2006 In Review
“Winged time glides on insensibly, and deceives us; and there is nothing more fleeting than years.”
Ovid
And fleeting time is, as the world prepares to usher in another year—2006 has definitely been a year of unpredictability whether referring to fluctuating gas prices or evolving political climate.
Americans continued to lament for our troops abroad as efforts to liberate Iraq rolled into its third year during which we witnessed the somber send off of many of our loved ones with hopes for a speedy return as they traveled around the globe in defense of freedom. Is the end near?
Will the outcome of the 2006 political elections have any bearing on the direction of the war in 2007? Perhaps, or perhaps not. Either way, voters took to the polls during the midterm elections in November to reroute the balance of power in the White House.
With the Southeast rebounding from a harsh hurricane season last year we were grateful for a mild 2006 season while hoping for the best for the Northwestern flood victims, many of whom just recently regained electricity after nearly a month of darkness.
Technology expanded its foothold across the globe with the world wide web booming business for the My Space and You Tube. Hollywood produced its usual headlines of intrigue and scandal.
The world is preparing to bid farewell to Georgia’s own “Godfather of Soul” James Brown and former U.S. President Gerald Ford. Over the past year, Jasper bid farewell to notables Hubert Paschal, George Funderburg, Glover Jordan, Sara Smith, and Nancy Kelly among many others.
Though national headlines provide us with interesting water cooler conversations, it’s the local rumblings we truly take to heart.
Which local headlines immediately come to mind when reviewing your list of the most memorable stories about Jasper County in 2006 – construction beginning on a new public high school, the closing of Hardee’s, the opening of Funderburg Park, or the tragic conclusion of a high speed chase through the city?
Compare your list to the news stories that actually survived the cut and made their way onto the pages of The News.
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JANUARY
Johnny Grant, state senator and Jim Cole, state representative, spent a day in Jasper County meeting with county and city leaders in addition to various organizations about local legislative concerns.
•Brady McMichael won the Peach Bowl tickets during The News’ annual drawing of the winner from the pool of football contest individuals who earned a spot on the weekly honor roll list.
•Nine organizations took the county commission to task about 2006 budget reductions from their departments.
•Armed robbers targeted Circle K getting away with an undetermined amount of cash and lottery tickets.
•Georgia Pacific plywood plant in Monticello received the Chairman’s Award for safety.
•An accident at Permatherm led to the tragic death of a company employee.
•Don Heaton was sworn as Mayor of Shady Dale.
•The Monticello City Council voted to implement an exclusive contract for garbage service with Advanced Disposal Service (ADS) while severing the county/city joint contract.
•Odell Thurman, a rookie linebacker with the Cincinnati Bengals, completed his first season in the NFL as a Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist.
•Dr. Grady Fuller was honored as Citizen of the Year during the Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner.
•Chief appraiser Brack Bohannon resigns before being terminated by the Jasper County Board of Assessors. Lynn Bentley was named interim chief appraiser.
•Piedmont Academy wrestling team sent three competitors to state competition with each bringing home medals while the school’s debate teams also won the GISA state championship.
February
Fort Valley Lady Wildcats Akeila Tripp and Tracie Glawson, former Lady Hurricane athletes, competed in collegiate basketball.
•Piedmont Academy varsity Cougars were defeated in the first round of GISA state basketball action.
•Monticello Middle School youth James Kelly traveled to Honduras with Extension Agent Jean Walter as part of the Distance Diagnostics Through Digital Imaging program.
•Sheriff’s Office received a $30,000 grant from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
•A month-long string of break-ins at local businesses occurred in the city.
•”A Night of Poetry’ was sponsored by the Better Hometown Program in honor of Black History Month.
•Mayor pro tem Otis Clark resigned from the Monticello City Council.
•Chelsea Nix and Brittany Binowski were honored as Jasper County STAR students.
•Interior designer Rodney Perry was featured on HGTV’s Designer Challenge.
•The Retreat received a new patient lift device.
•The Georgia Appellate Court ruled in favor of the Jasper County Water & Sewer Authority (JCWSA) regarding the service delivery strategy battle launched by the Alcovy Shores Water & Sewer Authority (ASWA).
•Andrea Appling of the Tax Maintenance Office was terminated by the Board of Assessors.
•Hurricane athlete Matt Hyde accepted a football scholarship to Tusculum College.
MARCH
Marine Justin Johnston returned from a second tour in Iraq.
•County commissioners decided against instituting a pay raise for themselves.
•Emma Watson celebrated her 100th birthday.
•The Jasper Memorial Hospital heli-pad was completed.
•Leadership Jasper graduated 23.
•An out of control vehicle strayed off course and damaged several headstones in the Monticello Baptist Church cemetery.
•Board of Assessors lost Superior Court case on the taxation of a seawall.
•David Aldridge and Christina Rogers competed in the Cherry Blossom marathon in Macon.
•Jasper County animal control facility opened.
APRIL
April and May utility bill due dates extended for city residents because of billing issues in the office.
•Mandatory 10-digit dialing began.
•Local sales tax increased from six to seven percent with the new SPLOST taking effect.
•Conservation use appeals became a controversial issue for assessors and taxpayers.
•Grady Fuller filed lawsuit against the city of Monticello regarding utility services.
•Two are killed in a boating accident on Jackson Lake.
•County Attorney John Nix of Maddox, Nix, Bowman, and Zoekler resigned as county attorney.
•Dorothy McElheney was named McIntosh State Bank Employee of the Year.
May
Monticello Police Officer Freddie Major was investigated after a police chase that resulted in the death of one male and the injury of another.
•Christian singer Babbie Mason appeared in concert at Rose Bowl.
•Piedmont Academy educator Charlotte Crawley retired after 31 years.
•Jasper County sales tax ratio came in under the state required limit of 38 percent.
•Former Congressman Curtis Jenkins announced that he was seeking election to House of Representatives.
•Shondra Williams and James Lawrence competed at state track tournament.
•Commissioners appoint three new members to the JCWSA.
JUNE
Jasper County was granted a $600,000 GEFA loan to close the landfill.
•Joe K. Davis and Benjamin Digby retired as school bus drivers from Jasper County School System.
•JCWSA voted to install water lines at the Hwy. 16 bridge during its renovation .
•County commissioners voted to cash in a certificate of deposit to offset a SPLOST shortfall.
•”Brown Bag Concert” Thursdays began on the Square under the Better Hometown Program.
•County commissioners hired Kevin Brown as county attorney and approved a $50,000 impact fee study.
•Automobile accident near Waters Bridge leaves two dead and three injured.
•The News publication began updating its look by starting the pagination process.
•ASWA received a makeover with the appointment of an all new board.
JULY
Jasper County Library received partial funding from the county commission.
•Valerie Pennamon named Employee of the Year by Ritz-Carlton Lodge in Greensboro.
•An accident at Hooper Trailer Sales left one dead.
•Funderburg Park had its grand opening.
•Cincinnati Bengal Odell Thurman faced a four game suspension by the NFL.
•Ruth Kelly Kitchens celebrated her 100th birthday.
•Five qualified for school board elections.
AUGUST
Amendment to require 1,800 square feet residential homes in Jasper was passed by the commission.
•Jackson Lake Road Extension project was started by the JCWSA.
•Two qualify for vacant mayor pro tem position.
•Michael Rossi began work as headmaster at Piedmont Academy.
•Pink Ladies Auxiliary donated physical therapy equipment to JMH.
•City of Monticello imposed an outdoor watering ban.
•Jehan El-Jourbagy joined the firm of Haygood, Lynch, Harris, Melton & Watson, LLP.
•School board members voted to renew Jay Brinson’s contract as superintendent.
•David Morrison filed a lawsuit against the assessors regarding conservation use.
SEPTEMBER
Speed limit on Funderburg Drive was lowered from 35 to 25 miles per hour.
•Butts County offered JCWSA a $15,000 loan to complete Hwy. 16 bridge connections.
•Dept. of Revenue field representatives completed a review of the tax maintenance office.
•Darlene Hudson was cited for operating an animal rescue unit without a license.
•Hardee’s Restaurant closed its doors in Monticello.
•Damian Tripp made his debut as Cumberland College Patriot.
OCTOBER
Oconee Jazzfest hot air balloon event was hosted on the Square.
•Linda Penn Barber celebrated her 100th birthday.
•Board of Equalization and BOA members took up opposing positions on the county’s new conservation use policy that led to several Superior Court appeals.
•“School Matters” premiered in The News.
•Lady Cougars in softball state playoffs.
NOVEMBER
New attorneys Deangelo Norris and John Willis were sworn in at Jasper County Courthouse.
•Tameka Gude began work as Family Connection Director.
•Doug Tatum began as campus police chief.
•Russell Gross defeated Ronald James for mayor pro tem position.
•Cougars captured region title to advance to state football play-offs.
DECEMBER
*Development Authority of Jasper County underwent a severe budget cut.
*Annual curbside billing increased for county residents.
*City council took up the issue of new patrol cars for the police department.
*Bobby Norris is elected to the Board of Education.