Top Stories & Breaking News

Halloween request generates controversy

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Monday, October 18. 2010

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A request from local officials that Barrow County parents observe Halloween trick-or-treating this year on Saturday, Oct. 30, instead of Oct. 31 continues to generate controversy.

On Sept. 30, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith, acting as the spokesperson for local mayors, police chiefs and county commissioners, issued a press release advising parents of the request.

Since issuing the release, Smith has received several phone calls and emails from parents opposed to the plan. Smith said one person even accused him of attempting to “ruin our national holiday.”

Smith has tried to reassure concerned citizens that the request is just that – a request. [Full Story »]

Auburn approves SPLOST list

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Lorin Sinn-Clark

in Top Stories & Breaking News, Winder Archives

Saturday, October 16. 2010

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A list of $2.4 million in projected special purpose local option sales tax projects was approved by the Auburn City Council at its October 7 meeting.

The list of Auburn projects to be funded by SPLOST would include: A $700,000 public works facility; $250,000 for acquisition of a municipal complex; $338,636 for an event center; $600,000 for paving and repair of streets, curbs and sidewalks; and, $500,000 for parks and recreation.

The council unanimously authorized Mayor Linda Blechinger and city attorney Jack Wilson, to sign and execute the 2012 SPLOST Intergovernmental Agreements with Barrow County and the county’s other municipalities.

The other Barrow cities are in process of approving their SPLOST projects as well. [Full Story »]

Auburnfest set Saturday

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Staff Writer

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Friday, October 15. 2010

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The City of Auburn will host its annual fall spectacular this weekend.

Auburnfest is set for Saturday and Sunday from noon-7 p.m. Numerous events are planned including a chili cook-off, children’s costume parade contest and entertainment by John Martin and the Southern Drive Band.

The event will also feature hay rides, a car show, numerous food vendors, pumpkin painting, craft vendors and a petting zoo. Auburn mayor Linda Blechinger will give a welcome at the start of both days’ activities. [Full Story »]

Mulch fire turned over to recycling firm

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Thursday, October 14. 2010

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Control of mulch fire which Barrow County Emergency Services personnel battled for much of the day has been turned over to recycling center personnel.

Approximately 38,000 cubic yards of mulch has been burning since just after 7 a.m. this morning. Smoke from the blaze was visible from Hwy. 316.

Barrow County Emergency Services public information officer Lt. Scott Dakin said firefighters met with technical experts and management from the recycling center to discuss the best method of controlling a fire in such a large mulch pile. After examining all available options, the decision was made to let the Barrow Industrial Parkway recycling firm assume control.

Crews are currently working to separate the large mulch pile into smaller, more manageable piles, Dakin said. [Full Story »]

Work on intersection may be complete soon

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Susan Norman

in Top Stories & Breaking News, Winder Archives

Thursday, October 14. 2010

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A traffic hazard on Hwy. 211 could be resolved soon.

The Barrow County Board of Commissioners Tuesday night approved a paving contract and other project costs to complete the construction of a left-turn lane from the state highway onto Barrow Park Drive.

The intersection is at the entrance to the county’s new criminal justice center and jail, and it has been the site of numerous accidents over the past year and a half. [Full Story »]

Brown out as BOC settles claims

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Susan Norman

in Top Stories & Breaking News, Winder Archives

Wednesday, October 13. 2010

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Barrow County’s embattled human resources director is out.

In a unanimous vote Tuesday night, the Barrow County Board of Commissioners voted to accept the immediate resignation of Norma Jean Brown.

In a second and related vote, with commissioner Eva Elder voting no, the board approved a $38,126 settlement agreement with Brown.
[Full Story »]

Meeting seeks more donations

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Susan Norman

in Top Stories & Breaking News, Winder Archives

Wednesday, October 13. 2010

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The coordinators of an economic development fundraising campaign held a meeting last week to try to bolster donations.

The previous week, Barrow County Chamber of Commerce president Tommy Jennings said the five-month-old campaign had collected about a tenth of its $2.2 million goal and had run out of overhead funds.

But officials said at the Sept. 29 meeting in Winder that the campaign had raised close to $500,000 in addition to the $125,000 for overhead costs from the Winder-Barrow County Industrial Building Authority and the Joint Development Authority of Winder-Barrow County. [Full Story »]

Bethlehem officials vote to fund EDC just $1,500

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Chris Bridges

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Tuesday, October 12. 2010

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Town of Bethlehem officials voted unanimously to allow a $1,500 allotment for the county Economic Development Council. The EDC had hoped to receive $7,500 from the Town of Bethlehem, but instead will receive $6,000 less.

“My opinion, especially this year with us working on roads is that I am concerned with how tight things will be,” mayor Sandy McNab said. “I think we can use that money right here in Bethlehem.”

Council member Scott Morgan said he could not see giving more than $2,500 but later made a motion for $1,500 which was seconded by Wayne Ridgeway. [Full Story »]

SPLOST project list gets agreement

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Susan Norman

in Top Stories & Breaking News, Winder Archives

Monday, October 11. 2010

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County and municipal officials have found common ground on an issue of great importance to each of their jurisdictions – the continuation of the penny Special Purpose Option Local Sales Tax.

The new SPLOST cycle is not scheduled to begin until the summer of 2012, but officials are trying to get the issue before voters as early as March 2011 so that if it fails, there would be time for a second vote before the current six-year cycle ends in June 2012.

The issue is vital to the local governments because the nation’s economic downturn has wiped out other sources of revenue for capital projects.

While in the current political climate voters may be inclined to oppose the renewal of the tax, the reality is that local property owners already are on the hook for the $6 million in annual debt payments that are to be funded from each year’s SPLOST revenues. [Full Story »]

School System submits charter application

Posted by

Lorin Sinn-Clark

in Top Stories & Breaking News, Winder Archives

Sunday, October 10. 2010

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Over two years of work ended Thursday night, when the Barrow County Board of Education voted unanimously to send the school system’s 99-page Charter Petition to the state Charter Advisory Council for review. Based on the council’s recommendation, the state will decide by March 1, 2011, if Barrow schools can proceed with the transition to a charter school system.

At the Sept. 30 school board meeting, member Dan Cromer said he would like to clarify that “charter system” status is being requested, not charter schools.

“The two are very different things,” he said, adding that in a charter system all schools are “working toward a common vision." [Full Story »]

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