Friday, June 30, 2006
Jones' website
I just now realized I didn't give you the link. It's http://www.all-out-shake-up.com/
Saturday's Sentinel
Police search for bank robber
From staff reports
Douglasville Police are searching for a man who robbed the First Commerce Bank on Highway 5 at about noon Friday. Police Chief Joe Whisenant said the man presented a note to a teller demanding money and indicating that he had a gun, but no gun was shown. The man left the bank on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. No one was injured.
The man is described as a while male in his 50s. He stands about 6 feet 1 inch to 6 feet 2 inches tall and is heavy-set at 240 to 260 pounds. He was wearing dark pants, a T-shirt and beige fisherman or hunter’s type vest which contains a number of pockets. He was also wearing a ball cap.
It was the second bank robbery within two weeks. A noontime robber hit the Wachovia Bank on Chapel Hill Road June 16, escaping with an undisclosed amount of cash. The robbery suspect was described as a black male, about 6 feet tall with a muscular build and wearing a long-haired, dark wig, parted in the middle, according to Chief Whisenant. The robber entered the bank near Arbor Place mall around 11:50 a.m., handed a note to the teller and left without incident after taking the money. No weapon was shown, police said.
From staff reports
Douglasville Police are searching for a man who robbed the First Commerce Bank on Highway 5 at about noon Friday. Police Chief Joe Whisenant said the man presented a note to a teller demanding money and indicating that he had a gun, but no gun was shown. The man left the bank on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. No one was injured.
The man is described as a while male in his 50s. He stands about 6 feet 1 inch to 6 feet 2 inches tall and is heavy-set at 240 to 260 pounds. He was wearing dark pants, a T-shirt and beige fisherman or hunter’s type vest which contains a number of pockets. He was also wearing a ball cap.
It was the second bank robbery within two weeks. A noontime robber hit the Wachovia Bank on Chapel Hill Road June 16, escaping with an undisclosed amount of cash. The robbery suspect was described as a black male, about 6 feet tall with a muscular build and wearing a long-haired, dark wig, parted in the middle, according to Chief Whisenant. The robber entered the bank near Arbor Place mall around 11:50 a.m., handed a note to the teller and left without incident after taking the money. No weapon was shown, police said.
Police Blotter (compiled from today's Sentinel)
Armed Man Shot, Killed By Deputy
By Winston Jones
A Douglas County sheriff’s deputy Wednesday night shot and killed a man who was reportedly armed with a knife during a domestic disturbance at a mobile home park.
Officials identified the slain man as Francisco Ramirez, 32, address unknown. He was the ex-husband of the mobile home resident where the shooting occurred, according to Chief Deputy Stan Copeland.
Deputies answered an 11 p.m. domestic violence call at Plantation Estates Mobile Home Park on U.S. Highway 78 near Lithia Springs, Copeland said. They said they found the man assaulting his ex-wife. There were also children in the room.
"The suspect pulled a knife and the deputy ordered him several times to drop it," Copeland said. "The man came at the deputy with the knife, and the deputy fired one shot."
Ramirez was transported to Douglas WellStar Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival, Copeland said. The ex-wife, suffering from severe facial wounds and a possible broken jaw, was also taken to the hospital. She was treated and released, Copeland said. He said officers had responded to several previous domestic violence calls from the same address.
Vandalism, Burglaries Probed
By Winston Jones
NOTE: Above this headline in the paper it says POLICE BLOTTER!!!!!
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is investigating two incidents of burglary and vandalism which were reported Wednesday.
Someone broke into the consession stand at Woodrow Wilson Park on Mt. Vernon Road in Lithia Springs. The burglars took candy and baseballs, with a total value of $65, according to the police report.
In an unrelated incident, vandals broke into the pool house at the Shallowford Heights subdivision off Kings Highway.
The property owners found the pool house in disarray, with trash thrown around inside and outside the building and four screens cut. No property was reported missing, according to the police report.
Additionally, someone entered an automobile Wednesday and removed stereo equipment valued at $400.
Police said the 1989 four door Chevrolet Caprice (this is the correct spelling--the Sentinel spelled it Capris) was parked on Lower Creek Drive in the Retreat subdivision when the theft occurred.
By Winston Jones
A Douglas County sheriff’s deputy Wednesday night shot and killed a man who was reportedly armed with a knife during a domestic disturbance at a mobile home park.
Officials identified the slain man as Francisco Ramirez, 32, address unknown. He was the ex-husband of the mobile home resident where the shooting occurred, according to Chief Deputy Stan Copeland.
Deputies answered an 11 p.m. domestic violence call at Plantation Estates Mobile Home Park on U.S. Highway 78 near Lithia Springs, Copeland said. They said they found the man assaulting his ex-wife. There were also children in the room.
"The suspect pulled a knife and the deputy ordered him several times to drop it," Copeland said. "The man came at the deputy with the knife, and the deputy fired one shot."
Ramirez was transported to Douglas WellStar Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival, Copeland said. The ex-wife, suffering from severe facial wounds and a possible broken jaw, was also taken to the hospital. She was treated and released, Copeland said. He said officers had responded to several previous domestic violence calls from the same address.
Vandalism, Burglaries Probed
By Winston Jones
NOTE: Above this headline in the paper it says POLICE BLOTTER!!!!!
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is investigating two incidents of burglary and vandalism which were reported Wednesday.
Someone broke into the consession stand at Woodrow Wilson Park on Mt. Vernon Road in Lithia Springs. The burglars took candy and baseballs, with a total value of $65, according to the police report.
In an unrelated incident, vandals broke into the pool house at the Shallowford Heights subdivision off Kings Highway.
The property owners found the pool house in disarray, with trash thrown around inside and outside the building and four screens cut. No property was reported missing, according to the police report.
Additionally, someone entered an automobile Wednesday and removed stereo equipment valued at $400.
Police said the 1989 four door Chevrolet Caprice (this is the correct spelling--the Sentinel spelled it Capris) was parked on Lower Creek Drive in the Retreat subdivision when the theft occurred.
From Today's Sentinel
Candidate Files Lawsuit Over Disqualification
By Winston Jones
The attorney for District 2 commission candidate James Quarterman filed a federal lawsuit Thursday challenging the candidate's disqualification by the county election board.
The three member Douglas County Board of Elections ruled Wednesday that Quarterman did not meet residency requirements to run in the July 18 District 2 special election. Quarterman listed his residency as ---- Mt. Vernon Road on his notice of candidacy and affidavit filed with the election board on April 28.
The civil action, filed in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, alleges civil rights violations by several county officials and private citizens. The suit seeks injunctive relief to put Quarterman's name back on the ballot for the July 18 election.
"The motion for an injunction has been scheduled to be heard by Judge Richard Story at 9 a.m., Friday, July 7," said Lucinda Perry, Quarterman's attorney.
The suit also asks for monetary relief for actions that the plaintiff says will be "proved at trial." These alleged actions include pain and suffering, damage to reputation and malicious acts of the defendants.
Calls to Quarterman for comment were not returned as of press time Thursday.
Defendants named in the suit are Robert Akers, county election superintendent; Sheriff Phil Miller; Tommy Wheeler; Jimmy Smith, a bail bondsman; Joel Gibbs, owner of the property at ----Mt. Vernon Road; and Rick Denson, acting as a rental agent of the property.
Some of the defendants had not been served the suit by the Sentinel's deadline Thursday, so comment was unavailable from the defendants' attorneys.
The suit charges that the defendants deprived Quarterman of his rights of free speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and of due process under the 14th Amendment.
Further, the suit maintains that the defendant's actions "were done with malice, and were invidiously aimed at the plaintiff because of his opposition to political issues not shared by the defendants and other officials in Douglas County, particularly SPLOST (special purpose local option sales tax)."
The suit also charges the defendants with obstruction of justice under the Racketeer Influnced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act. It alleges that statements and affidavits by the defendants, presented in Wednesday's Board of Elections hearing, were "false, conspiratorial in nature, and designed to prevent plaintiff from getting a fair hearing and ultimately disqualified as a candidate for the District 2 seat."
By Winston Jones
The attorney for District 2 commission candidate James Quarterman filed a federal lawsuit Thursday challenging the candidate's disqualification by the county election board.
The three member Douglas County Board of Elections ruled Wednesday that Quarterman did not meet residency requirements to run in the July 18 District 2 special election. Quarterman listed his residency as ---- Mt. Vernon Road on his notice of candidacy and affidavit filed with the election board on April 28.
The civil action, filed in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, alleges civil rights violations by several county officials and private citizens. The suit seeks injunctive relief to put Quarterman's name back on the ballot for the July 18 election.
"The motion for an injunction has been scheduled to be heard by Judge Richard Story at 9 a.m., Friday, July 7," said Lucinda Perry, Quarterman's attorney.
The suit also asks for monetary relief for actions that the plaintiff says will be "proved at trial." These alleged actions include pain and suffering, damage to reputation and malicious acts of the defendants.
Calls to Quarterman for comment were not returned as of press time Thursday.
Defendants named in the suit are Robert Akers, county election superintendent; Sheriff Phil Miller; Tommy Wheeler; Jimmy Smith, a bail bondsman; Joel Gibbs, owner of the property at ----Mt. Vernon Road; and Rick Denson, acting as a rental agent of the property.
Some of the defendants had not been served the suit by the Sentinel's deadline Thursday, so comment was unavailable from the defendants' attorneys.
The suit charges that the defendants deprived Quarterman of his rights of free speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and of due process under the 14th Amendment.
Further, the suit maintains that the defendant's actions "were done with malice, and were invidiously aimed at the plaintiff because of his opposition to political issues not shared by the defendants and other officials in Douglas County, particularly SPLOST (special purpose local option sales tax)."
The suit also charges the defendants with obstruction of justice under the Racketeer Influnced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act. It alleges that statements and affidavits by the defendants, presented in Wednesday's Board of Elections hearing, were "false, conspiratorial in nature, and designed to prevent plaintiff from getting a fair hearing and ultimately disqualified as a candidate for the District 2 seat."
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Jail News
The Douglas County Sheriff's Department has posted a page on jail statistics and what their expansion plans for the jail are. They call them expansion plans--so does that mean they want the jail to continue in its current spot in downtown Douglasville? But there's no way all of this would fit in the space.
The Douglas County Sentinel reported they want TWO six story towers. The plan on their website calls for FOUR three level buildings as well as another mystery building labeled LEC that's four levels. They also want a CAR WASH and a Refueling Center. A large part of the property is marked as hazardous storage. There will be 128 cells per level (and is it any coincidence you can barely see the number one in front of the 28?) in each of the four towers. 128 cells times three levels is 384 cells. 384 cells times four towers is 1,536 cells. Tell me, do we really want this large of a jail in historic downtown Douglasville? There are many other locations this jail could be relocated to. Before they wanted two six story towers. Now they want four three story towers. Still the same number of levels, folks, and will take up twice as much space.
And where do their statistics come from? The inmate count is from November 2005--that's almost eight months ago. And do they have a psychologist on staff that can prove the following quote on their website: "overcrowding promotes a hostile and violent enviroment that results to higher risks for inmates and staff." ? Furthermore, who is quoted as saying this?
And then the last little "Did You Know" says that "assults on inmates and staff have increased significantly over the past 5 years." Again, who is quoted as saying this? Who's the source? The entire Douglas County Police Department or just one person? And if there were so many assults, why didn't the local television news report them? Why didn't the Douglas County Sentinel report them? Why didn't the Douglas Neighbor report them? This is exactly why I think there should be a police blotter in the Sentinel. I think there's a lot of information not being released about the new jail citizens need to know. Does Douglas County really need a new jail? Post a comment if you like.
The website for the information about the new jail is http://www.sheriff.douglas.ga.us/Douglas%20County%20Jail%20Proposal%20Information.htm
In other news, James Quarterman is out of the race for District 2 commissioner. Apparently he doesn't live in the district or hasn't lived there long enough to run for office. It is less than a week until early voting. My question is, why wasn't this caught sooner? Shouldn't the county know in their records how long someone has lived in a district??
Lots of questions to be answered.
The Douglas County Sentinel reported they want TWO six story towers. The plan on their website calls for FOUR three level buildings as well as another mystery building labeled LEC that's four levels. They also want a CAR WASH and a Refueling Center. A large part of the property is marked as hazardous storage. There will be 128 cells per level (and is it any coincidence you can barely see the number one in front of the 28?) in each of the four towers. 128 cells times three levels is 384 cells. 384 cells times four towers is 1,536 cells. Tell me, do we really want this large of a jail in historic downtown Douglasville? There are many other locations this jail could be relocated to. Before they wanted two six story towers. Now they want four three story towers. Still the same number of levels, folks, and will take up twice as much space.
And where do their statistics come from? The inmate count is from November 2005--that's almost eight months ago. And do they have a psychologist on staff that can prove the following quote on their website: "overcrowding promotes a hostile and violent enviroment that results to higher risks for inmates and staff." ? Furthermore, who is quoted as saying this?
And then the last little "Did You Know" says that "assults on inmates and staff have increased significantly over the past 5 years." Again, who is quoted as saying this? Who's the source? The entire Douglas County Police Department or just one person? And if there were so many assults, why didn't the local television news report them? Why didn't the Douglas County Sentinel report them? Why didn't the Douglas Neighbor report them? This is exactly why I think there should be a police blotter in the Sentinel. I think there's a lot of information not being released about the new jail citizens need to know. Does Douglas County really need a new jail? Post a comment if you like.
The website for the information about the new jail is http://www.sheriff.douglas.ga.us/Douglas%20County%20Jail%20Proposal%20Information.htm
In other news, James Quarterman is out of the race for District 2 commissioner. Apparently he doesn't live in the district or hasn't lived there long enough to run for office. It is less than a week until early voting. My question is, why wasn't this caught sooner? Shouldn't the county know in their records how long someone has lived in a district??
Lots of questions to be answered.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Today's Board of Comissioner's Meeting
In today's meeting, the application by IDI to relocate the Love Family Cemetary was approved. Turns out IDI also relocated another cemetary in 1994, the last time a cemetary in Douglas County was relocated, and the commissioners liked it because a funeral was held afterwards.
The consent agenda was approved with no discussion.
Regarding the refund request to New Bethel Baptist Church, the refund was questioned because money was spent on staff time and a legal advertisement in the Douglas County Sentinel. Worthan recommended a refund be made despite the fact that the county does not give refunds. Worthan recommended it be minus staff time and legal advert costs. The refund was approved.
Randy Husley talked about the unpaved road list. Tyree Road North, West Banks Mill, and Strawn Road are on the list to be paved. Cost will be $1.7 million. Tyree Road North is first priority. Boyd Street and Redmond Shoals Road also need to be paved. The cost of those two roads to be paved would be $195,000. They will not be paved now but a 100 foot approach to Hwy 166 will be paved in order to get people in and out of the road easier. Worthan told Hulsey he will really have to stretch "that $1.7 million" to pave all five roads. Hulsey said they might be able to get assistance from the state. There was quite a bit of discussion about design criteria. A motion was made to adopt the road list and the road list was adopted.
Announcements were made about the SPLOST meetings. If it's renewed, it's your tax dollars, folks. You're having to pay for it! Vote no on July 18.
There were four and five year term appointments made to the Douglas County Family and Children Services Board.
There was one item of new business. Mike Cason, county manager, will be leaving on September first. Eric Linton will be new county manager effective July third. Mulcare also announced that Publix has volunteered ideas on how they can widen lanes at their own expense at Chapel Hill and Anawakee Roads where the new Publix is being built.
When citizen business was announced, James Quarterman came to the podium. Tom Worthan immediately told him he was not allowed to speak because he is a candidate for commissioner. Quarterman responded that he was a citizen. Worthan told him to come talk to him at his office. Quarterman responded that Worthan is never in his office. An arguement ensued and the meeting was adjourned in a matter of seconds after asking if anyone else had citizen business.
The consent agenda was approved with no discussion.
Regarding the refund request to New Bethel Baptist Church, the refund was questioned because money was spent on staff time and a legal advertisement in the Douglas County Sentinel. Worthan recommended a refund be made despite the fact that the county does not give refunds. Worthan recommended it be minus staff time and legal advert costs. The refund was approved.
Randy Husley talked about the unpaved road list. Tyree Road North, West Banks Mill, and Strawn Road are on the list to be paved. Cost will be $1.7 million. Tyree Road North is first priority. Boyd Street and Redmond Shoals Road also need to be paved. The cost of those two roads to be paved would be $195,000. They will not be paved now but a 100 foot approach to Hwy 166 will be paved in order to get people in and out of the road easier. Worthan told Hulsey he will really have to stretch "that $1.7 million" to pave all five roads. Hulsey said they might be able to get assistance from the state. There was quite a bit of discussion about design criteria. A motion was made to adopt the road list and the road list was adopted.
Announcements were made about the SPLOST meetings. If it's renewed, it's your tax dollars, folks. You're having to pay for it! Vote no on July 18.
There were four and five year term appointments made to the Douglas County Family and Children Services Board.
There was one item of new business. Mike Cason, county manager, will be leaving on September first. Eric Linton will be new county manager effective July third. Mulcare also announced that Publix has volunteered ideas on how they can widen lanes at their own expense at Chapel Hill and Anawakee Roads where the new Publix is being built.
When citizen business was announced, James Quarterman came to the podium. Tom Worthan immediately told him he was not allowed to speak because he is a candidate for commissioner. Quarterman responded that he was a citizen. Worthan told him to come talk to him at his office. Quarterman responded that Worthan is never in his office. An arguement ensued and the meeting was adjourned in a matter of seconds after asking if anyone else had citizen business.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
WORK SESSION AGENDA
WORK SESSION AGENDA
JUNE 19, 2006
10:00 A.M. – BOARD ROOM
CITIZENS’ BUSINESS
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Regular Commission Meeting of June 6, 2006
PLAT APPROVALS – PRELIMINARY(Cynde Welch, Senior Planner)
2. The View at Groover’s Lake, Phase 1, Unit 2
PLAT ACCEPTANCE – FINAL
3A. Chaparral Ridge, Unit 3
3B. The Lakes at Stewart Mill, Phase 3
PUBLIC HEARINGS TO CONSIDER
4. Adoption of an Ordinance re-creating the Douglas County Cemetery Preservation Commission.
5. An application by IDI for a burial disturbance permit to relocate the Love Family Cemetery. (Note from Elizabeth: I think they are moving it so they can build a shopping center!)
BUSINESS
6. The County has received a $1,302.77 check from Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company for repair work on a Sheriff Department vehicle involved in an accident on 11/23/05. Amend the budget by increasing Insurance Claims by $1,303.00 and by increasing Automotive Other Expenses by $1,303.00. (Bob)
7. Repayment of $121,636 to the Federal Transit Administration and amend the budget to include $30,000 from the sale of the CNG equipment and $93,886 from Fund Balance to pay the GovDeals commission of $2,250, the Federal grant money of $96,254 and interest of $25,382. (Gary)
8. Selection of Medical Doctor for jail and authorize Chairman to sign employment agreement. (Diane)
9. Renewal of solid waste disposal services with United Waste through August 31, 2006 at the existing rates. (Diane)
10. Authorization for Chairman to execute revised agreement between GDOT and Douglas County for transportation facility improvements – widen Lee Road Bridge @ I-20, Project #NHS-0001-00(917), P.I. #0001917. (Randy)
11. Approval of selection for design services of the I-20 @ Lee Road interchange improvements and authorize Chairman to sign documents. (Diane)
12. Authorization to enter into a Task Order Agreement with Moreland Altobelli Associates, Inc. for project management services for the Lee Road design. (Randy)
13. Authorization to advertise for a public hearing to consider the installation of a multi-way stop at the intersection of High Country Drive and Antler Court within the Elk Run subdivision. (Randy)
14. Authorization to prepare a condemnation petition for Parcel #2 on Project STP9402(2) Chapel Hill Road @ West Chapel Hill Road intersection improvement and authorize Chairman to sign said petition. (Randy)
15. New Bethel Baptist Church variance application refund request. (Eric/Amy)
16. Unpaved Roads List. (Randy)
17. Appointments to the Douglas County Family & Children Services Board.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Commission Meeting scheduled for Monday, July 3rd has been changed to Thursday, July 6th - 10:00 AM in Citizens’ Hall.
COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS
EXECUTIVE SESSION - Personnel, Land Acquisition, Litigation.
JUNE 19, 2006
10:00 A.M. – BOARD ROOM
CITIZENS’ BUSINESS
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Regular Commission Meeting of June 6, 2006
PLAT APPROVALS – PRELIMINARY(Cynde Welch, Senior Planner)
2. The View at Groover’s Lake, Phase 1, Unit 2
PLAT ACCEPTANCE – FINAL
3A. Chaparral Ridge, Unit 3
3B. The Lakes at Stewart Mill, Phase 3
PUBLIC HEARINGS TO CONSIDER
4. Adoption of an Ordinance re-creating the Douglas County Cemetery Preservation Commission.
5. An application by IDI for a burial disturbance permit to relocate the Love Family Cemetery. (Note from Elizabeth: I think they are moving it so they can build a shopping center!)
BUSINESS
6. The County has received a $1,302.77 check from Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company for repair work on a Sheriff Department vehicle involved in an accident on 11/23/05. Amend the budget by increasing Insurance Claims by $1,303.00 and by increasing Automotive Other Expenses by $1,303.00. (Bob)
7. Repayment of $121,636 to the Federal Transit Administration and amend the budget to include $30,000 from the sale of the CNG equipment and $93,886 from Fund Balance to pay the GovDeals commission of $2,250, the Federal grant money of $96,254 and interest of $25,382. (Gary)
8. Selection of Medical Doctor for jail and authorize Chairman to sign employment agreement. (Diane)
9. Renewal of solid waste disposal services with United Waste through August 31, 2006 at the existing rates. (Diane)
10. Authorization for Chairman to execute revised agreement between GDOT and Douglas County for transportation facility improvements – widen Lee Road Bridge @ I-20, Project #NHS-0001-00(917), P.I. #0001917. (Randy)
11. Approval of selection for design services of the I-20 @ Lee Road interchange improvements and authorize Chairman to sign documents. (Diane)
12. Authorization to enter into a Task Order Agreement with Moreland Altobelli Associates, Inc. for project management services for the Lee Road design. (Randy)
13. Authorization to advertise for a public hearing to consider the installation of a multi-way stop at the intersection of High Country Drive and Antler Court within the Elk Run subdivision. (Randy)
14. Authorization to prepare a condemnation petition for Parcel #2 on Project STP9402(2) Chapel Hill Road @ West Chapel Hill Road intersection improvement and authorize Chairman to sign said petition. (Randy)
15. New Bethel Baptist Church variance application refund request. (Eric/Amy)
16. Unpaved Roads List. (Randy)
17. Appointments to the Douglas County Family & Children Services Board.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Commission Meeting scheduled for Monday, July 3rd has been changed to Thursday, July 6th - 10:00 AM in Citizens’ Hall.
COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS
EXECUTIVE SESSION - Personnel, Land Acquisition, Litigation.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Restaurant Inspection Scores April 2006
Anything above a 90 is passing; anything below a 90 means the restaurant failed the inspection. A perfect score is 100. Infractions can range from the restaurant not being clean to finding roaches, rats, etc. However, Douglas County Board of Health does not list the infractions. If your favorite restaurant isn't listed here, that means it passed. However, some restaurants were not listed on the Cobb & Douglas Public Health website. Two that were not listed were Fabiano's Pizza and Captain D's.
Alpine Steakhouse 92
Arby's (Austell) 86
Calibou Bakery & Cafe 100
China Star (Austell) 66
China Wok (Mirror Lake) 95
Cracker Barrel 100
Gipson's 100
Happy Buddha (Austell) 73
Honey Baked Ham 95
IHOP 93
La Salsa (Austell) 76
Olive Tree (Lithia Springs) 79
Pizza Hut (Lithia Springs) 81
Sammy's Pizza 100
Sonic Drive In 92
Subway (Lithia Springs) 88
Taco Mac 91
Alpine Steakhouse 92
Arby's (Austell) 86
Calibou Bakery & Cafe 100
China Star (Austell) 66
China Wok (Mirror Lake) 95
Cracker Barrel 100
Gipson's 100
Happy Buddha (Austell) 73
Honey Baked Ham 95
IHOP 93
La Salsa (Austell) 76
Olive Tree (Lithia Springs) 79
Pizza Hut (Lithia Springs) 81
Sammy's Pizza 100
Sonic Drive In 92
Subway (Lithia Springs) 88
Taco Mac 91
Wednesday's Douglas Neighbor
Group contends: No new jail needed
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
By John Barker
On June 7, a group of residents gathered at the Douglas County Library and on days since have picketed along Chapel Hill Road to voice their opposition to a new jail and the $87 million in sales tax needed to pay for it. The group was organized by the Douglas County Taxpayers Coalition.
A Special Purpose, Local Option Sales Tax vote will be held on July 18 to determine whether to continue the current seven percent sales tax for six more years or end it and return the sales tax in Douglas County to six percent.With a "yes" vote, the county will collect $145 million in SPLOST, a tax that will continue through 2013, to pay for the jail as well as giving $23 million to the parks and recreation department and another $23 million would go to transportation. That $23 million for transportation would be matched by the Department of Transportation, 75 cents on the dollar.
With a "no" vote the SPLOST would end on June 30, 2007. Bell told those at the meeting that Douglas County taxpayers are misinformed about the need for a jail and said he would rather see that money go toward new schools."
Georgia is number one in incarceration and at the bottom in education," he said. "We have our priorities upside down. We need to fix the education system instead of putting people in jail and watching them turn into drug dealers and criminals."Bell said beds in the existing jail are not filled to capacity. There are 811 beds and currently 669 of them are filled. And, he added, since Gov. Sonny Perdue has made more bed capacity available, more state prisoners are being moved out of the Douglas County jail.
"We currently have more than 2.1 million Americans locked up in prisons and jails," Greg Jones said, a candidate running for District 3 county commission seat. "Many of those are non-violent offenders. After several months to several years in prison the non-violent offender leaves jail shocked, emotionally upset and more violent."
No other candidates for District 3 attended the meeting.Bell pointed to Floyd County, whose government officials are seeking $1.7 million in SPLOST funding to build a work release center for nonviolent local inmates as an alternative to jail.
Stan Copeland, Douglas County's chief deputy sheriff, said the jail only appears not to be filled to capacity."A regular cell should hold two people," he said. "We've added extra bunks to cells. The Georgia Jail Association recommends 350 square feet per inmate. That's not just bunk space - that means living area, day room and bed space. Including the annex, we'd only be able to house 450 inmates according to our square footage."Copeland said a work release center would be very controversial but the county has considered it."Most of our prisoners would not qualify," he said. "It's highly restrictive as to which inmates can be in a program like that. It would have little or no effect on our jail population."
County Commission Chairman Tom Worthan said the work release program might be good but would not solve the bed problem."In the work release program, prisoners go to work during the day but have to report back at night," he said.
Copeland said he has had many public speaking engagements recently about the jail but was unaware of an invitation to attend the meeting held by the taxpayer's coalition."The jail is a public building, and we're glad to share information with anyone," Copeland said. "I'd love to meet with any citizen or group that needs information."
Worthan said he knew about the meeting but was not invited. James Quarterman and Raymond Page, both candidates for the District 2 County Commission seat, attended the taxpayer coalition meeting. Quarterman handed out fliers explaining his opposition to the SPLOST to build a new jail. According to the flier, the county still owes $10 million on the 2003 jail annex, the jail is currently not overcrowded and the county has not built the 21 projects promised in the 2002 SPLOST. Page did not address the group.
"It will probably be three years before we begin work on a jail," Worthan said. "Right now the need is not as great, but the jail is still needed today." Worthan said he has directed the Jail Site Location Committee to provide a location for the jail before the SPLOST vote. The committee is composed of 7 Douglasville residents, 1 from Winston and 2 from Lithia Springs.The proposed dates for the public hearings on the SPLOST are June 26 and July 10.To reach Stan Copeland, call (770) 920-7136. To contact the Douglas County Taxpayers Coalition, call (770) 356-2020.
Note: If SPLOST is approved, you can bet property taxes will go up!
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
By John Barker
On June 7, a group of residents gathered at the Douglas County Library and on days since have picketed along Chapel Hill Road to voice their opposition to a new jail and the $87 million in sales tax needed to pay for it. The group was organized by the Douglas County Taxpayers Coalition.
A Special Purpose, Local Option Sales Tax vote will be held on July 18 to determine whether to continue the current seven percent sales tax for six more years or end it and return the sales tax in Douglas County to six percent.With a "yes" vote, the county will collect $145 million in SPLOST, a tax that will continue through 2013, to pay for the jail as well as giving $23 million to the parks and recreation department and another $23 million would go to transportation. That $23 million for transportation would be matched by the Department of Transportation, 75 cents on the dollar.
With a "no" vote the SPLOST would end on June 30, 2007. Bell told those at the meeting that Douglas County taxpayers are misinformed about the need for a jail and said he would rather see that money go toward new schools."
Georgia is number one in incarceration and at the bottom in education," he said. "We have our priorities upside down. We need to fix the education system instead of putting people in jail and watching them turn into drug dealers and criminals."Bell said beds in the existing jail are not filled to capacity. There are 811 beds and currently 669 of them are filled. And, he added, since Gov. Sonny Perdue has made more bed capacity available, more state prisoners are being moved out of the Douglas County jail.
"We currently have more than 2.1 million Americans locked up in prisons and jails," Greg Jones said, a candidate running for District 3 county commission seat. "Many of those are non-violent offenders. After several months to several years in prison the non-violent offender leaves jail shocked, emotionally upset and more violent."
No other candidates for District 3 attended the meeting.Bell pointed to Floyd County, whose government officials are seeking $1.7 million in SPLOST funding to build a work release center for nonviolent local inmates as an alternative to jail.
Stan Copeland, Douglas County's chief deputy sheriff, said the jail only appears not to be filled to capacity."A regular cell should hold two people," he said. "We've added extra bunks to cells. The Georgia Jail Association recommends 350 square feet per inmate. That's not just bunk space - that means living area, day room and bed space. Including the annex, we'd only be able to house 450 inmates according to our square footage."Copeland said a work release center would be very controversial but the county has considered it."Most of our prisoners would not qualify," he said. "It's highly restrictive as to which inmates can be in a program like that. It would have little or no effect on our jail population."
County Commission Chairman Tom Worthan said the work release program might be good but would not solve the bed problem."In the work release program, prisoners go to work during the day but have to report back at night," he said.
Copeland said he has had many public speaking engagements recently about the jail but was unaware of an invitation to attend the meeting held by the taxpayer's coalition."The jail is a public building, and we're glad to share information with anyone," Copeland said. "I'd love to meet with any citizen or group that needs information."
Worthan said he knew about the meeting but was not invited. James Quarterman and Raymond Page, both candidates for the District 2 County Commission seat, attended the taxpayer coalition meeting. Quarterman handed out fliers explaining his opposition to the SPLOST to build a new jail. According to the flier, the county still owes $10 million on the 2003 jail annex, the jail is currently not overcrowded and the county has not built the 21 projects promised in the 2002 SPLOST. Page did not address the group.
"It will probably be three years before we begin work on a jail," Worthan said. "Right now the need is not as great, but the jail is still needed today." Worthan said he has directed the Jail Site Location Committee to provide a location for the jail before the SPLOST vote. The committee is composed of 7 Douglasville residents, 1 from Winston and 2 from Lithia Springs.The proposed dates for the public hearings on the SPLOST are June 26 and July 10.To reach Stan Copeland, call (770) 920-7136. To contact the Douglas County Taxpayers Coalition, call (770) 356-2020.
Note: If SPLOST is approved, you can bet property taxes will go up!
BOC Meeting June 20
The next Board of Commissioners Meeting is Tuesday, June 20 at 10:00 a.m. If you have any concerns about the new two tower, six-story(per tower) jail the county wants to build in Historic Douglasville or any other concerns, please go to the meeting and voice them during Citizen Business. There is an election on July 18, and usually the BOC bars anyone from making comments in fear that someone will talk about the election, but they haven't this time. There will also be a public hearing:
The Douglas County Board of Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing to consider an application by IDI for a burial disturbance permit to relocate the Love Family Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. on June 20, 2006, in Citizens' Hall of the Douglas County Courthouse. For more information, contact Wes Tallon at 770.920.7593.
As soon as I get the meeting agenda I will post it here.
The Douglas County Board of Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing to consider an application by IDI for a burial disturbance permit to relocate the Love Family Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. on June 20, 2006, in Citizens' Hall of the Douglas County Courthouse. For more information, contact Wes Tallon at 770.920.7593.
As soon as I get the meeting agenda I will post it here.
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