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22% OF TIFT TAX APPEALS RESOLVED AS WORK GOES ON

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tift County has resolved more than 22% of the cases appealing new property-value assessments, the county Tax Assessor's Office said at the end of the day Thursday.

"We have received 5,035 appeals and resolved 1,116 appeals," said Chief Tax Appraiser Hayward Becton. The outstanding appeals are still being reviewed.

During the past year, every one of the 19,250 property parcels in Tift County was revaluated, resulting in many property values increasing, in some cases dramatically. During a public meeting in July, property owners were told to appeal their new property values if they disagreed with them.

Once the Board of Assessors completes the appeal process, Tift County, the City of Tifton, and the Tift County School System have the option of rolling back their millage rates to offset inflationary growth, thereby balancing out an increase in property taxes.

Becton said Thursday it is "very hard to tell" when all the appeals will be resolved. "We're working as efficiently and quickly as possible," he said.

The county has up to a total of 180 days to complete the process, but Becton said it may not take that long.

However, Tift County property tax bills will definitely be delayed this year, said Chad Alexander, county tax commissioner. His role is to merely send out the property tax bills and collect the payments.

His office cannot send the tax bills until the property values are set, and that doesn't happen until the appeals are concluded, and the tax assessment is then decided upon when the city, county, and school system set their millage rates for the fiscal year.

Both city and county leaders have said they intend to rollback the millage rates to offset inflationary growth. The Board of Education, which faces a state requirement on millage-rate levels in order to receive state equalization funds, is awaiting the outcome of the current revaluation process.

Because that process is still underway, Alexander said the due date for tax payments will not be Nov. 15 this year. "At this time, there is not an estimated time when the bills will be mailed out or when the due date will be. I will keep everyone informed as information becomes available," he said.

The tax commissioner said the state requires property taxes are due 60 days from the date that tax bills are mailed, but he has allowed up to 90 days in the past.

"The bills will be coming out at some point," Alexander said. "We're all in a kind of wait-and-see situation."

Receiving the Best Facade Rehabilitation Award from the Georgia Downtown Association are, from left, Mark Shiver and Lamar Boyer of Fifth Street Interiors, Abbey McLaren of the Tifton Downtown Development Authority, and Hillery Culpepper, Tifton Main Street manager. At right is Bruce Green of Tifton, who received recognition as a founding member of the Georgia Downtown Association, which is celebrating its 25th year. Green is a former Tifton Main Street manager, has worked with the state in economic development, and currently is director of the Tifton Council for the Arts.

DOWNTOWN TIFTON GETS AWARD FOR BEST FACADE REHAB

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Downtown Tifton has been awarded the Best Facade Rehabilitation Award at this week's Georgia Downtown Conference, recognizing the revitalization of the exterior of the building that houses Fifth Street Interiors.

The award recognizes dedication to preserving the architectural integrity and enhancing the esthetic appeal of downtown properties through high-quality facade rehabilitation. 

The Downtown Tifton rehabilitation project at 122 East Fifth St., completed by Lamar Boyer and Mark Shiver, houses their furniture store, Fifth Street Interiors. The Georgia Downtown Association said the project was distinguished for its modern rehabilitation through thoughtful design to the building’s architectural heritage.

“Breathing new life into Commerce Way, Lamar and Mark were the first to tackle an investment and rehabilitation project on the street, and the renewed facade now stands as a beacon of our downtown’s transformation and vibrant future, drawing admiration from residents and visitors alike," said Abbey McLaren, executive director of the Tifton Downtown Development Authority (DDA). 

"This project not only rejuvenated the building but has also sparked a broader revitalization of Commerce Way and connectivity to downtown properties south of Highway 82, serving as a catalyst for renewed private and public investment in the area," McLaren said. "Congratulations to Lamar and Mark for helping to make downtown shine.”

McLaren said the DDA offered a facade grant for the work, and she was an advocate and liaison through the rehabilitation process.

The Georgia Downtown Conference brings together downtown development professionals and offers a platform for sharing innovative ideas, strategies, and successes. The Best Façade Rehabilitation Award is a key recognition highlighting the importance of preserving the historic character of downtown areas through careful and thoughtful restoration efforts.

TRUVISTA RESTORES PHONE SERVICE

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

Businesses and residents with TruVista telephone accounts had their service restored Thursday after being down for two days.

The widespread outage affected landlines served by TruVista throughout Tifton and Fitzgerald. 

Calls on Thursday to the TruVista office in Tifton and to the TruVista corporate office, as well as emails, were unsuccessful in reaching anyone who could answer questions about the outage and its cause.

A customer representative apologized for not having anyone available to answer questions from the Tifton Grapevine. 

The outage not only affected TruVista residential customers but also many businesses and local government offices.

Richard Baldree with Love Avenue Service Center in Tifton said he came into work at 7:30 a.m. Thursday and his phone started ringing – the first sound he’d heard from it since Monday. On Tuesday, the business couldn’t receive or make phone calls. 

“We couldn’t call out to place (automotive) orders,” Baldree said.

On Wednesday, they could make calls but couldn’t receive incoming calls. Many other businesses posted the same information on social media. Baldree said his operation placed a cell phone number on social media so that customers could reach them. 

Baldree said he had heard that a line was cut between here and Atlanta, “but that’s a long distance” to affect just Tifton and Fitzgerald, he said.

AREA PEANUT FARMERS HONORED FOR HIGH YIELDS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Two peanut farmers in the Tiftarea are among 16 recently announced by the University of Georgia Peanut Team for their high-yielding peanuts in 2023. The high yields ranged from 4,629 to 6,357 pounds per acre.

KCB Partnership of Irwin County was recognized with 5,976 pounds per acre in the 300-699 acreage category.

Ray Walker of Ben Hill County was recognized with 5,546 pounds per acre in the 100-299 acreage category.

“Many of the state winners combine their management strategies like crop rotation, variety, planting date, and critical timing of applications of pesticides to reach these high yields,” said Scott Monfort, UGA Extension peanut agronomist.

“The yields are counted for the entire farm, irrigated or dryland, and they continue to increase year after year.”

According to a report on the production practices of the 2023 winners, the majority use a three-year rotation plan with crops such as cotton or corn. Most of the winners plant in twin rows during May.

www.stopthehurtga.org

Mandy Brooks with the Tift Regional Medical Center Foundation, left, presents the Ilse Boyette Book Scholarship to Keslyn Carter, an ABAC student.

2 STUDENTS RECEIVE BOYETTE SCHOLARSHIP

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Ilse Boyette Book Scholarship was recently awarded to two full-time students on behalf of Henry Boyette, his family, and the Tift Regional Medical Center Foundation.

The scholarship was established in honor of the late Ilse Boyette, who loved nursing and the medical field.

The 2024 recipients are Keslyn Carter and Brittany Flanders.

Carter is a student at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, where she is pursuing a bachelor of science degree in nursing. She currently works at Southwell Health and Rehabilitation in Adel.

“I am eager to contribute significantly to the nursing community,” Carter said.

Flanders is pursuing a psychology degree at Middle Georgia State University. She intends to pursue a master's degree in speech-language pathology after earning her bachelor's degree in psychology. In 2018, she graduated from high school and obtained her CNA. She currently is a patient care tech at Tift Regional Medical Center.

“Healthcare is my passion because I love helping people make a 180 turn in their journey to getting better,” Flanders said.

The $500 scholarships are for book expenses at the school of the recipient’s choice. Funds have been made possible through the Ilse Boyette Memorial, as well as Tour de Tifton, sponsored through the Tiftarea YMCA.

SMART DRIVER COURSE MAY HELP SAVE ON CAR INSURANCE

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

An AARP Smart Driver refresher classroom course will be held 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Leroy Rogers Senior Center in Tifton.

Attendees may be able to save on car insurance. During the course, you will be able to refresh your driving skills and knowledge of the rules of the road, learn techniques for handling left turns, rights-of-way, and roundabouts; get proven driving methods to help keep you safe on the road; and learn safety strategies to maintain your confidence behind the wheel.  

Cost is $20 for AARP members (membership card required) and $25 for non-members. Lunch will be provided.

To reserve your space, call 229-391-9299 or 229-391-3956.

ROLL THE DICE AT 'VEGAS NIGHT IN TIFTON'

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tifton-Tift County Public Library Foundation is once again sponsoring "Las Vegas Night in Tifton," the foundation's fundraiser to support activities at the library.

The event begins at 7 p.m. Sept. 12 at Tifton's Hilton Garden Inn. Attendees will have the opportunity to play for fun such casino games as blackjack, roulette, craps, and poker – all with "Vegas bucks."

Sponsorships are available. Admission includes beverage tickets, "Vegas bucks," food, and fellowship.

For tickets and information, contact Penny Peters at 229-392-3366, at penny_mcd@yahoo.com, or email the foundation at ttcplibraryfoundation@gmail.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY: 

Letters must address local issues only. All letters are subject to editing for brevity, for libelous statements, and for egregious language. 

Include your name, phone number, and address for verification purposes. Email letters to: IHeardIt@tiftongrapevine.com

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR LIBRARY

One of the greatest joys of being a librarian is to be in service to one's community. This, at times, can be a tremendous challenge as all of you know. Librarians are often misunderstood to be quiet, bun-sporting, bespectacled ladies with a sour disposition. What we really are, are fierce, loyal, and committed to the overall betterment of the people and businesses that surround us. 

My time with the Tifton-Tift County Public Library is coming to an end as of September 18. I will be transitioning into a position that will allow me to grow other branch managers to be innovative, inspired, and transformative. 

For those that have active partnerships with the library, my leadership team is committed to seeing those plans thrive, and you should remain in contact with Tina O'Day. Her email is today@cprl.org. 

Thank you to all of you for believing in the power of the library and understanding that literacy and family support manifests in multiple ways. Our facility has gone from serving 100-ish people a day to 250-300 people. We are thriving through the efforts of those around us who understand that coming together is the only way forward. I believe with all my heart that this facility has morphed into a vibrant, impactful entity.  

I look forward to watching this library thrive through your continued support of its efforts.

Karen Thompson

Branch Manager

Tifton-Tift County Public Library

Tifton

Proud New Member of the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce.

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Statewide influenza data released from the 

Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) as of week ending Aug. 17:

Since Seasonal Tracking Beginning Oct. 23, 2023:

TOTAL INFLUENZA OUTBREAKS: 200 ............................................... LATEST WEEK: 0

TOTAL METRO AREA HOSPITALIZATIONS: 4,461 ..............................LATEST WEEK: 4

TOTAL INFLUENZA-ASSOCIATED DEATHS: 59 ................................. LATEST WEEK: 0

In Georgia, influenza is not a reportable condition, with the exception of influenza-associated deaths and outbreaks.

YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER TIFTAREA

Sunday, Sept. 1, marks the 160th anniversary of the Confederate army being forced out of the City of Atlanta in 1864. The mayor surrendered Atlanta to Union soldiers the next day. Union Gen. William T. Sherman (in photo) had led the campaign to capture Atlanta and then embarked on his infamous "March to the Sea," leaving a path of destruction from Atlanta to Savannah.

FRIDAY, AUG. 30

• Final Friday, music, food trucks, lawn games, 6-9 p.m., Downtown Nashville
• "One Enchanted Evening," 7 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Perfoming Arts, Downtown Tifton
• Tift County High Blue Devils football vs. Lee County High Trojans, 7:30 p.m., Brodie Field, Tifton
• Tiftarea Academy Panthers football vs. John Milledge Academy Trojans, 7:30 p.m., Panther Pit, Chula
• Fitzgerald High Purple Hurricane football vs. Crisp County Cougars, 7:30 p.m., Fitzgerald

SATURDAY, AUG. 31

• 6th Annual Georgia Muscadine Festival, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Paulk Vineyards, Wray
• "Juneteenth Boating Again (Augusteenth)," free boating for children sponsored by WWALS Watershed Coalition, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Reed Bingham State Park, Adel
• Skate Day at the Park, 4 p.m., Skate Park, N. Johnson St., Fitzgerald

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Fees are $1 per word, paid in advance

"Diamond" is a real "diamond the ruff." Come meet her and other pets available for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, open between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For additional information, call 229-382-PETS (7387).