News from MadisonJournalTODAY

News from MadisonJournalTODAY - Topics from February, 2009

OPINION: Legislative session one of most challenging I’ve faced

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Friday, February 6. 2009

The Georgia General Assembly convened for the 2009 legislative session and it promises to be one of the most challenging since I was first elected. Our state’s economy is in crisis and as legislators we must balance fiscal discipline with the needs of every Georgian. Over the next few months, we will grapple with a $2 billion on budget short ... [Full Story »]

Colbert man arrested following wreck

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MadisonJournalTODAY

Friday, February 6. 2009

A Colbert man was arrested last week after he reportedly missed a curve and drove through the yard of a home on Helican Springs Road, striking and damaging a concrete drainage culvert in the driveway. Rodney Wade Baker, 47, 756 Timber Ridge, was charged at the scene with DUI, failure to maintain a lane, habitual violator DUI, expired vehicle ... [Full Story »]

Danielsville council to consider giving mayor a vote

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MadisonJournalTODAY

Friday, February 6. 2009

Should the Danielsville mayor be given the right to vote on all city business? The Danielsville City Council heard from city attorney Victor Johnson Monday who urged the group to consider amending its city codes to allow the mayor to vote regularly and not just when there is a tie. Danielsville has a four-person council. And the mayor only ... [Full Story »]

SPLOST revenues down in ‘08

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MadisonJournalTODAY

Friday, February 6. 2009

Sharp decline seen in first month of ‘09 The trickle of sales tax pennies to Madison County declined in 2008, compared to the previous year. And the downward trend continued in the first month of 2009. According to figures provided by the county commissioners’ office, January sales tax revenues for the county government totaled $139,116 ... [Full Story »]

LETTER: Upset by vote of Comer City Council

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MadisonJournalTODAY

Thursday, February 5. 2009

Dear Editor: Backroom politics were on display Monday night in Comer as the city council decided to split in half a quiet residential neighborhood. After hushed whispers in a small back room of city hall, the council called the meeting to order, quickly voted and announced their decision to rezone a house on Madison Street to R2. Against the ... [Full Story »]

Comer council approves rezoning request

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MadisonJournalTODAY

Thursday, February 5. 2009

A full house greeted the Comer City Council at its February meeting to hear the decision on a rezoning issue. A prayer circle was busy on the porch of the building. Comer Baptist Church sought to rezone a house located on Madison Street from R-1 to R-2 for use by the church as an all-purpose facility. Two members of the council abstained from ... [Full Story »]

5 store clerks arrested

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MadisonJournalTODAY

Thursday, February 5. 2009

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office arrested five people Monday at five separate business locations for selling alcohol to an underage minor. According to the sheriff’s office, the arrests began around 11 a.m. when an underage “confidential informant,” accompanied by an investigator, went into the Danielsville BP station on Hwy. 29 ... [Full Story »]

Colbert council again pondering water tank

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MadisonJournalTODAY

Wednesday, February 4. 2009

Colbert mayor John Waggoner will again consult an engineer regarding the possibility of a water tank on the south end of town. Another tank would up the city’s storage capacity as well as improve the water flow needed for firefighting in that portion of the city. “We need it for the fire flow on this side of town particularly,” Waggoner ... [Full Story »]

Home destroyed by fire on Fred Goss Road

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MadisonJournalTODAY

Wednesday, February 4. 2009

A home belonging to Howard Goss on Fred Goss Road was completely destroyed by fire Sunday night. According to E-911 director David Camp, a neighbor called 911 after spotting flames across the road from her house. Danielsville Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene, along with back up from Colbert, Collins, and Comer fire departments. ... [Full Story »]

OPINION: House takes up property tax relief legislation

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MadisonJournalTODAY

Wednesday, February 4. 2009

Relief for Georgia’s property tax payers moved to the top of the legislative agenda in the House of Representatives last week. House members adopted HB 143, which addresses the governor’s proposal to eliminate funding for the homeowner tax relief grants to local governments. The end of these grants would result in a property tax increase of ... [Full Story »]

Entries from February 2009