By Patrick Yost
Editor

An early morning fire on Monday destroyed a large barn near Buckhead.
According to Morgan County Sheriff’s Office reports, the fire was called in at approximately 3:30 a.m. at the Kingston Road property. Report state that the barn was a 40 cow milk barn that contained a 5525 John Deere tractor, a horse trailer and approximately 10 saddles. It also had four generations of memorabilia and tack, tools, stored lumber and antiques. The barn was constructed before the turn of 20th century. The barn belonged to Harold P. Alford and was part of a large agricultural farming operation.
Reports state that the fire was extinguished by fire fighters from the Buckhead Volunteer Fire Department, the Morgan County Station 4 and Morgan County Station 7, Clack's Chapel and Morgan County Central Station.
A neighbor stated that he had heard a loud explosion emanate from the barn prior to the fire.
The barn was a complete loss.
Printed in the April 25, 2013 edition

By Patrick Yost
Editor

A Madison convenience store was burglarized early Sunday morning of more than $6,000 in cash and merchandise but police have generated a tantalizing clue.
Stuck in a damp pair of blue jeans left behind at the store was a Georgia Correctional Release Identification Card with a man's name, photo and address. "He is definitely a person of interest (in the burglary)," Assistant Chief Carl Jones, Madison Police Department said.
The Petro Quick Shop was burglarized at approximately 3:45 a.m., according to Madison Police Department reports. Reports state that an alarm company notified the store's owner who drove to the store and then called police after he observed a broken glass window. Reports state that multiple packs of cigarettes, tins of chewing tobacco, cash, lottery tickets, cigars and t-shirts were taken. Reports state that inside the store, an officer found a damp pair of blue jeans with the identification card in the rear pocket.
There was also "a good amount of blood throughout the store," reports state.
Reports state that a large rock was used to shatter the window.

Printed in the April 25, 2013 edition

By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

Members of the Morgan County Planning Commission heard from Madison City Planner Bryce Jaeck regarding a proposed zoning change request and four-phase mixed use development at their April work session.
The property, located off of Bethany Road, currently is zoned planned professional development (PPD). Parallel Housing, the potential developer of the property, has requested it be rezoned to planned residential development (PRD).
The proposed project will include four phases, the first with an age restriction of 55-plus and the others without age restrictions.
Jaeck said a residential project would create less of an impact than a professional one would.
He said city staff recommends a letter of credit be obtained from the developer instead of an insurance bond, which he said is easier to get than the letter.
Chairman Brian Lehman called the project “significant.”
“We need to pay really close attention to this,” he said. “However long it takes is how long it takes.”
He shared his concern about the number of variances the project would require from the City of Madison: from a change in the minimum number of structures, to the minimum number of square feet per dwelling, to the number of feet separating large-scale developments.
“It’s a big deal,” he said. “We have to give it a lot of thought.”

Printed in the April 25, 2013 edition

By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

Morgan County Tax Commissioner Becky Astin spoke to the Madison City Council about the Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) during their meeting on Monday.
She explained that those who purchase a car in Georgia this year will pay 6.5 percent of the car’s fair market value, which can be found in an assessment manual in Astin’s office or on the car’s bill of sale.
The percentage will go up: 6.75 percent next year and 7 percent the year after that.
“The state reserved the option to go up to 9 percent but city, county and schools won’t see this,” she said.
The tax came about because people involved in casual sales – sales between individuals – were not paying sales tax,” she said. “They were trying to fix that.”
Councilman Joe DiLetto asked how the city gets its portion of the tax money.
Astin explained that the old ad valorem tax, commonly known as the birthday tax, is paid out the same as always.
She said the TAVT money goes into a pot, so to speak, and is distributed in the form of Local Option Sales Tax (LOST), Education Local Option Sales Tax (ELOST), Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), etc.
The amount of money in the pot is generated by the number of vehicles bought and sold in a month, she said, adding that a negative month is possible.
“It’s very complex,” she said, adding that it’s all subject to change.
One change already made: car dealerships now have 30 days to get the tax money to Astin. They originally had 10 days, she said. 
As for individuals with questions about the TAVT, Astin said, “The best thing to do: come in and ask a question.”
Councilman Michael Naples suggested that people contact their legislators if they are concerned about this tax.

By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

During their April work session members of the Morgan County Commission discussed a list of roads in subdivisions to be paved.
County Manager Michael Lamar said that the county has accepted roads in deteriorated condition. He suggested that commissioners repair the roads they have before repairing roads they have not yet accepted.
He noted that the road in Grayson Point is in the worst condition. To remedy that, he said that it needs to have the current pavement ground up, let it sit six months, fix the problems as they arise, and then pave it.
County Planning Director Chuck Jarrell said that part of the problem is a groundwater issue.
Public Works Superintendent Gregg Pennington agreed with Lamar’s suggestion and Jarrell’s comment. He added that that road “has been a problem for years.”
He recommended the county spend $188,760.00 to grind the road, add soil cement, and two inches of asphalt to repair that 0.8 miles of road, which he noted in a letter shared at the work session has “numerous deep patches and pothole patches” as well as “a large amount of crack sealing.”
Lamar said that the county could rent a grinder to do the first part but, per Pennington, the rental equipment would not allow them to add soil to the ground-up road.
In other news, commissioners also heard a request for a beer and wine pouring license. Jarrell explained that Angela Clark is selling her business, Cowboys, and that the state will not issue a license to the new owners until the county has issued its license.
He explained that the new owners have an appointment on April 26 to have their fingerprints taken; results should be back before the commission’s next regular meeting.

By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

Members of the Madison City Council heard from City Manager David Nunn, who shared a proposal by Alsbrook Architects, Inc. for the third phase of the Public Safety Building.
“This is a very good investment,” he said.
He reminded those present that phase one involved the fire department while phase two involved general meeting and office space as well as restrooms.
As the document was not a contract, only a proposal, no vote was required.
Councilman Joe DiLetto asked if they could look into adding solar panels to the roof to make use of the space.
Nunn said they certainly could look into that.
Councilman Michael Naples then asked about the possibility of using the evidence room at the county’s existing “state-of-the-art” facility.
Nunn responded that for convenience’s sake it is included in the proposed floor plan.
City Attorney Joe Reitman added that they would need to look into chain of custody requirements regarding evidence handling.

In other news:
- Members unanimously approved a budget amendment presented by City Finance Officer Karen Guinn. Guinn said the amendment reflects grant money received to benefit the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center, the Historic Preservation Commission and street paving.
- Members unanimously approved the Downtown Development Authority’s request for surplus property, which included the old Christian car lot, a piece beside the McDowell Grocery Warehouse, the old public works barn property and property by the water plant.
- Members unanimously approved a bed and breakfast occupation tax license for Lisa Longo, who said she would have one room available now and a maximum of two available in future.
- The meeting set for 5:30 p.m. May 13 will be held in the Morgan County Courthouse, Lower Courtroom.