THOMASTON CITY HALL HEARS HOTEL PROPOSAL

 ED  WALL  AN  INVESTMENT  BANKER  RETAINED  BY  CITY  HALL   AS  FINANCIAL  ADVISOR   FOR  THE   PROPOSED   $20 MILLION  DOWNTOWN  HOTEL PROJECT  WAS  JOINED  BY JEREMY  EMMETT OF  RED  HILL  HOSPITALITY  COMPANY  OF  THOMASVILLE   IN  AN  IN-DEPTH   PRESENTATION  ON  THE   HOTEL  PROJECT.  CITY  MANAGER  RUSSELL  THOMPSON  LATER  TOLD   101  NEWS  IT  APPEARS  TO  BE  A  VIABLE PROJECT  BUT   THE  MAYOR  AND  COUNCIL  WANTS  MORE  INFORMATION  BEFORE  MOVING  FOWARD. 

RED  HILL OPERATES  A  NUMBER  OF  HOTELS/MOTELS  IN  GA.  AND   THE SOUTHEAST  AND  WAS  CHOSEN  TO  BE  THE  FRANCHISEE  OF  THE  MARRIOTT   FAIRFIELD  INN/SUITES  IN  THOMASTON.  BECAUSE  OF  THEIR  GREAT  TRACK  RECORD  MARRIOTT  HAS  CUT  THEIR  FRANCHISE  FEE  FOR  THE  THOMASTON  PROPERTY  FROM   $75,000  TO  $37,500. 

TALBOT CO SHERIFF LOSES BY 13 VOTES/AMENDMENT ONE PASSES STATEWIDE

 TALBOT  COUNTY  SHERIFF  JAKE  JOHNSON  LOST  BY  13  VOTES  TO  BOBBY  GATES  JR.--JOHNSON  BEAT   HIS  FATHER  BOBBY  GATES  SENIOR  TO  WIN  THE  POST.

IN  TAYLOR  COUNTY  BUBBA  SAWYER  WAS  ELECTED  SHERIFF   WITH  62%  OF  THE  VOTE  OVER  TOMMY  FOWLER.  SHERIFF  JEFF  WATSON IS  RETIRING.

CRAWFORD  COUNTY  SHERIFF   LEWIS  WALKER  WON  BIG.

STATE  REPRESENTATIVE  BETH  CAMP  SAID  AMENDMENT  ONE  PASSED  WITH   62%  OF  THE  VOTE  IN  GA.--IT  WAS  BASED  ON HER  HOUSE  BILL  TO  ADDRESS  PROPERTY  TAX  BILLS.

BRUE ELECTED CHAIRMAN UPSON BOC

 REPUBLICAN  DAN  BREU  WON  THE  VOTE  FOR  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  IN  TUESDAY'S  ELECTION  DEFEATING  DEMOCRAT  ED  SEARCY 65.41%  TO 34.59%--  BREU  WON  EVERY PRECINCT  EXCEPT  SALEM-- WITH A  TOTAL  TURNOUT  OF  13,710 VOTES--A  TURNOUT  OF  OVER  72%.  UPSON  COUNTY  APPROVED  CONSTITUTIONAL  AMENDMENT-ONE  BASED  ON  HOUSE  BILL  581, THE  SO-CALLED  FLOATING  TAX  ASSESSMENT AMENDMENT  62%  TO  37%.   AN  AMENDMENT  SUPPORTED  BY  STATE  REPRESENTIVE  BETH  CAMP  WHO  INTRODUCED  THE  BILL  AND  UPSON  TAX  COMMISSIONER  ANDY  CHASTAIN.   3RD DISTRICT  CONGRESS BRIAN  JACK  WON  OVER  DEMOCRAT  MAURA  KELLER  71%  TO  28% .  AMENDMENT  2   LOST  50 % TO  49  AND  QUESTION  A  WON 56%  TO  43%  IN  UPSON  COUNTY.

UPSON CO. OPEN HOUSES ON ZONING ORDIANCE CHANGES

 Thomaston, Georgia – November 4, 2024 – Following adoption of the Forward Upson Joint Comprehensive Plan in 2023, Upson County is now considering significant changes to the County’s Zoning Ordinance and to the Subdivision Ordinance. Two additional Open Housesfor the public will be held to answer questions about the proposed changes. The third Open House will be held Tuesday, November 12, 2024 from 4:30 pm to 5:45 pm, prior to the Board of Commissioners meeting, which includes a public hearing on the proposed amendments. The fourth Open House will be held Monday, November 18, 2024 from 3:30-5:30 prior to the Upson County Planning Commission meeting which also includes a continued public hearing on the amendments. Both Open Houses will be held in the R.E. Lee Building lobby and Room 140 of the Thomaston/Upson County City/County Government Complex, 106 E. Lee Street. County staff and the County’s planning consultant, WSP, will be available to talk about the changes and answer questions. Some of the amendments being considered include a major increase in the minimum lot size in the A-R zoning district, addition of a Rural Estate residential zoning district, lot width to length ratios and provision for conservation subdivisions. The public may request emailed copies of the draft changes. Copies are available for review in person at the Building and Zoning Department and the draft amendments are posted on Upson County’s website.

2025 BUDGET WORK SESSIONS THOMASTON CITY COUNTY/UPSON BOC

 THE  THOMASTON  MAYOR  AND  COUNCIL  WILL  HOLD  A  2025  BUDGET  WORK  SESSION TUESDAY  , NOV. 5,  5;30PM  IN  THE  CITY  MANAGERS  CONFERENCE  ROOM 2ND  FLOOR.   CHIEF FINANCIAL  OFFICER  LONNIE JOYCE  EXPLAINED  THE  FIRST  DRAFT  AT  LAST  WEEK'S  MEETING--A  BALANCED  BUDGET  WITH  NO  UTILITY INCREASES.

THE  UPSON  COUNTY  BOARD  OF  COMMISSIONERS    SECOND  WORK  SESSION  ON  THE  2025  BUDGET  WILL  BE  WEDNESDAY  , NOV.  6,  1PM  AT  THE  CITY-COUNTY  MEETING  ROOM. THE  FIRST  DRAFT  HAD  A  SLIGHT  TAX  MILLAGE  INCREASE    PROJECTION   BASED  ON  AUTO  INSURANCE  RATES  GOING  UP. 

NEWS FROM THOMASTON-UPSON SCHOOLS

 

1. English Chosen to State School Superintendent's Student Advisory Council

Landry English, a senior at Upson-Lee High School, has been selected to serve on State School Superintendent Richard Woods' 2024-2025 Student Advisory Council. Landry and 73 other students from across the state were chosen from 1,550 applicants. Throughout the 2024-25 school year, these 74 students will meet with Superintendent Woods to provide feedback on the impact of state policies in the classroom, discuss education-related issues, serve as the Superintendent’s ambassadors to their respective schools, and participate in service projects to benefit schools and students.

“I am thrilled to welcome this new group of students to our 2024-2025 Student Advisory Council," Superintendent Woods said. "These young leaders represent the future of Georgia, and their voices are crucial as we continue to shape the direction of education in our state. I look forward to hearing their ideas, insights, and perspectives as we work together to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed."

Each year, Georgia public school students in grades 10-12 may apply for the State School Superintendent's Student Advisory Council. The application is accompanied by an essay, allowing students to share their ideas for public education. The first 2024-2025 Student Advisory Council meeting will be held in November at the Georgia Department of Education’s offices.

Pictured l-r: Landry English and ULHS Principal Mr. Ricky English

2. Flier attached with info about the groundbreaking for the ULMS Baseball & Softball Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 2 PM. Public is invited. 
3. TU School Nutrition Receives GA Farm To School Award
   
   

   The Georgia Department of Education in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Agriculture, University of Georgia Extension, and Georgia Department of Public Health presented the Georgia Farm to School Awards for the 2023-2024 school year at the Georgia School Nutrition Directors Conference held in Athens on October 23, 2024. The GA Farm to School Award recognizes school nutrition programs for featuring locally grown items in school meals, doing farm to school promotions and marketing throughout their school environments, having edible gardens in their schools, and having farm to school language adopted in policies or procedures. Congratulations to the Thomaston-Upson School Nutrition Program for being a recipient of this award.
   Photo attached: Pictured Left to Right: LaToya Osmani, WIC Director, Georgia Department of Public Health; Richard Woods, Georgia State School Superintendent; Dr. Cristina Cunningham, Thomaston-Upson Schools Director of School Nutrition; Dr. Linette Dodson, Georgia State School Nutrition Director; Dr. Fred Rayfield, Farm to School Director, Georgia Department of Agriculture

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UPSON CO COMMISSIONERS FIRST 2025 BUDGET WORK SESSION

 THE  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  HELD  THEIR  FIRST  2025  BUDGET  WORK  SESSION  LAST  WEDNESDAY  AND SHERIFF  DAN  KILGORE  WAS  THE  ONLY  CONSTITUTIONAL  OFFICER  TO  APPEAR.  THE  OTHERS  WILL  APPEAR  IN  A  COUPLE OF  WEEKS  IN  BUDGET  WORK  SESSIONS.  DURING  PUBLIC  HEARINGS  ON  A  TAX  MILLAGE  INCREASE  THE  COMMISSIONERS  URGED  THE  COMPLAINING  PUBLIC  TO  ATTEND  BUDGET  WORK  SESSIONS--  WHEN  ANNUAL  FINANCIAL  DECISONS  ARE  MADE--BUT NONE  WERE  PRESENT  EXCEPT  ED  SEARCY  AND  DAN  BREU  ,  THE  TWO  CANDIDATES  FOR  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN. 

COUNTY  MANAGER  JASON  TINSLEY  SAID  AUTO  INSURANCE  RATES  ARE  THE  MAIN  DRIVER  OF  A  BUDGET  INCREASE  OF  JUST  UNDER  ONE  MILL,  BUT  THE  BOARD HAS JUST  STARTED  THE  BUDGET  PROCESS  AND  ARE  AIMING  TO  TRIM  IT   DOWNWARD. 

UPSON SO MAKES ARREST IN CARPORT DAMAGE

 UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF  DAN KILGORE      REPORTED    32  YEAR  OLD  LEONARD  KAWAN  WATSON  OF  WALTON  STREET  WAS  ARRESTED  FOR  CRIMINAL  DAMAGE  TO  PROPERTY  FOR  HEAVY  DAMAGE  TO  HIS  AUNT'S  CARS  AND  CARPORT  IN  LINCOLN PARK.  THE  SO  REPORT  SAID  WATSON  ASKED  TO  BORROW  MONEY  FROM  HIS  AUNT  TO  GIVE  TO  HIS  GIRLFRIEND  AND  WHEN  SHE  DECLINED  HE  DROVE  HIS C-1500  TRUCK  INTO  HER  CARPORT.  HE  RAMMED  A  2015  LEXUS  AND A  CAR  PARKED  IN  FRONT  OF  IT  A 1985  CADILLAC WAS  DAMAGED.    ALSO  DAMAGED  WAS  BRICK  WALL,  BRICK  COLUMNS,  THAT  CAUSED  THE  BACK  OF  THE  CARPORT  TO  SAG.  WALTON  THEN  LEFT ON  FOOT-A  DEPUTY  SAID.

THOMASTON CITY COUNCIL AND UPSON'S CHIEF APPRAISER

 TUESDAY'S  MEETING  OF  THE  THOMASTON  MAYOR  AND  COUNCIL  WITH  A  PRESENTATION  FROM  UPSON  COUNTY'S  CHIEF  APPRAISER   CHARLES  MCKEEHAN   IS  NOT  GETTING  HIGH MARKS  FROM  ATTENDEES. CITY  OFFICIALS  WANTED  INFORMATION  ABOUT  THE  PROCESS  OF  DETERMINING  PROPERTY  VALUES  BUT MOST  OF  THE  DIALOGUE  BETWEEN  THE  CITY  MANAGER,  MAYOR  AND  COUNCIL  AND  MCKEEHAN  WAS  A  BIT  POINTED--ESPECIALLY  INVOLVING  COMMERCIAL  PROPERTY  ASSESSMENTS,  CITY  HALL  THOUGHT LOW.  MCKEEHAN  MADE IT  CLEAR  HE  ALWAYS  WANTS  ASSESSMENTS  TO  BE  AS  LOW  AS  POSSIBLE. ITS A  COMPLICATED  PROCESS,  AS  THE  ASSESSORS      GRIFFIN  ATTORNEY  STEPHANIE  WINDHAM  TOLD  COUNCIL  AND  STATED      THE  BOARD  HAS  TO  FOLLOW  STATE  GUIDELINES.

THE  TAX  ASSESSORS  BOARD  HIRES  THE  CHIEF  APPRAISER, AN  INDEPENDANT  BODY  FROM  THE  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS, ALTHOUGH  THE  BOC  DOES  FUND  THE  DEPARTMENT.  ONE  COUNTY   COMMISSIONER   101  NEWS  SPOKE  WITH   FROWNED  ON  THE  CITY  MEETING  WITH  THE  CHIEF  APPRAISER. ITS  THE  FIRST  TIME  IN  MEMORY  A  GOVERNMENT  BODY  HAS  CALLED  ON  THE CHIEF APPRAISER  TO  ANSWER  QUESTIONS, BUT  COUNCILMAN  RYAN  TUCKER  TOLD  MCKEEHAN  CONSTITUENTS  WANT  ANSWERS  ABOUT  THEIR  TAX  BILLS.

$800 SCAM IN T-TOWN

 A  THOMASTON  FEMALE  WAS  SCAMMED  OUT  OF  $800  IN  APPLE  GIFT  CARDS THOMASTON  POLICE  REPORTED     AFTER  SHE  ENTERED  A   CONTEST  ON YOUTUBE  AND  WAS  INFORMED  SHE  HAD  WON  A  TESLA  AUTO  AND  $500  IN  CASH.  SHE  RECEIVED  A  PHONE  CALL  FROM  SOMEONE  IDENTIFIED    AS  DWAYNA  ROCK  JOHNSON  AND  HE  TOLD  HER  THE  FEDEX  TRUCK  BRINGING   HER  THE  MONEY  WAS  STOPPED  BY  POLICE  AND  SHE  WOULD  NEED  TO  SEND  ANOTHER  $300  GIFT  CARD  TO  GET  IT.  THE PD  REPORT  SAID   THAT'S  WHEN  SHE  REALIZED  SHE  HAD  BEEN  SCAMMED.

UPSON BOC FIRST PUBLIC HEARING ON ZONING ORD CHANGES

 TUESDAY'S  FIRST  PUBLIC  HEARING   BY  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  ON  TEXT  AMENDMENTS  TO  THE  ZONING  ORDIANCE  WAS  A  ROUSER.  THE  MAJOR  CHANGE  PROPOSED  IS  A  CHANGE  IN  THE  MINIMUM  LOT  SIZE  IN  AN  A-R  ZONE   FROM  2  ACRES  TO   12  ACRES  AS  ITS  BEEN  SINCE  UPSON COUNTY  ADOPTED   ZONING  IN   1995.  THE  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  CONTEND  WITH    THE  GROWTH  IN  THE  COUNTY   THE  ORIGINAL  ZONING  NO  LONGER WORKS FOR  THE  FUTURE  OF  THE  COUNTY  TO MAINTAIN  ITS  RURAL  NATURE.

OVER  HALF  A  DOZEN  CITIZENS  SPOKE  DURING  THE  HEARING   ALL  WERE  OPPOSED  TO  THE  CHANGES  INCLUDING  AGRI-BUSINESSMAN    MARCUS  SOUTH , EX-COMMISSION  CHAIR  RUSTY  BLACKSTON,  AND  COMMISSION  CHAIR  CANDIDATE  DAN  BREU.

COUNTY  COMMISSION  CHAIR  NORMAN  ALLEN  SAID    12  ACRES  IS  NOT  CARVED  IN  STONE  AND  THE  BOARD  SEEKS    PUBLIC  INPUT.  BUT  HE  SAID  THE  COUNTY  MUST  DEAL  WITH  GROWTH--AS  NOW  YOU  CAN'T  EVEN  TURN  LEFT  OUT OF  WAL  MART WITHOUT  THE  TRAFFIC  LIGHT. COMMISSIONER JAMES  ELLINGTON  TOLD  THE  CROWD  THINGS  CAN'T  STAY  THE  WAY  THEY  ARE  WITH  THE  GROWTH  OF  THE  COUNTY  AND  URGED  PUBLIC  INPUT.  CALL  OR  CONTACT  ME  AND  WE  WILL  TALK IT OUT--ELLINGTON  SAID.

THOMASTON ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDS JMF TOWING

 THE    THOMASTON  ZONING  COMMISSION  HAS  UNANIMOUSLY  RECOMMENDED  TO  THE  CITY  COUNCIL  A  SPECIAL  USE  PERMIT    FOR  7.45  ACRES  AT  105 YAMAHA  PARKWAY  IN  THE  THOMASTON-UPSON INDUSTRIAL  PARK  FOR  JMF  TOWING  AND   RECOVERY  WRECKER  SERVICES.  DURING  A  PUBLIC  HEARING  MONDAY,  NEWTON  GALLOWAY,  GRIFFIN  ZONING  ATTORNEY , PRESENTED  THE  CASE FOR  OWNER  JAMES  " BUBBA"-- FORTNER.  GALLOWAY  HAS  PREVIOUSLY  PRESENTED   THE  JMF  TOWING  STORY  TO  THE  IDA  WHICH    AGREED  TO  SELL  THE  PROPERTY  TO  FORTNER  FOR   $175,000  IF  IT  CLEARS  ALL  THE   CITY  HALL   LEGAL  HURDLES.

JMF  IS  CURRENTLY  LOCATED  ON  COUNTY  ROAD  BUT  LOST  A  LAW  SUIT AGAINST  UPSON  COUNTY  AND  MUST  RELOCATE.  FORTNER'S  COMPANY  HAD  TWO  OPTIONS  ON  THE  ZONING  COMMISSION  AGENDA,  THE  2ND, CALLED  PLAN  B.  BY  GALLOWAY  IS  PROPERTY  AT  904  NORTH  HIGHTOWER  OWNED  BY  CHARLES  AND  AMY  HARRIS.  ATTORNEY  GALLOWAY  SAID  THE  INDUSTRIAL  PARK  TRACT IS  MORE  DESIRABLE  BECAUSE  ITS  FURTHER  AWAY  FROM  RESIDENTIAL SITES.

ATTORNEY  GALLOWAY  DESCRIBED  JMF  TOWING  AS  A  VALUABLE  BUSINESS  TO  THE  COMMUNITY  WITH   7  FULL-TIME  EMPLOYEES  WITH  AN  ANNUAL  PAYROLL  OF   $550,000.  EMPLOYEES  ARE  ON  CALL   24/7  AS  THE  COMPANY  TOWS  BIG  RIGS  OFF  INTERSTATES  IN  GA.,  SOUTH  CAROLINA,  AND  FLORIDA.  APPARENTLY,  THE  COMPANY   WILL  BE  ALLOWED  TO  KEEP  WRECKAGE  ON  SITE  FOR  60   WHILE  ITS  REPAIRED  BY  JMF AND  CAN  TAKE  OWNERSHIP  AFTER   45  DAYS.

DONALD TRUMP IN ZEBULON WED.

 THOMASTON  MAYOR  J.D.  STALLINGS  HAS  CONFIRMED  DONALD  TRUMP  WILL  BE  AT  CHRIST  CHAPEL   IN  ZEBULON  WED. AT  3PM  FOR  A  FAITH-BASED  EVENT.  PASTOR  BILLY  SMITH  REACHED  OUT  TO  101  NEWS    MONDAY    MORNING AND  TOLD  US  THIS  EVENT  IS  NOT  AN  ENDORSEMENT OF  THE  TRUMP  CAMPAIGN,  THE  CHURCH  BUILDING IS  BEING  LEASE  OUT  FOR  THE  EVENT.  TICKET  INFORMATION  FOR  THE  PUBLIC  IS  ON  OUR  WEBSITE.

IN UPSON COUNTY WALLER ROAD HAS REOPENED

 IN  

T-U REC DIRECTOR SPEAKS TO KIWANIS

 SPEAKING  TO  THOMASTON  KIWANIS  TUESDAY,  BRYAN  KELLY DIRECTOR OF  THE  THOMASTON-UPSON  RECREATION  DEPARTMENT  SAID  PARTICPATION  IS  UP  POST-COVID.  THE  TWO MILLION  DOLLAR  SPLOST   PROJECT  TO  UPGRADE  THE  FOUR  BALLFIELDS IS  AIMED  AT  ELIMINATING  DRAINAGE  PROBLEMS,  CONSTRUCT  A  NEW  CONCESSION  STAND  AND  ADD  RESTROOMS  INCLUDING  HANDI-CAPPED  FACILITIES.

DIRECTOR  KELLY  PROMOTED  THE  TRUNK   OR   TREAT  EVENT  FOR  HALLOWEEN,  AND  THE  CIVIC  CENTER'S  NEW  MERCHANDISE  STORE.  THE FORMER  RACKETBALL  COURT  IS  IN  BAD  SHAPE--A  SPORT THAT HAS LOST  INTEREST   AND  TARGETED  TO  BE  REPURPOSED.  THE  SAME  FOR  THE  SKATE  PARK  NOW  CLOSED  BUT IT  COULD  BECOME  AN  ADAPTIVE  PLAYGROUND.  HE  SAID  THERE'S  LOTS  OF  WRESTLING INTEREST  SO  THE  CIVIC  CENTER   IS  FORMING     A   WRESTLING  CLUB.  PARENTS  NOW  HAVE  TO  TRANSPORT  WRESTLERS  TO  BARNESVILLE  TO COMPETE. 

UPSON SETS NEW RECORD EARLY VOTING

 ACCORDING   TO  UPSON  COUNTY  ELECTION  SUPERINTENDANT  PAM  RELEFORD  A  NEW  RECORD  FOR  EARLY  VOTING  WAS  SET  TUESDAY  WITH  1289  VOTES  CAST.  THE  STATE  OF  GA.  ALSO  SET  A  NEW  VOTING  RECORD.  POLL  WORKERS  TOLD  US  WHEN  THEY  OPENED  FOR  VOTING  TUESDAY  AROUND  20  PEOPLE  WERE  IN  LINE  TO  VOTE AT  THE  CIVIC  CENTER.   THERE  WERE  LINES  MOST  OF  THE  DAY  BUT   THEY MOVED SMOOTHLY.