 10/06/12 at 08:46 AM [Reply]

What do you think Bethlehem is doing? Kettle calling the pot black there isn't it. Look on the map and you will see where Bethlehem starts and ends. I can put an Atlanta city limits sign on 316 and some idiot would believe it.

#12 Sugar bear on 10/06/12 at 07:19 PM [Reply]

Winder is like kudzu, it keeps growing into areas it is mot wanted. Next winder will call for a merger and run the whole county, just imagine winder-barrow county. Were all screwed.

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