Schley County voters pass special tax
Schley County voters approved a referendum held during the General Election on Tuesday. With a tally of 1,203 “yes” votes to 599 “no”, the SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) was passed.
Schley County Manager Bill Sawyer wants everyone to know that these new tax revenues will be used for special projects:
County Projects
Project 1: Renovate and expand the old gymnasium; total estimated cost $ 400,000.
Project 2: Purchase a Class A pumper fire truck; total price $190,000,00.
Project 3: Purchase a new ambulance for Schley County Emergency Medical Service; total price $210,000.
Project 4: Building, repairs and renovation; total price $140,000.
Project 5: Purchase three sheriff’s vehicles; total cost $150,000.
Project 6: Purchase Schley County Road Department equipment including excavator, dump truck, front-end loader, pick-up truck and other equipment; total cost $240,000.
Project 7: Renovate public facilities including Fire Station; total cost $100,000.
Project 8: Consisting of additional storage cost; total cost $30,000.
Project 9: Purchase a rescue truck, extrication tools, and additional share of fire truck; total cost $115,000.
City of Ellaville Projects
Project 1: Renovation/expansion of City Hall and the City Center; total cost $200,000.
Project 2: Purchase equipment and vehicles to replace existing old equipment and vehicles and utility equipment; total cost $125,000.
Project 3: Purchase two new police patrol cars and body armor equipment to improve efficiency and safety for police officers; total cost $150,000.
Project 4: Installation and repairs of sidewalks and general road repairs within the city limits to improve safety and convenience to citizens; total cost $100,000.
Project 5: Improvements to the drainage system throughout the city limits; total cost $100,000.
Project 6: Upgrade and modernization to water plant and wells, and lift station improvements; total cost $50,000.
The total cost for all the city and county projects come to $2.3 million.
Revenue from the last SPLOST funded renovations of the courthouse, library, Post Office, Schley County Health Department, and Schley County Department Family and Children Services Offices.
Thanks to everyone that voted yes for this. It’s a fair tax. When people come through town and stop to buy gas, food, or anything, they will help pay for this as well.

Historical society needs help in updating history book
The Ellaville-Schley County Historical Society has as one of its projects the update of the Schley County history book.
It’s been about 35 years since the book was printed, and a lot has happened since then. For example, the Schley County High School came back from Marion County. The Ellaville-Schley County Chamber of Commerce was founded. The Ellaville-Schley County Historical Society was founded, and the Schley County Court House was renovated.
You don’t have to be a member to donate history for the new book or to submit your family lineage for the book.
If you are interested in helping us update the history book, please contact me.
Remember the historical society is selling coffee mugs which make great Christmas gifts, Go by the floral shop and Kim will show them to you. Let Kim or me know how many you want and you will have them by Christmas.
Don’t forget the Honor and Memorial Wall in the historic Schley County Courthouse. Get with me about applications.
All proceeds go to help preserve local history. For information call me at 937-2116.

Chamber, merchants host Trick or Treat event
From 5-7 p.m. Oct. 31, the Ellaville-Schley County Chamber of Commerce and the Ellaville Merchants hosted the Downtown Trick or Treat event. This is the second year for the “Monster Bash.”
There were so many activities going on downtown. Children registered for the Costume Contest for ages were from 2 years to 10 years of age. There was music, as well as games, hay rides, and food.
During the event, the Schley County High School Band Boosters had a booth where they sold Chick-Fil-A sandwiches, potato chips and soft drinks as a meal. This was in support of the Schley County High School Marching Wildcats Band.
Winners of the Costume Contest were:
Cutest Costume Ages 2-4: Maeley Taylor; Ages 5-7: Kaliyah Freeman; Ages 8-10: Jacey Conner and Danica Morris.
Scariest Costume Ages 2-4: Levi Dodson; Ages 5-7: Malaya John; Ages 8-10: Markus Sowels.
Most Creative Costume Ages 2-4: Autumn Sowels; Ages 5-7: Jessie Jones; Ages 8-10: Hayden Harris.
More than 700 attended this special event.

Nancy McMath Young Lives in Ellaville.