Barrow Journal

Diamond Cats see success this summer

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:08:00 -0500

It’s June, but work is already underway for the following spring for the Apalachee High School baseball team.

The Wildcats are continuing with their summer schedule, playing in tournaments and working for the upcoming 2014 season. Coach Mike Cavey said there has been some good and some not so good times this month.

...

In the June 19 issue of the Barrow Journal....

mike@mainstreetnews.com (Mike Buffington) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:00:39 -0500

WSA demoted to financing role

In a major erosion of its public role, the Barrow County Water & Sewerage Authority learned Tuesday night that from now on, it would serve only as financing vehicle for future water and sewer projects. Under the administration of former Barrow County Board of Commissioners chairman Danny Yearwood, the cash-strapped county government sought the WSA’s help in covering hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt payments so that the county’s annual operating budgets could be balanced. In 2011 the WSA agreed to the county’s request to transfer to it all remaining assets — money, equipment and infrastructure. County manager Jock Connell told the authority members Tuesday night that the bulk of the WSA’s responsibilities went with that transfer of assets.

Winder DDA approves concept for downtown park

The Winder Downtown Development Authority on Tuesday approved a concept plan for the downtown park that will be developed over the next year on the site of the former Granite Hotel. City planning director Barry Edgar drew the plan after the DDA learned that the Harrison Foundation had turned down a request for a $300,000 park grant. That money would have helped pay for a more ambitious plan developed in 2012 by a landscape architect.

Hardee’s, Wendy’s locating in Winder

Two fast-food chains are about to begin construction of new restaurants in Winder. Hardee’s has begun clearing its downtown tract. Wendy’s is going to build off Exchange Boulevard just north of Highway 316. Winder planning director Barry Edgar said both restaurants are scheduled to open before the end of this year. Also, his department on Tuesday received site plans for the new Longhorn's restaurant that will be built near Carmike Cinemas.

‘War’ and its discontents

Publisher Mike Buffington writes this week that by calling the fight against terrorism a "war," government leaders have opened the door to expanding their power and reach in an unlimited manner. That could be dangerous for our democracy, he says.
Continue reading "In the June 19 issue of the Barrow Journal...."

WSA demoted to financing role

mike@mainstreetnews.com (Mike Buffington) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:54:29 -0500
In a major erosion of its public role, the Barrow County Water & Sewerage Authority learned Tuesday night that from now on, it would serve only as a financing vehicle for future water and sewer projects. Under the administration of former Barrow County Board of Commissioners chairman Danny Yearwood, the cash-strapped county government sought the WSA’s help in covering hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt payments so that the county’s annual operating budgets could be balanced. In 2011 the WSA agreed to the county’s request to transfer to it all remaining assets — money, equipment and infrastructure. County manager Jock Connell told the authority members Tuesday night that the bulk of the WSA’s responsibilities went with that transfer of assets.
For the full story, see the June 19 issue of the Barrow Journal

Winder DDA approves concept for downtown park

mike@mainstreetnews.com (Mike Buffington) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:53:26 -0500
The Winder Downtown Development Authority on Tuesday approved a concept plan for the downtown park that will be developed over the next year on the site of the former Granite Hotel. City planning director Barry Edgar drew the plan after the DDA learned that the Harrison Foundation had turned down a request for a $300,000 park grant. That money would have helped pay for a more ambitious plan developed in 2012 by a landscape architect.
For the full story, see the June 19 issue of the Barrow Journal.

Hardee’s, Wendy’s locating in Winder

mike@mainstreetnews.com (Mike Buffington) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:49:47 -0500
Two fast-food chains are about to begin construction of new restaurants in Winder. Hardee’s has begun clearing its downtown tract. Wendy’s is going to build off Exchange Boulevard just north of Highway 316. Winder planning director Barry Edgar said both restaurants are scheduled to open before the end of this year. Also, his department on Tuesday received site plans for the new Longhorn's restaurant that will be built near Carmike Cinemas.
For the full story, see the June 19 issue of the Barrow Journal.

Winder hosting free movie and 'pooch party'

snorman@barrowjournal.com (Susan Norman) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:47:58 -0500
In a creative twist to its free outdoor showing of the family-friendly movie, “Zookeeper,” at the Jug Tavern Park on June 21, the Winder Downtown Development Authority is planning a “pooch party.”
The fun starts at 6 with free inflatables for kids, music and food vendors at the park, which is off East Athens Street. Doggie registration for the pet parade, contests — “longest tongue” and “best singer” among them — is $5 per dog. Pet owners also are asked to bring a bag of dry dog or cat food to donate to Pup & Cat Co.
The free movie will start at dusk after the pooch party. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. For details, go to winderdowntown.com.

Called meeting June 18 for Winder City Council

snorman@barrowjournal.com (Susan Norman) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:18:17 -0500
The Winder City Council will have a called meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, to take action on three items: a $6,246 agreement with Keck & Wood Inc. for design services for pedestrian street lighting associated with the ongoing street scape project downtown; a request by the Winder Downtown Development Authority to ease banner limits for downtown businesses affected by the ongoing street scape work; and a $3,600 annual agreement with eGIS Associates Inc. for geographic information services support.

Demeritte, Carter selected in MLB draft

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 09:16:56 -0500
The 2013 Major League Baseball Draft was not a round old when recent Winder-Barrow High School graduate Travis Demeritte received the call every player who steps on a baseball field hopes to get.

Demeritte was selected in the first round of the draft by the Texas Rangers. He was the 30th player selected overall. Demeritte, who ...

Diamond Knights earn postseason honors

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 09:15:39 -0500
Following its state championship season, the Bethlehem Christian Academy baseball team received several postseason honors.

All-state selections included pitcher Jared Martin, catcher Matt Masters, pitcher/shortstop Niko Mailloux and pitcher/second baseman Jordan Fountain.

In addition, BCA dominated the All-Region team, ...

Welcome to the age of ‘Big Brother’

mike@mainstreetnews.com (Mike Buffington) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:35:00 -0500
I had a recurring nightmare as a child. In that era of the Cold War, my nightmare was that the Soviets would eventually take over the U.S. and I would become a prisoner of government control. Freedom of speech would disappear and everything we said would be monitored as was common in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.
Continue reading "Welcome to the age of ‘Big Brother’"

PERSON: But is it a vacation?

chris@barrowjournal.com (Helen Person) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:22:31 -0500
“I’m ‘off’ everyday. There are just some days I don’t work.”
— The Author

Americans are terrible vacationers. Oh, we take time away from work, go to exotic locations, and think we’re having a good time.

We fill our “off” days with activities of which we take mountains of photos. Then we post on Facebook at least ten times a day while we’re gone, text our friends about everything we’re doing, and call it “relaxing”.

A few years ago, my brother and his wife went on a cruise to Alaska. They work like fiends, so we were excited for them that they could tear themselves away for a couple of weeks.
Continue reading "PERSON: But is it a vacation?"

Winning lotto ticket turns waitress to millionaire

mike@mainstreetnews.com (Mike Buffington) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 07:35:43 -0500
Diana Quiroz-Morales of Statham is all smiles since winning a $1 million prize from the Georgia Lottery. She played the instant game $1,000,000 Benjamins and unexpectedly won a $1 million top prize.
“It definitely changed my life in a split second,” said Quiroz-Morales, 46.
Georgia Lottery representatives presented the lucky lady with an oversized check Wednesday at Chevron Food Mart, 1194 Hog Mountain Road in Winder, where she purchased the ticket.
“I wait tables, and I had a really bad day,” she recalled. “I stopped after work to buy a lottery ticket.”
Shocked, the mother of two called her youngest daughter to share the good news.
“I never ever thought it would happen to me. I was in shock, and my daughter was hysterical,” Quiroz-Morales said. “I’m going to give to my daughters and invest the remainder.”
With her children and three grandsons, Quiroz-Morales also anticipates purchasing a new car and home.

Pou leaving BCA

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:25:00 -0500
After taking the Bethlehem Christian Academy baseball team to the top of the mountain, Nick Pou is set for a new challenge.

Pou told the Barrow Journal last week he has accepted the head baseball coaching job at Islands High School in Savannah, a Georgia High School Association Class AAA program. He began work at his new school ...

Stoudenmire to coach Mat Doggs

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:21:00 -0500
Jim Stoudenmire helped lead the Apalachee High School wrestling team to a high level of success during his five years with the program.

Now the veteran wrestling coach will begin a new challenge as he takes over the Winder-Barrow High School Mat Bulldogg program.

“There were a lot of little things which went into the ...

In the June 12 issue of the Barrow Journal....

mike@mainstreetnews.com (Mike Buffington) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 08:46:23 -0500
Animal control shelter undergoing changes

Barrow County’s government has begun its search for a new animal control director, but some improvements at the shelter already are under way, according to those now in charge.

Lightning strike causes evacuation of homes

Around 9:30 p.m. Friday night a storm moving through Barrow County caused a lightning strike in the 1300 block of Beringer Drive.

Sheriff’s ‘mock school’ a first in Georgia

In an innovation new to Georgia, the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office has built a “mock school” to teach law enforcement officers how to kill — quickly — school shooters. Sheriff Jud Smith and his training staff on June 7 hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of the 5,500-square-foot facility built on an elevated area of the department’s 204-acre training site off Briscoe Mill Road.

Welcome to the age of ‘Big Brother’

The Soviet system of spying on its citizens during the Cold War era had nothing on the current U.S. spying system, writes co-publisher Mike Buffington. It’s inevitable, he writes, that such a system will be abused, if not today, then eventually.

County seeks input on economic development

County officials last week took the first step in getting local groups on the same page in terms of Barrow County’s economic development. They brought them together in the same room. For two hours at the Chateau Elan conference center on June 7, more than 20 representatives of local governments, the chamber of commerce, and Lanier Technical College got some advice from economic development officials from neighboring counties.

Continue reading "In the June 12 issue of the Barrow Journal...."

Animal control shelter undergoing changes

mike@mainstreetnews.com (Mike Buffington) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 08:31:40 -0500
Barrow County’s government has begun its search for a new animal control director, but some improvements at the shelter already are under way, according to those now in charge.
Former shelter director Jimmy Terrell, whose 10-week departmental review led to the May 23 resignation of director Missy Burrell, is staying on as interim director until a permanent director is hired. And he has undertaken the task of correcting some of the deficiencies he identified in his May 22 report to the county.
Over the past two weeks, Terrell has reached out to animal advocates who for years have raised concerns about the quality of the shelter’s services. He and Barrow County Human Resources director Charlie Felts, who also is overseeing the transition, have had two meetings with a core group of advocacy group representatives and plan to continue those weekly meetings.
For the full story, see the June 12 issue of the Barrow Journal.

Lightning strike causes evacuation of homes

mike@mainstreetnews.com (Mike Buffington) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 08:30:34 -0500
Around 9:30 p.m. Friday night a storm moving through Barrow County caused a lightning strike in the 1300 block of Beringer Drive. Communication officers received a 911 call reporting a gas leak at 9:36 p.m. “The lightning damaged an outdoor water sprinkler system and traveled under the sidewalk and damaged a gas line,” stated Battalion Chief Rob Nowakowski. “This caused a leak in the gas line and forced an evacuation of the immediate area.” In total, six homes were evacuated for several hours until the gas line could be repaired.

Sheriff’s ‘mock school’ a first in Georgia

mike@mainstreetnews.com (Mike Buffington) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 08:15:35 -0500
In an innovation new to Georgia, the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office has built a “mock school” to teach law enforcement officers how to kill — quickly — school shooters. Sheriff Jud Smith and his training staff on June 7 hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of the 5,500-square-foot facility built on an elevated area of the department’s 204-acre training site off Briscoe Mill Road.
For the full story, see the June 12 issue of the Barrow Journal.

Journal wins top newspaper award again

mike@mainstreetnews.com (Mike Buffington) — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:28:42 -0500
For the second year in a row, the Barrow Journal has been named one of the best newspapers in Georgia. At the Georgia Press Association’s annual conference in Jekyll Island last week, co-publishers Mike Buffington and Scott Buffington accepted the coveted 2013 General Excellence award for the Journal. The newspaper won the same honor last year.
“We are extremely proud of the Journal staff and the very high standard of excellence they are setting in the state,” said co-publisher Mike Buffington. “To win the top award for excellence two years in a row is a very big deal in our industry and speaks to the dedication of the Journal’s staff.”
The Journal’s staff also won the W. Trox Bankston Trophy for providing readers the best Local News Coverage.
“The amount of local content in this weekly newspaper is unbelievable!” wrote the judges. “It offers a very nice community section in addition to the local front page, sports and police beat news.”
For the full story, see the June 12 issue of the Barrow Journal.

IN TOWN WINDER, GA. 3/2 brick

smobley@barrowjournal.com (Susan Mobley) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:42:31 -0500
IN TOWN WINDER, GA. 3/2 brick available June 15. Owner financing. $1,900 down. $535 payments, escrow included. 770-882-8419.

To view this week's Barrow Journal classifieds, click CLICK HERE

HOUSE FOR RENT

smobley@barrowjournal.com (Susan Mobley) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:41:35 -0500
HOUSE FOR RENT  4 miles north of Statham. Call 770-867-2181.

To view this week's Barrow Journal classifieds, click CLICK HERE

New public works director to come from Gwinnett County

snorman@barrowjournal.com (Susan Norman) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:45:42 -0500
Barrow County manager Jock Connell on Tuesday night will recommend the appointment of Gwinnett County's assistant water resource director as this county's public works director. Lynn Smarr has worked for Gwinnett County for 26 years and currently serves as its assistant director of water resources. She has a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Louisiana State University.

Connell told a Barrow Journal reporter Friday that Smarr is "top notch."

The Barrow County Board of Commissioners will vote on the appointment June 11. Smarr's recommended salary is $83,000.

BSA decision just a stopgap in the big picture

mike@mainstreetnews.com (Mike Buffington) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 08:02:00 -0500
The recent vote by the Boy Scouts of America to end its ban on gay scouts won’t be the last word about that issue. While the new rule lifts a ban on the boys, it doesn’t lift the ban on gay leaders. That means someone can be a gay Scout, but when he turns 18, he can no longer be affiliated with the organization. That’s a problem that will have to be addressed by BSA sometime down the road because of the inherent inconsistency that represents.
Continue reading "BSA decision just a stopgap in the big picture"

Connell: Budget problems now at crossroads

snorman@barrowjournal.com (Susan Norman) — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:40:17 -0500
Facing a possible $3.4 million funding gap for the fiscal year that starts in October, Barrow County’s manager said last week that it is time to “fundamentally rethink” the role of local government. Jock Connell on May 30 sat down with a Barrow Journal reporter to talk about the budget’s significant challenges. Expenses are expected to be $1.4 million higher, but property tax revenues $1.8 million lower.

“I’m convinced this will be the most difficult budget process they have seen in many a year,” Connell said. “We don’t need to fool ourselves. There is no magic bullet. There is no revenue stream that somebody just thought of, no sack of money that some account has got money in, that we can pull money out of.”

For the full story, read the June 5 edition of the Barrow Journal.