Athens-Clarke County News & Notes

The July 2008 Term of the Grand Jury of Athens-Clarke County has been charged with the responsibility of appointing one (1) regular member, one (1) alternate member and two (2) additional alternate members to the Board of Tax Equalization for Athens-Clarke County. The term of such members would be for three (3) years beginning January 1, 2009.

The Board of Tax Equalization is responsible for hearing appeals on property values and exemptions. This independent board sets the date and time for hearings, hears evidence from both the taxpayer and the Tax Assessor’s Office, and makes their independent decision based on the facts presented in much the same manner as a courtroom jury. After hearing evidence from both the taxpayer and the appraisal staff, the Board of Equalization renders a decision on the value of the property and exemption.

Any citizen of Athens-Clarke County who owns real property and is a high school graduate is eligible for appointment to the Board. Any such person interested in being considered for appointment should contact the office of Ken Mauldin, District Attorney, by phone at (706) 613-3240 or by e-mail at kenmauldin@co.clarke.ga.us no later than 12:00 noon on August 12, 2008 and provide a name and telephone number to be forwarded to the Grand Jury.

JUDGE MCDONALD RETIRING EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 30
Judge James E. McDonald has announced his retirement as Judge of the Juvenile Courts of the Western Judicial Circuit, effective September 30, 2008 at the conclusion of his present four-year term of office. Judge McDonald has served Juvenile Court continuously since January 1, 1985, first as Judge of the Juvenile Court of Clarke County and most recently as Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Courts of the Western Judicial Circuit that includes Athens-Clarke County and Oconee County.

The Judges of the Superior Courts of the Western Judicial Circuit appoint the Presiding Judge of Juvenile Courts for the Western Judicial Circuit and a process is currently underway for the appointment of Judge McDonald’s successor for a four-year term. Questions, comments, resumes, or letters of interest can be directed in writing to the Honorable Lawton E. Stephens, Superior Courts, Western Judicial Circuit, P.O. Box 8064, Athens, Georgia 30603 by August 31, 2008.

DUI/DRUG COURT NAMED ONE OF FOUR BEST IN NATION
Athens-Clarke County’s DUI Court was selected as one of the nation’s four best courts in targeting repeat drunk drivers. The court has been designated as one of four “Academy Courts” in the country. The other three courts selected are in Springfield, Missouri, Traverse City, Michigan and Newport Beach, CA.

An Academy Court is a model DUI court that serves as a site for training and technical assistance for anyone interested in creating DUI courts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Drug Court Institute chose these courts because of their exemplary practices.

Impaired driving is the most frequent violent crime committed in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2005, 16,885 people died in alcohol or drug-related crashes. The DUI courts are designed to target people who Drive Under the Influence (DUI) who, without intervention, are at high risk of reoffending. These are dangerous offenders who continually get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Today there are more than 300 DUI courts throughout the United States dedicated to changing the behavior of these offenders by tackling the root cause: alcohol and drug abuse. Once they have served their time, as part of their probation, offenders are required to undergo rigorous treatment, withstand constant monitoring including drug tests, and appear regularly before the judge.

A recent study by Applied Research Services, Inc. reported that DUI court graduates are four times less likely to be rearrested for DUI after two years.

LANGDALE FARM PROTECTED AS GREENSPACE IN ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY
The first farmland in Athens-Clarke County to be permanently protected as agricultural land, Langdale Farm, was dedicated on October 26 near Winterville. The protection of the Langdale Farm land is part of SPLOST ’s Greenspace Acquisition Program, in which ACC receives or buys properties and easements included in existing and planned greenway areas and restricts development rights.

The Langdale Farm property is also protected under the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program. The 63.69-acre permanent conservation easement on the property was acquired through a 25% contribution from the landowner, 25% from ACC SPLOST funds, and a 50% match from the USDA.

Greenspaces have been included in past SPLOST programs, but the acquisition of this property required developing more policies and procedures with input from Planning, Leisure Services’ Natural Resources Division, and the Environmental Coordinator.

The Athens Land Trust serves as the primary agency regarding development and land use, with SPLOST acting in a supporting role. Conserving agricultural land provides several environmental benefits, such as maintaining wildlife habitats, assisting stormwater control, reducing air pollution, and lowering ambient air temperatures.

The late Dr. George W. Langdale is known as the “Father of Conservation Tillage,” a method that reduces soil erosion and protects topsoil. After his death in late 2003, his wife began the process of protecting the family’s farmland according to her husband’s wishes. He received his Ph.D. from UGA and received numerous awards, including the Hugh Hammond Bennett Award, the highest award in soil and water conservation.