The Dodge County Board of Commissioners faced a lot of ‘whys’ on Friday, December 22 during the public hearing to present the proposed budget for the county for 2018.
More than two dozen people filled the room Friday afternoon to have their questions regarding proposed budget cuts for the upcoming year to the Dodge County Board of Commissioners.
During the public comment session, responses to questions were limited, and commissioners Dan McCranie and Terry Niblett, and interim county manager Bobby Peacock, were the only voices heard representing the board, except once when county attorney John Harrington was called to answer a concern about public notification of the work session held on December 18 prior to the regular meeting of the board.
Sharon Flanagan, director of the Dodge County Farmer’s Market, led the charge of concerns and questions regarding several issues revolving around the proposed budget.
In the proposed budget, the commission board had looked into cutting funding for the farmer’s market out completely.
Flanagan pled for that not to happen. “The farmer’s market has brought numerous outside individuals into the community…several of them to your grounds. They have not noticed the beautiful courthouse before and they love your grounds.” Flanagan said.
She also presented facts in regards to the boost to the local economy that the market has helped bring about since its implementation. Flanagan mentioned that those volunteers and board members with the Dodge County Farmer’s Market had worked very hard to keep “events low key where there would be not extra maintenance for the county.”
Bill Grimes spoke on behalf of keeping the farmer’s market going. “We moved here in May, and part of the reason we did is because of the farming in the area…we come and get our fresh vegetables at the market…having the farmer’s market here helps with the tax dollars for Dodge County,” he said.
JoAnn Rozier stated, “The Dodge County Farmer’s Market is a great asset to the farmers and the people of Dodge County.”
Patty Martin, a vendor and volunteer with the farmer’s market, was passionate with her plea. “What we do brings in different types of people to the community, and brings in revenue to the county,” she said and asked the board to consider saving the market.
“The main commerce for Dodge County is family...and we have lots of small family farms…what Sharon has asked is for the very minimal help from you all,” Mike Flanagan said.
Lynn Sullivan stood, and spoke volumes. “Why take away something that is so right?”
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Top Stories - Topics from December, 2017
Cochran Highway widening begins
A much anticipated widening project of U.S. Highway 23 (Cochran Highway) has started as many drivers have noted due to barrels and signs along roadway have appeared.
According to Dodge County Interim County Manager Bobby Peacock, he got the word that the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) had awarded the contract for a widening project along that area.
Peacock said that Everett Dykes Grassing Company, Inc. had been given the go-ahead to begin the work on the project. “They have been talking about this for a long time.”
When asked specifically what the project was, Peacock told The Dodge County News on the phone Tuesday, “It is going to be a four lane road.”
Peacock said he was told the project would take about “two years to complete.”
GDOT Communications’ Specialist Kyle Collins sent a statement from GDOT after The Dodge County News reached out to GDOT for further information.
“This is the largest statewide construction contract … it was awarded at $44 million for 9.5 miles of widening on US 21/State Route (SR) 87 from Log Cabin Road to south of State Route (SR) 257 in Dodge and Bleckley Counties,” Collins’ statement read. The proposed completion date for the project is Halloween, October 31, 2021.
Collins explained, “The project will begin with an existing three-lane section and transition to two 12-foot-wide southbound lanes and one 12-foot-wide northbound lane between the SR 87 Spur and County Road (CR) 8/CR 137. Then transition to two 12-foot-wide travel lanes in each direction separated by a 14-foot-wide flush median with an urban shoulder, and will continue to County Road 133.”
[Full Story »]
According to Dodge County Interim County Manager Bobby Peacock, he got the word that the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) had awarded the contract for a widening project along that area.
Peacock said that Everett Dykes Grassing Company, Inc. had been given the go-ahead to begin the work on the project. “They have been talking about this for a long time.”
When asked specifically what the project was, Peacock told The Dodge County News on the phone Tuesday, “It is going to be a four lane road.”
Peacock said he was told the project would take about “two years to complete.”
GDOT Communications’ Specialist Kyle Collins sent a statement from GDOT after The Dodge County News reached out to GDOT for further information.
“This is the largest statewide construction contract … it was awarded at $44 million for 9.5 miles of widening on US 21/State Route (SR) 87 from Log Cabin Road to south of State Route (SR) 257 in Dodge and Bleckley Counties,” Collins’ statement read. The proposed completion date for the project is Halloween, October 31, 2021.
Collins explained, “The project will begin with an existing three-lane section and transition to two 12-foot-wide southbound lanes and one 12-foot-wide northbound lane between the SR 87 Spur and County Road (CR) 8/CR 137. Then transition to two 12-foot-wide travel lanes in each direction separated by a 14-foot-wide flush median with an urban shoulder, and will continue to County Road 133.”
[Full Story »]
Police make arrests
The Eastman Police Department reported the following arrests from December 4, 2017 through December 12, 2017.
David George, age 26, of Cadwell, was arrested for shoplifting, less than $500.00
Torrance Tuff, age 38, of Eastman, was arrested for a failure to pay bench warrant.
Eric Reese, age 46, of Eastman, was arrested for indecent exposure; criminal trespass on business property and driving while license is suspended and/or revoked.
Stacy Oxley, age 41, of Eastman, was arrested for driving while license is suspended and/or revoked.
Jeffery Parker, age 45, of Eastman, was arrested for non-residence burglary, forced entry.
Willie King, age 58, of Eastman, was arrested for shoplifting, less than $500.00; a failure to pay bench warrant and criminal trespass on business property.
Michael Smith, age 28, of Eastman, was arrested for possession of firearms during a crime; possession of firearms by convicted felon; possession of Schedule IV drugs; possession of marijuana, less than one ounce; sale and/or delivery and/or distributing methamphetamine; possession of drug related objects and failure to keep drugs in original container.
Jonathan Snellgrove, age 24, of Helena, was arrested for a failure to pay bench warrant.
Edwin Dent, age 56, of Hawkinsville, was arrested for obstructing law enforcement officers and disorderly conduct.
Marquise Johnson, age 20, of McRae, was arrested for simple battery and cruelty to children in the third degree.
David George, age 26, of Cadwell, was arrested for disorderly conduct; possession of one ounce or less of marijuana; shoplifting, less than $500.00; obstructing law enforcement officers and simple battery.
Brandon Johnekins, age 25, of Alamo, was arrested for driving while license is suspended and/or revoked and speeding.
Eric English, age 27, of Helena, was arrested for driving while license is suspended and/or revoked.
Samuel Brown, age 66, of Eastman, was arrested for obstructing law enforcement officers and possession of one ounce or less of marijuana.
David George, age 26, of Cadwell, was arrested for shoplifting, less than $500.00
Torrance Tuff, age 38, of Eastman, was arrested for a failure to pay bench warrant.
Eric Reese, age 46, of Eastman, was arrested for indecent exposure; criminal trespass on business property and driving while license is suspended and/or revoked.
Stacy Oxley, age 41, of Eastman, was arrested for driving while license is suspended and/or revoked.
Jeffery Parker, age 45, of Eastman, was arrested for non-residence burglary, forced entry.
Willie King, age 58, of Eastman, was arrested for shoplifting, less than $500.00; a failure to pay bench warrant and criminal trespass on business property.
Michael Smith, age 28, of Eastman, was arrested for possession of firearms during a crime; possession of firearms by convicted felon; possession of Schedule IV drugs; possession of marijuana, less than one ounce; sale and/or delivery and/or distributing methamphetamine; possession of drug related objects and failure to keep drugs in original container.
Jonathan Snellgrove, age 24, of Helena, was arrested for a failure to pay bench warrant.
Edwin Dent, age 56, of Hawkinsville, was arrested for obstructing law enforcement officers and disorderly conduct.
Marquise Johnson, age 20, of McRae, was arrested for simple battery and cruelty to children in the third degree.
David George, age 26, of Cadwell, was arrested for disorderly conduct; possession of one ounce or less of marijuana; shoplifting, less than $500.00; obstructing law enforcement officers and simple battery.
Brandon Johnekins, age 25, of Alamo, was arrested for driving while license is suspended and/or revoked and speeding.
Eric English, age 27, of Helena, was arrested for driving while license is suspended and/or revoked.
Samuel Brown, age 66, of Eastman, was arrested for obstructing law enforcement officers and possession of one ounce or less of marijuana.
Christmas parade set for Saturday night
The Eastman Lions Club is proud to recognize Tom Lord, owner of Dairy Queen of Eastman as the Grand Marshall of the Christmas parade. Tom has been a fixture in Eastman for over 44 years, owning the Dairy queen in Eastman since 1973. During his time as owner his restaurant has won numerous awards, most notably for increases in sales. Since 1971, Tom has employed hundreds of local high school students in his restaurant and has also been very generous to our school clubs and sports teams during fundraising events held at the Dairy Queen.
Tom still resides in Dexter Georgia and attends Buckhorn Methodist Church. He graduated from Dexter High School, graduated from Middle Georgia College, holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Georgia Southern University and holds a Master of Science in Business from Georgia State.
This year the Eastman Lions Club will be holding their annual parade at night. The 2017 Lions Christmas parade is scheduled for December 9th, 2017 at 7:00 P.M. Lineup will begin at 6:00 pm on 2nd Avenue (in front of the Post Office).
There is a $25 fee per entry. Equine units are $25 for the first 15 participants and then $10 for each additional unit of 5 or more. There is no fee for school bands, color guards, police and fire units. All entries, except for horses, should have some sort of lighting since the parade is at night. Plaques are awarded for the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place floats.
Lion Jamie Sheffield of the Bank of Eastman is chairing the 2017 parade, and checks can be made out to the Eastman Lions Club, PO Box 166, Eastman, Georgia 31023 or turned in to the Eastman/Dodge County Chamber of Commerce. Entry fee must be paid by December 6th. Special thanks to the Chamber for helping promote the parade on their website and helping distribute and collect applications and parade fees.
For safety reasons, entrants will not be allowed to throw candy to parade bystanders, however entrants may handout candy. Proceeds from the parade are used to support local Lions vision projects. Parade applications are available at the Eastman/Dodge County Chamber of Commerce, or any Eastman Lions Club member. Please make your plans now to participate and help the Eastman Lions make the 2017 parade the best!
Tom still resides in Dexter Georgia and attends Buckhorn Methodist Church. He graduated from Dexter High School, graduated from Middle Georgia College, holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Georgia Southern University and holds a Master of Science in Business from Georgia State.
This year the Eastman Lions Club will be holding their annual parade at night. The 2017 Lions Christmas parade is scheduled for December 9th, 2017 at 7:00 P.M. Lineup will begin at 6:00 pm on 2nd Avenue (in front of the Post Office).
There is a $25 fee per entry. Equine units are $25 for the first 15 participants and then $10 for each additional unit of 5 or more. There is no fee for school bands, color guards, police and fire units. All entries, except for horses, should have some sort of lighting since the parade is at night. Plaques are awarded for the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place floats.
Lion Jamie Sheffield of the Bank of Eastman is chairing the 2017 parade, and checks can be made out to the Eastman Lions Club, PO Box 166, Eastman, Georgia 31023 or turned in to the Eastman/Dodge County Chamber of Commerce. Entry fee must be paid by December 6th. Special thanks to the Chamber for helping promote the parade on their website and helping distribute and collect applications and parade fees.
For safety reasons, entrants will not be allowed to throw candy to parade bystanders, however entrants may handout candy. Proceeds from the parade are used to support local Lions vision projects. Parade applications are available at the Eastman/Dodge County Chamber of Commerce, or any Eastman Lions Club member. Please make your plans now to participate and help the Eastman Lions make the 2017 parade the best!
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