UPSON GRAND JURY NO TRICE EVIDENCE

ACCORDING  TO  THE  DISTRICT  ATTORNEYS  OFFICE,  A   SPECIAL  PROSECUTOR  APPOINTED  TO  INVESTIGATE  ALLEGATIONS  AGAINEST UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONER  SANDRA  TRICE , WILL  NOT  PRESENT  EVIDENCE  TO  THE  NOVEMBER  GRAND  JURY  THAT  MEETS  MONDAY. THE  GEORGIA  INSURANCE  COMMISSIONERS  OFFICE  RAIDED  HER  BUSINESSES  EARLIER  IN  THE  YEAR,  TRICE  FUNERAL  HOME, AFTER  COMPLAINTS  AFTER  FRAUDULENT  RE-NEED FUNERAL  INSURANCE  SALES.  THE  DISTRICT  ATTORNEY  ASKED  THE  STATE  ATTORNEY  GENERAL’S OFFICE  TO  LOCATE  A  PROSECUTOR   BECAUSE  THE  COUNTY COMMISSIONERS  SET THE  D.A.’S  BUDGET, THUS  A  CONFLICT  OF  INTEREST.  THE  STATE  A.G. FOUND  A  PROSECUTOR  IN  THE  CHATTAHOOCHEE  CIRCUIT,  BUT  APPARENTLY  THE   INVESTIGATION IS  NOT  COMPLETE,  BY  THAT  ASSISTANT  DISTRICT  ATTORNEY.

EARLY VOTING IN UPSON

A  BIG  TURNOUT  FOR  EARLY  VOTING IN  UPSON COUNTY FOR  THE  GENERAL  ELECTION  NOV. 2ND. REGISTRAR  NORMA  HODGE  REPORTED  FRIDAY  1910  HAD  VOTED,  THE  MOST  SINCE  2004.  EARLY  VOTING  ENDS  FRIDAY.

Area Events This Weekend

Busy weekend for west central Georgia area residents,

activities include the following:

28th Annual Chitlin’ Hoedown

Saturday and Sunday in Yatesville

Click the event or here for more details.

 

Valley Grove Baptist Church Fall Festival

Saturday Evening

Click the event or here for more details.

Firefighter Terminated By Spalding County

Spalding County Interim Manager Tim Whalen has served notice on Firefighter Terrence Reid that the County is terminating his employment. The basis of the termination is Mr. Reid’s misconduct in violation of two subsections of Article VIII, Section 7 of the Spalding County Personnel Ordinance.

Subsection 7(u) prohibits willfully giving or making false statements to supervisors, officials or the public. During the course of the discovery of the existence of the video and the County’s investigation, Mr. Reid gave misleading and false statements to his supervisor and the investigator repeatedly regarding who he shared the video with and who he talked to about its existence. Lying will not be tolerated by the County from any of its employees and is grounds for Mr. Reid’s termination.

Subsection 7(b) prohibits conduct unbecoming a public officer or employee. That Mr. Reid recklessly disregarded the humanity of Ms. Kempson-Schacht and the people he was obligated to serve is clear and obvious. Although it does not appear that Mr. Reid intended to cause harm with his actions, his egregious conduct has created grave negative feelings towards all Spalding County Firefighters and has eroded the public’s confidence in the department and in Spalding County.

Subsection 7(r) prohibits violating departmental rules. At the time Mr. Reid used his cell phone to film video of Ms. Kempson-Schacht at the scene of her fatal accident, there was a Fire Department policy prohibiting use of cell phones without the permission of a supervisor. However, the investigation into this matter revealed that this policy was interpreted differently by different shift commanders and that personnel likely were not trained sufficiently on the policy. Therefore, any violation of that policy cannot serve as grounds for termination.

Spalding County Manager Finalists

The Spalding County Board of Commissioners has narrowed the list of candidates for the position of County Manager to two finalists. The finalists are Mr. Tim Whalen and Mr. James Coleman.

Mr. Whalen has been employed in the Spalding County Tax Assessors Office since 1976 and has been the Chief Appraiser since 1982. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Valdosta State University and a J.D. degree from Atlanta Law School. Mr. Whalen is currently serving as Interim County Manager.

Mr. Coleman was the City Manager & Airport Manager of Williston, Florida from 2004-2008, Acting City Engineer & Interim Public Works Director of Leesburg, Florida from 2003-2004, Town Manager of Lady Lakes, Florida from 1999-2003, Director of Personnel & Risk Management of DeLand, Florida from 1994-1999 and Longwood, Florida from 1989-1994. He served in the US Army from 1971-1985 rising to the rank of Captain. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida.

THOMASTON UPSON IDA

THE  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  OF  THE  THOMASTON  UPSON  INDUSTRIAL  AUTHORITY,  J.R.  CHARLES  SAYS  OCTOBER  WAS  NOT  AS  ACTIVE AS  SEPTEMBER FOR  PROSPECTS,BUT  A  COUPLE  CAME  CALLLING. ONE  CALLED  PROJECT  HENDERSON  WOULD  BE  A  $4 MILLION  INVESTMENT WITH  40  JOBS. A  2ND  PROSPECT  WAS  IMPRESSED  WITH  THE  SPEC  BUILDING  BUT  EXPRESSED  CONCERNS  ABOUT  THE  LABOR  POOL. THAT  COMPANY IS  DEVELOPING  A  SHORT  LIST  OF  POTENTIAL  SITES  TO  BE  RELEASED  NEXT  WEEK.  THE  IDA  APPROVED  A  CHANGE  TO  A  LETTER  OF  INDUCEMENT FOR  A  $5.7  MILLION INDUSTRIAL  REVENUE  BOND  FOR  ANIMAL  HEALTH  AND SCIENCE,LOCATING  IN  THE  YAMAHA  BUILDING. SUN TRUST  BANK  HAS  APPROVED THE  FINANCING.  REPORTING  ON THE  RECENT  MEETING OF  THE  MANUFACTURERS  ROUNDTABLE, THE  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR   SAID  QUAD  GRAPHICS IS  GOING  GANG-BUSTERS   WITH  ITS  HOLIDAY  PRINTING  BUSINESS,  BUT  OTHER  FIRMS ARE  JUST  GETTING BY.

Third Installment Of Jim Grimes Story

Fun 101’s feature story page is utilized to publish stories and articles about people and places in the Fun 101 listening area.

This is the third of a four part series reprinted from the book “Moonshine Mayhem” by Marlene Womack. We will publish one of the articles each week for the next two weeks.

It gives a detailed story of C.V. (Jim) Grimes, a real, old-time moonshiner from Upson County that led a very interesting life and eventually settled in Bonifay, Florida.

If you would like to post comments, click the link at the bottom of the story. Comments will appear as soon as they are approved by WTGA staff.

To view the page click the link on the right or click HERE.

Tuberculosis Case In Upson County

District 4 Public Health and the Upson County Health Department are investigating a suspected tuberculosis case that may have potentially exposed community members to the disease.

Public Health officials have notified people determined to be in close contact with the suspected case and putting them at risk of infection, approximately 11 people will receive continued medical evaluation for positive exposure to the tuberculosis germ.

Free tuberculin skin tests were offered to contacts on a voluntary basis.

According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, 10% of people in the general population tested for TB will have a positive reaction to the TB skin test. The total number of people having a positive reaction in this instance falls within the average for a large group.

Michael Brackett, District 4 Health Director said TB is an infectious disease that is typically spread from person to person through airborne droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can be treated and cured over a period of time with proper medications.

Firefighter In Video Controversy Identified

After receiving a report from Atlanta attorney Christopher Balch, the Spalding County Commissioners have identified the firefighter that distributed a video of an accident victim’s body as Terrance Reid.

Reid is on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation into the distribution of a graphic video made on his personal cell phone of the body of 23 year old Dayna Kempson-Schacht on July 17, 2010. Dayna is the daughter of Pike County residents Jeffrey and Lucretia Kempson.

According to investigators, the video was allegedly shown to patrons at Buffalo’s Southwest Cafe in Griffin where the victim was recognized and the family was notified.

Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard has determined that there are no laws pertaining to the filming of an accident victim at the scene by emergency personnel. The only recourse against Reid available to the family is through a civil action.

2011 PROPOSED UPSON COUNTY BUDGET

THE  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  FINALIZED  THE  PROPOSED  2011  BUDGET,  DURING  A  WORK  SESSION,  FRIDAY. ITS  ALMOST  $59,000   LESS  THAN  THE  CURRENT  BUDGET  AND  NO  FURLOUGH  DAYS FOR  COUNTY  EMPLOYEES  ARE  PLANNED. CHAIRMAN  MAURICE  RAINES  AID  THE  $13.2 MILLION  BUDGET  INCLUDES  REVENUES  OF  $11 MILLION FOR  TAXES,$885,000  FOR  FINES  AND  FEES,$36,000  FOR  GRANTS  AND  SUBSIDIES  AND  LOCAL  GOVERNMENT  REIMBUSEMENT  OF  $525,000.THE  LARGEST  LINE  ITEM  IS  INSURANCE,RETIREMENT  AND  INTEREST,$2.3 MILLION, JOINT  PROJECTS 1.9,JAIL  OPERATIONS 1.5 AND THE  SHERIFF’S  DEPARTMENT  1.3 MILLION. THE  BUDGETS  FOR  THE  SHERIFF  AND  JAIL BOTH  DECREASED  IN  THE  PROPOSED  BUDGET.CHAIRMAN  RAINES  SAID  ITS  A  FIRST, THE  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  HAVE  NEVER  COMPLETED THE  BUDGET  BY  NOVEMBER  IST, PUBLIC  HEARINGS  WILL  BE  SCHEDULED.  THE  UPCOMING  SPLOST  WAS  ALSO  DISCUSSED DURING THE  WORK  SESSION,ITS  LOOKS  TO  BE  AN  $18MILLION,6  YEAR SALES  TAX  MEASURE.ACCORDING  TO  THE  CHAIRMAN, THE  BIG CONCERNS FOR  THE  COMMISSIONERS IN THE  NEXT  SPLOST INCLUDE  RECREATION,BUILDING  IMPROVEMENTS, AND  ROADS.  HE  PLANS  A  SECOND  MEETING  WITH  THE  CITY OF  THOMASTON  AND CITY OF  YATESVILLE, SOON,  TO  MOVE FOWARD  ON  SPLOST  PLANNING.  THE  MEASURE  WILL  PROBABLY  BE  ON   THE  BALLOT  IN   MARCH.

Tax Equity Study

The Thomaston City Council approved a tax equity study to be conducted by Governmental Enterprises of Richmond Hill, Georgia at Tuesday’s meeting. The cost will be approximately $30,000 and the study will take about 90 days to complete. Mayor Hays Arnold said that City Hall is seeking equity and fairness in taxation. The mayor said the study is not a personal attack on anyone but an effort to get at the truth and obtain the facts.

Two consultants from the firm will review the city and county books looking at tax revenues and expenditures to arrive at their findings. City Attorney Joel Bentley outlined the two purposes of the study:

1. To eliminate duplication of services.

2. To prevent an overlap in taxes.

Attorney Bentley noted that the joint projects agreement between the city and county expired in March, it had been part of the comprehensive plan drawn up over a decade ago.

Mayor Arnold stated that he believes the county commissioners would support the city’s efforts. Such studies are common and only one has ended up in court, the city of Auburn, Georgia sued Gwinnett County.

Second Installment Of Jim Grimes Story

Fun 101’s feature story page is utilized to publish stories and articles about people and places in the Fun 101 listening area.

This is the second of a four part series reprinted from the book “Moonshine Mayhem” by Marlene Womack. We will publish one of the articles each week for the next two weeks.

It gives a detailed story of C.V. (Jim) Grimes, a real, old-time moonshiner from Upson County that led a very interesting life and eventually settled in Bonifay, Florida.

If you would like to post comments, click the link at the bottom of the story. Comments will appear as soon as they are approved by WTGA staff.

To view the page click the link on the right or click HERE.

HOMECOMING WEEK AT UL

ITS  HOMECOMING  WEEK  AT  UPSON  LEE  HIGH  SCHOOL AND  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF’S  DEPARTMENT  HAS  ALREADY  STARTED  GETTING  CALLS  ABOUT  PRANKS,  YARDS  ROLLED  AND  SUCH,BUT IT COULD  BE  GOING  TOO FAR.  AN  ELDERLY  MAN  WITH  NO  KIDS OR  GRANDKIDS  IN  THE  SCHOOL  SYSTEM  REPORTED  HIS  TRUCK GOT  DOUSED  WITH  MUSTARD ON  EAST  COUNTY  ROAD.  ON  WALLER  ROAD  SHREDDED  PAPER  WAS  THROWN  IN THE SHRUBBERY  AND  TREES. SARAN WRAP  WAS  PLACED  AROUND  THE  FRONT  PORCH  STEPS AT  THE  RESIDENCE  AND  LIQUID  LAUNDRY  DETERGENT  WAS  POURED OVER IT TO  MAKE IT  SLIPPERY.  VIOLATORS  CAN  BE  CHARGED  WITH  CRIMINAL   TRESPASS  ,  ACCORDING  TO  THE  S.O.

PIKE MURDER TRIAL

A  MURDER  CASE  ON  THE  CALENDAR  FOR  OCTOBER  TERM OF PIKE  SUPERIOR  COURT  HAS  BEEN  CONTINUED.  ADRIAN  THOMPSON  IS  CHARGED  WITH  THE  SHOTGUN  SLAYING  OF  MARK  MCCULLOUGH  AFTER  A  DISAGREEMENT  AT  A  ZEBULON  APARTMENT  IN  2008.  THE  CASE  WAS  CONTINUED  BECAUSE  AN  EXPERT  WITNESS  WAS  NOT  AVAILABLE  TO  TESTIFY.

TAX EQUITY STUDY AT CITY HALL

A  TAX  EQUITY  STUDY  PROPOSAL  IS  ON  TUESDAY’S  7PM  AGENDA  OF  THE  THOMASTON  MAYOR  AND  COUNCIL,THAT  COULD  DETERMINE  IF  CITY  HALL  IS  GETTING  ITS  FAIR  SHARE  OF  TAX  REVENUES. DURING  A  WORK  SESSION  WEDNESDAY,  A  CONSULTANT,  BARRY HALL  TOLD  THE  MAYOR  AND  COUNCIL,  A  STUDY  WILL  REVIEW  THE  BOOKS  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  UPSON  AND  CITY  OF  THOMASTON  TO  GET  AN  ACCURATE  PICTURE OF  THE TAX BREAK-DOWN. COUNCIL  SAYS  CURRENTLY THE   TAX  DIVISION  IS  ALL  SPECULATION, AND  WITH THE COUNTY’S DESIRE  TO TAKE  OVER  JOINT PROJECTS  AND  AN  UPCOMING  SPLOST,  AN  ACCURATE  ACCOUNTING  IS  NEEDED. HALL  WARNED  CITY  OFFICIALS  THE  STUDY  MIGHT  NOT  TURN OUT IN  THEIR  FAVOR,BUT  MAYOR  HAYS  ARNOLD  TOLD  HIM  ITS  THE  ONLY  WAY  TO  BRING  TRANSPARENCY  TO  THE  PUBLIC  AND  RESOLVE  THE  ISSUES. HALL’S  FIRM,GOVERNMENT  ENTERPRISES  OF  RICHMOND HILL,  GA.  COULD  GET  STARTED ON  A  STUDY  AS  EARLY  AT  NOV. IST, AND  THE  STUDY, AIMED  AT  EDUCATING  THE PUBLIC  ,  WOULD  TAKE  90  DAYS. TAX  ISSUES  BETWEEN  GWINNETT  COUNTY  AND  ITS  CITIES  WENT  TO  COURT,BUT HALL  THAT’S  RARE, IF  THERE  IS  A  TAX  INEQUITY,  GOVERNMENTS  USUALLY WORK  THINGS  OUT. HE  CITED  THREE  AREAS OF  COUNTY  GOVERNMENT  THAT  GIVE  TROUBLE  ON  SEPERATION OF  REVENUES; COUNTY  VECHILES  AND   ROADS  DEPARTMENTS  AND  THE PATROL  DIVISION OF  THE  SHERIFF’S  OFFICE.  CITY  MANAGER PATRICK  COMISKEY  SAID  PROPOSALS  ON  THE  UPCOMING  SPLOST  GIVES  CITY  HALL ONLY  ONE  DOLLAR  FOR EVERY  4  OR  5.

MOTORCYCLE CRASH ON 19

A  MOTORCYCLE  CRASH JUST  SOUTH  OF  THE  POTATO  CREEK  BRIDGE  ON  U.S.19  SATURDAY,  WAS  CAUSED  BY  A  DEER  JUMPING  INTO  THE  CHEST  OF  THE  RIDER. THOMASTON  POLICE  OFFICER  DAVID  STORY  SAID  53  YEAR  OLD  JEFFREY  PARROTT  OF  HALL  STREET  RECEIVED  A  BROKEN  LEG  AND  FRACTURED  RIBS  WHEN  HE  WAS  KNOCKED OFF  HIS  BIKE,  BY  THE  SMALL  DEER  WHO  DIED.  THE  ACCIDENT  SNARLED  TRAFFIC  IN THE  AREA.