|
|
The Tifton Grapevine
WEEKENDER
Local News, Views & Previews
This Week in Tifton, Georgia -- June 28, 2013
A service of Sayles Unlimited Marketing, LLC
229.387.9688 and 229.848.7043
|
DOWN TO THE WIRE!
TIFTON CONSIDERS TAX HIKE
WITH BUDGET DEADLINE LOOMING
But City Council Split on Decision
Tifton City Council meets at 5 p.m. Friday, June 28, for its last public hearing and a scheduled vote on the city's Fiscal Year 2014 budget.
The proposed budget has a 3-mill property tax increase, but council members appear  split on whether or not the city should raise taxes right now. Under law, the city must approve a balanced budget before the fiscal year begins July 1, which is Monday.
Mayor Jamie Cater says he "can't vote for a 3-mill increase on our citizens. We're all hurting."
Regarding a tax hike, the mayor says, "I agree that we need to, but the timing is off."
Councilwoman Julie Smith says, "It's not going to be popular, but it's fiscally responsible; we've got to do it. It's the only way we can fully function." She notes that the police force is down by seven officers and that "we are not taking care of the basic needs of our community."
The hearing and vote will be in the Municipal Courtroom, 130 East 5th St. in Tifton.
Click the video below for citizens' opinions!
 | | Tifton Grapevine - City Tax Hike? |
|
CELEBRATION!
Tifton Fireworks Set July 3
Independence Day fireworks return to the Georgia Museum of Agriculture & Historic Village on the evening of July 3.
Admission is $10 per vehicle with up to eight passengers. Gates open at 6 p.m.
Clovers & Co., the Georgia 4-H performing arts group, sings at 7:15 p.m. The group includes two Tiftonites: Bowen Thornton, son of Vann and Marlene Thornton; and Caelan Berry, son of John and Robin Berry.
Slices of watermelon will be offered, as will children's activities. Food vendors will be available, visitors may pack their own coolers.
Georgia's Watermelon Queen will emcee a hands-free watermelon eating contest and a seed-spitting contest for children.
Fireworks will light up the sky at 9:15 p.m.
For more information, contact coordinator Polly Huff at phuff@abac.edu.
|
|
Live Entertainment Each Saturday Night!
ETHAN GLASS performs
6:30 p.m.-10 p.m., Saturday, June 29
Come Join Us for Dinner! 229-382-8484
|
AMERICAN IDOL WANTS YOU!
Fox 31 to Hold Auditions in Tifton
Ever since Phillip Phillips of Leesburg won the 2012 season of "American Idol," local singers have been hoping that lightning will strike twice for Southwest Georgians in the national competition.
The local Fox TV affiliate, Fox 31 WFXL, is giving locals a chance for such dreams to come true and to represent Southwest Georgia at the upcoming American Idol auditions in Atlanta.
Local auditions will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 13, at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center for undiscovered talent ages 15 to 28. Now through 9 a.m. Friday, July 12, interested artists may pre-register online by clicking here to guarantee an audition, or they can register at the event between 8 a.m. and 11a.m.
 Numbers will be distributed during registration on Saturday, July 13. The first round of auditions will begin at approximately noon that day. Contestants must bring a valid Georgia state-issued picture ID or some form of ID proving age and residence. Any auditioner under 18 years old must be accompanied by his/her parent or legal guardian.
For more information, visit americanidol.com
|
|
229-386-8737
is hosting an
OPEN HOUSE EVENT
at
LAKE BLACKSHEAR
SUNDAY, JUNE 30
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
featuring
11 LAKEFRONT HOMES
GRAB A FRIEND AND COME SEE WHAT
TRUE LAKE LIVING IS ALL ABOUT!
Maps and Flyers will be Available at the
Century 21 Smith Branch & Pope Offices
In Tifton at 1814 Highway 41
and in Cordele at 2453 Highway 300
|
Call Him
MR. PEANUT!
Spearman in Peanut Hall of Fame
Tyron Spearman of Tifton, editor of the Peanut Farm Market News and executive director of the National Peanut Buying Points Association, has been inducted into the American Peanut Council's Peanut Hall of Fame.
Spearman, pictured at right, was surprised with the award, the peanut industry's highest honor, at the recent USA Peanut Congress in Florida.
Joe West, Peanut Council chairman-elect, made the presentation.
|
THE VIOLENCE!
Tifton Neighborhood Watch Activities Schedule
As part of the "STOP the Violence / Neighborhood Watch" program, Tift County Commissioner Melissa Chevers says the following community activities are scheduled:
- June 29: Larry Dean Football & Cheer Camps, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., TCHS practice fields ~ Grades Third through Eighth. Registration, 8 a.m., Tift County High School.
- June 29: STOP The Violence workshop, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Travelers Rest Baptist Church. No registration required.
- June 30: Back to School Rally, 3-6 p.m., Mott-Littman Gym; sponsored by the Larry Dean Foundation.
- July 12: Pool Party, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. ~ Grades Kindergarten through Eighth; open to first 125 children; Tift County Recreation Department.
- August: TBA ~ Grillin' & Chillin' Family Cookout.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to come with their kids to these family events.
To start a Neighborhood Watch program in your neighborhood, contact Capt. Dennis Reese at 229-777-1432.
|
The Tifton Grapevine
WEEKENDER
Hear it Through the Grapevine!
Thousands of local residents get the Tifton Grapevine Weekender delivered FREE to their email.
Want local news & videos sent automatically to your computer and mobile device?
sign up at
www.tiftongrapevine.com
|
YOUR WEEKEND
At a Glance....
FRIDAY, June 28
- Tifton City Council, public hearing & vote on FY14 budget, 5 p.m., Municipal Courtroom, Fifth Street, Tifton.
- Wiregrass Farmers Market, 9 a.m., Georgia Museum of Agriculture, Tifton.
- Downtown Farmers Market, 9 a.m., Old Train Platform, Tifton.
- STOP The Violence workshop, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Travelers Rest Baptist Church, 709 Ridge Ave., Tifton.
- Ethan Glass performs on the patio, 6:30 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, Tifton.
|
June 18
Liza Mae Wilson, 99, Tifton
June 19
Ellen Ethel Mack, 95, Tifton
Billy Scott McClure, 47, Tifton
Juanita Devon McCullough Drayton, 57, Sylvester
Robert Lewis Johnson, 61, Alapaha
June 21
Joel David "Joe" Wall, 76, Adel
June 23
James Howell McCorvey, 90, Ashburn
Donald Harris, Nashville
Mary Marie Brown, Tifton
June 25
Frances "Juanita" Ray Rowe, 91, Tifton
Steven W. Alberson, 57, Rebecca
June 26
Eddie Lee Coleman, 97, Tifton
|
 SERVING YOU WITH PROFESSIONALISM BEFORE, DURING & AFTER THE SALE
Give Dwana Coleman a call .............. 229-386-4222
Blue Skies & Sunshine
Through Each & Every Real Estate Transaction!
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Have news for the Grapevine?
Contact us today!
|
|
|
|
|
|
