By Taelor Rye
Members of the Dodge County Board of Commissioners recognized the life and service of fallen Eastman police officer Tim Smith at the top of the August 15 board meeting.
As part of her devotional, commissioner Karen Cheek shared, “He had a legacy. He was a family man, and he was a church man. He was a servant; he served people, and he protected us. He will be missed, and this is the type of life that you lead – one that leaves an impression on those that are left behind. I think he did that.”
Cheek then held a moment of silence, one held “not only for him and his family, but for all of the law officers and public servants that serve us all the time that we take so for granted.”
Following the moment of silence and prayer, commissioner William Howell, Jr. added, “A lot of times, we take these police officers for granted… These people are hurting. They’ve been through a lot… Families are hurting. When you see them in the upcoming weeks, give them a hug, and give them your support. They put their lives on the line for us every day of the week.”
Smith, who was with the Eastman Police Department for five years, was shot when responding to a call concerning a suspicious person after coming upon the figure and exiting his vehicle. Suspect Royheem Delshawn Deeds has been arrested for the shooting.
According to county manager Bobby Peacock, Smith’s visitation will take place at the Dodge County High School Gymnasium in Eastman at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 18, with the funeral following at 2:00 p.m. the same day.
Commissioners lamented that the called meeting to set the upcoming fiscal year’s millage rate has also long been set for 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 18, noting that advertised, called meetings of this nature follow a specific set of procedures that legally must be upheld.
County attorney John Harrington explained to the commissioners, “Those notices are very strict. Even though you’re not actually changing it (the millage rate), you’ve got to have it (the meeting), and you’ve got to do it the right way.”
He continued, “I certainly mean no disrespect to officer Smith, and I know none of the people on this board does… We are disappointed in that (conflict), but we don’t have a lot of choice. We will make it as quick as we can to allow us all to pay our respects as we see fit.”
Sharon Cobb Flanagan of the Dodge County Farmer’s Market relayed that, at the most recent Dodge-Eastman Chamber of Commerce meeting, discussions were held concerning the upcoming Hometown Heroes Day for September 11, a recognition of the services of first responders.
[Full Story »]
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Eastman police officer murdered
A suspect is in custody after he allegedly shot and killed Eastman Police Officer Tim Smith at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 13.
According to authorities, officer Smith responded to a suspicious person report on Main Street near Smith Street. When officer Smith arrived in the area, he noticed a black male. Officer Smith stopped his car, got out and confronted the subject and was shot by the suspect. Officer Smith was hit, but returned fire, missing the suspect.
The suspect left the scene and officer Smith called into 911 that he had been shot.
Emergency Medical Services and Eastman Fire Department Rescue responded to the scene. Officer Smith was taken to Dodge County Hospital where he died of his wound.
Law enforcement officials immediately began a search for the suspect. Before long, approximately 75 law enforcement officials from all over middle Georgia and some other areas converged on Eastman to offer their assistance in the search for the suspect. Officers followed leads all night and the next day trying to locate the suspect.
The suspect was identified as Royheem Delshawn Deeds, age 24, of the Dodge-Telfair area.
An alert was put out for Deeds.
As the result of a tip, just before 1:00 a.m. on Monday, August 15, the U.S. Marshal’s Service notified the Nassau County, Florida Sheriff’s Office that it was possible that Deeds was headed out of Folkston, Georgia on U.S. 1 into Florida and may be headed towards Gainesville, Florida in a gold Nissan Altima with a Georgia tag. [Full Story »]
According to authorities, officer Smith responded to a suspicious person report on Main Street near Smith Street. When officer Smith arrived in the area, he noticed a black male. Officer Smith stopped his car, got out and confronted the subject and was shot by the suspect. Officer Smith was hit, but returned fire, missing the suspect.
The suspect left the scene and officer Smith called into 911 that he had been shot.
Emergency Medical Services and Eastman Fire Department Rescue responded to the scene. Officer Smith was taken to Dodge County Hospital where he died of his wound.
Law enforcement officials immediately began a search for the suspect. Before long, approximately 75 law enforcement officials from all over middle Georgia and some other areas converged on Eastman to offer their assistance in the search for the suspect. Officers followed leads all night and the next day trying to locate the suspect.
The suspect was identified as Royheem Delshawn Deeds, age 24, of the Dodge-Telfair area.
An alert was put out for Deeds.
As the result of a tip, just before 1:00 a.m. on Monday, August 15, the U.S. Marshal’s Service notified the Nassau County, Florida Sheriff’s Office that it was possible that Deeds was headed out of Folkston, Georgia on U.S. 1 into Florida and may be headed towards Gainesville, Florida in a gold Nissan Altima with a Georgia tag. [Full Story »]
BREAKING NEWS: EASTMAN POLICE OFFICER KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY
Royheem Delsawn Deeds, age 24, of the Dodge-Telfair area is wanted for one count of murder of Eastman Police Officer Tim Smith.
[Full Story »]
One Injured
An Eastman woman was injured and taken to Dodge County Hospital after a one vehicle accident at approximately 5:26 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2. The accident happened on Edna Moore Road approximately .2 miles south of Georgia 27. Sonya Danner Coleman, age 35, was driving a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe C1500 south on Edna Moore Road. According to the Georgia State Patrol report, Coleman was driving too fast for conditions and failed to maintain her lane, running off the west side of the road, striking a trash can, then traveled into the ditch and hitting an embankment which caused the vehicle to start flipping and ending up on its top. (Photo by Chuck Eckles)
Eastman council says no to increase
By Taelor Rye
Following the lead of the Dodge County Board of Commissioners, the Eastman City Council similarly has voted not to increase the property tax rate to benefit the Dodge-Eastman Development Authority’s push for economic development through the creation of a Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) Site. The council’s decision came at its regular meeting on August 8.
Council member Milton Johnson stated that the county’s decision not to increase its millage rate was a smart decision. If both the city and county were to increase their respective tax rates, he noted, then those in the city limits would be hit doubly with tax increases.
Looking into Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds may be better for the county, paired with a tax increase for the city, as city SPLOST funds are more tied up with current projects, Johnson said.
Still, the major reason for the decision, according to comments from council members, was community outcry to the proposal, largely due to incomplete education on the proposal as a result of the accelerated time frame.
Council member Buddy Pittman noted, “At this time… the county’s not willing to go ahead and move forward with it… I think there’s still a lot of questions from people from the county and city. We need to do something to educate them more.”
Pittman continued that the council does need to do something to help the development authority in its endeavor, but that raising the tax rate may not be the best solution for all involved.
“I think there are some other options available… Right now, I still have not heard anybody except somebody in this room that thinks that this is a good idea,” he explained.
Additionally, Sharon Cobb Flanagan stated, “The effort and energy to push on this one mill is good, and the time that is required to get something like that communicated to a community is vast… Initially, the support for economic development is necessary to grow the community if you want to bring businesses in and increase the economy. To do something like that, from my perspective, takes a lot of effort and a lot of time.”
Further, Flanagan opined, “To build this community, we have to think about the future, and that requires long-term planning, and long-term planning requires an understanding that there’s a long-term financial commitment to support all the resources,” explaining that helping future generations requires not only action but also time.
“For me, there has not been enough time to understand it,” she closed.
Charles Williams of the development authority thanked the council for its time and effort, redirecting attention to city-owned land at the Eastman airport as well as to available grant opportunities that would still require a local participation percentage.
“The communities that grow are the communities that fund growth,” he underscored. “How we fund it, I don’t know. Probably the fair way for everybody concerned would be the city raising the millage rate, and I understand everybody’s reservations. I understand that it’s been put together quickly.”
Emphasizing the unique benefits of a GRAD Site rather than just a speculative building, he said, “If on the day a company comes to town and looks, what they have is an empty field, and there’s no water, sewage or anything coming to it, they’re probably not even going to look very much – if they even come… We have to be doing something toward it.”
Closing the item out, Pittman reiterated, “For me, something needs to be done,” calling on the city, the county and the development authority to continue moving forward with the idea by working more closely together.
The council approved a property tax notice agreement with QS/1, the business responsible for sending out tax notices for the city. [Full Story »]
Following the lead of the Dodge County Board of Commissioners, the Eastman City Council similarly has voted not to increase the property tax rate to benefit the Dodge-Eastman Development Authority’s push for economic development through the creation of a Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) Site. The council’s decision came at its regular meeting on August 8.
Council member Milton Johnson stated that the county’s decision not to increase its millage rate was a smart decision. If both the city and county were to increase their respective tax rates, he noted, then those in the city limits would be hit doubly with tax increases.
Looking into Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds may be better for the county, paired with a tax increase for the city, as city SPLOST funds are more tied up with current projects, Johnson said.
Still, the major reason for the decision, according to comments from council members, was community outcry to the proposal, largely due to incomplete education on the proposal as a result of the accelerated time frame.
Council member Buddy Pittman noted, “At this time… the county’s not willing to go ahead and move forward with it… I think there’s still a lot of questions from people from the county and city. We need to do something to educate them more.”
Pittman continued that the council does need to do something to help the development authority in its endeavor, but that raising the tax rate may not be the best solution for all involved.
“I think there are some other options available… Right now, I still have not heard anybody except somebody in this room that thinks that this is a good idea,” he explained.
Additionally, Sharon Cobb Flanagan stated, “The effort and energy to push on this one mill is good, and the time that is required to get something like that communicated to a community is vast… Initially, the support for economic development is necessary to grow the community if you want to bring businesses in and increase the economy. To do something like that, from my perspective, takes a lot of effort and a lot of time.”
Further, Flanagan opined, “To build this community, we have to think about the future, and that requires long-term planning, and long-term planning requires an understanding that there’s a long-term financial commitment to support all the resources,” explaining that helping future generations requires not only action but also time.
“For me, there has not been enough time to understand it,” she closed.
Charles Williams of the development authority thanked the council for its time and effort, redirecting attention to city-owned land at the Eastman airport as well as to available grant opportunities that would still require a local participation percentage.
“The communities that grow are the communities that fund growth,” he underscored. “How we fund it, I don’t know. Probably the fair way for everybody concerned would be the city raising the millage rate, and I understand everybody’s reservations. I understand that it’s been put together quickly.”
Emphasizing the unique benefits of a GRAD Site rather than just a speculative building, he said, “If on the day a company comes to town and looks, what they have is an empty field, and there’s no water, sewage or anything coming to it, they’re probably not even going to look very much – if they even come… We have to be doing something toward it.”
Closing the item out, Pittman reiterated, “For me, something needs to be done,” calling on the city, the county and the development authority to continue moving forward with the idea by working more closely together.
The council approved a property tax notice agreement with QS/1, the business responsible for sending out tax notices for the city. [Full Story »]
Commissioners say no to tax increase
By Taelor Rye
The Dodge County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted not to raise the tax millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year at its meeting on August 1.
The Eastman-Dodge County Development Authority has proposed a raise of the millage rate in an attempt to encourage economic development throughout the county.
Although the county moved not to raise its rate, the Eastman City Council has yet to adopt its tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year, likely to be decided at its meeting on August 8.
The board also voted to approve Cindy Eckles as the new member of the board of tax assessors, tabling a vote on nominee Faye Jessup until the next meeting.
County manager Bobby Peacock requested permission to advertise the sale of a 2007 Dodge Charger, which the board approved.
Charles Williams, of the development authority, discussed with the board the option of local power companies EMC and Georgia Power developing interest in dark fiber optics, relaying that Dodge County is the only county in the area that has not contributed financially to a recent feasibility study.
Sharon Cobb Flanagan of the Dodge County Farmer’s Market Authority gave a summation of the recent farmer’s market, noting that attendance and the number of vendors has recently dipped due to a number of reasons including heat-related health issues, family reunions, tax-free weekend and vacations, among others.
The board’s next meeting will take place on Monday, August 15 at 6:00 p.m.
The Dodge County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted not to raise the tax millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year at its meeting on August 1.
The Eastman-Dodge County Development Authority has proposed a raise of the millage rate in an attempt to encourage economic development throughout the county.
Although the county moved not to raise its rate, the Eastman City Council has yet to adopt its tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year, likely to be decided at its meeting on August 8.
The board also voted to approve Cindy Eckles as the new member of the board of tax assessors, tabling a vote on nominee Faye Jessup until the next meeting.
County manager Bobby Peacock requested permission to advertise the sale of a 2007 Dodge Charger, which the board approved.
Charles Williams, of the development authority, discussed with the board the option of local power companies EMC and Georgia Power developing interest in dark fiber optics, relaying that Dodge County is the only county in the area that has not contributed financially to a recent feasibility study.
Sharon Cobb Flanagan of the Dodge County Farmer’s Market Authority gave a summation of the recent farmer’s market, noting that attendance and the number of vendors has recently dipped due to a number of reasons including heat-related health issues, family reunions, tax-free weekend and vacations, among others.
The board’s next meeting will take place on Monday, August 15 at 6:00 p.m.
Eastman council continues discussions on tax increase
By Taelor Rye
At its July 25 regular meeting, the Eastman City Council moved to continue discussions regarding the approval of a proposed dedicated property tax millage rate increase so that city councilors may receive more training and exposure to information on the effects of a hypothetical millage rate increase as well as alternative funding methods.
For example, according to Charles Williams of the Eastman-Dodge County Chamber of Commerce, Ralph Forbes, from Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company, visited the chamber on Tuesday, July 26, to discuss community funding and its impact.
In addition, the City of Douglas and Coffee County have offered to hold a tentative breakfast on Thursday, July 28, to show Eastman and Dodge County representatives the effect of their own one-mill tax increase.
According to city council member Buddy Pittman, city council members will also be able to partake in a webinar on millage rates. He encouraged his colleagues to participate in that “so that we’ll be more informed on the decision.”
City council member Prince Dawson expressed agreement with Pittman, who moved to continue discussions on the item at its August 8 meeting, which Williams identified as the last meeting to make a decision on the matter so that it applies to this year’s tax digest.
“We’re all in agreement that we need to do something,” Dawson said.
The council approved motions to close its streetscape and Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) accounts, moving funds from each to the general fund account as reimbursement for projects financed.
The streetscape account held $51,329.03, and the SPLOST account held $248,875.89. Funds reimbursed by the SPLOST account, which went toward Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects, were accounted for in the budget this year, but streetscape project funds are from a few years ago. City council member Milton Johnson expressed interest in the possibility of using the newly acquired streetscape reimbursement for community projects.
The council additionally renewed its Oconee Drug Task Force agreement for 2017, allotting $8,803.00 for the task force’s services, as it has done in years past.
City manager Jason Cobb brought up discussions on advertising a request for engineering firms’ qualifications for upcoming CDBG projects.
Cobb stated that the request is due to the “likelihood that we will use federal funds,” noting that federal guidelines must therefore be followed.
Technically, Cobb clarified, the request is not for bids although firms will include hourly rates and other charges. Instead, the firm selection is based on most appropriate qualifications, following between 18 and 20 different criteria. [Full Story »]
At its July 25 regular meeting, the Eastman City Council moved to continue discussions regarding the approval of a proposed dedicated property tax millage rate increase so that city councilors may receive more training and exposure to information on the effects of a hypothetical millage rate increase as well as alternative funding methods.
For example, according to Charles Williams of the Eastman-Dodge County Chamber of Commerce, Ralph Forbes, from Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company, visited the chamber on Tuesday, July 26, to discuss community funding and its impact.
In addition, the City of Douglas and Coffee County have offered to hold a tentative breakfast on Thursday, July 28, to show Eastman and Dodge County representatives the effect of their own one-mill tax increase.
According to city council member Buddy Pittman, city council members will also be able to partake in a webinar on millage rates. He encouraged his colleagues to participate in that “so that we’ll be more informed on the decision.”
City council member Prince Dawson expressed agreement with Pittman, who moved to continue discussions on the item at its August 8 meeting, which Williams identified as the last meeting to make a decision on the matter so that it applies to this year’s tax digest.
“We’re all in agreement that we need to do something,” Dawson said.
The council approved motions to close its streetscape and Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) accounts, moving funds from each to the general fund account as reimbursement for projects financed.
The streetscape account held $51,329.03, and the SPLOST account held $248,875.89. Funds reimbursed by the SPLOST account, which went toward Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects, were accounted for in the budget this year, but streetscape project funds are from a few years ago. City council member Milton Johnson expressed interest in the possibility of using the newly acquired streetscape reimbursement for community projects.
The council additionally renewed its Oconee Drug Task Force agreement for 2017, allotting $8,803.00 for the task force’s services, as it has done in years past.
City manager Jason Cobb brought up discussions on advertising a request for engineering firms’ qualifications for upcoming CDBG projects.
Cobb stated that the request is due to the “likelihood that we will use federal funds,” noting that federal guidelines must therefore be followed.
Technically, Cobb clarified, the request is not for bids although firms will include hourly rates and other charges. Instead, the firm selection is based on most appropriate qualifications, following between 18 and 20 different criteria. [Full Story »]
Bundick named new principal
After the recommendation of Dodge County School Superintendent Mike Hilliard, the Dodge County Board of Education appointed Sonya Skipper Bundick as the new South Dodge Elementary School (SDES) principal.
Bundick was born and raised in Chauncey and is the daughter of Darrell and Kay Skipper. She has been married to Garrick Bundick for 27 years and together they have two children, Brent Bundick (Logan) and Blakelyn Bundick.
Bundick has 28 years of experience in education with 14 spent teaching math at Dodge County Middle School. The last 14 years she has spent as Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) director and Dodge County High School assistant principal.
Bundick said, “I am elated and honored to be given the opportunity to serve SDES as principal for the upcoming school year. I am looking forward to working with my new family!”
Bundick was born and raised in Chauncey and is the daughter of Darrell and Kay Skipper. She has been married to Garrick Bundick for 27 years and together they have two children, Brent Bundick (Logan) and Blakelyn Bundick.
Bundick has 28 years of experience in education with 14 spent teaching math at Dodge County Middle School. The last 14 years she has spent as Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) director and Dodge County High School assistant principal.
Bundick said, “I am elated and honored to be given the opportunity to serve SDES as principal for the upcoming school year. I am looking forward to working with my new family!”
Superintendent Hilliard conducts first board of education meeting
By Taelor Rye
Dodge County School Superintendent Mike Hilliard participated in his first Dodge County Board of Education meeting in his new position on July 14, overseeing the approval of a slew of requests for the schools in the district.
Because the Dodge Pre-K salary schedule is different than the board’s typical salary schedule for classified employees, former superintendent Dr. Melinda Dennis requested a waiver from the state to adopt the Dodge County paraprofessional salary schedule for Dodge Pre-K.
Susan Adams, assistant commissioner of Georgia’s Pre-K Program and Instructional Supports, returned correspondence granting an approval of Dennis’s request, which the board moved to adopt, streamlining the pre-k’s salary schedule with the K-12 salary schedule across the county.
The county’s personnel salary schedule is based on the State of Georgia’s salary schedule, which was not by necessity, as the county’s strategic waiver system allows the county to set its own salary schedule. Still, the board moved to adopt the state’s schedule.
In addition, certified personnel will receive a one-year reimbursement of austerity money taken by the state for about 12 years, according to Hilliard. The board moved to multiply each employee’s supplement, which is three percent of his or her current salary, by 1.5, adding that supplement to employees’ November paychecks.
Simply, a hypothetical employee who makes $3,000.00 would receive a bonus of $900.00 from the state. Multiplying $900.00 by 1.5 yields $1,350.00, which is the total supplement that the employee would receive.
Developed with Dr. Melinda Dennis and Wendy Dennis, the supplement is “probably the most generous package that we’ve seen in the RESA area,” Hilliard stated.
Hilliard proposed allowing Misty Selph to become the new plan manager for benefits and payroll. Upon board member Robert Peacock’s recommendation, Hilliard amended his recommendation to include himself in the event that Selph is unavailable to perform an associated task. The board approved the motion.
Currently, the board has had multiple renovation and construction projects in place.
According to Dodge County Schools Maintenance Director Jack Taylor, projects at the elementary schools will not be completely finished by teachers’ August 2 return date, but he stated, “We’ll have the building ready so we can have class.”
Additionally, Taylor stated that Dodge County Middle School’s (DCMS) softball and baseball field will be ready in time for baseball season in the spring. Work to be done includes putting up the fence, connecting power to the new building and adding sod and sprinklers.
The board approved bids for seven-foot fences in front of the home and away dugouts for the Dodge County High School (DCHS) baseball and softball fields. The price of the fences for the baseball field is $2,700.00 paid to R and D Designs; Jody Batts Fencing’s competing bid was $3,400.00.
However, Jody Batts Fencing’s approved bid for the softball field fences, $550.00, was lower than R and D Design’s bid, which was $1,288.00.
The board also approved a reimbursement request from athletic director Rex Hodges for field leveling services at the price of $3,842.17.
Concerning floor replacement for the board office’s lobby and kitchen, the board voted to go with Floor Gallery, whose $4,179.00 bid was lower than Daniel Thompson’s bid of $4,660.00.
Dodge County Board of Education Transportation Director Bodie Gray recommended that the board go through with the sale of two buses that have “been causing trouble ever since they’ve been there.”
Gray detailed the numerous expenses that the buses have cost the district over the years, stating that the board should sell those two buses to offset the purchase of a 72-passenger bus. The board accepted his recommendations.
The board voted to renew its subscriptions to SharpSchool, which hosts the district’s websites, and VMWare, which is software that controls the district’s servers, for the upcoming school year.
[Full Story »]
Dodge County School Superintendent Mike Hilliard participated in his first Dodge County Board of Education meeting in his new position on July 14, overseeing the approval of a slew of requests for the schools in the district.
Because the Dodge Pre-K salary schedule is different than the board’s typical salary schedule for classified employees, former superintendent Dr. Melinda Dennis requested a waiver from the state to adopt the Dodge County paraprofessional salary schedule for Dodge Pre-K.
Susan Adams, assistant commissioner of Georgia’s Pre-K Program and Instructional Supports, returned correspondence granting an approval of Dennis’s request, which the board moved to adopt, streamlining the pre-k’s salary schedule with the K-12 salary schedule across the county.
The county’s personnel salary schedule is based on the State of Georgia’s salary schedule, which was not by necessity, as the county’s strategic waiver system allows the county to set its own salary schedule. Still, the board moved to adopt the state’s schedule.
In addition, certified personnel will receive a one-year reimbursement of austerity money taken by the state for about 12 years, according to Hilliard. The board moved to multiply each employee’s supplement, which is three percent of his or her current salary, by 1.5, adding that supplement to employees’ November paychecks.
Simply, a hypothetical employee who makes $3,000.00 would receive a bonus of $900.00 from the state. Multiplying $900.00 by 1.5 yields $1,350.00, which is the total supplement that the employee would receive.
Developed with Dr. Melinda Dennis and Wendy Dennis, the supplement is “probably the most generous package that we’ve seen in the RESA area,” Hilliard stated.
Hilliard proposed allowing Misty Selph to become the new plan manager for benefits and payroll. Upon board member Robert Peacock’s recommendation, Hilliard amended his recommendation to include himself in the event that Selph is unavailable to perform an associated task. The board approved the motion.
Currently, the board has had multiple renovation and construction projects in place.
According to Dodge County Schools Maintenance Director Jack Taylor, projects at the elementary schools will not be completely finished by teachers’ August 2 return date, but he stated, “We’ll have the building ready so we can have class.”
Additionally, Taylor stated that Dodge County Middle School’s (DCMS) softball and baseball field will be ready in time for baseball season in the spring. Work to be done includes putting up the fence, connecting power to the new building and adding sod and sprinklers.
The board approved bids for seven-foot fences in front of the home and away dugouts for the Dodge County High School (DCHS) baseball and softball fields. The price of the fences for the baseball field is $2,700.00 paid to R and D Designs; Jody Batts Fencing’s competing bid was $3,400.00.
However, Jody Batts Fencing’s approved bid for the softball field fences, $550.00, was lower than R and D Design’s bid, which was $1,288.00.
The board also approved a reimbursement request from athletic director Rex Hodges for field leveling services at the price of $3,842.17.
Concerning floor replacement for the board office’s lobby and kitchen, the board voted to go with Floor Gallery, whose $4,179.00 bid was lower than Daniel Thompson’s bid of $4,660.00.
Dodge County Board of Education Transportation Director Bodie Gray recommended that the board go through with the sale of two buses that have “been causing trouble ever since they’ve been there.”
Gray detailed the numerous expenses that the buses have cost the district over the years, stating that the board should sell those two buses to offset the purchase of a 72-passenger bus. The board accepted his recommendations.
The board voted to renew its subscriptions to SharpSchool, which hosts the district’s websites, and VMWare, which is software that controls the district’s servers, for the upcoming school year.
[Full Story »]
Industrial park, airport fiber optic ready
As part of AT&T’s continuing efforts to drive economic development and investment in Georgia, AT&T and representatives from the Dodge County-Eastman Development Authority have announced that the Airport Industrial Park and the Eastman-Dodge County Downtown/Southside Industrial Park are certified as AT&T Fiber Ready.
In today’s world, connectivity is vital to employers and businesses of every type. There’s no such thing as a “low-tech” business today, so economic development leaders must be able to tout the presence of high-speed internet connectivity.
“This type of high-speed infrastructure is essential to a successful economy, and it is vital that we continue to pursue pro-business, pro-investment policies in our state government to ensure that companies continue deploying the vital fiber-optic connectivity that businesses in Georgia need,” said Georgia State Representative Jimmy Pruett. “I have no doubt that more people would love to live and work in our area of the state if the infrastructure allowed them to do so. I am glad to see this investment has been made in rural areas of the state, and I look forward to working with local government and their economic development division to continue business growth and job creation in our local community.”
With the designation of being AT&T Fiber Ready, local economic development officials can more effectively position their communities for site selection by emphasizing the availability of high-speed, fiber-based services.
AT&T has been deploying high-speed, fiber-optic infrastructure across Georgia for many years, and the AT&T Fiber Ready designation is a tool for local economic development officials to highlight the assets available in their facilities.
“We are proud to highlight these parks in Dodge County as some of the many places in Georgia where AT&T’s fiber-optic infrastructure is in place and ready to help local businesses drive job creation,” said AT&T Regional Director – External Affairs Terry Smith. “Positive, pro-business policies embraced by Georgia’s state and local elected officials continue to make our state a great place to invest, and I’m proud of the work our AT&T Georgia employees have done deploying fiber and other infrastructure that delivers high-speed Internet access. Their hard work and skills, combined with millions of dollars in AT&T investment, enable Georgians to connect and innovate.”
In today’s world, connectivity is vital to employers and businesses of every type. There’s no such thing as a “low-tech” business today, so economic development leaders must be able to tout the presence of high-speed internet connectivity.
“This type of high-speed infrastructure is essential to a successful economy, and it is vital that we continue to pursue pro-business, pro-investment policies in our state government to ensure that companies continue deploying the vital fiber-optic connectivity that businesses in Georgia need,” said Georgia State Representative Jimmy Pruett. “I have no doubt that more people would love to live and work in our area of the state if the infrastructure allowed them to do so. I am glad to see this investment has been made in rural areas of the state, and I look forward to working with local government and their economic development division to continue business growth and job creation in our local community.”
With the designation of being AT&T Fiber Ready, local economic development officials can more effectively position their communities for site selection by emphasizing the availability of high-speed, fiber-based services.
AT&T has been deploying high-speed, fiber-optic infrastructure across Georgia for many years, and the AT&T Fiber Ready designation is a tool for local economic development officials to highlight the assets available in their facilities.
“We are proud to highlight these parks in Dodge County as some of the many places in Georgia where AT&T’s fiber-optic infrastructure is in place and ready to help local businesses drive job creation,” said AT&T Regional Director – External Affairs Terry Smith. “Positive, pro-business policies embraced by Georgia’s state and local elected officials continue to make our state a great place to invest, and I’m proud of the work our AT&T Georgia employees have done deploying fiber and other infrastructure that delivers high-speed Internet access. Their hard work and skills, combined with millions of dollars in AT&T investment, enable Georgians to connect and innovate.”
Eastman council, commissioners to meet about proposed tax increase
By Taelor Rye
Concerning the proposed property tax mill rate increase to benefit the Dodge-Eastman Development Authority, at its July 11 meeting, the Eastman City Council moved to table a decision so that councilors can meet with the Dodge County Board of Commissioners.
Still, council member Buddy Pittman shared concerns from Eastmanites who have reached out to him about the possibility of the tax increase. Their concerns stem from having already received their tax notices, which already show an increase in taxes.
Commissioner Prince Dawson shared a similar sentiment, stating that citizens have spoken to him about the same thing. Specifically, senior citizens on a fixed income are at a particular disadvantage, he stated.
Therefore, Pitman asked about the possibility of using Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds instead of increasing taxes. The SPLOST includes funding for economic development with no designated percentage, he added.
To discuss further decision-making factors, the council decided to hold a work session with the commissioners after the commissioners’ meeting on Monday, July 18, at 6:30 p.m. after the commissioners’ regular meeting that will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the courthouse annex.
Sharon Cobb Flanagan of the Dodge County Farmer’s Market shared results from the July 9 event, which moved an hour earlier – from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – due to hot weather.
Although only about 250 patrons visited the 20 vendors at the farmer’s market on this date, Flanagan noted that multiple customers from out of town visited. However, she noted a lack of merchant brochures, encouraging local business owners to submit brochures for the farmer’s market to distribute.
Additionally, the farmer’s market exceeded its threshold for EBT cash on hand. “That was a good thing,” Flanagan stated, and she encouraged the councilors to continue promoting the availability of EBT purchases at the farmer’s market.
Concerning the possibility of moving from the current open-air market to a structure, Flanagan stated that such a move would add financial complications. For example, the current setup allows the farmer’s market to operate for free, but moving into a building would naturally cost money.
Flanagan also stated that the farmer’s market does not want to have to charge vendor fees to pay for a building because “they won’t come, and we won’t have vendors. If we don’t have vendors, we won’t have shoppers.” Still, she said that the Dodge County Farmer’s Market Development Authority plans to revisit all options next year.
[Full Story »]
Concerning the proposed property tax mill rate increase to benefit the Dodge-Eastman Development Authority, at its July 11 meeting, the Eastman City Council moved to table a decision so that councilors can meet with the Dodge County Board of Commissioners.
Still, council member Buddy Pittman shared concerns from Eastmanites who have reached out to him about the possibility of the tax increase. Their concerns stem from having already received their tax notices, which already show an increase in taxes.
Commissioner Prince Dawson shared a similar sentiment, stating that citizens have spoken to him about the same thing. Specifically, senior citizens on a fixed income are at a particular disadvantage, he stated.
Therefore, Pitman asked about the possibility of using Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds instead of increasing taxes. The SPLOST includes funding for economic development with no designated percentage, he added.
To discuss further decision-making factors, the council decided to hold a work session with the commissioners after the commissioners’ meeting on Monday, July 18, at 6:30 p.m. after the commissioners’ regular meeting that will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the courthouse annex.
Sharon Cobb Flanagan of the Dodge County Farmer’s Market shared results from the July 9 event, which moved an hour earlier – from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – due to hot weather.
Although only about 250 patrons visited the 20 vendors at the farmer’s market on this date, Flanagan noted that multiple customers from out of town visited. However, she noted a lack of merchant brochures, encouraging local business owners to submit brochures for the farmer’s market to distribute.
Additionally, the farmer’s market exceeded its threshold for EBT cash on hand. “That was a good thing,” Flanagan stated, and she encouraged the councilors to continue promoting the availability of EBT purchases at the farmer’s market.
Concerning the possibility of moving from the current open-air market to a structure, Flanagan stated that such a move would add financial complications. For example, the current setup allows the farmer’s market to operate for free, but moving into a building would naturally cost money.
Flanagan also stated that the farmer’s market does not want to have to charge vendor fees to pay for a building because “they won’t come, and we won’t have vendors. If we don’t have vendors, we won’t have shoppers.” Still, she said that the Dodge County Farmer’s Market Development Authority plans to revisit all options next year.
[Full Story »]
Cheek seeks $12,000 for animal shelter
By Taelor Rye
Dodge County Commissioner Karen Cheek spoke to her fellow commissioners and to the audience concerning the Faithful Hearts Animal Shelter at the July 5 meeting of the Dodge County Board of Commissioners. After having visited the shelter about a month ago, Cheek has conducted further research.
The mission of the shelter is “to provide safe and humane shelter; to relieve pain and suffering for any unwanted, stray, or abused animal; and to facilitate the placement of these animals in desirable homes,” Cheek shared.
The facility is almost complete and “will be an asset to our community when completed,” she said.
The need for the shelter has been proven for years now, as Cheek noted that, since 2014, 865 total dogs have been rescued – with 212 dogs in 2016 alone.
Cheek continued, stating, “It is our responsibility as part of as a governing body to help them out budget-wise.” Cheek’s proposition was to include them in the 2017 budget at a rate of $1,000.00 a month.
In response, council member Terry Niblett agreed that they should be included as an actual line item in the budget but expressed reluctance at deciding the amount now, well before completing the total budget.
Sharon Cobb Flanagan of the Dodge County Farmer’s Market visited the county commissioners, noting that nearly 450 patrons visited the farmer’s market on Saturday, July 2, which she noted as particularly high attendance, especially given the heat of the day and the lack of special entertainment.
“I was surprised!” she stated. She then accredited the high attendance to a more efficient tracking method. Still, no EBT transactions took place that day.
[Full Story »]
Dodge County Commissioner Karen Cheek spoke to her fellow commissioners and to the audience concerning the Faithful Hearts Animal Shelter at the July 5 meeting of the Dodge County Board of Commissioners. After having visited the shelter about a month ago, Cheek has conducted further research.
The mission of the shelter is “to provide safe and humane shelter; to relieve pain and suffering for any unwanted, stray, or abused animal; and to facilitate the placement of these animals in desirable homes,” Cheek shared.
The facility is almost complete and “will be an asset to our community when completed,” she said.
The need for the shelter has been proven for years now, as Cheek noted that, since 2014, 865 total dogs have been rescued – with 212 dogs in 2016 alone.
Cheek continued, stating, “It is our responsibility as part of as a governing body to help them out budget-wise.” Cheek’s proposition was to include them in the 2017 budget at a rate of $1,000.00 a month.
In response, council member Terry Niblett agreed that they should be included as an actual line item in the budget but expressed reluctance at deciding the amount now, well before completing the total budget.
Sharon Cobb Flanagan of the Dodge County Farmer’s Market visited the county commissioners, noting that nearly 450 patrons visited the farmer’s market on Saturday, July 2, which she noted as particularly high attendance, especially given the heat of the day and the lack of special entertainment.
“I was surprised!” she stated. She then accredited the high attendance to a more efficient tracking method. Still, no EBT transactions took place that day.
[Full Story »]
City council wants to study tax increase
Members of the Eastman City Council discussed the proposed one mill tax increase for development in Eastman and Dodge County at their meeting on Thursday, June 30.
There was an item on the agenda to either approve or disapprove moving forward with the dedicated tax increase.
Councilman Ronnie Woodard asked the council if the vote on the increase could be postponed. He stated that several of his constituents had asked him questions about the increase and he did not have the answers to give them.
He said that he needed to study and learn more about the proposed increase before he could make an informed decision on whether to approve or disapprove the increase and so that he could answer citizens’ questions with the knowledge he needed.
Councilman Buddy Pittman proposed a meeting with the county commissioners so that the council and commissioners could discuss the rate increase and have more clarity about it. He said that he wanted to get more information to be able to tell people what’s going on.
The vote on whether or not to support the increase was tabled until the council’s next meeting and the city would try to get the county commissioners to meet with them before that meeting.
[Full Story »]
There was an item on the agenda to either approve or disapprove moving forward with the dedicated tax increase.
Councilman Ronnie Woodard asked the council if the vote on the increase could be postponed. He stated that several of his constituents had asked him questions about the increase and he did not have the answers to give them.
He said that he needed to study and learn more about the proposed increase before he could make an informed decision on whether to approve or disapprove the increase and so that he could answer citizens’ questions with the knowledge he needed.
Councilman Buddy Pittman proposed a meeting with the county commissioners so that the council and commissioners could discuss the rate increase and have more clarity about it. He said that he wanted to get more information to be able to tell people what’s going on.
The vote on whether or not to support the increase was tabled until the council’s next meeting and the city would try to get the county commissioners to meet with them before that meeting.
[Full Story »]
Armed robbery suspect is captured
The man suspected in the armed robbery of The Prescription Shop in Dublin was captured by Dodge County deputies on Wednesday, June 22.
Brent Lee, age 22, of Dodge County, was captured after Dodge/Wilcox 911 was alerted by a couple that spotted him trying to get a drink of water at their home. Around noon on Wednesday, George and Margo Watson heard a loud noise in the back yard of their residence. Margo went to the back window to see what the noise was.
She saw a man (Lee) trying to get water on their back porch. Margo went and told her husband and they called 911.
Dodge County deputies were dispatched to the scene where they found and arrested Lee. Dodge County Emergency Medical Services carried Lee from the scene to Dodge County Hospital for treatment of numerous insect bites and dehydration.
[Full Story »]
Brent Lee, age 22, of Dodge County, was captured after Dodge/Wilcox 911 was alerted by a couple that spotted him trying to get a drink of water at their home. Around noon on Wednesday, George and Margo Watson heard a loud noise in the back yard of their residence. Margo went to the back window to see what the noise was.
She saw a man (Lee) trying to get water on their back porch. Margo went and told her husband and they called 911.
Dodge County deputies were dispatched to the scene where they found and arrested Lee. Dodge County Emergency Medical Services carried Lee from the scene to Dodge County Hospital for treatment of numerous insect bites and dehydration.
[Full Story »]
Officer saves man's life
An Eastman police officer pulled an Eastman man from his vehicle, saving his life, just moments before a train hit the vehicle. According to the Georgia State Patrol report, Noe Ciriaco Enriquez Olivera, age 31, was driving his 1996 Ford Explorer on 14th Avenue at approximately 3:05 a.m. on Wednesday, June 15. The driver missed the railway crossing and drove down the left side of the tracks on the gravel before pulling onto the tracks. Eastman Police Officer Kale Dunn saw the Explorer and went up to the vehicle where he found Enriquez Olivera asleep at the wheel. Dunn pulled Enriquez Olivera from the vehicle just moments before a southbound Norfolk Southern train hit the vehicle, knocking it approximately 170 feet off the train tracks.
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