Local News
Homerville Mayor Peg Blitch brings service home
HOMERVILLE — Peg Blitch is possibly one of the few people in Georgia to have served in all three branches of government.
She worked in the judiciary as a probate judge, in the legislature as a state representative and senator, and now, in the executive branch as Homerville’s new mayor.
Blitch defeated 18-year incumbent Carol Chambers in last November’s election with 59.1 percent of the vote. She hit the ground running. Immediately after Blitch and city council members Tom Kennedy and Jamayla Morehead were sworn in on Jan. 1, the council held a two-hour work session, according to The Clinch County News.
Among the subjects discussed during the work session were the city’s Better Hometown Program, certain issues involving properties outside the city limits being taxed as city properties, the closed Homerville State Prison, the Okefenokee Occasion coming up on Jan. 13, a $150,000 loan taken out by the city in 2007 to cover operating expenses, and the open police chief position.
Ever since she left the General Assembly, Blitch said people have called her periodically asking her to run for mayor. She said her main goals as mayor are to get the city’s finances in order and to make sure the Homerville City Council is responsive to the needs of Homerville’s citizens.
“Everybody is going through economic hard times right now,” she said, “but Homerville doesn’t need to be.”
She admitted that going from the General Assembly to mayor of a small town might look like a demotion to some people. Asked whether being Homerville’s mayor is a full-time job, Blitch said, “No, but it’s getting to be.”
Blitch said she plans to present a formula to allow the city council to take a more active role in decisions affecting the city. She plans to maximize their strengths and abilities by letting them serve in areas in which they have expertise and experience, she said.
The Homerville mayor is married to former Alapaha Circuit Judge Brooks E. Blitch, who served as a judge for 28 years in the Alapaha Judicial Circuit of Clinch, Lanier, Berrien, Cook and Atkinson counties. Her husband was sentenced to three years probation and fined $100,000 in federal court after pleading guilty to honest services wire fraud on Sept. 11, 2009. The ethics complaints were dropped in 2008 when Brooks Blitch resigned as judge.
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Nathan Deal visits Valdosta
Republican Nathan Deal stopped in Valdosta on Thursday, staying just long enough to answer a few questions and make a brief statement to both the media and his supporters.
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Brother shoots brother in Cook
A 13-year-old boy is dead, the victim of a single gunshot wound to the face. His 14-year-old brother has been identified as the shooter, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. However, the investigation continues, Cook County Sheriff Johnny Daughtry said Thursday.
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Undercover Uncovered: To save his ministry, man shares his undercover past
Jim Harnage knew something was wrong when several participating families suddenly backed out of a new program within his Silent Ministries.
He soon learned why.
Some of the participants told Harnage that they had heard he once worked undercover with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They asked him if this was true. Harnage did not initially know how to reply to the question.
The reason? -
Sharper Fest 2010 scheduled for this weekend
With a theme of “Walk Against Violence,” Sharper Fest 2010 is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 1.
In addition to an anti-violence message, the day promises “the largest kids’ festival in the South,” with free bounce houses and slide rides throughout the day, says organizer Dexter Sharper. Participants can also expect characters, face-painting and children’s train rides. - Night Moves for Friday July 30, 2010
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Early voting underway in primary runoff
A total of 84 people cast ballots on Thursday, the first day of early voting in the 2010 General Primary/Special Election runoff. Of those, 72 were Republicans and 12 were Democrats.
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Dive Right In: Wild Adventures diving show makes a splash
At 31 feet above the water’s surface, Manuel Mendes pauses on the metal tower.
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Senators battle for Wanat
A group of politicians representing a broad spectrum of Americans took up the fight of a few last week.
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Back Behind Bars: Authorities locate inmates accidentally released
Three Lowndes County jail inmates accidentally released a week ago into the general public are back behind bars.
- Night Moves for Thursday July 29, 2010
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