CommerceNewsTODAY

CHS student arrested for threats

nospam@example.com (Staff Writer) — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:11:00 -0500

Commerce police arrested a Commerce High School student last Friday after she made repeated threats to “blow up graduation” and commit other acts of violence following a dispute with a former boyfriend.

“A lot of it stemmed out of a relationship with a boyfriend,” explained Max Briggs, the school resource officer who made the arrest. “I’m hoping it will serve as a wake-up call for her.”
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OPINION: Up at the library

nospam@example.com (Susan Harper) — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:05:00 -0500

By Susan Harper

Every time I walk into our new library, my heart soars up to that high white ceiling in the newest part, those beautiful beams we agonized over (should they be white? should they be natural wood? should they be there at all?), and those tall windows that let in so much light. And then I’m thankful all over again that Commerce is my home: a real library town — a town that started its library from scratch nearly 75 years ago and built it up, over years of hard work and consistent dedication, to this astonishingly beautiful facility.

Meanwhile, all around us, the winds of change are blowing. Libraries that have stood for decades as models of architectural beauty and have inspired millions to pursue learning are now “gloriously inflated book boxes,” according to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, and their relevance “is being questioned in an age that looks to the Internet for its intellectual resources.”
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Green resigns, Howard named acting JC superintendent

nospam@example.com (Administrator) — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:49:00 -0500

Assistant superintendent April Howard was named interim superintendent of the Jackson County School System in a called meeting Monday night. Howard succeeds John Green, who resigned last Wednesday night.

The Jackson County Board of Education has another called meeting slated for today (Wednesday) at 7 p.m. at the media center at East Jackson Comprehensive High School. No agenda for that meeting has yet been released.

Monday night, the BOE made quick work of naming Howard to serve in the superintendent’s seat with a unanimous vote. The board has not announced any plans for hiring someone to fill the position on a long-term basis.

“I appreciate the opportunity to serve as interim,” Howard said. She also acknowledged the system’s difficult financial situation saying that the system has “significant challenges ahead of us.”

Green’s resignation last Wednesday came after several days of intense rumors that he planned to step down. Many expected Green to resign Monday, May 13, at the regular BOE meeting, but no action or discussion took place at that meeting regarding Green.

Wednesday’s called BOE meeting didn’t have an agenda about Green, but was rather called for the board to discuss and review a student disciplinary issue. But Green tendered his resignation and the board voted to accept it.

For the full story, see the May 22 issue of The Commerce News.

City BOE hires firm to lead superintendent search

nospam@example.com (Mark Beardsley) — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:44:00 -0500

The Commerce Board of Education has hired a consulting firm to help it find the successor to superintendent James E. “Mac” McCoy.

In a six-minute called meeting Friday night, the board voted unanimously to hire King, Cooper and Associates at a cost estimated from $4,000 to $5,000.

Sandy Addis, former director of Pioneer RESA and now with King, Cooper and Associates, had addressed the board at its May 9 meeting, offering its services. Addis currently also works with Clemson University.

At that time, Addis said he had conducted a successful search for the Habersham County Board of Education, which garnered 54 applications.

“You’ll get a good pool of applicants,” he promised on May 9, citing the “desirability of the area and a very desirable board to work for.”

“There’s a pool of people who apply for superintendents in North Georgia,” Addis added. “I could probably name 20 of them for you.”

OPINION: The difficult day

nospam@example.com (Susan Harper) — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:39:00 -0500

By Susan Harper

Whew! I’ve made it through Mothers’ Day again. The outcome is always in doubt right to the end, in part because — as a result of some charm or spell or curse, or perhaps simply due to the far-flung nature of my widely dispersed family — I invariably spend the second Sunday in May all by myself. This gives me way too much time to revisit the long list of my maternal shortcomings: the fallings from grace, the outbursts of temper, the seemingly infinite failures of insight, and a stone blindness to things that were right there in front of me.
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CHS Class of 2013 graduates

nospam@example.com (Mark Beardsley) — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:23:38 -0500

Mystery building baffles Nicholson authority

nospam@example.com (Katie Cofer) — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:00:00 -0500

The Nicholson Water Authority is trying to account for a building that appeared on the authority’s asset report in its yearly audit.

The asset report is part of the audit completed by Hawkins and McNair, Winder.

According to water authority member John Ring, the board at its April 9 meeting voted to instruct its auditor to remove the missing building from its audit, but how it got there is still a question.

Ring recently met with District Attorney Brad Smith in reference to the building and reported his findings back to the water authority on May 7. He said Smith’s view is that the board needs to discuss the issue with its attorney to determine whether there was an accounting discrepancy or to determine that the funds of the authority were properly handled.

For the full story, see the May 15 issue of The Commerce News.

Road grinding to begin Monday

nospam@example.com (Staff Writer) — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:46:00 -0500

Driving through downtown Commerce will get a lot more challenging starting Monday.

That’s when crews under the Department of Transportation will begin milling about four inches of pavement off Broad and Elm streets from Washington Street south to Hwy. 334 near Ingles in a project that will ultimately result in new pavement and striping.

“They will be working at night, but it is going to cause major interruptions during the day because of the uneven pavement,” city manager Pete Pyrzenski told the Commerce City Council during its work session May 6. This week, workers are lowering manholes and water valve lids.

The last time the DOT milled down Broad and Elm streets it created an obstacle course of raised tops to water valves and sewer manholes that caused many a vehicle to need a new front end alignment. This go-round, the crew will lower the devices by four inches, then patch the resulting hole before the grinding starts.

Tigers tread onward

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports) — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:16:10 -0500

Even with a shortage of staff, Commerce interim head football coach Mike Brown feels that the Tigers are making strides in spring practice.

With approximately 55 players and only four coaches, the Tiger staff has had to make some adjustments to the typical spring schedule; however, Brown feels optimistic about the results.

In with the new; EJCHS football program revamped

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports) — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:06:53 -0500

There is one word that can describe the sentiment at this year’s East Jackson spring football training. That word is simply “new.”

The Eagles have new coaches, a new athletic director, and new offensive and defensive schemes. And while transitions are not always easy, most of these changes are likely welcome at a program ...

Lady Tigers take fourth at state track and field finals

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports) — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:06:12 -0500

Last week the Lady Tigers track and field team returned from the GHSA state track and field finals with a fourth-place finish.
All eight Commerce competitors placed in the top-eight among class A public schools.

The 4x400 relay team of Cameron Hawkins, Lily Mather, Hannah Crumley, Sydney McClure and Zooey Forrester earned ...

Brown named as CHS interim head football coach

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports) — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:04:44 -0500

The Commerce Board of Education named 15-year teacher/coach Michael Brown as its “interim” head football coach Monday night, and Brown called for a “dialogue” about restoring the football program to its former glory before the next permanent coach is hired.

The board voted on a motion by Mary Seabolt following a ...

Board meets tonight to hire search firm

nospam@example.com (Mark Beardsley) — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:26:00 -0500

The Commerce Board of Education will have a called meeting Friday at 6:00 p.m. to hire a firm to lead the search for a superintendent to replace James E. “Mac” McCoy, who is retiring June 30.

At its May 9 work session, the authority heard a proposal for such a service from Dr. Sandy Addis, King, Cooper & Associates, who estimated the cost of the search at $4,000-$6,000.

“You’ll get a good pool of applicants,” he told the board. “It’s really about what do you need, what do you want and who embodies that?”

Addis said he led a recent search for a superintendent of schools in Habersham County, which resulted in 54 applications.

Addis is the former director of Pioneer RESA.

OPINION: One incredible teacher

nospam@example.com (Administrator) — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:34:00 -0500

By Nelson Nix

Rather than delving into the dismay of disappointments flowing from Washington, I will recognize one of my earlier life heroes this week. This paper recently announced the passing of Dr. Sam Vickery, one of my high school teachers. And a great one he was.

The name was sometimes mispronounced as “Victory” perhaps because of his winning ways. Sam could teach science to a rock and regularly amazed me with the depth of information that could be conveyed to a bunch of distracted kids. We joked that he was Mr. Wizard as things were always smoking, changing color or sometimes exploding in the lab. The supply room was filled with large containers labeled with chemical symbols courtesy of Army Surplus.
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12 arrested at J&J Flea Market

nospam@example.com (Administrator) — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:42:00 -0500

Twelve people were arrested for selling counterfeit items during a raid Saturday at J&J Flea Market.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Southern Region Anti-Piracy Section of the Recording Industry Association of America and Dupree Security, representing various major brand manufacturers, culminated an investigation into sales and distribution of counterfeit and pirated property at the J&J Flea Market, located south of Nicholson. Items being sold included compact discs, professional sports caps, designer bags, sunglasses, shoes and other items.

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Graduation time

nospam@example.com (Staff Writer) — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:15:00 -0500

With Commerce High School holding its graduation at 8 p.m. this Friday and East Jackson Comprehensive High School seniors turning the tassel next Wednesday, May 22, nearly 300 local high school students will receive diplomas over the next week.

The Commerce High School graduation will be held Friday, May 17, at 8 p.m. in Tiger Stadium. If it rains, the ceremony will be held in the school gymnasium and a ticket must be presented to enter. Any guest needing special assistance should contact Terry Canup at 706-335-5942, ext. 8811, prior to Friday.

As of Tuesday morning, the valedictorian and salutatorian had not been determined due to the closeness of the grade point averages of the top two students.

The East Jackson Comprehensive High School graduation will be held Wednesday, May 22, at 8 p.m. in Eagle Stadium.
If it rains, the ceremony will be held in the gym and a ticket must be presented to enter. Any guest needing special assistance should contact Sheila Bolton at 706-336-8900 ext. 29009 prior to May 22. The EJCHS valedictorian is Sam Derochers and the salutatorian Nishil Patel.

Jefferson High School will also hold commencement ceremonies Friday at 8 p.m. in Dragon Stadium, while Jackson County Comprehensive High School’s graduation ceremony will be held Thursday, May 23, at 8 p.m. in Panther Stadium.

OPINION: Coaches' value reaches beyond the field

nospam@example.com (Mark Beardsley) — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:00:00 -0500

By Mark Beardsley

Kudos to sports mom Sandi Flint for challenging the Commerce Board of Education to hire more coaches.

Flint’s words carry weight. She’s a 27-year teaching veteran, coached 14 years and all four of her kids attended (or attend) the city school system. And she did her homework, presenting evidence that participation in sports improves academics and behavior.
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County schools fiscal issues worse than thought

nospam@example.com (Staff Writer) — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:20:00 -0500

It’s even worse than many thought.

Although Jackson County School System leaders have been talking for months about the system’s difficult finances, the latest draft budget shows an even worse picture than previously believed would exist by now.

In a draft budget presented to the Jackson County Board of Education last week, officials now project that the system will only have $1.5 million in reserves at the end of this fiscal year on June 30. That puts the system in virtual crisis mode to avoid a financial collapse in the upcoming fiscal year. The BOE is scheduled to adopt its FY 2014 budget next month.

The board discussed the budget at a work session meeting last week. Although the system had planned to reduce the number of furlough days next year, it now looks like more furlough days are needed. In addition, further staff cuts are now likely. The system recently adopted a consolidation plan to cut some system costs as well.

For the full story, see the May 15 issue of The Commerce News.

OPINION: Revisiting our history

nospam@example.com (Mark Beardsley) — Mon, 13 May 2013 08:16:00 -0500

By Tricia Massey

On Sunday afternoon, Jon and I were quickly making last-minute plans for our upcoming summer vacation, which begins in less than two weeks.

We have known for several months that our family would be traveling to Jackson Hole, Grand Tetons and Yellowstone for a week of sightseeing and family bonding, but have just finished making all the final arrangements.

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Blood drive set Tuesday at First Baptist

nospam@example.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 13 May 2013 08:05:00 -0500

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive Tuesday, May 14, from noon to 6:00 p.m. in the family fellowship center of the First Baptist Church of Commerce.

The church is located at 1345 South Broad Street, Commerce.

The Red Cross provides blood services to local hospitals, including Northridge Medical Center and the Athens, Gainesville and Atlanta area hospitals.

A unit of blood can help treat up to three people. Blood donations are processed into three primary components, red blood cells to treat trauma, platelets for cancer patients and plasma for burn victims. Whole blood is also used in surgery.

Participants will receive a coupon for a free Chick fil-A sandwich at the Banks Crossing restaurant.

OPINION: Those subtle influences

nospam@example.com (Mark Beardsley) — Sat, 11 May 2013 08:13:00 -0500

By Mark Beardsley

We complain of “special interest” groups that influence politicians and decry all sorts of prejudices, but every human is susceptible to countless influences and prejudices that color how we view our world. And often as not, we’re not aware of those things that shape our outlook.

In “Drunk Tank Pink: And Other Unexpected Forces that Shape How We Think, Feel, and Behave,” Adam Alter recounts scores of experiments that demonstrate how susceptible we are to being influenced by the known and unknown keys, to signals we’re not aware are being sent or received, to cues that on the surface seem absurd.

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Outburst at police station leads to arrest

nospam@example.com (Staff Writer) — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:22:00 -0500

A Maysville man who couldn’t control his temper will face interference with government property charges after ramming his fist through the drywall in the Commerce Police Department lobby and deliberately stopping up a toilet in the holding cell.

The arrest report did not indicate why Matthew Tillman Bagwell, 23, of 2810 Hwy. 98, was at the police department — just what he allegedly did while he was there.

After punching a hole in the lobby wall right by the front door, Tillman was arrested, handcuffed and taken to a holding cell, according to the report. At some point he managed to get his hands, which were handcuffed behind him, in front of his body, after which he stuffed a blanket into a commode and flushed the commode repeatedly, flooding the room, according to the report.

For all of the arrests and incidents reported over the past week by the Commerce Police Department, read the May 8 edition of The Commerce News.

Road grinding project set for Commerce

nospam@example.com (Mark Beardsley) — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:02:00 -0500

Driving through downtown Commerce will get a lot more challenging starting Monday, May 20.

That’s when crews under the Department of Transportation is scheduled to begin milling about four inches of pavement off Hwy. 98 in a project that will ultimately result in new pavement and striping. The work will continue through the downtown and out to Hwy. 334 near Ingles.

“They will be working at night, but it is going to cause major interruptions during the day because of the uneven pavement,” city manager Pete Pyrzenski told the Commerce City Council during its work session Monday night.

The last time the DOT milled down Broad and Elm streets it created an obstacle course of raised tops to water valves and sewer manholes that caused many a vehicle to need a new front end alignment.

Also on the topic of roads, the city manager reported that the DOT has responded to a request for yet another modification to the intersection of Hwy. 98, Broad and Elm streets and South Broad Street Extension that will allow drivers approaching from the east on Ila Road to turn left on South Broad Street Extension. The DOT’s recent change to the intersection made the left turn illegal.

Turning left onto South Elm Street will still be illegal.

Commerce to slash water, sewer tap fees

nospam@example.com (Mark Beardsley) — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:51:00 -0500

The Commerce City Council appears ready to trim about $5,000 off the cost of building a house or commercial building in the city.

The council voiced support during its work session Monday night for a recommendation by city manager Pete Pyrzenski that the city reduce the combined cost of its basic water and sewer tap fees — currently $2,500 and $4,000 respectively for a single-family residential structure — to a combined $1,500.

Pyrzenski told the council he’s “noticed right away that our water tap fees and sewer tap fees were really astronomical in price.” He also pointed out that during 2012 the city sold zero water or sewer taps.
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