City Spotlight

Bethlehem Council Selects Contractor for Intersection Project

The latest news directly from town council chambers.

During the course of Bethlehem's Town Council meeting held last Monday, Sept. 12, the mayor and council covered topics running the gamut from property annexation to the Star Festival to the results of the bids for the Ga. Highway 11/324 intersection project. In attendance at the meeting were Mayor Sandy McNab; councilmen Tommy Buchanan, Tommy Parten, Scott Morgan, Wayne Ridgeway and Larry Jones; Town Clerk Kathy Bridges; town attorney Ron Bennett; and Guy Herring of McFarland-Dyer & Associates. Following a prayer led by Councilman Ridgeway and the unanimous approval of the minutes from the August 2011 council meeting, the mayor and council got right down to business. The council voted unanimously for the annexation of 3.1 acres of land …

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City Spotlight on Bethlehem: Let's Talk Trash

The latest "dirt" from city hall.

Among the many benefits of being a resident of the town of Bethlehem, free garbage and recycling pickup for homeowners within the city limits prove a major perk. New residents should call 770-867-0702 to establish service. The mayor, town council and Republic Services Inc. urge you to “recycle to reduce" rather than just throw everything away in the garbage. Please do your part to save the planet by recycling the following items: Check back every Tuesday for a new City Spotlight on Bethlehem.

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Bethlehem Approves First Packaged Beer and Wine License

Super H received license approval and council member Larry Jones was appointed to local boards during Monday's Bethlehem town council meeting.

Super H will be the first convenience store in Bethlehem to sell packaged beer and wine. During Monday night's town council meeting, Siraj Lalani, who owns the Super H on Christmas Avenue, received the town's first approval for such a license. Bethlehem’s council voted in March to allow packaged beer and wine sales, along with drinks by the glass, within town limits. Council members were split in the voting, with Mayor Sandy McNab breaking the tie. A public notice regarding Super H’s license hearing ran in the paper for two weeks, and Lalani presented a clear background check. No resident opposition was presented in the public hearing portion of Monday’s meeting. "We might be better at this in about two weeks," McNab said. "We haven't come…

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House Hunt: Five Acres or More

Find your next, or first, home here.

Looking for a home that sits on a large expanse of property? Barrow Patch has scouted five homes on five acres or more. Feel free to add photos of other properties that fit this bill.

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Convenience Stores in Bethlehem Town Limits could be Selling Beer, Wine within a Month

The three convenience stores located within the town limits have all obtained applications to sell packaged beer and wine since a new alcohol ordinance was approved last week.

The three convenience stores located within the Bethlehem town limits have all obtained applications to sell packaged beer and wine since a new alcohol ordinance was approved last week. The Super H Chevron, BP and Kangaroo in Bethlehem could be selling beer and wine within the next 30 days. Town Clerk Kathy Bridges said the process should take about a month once the applications are returned. “It shouldn’t take long once they get the application back to me,” Bridges said. Bethlehem Mayor Sandy McNab broke a tie between four town council members — Tommy Parten and Larry Jones voted in favor, while Tommy Buchanan and Wayne Ridgeway were opposed — to approve the ordinance, which gives businesses within the city the opportunity to apply for a …

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Bethlehem to Allow Sale of Beer, Wine

The town mayor broke a tie between council members Monday night to pass an alcohol ordinance.

The mayor of Bethlehem broke a tie Monday night on a vote to allow the sale of packaged beer and wine and drinks by the glass within the town limits. Mayor Sandy McNab voted in favor of the ordinance, breaking a tie between four town council members — Tommy Parten and Larry Jones voted in favor of the ordinance, while Tommy Buchanan and Wayne Ridgeway were opposed. Scott Morgan, who holds Post 4 on the council, did not attend Monday’s meeting. The ordinance gives businesses within the city the opportunity to apply for a license to sell packaged beer and wine, while restaurants can seek a pouring license. “The way the economy is we need every dollar we can get in Bethlehem,” McNab said. “If we can do the same or close to what Statham does (…

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On the Agenda

City Councils, Board of Commissioners to Meet

A list of government meetings happening this week.

Barrow Patch wants to keep you updated on what's going on with the county and city governments. Here's a list of government meetings happening this week.

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Bethlehem Council Approves Budget, Discusses Elections

The city is considering turning over election day responsibilities to the county.

In their monthly meeting Monday night, Bethlehem City Council members approved the city's 2011 budget. The budget totals $260,800. Major expenditures include salaries, utilities, legal fees and trash disposal, which is provided by Allied Waste. In 2010, the city approved a budget of $255,300, but spent only $174,018. The city expects revenues in 2011 to total $263,430, over half of which they expect will come from sales tax income. Revenues for 2010 totaled $252,461. The council also discussed setting up an agreement with Barrow County that would transfer election day duties over to the county. The city of Winder has an agreement that covers all election day responsibilities, including printing, machines and staffers. The city pays the …

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On the Agenda

Multiple Government Meetings Scheduled

A list of government meetings happening this week, along with meeting agendas, when available.

Here's a list of government meetings happening this week, along with meeting agendas, when available. The Winder City Council will meet for a work session at 5:30 p.m. today, followed by its regular session at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Both meetings will be held at the Winder Community Center. The Bethlehem City Council will meet at 7 p.m. today at Bethlehem City Hall. The Statham City Council will meet for a work session at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Statham City Hall. The Barrow County Board of Commissioners will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the county administrative annex, 233 E. Broad St. in Winder. For more information, call 770-307-3005. Barrow County Board of Commissioners Meeting agenda Welcome

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Today in History

Jan. 26, 1950: Rate Hike?

A local telephone company was petitioning for a rate increase.

The Georgia Continental Telephone Company placed a legal ad in the Jan. 26, 1950, issue of The Winder News indicating a request had been made to the Georgia Public Service Commission to approve an increase in telephone rates for Winder, an increase of about 10 percent. The newspaper asserted the company has not carried out promises made when a previous increase, just a few months old, went into effect. “Service is still far from what it should be in Winder and even though there have been some few new phones installed in the last year and some repairs made, there are still a large number of citizens who have been trying for over a year to get a phone,” the article stated. The paper also cited “cut offs,” “wrong numbers” and waits on long …

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