By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
County legal costs down; see breakdown
Placeholder Image

Newton County is cutting back everywhere, including spending $300,000 less in legal costs this year to date.

The county paid County Attorney Tommy Craig's office $205,326 from January 2011 to May 2011, according to a report provided to the board of commissioners Tuesday by Craig.

The county paid Craig's office $502,034 for the first five months of 2010, county attorney Jenny Carter said in a followup email.

The largest cost so far in 2011 is $69,278 for general county legal work, including attending board meetings and work sessions, reviewing contracts and agreements and reviewing open records requests, as well as working on SPLOST and census redistricting.

The county also spent $41,667 on work related to the future Bear Creek Reservoir, which is planned to be built in southern Newton County. The attorney's office continued to work on getting a permit for the reservoir, studying future water pipeline routes and assisting with condemning the property of Emmet Denby, the only owner who has refused to sell his property to the county for the reservoir.

There have been no major lawsuits, but several smaller ones costing between $45 and $1,282. The preparation of county ordinances, including adult entertainment, noise and soil erosion, cost $8,799.

The county attorney's office receives a monthly retainer of $1,200.

Commissioner Nancy Schulz had previously asked Craig to provide quarterly reports and was pleased with the savings.

"I commend this board and you (Craig) for holding our costs down," Schulz said at Tuesday's board meeting.

"Tommy's office has done a great job advising us on the front end to keep us out of trouble on the back end," Chairman Kathy Morgan said.

Newton County paid Craig's office more than $852,000 in fees during the 2010 calendar year, $758,215 in 2009 and $832,977 in 2008, according to county records.

Eastside High School announces Top 10 graduates for Class of 2025
eastside top 10

Eastside High School has announced the names of the top ten graduates of the Class of 2025. Leading the way are valedictorian, Ian White, and salutatorian, Malachi Scharf. Each of the top ten graduates have exciting prospects ahead of them as they prepare for life after high school.

Eastside High School’s 2025 Top 10 Graduates are:

• Ian White—The valedictorian, Ian plans to attend college and obtain a doctorate in chemical engineering. He selected Mr. Elijah Clark as his top teacher.

• Malachi Scharf—The salutatorian, Malachi plans to major in chemical engineering at Georgia Tech. He chose Mr. Michael Poor as his favorite teacher.

ehs val and sal
Malachi Scharf (left) and Ian White (right) are Eastside High School’s 2025 Salutatorian and Valedictorian. - photo by Courtesy of Newton County School System

• Kaiden Blazina—Kaiden plans to attend Georgia College and State University to study biology with plans to become an anesthesiologist or a missionary. Kaiden selected Mrs. Haley Dawkins as his honored teacher.

• Abby Malcom—Abby will be attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in the fall to major in agribusiness. Her goal is to run a floral business. She selected Ms. Sara Beth Hammond as her top teacher.

• Shelby Moore—Shelby plans to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College to pursue a degree in agricultural education. She selected Ms. Alisa Echols as her top teacher.

• Annalie Parker—Annalie will attend Georgia College & State University with plans to obtain a doctorate and pursue a career in the scientific field. She selected Dr. Catrina Pollard as her favorite teacher.

• Chandler Shurtz—Chandler plans to attend Georgia Tech to study industrial engineering. He selected Mrs. Kelly Elder as his honored teacher.

• Robby Thomas, Jr.—Robby will attend Georgia Tech to study aerospace engineering and astrophysics. His goal is to work for NASA. Robby chose Ms. Kayla Stoddard as his honored teacher.

• Anna Underwood—Anna is attending Georgia State Perimeter to study her core classes with plans to transfer to the University of Georgia. Her career goal is to become an elementary school teacher. She selected Mr. Eric Adams as her top teacher.

• Benjamin Weaver—Benjamin is attending Newberry College to play soccer and study in their pre-vet program before moving on to veterinary school. He selected Mr. Caleb Watson as his honored teacher