Lay-offs hit Burke economy



The number of out-of-work Burke County residents rose 84.8 percent from November to December, according to data released by the Georgia Department of Labor. With 473 residents filing firsttime unemployment claims here last month, state officials reported a 116 percent increase since December 2007 when only 219 did so. In a press release issued last Thursday, Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond […]

According to IRS Stimulus payments won’t be taxed



Rumors that last year’s Economic Stimulus Payments will be taxed are not true. According to a press release issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the payments must be reported – but only to help them determine who is and isn’t eligible for the new Recovery Rebate Credit. The credit is a “second chance” for qualified taxpayers who didn’t receive […]

Georgia Family Council

WHAT CHILDREN THINK ABOUT MARRIAGE

Children are impressionable. From the moment they develop cognitive abilities they are taking in the world around them and drawing conclusions about what they’re seeing and experiencing. Naturally, one of the first things they observe and develop opinions about is the most important relationship in their home – their parents’ marriage. A while back someone sent me a list of […]

Other Voices

TELEPHONE SERVICE IN SARDIS

Telephone service in the Sardis area began at the beginning of the 20th century. The first exchange was housed in a building in “Old Sardis”. It’s first operators were a man named Charlie Blount and a young lad just out of high school, William Wycliffe Hillis. Wycliffe Hillis served during the years of 1904 and 1905. In October 1905, he […]

Farmer asks for road to be closed



Residents on Frank Farmer Road don’t think the county should close it – not even on certain days of the year. A public hearing was held at the start of last week’s commission meeting, and Ralph Sandeford’s neighbors voiced their opposition on allowing the Midville road to be closed so that he may irrigate his farmlands. “We don’t want the […]

Ride ends for biker-philosopher



The ride has ended for one of Burke County’s great adventurers. Jeff Brown, 60, died at Graystone Ranch early Sunday morning after more than a decade of traveling the world on his custom built trikes. He took his last breath in the company of friends, Rusty Eskew and Al King, and asked to put on his red, white and blue […]

Thanks, Rolene!



Following the kickoff celebration of the 2009 Relay For Life of Burke County, a special presentation was made to Rolene Rowell, director of the Burke County Recreation Department, for years of support and supplying a Relay location time after time. Tyler May, who serves as the youth chair of Burke’s Relay, presented her with a purple Relay For Life basketball […]

Commission chairman urges department heads to think of taxpayers when asking for money



During the first meeting of 2009, newly elected chairman of the Burke County Board of Commissioners Wayne Crockett had some serious words for county department heads. He addressed the fact that nearly every month a request for more money or increased salaries is submitted by various departments. “Being a commissioner is an awesome responsibility,” he said, reminding those in attendance […]

$13.1 million!



Burke County’s tax coffers got a boost last week when Georgia Power Company officials presented a $13,111,753.16 check for 2008 personal and real property taxes. Tax commissioner Cynthia McManus, second from left, says it accounts for just under 40 percent of the county’s $33.9 million ad valorem tax revenue. The check, which is about $87,000 more than last year’s, covers […]

Correction



Due to incorrect information provided to The True Citizen, the wrong pants size was listed for a local boy whose family lost everything in a fire earlier this month. The Waynesboro Police Department will continue to accept donations for the family, including clothing in the following sizes: • Boys: 16 pants, large shirt and coat • Women’s: 10 pants, medium […]