The Spalding County Offices will close for Memorial Day.

All Spalding County Government Offices will be closed Monday, May 27, 2013

in observance of the Memorial Day Holiday.

Offices will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.

The Griffin –Spalding County School System sustained its efforts in grassroots corporate social responsibility that won the Griffin-Spalding Chamber’s Outstanding Corporate Citizen Award last year. 

Employees participating in Spalding County’s Relay for Life Friday, May 3, were well on their way to contributing almost 40% of the total amount raised in Spalding County for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.  

The Central Office held its first blood drive this month that netted 2 ½ times the goal.  Jillian Rafter, the volunteer coordinator, said, “We had 25 donations of blood, which will help save an average of 75 lives!  Because it was our first blood drive, the goal was only 10 donations, so it’s a huge success to have 25 donations.”

Other community organizations are supported by the school system.

Students and staff contributed 29,042 cans to the annual Salvation Army canned food drive.

School system employees pledged $21,565 to United Way, exceeding the target of $20,000.

Doc Holiday

Kitchen Drawer Illustrated has partnered with Together Works in an effort to build community, beyond promoting tourism in downtown Griffin. The partnership is encouraging community support for humanitarian projects, both local and abroad, through their sponsorship of the 4th Annual Doc Holliday Beer, Wine and Arts Fest on June 8, 2013.

The festival will be held at the Park @ 6th in Griffin, Ga., and will include tasting of over 50 craft beers from all over the nation and 25 select, seasonal wines. David Fountain, manager of Bank Street Café, is serving as this year’s beer professional and is hand picking a seasonal selection of beers that are hard to come by. Charles Arnold, writer and wine enthusiast is serving as wine sommelier and has compiled a list of unique offerings, including some from local Georgia wineries.

Proceeds of this year’s event will benefit three diverse causes: Mackenzie’s Cure, a fund to assist in the medical care of a seriously ill 9-year-old girl; a project to help Veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; and an existing project to help feed the needy in Nicaragua. Event organizers Kitchen Drawer Illustrated and TogetherWorks are encouraging businesses to make charitable contributions.

Volunteers and Sponsors are needed! Volunteers receive an official DHBF T-shirt and training on the beers and wines that they will be presenting. Sponsors will have the opportunity to promote their brand/product to patrons of the event.

In Lamar County Dinh Le, Lamar County high 2009 valedictorian and a popular figure among Barnesville’s young people, has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and is taking chemotherapy at Emory Hospital.

His parents, Susan and E.T. Le, own Rose Nails in downtown Barnesville.

Susan says Dinh is in good spirits, “cracking jokes,” and occasionally praying out loud. He had a bone marrow biopsy late last week.

Dinh, a senior at Georgia Tech, is in a five-year aerospace engineering program of study with one year left to go. On a recent visit last week, Susan said, “Dinh could move his fingers and send messages. She also said when he came home, it was sad, he couldn’t even walk.”

His sister, Nga Le, a student at Oglethorpe University, posted on facebook recently: “Dinh officially has Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The doctor said that even though the bad news he is slowly building strength back in his legs and the numbness is decreasing.” Susan said, “We need everyone’s prayers, that’s the most important.”

A fund has been set up at United Bank, “Benefit for Dinh Le,” for anyone who wishes to help the family with medical expenses. For information call Thelma Dumas at United Bank, 770-358-7211, or Pam Bell, 478-993-6507.

WKEU and our community has young Le in our prayers. We would like to thank Walter Geiger and the Barnesville Herald Gazette for their assistance in this news story.

A McDonough man was killed in a one vehicle accident today, May 21, 2013 around 1:30 a.m. A 1999 Chevy Silverado truck driven by Jonathan Elijah Watson, 46, crashed on Hwy. 42 near Blount Road in Monroe County after driving off the roadway and overcorrecting. The truck overturned partially ejecting Michael Wayne Lindler, 56, out of the passenger side window. Watson sustained some injuries and was transported to the Medical Center of Central Georgia for treatment. Lindler was killed in the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene by the Coroner. Neither man was wearing a seatbelt. Watson is being charged with DUI, no seatbelt and vehicular homicide. He is still being treated for his injuries at the hospital. Lindler’s body was taken to the GBI Crime Lab for autopsy. The investigation into this case is continuing.

The first order of business at the Spalding County commissioner meeting May 20th was to approve: a Proclamation honoring The Exchange Club’s 2012 Man of the Year, Dr. Phillip B. Smith.

Chairman Flowers-Taylor presented Commissioners Chipper Gardner and Raymond Ray certificates for completion of the ACCG/University of Georgia Certified County Commissioners Training Program.

Spalding County Sheriff Wendell Beam addressed the Board about a possible County Parade ordinance. Currently the Sheriff deputies “work” the parades as a service at no cost to the sponsors. There is a cost to the county. The commissioners asked Sheriff Beam to research and come back to the board with some rules and fees he thinks would be fair for a county parade ordinance.

The commissioners Approved: recommendations from Community Development Department for policy changes and implementation of new fees to become effective July 1, 2013.

New fees and policies as proposed will generate additional revenue for services which are currently provided to the public at no cost. This will reduce the costs to taxpayers for this department and will help move to the goal of a totally fee supported department.

2013 retreat goal was to examine all fees and make recommendations to bring fees in line with other governments.

The commissioners approved: an Addendum to the SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) Program Memorandum of Understanding.

The Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act requires that all counties use the federal SAVE program to verify the lawful presence of all applicants for “public benefits.” “Public benefits” include employee retirement & health benefits, alcohol & business licenses, and a variety of other licenses. The current Addendum expires on June 30, 2013.

The commissioners approved: a County Capacity Agreement with the Georgia Department of Corrections relative to State inmates housed at the Correctional Institution for FY’ 2014.

This annual agreement with the Georgia Department of Corrections references state inmates housed at the C.I. Upon approval of this contract, the Department of Corrections agrees to pay $20.00 per State inmate per day. This contract expires June 30, 2014. This contract generates $2,803,200 in General Fund revenues and is budgeted

Approved a revised Spalding County Senior Center Rental Policy. Earlier in the year, the Board approved a rental policy for the Senior Center. Since this time, Staff has met with Louis Greene & Kelly Leger and have made simple changes to the policy. These minimal changes includes language that mirrors that of the approved Rental Policy for the Park @ Sixth. A date reservation fee was added along with a date change fee. Another change includes not renting the conference room after hours due to limited staff.

Approved a revised Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Griffin for funding of the Griffin-Spalding Airport Authority. This is the third version of this agreement which incorporates the changes requested by the Board at previous meetings. This agreement was approved by the City of Griffin at their meeting of May 14, 2013.

Approved: acceptance of grant agreement between Spalding County and the Georgia Department of Transportation to conduct Airport Improvement Project referred to as AIP-29, for the purpose of improving the Griffin-Spalding County Airport Infrastructure. AIP- 29 provides for the:

Replacement of the Airport Beacon Tower & Light
obstruction (trees) removal off approach end runway 14
update to Airport Layout Plan (ALP) property map

Total AIP-29 Grant Funding = $200,109.00
FAA Portion = $109,104.00
GDOT Portion = $3,580.00
Local Match = $6,425.00 (City Share 0 $3,212.50 & County Share $3,212.50) included in current operating budget for FY 2013

Approved a Work Authorization, Number 14, between Spalding County and Michael baker Jr., Inc. Consulting Firm to provide administrative services during execution of AIP grant, Contract Amount- $33,090.00 this is included and paid (90%) via AIP-29 Grant Award from FAA and funded in the current budget.

Approved of Work Authorization, Number 12, between Spalding County and Michael Baker, Jr.,Inc. Consulting Firm (formerly LPA Consulting) to provide administrative services for the acquisition via Federal Land Acquisition Regulations of a parcel of land adjacent to the Griffin-Spalding County Airport.

Whereas a parcel of land (currently owned by James McLendon; MAC Properties of Griffin, LLC.,) had upon it a structure used for multi-family dwelling. And whereas, that structure was destroyed by fire. And whereas, Mr. McLendon applied for a permit to rebuild said structure, and in that permit process was determined through application of FAA Form 7460 (because of its close proximity to Runway 14-32 of the Griffin-Spalding County Airport) was determined by the FAA to be a Hazard to Safe Navigation of the GSA Airspace. This is an AIP Reimbursement eligible cost. (90% Federal, 10% Local Match). SA 5 year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) has been amended and approved by GDOT to include this expense. AIP 30 will include this reimbursement. The amount is included in the current airport budget.

Approved a Intergovernmental Agreement for firing range at the proposed joint Public Safety Training Center. Several months ago a presentation was made to the Board concerning the construction of a Public Safety Training Center Facility with Firearms Training Facility on a portion of the jointly owned Shoal Creek Road C&D Landfill property. The Board was in agreement to move forward with the project to construct the Firearms Training Facility as outlined in the presentation. The first step of this project is to clear the land for the future Training Center to provide funding for construction of the Firearms Training Facility. The City of Griffin approved the Timber Management Agreement and the Intergovernmental Agreement at their May 14, 2013 meeting.

Approved: of Timber Management Agreement with Joel Vinson & Associates for timber harvesting on 55+- acres located at the Shoal Creek Road C&D Landfill. The property is jointly owned by the City and County, hence the three (3) way agreement. It is estimated that the sale of the timber on the +-55 acre tract will generate approximately $50,000. which will be utilized by the City and County for construction of the Firearms Training Facility.

Approved: authorizing transmittal of a letter to the City of Griffin detailing user fees for the 800 Mhz Communications System for FY’ 2011, FY’ 2012 & FY’ 2013 and approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement for future 800 Mhz user fees.

County Staff met with City Staff on May 13 and discussed various options. General concensus was that the County would compute the costs of the three tower sites need to run the Open Sky mobile data system (towers most frequently used by City) and charge the City a users fee based on the actual costs for those 3 towers and the Communications Supervisor’s salary, benefits and expenses. The letter requests immediate payment for FY 2011 and FY 2012 and payment by June 30 for the estimated FY 2013 amount.

Amount owed from previous Fiscal Years totals $163,705.40, estimated amount for FY 2013 is $100,000 and was budgeted in this year’s budget. Estimate for FY 2014 is also $100,000 and is budgeted as well.

Approved: request of the Spalding County Victim Service Unit to approve request to continue VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) grant. The Commission must approve application of all grants

Annually, the Victim Services Unit must apply for their VOCA Grant. The state has changed their procedures and now everything is electronic. Official approval of the governing authority is necessary for VSU to apply for the Grant. Once application has been made for the grant, the final grant documentation will be approved by the Board. Receipt of the grant is included in the FY 2014 budget.

Approved: on first reading an ordinance amending the 2013 Budget Ordinance to provide for receipt of grant funds and lease proceeds. Year end budget amendments for the purchase of vehicles, machinery, equipment and furniture through the GMA Lease Pool, DOT funding for the 2013 LMIG, JAG Grant proceeds, Homeland Security Grant proceeds and Hospital Authority Grant proceeds.

Approved: June 4th at 10:am for the date and time for a joint meeting with the Griffin Housing Authority.

After considerable discussion the commissioners tabled for further study an amendment to Spalding County Purchasing Policy to lower the minimum threshold required for bidding from $10,000 to $5,000.

Chairman Flowers-Taylor would like to discuss the Expense Sharing Agreement between the City of Griffin, Georgia and Spalding County for a Transportation Planner. Chairman Flowers-Taylor would like to know who the planner is working for and who he reports to in the city. The Expense Sharing Agreement is up for renewal June 30th.

Transportation Planner was previously an employee of Three Rivers Regional Commission and reported to Governmental Services Director Robert Hiett. In an effort to reduce costs the City and County did not renew the agreement with Three Rivers and agreed to jointly fund the position and expenses associated with that position. The Transportation Planner would be housed at One Griffin Center (County had no available office space), become a City employee (benefit package greater than County), County to supply vehicle (maintained at City motorpool) and would continue to work jointly with the City and County on transportation projects.

The airport meeting with the County Commissioners, the City Commissioners, and the Griffin Spalding Airport Authority is scheduled for 4:pm June 17th at the county annex.

Griffin High School graduation will be Friday May 24 th  7 pm at Memorial Stadium.

Spalding High School graduation will be Saturday May 25 th  9 am at Memorial Stadium.

Tickets for guests of the graduates will be distributed to graduates at their high school. Each graduate is allocated a specific number of tickets. However, graduates are asked to only accept the number of tickets they will need. Other graduates may then request additional tickets over their allocation.

“In my three years as principal, Griffin High has never run out of tickets for all guests who want to attend,” said Keith Simmons, principal at GHS.

Griffin-Spalding County School System employees must wear their school-issued badge in order to attend the ceremonies.

Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones said, “In addition to tickets, ceremony attendees will observe law enforcement officers maintaining a safe school environment for our graduates and their families. Several streets immediately surrounding the stadium will be closed to traffic, and wand handheld metal detectors will be on site.” He continued, “Part of our school system’s plan is to maintain a safe environment that is appropriate for the occasion.”

Fifth grade student at Orrs Elementary completed a career portfolio which provided them the opportunity to conduct research and present information about a career that interested them. The portfolio consisted of two major components: a two page essay and a presentation. WKEU has included a Photo on our website wkeuradio.com of a few of the students who were chosen to present their portfolios to the fourth grade students.

The J. Joel Edwards Library in Zebulon invites you to Dig Into Reading this summer. The Summer Reading Club has its official kickoff on Saturday, May 25. Children through age 14 are encouraged to register for the SRC, keep track of the hours they spend reading this summer, and reap the rewards of great reading, combined with certificates, prizes, programs, movies, and a Summer Reading Finale.

Teens are encouraged to register to volunteer at the library for the SRC. For their efforts in supporting the reading endeavor, teens can earn prizes and awards as well as valuable Community Service Hours.

Every Thursday at 1:00 the library will host a special event in the Meeting Room. On Saturdays at 1:00 families are invited to enjoy a movie together. All programs and events are free and open to the public; however, space is limited, so be sure to arrive early.

                                                           Calendar of Events

Saturday, May 25 REGISTRATION BEGINS Saturday, June 1 Movie: Inkheart (PG)

Thursday, June 6 Harvey Wilson, Storyteller Saturday, June 8 Movie: The Neverending Story (PG)

Thursday, June 13 “Exploring the Sands of Time” presented by The Society for Georgia Archaeology Saturday, June 15 Movie: Ice Age: The Meltdown (PG)

Thursday, June 20 “The Touch Truck” presented by Southern Rivers Energy Saturday, June 22 Movie: Holes (PG)

Thursday, June 27 Camelot Theater presents “Pirates!” Saturday, June 29 Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (PG-13)

Thursday, July 4 LIBRARY CLOSED FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY

Saturday, July 6 Movie: Antz Thursday, July 11 Jim Quick presents “Bees”

Saturday, July 13 Movie: The Bee Movie (PG) Thursday, July 18 “Juggle Like an Egyptian” with Ron Anglin

Saturday, July 20 Movie: Corpse Bride (PG) Thursday, July 25 “Dig Those Rocks!” The public is invited to bring rocks to be identified.

Saturday, July 27 SUMMER READING FINALE!!!

Regular library hours are MWF 10:00-5:00, TTh 10:00-7:00, and Sa 10:00-3:00.