WATER ISSUE, LAWSUIT HINDER  ‘LOST’ APPROVAL

BOTH COUNTY, CITY OF TIFTON SAY IT’S OK LEAVING TAX ALLOCATION AS IS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tift County and the City of Tifton have not yet agreed on the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) after two meetings with a mediator, even though the two governments say they would both accept leaving the allocations at the current level.

It is other issues – water system management and ending pending legal actions – that officials say are hindering an agreement.

Tift County proposes that a joint city-county water/sewer authority be created to manage the water system, which the city has owned and run since 1907, and that water rates be equalized for all customers wherever they live in Tift County.

The City of Tifton has balked at the idea of turning its water system over to an authority board; instead City Council on Monday night said it would compromise and voted to equalize water rates for all customers, making the rates the same both inside and outside city limits effective Jan. 1.

The city said it is "common throughout Georgia for city systems to charge different rates to customers inside and outside the city limits, largely because it costs far more to reach customers in areas with less population density."

City Council also approved a resolution to accept the current LOST allocation of 33.33% of Local Option Sales tax revenues for the City of Tifton, even though city officials said they believe city residents are entitled to a much greater share.

City Attorney Rob Wilmot said that  82% to 83% of all sales occur within the city limits and that the city’s daytime population swells dramatically with workers, shoppers, travelers, and visitors coming in daily from outside Tifton.

For the past 20 years, the city has received 33.33% of LOST revenue; Tift County, 61.98%, Omega, 3.05%; and Ty Ty, 1.64%.

“While the county has threatened in negotiations to let the LOST expire, Tifton has stood firm on the principle that LOST is an essential tool for providing services while lowering property taxes,” said Mayor Julie B. Smith.

“This week, we put our money where our mouth is. We have offered a plan that keeps everyone whole, even though we strongly believe that, under the criteria set out by state law, the city should receive a significantly higher portion based on population and other factors.”

Vice Mayor Jack Folk said he opposed keeping the city’s share at 33%: “It’s not fair,” but said he’ll accept it as matter of compromise to get LOST approved.

In a letter to Mayor Smith on Friday, Tift County Commissioners agreed to keep the LOST allocations at that same level if Tifton agreed to put its water-sewer system under a joint city/county authority, equalize water rates, agree to a $6 million allocation for the water authority in the next Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), set up a fund for the solid waste landfill, and agree to settle all pending legal actions between the city and county.

"We made a very fair offer to settle LOST and all aspects of the lawsuit to the City of Tifton during mediation last Tuesday,” County Commission Chairman Tony McBrayer told the Tifton Grapevine on Tuesday. 

"We reiterated that offer in the ... letter sent to the city on Friday. Since we sent the letter on Friday, we have not received a response. We are continuing to evaluate all options to resolve the issues between the two entities,” McBrayer said.

Mayor Smith said, “We have given Tift County almost everything it has asked for, and we have compromised to work toward a resolution. We will provide water, we will accept the current LOST distribution, and we will equalize rates. We’re committed to finding a solution that’s best for all taxpayers in the county." 

She said the "county has compromised zero. ... Don’t hold us hostage and take LOST away like a bully in the playground."

If the city and county do not agree on LOST by the end of the year, it expires. LOST revenues help lower property taxes for homeowners and businesses. County officials have said that if LOST expires, they will seek a Homestead Option Sales Tax, or “HOST.” However, a HOST could not be used to reduce property taxes for businesses.

At Monday’s City Council meeting, Smith lambasted County Manager Jim Carter, blaming him for much of the strife between the county and the city. “He’s calling all the shots” in the county, Mayor Smith said. 

"Mr. Carter doesn’t even have a vote. He doesn’t even live here. He’s not a member of this community but basically calls the shots,” Smith said. “He is going to destroy this community."

Carter, who has been Tift County manager for 15 years, lives in Lowndes County.

COOK DEPUTY DIES AFTER STOPPING FIGHT AT

COOK COUNTY HIGH

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A well-known and well-liked Cook County deputy died from an apparent heart attack Monday after breaking up a fight at Cook County High School in Adel, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office said.

Capt. Terry Arnold, a 26-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, was the first death in the line of duty in the department’s history.

Arnold, affectionally known as “Turtle,” had "suffered an apparent fatal heart attack after dispersing a fight between two students,” the Sheriff’s office said.

With the assistance of school administrators, Arnold had taken a juvenile involved in the fight, into custody and was leaving the main entrance of the high school when he collapsed. He was immediately transported to South Georgia Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead a short time later, officials said.

Arnold had served in every facet of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. His latest assignment was as supervisor and director of the School Resource Officers (SRO) Division for the Sheriff's Office and the Cook County School 

System.

He had previously served in the Adel and Remerton city police departments.

"We are saddened by the passing of our very own SRO, Capt. Terry Arnold,” Cook High School wrote on social media. "Captain Arnold loved CHS and all of the students here. He loved to laugh, cook for everyone, joke around, and help any student who needed it. He had a heart of gold and will truly be missed."

Arnold loved to cook, and friends said "his skills on the grill were as famous as he was." He was an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, Atlanta Braves, and the Cook County High Hornets.

Arnold is survived by his son, four daughters, and 10 grandchildren.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH BEGINS WITH VIGIL

Ruth’s Cottage and The Patticake House began National Domestic Violence Awareness Month with a Candlelight Vigil and a keynote speaker Tuesday night.

The candlelight vigil, honoring the 216 victims killed in domestic violence incidents during the previous year, including three Tift countians, was held at Southern Regional Technical College campus in Tifton.

The names of victims were read aloud as the audience “lit” candles in their memory,. Featured speaker was Tomieka Daniel, a deputy director with the Georgia Legal Services program.

“We always like to start off the month of October with this incredibly meaningful event,” said Nancy Bryan, the agency's executive director. “The Candlelight Vigil evening really allows us to show the community how dangerous domestic violence can be, while honoring the memory of those victims who have died and celebrating survivors.”   

On Oct. 20, Ruth’s Cottage and The Patticake House will also participate in the national “Wear Purple Day” to raise awareness for domestic violence. Residents are encouraged to participate that day and send photos of themselves in their purple to 229-402-2146.  

“This is a very simple event for community-member participation,” said Bryan. “We are just asking everyone to wear purple to raise awareness, much the same way that people do pink-outs for breast cancer awareness every October to show their support.”  

After Wear Purple Day, Ruth’s Cottage and The Patticake House will host "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" on Oct. 27 on the front lawn of the ABAC campus. Registration for those walking will open at 5:30 p.m., with the actual walk starting at 6:30. Anyone interested in walking may sign up at www.stopthehurtga.org/events/walk-a-mile-in-her-shoes/

“This event is a little more fun and light-hearted,” said Bryan. “Men from throughout the community will don high heels and walk an actual mile to show their support for domestic violence victims and their commitment to ‘stopping the hurt.’”

In addition to these events, Ruth’s Cottage and The Patticake House, is also working to raise awareness about domestic violence through social media, a victim display, purple stickers, and their “Save a Seat” project. Throughout October, videos on domestic violence and statements from Domestic Violence Program Committee members, board members, and staff will be posted on social media.

TIFTAREA ACADEMY WINS REGION OPENER, 41-40

"Monday Night Football" came to the Panther Pit in Chula this week and resulted in the Tiftarea Academy Panthers defeating the Valwood Valiants of Valdosta by 41-40 in a dramatic victory.

The game had been rescheduled because of the possibility of storms spawned by Hurricane Ian. It was Tiftarea’s season opener in GIAA Region 3-AAA play and the team’s first victory this year.

The Panthers are back at home vs. Deerfield on Friday, Oct. 14, where Tiftarea Academy will hold its annual Pumpkin Patch from 5-7 p.m. before the game, will recognize the school's Literary State Champion Team, and crown a homecoming queen at halftime.

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GO LIGHT UP YOUR WORLD EVENT SET FOR OCT. 19

Tift County organizations are once again asked to “Go Light Up Your World” with luminaries all over Tift County beginning at 7 p.m. and continuing until 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 19, to show support for local youth. 

Local faith-based organizations, businesses, churches, clubs, and neighborhoods are invited by the Tift County Commission on Children and Youth to use luminaries along their streets to light up Tift County. Participants may request registration forms to include their locations by calling or emailing Lillie McEntyre at 229-388-1000 or tc3y@friendlycity.net 

Southern Office Products is providing the white bags for all the luminaries. Early registration will ensure participants have use of a sign for the event, as they are first come first served. The event has been held every year since 2014. 

The Tift County Commission on Children and Youth-Family Connection (TCCCY) is a nonprofit collaborative that works to improve the conditions for children, families, and communities by partnering with the community to address serious challenges that face our children and their families.

“We recognize that the best way to reach the masses is to enlist faith-based organizations and other youth-serving agencies to help us with our mission to keep our kids safe by identifying caring locations and providing positive activities for youth,” McEntyre, TCCCY executive director, says in materials about the event. 

“We know that many of you already have youth groups that afford the opportunity for youth to have positive and caring influences on a regular basis. Our hope is that many locations in Tift County will come together to show that our community cares about and supports the well-being of our youth.”

Go Light Up Your World is an annual event that needs communitywide participation to show the full impact of the support that youth have in Tift County, McEntyre said. “We envision an evening where there will be luminaries lit all over the county at the same time, 7-8:30 p.m., with the same mission of working together for the best interest of our children."

Participants are asked to share their pictures on Facebook using the hashtag #lightyourworldtift22. 

ABAC HORTICULTURE CLUB OFFERS CENTERPIECE WORKSHOP

Horticulture Club at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College welcomes the start of autumn with a community flower centerpiece design workshop from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 6, in room 126 of ABAC's Environmental Horticulture Building.

Club President Wendy Sullivan said that community classes are some of her favorite college events.

“The Horticulture Club officers and I are excited to be able to share our love of plants with the community and have the opportunity to hold events like these,” Sullivan said.

Tickets for the workshop are $25. Snacks, beverages, and all materials are included. 

For information, call 863-289-8010 or email wsullivan@stallions.abac.edu

ANNIE BELLE CLARK TEACHER

NAMED TIFT COUNTY’S

4-H TEACHER OF YEAR

Marcie Posey has been selected as the Tift County 4-H Teacher of the Year for 2021-2022.

Posey, at right in photo, is a fifth-grade teacher at Annie Belle Clark Elementary School.

Pictured at left in photo is Annie Belle Clark Principal Stephanie Morrow.

‘BUCKETS OF HOPE’

FUNDRAISER UNDERWAY

Tiftarea House of Hope is hosting its 2022 Buckets of Hope event this month to conclude at 9 a.m. Oct. 31. The buckets are listed on the Tiftarea House of Hope Facebook page.

“We have 10 great buckets for you to win this year. We appreciate all of our donors who have made this possible. We will spotlight them throughout the month so you can visit their businesses and give them thanks for supporting our ministry,” said Christy Day, The Bridge of Tiftarea's executive director.

Donors purchase tickets for $2 each from the Bird's Nest Thrift Store, 345 Commerce Way, or the Tiftarea Training Center for Women, 602 W 3rd St. Tickets may also be purchased by calling 229-396-5990 or 229-520-1604 and using one of the online options to pay: PayPal paypal.me/TiftareaHouseofHope; Venmo = @TiftareaHouseofHope; Cashapp = $TiftareaHouseofHope

If getting tickets online, donors must identify which buckets they hope to purchase in the drawings. For information, call 229-396-5990.

The Tiftarea House of Hope is a non-denominational, faith based emergency and traditional residence for homeless women.

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

“Jack-o'-lantern,” a loving male cat, is available for adoption today at the Tift County Animal Shelter. To adopt Jack-o'-lantern and to see other pets available, visit the shelter between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

TIFTON MAYOR RELOCATES, RESIGNS

~ OCT. 5, 1908

Tifton Mayor Sam Clyatt resigned on Oct. 5, 1908, because he was moving his family to Unadilla. He had been re-elected mayor in 1907. W.W. Banks was appointed to fill the unexpired term.