Clarkesville News Archives

IN THE HEADLINES Democrat John Edwards to end bid for the White House ... Giuliani, 3rd in Florida, close to dropping out of race ... Washington Sen.

Following are the food service inspections for Jan. 18 by the Habersham County Health Department's Environmental Health Section. via Northeast Georgian

“We want to celebrate, but we want to leave a legacy for this community.”

Gainesville wasn't exactly a boom town in 1908. The railroad stopped here, but paved roads were a thing of the future. via The Times

CLARKESVILLE, GA - The Habersham County Commissioners are charged with the tremendous task of allocating taxpayer dollars for every department in the county, including those of Constitutional Officers. We diligently strive to adequately balance proper levels of service at practical costs to the taxpayers as we formulate the annual budget. As a part of that annual budgeting process, Constitutional Officers prepare, propose, and negotiate their budget with the County Commission and/or its staff. The Habersham County Commissioners fully acknowledge our responsibility to provide sufficient resources to Constitutional officers.

Issues and allegations continue to surface with regard to the Constitutional Office of the Probate Judge. For the record, employees of Constitutional Officers are the employees of the elected official, and, although paid by the county, are directly accountable to the elected official. Failure to perform official duties by a Constitutional Officer, or their employees, is solely the responsibility of the Constitutional Officer. Dereliction of duties, such as failure to swear in poll managers and clerks, failure to distribute identification badges, failure to post sample ballots at all polls, and lack of training for poll workers falls under the duties of the Probate Judge, not the Commissioners or any other county authority.

A brief review of the allocation of funds for the office of the Probate Judge shows the county responded to lapses in budgetary foresight. As example, in June of 2006, the Commission approved an additional 1040 employee hours. In March of 2007, the County Commission approved a transfer of funds from county reserves for the probate court in the amount of $14,100.00. In April of 2005, the Board of Commissioners approved a transfer of contingency funds for the payment of employee overtime and election needs in the amount of $2,926.00.

As a matter of public record, the fiscal year 2007-2008 budget of the Probate Judge contains the following line items (and the amounts utilized for those line items through December 14, 2007):

Washington D.C.- Congressman Paul Broun today cosponsored the “Economic Growth Act of 2008.” This legislation is offered in response to concerns that current economic policies are not sufficiently tailored to meet the needs of America’s economy. The bill introduced today is specifically designed to stimulate the economy by freeing up resources small business can use for job creation.

“Frankly, I don’t think that sending a check for $500 to every family is going to stimulate the economy,” said Broun. “We’ve got to focus on creating jobs. A real stimulus plan has to be geared towards small businesses. Small business is the economic engine of our country. We have to enact policies, such as those contained within the ‘Economic Growth Act of 2008,’ that encourage small businesses to expand.”

Broun: “We have to enact policies that stimulate small businesses.”

The “Economic Growth Act of 2008” contains the following provisions:

· Full, Immediate Expensing. The bill would allow all businesses to immediately expense—or fully deduct on their tax returns—the costs of assets (including buildings) they purchase for their business in the year that they buy such assets (“Section 179” expensing). Under current law, businesses can only take limited deductions in pieces, over several years. By uncapping and accelerating the expensing, this provision would encourage the purchase of assets with which to grow a business.

· Significant Reduction in the Top Corporate Tax Rate. The bill would immediately cut the top corporate income tax rate from 35% to 25%, aligning it with the average rate in the European Union. By allowing businesses to keep more of the money they earn, this provision would encourage the expansion of businesses, the hiring of more workers, and an acceleration of investment, while making American companies more competitive internationally.

CLARKESVILLE, GA – Rocky Branch Grill Wood-Fired Specialties is coming to 515 Grant Street and is expected to open in February 2008. The 4,400-square-foot restaurant, located just one block from the Old Clarkesville Mill and within walking distance of the Town Square, will celebrate Southern cooking and Georgian influences.

Locally owned by Clarkesville native Joe Crocker and his wife, Lerryn, Rocky Branch Grill is a 120-seat restaurant that will serve lunch and dinner. Central to the restaurant’s design and concept is a wood-fired grill where a medley of oak, ash and mesquite woods will add a light, yet distinct smoked flavor to many of the restaurant’s entrees.

The tantalizing menu will feature fresh seafood, grilled steaks, hearty soups and popular Southern appetizers, such as beer-battered pickles and boiled peanuts. From the jambalaya and shrimp and grits to the meatloaf sandwich and venison cutlets, Rocky Branch Grill promises to bring a high-quality dining experience to the Clarkesville area.

“Our carefully crafted menu for Rocky Branch Grill Wood-Fired Specialties reflects the Southern heritage and culture that permeates Clarkesville,” says Peter Ryan of Restaurant Solutions, a Myrtle Beach-based consultant for restaurant startups who is overseeing this project.

“We felt the call to create a unique dining establishment for our town—one with charm, great food and new standards for Clarkesville dining,” says Lerryn. “We have a real love for Clarkesville and have wanted to do something good for the town. This project will not only bring to life quality dining in a beautiful setting, but will provide job opportunities for our town and business partnership opportunities as well.”

“Embracing the small-town charm and melding into the landscape were important goals of the Crockers,” says Ryan. “We look forward to making the neighborhood restaurant an active member of the Clarkesville community by hosting special events and cookouts for residents throughout the year. Proclaiming a mission for service in the community is part of the Crocker’s business plan for Rocky Branch Grill Wood-Fired Specialties.”

Mr. Biermann is also the Reverend Biermann, and is currently the acting interim pastor of St. Thomas Anglican Church in Mount Airy, Georgia in Habersham County. While most of the past 37 years of his life were spent in radio, Rev. Biermann had a later in life career change in the mid 90’s.

While working for the radio ministries of Toccoa Falls College, he began his studies in the Anglican faith, and was ordained a priest in 1997. The Anglican Church is an offshoot of the Episcopal Church. According to Rev. Biermann as many of the unorthodox changes began to occur in the 1960’s and 1970’s, many traditionalists became deeply concerned. The result is what is often called the “continuing church” movement. Recent events, which include the ordaining of an openly gay Bishop in the Episcopal Church, has many in that denomination deeply worried about the future. According to Rev. Biermann, "we are a home for those whose church has left them."

St. Thomas Anglican Church still conforms to the traditional style of worship, and uses the Historic 1928 Book of Common Prayer for its liturgy. Information about the church can be found at the church website, which is www.saintthomasanglican.com. The church has services at 10:00 AM on Sundays, with a Bible study at 9:00 AM. Regardless of your church background, all are invited to attend.

Augusta, GA- U.S. Congressman Paul Broun will join President George W. Bush and other members of Congress at the National Mall on Tuesday, January 22, as they address thousands of pro-life Americans who are expected to assemble for the 35th Annual March for Life. The rally will begin at noon with a prayer and a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Congressman Broun will also be one of three guest speakers at the March for Life Fund’s Rose Dinner program at 7:00 pm Tuesday. Broun will talk about “The Sanctity of Human Life Act" (HR-4157), a bill he introduced on November 13, 2007. Broun’s legislation declares that human life begins at fertilization and is vested at that time with a constitutionally protected right to life. “It is deplorable that we have killed 50 million unborn children in this nation since Roe v. Wade,” said Broun. “As a physician, I have no doubt that human life begins at fertilization. As promised, my first introduced bill was ‘The Sanctity of Human Life Act,’ and I will continue to champion the rights of the unborn.” January 22nd marks the 35th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in 1973. Ever since that United States Supreme Court decision, supporters of a right to life have chosen to gather on the anniversary date at the nation’s capitol petitioning Congress for redress.

The Habersham County Commission Meeting scheduled for 6:00pm Monday, January 21, 2008 has been rescheduled for Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 6:00pm in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The Habersham County Commission meets at the Habersham County Courthouse in Clarkesville.

CLARKESVILLE, GA. WCHM 1490 AM Radio, A Fox News Station, has announced a New Talk Show Line-up. Adding to their Weekeday Line-up is Greg Knapp from 4p - 6p. Also, WCHM has done major work on their Weekend Schedule to include, An Home & Garden show, a Home Contracting Show, a Car Clinic Show, Roger Hedgecock (fill-in for Rush Limbaugh) and a Pet Show, All LIVE on Saturdays. And on Sundays, WCHM has Expanded it's Religious Programs to Include a Top 20 Music Magazine of Christian Music and The Lutheran Hour. During the Afternoon, WCHM has Signed-up Two New Shows, The Internet Business Hour and a Consumer Electronic Show Called, "Into Tomorrow with Dave Graveline. For more info on WCHM's Show Line-up, Please goto: www.1490wchm.com

This article will be updated as circumstances warrant. Area students are enjoying a mid-winter break today thanks to Wednesday night's snowy blast.

Staff/E. Lane Gresham Mill Creek Veterinary Hospital is opening in Clarkesville. via Northeast Georgian

Mr. and Mrs. Alfred L. "Joe" Davis of Thomson would like to announce the engagement of their daughter, Lindsay Jolane Davis, to Jerry Lee Dunn, son of Mr. via The McDuffie Mirror

“The event is open to the public and we encourage both Jazzercisers and non-Jazzercisers to participate”

Jazzercise instructors, from left, are Betsy Gagne, Cheryl Kowalsky, Judy Geye, Amy Hulsey, Blanca Hopkins and, floor, Marva Griffith. via Northeast Georgian

A trailer hauling a Hitachi Trackhoe overturned on Adair Mill Road near Cleveland on Wednesday, Jan. via White County Telegraph