News from BarrowJournal

News from BarrowJournal - Topics from August, 2011

BOC tries to hold down tax hike

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Thursday, August 11. 2011

Barrow County officials continue to shave pieces off the projected tax rate hike for fiscal year 2012. CFO Rose Kisaalita Tuesday night presented to the Barrow County Board of Commissioners a proposed ad valorem tax hike of 2.06 mills, which would amount to an 18-percent increase in the current rate of 11.333 mills. However, even that increase ... [Full Story »]

Creel: 'Excited at the opportunity'

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BarrowJournal

Thursday, August 11. 2011

The Barrow Journal’s Lorin Sinn-Clark sat down with Barrow County Schools Superintendent Wanda Creel to take a look back at her first year, 2010-2011; a look ahead to 2011-2012; and, to hear what her biggest goals, greatest challenges and personal vision is. FIRST YEAR Creel said when she first “got the call to come to Barrow County,” she ... [Full Story »]

Governor paves way for November referendum on changing county's form of government

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BarrowJournal

Wednesday, August 10. 2011

It is now likely that Barrow County will hold a November referendum on whether to change from a "strong chairman" to a "county manager" form of government. At a Wednesday morning press conference, Gov. Nathan Deal issued his official call of next week’s special legislative session on redistricting. His written proclamation names as one of the ... [Full Story »]

Judge calls case against Payne ‘fairly persuasive’

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BarrowJournal

Wednesday, August 10. 2011

After a near two-year battle over her salary, a Superior Court judge last week indicated that he might rule against Ashley Payne. The former Apalachee High School teacher has been fighting the school district over salary compensation from the loss of her job in August 2009 due to a Facebook posting where she appears to be holding alcoholic ... [Full Story »]

Facebook teacher case still drags on

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BarrowJournal

Wednesday, August 10. 2011

Former county chairman returning to politics, eyeing seat on Winder City Council

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BarrowJournal

Wednesday, August 10. 2011

Winder city officials received word Wednesday morning that the city’s newly redrawn election ward map has been approved by the U.S. Department of Justice. That means that three years after losing his bid for a second term as chairman of the Barrow County Board of Commissioners, Doug Garrison is about to become a political candidate. Garrison ... [Full Story »]

Orr back behind bars in Barrow County

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BarrowJournal

Monday, August 8. 2011

Embattled former fire lieutenant Todd Orr is back behind bars at the Barrow County Detention Center. Orr, 46, was arrested Aug. 8 after reporting to his probation officer at Sentinel Offender Services LLC in Winder. Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said the private probation company requested a deputy around 3:45 p.m., and Orr was transported to ... [Full Story »]

Barrow schools awarded select Governor’s innovations grant

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BarrowJournal

Monday, August 8. 2011

On Monday afternoon, Barrow County Schools Superintendent Wanda Creel received some top level good news. During a video-conference with Gov. Nathan Deal, Creel was informed that the Barrow school system was chosen as one of five schools or school systems in the state to receive a Governor’s Race to the Top Innovations Grant. “We are really, ... [Full Story »]

Trailer fire destroys home

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BarrowJournal

Saturday, August 6. 2011

A fire displaced two people early Saturday morning in Barrow County. The fire happened around 3:15 a.m. Saturday morning in the 1200 block of Harmony Grove Church Road, according to Lt. Scott Dakin of Barrow County Emergency Services. “First arriving firefighters found fire showing through the roof of a double wide trailer,” said Dakin. ... [Full Story »]

Tax abatement wasn’t a good deal for Barrow County

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BarrowJournal

Friday, August 5. 2011

Employing tax abatements to lure private investment into a community is not always a bad thing. Despite the tax implications, sometimes using abatements can help create new jobs or create a synergy of investment that grows into the future. But abatements should be done wisely and logically. That is not the case in Barrow County’s tax ... [Full Story »]

Entries from August 2011