Changing superintendents costly, but Pickens is not alone in frequent turnovers

Concept Drawing/City of Jasper

A concept drawing of what renovations to the old bank drive-thru area could look like. The city has plans to begin the phase I bathroom project immediately as part of a project that will enhance the entire North Main Street area around Peace Park and the Old Jail. 

     Jasper Council has big plans for parks in the upcoming year, from budgeting over half a million dollars to begin the first phase of a longer-range amphitheater project, to talks of new mountain bike trails, to public restrooms on North Main Street.  

Perrow Park/Green Space

Council has allocated $525,000 in the 2021 budget to begin improvements to the green space at the corner of Main Street and Spring Street in downtown Jasper. Council plans for the project to culminate in an amphitheater area, which they feel will be a boon to the downtown community.

See full story in this week's print and online editions.

By Dave Williams
Bureau Chief
Capitol Beat News Service
 ATLANTA - U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Thursday walked back many of the controversial remarks and social media postings that have made the freshman Republican from Northwest Georgia a political lightning rod.
   But Greene’s 10-minute speech on the House floor didn’t stop majority Democrats from passing a resolution 218-210 along party lines stripping her of assignments to serve on the House Budget and Education and Labor committees.
 Greene, R-Rome, described herself to her new colleagues as a wife, mother and successful business owner who didn’t get involved in politics until the election of former President Donald Trump.

     The Community Thrift Store, on Samaritan Drive, will “hopefully” be reopening February 2 after a long closure due to COVID. Unfortunately, with a volunteer force seriously depleted, they will not be able to help load the larger items at the store.

They are seeking new volunteers. “If you have some free time and would like to be a part of helping the charities in this county please consider volunteering,” the leaders at the 20-year-old establishment ask.

They could use people with as little as four hours to spare.

You’ll be blessed to be part of something that has given millions of dollars back to the Pickens community. For more information call 706-253-7770 or just come by and ask for Sarge.

New hours at the store, 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Jim Heilman of Save Georgia’s Hemlocks surveys one of three hemlocks planted along Town Creek in Lee Newton Park at last year’s Arbor Day event. Organizers hope to plant additional trees on National Arbor Day.

Organizers from Jasper and Save Georgia Hemlocks are making plans to mark National Arbor Day on April 30th with tree plantings and possibly some classes at Lee Newton Park.

Jasper resident Donnie Low organized the planting of three hemlocks last year along the small creek in the park to mark Arbor Day. This year organizers plan to add additional hemlocks, supplied by Save Georgia Hemlocks. Donations will be accepted to provide additional hemlocks.

Georgia has an Arbor Day in February, but the local planting will be timed to coincide with the National Arbor Day, April 30th.