News from BarrowJournal

News from BarrowJournal - Topics from June, 2009

EDITORIAL: It’s the not-knowing that hurts

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Thursday, June 18. 2009

It’s the not-knowing that hurts most. That truism applies to many things in life, including the ongoing dribbling of layoffs in the Barrow County government. There’s little argument that the county has to make spending cuts, including cuts in personnel. The county’s budget is weighted far too heavy in salaries and benefits for the amount ... [Full Story »]

County tax hike looming?

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BarrowJournal

Thursday, June 18. 2009

Fewer Barrow County government employees were laid off this week than had been planned — 11 rather than the 25-35 expected. While that may be good news for county employees, the lighter cuts means the county still faces a $1 million deficit this fiscal year, which ends September 30. And county leaders are increasingly sounding like a property ... [Full Story »]

Statham teen charged with forgery

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BarrowJournal

Wednesday, June 17. 2009

A Statham teen was arrested last week for allegedly attempting to cash $2,850 in fake money orders at the Walmart in Winder. Michael Robert Pelletier, 17, of 2248 Wagon Wheel Trail, Statham, was charged with three felony counts of forgery in the first degree. According to a Barrow County Sheriff’s Office report, a store employee called the ... [Full Story »]

Winder budget hearing set for Thurs.

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BarrowJournal

Wednesday, June 17. 2009

A public hearing on Winder’s city budget for FY2010 is scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday, June 18, at the Winder Community Center. The mayor plans to conduct the hearing. The finance director will respond to questions posed by citizens and the city council will be on hand to hear comments. Winder’s city government plans no pay cuts or layoffs ... [Full Story »]

Barrow back taxes list being published this week

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BarrowJournal

Tuesday, June 16. 2009

A comprehensive list of outstanding taxes due to Barrow County is being published in this week's Barrow Journal. The list covers 2006, 2007 and some of 2008 past due taxes. The total owed is $2.9 million. Fi Fas — tax leins — were taken on the property in May. The number is 10 times the normal amount, according to county officials. Some of ... [Full Story »]

Barrow back taxes list being published this week in Journal

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BarrowJournal

Tuesday, June 16. 2009

A comprehensive list of outstanding taxes due to Barrow County is being published in this week's Barrow Journal. The list covers 2006, 2007 and some of 2008 past due taxes. The total owed is $2.9 million. Fi Fas — tax leins — were taken on the property in May. The number of tax leins is 10 times the normal amount, according to county ... [Full Story »]

EDITORIAL: No time for a rubber stamp council in Winder

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BarrowJournal

Friday, June 12. 2009

To their credit, Winder city officials changed the town’s budget process last week after this newspaper pointed out they were not in compliance with state law. The city will now hold a public hearing seven days in advance of a final vote and publish that hearing seven days in advance, both required by state law. In addition, the city council ... [Full Story »]

Barrow BOC Oks sweeping layoffs, salary cuts

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BarrowJournal

Wednesday, June 10. 2009

The Barrow County government will lay off from 25 to 35 county employees next Monday – on top of eight who last week either accepted voluntary layoffs or agreed to retire – in an effort to stem the flood of red ink from the county’s finances. Remaining county employees will face mandated hour and pay cuts. In a 4-2 vote Tuesday night, the ... [Full Story »]

Winder changes budget process, will now comply with state law

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BarrowJournal

Wednesday, June 10. 2009

The Winder City Council is changing its budget process to comply with Georgia law following questions about the process from the Barrow Journal last week. And for the first time in years, the city council will reportedly attend a public hearing on its annual budget. Whether the council will “conduct” the June 18 hearing, or just be in ... [Full Story »]

Winder changes budget process; will now comply with state law

Posted by

BarrowJournal

Wednesday, June 10. 2009

Entries from June 2009