770-928-0706 - The Cherokee Ledger-News

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2 THE CHEROKEE LEDGER-NEWS NEWS MAY 20, 2009 Worship Services: 9:30am, 11am, 6pm Sunday School: 8:10am, 9:30am, 11am 11905 Hwy. 92 • Woodstock, GA 30188 770-926-4428 • www.fbcw.org ■■■ Man shot, killed by Canton police BY ERIKA NELDNER erikaneldner@ledgernews.com Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating an officer-involved fatal shooting that happened May 16 at the Kmart on Marietta Highway in Canton. Canton police responded to a call around 11 a.m. at the store regarding an unresponsive male in the bathroom. The man, Raymond Charles Sweat, 65, of Canton, apparently was leaning up against the wall, acting strange. He had a gun in his possession, police say. BY ERIKA NELDNER erikaneldner@ledgernews.com Certainteed Shingles .30 yr Architectural ..$72 97 sq 25 yr 3-TAB.............$59 97 sq in stock Colors Only PVC Brickmould 17’ ..............................$15 47 each Treated Decking ......8’ ......10’ .....12’ .....14’.....16’ 5/4”x6”...........$3 66 ...$3 83 ...$4 73 ...$5 30 ...$7 14 4” Primed Crown Moulding 16’...............$7 84 each 6x6-8’ PT Landscape Timbers ........................$1125 26” Round Ext. Black Ballister .................$182 each #1 Used Crossties..................................$10 99 each Cpl. Stacy Bailey, public information officer for Canton police, said officers tried to talk with Sweat, but he was unresponsive. A store employee called police, which responded to an unknown trouble call and didn’t know Sweat had a gun, officials said. The Cherokee County Hostage Negotiations Team was called in, and the Special Weapons and Tactics team was put on standby. Sheriff Roger Garrison said Sweat had a gun in his left hand with it positioned down by his side. Garrison said Sweat said, “There’s not enough of you here,” and began to raise his gun. That’s when the two Canton officers fired nine rounds, according to Major Ron Hunton of the sheriff’s office Criminal Investigations Division. Five shots hit Sweat. Sweat was taken by ambulance to WellStar Kennestone Hospital where he died. The sheriff’s office has taken over the investigation because Canton officers were involved. Garrison said the preliminary investigation reveals the shooting was justified. The officers involved in the shooting are on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. VIPER Unit, others, nab 15 A group of law enforcement agencies teamed up May 13 to target crime complaint areas and find potential gang members in Cherokee County. Canton and Woodstock police departments, the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) Cherokee-Forsyth Safe Streets Task Force and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) assisted the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Violent Incident Proactive Enforcement Response (VIPER) Unit. During the operation, officers made more than 100 community contacts in the northern and southern portions of the county. Holly Springs child drowns BY ERIKA NELDNER erikaneldner@ledgernews.com Holly Springs police are investigating the drowning death of a 16month-old boy. The child drowned in a small fish pond in the family’s back yard, said Tanya Smith, public information officer for Holly Springs police. The child was taken to Northside Hospital-Cherokee where he was pronounced dead. Police believe the drowning was accidental and suspects no foul play or negligence. An autopsy was conducted on the child May 16, but, at press time, Smith said no more details could be released. The family recently moved to Holly Springs and has five children ranging in ages from 16 months to 12 years old, Smith said. Police are withholding the names of the family and the child pending the outcome of the investigation. Fifteen arrests were made for charges ranging from drug possession, possession of stolen property and outstanding warrants. Seven people had ICE deportation holds placed on them, five of whom were suspected gang members, said Lt. Jay Baker, public information officer for the sheriff’s office. “The cooperative effort between local and federal agencies was effective and demonstrated the tough stance law enforcement is taking on gang activity and other criminals in Cherokee County,” said sheriff’s office Major Ron Hunton. The VIPER unit was put together to focus on areas that have seen crime increases. It uses heavy patrols and proactive tactics to reduce crime. Sheriff’s office survey under way The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is soliciting input from citizens through July 31. The survey is at www.cherokeega-sheriff.org or at the following locations: headquarters, 498 Chattin Drive, Canton; the Cherokee County Justice Center, 90 North Street, Canton; the South Annex, 7545 Main Street, Suite 300, Woodstock. The surveys can be mailed back to 498 Chattin Drive, Canton, GA 30115 or be given to any sheriff’s employee. 2x4-8 #2 SPF....................................................$1 60 2x6-8 #2 SPF....................................................$2 80 2x8-8 #2 SPF....................................................$3 65
MAY 20, 2009 NEWS THE CHEROKEE LEDGER-NEWS 3 Jobs Act bill vetoed by governor BY CAROLYN MATHEWS carolynmathews@ledgernews.com Gov. Sonny Perdue has vetoed a bill designed to stimulate Georgia’s economy by extending tax breaks to businesses. The bill was shepherded through the Senate by Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock. Perdue said May 11 he vetoed the bill because Georgia constitutionally is required to maintain a balanced budget. “For every dollar in decreased revenue, we must correspondingly cut expenditures,” Perdue said. “We cannot deficit spend as the federal government does, even if those deficits generate economic growth in the long term.” He did, however, call the bill “well-meaning” in intent. Rogers had said passage of the bill would have given Georgia the most pro-growth policy of any state and that income tax on new jobs created by the bill will make up for the tax cuts to the businesses. HB 481 combined a number of tax and fee provisions, including a suspension of certain business activity filing fees with the Secretary of State; changes to the unemployment tax; a $2,400 per employee tax credit provided to companies hiring employees meeting certain conditions; a phase out of the estimated sales and use tax paid by cer- BY CAROLYN MATHEWS carolynmathews@ledgernews.com Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Vic West was injured in a head-on collision driving his personal vehicle at 6:21 a.m. May 16 on Ga. 20, according to a Georgia State Patrol (GSP) report. West, of Canton, was treated and released at WellStar Kennestone Hospital, according to GSP Sgt. K.R. Johnson. The other driver, William Max Ginther, 18, of Can- reading writing math spelling phonics study skills tain retailers collecting sales and use tax; the elimination of the net worth tax paid by companies; and a reduction in the long term capital gains tax rate. Perdue said estimates of the revenue impact to the state and the related additional cuts in services to residents, as well as reductions in state purchases and employment would be in excess of $1.5 billion over the next three years, with more than $145 million in reductions required in fiscal year 2010, which begins on July 1. House Bill 481 and 482 comprised the JOBS Act. HB 482, which was signed by the governor, is a referendum to eliminate the state inventory tax on all Georgia businesses. Perdue said he signed bills that would provide or continue tax cuts where it was possible. Perdue said fiscal year 2009 state general fund revenues are expected to be $2.7 billion less than the original revenue forecast for the 2009 budget, and drastic cuts already have been made. Fiscal year 2010 state revenues are currently forecast to be $17 billion, an amount that is 16.8 percent below fiscal year 2008 state revenues, demonstrating negative revenue growth in three years. “We are not experiencing a growing economy at this point,” Perdue said. “The General Assembly enacted a budget that contemplates current falling revenue but does ton, also was transported to the same hospital, with serious injuries. He has since been released from the hospital. West was traveling east when Ginther, traveling west, lost control of his 1995 Ford Escort, traveled off the north edge of the road for approximately 213 feet, and struck a temporary construction sign. The car rotated slightly, traveled an additional 90 feet and re-entered the road, moving in a westward direction. Is your child caught in a failure chain? confidence motivation CRCT prep self-esteem SAT & ACT Your child may be smarter than his or her grades show. Since 1977 parents have been using Huntington to help their children reach their full potential. Huntington will pinpoint your child’s academic strengths and weaknesses and tailor a program to improve grades and increase confidence and motivation. Call and let us help your child break the failure chain. $95 OFF Diagnostic Evaluation~ACT NOW! Offer expires in 30 days Reg $195 678-445-1515 Towne Lake Pkwy I-575 Sixes Rd. Huntington Learning Center ■■■ not incorporate the additional, significant estimated revenue reductions resulting from House Bill 481. While some argue these tax reductions will ultimately generate more revenue, the constitutional restraint of a balanced budget prevents policymakers the luxury of time to allow that growth to overcome the short-term loss of revenue.” Rogers said passage of the bill would have offered businesses incentives to hire and invest. “Now, more than ever, Georgia needs to be the national leader in job creation. I remain convinced our effort to give tax credits to those Georgia businesses willing to hire is the right thing to do,” Rogers said. “While I understand the governor’s reason for vetoing this important legislation, I remain undeterred in my effort to lower taxes in Georgia.” Secretary of State Karen Handel, an announced Republican candidate for governor in 2010, said she is disappointed by Perdue’s veto of the measure. “While I appreciate the governor’s position that the tax cuts included in the bill would have made balancing our state budget even more difficult, I believe that the economic benefits to our state would have outweighed these concerns. Now is the time for us to cut taxes in order to help grow jobs and ignite our economy,” she said. Chief Deputy Vic West involved in car crash Ginther’s car then hit the left front of West’s 2004 Chevrolet pickup truck and came to rest in the center of the roadway, leaving Ginther trapped inside his car. The impact caused West to travel off the edge of the road, down an embankment and into a tree. Both men were the sole occupants of their cars and were wearing their seat belts. Charges against Ginther are pending the investigation, according to the report. Hwy 5 East Cherokee Dr Downtown Woodstock Value of $30-$40. One coupon per customer. New clients only. Porches are made for baskets Show your true colors this spring... Canton 100 Pea Ridge Rd 770-345-5252 Hickory Flat 4256 Earney Rd 770-442-3901 autumnhillnursery.com Beautiful flower combinations you won’t find just anywhere! The Cherokee Community Chorale Presents its Annual Dinner Concert Broadway’s Best The 1950’s May 29, 30 & 31 • 6:30 PM* Canton First United Methodist Church 930 Lower Scott Mill Road *the matinee concert will be at 3:00 on the 31st Guest conductor will be George Broom, Director of the East Cobb New Horizons Band, a musical organization for senior adults. He retired in 1991 as the Band Director at Etowah High School and has been a Chorale member since 1991. Tickets for the dinner concerts are $25 and must be purchased in advance; tickets for the matinee are $10, $5 for students. Tickets are available from Chorale members, the Arts Council, Chamber House, Three Sisters Gift Shop, Jasper Drug and at the door (matinee only). For more information or tickets, call Carolyn Jones at 770-345-7320. www.cherokeecommunitychorale.org
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770-928-0706 - The Cherokee Ledger-News

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