Barrow County’s wholesale water rate in July may not jump as high as expected, because the county government’s rate analysis was wrong.
Instead of raising the rate to $2.60 per 1,000 gallons, the county will raise it to $2.22 for any municipal system that contracts to purchase at least 300,000 gallons of water each day. The rate without the minimum volume obligation would be $2.80.
County manager Jock Connell told the Barrow Journal that the calculation error was discovered while he and Auburn city administrator Ron Griffith were discussing the county’s rate analysis May 9. The one-page analysis is a chart that shows the county’s costs of providing water from the Bear Creek Reservoir and various rates based on those costs and sales volumes.
[Full Story »]
New water rate amended after error discovered
Wednesday, May 15. 2013
Officials try to verify reason Peskin missed court date
Wednesday, May 15. 2013
Updated: 1 day ago
Winder’s municipal court judge last Friday did not issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the owner of the Peskin Building, because Winder’s police chief told the court clerk that Phillip Peskin had a lawful excuse for missing court in late April.
Clerk Megan Williams said Tuesday that chief Dennis Dorsey told her that Peskin had a lawful excuse for missing court — he had been in the hospital — so she didn’t prepare the warrant for Judge Stephen Nicholas’ signature. She also removed an additional $100 fine that had been levied for the missed court appearance. [Full Story »]
Clerk Megan Williams said Tuesday that chief Dennis Dorsey told her that Peskin had a lawful excuse for missing court — he had been in the hospital — so she didn’t prepare the warrant for Judge Stephen Nicholas’ signature. She also removed an additional $100 fine that had been levied for the missed court appearance. [Full Story »]
Local seniors set to graduate
Wednesday, May 15. 2013
Twelve years of hard work will pay off in the coming days as more than 800 students graduate from public and private high schools across Barrow County. The county’s public schools are presenting diplomas to 798 graduates, and the private schools, 13.
Apalachee High School’s graduation ceremony is scheduled for 8 p.m. Thursday, May 16, in the R. Harold Harrison Stadium. Winder-Barrow High School’s ceremony will be at 8 p.m. Friday, May 17, in the W. Clair Harris Stadium. Both events are open to the public, unless rain forces them indoors to the schools’ gymnasiums. If that happens, admission will be restricted to family members. [Full Story »]
Apalachee High School’s graduation ceremony is scheduled for 8 p.m. Thursday, May 16, in the R. Harold Harrison Stadium. Winder-Barrow High School’s ceremony will be at 8 p.m. Friday, May 17, in the W. Clair Harris Stadium. Both events are open to the public, unless rain forces them indoors to the schools’ gymnasiums. If that happens, admission will be restricted to family members. [Full Story »]
We are all Bostonians now
It’s been three weeks since the bombings in Boston and we know a lot more now about how it happened than we did in the hours after that horrific event.
What has amazed a lot of people in the bombing’s aftermath was the strong sense of resilience displayed by the people of Boston. It began the moment of the bombings when Bostonians ran toward the danger to help those who had been wounded. And in television interviews in the hours and days after the bombings, many Bostonians echoed the theme that they would never give in to the fear of terrorism.
Can you imagine any other American city standing as stoic and defiant? Would Atlanta citizens have run toward danger to help victims? Would people in Los Angeles have sounded so defiant against terrorism?
Hardly. The Atlanta chamber would have probably called on the national media to ignore the bombing because it might hurt the city’s PR “brand.” In Los Angeles, many would have immediately looked for a movie deal. [Full Story »]
What has amazed a lot of people in the bombing’s aftermath was the strong sense of resilience displayed by the people of Boston. It began the moment of the bombings when Bostonians ran toward the danger to help those who had been wounded. And in television interviews in the hours and days after the bombings, many Bostonians echoed the theme that they would never give in to the fear of terrorism.
Can you imagine any other American city standing as stoic and defiant? Would Atlanta citizens have run toward danger to help victims? Would people in Los Angeles have sounded so defiant against terrorism?
Hardly. The Atlanta chamber would have probably called on the national media to ignore the bombing because it might hurt the city’s PR “brand.” In Los Angeles, many would have immediately looked for a movie deal. [Full Story »]
Mixed results on latest writing tests
Wednesday, May 8. 2013
Barrow County students in the 5th and 8th grades did not fare as well as high school students on the latest round of state writing tests.
Though local students in both lower grade levels did better than their counterparts across the state, one in six Barrow County 5th graders failed to meet the state’s minimum standard on the writing test, and one in 10 students in the 8th grade failed.
As previously reported, only 4.5 percent — or about one in 20 — 11th graders failed.
The percentage of local 5th graders not meeting state standards (16.5 percent) was lower than the 5th graders statewide (21 percent). But the performance of Barrow 5th graders overall slipped about 2 percent this year.
[Full Story »]
Though local students in both lower grade levels did better than their counterparts across the state, one in six Barrow County 5th graders failed to meet the state’s minimum standard on the writing test, and one in 10 students in the 8th grade failed.
As previously reported, only 4.5 percent — or about one in 20 — 11th graders failed.
The percentage of local 5th graders not meeting state standards (16.5 percent) was lower than the 5th graders statewide (21 percent). But the performance of Barrow 5th graders overall slipped about 2 percent this year.
[Full Story »]
Top administrator, principal resign from Barrow schools
Wednesday, May 8. 2013
One of the five members of school superintendent Wanda Creel’s “executive cabinet” has resigned — and his wife, the principal of Bethlehem Elementary School, has decided to retire.
Jake Grant, assistant superintendent for facilities, has accepted an offer to become the chief operations officer of the Oconee County school system. His last day in Barrow County is May 31.
Marisa Grant, who has worked at three Barrow County elementary schools over nine years, is retiring effective June 30.
The couple submitted their letters of resignation last week. The Barrow County Board of Education accepted Jake Grant’s resignation following a closed session April 30. The Oconee County Board of Education was scheduled to make his appointment May 6.
Jake Grant has worked for Barrow County’s school system since May 2001.
See full story in May 8 print edition of the Barrow Journal.
Jake Grant, assistant superintendent for facilities, has accepted an offer to become the chief operations officer of the Oconee County school system. His last day in Barrow County is May 31.
Marisa Grant, who has worked at three Barrow County elementary schools over nine years, is retiring effective June 30.
The couple submitted their letters of resignation last week. The Barrow County Board of Education accepted Jake Grant’s resignation following a closed session April 30. The Oconee County Board of Education was scheduled to make his appointment May 6.
Jake Grant has worked for Barrow County’s school system since May 2001.
See full story in May 8 print edition of the Barrow Journal.
Auburn employees receive bonus
Wednesday, May 8. 2013
Most of the employees of Auburn’s city government last Friday received a $300 bonus in their paychecks.
The Auburn City Council on Thursday night approved the supplements for 36 workers whose annual salaries are below $50,000. Six employees who earn above that threshold did not receive the extra money. The council’s resolution said employees had saved the city government thousands of dollars in FY2013. The extra pay cost the government $11,626 from existing budgets. The last bonus was paid in FY2011. The vote was 3-0-1 with Councilman Robert Vogel abstaining.
Also during the meeting, the council approved the schedule for the FY2014 budget process. Upcoming public meetings include a council retreat on Saturday, June 8; two called meetings July 22 and July 29; a final review by the mayor and council at a meeting on Aug. 22; a public hearing on Aug. 29; and adoption Sept. 5.
See complete story in May 8 print edition of Barrow Journal.
The Auburn City Council on Thursday night approved the supplements for 36 workers whose annual salaries are below $50,000. Six employees who earn above that threshold did not receive the extra money. The council’s resolution said employees had saved the city government thousands of dollars in FY2013. The extra pay cost the government $11,626 from existing budgets. The last bonus was paid in FY2011. The vote was 3-0-1 with Councilman Robert Vogel abstaining.
Also during the meeting, the council approved the schedule for the FY2014 budget process. Upcoming public meetings include a council retreat on Saturday, June 8; two called meetings July 22 and July 29; a final review by the mayor and council at a meeting on Aug. 22; a public hearing on Aug. 29; and adoption Sept. 5.
See complete story in May 8 print edition of Barrow Journal.
Owner of Peskin building a no-show for court hearing; faces possible arrest
Friday, May 3. 2013
The owner of a large dilapidated structure in downtown Winder was a no-show in Winder Municipal Court last Friday and is facing additional fines — and potential arrest — if he doesn’t take quick action.
Municipal Court clerk Megan Williams on Monday issued a “Failure to Appear” notice to Phillip Peskin, who resides in Atlanta and owns the Peskin building at 21 E. Athens St. The three-story building has been vacant for more than two decades and has become a fire hazard.
The notice states that the court has added a $100 failure to appear fee to Peskin’s $634 nuisance citation. It gives him until 5 p.m. May 10 to schedule a new court date and to post a bond for $734. [Full Story »]
Municipal Court clerk Megan Williams on Monday issued a “Failure to Appear” notice to Phillip Peskin, who resides in Atlanta and owns the Peskin building at 21 E. Athens St. The three-story building has been vacant for more than two decades and has become a fire hazard.
The notice states that the court has added a $100 failure to appear fee to Peskin’s $634 nuisance citation. It gives him until 5 p.m. May 10 to schedule a new court date and to post a bond for $734. [Full Story »]
Juvenile charged with stabbing brother
Winder Police responded to the stabbing of a 21-year-old male that occurred on Sunday evening at a residence located in the 200 block of Russell Road in Winder at approximately 4:30 pm.
According to information received by investigators for the Winder Police Department, a family gathering was taking place at the residence when the incident occurred. The 21-year-old victim became involved in an argument with his 16-year-old brother, which later turned physical. The dispute moved to an area within the home where other family members were not present. The 16-year-old was in possession of a knife that investigators believe was taken from the kitchen of the home, where the argument apparently began. Officers were called to the scene when the 21-year-old went outside to get his father while holding his stomach after having been stabbed.
An ambulance was called to the scene and transported the victim to a nearby hospital where he underwent surgery for the injury. The injury is not believed to be life threatening and the victim is expected to make a full recovery according to information received by police. The juvenile is being charged with aggravated assault through the juvenile court of Barrow County.
According to information received by investigators for the Winder Police Department, a family gathering was taking place at the residence when the incident occurred. The 21-year-old victim became involved in an argument with his 16-year-old brother, which later turned physical. The dispute moved to an area within the home where other family members were not present. The 16-year-old was in possession of a knife that investigators believe was taken from the kitchen of the home, where the argument apparently began. Officers were called to the scene when the 21-year-old went outside to get his father while holding his stomach after having been stabbed.
An ambulance was called to the scene and transported the victim to a nearby hospital where he underwent surgery for the injury. The injury is not believed to be life threatening and the victim is expected to make a full recovery according to information received by police. The juvenile is being charged with aggravated assault through the juvenile court of Barrow County.
PABIS: Happy birthday, Mom
This week my mother is turning 72 years old, though if you ask her, she might say she’s 75. That’s right…her way of thinking is that if she tells you she’s older, you’ll say, “Wow! You look great for your age!”
Now that I’m a mother, I can look back on my childhood and appreciate the sacrifices and unconditional love my mother has given me. My mom loved dancing, and she taught young children how to dance before she married my father. She has never stopped loving dance, and she taught Dancercise when I was young, but mostly, she stayed home and took care of her home and children.
I don’t know if she ever had aspirations outside of family life, but I do know she doesn’t regret her choices.
If you had asked me when I was twenty if I wanted to follow in my mom’s footsteps and be a stay-at-home mom, I would have said, “No way.” There were a lot of things I wanted to do, but having children was not high on my priority list. [Full Story »]
Now that I’m a mother, I can look back on my childhood and appreciate the sacrifices and unconditional love my mother has given me. My mom loved dancing, and she taught young children how to dance before she married my father. She has never stopped loving dance, and she taught Dancercise when I was young, but mostly, she stayed home and took care of her home and children.
I don’t know if she ever had aspirations outside of family life, but I do know she doesn’t regret her choices.
If you had asked me when I was twenty if I wanted to follow in my mom’s footsteps and be a stay-at-home mom, I would have said, “No way.” There were a lot of things I wanted to do, but having children was not high on my priority list. [Full Story »]
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