Entries by Mike Buffington

The Barrow County Board of Commissioners at a regular meeting Tuesday night will take up some issues potentially affecting every taxpayer in the county. CFO Rose Kisaalita will clarify how close was her original $1 million projection of additional FY2011 reserve funds to the final audited figure. Also on the agenda will be a presentation by two bond attorneys who will discuss additional revenues that would be generated by refunding the county’s 2005 General Obligation bonds. There is a possibility that the revenue could be used to help offset some of the $3.75 million cost of meeting the January 2013 federally deadline for narrow-banding the county’s emergency services radio communications. But the legality of changing the use of 2012 SPLOST funds has not been discussed in public. [Full Story »] 

Eagle Scout Jonathan Bennett of Auburn-based Troop 774, received the highest lifesaving award the Boy Scouts of America gives during a ceremony at the Chattahooche District Round Table meeting on March 8.

He was awarded the Honor Medal with Crossed Palms, which is given "for unusual heroism and extraordinary skill or resourcefulness in saving or attempting to save life at extreme risk to self."

Bennett, and Eagle Scout, earned the award by extricating himself and three friends after they were involved in a serious roll-over automobile accident. He also provided such thorough first aid that when the paramedics arrived they commended Bennett on his skill and treatment, saying there was little for them to do but transport the patients.

Jonathan is the son of Larry and Linda Bennett.

The Crossed Palms lifesaving award was created in 1938 and since that time, fewer than 150 have been given.

I’m often accused of being critical of government. Guilty. While we cannot exist without government, it has gotten too big, too expensive and too self-serving at all levels. Government produces very little, yet today consumes a huge percentage of our economy. Government does not create any wealth — the private sector creates wealth by taking raw products (both physical and intellectual) and transforms that into something people will buy. The government is a leech off of that system sucking money out of the pockets of those who produce in society. [Full Story »] 

In timing that couldn’t be more perfect for Barrow County’s future, the most powerful money committee in the Georgia House of Representatives voted Monday to include in the state government’s FY2013 budget $16 million for the Winder-Barrow campus of Lanier Technical College. Rep. Terry England, who chairs that House Appropriations Committee, said Tuesday that the funding has the support of Gov. Nathan Deal and he believes both the full House and Senate will go along with it. The House’s budget vote was scheduled for Wednesday. [Full Story »] 

Westside Middle School will hopefully have a new full time principal soon to replace Eli Welch who took a job in Gwinnett County last month. [Full Story »]