The Miller County Commissioners changed their leadership in a special called meeting on Tuesday, January 17, 2006.
According to a tape of the meeting and the unapproved minutes held in the Commissioner’s Annex at 10:00 a.m., the following occurred:
MILLER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS COURTHOUSE ANNEX 10:00 AM
SPECIAL SESSION MEETING 01/17/06
Draft
PRESENT: Chairperson India L. Taylor, Vice-chairman Kreg Freeman, Commissioner Frankie Phillips, Commissioner Howard Small, Commissioner Allen Worsley, County Attorney Danny Shepard, Sheriff Buddy Glass, Road Superintendent Charles Musgrove, Road Supervisor Robert Bradley, County Clerk Debbie Cox and Finance Officer Nancy Brock.
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Taylor.
At this time. Chairperson Taylor turned the meeting over to the Vice-chairman. Kreg Freeman. Vice-chancellor Freeman called for a motion to appoint the Chairman for 2006. Commissioner Worsley asked if there could be some discussion first. Commissioner Worsley said. “No offense was meant, but that he was told that there were funds that we could get for the county if there was a change made in the Chairperson seat, and that everyone knew who he was referring to and that he would be willing to put some money into the county if there was a change made”. Vice-chairman Freeman said. “That was like black-mail and extortion and that he wasn’t going to go along with it, and he didn’t care where the money was coming from,” Commissioner Worsley said. “What he was looking at was getting the funds because we could use it.” Vice-chairman Freeman said. “That didn’t matter because that was like buying your way into it to make decisions for the county and stuff like that. Influencing the county, and that he wasn’t going along with that, period”. Vice-chairman Freeman said. “We can make a motion on where it’s going to go. You’re welcome to do that.” Commissioner Worsley wanted to know if anyone else had anything to say. Chairperson Taylor said she would leave if they wanted her to, that she would be glad to, Commissioner Worsley said, “no.” Vice-chairman Freeman made the motion for Ms. India to remain as Chairman and asked for a second. The motion died for lack of a second. Commissioner Phillips made the motion to nominate Howard Small for Chairman. Commissioner Worsley seconded the motion. Vice-chairman Freeman asked if all were in favor to say “aye”. Commissioner Phillips and Commissioner Worsley said, “aye”. Vice-chairman Freeman asked Commissioner Small if he would accept it. Commissioner Small said “yes” and Vice-chairman Freeman said that he would go along with that. Howard Small was appointed Chairman for 2006.
Vice-chairman Freeman said that now he needed a motion for Vice-chairman. Commissioner Phillips nominated Commissioner Worsley. Vice-chairman Freeman asked if there was a second. Commissioner Phillips told Commissioner Worsley that he could second his own. Commissioner Worsley asked if he could do that and then seconded the motion to appoint himself. Vice-chairman Freeman said there were three more votes. Vice-chairman Freeman asked if anyone else was in favor of or opposed to, or if there were any other motions. Commissioner Taylor stated. “Kreg has done a good job as Vice-chairman and said she would make a motion for him to remain.” Attorney Shepard said, “There was a motion and a second on the floor, and they needed to vote on that motion before proceeding to another one.” Vice-chairman Freeman said, “I’m going to go ahead and vote on this motion. But the fact that the discussion came up about the funds, if that had not been spoken, I might have gone along with, but I’m not going along with it now. “
Commissioner Phillips asked. “About what - I didn’t understand you.” Vice-chairman Freeman said, “The discussion about the funds, that if there’s a change in leadership on the Board, if that hadn’t have come up I wouldn’t have had a problem with it, but since that’s come up, I can’t go along with it.”
Commissioner Worsley said, “All I was saying was that we needed the funds, that I’m not talking about being ‘bought off.’”
Commissioner Phillips said, “The Chairman has already been voted on, and we don’t need to get in that discussion, and Kreg you’ve known the whole time that it’s been the downfall of this Board, receiving extra funds, and it’s not buying your vote and it’s not buying the county either.”
Vice-chairman Freeman said. “The next time something comes up or a decision needs to be made for the county... and that’s the point right there, that the funds would be available if ya’lI will do it this way. I’m not going along with it.” So I’m voting no. We can finish this up and go on to something else.”
Commissioner Taylor asked, “For the record, where are the funds coming from? I think we need to know, so it can be recorded in the minutes. We can’t just say an anonymous thing. That doesn’t sound right.”
Commissioner Phillips said, “That has nothing to do with nominating the chairman and vice-chairman.”.
Commissioner Taylor said, “That was the motion.”
Commissioner Phillips said, “Since he’s (Howard Small) already been elected, then he can take over.” Commissioner Taylor said, “Yes. he can, but I want to ask a question. If I’ve been a detriment, I want to know why.”
Commissioner Phillips said, “India. you’re known the whole time since we’ve started building that jail down there that Clyde said he would pay for that jail if there was a change on this Board. He said that, it was brought to this Board, so nobody has not forgotten that either.”
Vice chairman Freeman stated that he didn’t think it had not been brought to this Board in public. It’s been hinted around on the street.
Commissioner Taylor stated that she didn’t remember it, but that’s neither here nor there.
Commissioner Phillips asked to call for a vote and if that’s not going to work, then we need to get another nomination.
Vice-chairman Freeman said that Commissioner Phillips had nominated Commissioner Worsley. Commissioner Worsley has voted for himself. I voted “no”. We have two more votes.
Commissioner Taylor said she was going to have to vote “no” on that.
Chairman Small said. “So it’s left up to me?”
Commissioner Worsley said. “It’s left up to you”.
Commissioner Phillips said. “It’s just a vote Howard.”
Chairman Small said. “I know it and I’m going to vote for him and that will be a complete change and what happens, happens Kreg.
Commissioner Freeman said, “I don’t have a problem with that. I’ve done spoke my peace about it and I ain’t fell out with nobody but that’s just the way I feel about the thing.”
Therefore, the Vice-Chainnan for 2006,is Commissioner Allen Worsley.
At this time the meeting was turned over to Chairman Small.
Chairman Small stated, “I’m just going to make one comment, and that’s all I’m going to say. I did not solicit this position from any board member and I hesitate to be involved with it because I know that India has a lot more meetings that she goes to that I don’t know about and I’m sure Kreg has probably been to some too, and that’s the end of my comments on it, and I’m like you (Kreg), I have no problem with you or India.”
Commissioner Freeman said “I have no problem with the change in leadership whatsoever, I’m not going to stay puffed up about it, that’s fine, I ain’t got no problem with it but, I’ve done said what I said about the money thing and whatever comes up, from here on out, if that’s the deal, I’m voting no on it and I’m just gonna tell you like it is.”
Commissioner Taylor said, “I was elected to do a job and I tried to do it to the best of my ability. I have no problem with Howard being the Chairman or anybody else that this Board sees fit to put in that position. That’s the way the charter reads that we do this by the majority vote, and I’ll support Howard, I’ll support Allen, I’ll support anybody that’s in the position.”
Commissioner Freeman then made the motion that it be put in the minutes. The comments that were made about the change in leadership.”
Commissioner Taylor said “I do want that put in the minutes that that’s the reason that the nomination was put forth.”
All in favor. Motion carried.
Commissioner Phillips stated that “I think there are lots of monies out there that can be gotten, not just from one source but lots of sources. We haven’t gotten any money in the last five years. I know my house taxes hare gone up $500.00 since 2002 and I don’t have any more services. Danny Shepard’s has gone up $700.00 per year since 2002.
Commissioner Taylor said that she didn’t think that was the chairman’s fault. Commissioner Phillips said it was the relationship with that Tax Assessors Board over there.
Commissioner Freeman said no it wasn’t, it’s the obligations this county is under from the hospital, to the jail, to the CUVA program, and you can go on and on. There’s nothing that affects the people in this county that doesn’t affect the county’s expenses - whether it be fuel, machinery, personnel, or whatever. When it goes up in everybody else’s daily life it goes up in the life of the county, too. You can’t control that.
Commissioner Small said he agreed with that. We have no control over things that happen like that.
Commissioner Freeman said he believes the money has been managed as well as it could be managed under the circumstances. There hasn’t been any money thrown away, if there has, I want somebody to make a comment on it, if something was done foolishly.
Commissioner Phillips asked, “Well, where did that $240,000.00 go out of the budget. Where did we spend that? It was budgeted for your road last year and was never accounted for because we never amended the budget.
Commissioner Freeman said that the budget was amended and has already been explained in detail by Nancy. Commissioner Taylor said that Nancy could explain that to her again.
Commissioner Phillips said she didn’t want to hear that now, but that was one of the issues with her.
Commissioner Freeman said that the money hasn’t disappeared. Commissioner Phillips said she knew it hasn’t disappeared but we never gave an accounting for it because the budget was never amended.
Commissioner Phillips asked, “Did we eyer amend the budget?”
Nancy?” said, “Yes we did.”
Commissioner Phillips said, “Now you’re saying we amended the budget?”
Nancy said “Yes, we did amend the budget.”
Commissioner Phillips said, “Well I’m glad to know we amended the budget after the facts.”
Commissioner Taylor told her we had to have a motion to amend the budget.
Commissioner Phillips said she never remembered $240,000.00 gone.
Commissioner Freeman told her everybody voted on the road (Babcock).
Commissioner Phillips said, “I know we voted on the road because I wanted the road just as much as you did, or more.
Chairman Small said that we had rolled the money from one year to the next because we couldn’t afford to do it because we were short the money that year.
Debbie told Commissioner Phillips that the budget had been amended, that by law it had to be amended.
Commissioner Phillips told Debbie she knew that.
Chairman Small said, “There is nothing I can remember about Babcock Road that was under-the-table or underhanded about it, we just didn’t have enough money to pay for it the first year”.
Commissioner Phillips said, “I was not implying there was anything underhanded, I’m just saying that I don’t remember the budget being amended and I could not account for it when we were doing the budget again and had to put the same amount back in the budget the next year”. NOTE: The spending resolution and the budget amendment resolution were presented and approved at the 6/30/05 Special Session Meeting. Commissioner Phillips was not present at this meeting.
The clerk said, “There was a motion made by Commissioner Freeman 2” by Commissioner Taylor to put in the minutes the reason for the change in leadership Is everyone in favor All commissioners said “Aye” Motion carried
Chairman Small said that at this time they would meet with the Road Department.
The motion was made by Commissioner Taylor, seconded by Commissioner Phillips to go into executive session All in favor. Commissioners are in executive session
The motion was made by Commissioner Phillips 2nd by Commissioner Freeman to return to the special session meeting All in favor. Commissioners are back in regular session
Chairman Small said that in Executive Session it was discussed that Charles Musgrove will remain as Road Superintendent. Robert Bradley’s title will be Assistant Road Superintendent and he is to receive a $1.00 per hour raise. In addition, Robert is to maintain accurate records of equipment maintenance schedules what maintenance was performed on each piece of road equipment so that at any time these records can be inspected and everyone will know what piece of equipment needs to be serviced. He will need to get the schedules from John Deere and Caterpillar on how often oil, filters, etc., need to be changed on these and the hours the equipment is being used, and keep all of this information in a binder for the Board to inspect at any time. Chairman Small also stressed the need to get the shoulders of Babcock Road dressed out so this project can be closed by the Department of Transportation. There needs to be D.O.T. approved posts put by drainage pipes along roadsides identifying them so that the motor graders won’t be getting close enough to the pipes to damage them.
Vice-Chairman Worsley wanted to discuss Charles Musgrove retiring.
Chairman Small stated that they wanted him to continue working until his full retirement date, which is another 1 V2 years. Mr. Musgrove said that the Social Security Office told him he needed to put in at least another 1’/2 years, but that working 2 more years would be better for him. Chairman Small said to put in your 1 ‘/2 years for your full retirement and then see how your health is.
Mr. Musgrove said that his health was a lot better now than it was 6 months ago.
ViceChairman Worsley asked that Charles Musgrove’s retirement date be clarified when the motion is made.
Therefore, Commissioner Phillips made the motion that Charles Musgrove will continue as Road Superintendent, Robert Bradley will be the Assistant Road Superintendent and will receive a $1.00 per hour raise.
Chairman Small called for a second.
Vice-Chairman Worsley added that the retirement date be verified, and he seconded the motion. Commissioner Phillips asked the clerk had she gotten all of the motion.
The clerk repeated that Charles Musgrove will continue as Road Superintendent, Robert Bradley will be the Assistant Road Superintendent and will receive a $1.00 per hour raise and that Charles Musgrove will retire in 1 1/2 years.
Commissioner Freeman said, I’ll go along with all of it but I’m not going to make him retire in l 1/2 years, I’m not going along with that. The positions in the roads, I’ve got a problem with that, I’m not gonna force him to retire, because you’ve got some down there, and it would have to apply to all of them, if that’s the case, when they get to that age, and I’m not going along with making him retire. I’ll go along with the rest of it”. Commissioner Taylor said that the personnel policy would also have to be amended because presently the county has no mandatory retirement age. Chairman Small suggested the retirement age be left off. Chairman Small then said that there was a motion on the floor and a second. All those in favor say “aye”. All were in favor. Motion carried.
The six sealed bids received for the engineering firm that will be utilized for the CDBG project and the score sheets to grade each one were presented. The clerk opened the bids and each commissioner completed their score sheets on each engineering firm. Sowega Engineering had the highest score and was therefore selected as the engineering firm.
The quote from the Liberal to have the December 6, 2005, condensed version of the minutes put in the paper was presented. The amount was $155.25. The Board said not the put the minutes in the paper. The motion was made by Commissioner Phillips 2nd by Commissioner Taylor to “table running the minutes in the paper until the next year end budget meetings have taken place and make a decision at that time All in favor. Motion carried
There being no further business, the motion to adjourn was made by Vice-Chairman Worsley, 2 ‘ by Commissioner Phillps. All in favor. Meeting adjourned.

This is the fourth in a series of mini-articles found in the Liberal in 2005. The last looks at 2005 was in three month segments.
OCTOBER
“As of October 1, 2005, the private medical practice of Dr. H. J. Merritt, M.D., at 501 N. First Street, is permanently closed. I wish to extend to all my patients and friends good health and good luck. It is with deepest appreciation that I express my thanks for your confidence and trust in me throughout my 58 years of practice here in Miller County.”

On Wednesday, October 5, Cotton Hall opened its doors for the preview night of the most recent production of Swamp Gravy: “Nuthin’ But A Will.” This year’s stories are focused around fighting fires of all kinds, even invisible fires like need and want. Many of the stories were collected in storytelling circles held at the Colquitt Miller County Fire and Rescue meeting where our own local volunteer firemen shared their struggles, good times, and commitment over the past 27 years. In the “sold-out” audience for this final dress rehearsal were many of the members of the Colquitt Miller County Fire and Rescue, others who have shared their stories for this production, family members of this year’s cast, and staff of the Colquitt Miller Arts Council.

During half-time, nine lovely ladies were recognized for the 2005 MCHS Homecoming Court. The Miller County Pirate Pride Marching Band played softly as each representative walked through the color guards’ twirling flags and was recognized for their grade. Assisting in the crowning of the homecoming queen were senior football players and captains for the Lanier County and Miller County’s game: Brandon Bush, Quinton Douglas, and Charlie Johnson. Tension was in the air as the Pirate fans waited to hear the name of the 2005-2006 Homecoming Queen called out, and the senior representative is Beth McMickle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie McMickle.

As you drive down Colquitt’s Main Street and look across from Cotton Hall, you will see that the Colquitt Miller Fire and Rescue Building is getting a new addition. The 11th mural in the Millennium Mural Project, “Nuthin’ but a Will,” currently being painted, will be completed in two phases. The first phase which will take place during the next few weeks will feature three ovals which will continue the tradition of telling area stories, this time depicting stories of the Colquitt Miller County Fire and Rescue Team.

Birth Announcements: Chandler Blake Pepper, Landen Fletcher Hawk Phillips, Bonnie Jean Houston, Kassidy “Kassie” Sage Widner, Jerimane Benton Jr., Christopher Michael Ussery Jr.
Deaths: Louise Jones Branch, Paul W. “Bill” Echols, C. C. “Shorty” Phillips, Samuel Morgan Toole, O.B. Everson, Ruby Lee Worrell Bell, Daniel Martin Cloud Jr., Vaughn Thomas Bell, Charles Adolphus Smith, Junior Taft Owen, Hershel Bullard, Donnie B. Busby, Mamie Worsley, Paul Ellis “Daddy Paul” Stout, Oliver Sampson Bailey, Laura Childs Roseborough, Fred Quinton Beasley, Frances Smith Weeks, James B. Dykes, Diane Cook Wells, Johnny Lee Lofton, Michelle Barefield Roach

NOVEMBER
Georgia-Pacific representative Larry King, Jr. presented a check to the Colquitt-Miller County Arts Council on behalf of everyone at Georgia-Pacific’s Cedar Springs Operations. Mill manager George Cifelli said, “We recognize and appreciate the cultural impact Miller County’s Swamp Gravy has on not only southwest Georgia, but the entire state.”

Hubert and Barbara Stafford have been in the grocery business for over 28 years and have strived to offer their customers and friends the best buys when shopping at Stafford’s Market, a conventional, full service store. “Last week, the name of the store was changed, along with many other improvements that will help give our customers better prices and better service. With expenses increasing, we have decided to decrease the ones we can control and pass the savings on to our customers,” the Staffords stated.

On Saturday, November 19, the MCHS Varsity Competition Cheerleading squad traveled to Colquitt County High School to compete in the South Georgia Cheer Fest. Miller girls hit a near flawless routine after having to make changes on Thursday night and again on Friday afternoon due to injuries. When scores were read, Miller County had received first place, defeating second place Turner County, and third place Hawkinsville. Other teams defeated were Atkinson County and Baconton Charet. When asked about the competition, Coach Susan Wade replied, “This is a young group of girls that have really stepped outside of themselves to perform at 100 percent. I could not be more proud of them at this point in the season.” In addition to first place, MCHS girls competed in a lib off with eight other squads and placed second.

Teresa Youmans, Colquitt city president of Merchants & Farmers Bank, today announced the bank will change its name to “Ameris” effective December 1, 2005. “Our new name signifies our renewed commitment to our unique style of community banking - one that is grounded in personal relationships. It’s the basis for our success to date,” said Youmans. “Ameris is from the Latin word “amicus” or friend, so in a single word, we’ve captured the spirit of our style of community banking.”

Birth Announcements: Christian Lewis McKenzie, Marlie Laine Daniels, Abbie Elizabeth Carr, Sethany Audrey Ann Cook,
Deaths: Sarah Gates Phillips, Sarah Dorothy Hodges, Michael Stacy Earnest, Ricky Davis, Loyce Twilley East, Lallie Jenkins Bevis, Charles William McIntyre, Selvie Lamar Turner, Cheryl Ann Stewart, Lydia Elizabeth Summerall
Jernigan, H.R. (Mac) McNease, Callie Mae Henderson, Geneva M. Perkins, Charlie Lee Elkins, Paul “Bobby” Alday, Geraldine McCalvin Wells, Edna Braswell Barber, Larry Harrell, William Ralph Henry, Walter Gary Thompson, Cleveland C. Watson, Phillip Jacobsen, Delia Mae Adkins Jackson, Hazel Clements,

DECEMBER
The Miller County sports program has been known to produce some outstanding athletes in all areas of sports. Recently nine young men were chosen for All Region for the 2005 Football Season. They are as following:
1st Team All Region
Gabriel Broxton–Offensive
Guard
Colter Harrell–Defensive Tackle
Brandon Bush–Defensive Back
2nd Team All Region
Quentin Douglas–Linebacker
Honorable Mention
Jeryn Collier, Zack Griffi n, Preston Golden, Brian Thompson, and Chris Worthy
Head Coach Ronnie McNease stated, “He was really proud of our football team and it was very
fortunate to get that many football players selected for All Region seeing how we did not make the playoffs.”

Two and a half years ago Ralph Wilcox came to Colquitt with a vision, and he has not wavered since. RC& D Golden Triangle and visionaries Joy Jinks and Karen Kimbrel embraced the concept of using the television industry as a vehicle of economic development, leveraging on the success of Swamp Gravy to support their belief. As a result of delays and setbacks, many were asking and doubting if there would even be a sound stage in Colquitt, and if so when. The time is now! Ralph Wilcox, Southwest Georgia Film Commission director and executive producer of Schuster’s Cash Video/Television Production Company, LLC, along with his partners Joy Jinks and Karen Kimbrel and staff members, Brenda Cheatem, executive administrative production coordinator to the president; and Judy Jones- Colston, marketing-corporate director, proudly announces that construction of the brand new 22,000 square-foot movie sound stage has begun.

“I’ve seen fireman and fire departments all over Georgia, and I’ll put our Colquitt-Miller County Volunteer Firemen up against any of them, anywhere under any conditions. Ours is the best of the best,” Chief Craig Tully said Tuesday night, December 13. The Colquitt-Miller County Volunteer Fire Department held its annual Christmas and Awards Banquet at Cotton Hall.

Ashleigh Stone, 17, has been nominated to attend the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, by U. S. Representative Sanford Bishop. Ashleigh will graduate from Bainbridge High School in May of 2006. Upon graduation, she will go the U.S. Air Force Academy and upon graduation, she will be commissioned a second lieutenant in the U. S. Air Force. Ashleigh hopes to be a fighter pilot. Both of her grandfathers, Major Danny J. Stone and Brigadier General Larry Wright, are retired USAF officers. Her father, Dan Stone, served in the USAF as a security police officer. Commander Stone is currently patrol commander for the Colquitt Police Department.

Birth Announcements: Darby Diana McCann, Avery Anthony Rogers, Jaden Hodges
Deaths: Pattie Kelley Taylor, Nita Martin Harrell, Ella Burnum, Geaster “Jally” Hall Jr., Raymond Dean Sr., Jerry Carlton Cowart, Burnice Leora Bryan, Earl Hayes, Leroy Miller Sr., Shirley Ann Williams, Margie Hardy Chapman King, Stephen Ivey “Steve” McLendon, Roy Edwin Newberry, Rochelle Whittaker Tucker Moore, Marian Elizabeth Bowen, Woodrow McDaniel, Lois Sellars Duncan, Roy Edwin Newberry, William Frank Gray, William Thomas Walton Sr., Pruitt Cox.

Week of January 22, 2006