|
mainstreetnews Home
Search Site
Area Sports
Business Directory
Classifieds
Place A Classified Ad
Banks Legal Page
Banks Opinion Page
Banks Obituary Page
Archives
Subscribe
Send A Letter
List Your Business
Banks County Stats
Election Information
Sex Offender Registry
Go to Jackson County
Go to Madison County
OPINION
Angela Gary
More adventures in the medical world
Just how large is a large glass of water? Is it eight ounces
or maybe it's one of those jumbo cups you get at fast food restaurants.
Banks County Editorial
Flag project has brought out negative side of Banks
County
The flag project has unveiled a side of Banks County that is
not pleasant.
A group of concerned citizens in opposition to the flag proposed
for the county that includes the St. Andrew's Cross had planned
a meeting.
SPORTS
SPORTS
Lady Leopards shut out East Hall
The Banks County soccer season will come to a close this Friday
night. Hopefully, for the teams, the Leopards and Lady Leopards
will leave the field with a smile.
Banks will be hosting Rabun County Friday at 5 p.m. in its final
match of the season.
Neighborhood News...
JACKSON COUNTY
Cochran guilty of murder in Warren case. Sentenced
to life without parole
Emory Wayne Cochran, 52, was found guilty of murder by a Jackson
County jury Saturday afternoon and sentenced to life without
parole.
The jury found Cochran guilty on counts of felony murder, malice
murder, burglary and aggravated assault after a little more than
one hour of deliberation Saturday afternoon.
Jackson grows 38% during '90s
Jackson County added over 11,000 people during the last decade,
growing to a population of 41,589 according to early results
of the 2000 census. That amounted to a growth of 38 percent for
the decade in Jackson County, a strong performance, but not the
highest growth rate in the Northeast Georgia area.
News from
MADISON COUNTY
Proposed county water moratorium draws criticism
Several people stood before commissioners Monday to voice their
dismay with a proposed moratorium on water expansion in unincorporated
areas of Madison County.
No action was taken on the proposal Monday.
Madison Co. grows by 22%
Madison County added nearly 4,700 people over the past decade,
growing to a population of 25,730, according to early results
of the 2000 census.
That amounted to a growth of 22 percent for the decade in Madison
County.
|
mainstreetnews.com
The Banks County News
Homer, Georgia
Telephone: (706) 367-5233
Fax: (706) 367-8056
NEWS / ADVERTISING
PRINTING
® Copyright 2001
MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Copyright / Terms / Privacy
|
|
TAKE IT DOWNFIELD
Ashley Dumas takes the ball downfield during
the Lady Leopards 5-0 shutout of East Hall Friday night. The
win was the second for Banks this year. It also broke the Lady
Leopards previous season and single-game goal scoring record.
|
Planners say
'No' to rezoning for day care center
BY TODD SIMONS
Plans to bring a day care center to Banks County hit a roadblock
last week.
The Banks County Planning Commission recommended denial of the
rezoning of 2.2 acres at the intersection of Highway 51 South
and Welborn Road for the project when it met Wednesday, March
28. The request, by applicant Scott Thomas, was to change the
zoning from agricultural, rural residential to C-1, neighborhood
commercial for a day care center
Nick Denton spoke in favor of the rezoning. Denton's argument
was centered around the growing need in Banks County for daycare.
He said, "There are 640 children in Banks County between
the ages of three months and five years."
The facility that he proposed would serve 104 children in a state-funded
pre-kindergarten program.
County marshal Keith Covington noted that the applicant would
have to come back to propose the site be used for center. The
planning commission would consider if the property is suitable
for a business to be run in this agricultural neighborhood.
Dianne Westmoreland and Randall Jordan spoke in opposition to
the rezoning. Westmoreland asked that those present that are
opposed to the rezoning stand and eight in the audience rose
in opposition. The speakers, who live near the property under
consideration, brought many issues to the commission. The one
issue that seemed most relevant in the denial of the application
was the necessity of a deceleration lane and the influx of traffic
to the intersection.
Banks County Planning Commission member Joe Barefoot stated "at
104 children, one per car and 14 employees, that is 236 comings
and goings a day."
Others speaking against the plan seemed to believe that rezoning
this one tract of land may lead to heavy use of the area. Jerry
Gordon, who lives "one mile up the road," said during
the meeting, "don't start infringing on our rural community.
My cows will be looking at tractors and trailers coming out instead
of the woods and creeks they are used to."
The application for rezoning was unanimously denied.
The Banks County Board of Commission will take action on this
request and those listed below when it meets at 7 p.m. on Tuesday,
April 10.
GRIFFIN REQUEST
The commission also approved a request from Griffin Brothers
Incorporated to rezone 12.93 acres on Griffin Drive from agricultural
residential to M1, industrial. Billy Griffin spoke in favor of
the rezoning. Griffin said that this change, "won't increase
traffic, no noise or air pollution. There will be very little
change."
Planner Ed Lindorme requested that the rezoning take place under
the condition that Griffin deed 30 feet of land from the center
of the road to the county and then plant a row of protective
trees on the front and side of the property.
Lindorme said, " I know this equipment is money to you,
but to some it can be an eyesore."
Griffin agreed to deed the land and plant the trees.
Commissioner Alicia Andrews requested that Griffin continue to
spread gravel to keep dust down. Griffin agreed.
Griffin's brother, Jerry, spoke in opposition to the request:
"I don't think any of y'all (the commissioners) would want
an industrial site next to your property."
Toni Gillespie said in opposition, "They are taking our
land, knocking down our fence and the equipment runs till seven
or eight at night."
Commissioner Lindorme said, "You (Griffin Bros Inc.) would
be grandfathered in. It wouldn't be fair to say that a man has
to move because his business has grown."
Barefoot abstained from voting at the request of Billy Griffin
because of his friendship with Jerry Griffin.
Residents question
Maysville's fire board members about services
Fire capt. gives explanation of contract
with Banks County. A number of Maysville residents, including
concerned citizens and volunteer firefighters, came before the
Maysville Fire Board Monday night at the fire hall to talk about
services the city's fire department offers. A shared services
contract between the Maysville Volunteer Fire Department and
Banks County accounted for much of the evening's discussion.
Bud Dyer, a Homer Street man who had previously aired his concerns
in a letter to the editor in local newspapers, approached the
fire board members with questions about fire response strategies
and the city's fire hydrants.
"I come as a concerned citizen," Dyer began, adding
that he was not at the meeting for "fault-finding or finger
poking."
Dyer told of an incident that occurred about three months ago,
when his neighbor's home was on fire. A call to 911 resulted
in a response by Banks County firefighters before Maysville firefighters
reached the scene, Dyer said.
"We found out later that the Banks County Fire Department
was notified not to respond until the Maysville fire chief called
for assistance," he added. "We raised some questions
and were told if Maysville doesn't respond, Commerce (Fire Department)
is the back-up...That caused me to worry a little bit. Commerce
Fire Department is nine miles away. The Banks County fire station
is two and a half miles away. Common sense tells me probably
Banks County could get there quicker, being closer."
Dyer said he believes citizens are entitled to the quickest response
time possible, and also questioned the fire board about how often
the area fire hydrants are checked for water pressure and flow.
AUTOMATIC RESPONSE VS. MUTUAL AID
Maysville fire captain Larry Williams responded to Dyer's concerns,
saying that he too would like the closest fire services, "but
that ain't the way it is. One of the reasons is House Bill 489."
Williams explained that HB489 required municipalities to develop
local services delivery strategies, and that the strategy for
Maysville-Banks County services is done contractually. The contract
for fire services calls for mutual aid, rather than automatic
response. In other words, the document basically says "If
I want help, I'll call; if you want help, you call," Williams
said.
The type of response Maysville residents get depends on which
side of the county line they live on. In Banks County, they get
mutual aid; in Jackson County, there are always two fire stations
sent to a structural fire, with Commerce serving as Maysville's
back-up, he said, adding that Commerce and Maysville have worked
together for some 30 years.
Williams also pointed out that for residents who live on the
Banks County side of Maysville, a call to 911 is routed to Banks
County and must then be directed to Jackson County, thus delaying
response time. However, he said, 911 includes emergency medical
and law enforcement services, which the residents get through
Banks County.
Ginger Smith, another concerned citizen who said she has seen
two houses in her neighborhood "burn to the ground,"
wondered why the contract with Banks County couldn't be changed.
"Contracts are written to be broken," she said, adding
that if she had to wait 15 minutes for Commerce firefighters
to reach her home, "my house is gone."
Fire board member James Lyles suggested that the citizens talk
to Maysville city officials or to the Banks County Board of Commissioners,
adding that Banks County approached Maysville with the contract.
The contract was last renewed July 1, 2000, and is set as long
as is mutually agreeable.
"Banks County has got to change the contract; we can't do
nothing," said board member Jimmy Doss.
Williams added: "I would like to see operations between
Maysville and Banks County strengthened. Banks County (fire services)
is in its infancy - I'm not being critical, they have come a
long way in three years. They may choose to offer automatic aid,
but right now the contractual agreement is the law of the land
- mutual aid, don't come unless I call you."
In response to Dyer's questions about the city's fire hydrants,
Lyles said the hydrants hadn't been serviced this year because
of the drought and subsequent water use restrictions set by the
state, but that "other than that, they are flowed every
year." He said the painting of the hydrants has also been
delayed due to the water needs for first sandblasting away the
existing paint and rust.
Williams added that pressure is not much of a concern because
water comes from the hydrant, but firefighters can apply pressure
from the fire truck.
After listening to the residents, some fire board members and
firefighters voiced some of their own concerns Monday night,
reminding citizens that the services of the firefighters are
on a volunteer basis, and that constructive criticism and questions
are welcome. They also suggested that citizens with concerns
might offer help instead of complaints.
"What have you done to contribute to help any of us?"
asked board member Hubert Blalock. "Instead of complaining,
say 'What can I do to help?'"
Firefighter Trent Strickland expressed his pride in how the city's
fire department has progressed in the past 20 years from a dirt
floor and space heater to its current building, saying, "I'm
very proud of where Maysville stands. Why dwell on all that is
bad? Get in here and work. There can't be one knocking down while
the other is picking up."
New
warden named at LACI
Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner
Jim Wetherington has appointed Dwight Hamrick, 44, as the new
warden at Lee Arrendale Correctional Institution in Alto.
He will replace the dismissed former warden, Timothy J. Morgan
(see separate story). Hamrick's appointment is effective April
1, 2001.
He began his career with the DOC in 1979 at Scott State prison
in Hardwick. In 1990, he transferred to the close-security Hays
State Prison in Trion where he was eventually promoted to Deputy
Warden of security. Since August 1998, Hamrick has been superintendent
of the Northwest Probation Detention center in Cedartown.
"Warden Hamrick will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience
to Lee Arrendale State Prison," said Wetherington. "He's
a corrections professional who's exhibited excellent leadership
qualities throughout his career with this department. I'm confident
that he'll be an asset to the team at Arrendale and actively
involved with the citizens of the community."
Arrendale State Prison is a maximum security facility with a
population of 1,200 male young adult and juvenile offenders.
The prison provides mental health, academic, vocational and substance
abuse programs targeted to this younger population.The Banks
County Republican Party will welcome the Georgia Northern ARC
Republicans to Homer at the Herbert Garrison Civic Center on
Saturday, March 31. A country breakfast will be served and the
cost is $10 per person, with 12 and under free.
Guest speakers will be U.S. Congressman John Linder, state Sen.
Mike Beatty and Nancy Schaefer, president of Family Concerns,
Inc.
RSVP to Sue Sears, 677-3210, or Jean Mize, 677-4603.
The next meeting will be held Monday, May 21, at 7 p.m. at the
county courthouse in Homer. All are invited. For more details,
call Mike Boyle, 677-4200.
|
Go to Banks
Community Page
Public Meeting Dates
On-Going Services
Northeast Georgia
Business Directory
Auto
Dealers
Auto Parts
& Service
Churches
Clothing
Financial Institutions
Furniture
Garden &
Agriculture
Industry &
Manufacturing
Insurance
Medical
Personal Care
Services
Real Estate
Recreation
Restaurants
Retail Stores
& Outlets
Services
Banks grows by
39%
Banks County grew by 39 percent during
the last decade and climbed to a population of 14,422 in 2000,
according to recently released census numbers. Banks' growth
was higher than all surrounding counties except Hall, which had
a growth of 45 percent.
Perhaps one of the more surprising numbers in the 2000 census
was that Banks County has more residents of Hispanic origin than
African American - 493 are shown as Hispanic while 464 are shown
as African American.
All the towns in Banks County showed growth during the decade
with Gillsville showing the strongest growth at 72 percent. However,
only the town of Homer is entirely within the borders of Banks
County and it had the lowest growth rate, 28 percent, during
the decade. Banks shares Maysville with Jackson County while
Lula, Gillsville and Alto are shared with Hall County and Baldwin
with Habersham County.
Beautification
project at Banks Crossing under way
The third phase of a beautification project at the Banks Crossing
area is expected to begin soon.
The Banks County Board of Commissioners approved contracts at
a called meeting Friday for the completion of Phase 3 of the
enhancement project at the I-85 area.
The contracts went to Hughes, Good, O'Leary and Ryan of Atlanta,
for $48,000, and Jack Burnside of Marietta, for $20,000. Hughes,
Good, O'Leary and Ryan is responsible for the design and Burnside
is responsible for administering the grants and acting as a liaison
between the county and contractors and the Georgia Department
of Transportation. These individuals have been working on the
project through the second phase, which is nearing completion.
The beautification project is designed to attract tourists and
visitors. The plan includes sidewalks, shrubbery, lights and
irrigation along Hwy. 441 from Boots, etc. to the fire and EMS
building on the opposite side of I-85.
It is a $1.15 million dollar project, with $230,000 of the total
to come from local funds; the rest is from federal grants. The
Banks County Convention and Visitors Bureau has provided the
local funds.
For the rest of this story, see this weeks Banks County New.
|
