A Commerce man was killed Monday morning in a one-vehicle wreck on Hwy. 51 South.
Albert Lee Likens II, 56, Commerce, was driving a 2001 Mack truck, owned by Waste Management of Homer, when he left the roadway around 7:46 a.m. and his vehicle rolled several times.
There were no passengers in the truck.
GPA attorney says email to council on budget is an open record
Baldwin finance director Karen Degges claims that an email she wrote city officials should not have been released because it falls under “attorney-client” documents but Georgia Press Association attorney David Hudson said that is not the case and it is an open record.
“The attorney-client privilege would only apply to communications concerning pending litigation or claims between the city and its attorney,” Hudson said. “ It does not cover communications by a city employee to council members.”
In the email, Degges pushed the city council to meet separate to discuss the budget so that the public (and press) would not be present.
“I apologize to the council, the city attorney, staff and the media for not doing a better job of managing the many budget issues, managing Saturday’s meeting in a more effective manner, and by any of my actions that would lead anyone to think the city was attempting to hide anything from the public,” Degges said. “As the budget process unfolds, I believe all concerned will see the City was and is trying to be as forthcoming as possible on all issues, while trying to be sensitive to the feelings of our employees.”
DEGGES EMAIL
The email Degges sent to the city council members and the city attorney is as follows:
Email dated: Monday, June 13, 2011 11:38 AM
Good morning everyone,
Saturday’s meeting was one more challenging that I had hoped it would be, with the unexpected attendance by the media (after they said they would not be there at last Thursday’s work session). Clearly there is a huge amount of media interest in the activities of Baldwin, on an extremely detailed level that I have not seen with the other cities I’ve worked for. Unfortunately, the handouts I had prepared for you folks included detailed information about employee salaries, as I thought we were going to be in the position where we could have much more frank discussion about the budgets submitted by the department heads. I had hoped we would leave that meeting with a clear outline of what needed to be cut, or some clear direction from the council as to what staff should do to get the budget in presentation form. We could not get to that goal with the added distraction of having the press literally sitting right there on top of us looking at the notes being taken by the City Clerk and Council members, asking questions, and providing their input as to what we should be budgeting for. I am all for transparency in government, but not when it’s to the point where work is being impeded and the line between who is staff and who is media is being blurred. It took us four hours to get through the budget summary, which had no detailed information at all.
It is going to be very difficult to have another public meeting, which is scheduled for this Thursday at 5:30 at City Hall, and go into the level of detail that will be needed to examine potential budget cuts and/or tax increases to fund what has been requested. Sharon and I had some disagreement first thing Saturday when she asked for a complete set of handouts, which were draft working documents (and labeled so) for our internal use. Initially I refused to provide her with anything, but then she said she was going to ask the Mayor for a set of documents. Then I relented and gave her Robert’s copy of the 3 page departmental summary, and she advised she would be writing up any number we discussed in our meeting. That forced me to hang onto the other handouts. It will be inflammatory enough in the paper to have her print (as I am expecting) that staff has asked for an additional $150,000 in funding, which will require a 2.5 tax mil increase.
Normally all of this behind the scenes discussion of budget details, salaries and proposed budget cuts would be handled by staff (under the City Manager’s direction) prior to presenting the budget to the elected officials. The use of a budget committee of 3 elected officials was discussed but not implemented on Saturday. Since everyone indicated they want to be involved in the budget process (and it is your right to be as elected officials), I think some serious thought needs to be given as to whether or not we want to continue doing this level of detailed discussion and possible disagreement (about what and where to cut) in full view of the press. My primary concern is preserving some level of privacy for our employees, who do not want their pay detailed on the front page of the newspaper for all of their neighbors to see.
I will be putting together some numbers this afternoon on a few different scenarios for possible cost savings, and I would much prefer to meet with three of you Thursday morning, and the second three Thursday afternoon, and it be done as two staff meetings, than be forced to provide the press an abundance of sensitive information, including employee salaries, in a public meeting. Not to mention how much longer it will take to get through all this information in that type of meeting structure. If we proceed with the original plan, the hand-outs used will (I feel sure) be challenged again, and be again requested by the media. Even if those aren’t distributed, everything we say will be public record.
I do not want to take away from or diminish anyone’s participation, but to do this type of detailed budget work in front of the press is not going to be easy or pleasant. Please think this over and let me know if you still want to have the Special Called Meeting on Thursday, or handle this as two separate staff meetings. No matter what is decided, I will try to adjust the content of any handouts accordingly, and at least be more prepared for full publication of any documents.
If any of you have any questions about the material I gave you to take home, please give me a call or stop by and I will be happy to assist you.
Karen
“The attorney-client privilege would only apply to communications concerning pending litigation or claims between the city and its attorney,” Hudson said. “ It does not cover communications by a city employee to council members.”
In the email, Degges pushed the city council to meet separate to discuss the budget so that the public (and press) would not be present.
“I apologize to the council, the city attorney, staff and the media for not doing a better job of managing the many budget issues, managing Saturday’s meeting in a more effective manner, and by any of my actions that would lead anyone to think the city was attempting to hide anything from the public,” Degges said. “As the budget process unfolds, I believe all concerned will see the City was and is trying to be as forthcoming as possible on all issues, while trying to be sensitive to the feelings of our employees.”
DEGGES EMAIL
The email Degges sent to the city council members and the city attorney is as follows:
Email dated: Monday, June 13, 2011 11:38 AM
Good morning everyone,
Saturday’s meeting was one more challenging that I had hoped it would be, with the unexpected attendance by the media (after they said they would not be there at last Thursday’s work session). Clearly there is a huge amount of media interest in the activities of Baldwin, on an extremely detailed level that I have not seen with the other cities I’ve worked for. Unfortunately, the handouts I had prepared for you folks included detailed information about employee salaries, as I thought we were going to be in the position where we could have much more frank discussion about the budgets submitted by the department heads. I had hoped we would leave that meeting with a clear outline of what needed to be cut, or some clear direction from the council as to what staff should do to get the budget in presentation form. We could not get to that goal with the added distraction of having the press literally sitting right there on top of us looking at the notes being taken by the City Clerk and Council members, asking questions, and providing their input as to what we should be budgeting for. I am all for transparency in government, but not when it’s to the point where work is being impeded and the line between who is staff and who is media is being blurred. It took us four hours to get through the budget summary, which had no detailed information at all.
It is going to be very difficult to have another public meeting, which is scheduled for this Thursday at 5:30 at City Hall, and go into the level of detail that will be needed to examine potential budget cuts and/or tax increases to fund what has been requested. Sharon and I had some disagreement first thing Saturday when she asked for a complete set of handouts, which were draft working documents (and labeled so) for our internal use. Initially I refused to provide her with anything, but then she said she was going to ask the Mayor for a set of documents. Then I relented and gave her Robert’s copy of the 3 page departmental summary, and she advised she would be writing up any number we discussed in our meeting. That forced me to hang onto the other handouts. It will be inflammatory enough in the paper to have her print (as I am expecting) that staff has asked for an additional $150,000 in funding, which will require a 2.5 tax mil increase.
Normally all of this behind the scenes discussion of budget details, salaries and proposed budget cuts would be handled by staff (under the City Manager’s direction) prior to presenting the budget to the elected officials. The use of a budget committee of 3 elected officials was discussed but not implemented on Saturday. Since everyone indicated they want to be involved in the budget process (and it is your right to be as elected officials), I think some serious thought needs to be given as to whether or not we want to continue doing this level of detailed discussion and possible disagreement (about what and where to cut) in full view of the press. My primary concern is preserving some level of privacy for our employees, who do not want their pay detailed on the front page of the newspaper for all of their neighbors to see.
I will be putting together some numbers this afternoon on a few different scenarios for possible cost savings, and I would much prefer to meet with three of you Thursday morning, and the second three Thursday afternoon, and it be done as two staff meetings, than be forced to provide the press an abundance of sensitive information, including employee salaries, in a public meeting. Not to mention how much longer it will take to get through all this information in that type of meeting structure. If we proceed with the original plan, the hand-outs used will (I feel sure) be challenged again, and be again requested by the media. Even if those aren’t distributed, everything we say will be public record.
I do not want to take away from or diminish anyone’s participation, but to do this type of detailed budget work in front of the press is not going to be easy or pleasant. Please think this over and let me know if you still want to have the Special Called Meeting on Thursday, or handle this as two separate staff meetings. No matter what is decided, I will try to adjust the content of any handouts accordingly, and at least be more prepared for full publication of any documents.
If any of you have any questions about the material I gave you to take home, please give me a call or stop by and I will be happy to assist you.
Karen
Baldwin budget finance director seeks secrecy in budget process; tax hike possible
The Baldwin City Council will meet Thursday at 5:30 p.m. to again discuss the town’s 2012 budget, although officials had been pressured by town finance director Karen Degges to keep the budget process secret.
Under the current draft budget, the city is looking to increase spending by 8.3 percent, a move that would likely force a tax hike. Among the increased spending is more money for administrative positions, including a city administrator at $60,000 per year, a part-time administrative assistant and taking a part-time finance analyst to full-time.
But Baldwin’s budget process so far has been confused by Degges efforts to keep both the public and media at bay. The council held a highly unusual called meeting at 7 a.m. last Saturday morning to discuss the budget. The timing was apparently a move to keep the discussions secret.
A Banks County News reporter showed up and was met with a hostile reception by Degges. The finance director refused to give the reporter copies of the proposed budget, saying it was secret, a clear violation of state law. The reporter eventually got a copy of an overview sheet, but Degges waited until after the meeting to hand out details to council members to avoid giving the media a copy.
Monday, Degges sent an email to the council complaining about the media showing up Saturday.
"Saturday's meeting was more challenging than I had hoped it would be, with the unexpected attendance by the media (after they said they would not be there at last Thursday's work session,)” Degges wrote.
Degges also pushed the council to cancel Thursday’s meeting to allow her to meet in small groups with council members in an effort to avoid having to have a public budget meeting.
"It's going to be very difficult to have another public meeting…. and go into the level of detail that will be needed to examine potential budget cuts and or tax increases....,” Degges wrote in her Monday email. “It will be inflammatory enough in the paper to have her print (as I am expecting) that staff has asked for an additional $150,000 in funding, which will require a 2.5 tax mil increase." [Full Story »]
Under the current draft budget, the city is looking to increase spending by 8.3 percent, a move that would likely force a tax hike. Among the increased spending is more money for administrative positions, including a city administrator at $60,000 per year, a part-time administrative assistant and taking a part-time finance analyst to full-time.
But Baldwin’s budget process so far has been confused by Degges efforts to keep both the public and media at bay. The council held a highly unusual called meeting at 7 a.m. last Saturday morning to discuss the budget. The timing was apparently a move to keep the discussions secret.
A Banks County News reporter showed up and was met with a hostile reception by Degges. The finance director refused to give the reporter copies of the proposed budget, saying it was secret, a clear violation of state law. The reporter eventually got a copy of an overview sheet, but Degges waited until after the meeting to hand out details to council members to avoid giving the media a copy.
Monday, Degges sent an email to the council complaining about the media showing up Saturday.
"Saturday's meeting was more challenging than I had hoped it would be, with the unexpected attendance by the media (after they said they would not be there at last Thursday's work session,)” Degges wrote.
Degges also pushed the council to cancel Thursday’s meeting to allow her to meet in small groups with council members in an effort to avoid having to have a public budget meeting.
"It's going to be very difficult to have another public meeting…. and go into the level of detail that will be needed to examine potential budget cuts and or tax increases....,” Degges wrote in her Monday email. “It will be inflammatory enough in the paper to have her print (as I am expecting) that staff has asked for an additional $150,000 in funding, which will require a 2.5 tax mil increase." [Full Story »]
Maysville business owner asked to remove sign
Maysville business owner Debbie Akins appeared before the Maysville City Council Monday night to complain about being asked to take down the sign on her downtown restaurant.
Akins had months ago requested the city council allow the sale of beer in town. The council denied her request after several heated town hall meetings were held with large crowds of citizens speaking in opposition to the action.
Akins went on to open a restaurant in downtown that has a sign out front with “Maysville Saloon” on it.
At a an earlier planning and zoning meeting, chairman Guy Baker suggested that police chief Clarence Sullens go to the Maysville Saloon and ask the owner to take down the banner.
Akins said that this was done unprofessionally since Sullens came into her business during dinner time and embarrassed her in front of customers. [Full Story »]
Akins had months ago requested the city council allow the sale of beer in town. The council denied her request after several heated town hall meetings were held with large crowds of citizens speaking in opposition to the action.
Akins went on to open a restaurant in downtown that has a sign out front with “Maysville Saloon” on it.
At a an earlier planning and zoning meeting, chairman Guy Baker suggested that police chief Clarence Sullens go to the Maysville Saloon and ask the owner to take down the banner.
Akins said that this was done unprofessionally since Sullens came into her business during dinner time and embarrassed her in front of customers. [Full Story »]
BOE approves sale of bonds
In a called meeting on Tuesday, the Banks County Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution for the sale of $9.03 million in general obligation bonds.
Cory Kirby, attorney with Harben, Hartley & Hawkins, LLP, Gainesville, reported to the board that the bonds were obtained at a rate of 1.795 percent. “Just today, we were able to get this rate,” Kirby said.
The school system will use special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) revenue to repay the bonds.
The resolution calls for the proposed date of issuance of the bonds to be June 9, 2011, and the paying agent for the bonds is U.S. Bank National Association, Atlanta.
After the BOE meeting, Banks County Schools Superintendent Chris Erwin and Kirby attended the Banks County Board of Commissioners to recommend the BOC approve the levy of a tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on the bonds in the event the school system doesn’t collect enough SPLOST revenue to do so. The BOC unanimously approved the action.
Cory Kirby, attorney with Harben, Hartley & Hawkins, LLP, Gainesville, reported to the board that the bonds were obtained at a rate of 1.795 percent. “Just today, we were able to get this rate,” Kirby said.
The school system will use special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) revenue to repay the bonds.
The resolution calls for the proposed date of issuance of the bonds to be June 9, 2011, and the paying agent for the bonds is U.S. Bank National Association, Atlanta.
After the BOE meeting, Banks County Schools Superintendent Chris Erwin and Kirby attended the Banks County Board of Commissioners to recommend the BOC approve the levy of a tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on the bonds in the event the school system doesn’t collect enough SPLOST revenue to do so. The BOC unanimously approved the action.
Chamber and CVB merge
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.
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.
BCHS graduation set for Friday
Banks County High School will hold its graduation commencement ceremony at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 20, at the BCHS Leopard Stadium.
In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, at the Leopard Stadium.
The valedictorian of the 2012 senior class is Ms. Sefali Patel, the salutatorian is Mr. Vishal Patel and the first honorarian is Mr. Jason Jeong.
In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, at the Leopard Stadium.
The valedictorian of the 2012 senior class is Ms. Sefali Patel, the salutatorian is Mr. Vishal Patel and the first honorarian is Mr. Jason Jeong.
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.
Local artists display work
Local artists have their work on display at the Banks County Public Library May 2-14 for the 18th annual Art Show.
An artist reception will be held on Sunday, May 15, from 2-4 p.m.
Regular hours at the library are: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays, closed; and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, contact the library at 706-677-3164.
An artist reception will be held on Sunday, May 15, from 2-4 p.m.
Regular hours at the library are: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays, closed; and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, contact the library at 706-677-3164.
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.
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