By Patrick Yost
Editor

A Sandersville man was tazed by Madison authorities when he fled Walmart after allegedly attempting to purchase items with false or stolen credit cards.
Eric Hodges, 26, was arrested and charged with two counts of obstruction of law enforcement officers and one count fraudulent use of credit cards on Saturday, March 23, according to Assistant Madison Police Chief Carl Jones.
Jones said Officer Ken Koth responded to a report by Walmart personnel that four men were attempting to purchase goods with fraudulent cards. When Koth arrived, three of the men had reached a vehicle and left but Hodges, Jones said, was attempting to flee the store.
Hodges ran from Walmart to an area between Lowe's and the Pilot Truck Stop and was tazed by Corp. Phillip Malcom, Madison Police Department, after he allegedly made an aggressive move towards the officer.
Hodges was then arrested without incident and transported to the Morgan County Detention Center.

Printed in the March 28, 2013 edition

By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

Madison hosted BoomTown visitors from Brunswick last week who were here for their retreat.
BoomTown, which stands for Building Opportunity on Main Street, “is a state initiative to enhance job creation in Georgia’s Main Street communities through encouraged and improved use of economic development tools,” according to madisonga.com
City Planning Director Monica Callahan said that the visitors, who were here for Sunday and Monday, paid the Madison Downtown Development Authority (DDA) a stipend for sharing its expertise.
The Madison DDA in turn used the stipend to pay the Brunswick downtown experts to stay on Tuesday, she said.
Callahan said that on Tuesday, Kirby Glaze, president of 4PM, and Billy Parrish, who was with the Department of Community Affairs and Downtown Development for about 30 years, spoke to four of Madison’s BoomTown property owners and one other person.
“In addition, a seat at the table was given to Kathi Russell to encourage her rehabilitation of a significant downtown property,” she said.
Russell, owner of Madison Tea Room & Garden, also owns the historic Mapp-Gilmore building located at 200 W. Washington St. She recently requested – and was denied – permission from the Historic Preservation Commission to replace the current building with a similar style building.
Callahan said the five people received one-on-one consultations with Glaze, Parrish, and various members of the Madison DDA.
The purpose of these consultations: “to encourage revitalization of downtown Madison, specifically these BoomTown properties,” she said.
The Madison BoomTown property owners participated in an opportunity development team visit last October.

By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

The Morgan County Commission denied a request by Suzy Compere to use a travel trailer for apprentice organic farm workers.
Morgan County Planning Director Chuck Jarrell originally denied Compere’s request, who in turn appealed his decision to the commission.
Compere and Jarrell spoke to the commission during its work session. Commissioners then voted on the request during their special called meeting held immediately following the work session.
According to Compere, she has a fig orchard, cherry and peach trees, blueberries, herbs, vegetables, chickens, and goats. She plans to have field-planted melons and put up a large greenhouse that uses solar electricity.
“There are a lot of things I can’t do without these apprentices,” she said. “I’m really working at making this grow but I’m a very small farm.”
She said that apprentices currently reside in her basement but that is not her preference.
Compere told commissioners she called Jarrell’s office in the fall and was told it was okay to set up the recreational vehicle (RV). She then bought the RV and was told she only could use it if someone lived in it no more than 14 days out of 60.
“I have no money to build another structure,” she said, adding that she could not be an agricultural interest without her apprentices. “Maybe you could tell me what I can do to make you more comfortable to let me use this RV.”
Jarrell said the ordinance prohibiting long-term use of an RV goes back to before he joined the office.
“A man sold lots at Lake Oconee and told people they could put trailers on the lots,” he said.

By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

More than 30 people showed up for an agricultural forum last Tuesday. About six of those people left after learning that conservation use and local county tax exemptions would not be discussed.

Morgan County Planning Director Chuck Jarrell spoke to members of the agricultural community about the many responsibilities the Planning and Development Office (PDO) handles as well as where those responsibilities come from, namely the state.
Jarrell explained that the Tax Assessors Office and those who work in and with it would be able to answer questions relating to the two excluded topics.

“That’s not my area of expertise,” he said.
He then proceeded to talk about agricultural building codes and exemptions, land disturbance permits, and the building permit process. He took questions and responded to comments throughout the presentation.
The PDO includes four divisions: permits and inspections, planning and zoning, code enforcement, and licensing. They have six people in his office, including Jarrell.

Last year they issued about 900 permits, he said, while they issued over 2,000 when the economy was booming.
Dan Porter voiced concerns about inspectors: “The inspectors don’t know what they’re talking about and are making life miserable.”
He added that Harrison Farms will not build in the county because of its codes and regulations.

By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) approved all five applications that came before it during its called meeting last Tuesday.
Two applications were approved as submitted while three were approved with conditions.
The only approval to have an HPC member vote against it was a request by Cade Cowan to alter the façade of a home located at 504 S. Fourth St., according to HPC Chair Marti Jessup.
Jesup said that Cowan wants to remove two stoops and add a gable to the duplex. Also, Cowan wants to build a porch across the back of the building.
Jessup explained that while the exterior of this building currently looks like a duplex, it is in fact a single-family residence. Once the changes are made it will look like one as well, she said.
Jessup added that Cowan agreed to lower the gable height in front.
Johnny Thomas requested permission to construct a garage with a gambrel roof at 724 Hill St.
Jessup said gambrel roofs are not allowed on garages in the historic district so Thomas agreed to change it to a pitched roof.
Joseph Smith made a request to alter and infill windows at 139 E. Jefferson St.
Jessup said Smith will put in an extra window toward the front and will enclose one window. She added that the window will match those already present.
Judy Gilbert’s request to construct piers at the corners of her property at 848 Dixie Ave. was passed with no problem at all, according to Jessup.
Also approved without conditions was a request by Hallie Duan to add a building at 1080 Old Mill Road.

Printed in the March 28, 2013 edition