Although three major weather forecasting operations disagree on just how cold it will get, there is no question the coldest weather thus far this winter is about to hit home and hit home hard.
Averaging the predictions of the National Weather Service, The Weather Channel and Intellicast, here is what is expected.
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Entries from January 2009
motown's 50th anniversary: which of its acts...
was/is your favorite?
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Shooting death apparently a suicide
A woman was found shot to death in a vehicle this morning in a parking lot near Big Chic in Zebulon.
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Tristen Andrew Dean White
Drew and Brett White announce the birth of their son Tristen Andrew Dean White at 11:17 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, 2008 at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio
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Aiden Joseph Smith
Todd and Heather Smith of Williamson announce the birth of their son Aiden Joseph Smith at 1:08 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, at Henry Medical Center.
He weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces and was 203/4 inches long. He joins a brother Bryson, 21 months. [Full story »]
He weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces and was 203/4 inches long. He joins a brother Bryson, 21 months. [Full story »]
Korey Elysabeth Maddox
Gene and Sonia Maddox of Griffin announce the birth of their daughter Korey Elysabeth Maddox at 11:34 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, at Henry Medical Center.
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Pirates celebrate best season ever
"It was an unbelievable year in football. It was an unbelievable year to be a Pirate," said Touchdown Club president Tony Wilson as he welcomed football players, their families and community supporters to the 2008 football banquet last month.
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Solar energy is a hot idea with local scientists, environmentalists
When Charlie and Tracey Muise wanted a roof on their porch, they went all out. It is built with state of the art photovoltaic solar panels that have cut their energy bill by about 30% a month. (video after the jump)
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Scotts return to find house on fire
A Pike County couple was displaced after a Jan. 5 fire gutted their modular home on Misty Lane in Zebulon.
Diane and Jimmy Scott returned from a trip to a local store that evening and saw smoke coming from the eaves of their one-story house. They had left around 7 p.m. and went to a Zebulon convenience store to pick up a couple of items and their two house dogs rode with them.
When she saw the smoke, Mrs. Scott called 911; then called her sons.
She said her son J.J. arrived quickly, before firefighters were on the scene. As she prevented him from entering the house, her husband threw the breaker to turn off the electricity and turned off the propane gas. He also used his tractor to move a non-working pickup truck.
Firefighters arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire but the home was severely damaged. The Scotts' bedroom and a bathroom were standing, but furniture was damaged and everything was blackened by smoke and fire.
Before the Scotts went to the store, she had cooked supper and washed a load of clothes. Firefighters asked her about use of the stove, but she insists she turned it off before she left.
She said earlier in the evening they smelled a peculiar odor in the house so they called their son Justin, who lives next door, to investigate. She said he looked under the house and in the attic and could find nothing. The odor dissipated after they turned on the ceiling fan.
The Scotts have lived in their house since 1985 and Mrs. Scott has lived on the property all her life. She suspects the fire could have been caused by an electrical problem but that has yet to be determined. The case is still under investigation.
A Red Cross representative came to the scene and provided them a care package. They refused the offer of lodging in a motel because they stayed at their son's home next door.
She said the fire flared up again around 6 a.m. the following day from hot spots that continued to burn throughout the night. It was quickly extinguished.
The Scotts have insurance and their claims representative was on the scene last week to assess the damage, but they have immediate needs such as towels, bed linens and kitchen items. Mrs. Scott also wants to purchase a used laptop to replace her computer lost in the fire.
Those who want to donate household items to the Scotts may call 770-567-3121.
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So far, so good
By Tamra Jarrett
January is widely known as the start of the flu season, but so far, there have been no reports in Pike County schools.
"So far, so good," said elementary school nurse Betty Crawford. "Evidently things are working well."
Pike schools have joined a host of others across the state implementing preventive measures to stave off flu and cold viruses. This includes hand-washing, hand sanitizer and disinfecting classrooms and other parts of school buildings when illness is reported.
Children are also learning to cough and sneeze into their sleeves or elbows, rather than into their hands, said primary school nurse Shanna Callaway. This is a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control.
Most importantly, children and adults who are sick should stay home. No one should return to work or school until they have been fever free for 24 hours, Callaway said.
Pike schools were the first in Georgia to take part in the Flu-Free Schools Initiative Oct. 21-24. Health department officials administered a needle free nasal flu mist vaccine to students. The goal was to reduce flu among students and faculty to reduce absenteeism, which spiked during the flu season during last school year.
District IV public health information officer Hayla Hall said there have been four positive results for the flu from state laboratories this month but this doesn't mean those are the only cases. Influenza is not a notifiable disease and no one is required to report it.
Since the fall there have been seven influenza type A cases and 15 type B cases.
The flu cycle is still sporadic and there has been no large activity, she said. There have been no pediatric deaths or major outbreaks reported.
Hall encourages everyone to practice preventive measures such as getting a flu shot, washing hands and avoiding those who are sick. February is historically the peak month for flu.
County manager Steve Marro, a member of the Governor's Commission on Pandemic Flu Preparedness, noted planning for a major outbreak is evidenced in the community by such features as disinfectant wipes near carts in grocery stores. Stickers in public restrooms reminding people to wash their hands are part of the initiative.
Preventive measures recommended by the CDC include a flu vaccination, covering the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, throwing the tissue in the trash after use and washing hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Avoid close contact with sick people and stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, which spreads germs.
Flu vaccinations are still available at the Pike County Health Department. The cost is $25. There is no flu mist vaccine available, but there are a few children's vaccines. Those with private insurance are not eligible.
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Taxes: No revals in ‘09
There will be no revaluation of any property in Pike County in 2009.
"Unless there's some huge boom in the market, we should be all right with the (current) values," said assessor Paula Nalley at the Jan. 6 meeting.
Assessors agreed last year at a called meeting to withdraw the 2008 property revaluation that drew more than 500 appeals from property owners. Chief assessor Jeannie Haddock said it was brought to their attention there were inconsistencies in the methods an outside firm used to set property values on rural Pike County land parcels and a lack of uniformity. [Full story »]
"Unless there's some huge boom in the market, we should be all right with the (current) values," said assessor Paula Nalley at the Jan. 6 meeting.
Assessors agreed last year at a called meeting to withdraw the 2008 property revaluation that drew more than 500 appeals from property owners. Chief assessor Jeannie Haddock said it was brought to their attention there were inconsistencies in the methods an outside firm used to set property values on rural Pike County land parcels and a lack of uniformity. [Full story »]
Commissioners agree communication is key
By Tamra Jarrett
Personnel policy, execution of board directives and improving customer service were on the minds of commissioners during the first workshop of the new year Jan. 7 at the United Bank lake house.
The goal of the meeting was to improve the working relationship with the county manager.
Commission chairman Doug Mangham and commissioners Don Collins, Parrish Swift and Roosevelt Willis met in the morning and were joined by commissioner Tommy Powers and county manager Steve Marro after lunch.
'I've been bothered by the fact the county manager or department heads are given direction and we never hear about it again," said Collins, who took office Jan. 1. "I call it the abyss. We're here today to work out ways to make things move smoother."
Marro agreed to send the same communications to commissioners as he does to department heads. He noted much of the work is turned over to county attorney Rob Morton, who performs it on a priority basis.
Collins said commissioners want to know the status of their directives in a timely manner.
As county manager, Marro heads county personnel with the authority to hire and fire.
Collins noted there is a personnel manual, but it does not cover job descriptions or disciplinary action. It should be revisited and completed.
Marro said he is in charge of personnel policy, but there is no human resources person on staff.
There was also concern about if employees have adequate training to perform their jobs.
"We should have qualified employees and a lot of times they're here because they've been here," said Collins.
"I for one don't know all the qualifications of the people who work here," Marro said.
Department heads have the authority to hire and fire their employees.
Mangham said employees should receive training if they are qualified to perform their jobs.
Finance technician Sean Townsend recently attended training to become a certified finance officer level one.
Commissioners allowed Marro to address his concerns. He recommended he be given a salary increase.
Willis said he may be going to learn what he should already know.
"You have a $28,000 person in charge of a $10 million budget," Marro said.
"You're in charge of that budget," Willis replied.
Marro noted a lot employees will not receive their 2.5% step increase because they are not qualified.
Collins asked Marro to address customer service by county employees.
"When a taxpayer or potential taxpayer shows up, they should see a smiling face. We can offer customer service," said Collins. "Even if we can't help the person, we can let them know their request has been honored."
To aid the flow of information to citizens, commissioners asked Marro to post monthly financial reports and meeting minutes on the county website. Powers said commissioners voted to have the information posted.
"Is that doable?" Collins asked.
"You're dumping more and more work on people who already have too much for a 40 hour week," Marro said.
Marro noted morale among employees is low because they feel they are being "bashed" by citizens and commissioners.
Citizen interference was among Marro's concerns. He said there are problems with the budget process because of citizen interference. He said they also display a disrespectful attitude toward commissioners and fail to understand a county manager form of government.
"I don't work for the taxpayers. I work for you people (commissioners) in the interest of the taxpayers," Marro said.
State budget expected to dominate legislature
By Tamra Jarrett
Rep. Billy Maddox joined his colleagues at the capital in Atlanta Monday for the start of the 2009 legislative session.
"The big issue to be addressed is the budget. There's no doubt it'll be the budget," Maddox said last week. Georgia is facing a shortfall of some $2 billion and planning for the upcoming year will be a challenge.
Spending cuts were ordered by Gov. Sonny Perdue last year and state agencies had to cut their budgets and freeze salaries.
Maddox, whose district 127 includes Pike, Upson and part of Lamar counties, said the first thing they will tackle is the supplemental budget. Georgia is halfway through its budget year and will work on adjustments to carry it through June 30. He said some of the House and Senate leadership have been in budget talks but he had not heard any specifics yet.
He has with him this session local legislation he plans to introduce.
Commissioners asked Maddox to work on legislation to implement a rollback to freeze property values at the Jan. 1, 2007 digest rates. It would mean property values for those who now own property would not go up but would be based on market prices for those who buy property here in the future. Property values for new residents would roll back to the fair market value at the time of purchase.
Maddox is being asked to move legislation to rename state highways in Pike in honor of prominent citizens. One is naming part of Highway 19 for the late Shi Holmes, a local historian and former clerk of superior court who died in 1999. Commissioners passed the resolution in January 2003 and revisited it last fall.
Commissioners are also seeking to have part of Highway 19 named for Tony Lumley, the Georgia state trooper killed in the line of duty, and parts of Highway 109 named for the late Donnie Dickens, who served as Pike road superintendent and a school bus driver.
There may be other legislation Maddox will be asked to sponsor.
Earlier this year the school board agreed to move forward with senior tax relief to increase the exemption from school taxes for citizens 65 and older to $50,000 and provide a total exemption from school taxes for citizens age 70 and older. They would apply only to the school portion of property taxes.
Commissioners gave the proposal their seal of approval so it could be introduced to the general assembly but it did not get presented in the 2008 session. State Sen. Ronnie Chance said he would look into it during the 2009 session if the school board still wants it.
Maddox said he hopes the legislature can minimize the effect on local school budgets.
"Our schools have to be properly funded," he said.
Affecting not only Pike but the entire state are transportation, school vouchers and a proposal to cap the rate at which home assessments could rise.
"We have a part-time legislature but it's a full-time commitment," Maddox said. He was one of five members of the general assembly who had perfect attendance and voted on every bill in 2008.
"I'm optimistic and hopeful Georgia will come out of this period of economic distress leaner and more efficient," he said.
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Who’s making what? Salaries revealed
By Tamra Jarrett
The new year brings more money for Pike County constitutional officers who have served one or more terms, but there is no cost of living raise this year.
The base salary was set by the state legislature based on 2007 census estimates. Elected officials get a 5% longevity increase for each term served. Pike salaries are based on the 2007 estimated population of 17,204. The larger the county, the greater the pay.
The following are elected officials' salaries for 2009.
• Commission chairman Doug Mangham will receive an annual salary of $7,200 (including the $1,200 annual supplement for certification); commissioner Tommy Powers will receive an annual salary of $7,154 (including a longevity increase and the certification bonus); commissioners Parrish Swift and Roosevelt Willis receive an annual salary of $6,923 (including the certification bonus); and commissioner Don Collins will receive an annual salary of $5,400.
• Sheriff Jimmy Thomas' annual salary is $67,336, which includes a supplement for serving as an officer of the court, a longevity supplement and cost of living adjustments from 2007 and 2008. His 2008 salary was $64,276.
• Tax commissioner Donna Wynn makes $61,675 a year. Her salary includes a supplement for serving as ex officio sheriff because she presides over property and sheriff's sales and a longevity increase for having served three terms.
• Clerk of superior court Carolyn Williams will make $66,622, including a supplement for serving as juvenile court clerk and a 25% longevity increase.
• Probate court judge Lynn Brandenburg receives an annual salary of $67,206. He gets supplements for serving as election superintendent and presiding over traffic court and a 15% longevity increase for having served three terms.
• Chief magistrate judge Priscilla Killingsworth will make $58,997 this year which includes a 15% longevity increase for serving three terms.
• Coroner Terrell Moody, serving his third term, receives an annual salary of $3,080, including a longevity increase and previous COLAs, and a death investigation fee of $175 if he is the coroner on record for a call. Deputy coroner Harold Callaway is paid $175 per call.
Commissioner Parrish Swift serves as a deputy coroner on a voluntary basis. Callaway and Swift maintain certification from the Georgia Coroners' Training Council.
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Editors' note: Salaries for this article were calculated according to the guidelines presented by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, Constitutional Officers Association of Georgia and Magistrates Council of Georgia, effective Jan. 1. An open records request for salary information submitted by the Journal-Reporter to the commissioners' office on Dec. 11 remains unfilled.
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