Funeral services for Barbara Jane Chambers Daniel, age 79, of Demorest will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at 2:00 PM from the Fairfield Baptist Church with Dr. Keith Allison officiating. Interment will follow the service in the church cemetery.
Meeting Minds: Martin Luther
“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on the trees, and in flowers and clouds and stars.” – Martin Luther.
Habersham Teachers to Get Extra Day’s Pay
Habersham County teachers can expect a little extra pay in December thanks to a more than $1.6 million budget surplus. With the excess in 2015 school system funds, Superintendent Matthew Cooper says it is now possible to pay teachers for one of four “furlough days” when they work but are not paid. The furlough days began during difficult economic times. This year, without affecting the students’ school calendar, Cooper says, it will be possible to pay teachers for one of those unpaid work days. He expects teachers will receive that extra pay in December.
That news comes on the heels of a report to the Habersham County Board of Education August 10th during which Chief Financial Officer Staci Newsome reported the school system finished its Fiscal Year on June 30th $1,600,192 in the black. Newsome explained in her Financial Report that income from local tax revenue was greater than anticipated – in some tax areas more than others.
See School System Ends Fiscal Year in the Black
The area with the most positive impact on the school system was the area of tax collected on Alcohol Sales. That revenue for the school system was 16.37% higher than the amount expected when the budget was written. ELOST (Education Local Option Sales Tax) had the next highest collection: 7.98% higher than the amount expected to be collected. The collection of Ad Valorem taxes was the next highest area of collection, at 7.65% higher than anticipated. The only area of local tax revenue that was lower than expected was Real Estate/Intangibles and the amount collected from that area was at 92.31% of the amount anticipated. That small difference was more than made up for by the areas of taxation that were above the expected amounts.
Throughout the fiscal year, all of Newsome’s monthly budget reports showed the school system to be in a strong financial position. Newsroom explains that changes in funding from state or federal sources which cannot be predicted are one reason school systems need to have excess funds available. Newsome says the amount collected by June 30, above the projections, resulted in “a very positive way to end the fiscal year.”
Habersham County’s Tax Commissioner June Black says her department has taken steps over the years to insure people’s taxes – so important to school system operation – are paid fully, and in a timely manner. Having held office for three terms, she remembers that when entering office, only 83% of the county’s taxes had been collected. At that time, less money could be provided to the school system. Now, the department collects 99% of taxes owed. Black says her office has become “more proactive,” in the way they collect taxes and insists “we hold people accountable.”
Last year (FY2014) the Habersham County School System finished the year with a $110,300 surplus. Newsome says the system has never been in the red. It costs the school system $5.1 million each month to operate.
SPECIAL: Farmers’ Market August 15th
This is a don’t miss week at the Clarkesville Farmers’ Market. It is Customer Appreciation day at the market. There will be samples, lots of vendors, PRIZES and more. If you haven’t been coming to the Farmers’ market, then you have been missing out. Lots of locally grown, all natural produce, farm fresh eggs (free-range), baked goods, jams, jellies, honey and meat! There are also wonderful handmade, all natural soaps, art, handturned bowls and handmade bags from A Frayed Knot. Come one, come all!
What’s fresh this week:
berbs, winter squash of all kinds, tomatoes, sitao, recao, Asian eggplant, sweet pepers, ghost and reaper peppers, watermelon and cantaloupe (buy two, get one free melon special), heirloom tomatoes, heard long beans, eggplant, garlic, okra, noodle beans, cucumbers, peppers, aCabbage, arugula, micro arugula, Micro mix, Carrots, chanterelle Mushrooms, Scarlet Thrill.
John C. “J. J.” Jennings, Jr.
John C. “J. J.” Jennings, Jr., age 72, of Clarkesville, passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at his residence.
He is with me
Within moments, my life changed forever. The single ring of my doorbell brought news that shook my faith to its core and caused me to question everything I ever thought to be true.
I was shocked and stunned for days. I cried out to God and shouted. “Really, God! Is this really the answer to my days, months and years of praying for my child? Is this it? Were you not listening? Where were you all those sleepless nights when I cried out for help and prayed until the early morning hours? Where were you when others prayed on our behalf? Where were you, God?
And He answered, “I am and have always been with you.”
He is with me when I cry over shattered dreams and missed opportunities. He is there as I process my grief, anger, and regrets. He is with me when my heart aches because of the unfairness of it all. He never leaves me even when I turn my mind and heart away from Him and try to make sense of a situation that is so senseless. He is always there and His word promises:
Psalms 9:9-10 “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”
Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Psalms 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
Isaiah 41:13 “For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”
Because God gives me peace, hope and strength, my faith, which was once shaken to its core, is now stronger than ever. He has proven over and over that He will never leave me and never forsake me. When I cry, “My heart is broken. Help me, Lord”, He is always there and quickly sends the comfort I need.
Most of my questions are unanswered and there is much I do not understand. However, when I question God, I am reminded of his words in Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. For now, I must trust Him.
He is there for you, also. He is there for all who seek Him. No problem or situation is too great. Turn your eyes upon Jesus and cry out to Him.
Baldwin Woman Critically Injured in Wreck
Family members say 33-year old Becky Rogers of Baldwin suffered two broken legs, a fractured pelvis and internal injuries when her truck was hit head on Wednesday morning near the Cottage House Restaurant on Highway 115 near Cleveland.
Cooper appointed to State Advisory Council
Habersham County School Superintendent Matthew Cooper has been appointed to serve on Georgia’s newly formed Superintendent’s Advisory Council.
Cooper is one of 19 chosen for the honor out of the state’s 180 school system superintendents. He’ll serve as the Northeast Georgia representative. The Council will meet periodically with the State Superintendent of Schools at the Georgia Department of Education in Atlanta.
Cooper says he’s “very honored to be selected,” and that he looks forward to “being a voice for school systems in Northeast Georgia.”
School System Ends Fiscal Year in the Black
The Habersham County School System ended the fiscal year more than $1.6 million in the black. Chief Financial Officer Staci Newsome delivered her “in the black” report in the dark Monday during the board of education’s regular monthly meeting.
Newsroom reported Habersham County schools took in $60,256,085 in total revenue for the year and spent $58,655,893. That’s a positive difference of $1,600,192 for FY2015. Newsome called it “a very positive way to end the fiscal year.”
Newsome reported that during FY 2015, local tax revenue “exceeded our projections.” She said there was a 107%-above-the projections ad valorem tax collection; other budget areas either met 100% or exceeded revenue projections for the fiscal year.
Mathilda Webster Scroggs
Mathilda Webster Scroggs, age 93, of Cornelia, Georgia, passed away on Wednesday, August 12, 2015.
Cleveland Man Arrested After 30 Mile Chase
(Cleveland)- A White County man was apprehended Monday after, what authorities say was a two stage chase. White County Chief Deputy Bob Ingram said the initial pursuit started late Monday afternoon on Highway 255 just before the bad weather hit, around 5 pm. When the rain and high winds began officers backed off their chase.
Following the storms passage, officers in the area spotted the vehicle again and attempted to make a stop, the chase that ensued crossed the county into Lumpkin County and then back into White, where the suspect was stopped on Sandy Flats Road. Ingram said it was a 30 mile chase through the two counties.
The suspect, according to Chief Ingram, was identified as 31-year old Mitchell Teague, a white male of Dogwood Lane in Cleveland. He was driving a 2007 Ford Fusion, which belonged to someone else.
During his arrest officers found Teague in possession of a knife and some drugs and he faces numerous traffic charges along with weapon and drug charges. Teague was booked into the White County Detention Center.
For more on this and other local news, tune in to WRWH Radio 1350AM Cleveland and visit wrwh.com.