The chamber of commerce and convention and visitor’s bureau have been combined as a unified organization.
At a called meeting of the Banks County Board of Commissioners on Monday, Development Authority Chairman Scott Ledford announced that the Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) have united under one leadership.
“This is a huge, huge day for us,” Ledford said. “We will all be working from the same playbook.”
Ledford announced the merger at the monthly chamber breakfast meeting on Thursday, also.
Bonnie Johnson will serve as president of the unified organization and Sherry Ward will serve as executive director, Ledford stated.
Ledford reported that the BOC, development authority, chamber board and CVB board have been working together to make this merger possible.
“You are going to see a yield from your investment,” Ledford said.
Commissioner Ernest Rogers said, “I want to personally thank all of you for working together on this.”
In a press release presented on Monday, Ledford said, “As far as the development authority, we are so pleased to have the chamber and CVB come together. Separately, the organizations have realized many achievements, but together we feel that they can do so much more for our community and especially for our business community. There are still many details to work out, but this is the first step.”
BOC chairman Milton Dalton shares Ledford’s optimism for the unified chamber/CVB.
“The commissioners are all in agreement that a unified chamber/CVB is best for Banks County at this time,” he said. “I think this is the best way to move our county forward in planning for the future.”
Johnson said: “I love Banks County and have gladly given of my time and services to make it a better place for all of us. I’m really excited to be a part of the chamber/CVB organization and to be involved in this partnership with the development authority, commissioners, chamber and CVB. By working together along with our members and volunteers, we will thrive and make this partnership a success for Banks County.”
Ward said, “I’m really excited about all of the possibilities of the chamber/CVB organization. And, I’m looking forward to working will all the members on projects, such as Leadership Banks, the camera-ready program, special events and fund raisers, as well as our tourism program of work.”
Johnson and Ward have submitted an organizational structure draft to the development authority and commissioners for their review. Once the structure is approved, the chamber/CVB will move forward in determining its program of work, establish volunteer committees, and launch a membership drive for the new organization, the newsletter states.
“Mrs. Johnson and I know that it will take hard work ironing out some of the details, but once that is complete, we feel that this organization will definitely do its part in ‘Building a Better Banks’,” Ward said.
Ledford said Ward’s salary will remain the same as she is currently getting paid by the CVB and Johnson’s work is on a volunteer basis.
“Within the next week, we should be increasing Sherry’s salary since she is taking on the chamber duties also,” Ledford said.
Ledford reported that the development authority would meet with the chamber and CVB boards in the next week to iron out the details of the salary.
“We are waiting on the contracts to come back to us from the county attorney (Randall Frost). So there is really no need to discuss this (salary) now,” Ledford said.
Entries by Staff Writer
Regulators take over First Georgia Bank
First Georgia Banking Company — which has branches in Jackson and Banks counties — has been taken over by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, according to a press release.
The Superior Court of Heard County issued an order on Friday afternoon appointing the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver of the bank effective upon the department taking possession of First Georgia Banking Company.
The bank opened in 2003 and has 10 full-service branches, including those in Jefferson and Homer, according to its website.
CertusBank, National Association of Easley, S.C., has acquired First Georgia Banking Company through an agreement with the FDIC. [Full Story »]
The Superior Court of Heard County issued an order on Friday afternoon appointing the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver of the bank effective upon the department taking possession of First Georgia Banking Company.
The bank opened in 2003 and has 10 full-service branches, including those in Jefferson and Homer, according to its website.
CertusBank, National Association of Easley, S.C., has acquired First Georgia Banking Company through an agreement with the FDIC. [Full Story »]
Day five in London
By Friday, we were struggling to get up at seven a.m. But once we got up, we were ready to go! We took the underground to get to our scheduled tour of the Globe Theatre. It took us a while to get there because everyone's feet were killing them. Once we got there, it was very interesting to see where they saw plays a long time ago. The theatre had burnt down and been rebuilt, but we could not tell. It was interesting to see the differences from the National Theatre of the day before, that was entirely inside, and the Globe, which is open air, but has walls.
After we finished our tour we went to a classroom and had a class about Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet and Hamlet. We took turns reading a small portion of the play out loud and the tour guide, who was also a Shakespearean actor from the Globe, explained each piece line by line what everything meant. We were glad he explained it so we could better understand what it was saying. After we understood what the Romeo and Juliet play was really saying, our guide had two people go to the front of the room and act it out. This was hilarious, since our Juliet was a bit shy and didn't want our Romeo near her. When the class was over, we all went to lunch.
Our group split up; half went to a Pizzeria restaurant, and the other half went to a restaurant called The Real Greek. Since some of us were all for trying new things in London, we went to The Real Greek restaurant. It was very good. We all ordered something and then shared so we could try a little bit of everyone’s. We had octopus, lamb, stuffed grape leaves, meatballs, and pasta. They were all very interesting and some things tasted better than others, but some said this was their very favorite meal of all in London.
After lunch, we all went on a London Literary Walking Tour. It was very interesting learning about where Shakespeare got his family coat of arms, and where other authors lived or wrote, although we were all so tired of walking. Our tour guide, Keith (the same guide from the first day), did a good job of holding our attention since we were all distracted by our tiredness and sore feet.
After our tour, we had a little free time to shop and then we went to supper. We ate at a place called Mother Mash. We were served sausages on mashed potatoes with gravy. And for dessert, we had vanilla ice cream. This was one of the closest meals we ate that was food we are used to. Several people in our group ordered extra helpings of the mashed potatoes.
After supper, we headed back to the hotel to get packed up and prepared to leave the next morning. Some of the group had to get up extra early because they were on the first flight out. I think we all enjoyed ourselves, but we are all very happy to be back home.
After we finished our tour we went to a classroom and had a class about Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet and Hamlet. We took turns reading a small portion of the play out loud and the tour guide, who was also a Shakespearean actor from the Globe, explained each piece line by line what everything meant. We were glad he explained it so we could better understand what it was saying. After we understood what the Romeo and Juliet play was really saying, our guide had two people go to the front of the room and act it out. This was hilarious, since our Juliet was a bit shy and didn't want our Romeo near her. When the class was over, we all went to lunch.
Our group split up; half went to a Pizzeria restaurant, and the other half went to a restaurant called The Real Greek. Since some of us were all for trying new things in London, we went to The Real Greek restaurant. It was very good. We all ordered something and then shared so we could try a little bit of everyone’s. We had octopus, lamb, stuffed grape leaves, meatballs, and pasta. They were all very interesting and some things tasted better than others, but some said this was their very favorite meal of all in London.
After lunch, we all went on a London Literary Walking Tour. It was very interesting learning about where Shakespeare got his family coat of arms, and where other authors lived or wrote, although we were all so tired of walking. Our tour guide, Keith (the same guide from the first day), did a good job of holding our attention since we were all distracted by our tiredness and sore feet.
After our tour, we had a little free time to shop and then we went to supper. We ate at a place called Mother Mash. We were served sausages on mashed potatoes with gravy. And for dessert, we had vanilla ice cream. This was one of the closest meals we ate that was food we are used to. Several people in our group ordered extra helpings of the mashed potatoes.
After supper, we headed back to the hotel to get packed up and prepared to leave the next morning. Some of the group had to get up extra early because they were on the first flight out. I think we all enjoyed ourselves, but we are all very happy to be back home.
Day Four in London: Tower of London, National History Museum among stops
The fourth day in London for a group of Banks County High School students was a free day and they spent a lot of time walking around the city and rode on the underground train.
[Full Story »]
Maysville council redraws wards
Each of Maysville's four wards were recently redrawn based on census data released in March.
After city leaders spent a little less than an hour Monday night trying to evenly distribute the city's total population according to 2010 census results, they arrived at a preliminary separation.
Monday’s results yielded 443 for Ward 1, 444 for Ward 2, 466 for Ward 3 and 445 for Ward 4, which adds up to the city's total population of 1,798. The goal was to even out the wards between 427 and 471 people per ward, Jody Cooley, Maysville’s city attorney, said.
The city council must vote to approve the new map at two regular business meetings. The next business meeting will be held June 6.
The last time cities were required to redistrict was in the year 2000, after the last census. After each census, federal law requires that all districts have to be in 10 percent of one another.
In 2000, the city of Maysville had 1,247 registered votes, with 575 in Jackson County and 672 in Banks County, a difference of 551 people
Prior to Monday’s meeting, Ward 1 had a population of 478, Ward 2 had 348, Ward 3 had 537 and Ward 4 had 445.
Cooley said that although the number of people districted to Ward 4 did not change, boundaries may have changed.
According to the website of the U.S. Census Bureau, census data are constitutionally mandated and used to define legislature districts, school district assignment areas and other important functional areas of government. In November, every council seat in Maysville and the mayor’s seat are up for reelection.
After city leaders spent a little less than an hour Monday night trying to evenly distribute the city's total population according to 2010 census results, they arrived at a preliminary separation.
Monday’s results yielded 443 for Ward 1, 444 for Ward 2, 466 for Ward 3 and 445 for Ward 4, which adds up to the city's total population of 1,798. The goal was to even out the wards between 427 and 471 people per ward, Jody Cooley, Maysville’s city attorney, said.
The city council must vote to approve the new map at two regular business meetings. The next business meeting will be held June 6.
The last time cities were required to redistrict was in the year 2000, after the last census. After each census, federal law requires that all districts have to be in 10 percent of one another.
In 2000, the city of Maysville had 1,247 registered votes, with 575 in Jackson County and 672 in Banks County, a difference of 551 people
Prior to Monday’s meeting, Ward 1 had a population of 478, Ward 2 had 348, Ward 3 had 537 and Ward 4 had 445.
Cooley said that although the number of people districted to Ward 4 did not change, boundaries may have changed.
According to the website of the U.S. Census Bureau, census data are constitutionally mandated and used to define legislature districts, school district assignment areas and other important functional areas of government. In November, every council seat in Maysville and the mayor’s seat are up for reelection.
Day three in London: BCHS students make stops at National Theater, British Museum
On our third day in London, we all took the underground train, commonly called the tube, to the National Theatre for a backstage tour. It was very interesting to see all the different props they use in producing stage productions. They had fake heads with blood on them that were really gross and they also had fake animals and food. We got to see a robotic polar bear and a full-sized horse made of leather and bamboo. There was a full set on stage of a dentist's office that was to be used in an upcoming play. It was extremely interesting to see just how they prepare for professional plays.
[Full Story »]
Family Connection will be in county for another year
Concerns for the past several months on whether or not Family Connection would be in place in the county for another year have been put to rest.
Banks County Family Connection director Robin Trotter reported at the monthly meeting on Thursday, April 21, that state funds for Family Connection will be provided for the next year. The projected state budget figure for 2012 is $42,250, Trotter said.
“We know we will be here for another year,” Trotter said.
Banks County Family Connection director Robin Trotter reported at the monthly meeting on Thursday, April 21, that state funds for Family Connection will be provided for the next year. The projected state budget figure for 2012 is $42,250, Trotter said.
“We know we will be here for another year,” Trotter said.
Royal Palace, Buckingham Palace, theater stops on second day of tour
Day two of the Banks County High School trip to London included a visit to the Royal Palace of Hampton Court, a guided tour of London, including Buckingham Palace, and an evening theatre performance at the Queen's Theatre. It began something like this…
On our second day in London, we woke up around seven a.m. and ate breakfast in the hotel. We found, much to our dismay, that Londoners not only drink their sodas and water at room temperature, but they also drink their milk and juice warm. Some of us couldn't even eat our cereal that morning because of the warm milk. We were served hard rolls and jelly for breakfast. [Full Story »]
On our second day in London, we woke up around seven a.m. and ate breakfast in the hotel. We found, much to our dismay, that Londoners not only drink their sodas and water at room temperature, but they also drink their milk and juice warm. Some of us couldn't even eat our cereal that morning because of the warm milk. We were served hard rolls and jelly for breakfast. [Full Story »]
Computerized gambling establishment shut down at Banks Crossing
Banks County Sheriff Charles Chapman said on Monday a computerized gambling establishment at Banks Crossing was shut down by his officers.
On Friday, April 15, officers with the Banks County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the Commerce Business Center, 470 Banks Crossing Drive, after two undercover BCSO agents entered the business two different times on the same day and received cash payoffs for winnings on computerized gambling.
During the course of executing the search warrant, 57 computers and $2,000 in U.S. currency were seized. The business license was taken and will be turned over to the Banks County Board of Commissioners, Chapman said.
The investigation continues by the Criminal Investigations Division of the BCSO.
On Friday, April 15, officers with the Banks County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the Commerce Business Center, 470 Banks Crossing Drive, after two undercover BCSO agents entered the business two different times on the same day and received cash payoffs for winnings on computerized gambling.
During the course of executing the search warrant, 57 computers and $2,000 in U.S. currency were seized. The business license was taken and will be turned over to the Banks County Board of Commissioners, Chapman said.
The investigation continues by the Criminal Investigations Division of the BCSO.
BCHS students visit London
A group of Banks County High School students visited London during spring break.
There were 18 students and three adults on the trip. The students were: Chelsea Grogan, Addison King, Jayda Richey, Samantha Steverson, Rebecca Wylie, Jessie McCall, Shayla Enman, Angie Nguyen, Brian Linn, Trey Martin, Savannah Blalock, Megan Ward, Faith Turk, Viet Pham, Kassie Martin, Tori Smallwood, Austin Smith and Asa Hubbard. Adults on the trip were Pamela Wisecup, Jerry King and Robert Wisecup.
Of the 18 students, 16 of them chose to do the trip for class credit. They get one semester credit of a social studies academic elective for the trip. They are required to do pre-trip and post-trip class meetings and assignments.
The students say it was an incredible opportunity and they were all glad that they went. [Full Story »]
There were 18 students and three adults on the trip. The students were: Chelsea Grogan, Addison King, Jayda Richey, Samantha Steverson, Rebecca Wylie, Jessie McCall, Shayla Enman, Angie Nguyen, Brian Linn, Trey Martin, Savannah Blalock, Megan Ward, Faith Turk, Viet Pham, Kassie Martin, Tori Smallwood, Austin Smith and Asa Hubbard. Adults on the trip were Pamela Wisecup, Jerry King and Robert Wisecup.
Of the 18 students, 16 of them chose to do the trip for class credit. They get one semester credit of a social studies academic elective for the trip. They are required to do pre-trip and post-trip class meetings and assignments.
The students say it was an incredible opportunity and they were all glad that they went. [Full Story »]
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