|
 |
|
Small Commission Hosts Budget Hearing
Kathy Mudd 03.JUL.08
Three of the Jasper County Commissioners were present Monday for a public hearing on the budget, and only two members of the public had anything to say about it.
Commissioners at the hearing included Chairman Charles Hill, Jack Bernard, and Greg Johnson. Commissioners Carl Pennamon and Bob Yarbrough were not present.
Commission candidates Mary Patrick and Alan Cox were in the audience, along with Jan Gaston, acting administrator for Jasper Health Services, and a couple of other people.
County Manager Greg Williams told commissioners the budget was fairly flat, remaining essentially the same next year as it was this year, except for the outlay of $500,000 in capital funds for transportation projects.
The commissioners had a work session on the budget the previous week and were aware of most of the changes. However, Clerk of Courts Dan Jordan had requested an additional employee, and that was cut.
Mrs. Patrick expressed her dismay that the budget she was given at an earlier work session contained inaccurate figures and questioned how county staff and elected personnel could make a budget with inaccurate figures.
Charles Forsythe com-plained that the actual budget the commissioners are con-sidering was not available for public review until late Friday afternoon. He told commissioners they may have met the letter of the law in notice for the budget, but they clearly did not meet the spirit of the law.
The county’s total budget for 2009 (the county operates on a calendar year) is $9,672,073, some $225,000 more than this year’s total of $9,447,347. Department heads and elected officials had requested $9,902,720.
Commissioner Bernard said that any additional tax revenues will come from new growth, not from higher valuations of property. He indicated the commisison plans to roll back the millage rate, so even if a property increased in value, the property owner will not pay more tax as the rate will be lower.
The millage rate last year in the unincorporated areas of the county was 11.7 for the county. The proposal prepared by Tax Commissioner Merry Faulkner shows a rate of 11.53 for this year.
The county commission is planning to adopt the budget and set a tentative millage rate at next Monday’s meeting.Several Qualify Non-Partisan, Independent
Kathy Mudd 03.JUL.08
Four people qualified last week for Jasper County non-partisan posts which will be up for election during the November general election.
As previously announced, Janice Lam is challenging Ken Jackson for the position of Chief Magistrate. Both Mrs. Lam and Mr. Jackson qualified last week.
Also qualifying in non-partisan races were incumbent school board members Phyllis Norwood for District 2 and Paul Kelly for District 4.
In district posts, all five incumbent Superior Court Judges in the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit, which includes Jasper, qualified to seek re-election. Judge John Lee Parrott of Monticello has a challenger—John F. “Jack” Nebl. Mr. Nebl is a 62-year-old attorney, according to the Secretary of State website.
Three individuals qualified as independents last week, choosing not to run as Democrat or Republican. Clerk of Superior Court Dan Jordan had previously announced his intention to seek his office as an independent. Also qualifying to run as independents were commission candidates Chris Batchelor in District 3, as previously announced, and Craig Salmon in District 4. Mr. Salmon had not previously announced in this paper, and the qualification came somewhat as a surprise.
Those names will not appear on the ballot for the July 15 primaries, however, Mr. Batchelor will face the Republican nominee—either incumbent Jack Bernard or challenger Gene Johnston, and the Democratic nominee, Ronnie Payne in November.
Mr. Salmon’s name will not appear on the July ballot either. In November he will face the winner of the three-way Republican race in that district. Greg Johnson is seeking re-election, and he is being challenged by former commissioner Russell Bennett and Taxpayer Watchdog Group founder Mary Patrick.
Again, voters in July will have to choose to vote either a Democratic ticket or a Republican ticket. In November, voters may vote for the person, regardless of the party.Search Warrants Result in Arrests
Ted Dunagan 03.JUL.08
Quinton Mitchell has been charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, sale of cocaine (two counts) and sale of marijuana as a result of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Tactical Squad executing a search warrant at a residence on Persons Street in Monticello on June 28.
Also arrested at the scene were Frances Allyson Arnold, charged with possession of cocaine and possession of drug related objects, and Edie Laroscoe Brown, Jr., who was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. All of those charged list a Monticello addresss. The action was a result of an investigation into the location by JCSO and the Ocmulgee Drug Task Force.
Just four days previous, on June 24, the JCSO Tactical Squad executed another search warrant at a residence on Crane Court in Turtle Cove, stemming from a narcotics investigation of the location.
Arrested at that location were Gregory Eugene Walker, Jr., who was charged with possession of marijuana less than one ounce, possession and use of drug related objects and possession of a sawed off shotgun. Also arrested at the same residence were Chad Michael Myers of Covington and Karla Denea Dixi of Conyers who were both charged with possession of marijuana less than one ounce and possession and use of drug related objects.
Other arrests made by the JCSO during the period of June 23 through 30 include the following:
[read more]Early Voting Begins Monday
Kathy Mudd 03.JUL.08
Jasper County voters, like those statewide, can choose to vote any day next week, rather than waiting until Tuesday, July 15, the day of the official Republican and Democratic primaries.
Sample ballots are now available at the Probate Court office on the main floor of the Courthouse and at the Registrar’s office on the ground floor of the Courthouse. Voters are encouraged to study them whether they want to vote early or wait until July 15.
For the primary, voters must declare which party’s ballot they want. Voters may select either the Democratic or Republican nominee for each post. That will create a problem for some local voters as they will have to choose if they want to vote for the county commission nominee or the sheriff, for example.
No special requirements must be met to vote early, just go to the registrar’s office between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 7-11.
Next Monday, July 7, candidates who will face opposition in the July 15 primary, and possibly others, will have an opportunity to answer some questions which have been submitted in advance to the local Chamber of Commerce.
The forum will be held in the main courtroom at the Jasper County Courthouse on the Square in Monticello. It will begin at 7 p.m.
All five county commission districts have contested races, and the sheriff and coroner will be decided July 15. Commission District 1 will be decided July 15, but the others all have bi-partisan contenders.
For more information on the forum contact Nancy Arnold-Wood, 706-468-8994. For information on voting, contact Chief Registrar Carole Norris at 706-468-4908.
03.JUL.08 Police Department Hosts Meeting
03.JUL.08 Grand Jury Returns True Bills
03.JUL.08 City Council Holds Work Session
26.JUN.08 Public Help Needed To Locate Boat Driver
26.JUN.08 Candidates Speak at Forum
26.JUN.08 Five Qualify for November Election
26.JUN.08 Cases Settled in Magistrate Court
26.JUN.08 Tom Brazil Is District 5 Candidate
26.JUN.08 Charles Hill Announces
19.JUN.08 Independent, Non-Partisan Qualifying Is Next Week
19.JUN.08 Jasper Health Services Employees' Insurance Changes
19.JUN.08 Ag Agent Joins Extension Staff
19.JUN.08 Arrests Are Listed
19.JUN.08 School Board Approves Personnel Changes
19.JUN.08 Cases Settled in Superior Court
19.JUN.08 City Court Cases Are Settled
19.JUN.08 Joseph McMichael Seeks Election
19.JUN.08 Carl Pennamon Seeks Re-Election
19.JUN.08 Flag Day Celebration Held
19.JUN.08 Monticello Will Not Participate in Vogtle
19.JUN.08 Political Forum Set July 7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
