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Dodge County Recreation Board Chairman Dr. Chip Stringer went before the board to address the “no alcohol” at the recreation department item that has been on the commissioner’s agenda for that past two meeting.
Dr. Stringer explained that there is a no alcohol policy for the day-to-day business operations at the department. He explained to the commissioners that for private events held at the Alcoa building and other facilities, the board did have a lease agreement in place. He stated that because of the incident that happened in February 2014 the board had readdressed their policy and now groups that wanted to have alcohol during their function had to go before the board requesting permission and that additional restrictions were in place for those events.
Dr. Stringer told commissioners that in 2015, the revenue from the rental of the facilities at the recreation department exceeded $12,000.00 and in 2016, the revenue from rental of the facilities is under $6,000.00. He stated that the revenue was funneled back into the program for the children for equipment, uniforms and other necessary needs.
Dr. Stringer stated that they (the board) did a survey of six other recreation departments with their annual budget and got eligible child populations numbers from the Georgia Parks and Recreation Department and that Dodge County is relatively underfunded.
The comparison went as follows: Dodge, $166,500.00 with 5078 eligible children; Jeff Davis, $365,000,00 with 4159 eligible children; Screven, $470,000.00 with 3692 eligible children; Dooly, $250,000.00 with 3163 eligible children; Evans, $213,000.00 with 2838 eligible children; Bleckley, $141,900.00 with 2952 eligible children and Pulaski, $155,000.00 with 2582 eligible children.
Dr. Stringer concluded that as a board, they are appointed to manage and run the recreation department and ask that they be allowed to do that in the best ways they see fit.
The commissioners took no action on the issue. Dodge County Farmer’s Market Chairperson Sharon Cobb-Flanagan went before the Dodge County Commissioners with an update on the farmer’s market. She stated that 11 vendors and 96 visitors at the farmer’s market on Saturday, December 3 and that the Santa stroll and run brought in additional people. Walk of Georgia sponsored the Santa stroll and run.
Flanagan stated that a cooking demonstration and live music were on the calendar for this Saturday, December 10 if weather permitted. She added that some vendors stated that they would be staying later than the scheduled market hours because of the annual Christmas parade ending at the courthouse.
Flanagan presented the commissioners with the 2016 annual report and financial statement to commissioners with the understanding that commitments and expenses had been accounted for.
She ended by telling commissioners that she wanted to do a “lessons learned” on what we learned over the last months at the farmer’s market and that vendors would be adding their input.
Flanagan ended by presenting T.I. Papel with a plaque for going above and beyond in all his volunteering efforts, being highly respected in the community, dedicated to the purpose of the farmer’s market, keeping an eye on the vendors and his input being more than its weight in gold. She added that she appreciated all he has done for the farmer’s market in Dodge County including the vendors.
Oconee Judicial Circuit Public Defender Steve Harrison went before the commissioners requesting $8,200.00 to be added to his budget to assist him in hiring a competent qualified attorney to replace attorney Stephanie Burton. Burton was selected as the new full time juvenile court judge for the Oconee circuit in September of this year.
Harrison told commissioners that six counties within the circuit fund his office and it has two budgets (an operating budget and an employee budget). He explained to commissioners since the office opened in 2005 he had not approached the board about additional funds and that he actually had returned unused funds from each year from his operating budget to the six counties that his office serves.
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Servants of God Ministry made a special presentation to the Eastman Police Department at the Eastman City Council meeting on Monday, September 12, at Eastman City Hall Council Chambers. Ladies of the ministry presented two framed signature mattes of most of the law enforcement officials that attended Eastman Police Officer Tim Smith’s funeral on Thursday, August 18, 2016, to the Eastman Police Department. Officer Smith was gunned down by a suspect on Main Street in Eastman as he responded to a suspicious person report on Saturday, August 13, 2016. (Photo by Chuck Eckles)
Four-football goal posts will be a new addition at the Dodge County Recreation Department in the near future. Dodge County Recreation Director Travis Niblett went before the Dodge County Board of Commissioners requesting funding for the goal posts.
The Dodge County High School 2016-2017 Homecoming Court members are (l-r) Faith Manning, escorted by Morgan Beck; Haley Pavesich, escorted by John Roberts; Camryn Studstill, escorted by Crosse Bearden; Zaebian McDuffie, escorted by Jacob Brinson; Margaret Simmons, escorted by Colt McCranie; Kiley Dix, escorted by Caymon McCranie; Macy Rogers, escorted by Cody Oxford; Haley Holloway, escorted by Craig Barton; Jurnee Powell, escorted by Christian Spears; Madelyn Pruitt, escorted by Clayton Scarborough; and Maegan Yawn, escorted by Phillip Powell. The homecoming queen will be announced during halftime of the homecoming football game Friday night. The Dodge County Indians will be playing Northeast. See pages 7A, 8A, 9A and 10A in this edition for more court member biographies, more photos and well wishes from local businesses, family and friends. (Photo by Emory Rogers Photography)
The Dodge County High School 2016-2017 homecoming queen was announced at halftime of the football game on Friday, September 30, 2016. Chosen as homecoming queen was Jurnee Powell, escorted by Christian Spears (c), first runner up was Haley Holloway, escorted by Craig Barton (l) and second runner up was Camryn Studstill, escorted by Crosse Bearden (r). (Photo by Cindy Eckles)
Dr. James “Jim” Rahn was named this year’s Distinguished Citizen at the Eastman-Dodge County Chamber of Commerce’s 36th Annual Chamber Affair held on Thursday, October 6. The annual event awards community members and businesses that go above-and-beyond throughout the year, honors Leadership Dodge graduates and highlights the accomplishments of Eastman-Dodge County as a whole.
It’s time for the 17th annual Fall for Dodge Festival. Downtown Main Street is decorated beautifully with fall decorations to help get us in the spirit. A big thank you to everyone who participated in the lamppost-decorating contest; everyone did an amazing job. The winners will be announced the evening of the festival.
The Eastman office of the Georgia Bureau of Investigtion (GBI) is looking into the shooting death of Abdul Lucas, age 48, of Rhine.
The general election for the State of Georgia and United States President was held on Tuesday, November 8.
By Harley Gatlin
By Bryan Golden
Twin baby girls, born January 1, 2017, were the first babies of 2017 born at Dodge County Hospital. Anastastia Kaye Smith weighed five pounds 3.4 oz. and was 17.75 inches long. Her sister Analina Faye Smith weighed five pounds and 12.5 oz. and was 19 inches long. Anastastia and Analina are the daughters of Shannon Smith. A special “thank you” goes to the following businesses for their donation for the gift basket for the first babies: Coleman Gifts and Framing, Dinone Roger’s Designs, Georgia Theatre Company, Martha Sheldon Florist, Piddlin Peddler, the staff at first station at Dodge County Hospital, Tammy Hughes, Village Pizza and the Dodge County Hospital Auxiliary. Pictured above are Shannon Smith with Anastastia and Analina and Dr. Lou Barker.