Dear Editor: The Taxpayers said NO to a $6 million Fire Bond. They asked, "Okay then, how about a 300 percent pay increase for the City Council instead? " Councilman Beresford calculates that at $2,100 per year, he is making 58 cents an hour. That means he is working over 13.9 hours per day, 5 days per week and 52 weeks per year ($.58 x13.9 x 5 x 52 = $2,096). That's not very much money for putting in over 3600 hours per year. I suggest we let them triple their pay to $1.74 per hour but insist they punch in and out so that accurate records of their time can be kept.. Speaking to the pay …

Letter to the Editor: Cherokee County has made a proposal to the City of Canton for Fire and Emergency Services that is very worthy of serious consideration by the City. Clearly, there are parts of the proposal that may not be acceptable to the City. The proposal, however, offers the opportunity to begin negotiations between the County and City to effect a result that is advantageious to both. The cornerstone of the proposal is that the County would build and operate new fire stations in Laurel Canyon and on Commerce Parkway that the City sought to build using funds generated by a bond …

March 27, 2013   Mayor and City Council Members City of Canton City Hall 151 Elizabeth Street Canton, GA 30114  Re: The Need for Three New Fire Stations   Dear Mr. Mayor and Members of the City Council: Following the failed fire bond referendum vote, there still seems to be sentiment among most of you to find other ways to build one or more of the fire stations that would have been funded by the bonds had they been approved. I wish to propose a different set of conclusions for your consideration, i.e., that one of the stations (at Laurel Canyon) is redundant and completely unnecessary, the …

Dear Editor, Representative Calvin Hill (R-Cherokee County) has introduced a Bill into the Public Safety and Homeland Defense Committee in the Georgia House. HB 394 – Special Privileges for Legislators lifts “Gun Free Zone” restrictions for legislators citing these “Gun Free Zones” are dangerous. This includes the Coverdell Building and offices. I agree that “Gun Free Zones” are dangerous. Every multiple shooting since 1990, except one, occurred in a “Gun Free Zone. Newtown, CT, Columbine, CO, Aurora, CO, were all “Gun Free Zones” and multiple murders by madmen occurred. The multiple shooting…

Dear Editor, With election season finally at its end, I’d like to share my take on what has been one of the most heated debates locally and statewide: the charter amendment. From my perspective, and I know some may disagree, this was solely a vote to give parents more options than they have now regarding their children’s education.  That’s it.  Nothing more.  I am familiar with all of the arguments for and against it, and both sides had some very valid things to say.  But when all of the arguments were made, for me, it boiled down to just one issue: will my vote give parents more choices or …

Dear Editor: Many people are opposed to the Charter School Amendment, and many people are opposed to charter schools in general. I go to Odyssey Charter School, in Newnan, Georgia. I have gone to Odyssey since I was in kindergarten. I have been at the same school for nine years. Going to a charter school has been a very unique and beneficial experience. I believe that I have done more and accomplished more than I could ever accomplish at a traditional public school. Yet, many of my “role models” oppose establishing another opportunity for children to get a quality education. Why, you might …

Dear Editor: For those who have been following the debate regarding Amendment One – the Charter Amendment – and wondering why everyone is so upset, I wanted to give you some final thoughts.  For those of us in the thick of it, it’s a passionate subject that goes to the basic instinct of parents, what’s best for our kids and who is best to decide that?  Looking at the last 180 days I can say with certainty that those of us in favor of this amendment have definitely been out “PRed.”  We don’t have the ability to send home flyers in thousands of backpacks or have access to the public relations …

In its first year of operation, Cherokee Charter Academy exhibits remarkable results in the 2012 Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT). Highlights of this year’s CRCT results: 100 percent of students met and exceeded standards in seventh grade language arts 99 percent met and exceeded standards in third grade reading. “We are very proud,” principal Vanessa Suarez said. “The faculty and students worked very hard this year.” The school, which was delayed in opening, outperformed the state in all areas but one. When comparing the scores to the local Cherokee County School District, …

1. First and foremost, I had nothing to do with the release of the photos nor did anyone in my campaign. Mr. Garrison’s allegations in this regard are completely false. Roger is correct however when he admits that it was a big mistake for him to wear the robe of the Ku Klux Klan. I totally agree with Roger on that point: It was a big mistake. There is no one in this County that wants to see their Sheriff dressed as a Klansman. That behavior is out-of-bounds no matter where; no matter when; no matter who. But it is particularly out-of-bounds for a law enforcement officer to dress-up as a …

As many of you may remember, I ran for sheriff four years ago. I met amazing people across Cherokee County explaining it was time for a new sheriff. I didn't run because I didn't like the personality of Sheriff Garrison or that I was a scorned former employee. I ran because I felt there were issues, real issues, that were not being addressed at the time. The issues I felt important were 1) a stronger stance on criminal enforcement such as gangs, 2) a stronger stance on illegal immigration, 3) participating in more jurisdictional task forces to alleviate some of the financial burden on the …

The Cherokee County School District isn't the only entity to express its displeasure with a revised redistricting bill. Cherokee Citizens for Kids has penned a new letter, the contents of which are below. Our local delegation (Representatives Byrd, Hamilton, Hill and Jerguson) have drafted new legislation, HB1223, which replaces HB978; however the new legislation is hardly an improvement over the first. Our delegation has made it clear that they will take any steps necessary to remove duly elected School Board members from office who did not vote on issues the way the delegation dictated.  …

A day after the head of the agency that accredits Cherokee offered a stinging rebuke of legislation that would change the way local residents elect members of the Board of Education, the Blue Ribbon Commission that recommended the changes has reversed course. The committee, which was tasked with redistricting the county Board of Education and Board of Commissioners posts, had recommended the seats on both be voted on by residents in those specific districts. The committee also recommended that the school board and commission chairman seats be elected at-large. This afternoon, committee …

Editor's note: Canton-Sixes Patch invited members of the Cherokee County Legislative Delegation to respond to a letter from the head of the agency that accredits Cherokee and other school systems. In that letter, which the Cherokee County School District made public on Monday afternoon, AdvancEd president and CEO Mark A. Elgart warned state officials against enacting "legislation that bypasses or usurps the local control" of school boards. Hours later, a local citizens group penned its own letter urging the delegation—Reps. Calvin Hill (R-Canton), Sean Jerguson (R-Holly Springs), Charlice …

Last year, the United States experienced the largest tornado outbreak on record. Georgia was pummeled by 15 tornadoes April 27-28, 2011, which killed 15 people and injured 143 across the state. The most powerful twister to hit Georgia was an EF-4 storm that roared through Catoosa County, killing eight and injuring at least 30. That storm, with winds in excess of 175 mph, was one-third of a mile wide and was on the ground for 13 miles before finally dissipating in Tennessee. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), tornadoes are the No. 1 severe weather-related killer in Georgia. With …

Within minutes of handing themselves a fat, juicy tax break, the Canton City Council was wringing it’s hands over the problem of how to pay for a couple of fire stations that should have been built years ago. Yes the majority of your Council doesn’t think they should have to pay property taxes, and they DON’T pay, but by golly they don’t mind sticking THEIR hand in YOUR wallet. Last night the Canton City Council brought our city one giant step closer to financial collapse. As revenues continue to fall and the number of wealthy households not paying property taxes continues to rise, they waste…

As National Impaired Driving Prevention Month is winding down, one of the biggest times for drinking and driving is approaching. The Cherokee County DUI/Drug Court wants to remind everyone to think before you put the keys in the ignition after a night of partying this New Year’s Eve. There are several ways to make Cherokee County’s roads safer this New Year’s Eve, and the first is to never drink and drive. Our goal is to make sure everyone understands the risks involved and how to minimize those risks for themselves and others. Before you leave to go out for the night, make sure you have a …

Editor's note: Tension is growing after Mayor Gene Hobgood sent a letter critical of the current council to residents in the Laurel Canyon and River Green communities. Hobgood is running unopposed for a second term as mayor, but a Facebook campaign to get Council member Bob Rush on the Nov. 8 ballot as a write-in candidate has taken shape. Today, Rush sent this letter to Canton-Sixes Patch. An Open Letter to Canton Residents Recently, Mayor Hobgood, sent to Canton voters, under the guise of a campaign letter, a blatant bid for more POWER to the Mayor’s office. He cites a need for it due to a…

To Whom It May Concern, Cannon Park in downtown Canton was a patriotic vision this past week, decorated with 3,000 American flags put up to honor the fallen as part of a September 11 memorial service. They were erected with care by Salute to Our Veterans, a local veterans group. On Wednesday afternoon, September 14, I was speaking to a group of Pre-Trial Diversion teens, as I do every month, and I looked out the window and saw all of the flags. I have been a part of many community and political events, and I know how it usually goes—the same group of people to volunteer to set up for …

Editor's note: Three Canton-Sixes Patch schools failed to meet annual student progress goals, according to a Georgia Department of Education report released Thursday. One of them–Cherokee High–received "Needs Improvement" status because it did not meet Adequate Yearly Progress targets for the second year in a row. Principal Debra Murdock sent this letter to Patch. We were aware of the results and very frustrated that the NCLB law continues to hold excellent schools like Cherokee High School in Needs Improvement Status when they have proven time and again to be successful. For example, …

Editor's note: Thursday, the Cherokee County Board of Education voted to wait until June 24 to decide the fate of Cherokee Charter Academy. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the 1,000-seat Cherokee High School auditorium. Below is a letter from the wife of a Cherokee County School District teacher. • • • Today, I am proud to be a Cherokee County resident and pleased to support our local school district, its employees and our selfless, dedicated K-12 teachers. As a retired math teacher (now a stay-at-home mother) and a spouse of a CCSD teacher, I am appalled at the backlash that our county…