Small Town News

Council Ponders Boys Club, Taxes and Honoring Turner

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The Manchester City Council handled a number of items in its special called meeting last Thursday.

The Council heard a request from Bill Alderman, pastor of the newly organized Kingdom Community Church, to hold services at the old Manchester Middle School.

He said the church is also looking to do a Boys and Girls Club or some kind of after-school program. He said he would also like to have a permanent place for the summer feeding program.

City Attorney Jerry Ann Conner said that regarding use by a church, the city would have to set a policy for leasing the building. "It will have to be open to anybody who meets the criteria," she said.

She said the city could probably work out some kind of an agreement for the Boys and Girls Club and a summer feeding program. Mayor Clifton said Conner would do some digging to see what the city could legally do.

The Council discussed ways to honor Judge David Turner, who died recently. Turner served as Municipal Court Judge.

Burt said he thought it would be a good idea if the city were to name something in Turner's honor. After exiting from executive session, the Council voted to name Robert Shuman to fill the vacancy. Clifton asked that the matter of naming something in Turner's honor be put on the October agenda.

The Council discussed tax collection. Walton said the city can't do anything until the state budget is finalized.

Appeals of recent revised tax appraisals are holding up the process. Clifton suggested waiting two weeks to see where the state is before trying to make any financial decisions.

City Clerk Kathy Storey said the city would receive $180,000 from the state for insurance premium taxes, but that she wasn't sure it would get the money in time. "We were hoping that would carry us through into November," she said. "If we don't get it on a timely basis, we are probably going to run out in early November." The Council voted to have a called meeting Monday, September 28 at noon to discuss its budget options.

The Council approved a $1,000 donation for Railroad Days.

The Council approved the 2008-2009 budget resolution.

The Council approved a 15-year lease to CAFI (Community Action for Improvement) for the buildings at 607 Parham Street to house the Head Start Program.



Copyright 2009 The Manchester Star-Mercury, Manchester, Georgia. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 The Manchester Star-Mercury Manchester, Georgia. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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