On Monday, March 2, 2016, Greene County Sheriff Jonathan Benison distributed $239,987.12 in bingo allocations from the four licensed gaming operations in the county. This distribution represented the January assessment 2016 payment.
The sheriff’s Bingo Rules and Regulations direct each licensed facility to distribute approximately $60,000 per month to the particular entities also determined by the sheriff. The recipients of the monthly distributions from bingo gaming designated by Sheriff Benison in his Bingo Rules and Regulations include the Greene County Commission, the Greene County Sheriff’s Department, the cities of Eutaw, Forkland, Union and Boligee and the Greene County Board of Education.
Sheriff Benison continues to withhold the Greene County Commission’s bingo allocation, which would total approximately $96,000 per month. The Commission has not received its bingo payments from the sheriff since May 2015.
Green Charity (Center for Rural Family Development) gave a total of $60,000 to the following: Greene County Commission, $24,000; Greene County Sheriff’s Department, $9,000; City of Eutaw, $4,500; and the Towns of Forkland, Union and Boligee each, $3,000; Greene County Board of Education, $13,500.
Greenetrack, Inc gave a total of $59,987.12 to the following: Greene County Commission, $23,994.84; Greene County Sheriff’s Department, $8,998.07; City of Eutaw, $4,499.03; Towns of Forkland, Union and Boligee each, $2,999.36; Greene County Board of Education, $13,497.10.
Frontier (Dream, Inc.) gave a total of $60,000 to the following: Greene County Commission, $24,000; Greene County Sheriff’s Department, $9,000; City of Eutaw, 4,500; Towns of Forkland, Union $3,000 and Greene County Board of Education, $13,500.
Rivers Edge (YAPO) gave a total of $60,000 to the following: Greene County Commission, $24,000; Greene County Sheriff’s Department, $9,000; City of Eutaw, $4,500; Towns of Forkland, Union and Boligee each $3,000; and Greene County Board of Education,13,500.
Category: Community
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$239.987.12 distribution in Bingo
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Sheriff Benison amends bingo rules to provide Greene Co. Hospital with 4% of monies paid by bingo operators to machine vendors
Greene County Sheriff, Jonathan Benison, who is solely in charge of electronic bingo operations, under Constitutional Amendment 743, amended his bingo regulations, effective June 2nd, to provide the Greene County Hospital with 4% of the revenues paid by the four bingo operators to vendors for machines and/or softwear.
The Democrat contacted the Sheriff’s office to determine the amount of money this will generate for the hospital. A spokesperson for the Sheriff said this new regulation would generate $20,000 to $25,000 a month for support of the Greene County Hospital. This amount would meet a request that the Hospital has been making to the Sheriff for over two years to be included in the allocation of bingo funds.
In the amendment to the bingo rules, Sheriff Benison says that it is “standard practice in the industry to pay vendors (those who supply machines and/or softwear) a percentage of their net gross revenues; and further that all bingo operator and/or charities operating bingo in Greene County, Alabama shall henceforth deduct and pay to the Greene County Hospital an amount equal of 4% of the amounts paid to vendors.”
The amendment instructs the bingo operators to pay this 4% of the vendor’s amount, directly to the Greene County Hospital, at the same regular interval – weekly, monthly, yearly – that they pay to the vendors.
In his amendment, the Sheriff points out that “ the vendors provide a valued service but also that they reap the rewards of Constitutional Amendment 743, as provided through the efforts and protection of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department.“Luther Winn Jr., CEO of Greenetrack said this amendment would interfere with the contracts that he has in place with Greenetrack’s machine vendors. He informed the Democrat that he is not favorable to this amendment and will discuss its negative implication’s to his business with the Sheriff. The Democrat tried but was not able to reach other bingo operators and charities, for their opinions on the new amendment, prior to press time.
Winn said he was expanding the number of machines at Greenetrack to the 500 required by the Sheriff and suggested that it would have been better to fund support for the Greene County Hospital through a portion of the new fee revenues, from the additional machines, than from this 4% charge to the vendors.
Elmore Patterson, CEO of the Greene County Health System, which includes the hospital, residential care center, physicians clinic, home health and other services, said “I am pleased to see the Sheriff has included healthcare for Greene County citizens in his plans for allocating resources from bingo operations in Greene County, under Constitutional Amendment 743. These funds will help close the gap in providing care for low income people in Greene County, many of whom cannot afford to pay for quality health care that they need.” -
Bessie Underwood brings skilled handcrafts to Black Belt Folk Roots Festival
By Mynecia Steele
Ms. Bessie Underwood of Mantua often participates in the annual Black Belt Folk Roots Festival. Although, she does not visit yearly, the community recognizes her for the skilled handcrafts she brings to the festival.
Underwood says that she visits the festival as often as possible. She works on her projects and crafts year round. This allows her to have a variety of items available when the festival comes around. Her handcrafts include, but are not limited to, crocheted scarves, afghans, throws and wreaths. Underwood also makes specialty crafts, at request, such as Alabama and Auburn football themed blankets.
Underwood says that she often sells her pieces for much less than they are worth. Considering the money, time and hard work that Underwood invests in her projects, not to mention that quality of the products, she practically gives away her crafts just to see the joy they bring to others.
She says that she comes up with designs for her projects in her mind. She only learned to read crochet patterns about five years ago, but she learned to crochet long before then. Her first grade teacher, Mrs. Billups, taught her to crochet. Over the years crocheting has become second nature to her. “Sometimes I wake up at night because the Lord has put a design on my heart, and I just have to get up and make it,” said Underwood.
Underwood gained an interest in selling her crafts at the festival after visiting with her neighbor, Mrs. Odessa Rice, who also participates in the festival. While visiting, Underwood noticed the many baskets and quilts that Rice had been making. After learning that Rice was preparing these projects for sale at the festival, Underwood thought that would be a great way for her to share her work, as well.
Aside from selling her crafts, Underwood attends the festival to fellowship with the community, enjoy the different foods and she loves listening to the blues performances.
Come out and support Ms. Bessie Underwood, and the many other vendors, at this year’s Black Belt Folk Roots Festival.
This event is free and open to the public, as always. It will be held Saturday, August 27, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and the following Sunday, August 28, 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. For more information contact: Carol Zippert at 205-372-0525; email: carolxzippert@aol.com. -
Greenetrack sets up guarantee fund to assist Greene County Health System with payroll
Pictured L to R: Greenetrack Boardmember Toice Goodson, Sr., Greenetrack
CEO Luther ‘Nat’ Winn, Jr., GCHS boardmember John Zippert, GCHS
boardmember Shirley Isaac and Greenetrack Boardmember Jimmy PasteurAt a press conference on Friday morning at Greenetrack, Greenetrack CEO, Luther ‘Nat’ Winn Jr. and several board members presented the Greene County Health System (GCHS) with two checks totaling $150,000. These funds will be used to establish a guarantee fund in the Merchants and Farmers Bank to insure that the GCHS can meet its bi-weekly payroll, even when payments from Medicaid, Medicare and other health payers are delayed. The GCHS has 200 full and part-time employees.
The Greene County Health System, which includes the Hospital, Residential Care Center (nursing home) Physicians Clinic, Home Health Services, Rehabilitation Services and other health care benefits was represented at the presentation by Board members – Shirley Isaac and John Zippert. GCHS board members thanked the officials of Greenetrack for their concern and support.
In early April, according to Elmore Patterson, GCHS CEO, the health system experienced some difficulties in meeting a payroll because its Medicaid payments were delayed until later in the month. GCHS board members and Medicaid itself made loans and advances to assure that the payroll was met.
Luther Winn Jr., CEO of Greenetrack learned of these problems and agreed to assist by placing funds in a guarantee account to assure that the payroll could be met on a timely basis.
Luther Winn, Jr., CEO of Greenetrack and a member of the Greene County Industrial Authority, felt compelled to step in and assist. “Greenetrack is committed to the Greene County community. As in the past, we have done what we could to improve the quality of life for every resident here,” said Winn, “and we cannot afford to lose our hospital.” Winn went on to say that the Industrial Authority actively seeks new businesses for the area and without a hospital, he fears that businesses definitely will not consider coming to Greene County.
Winn informed the GCHS that Greenetrack was receiving $75,641.07, mostly in coins, back from the State of Alabama, in connection with litigation concerning the first raid on Greenetrack in 2010. These funds were awarded back to Greenetrack by Special Circuit Judge Houston Brown, in a summary judgment on February 3, 2016, in a hearing in Greene County. The case also involves over 800 electronic bingo machines seized by the state in the same raid.
The coins were in Greenetrack’s vault but the State of Alabama, who seized them, could not prove that these funds were derived from illegal gambling activities and thus agreed to return them.
Greenetrack’s Board of Directors agreed to match the State’s funds with an additional $75,000 to create a $150,000 guarantee collateral fund in Merchant and Farmers Bank to back-up the GCHS’s payroll account. If the GCHS has to draw upon this account to support payroll, it will have to replace the funds before drawing on the account again. “This will insure that the GCHS’s employees will never miss a paycheck,” said Winn.
Shirley Isaac of Forkland and GCHS Board member said “ We are grateful to Mr. Winn and Greenetrack for their support and confidence in the hospital, nursing home and other services. This will surely help us to meet our responsibilities to our hardworking and dedicated staff.”
John Zippert, another GCHS Board member said, “ We appreciate what Mr. Winn and Greenetrack have done to help the GCHS but it is up to us as citizens of Greene County to do our part and use the facilities, health personnel and services available at the hospital, residential care center and physicians clinic.”
“We have 20 beds in the hospital, 70 beds in the nursing home, 3 doctors and 2 nurse practitioners at the clinic, a full lab, new X-ray machine, women’s health center with mammography, physical, occupational and speech therapy services, home health services and many other health services at our facilities. There is no reason to go to Tuscaloosa, Demopolis or elsewhere for medical and health services unless you are referred by GCHS. If we don’t use our facilities and staff, we will surely lose them,” said Zippert.
Elmore Patterson, GCHS CEO said, “We welcome this support from Greenetrack. We hope that we will also secure some regular monthly funding from Sheriff Benison’s bingo rules which will help us meet the costs for serving so many people in the county who cannot afford healthcare and those with Medicare and Medicaid whose reimbursements do not meet the full cost of providing care.” -
Board approves consolidation of Paramount Jr. High and Carver Middle School
At its May 16, 2016 regular meeting, the Greene County Board of Education approved the superintendent’s recommendation to consolidate Paramount Jr. High School and Carver Middle School, effective with the 2016-2017 school year. The consolidation will combine the 4th through 8th grades from Paramount and Carver at the former Greene County High School on Mesopotamia Street in Eutaw. The K-3 grades from Paramount will relocate to Eutaw Primary School.
According to Superintendent Dr. James H. Carter, this decision was not taken lightly. “When schools face declining enrollment and/or declining finances, one of the options that may be considered in solving the problem is consolidating schools within the district,” he stated.
Prior to making the decision to consolidate, the school board authorized a facilities study to determine the physical conditions of Paramount Jr. High School, Carver Middle School and the former Greene County High School and what it would take financially to bring each facility up to state standards. This assessment was conducted by Ward & Scott Architecture. The Former Greene County High School is the newest facility of the three and would require considerably less in financial investment to bring to state codes.
The superintendent and board members also conducted four community meetings in the county to discuss the system’s situation of declining enrollment and finances and the various benefits of consolidation. The community meetings, held in Union, Forkland, Eutaw and Boligee, gave the community an opportunity to give their input on the consolation proposal. In all of these gatherings, Superintendent Carter and board members assured the community that consolidation of the middle school programs would better insure the safety of students, school personnel and others. “Consolidation could provide a better education for our children with a greater range of academic courses, more extracurricular programs, access to an on site Career Tech Center and continue to move the system toward educational excellence,” Dr. Carter said.
Consolidation will also provide for greater cost efficiency, especially regarding operational expenses such as utilities.
Dr. Cater stated that work will begin immediately to prepared the former high school facility to accommodate the new middle school program.
In other business, the school board approved the following personnel items as recommended by superintendent Carter.
* Greene County High School Non – Renewal: Linda Little, (Social Studies); Chereme Gaines, Long-term Sub (Science).
* Carver Middle School Non – Renewal: Levi Wright, (Assistant Principal/Teacher); Krystal Lockett Miller, (5th Grade); Shekitha Crowell, (5th Grade); Joseph Polk, Long-term Sub (Science); Romanda Askew – CNP Worker.
* Paramount Jr. High School Non-Renewal: Lonia Dancy-Brown, Long–term Sub (Math); Jerome Frank, (Physical Education).
* Greene County Career Center Non-Renewal: Terrance Mobley, (Agri-Construction – Instructor); LaSonya Richardson, (Health Science Instructor).
Eutaw Primary School Non-Renewal: Eric Hendricks, (Physical Education).
Eutaw Primary School Non-Renewal: Dencer Hall, (Janitor).
* Greene County Learning Academy Non-Renewal (Tutors): Vassie Brown, Nancy Cole; Leola Jones; Willie Wright; Angel Cordona; Cilla Morrow; Cordarrin Wilson; Mary Wilder.
* Sending Letters of termination for “Additional Service” contracts to the following employees: (Separate Contract):Rodney Wesley; Halven Carodine; Kendra Payne; Linda Little; Gentrell Eatman; Eric Hendricks; Janice Jeames; Frederick Holmes; Ruby Bell; Jerome Franks; Jacob Sullivan; Corey Cockrell; Dorris Robinson; Drenda Blackman; Jeffrey Wesley; Charles Carter;
Vanessa Bryant; Walter Taylor; Su’kova Hicks.
* Retirement Paramount Jr. High School: Charles Carter, (Elementary); Dorothy Branch, (Reading Coach/teacher); Billie J. Wallace, (CNP Manager).
*Assignment of Ms. Charlayna Jordan to Curriculum & Instruction Program for K-12 in addition to current duties;
*Assignment of Mrs. Shayla McCray to Curriculum & Instruction Program for K-12 in addition to current duties.
* Employment of the following for the Summer Feeding Program beginning June 6, 2016 and ending June 30, 2016 at Carver Middle School and Eutaw Primary: Linda Underwood, (Manager); Sandy Underwood, (Manager); Jacqueline Pickens, (Cook); Youlonda Coleman, (Cook); Rosie Davis, (Cook); Mary Hill, (Cook); Frances McGhee, (Cook); Jessica Lake, (Cook); Melinda Alexander, (Cook).
* Employment of the following teachers and bus drivers for Summer School June 6 – June 17, 2016. (Funding Source – Federal Funds). Carver Middle School: Teachers – Vanessa Bryant, Marjorie Duncan, Katoya Quarles, Shunetta Kirkman, Sandra Gordon, Wanda Blakely, Cassandra Allen, Joseph Polk, Corey Cockrell, Shekita Crowell.
Eutaw Primary: Teachers – Gennetta Bishop, Pamela Pasteur, Walter Taylor, Keisha Williams.
Paramount Jr. High: Teachers – Tamecisha Abrams, Danielle Edison, Tiffany Linebarger, Su’kova Hicks, Drenda Morton, Pinkie Travis, Felecia Smith, Jacob Sullivan, Lonia Dancy-Brown, Jerome Franks.
Bus Drivers – William Mack, Felicia Davis, Jada Goree, Teresa Hill, Brenden Gaines, Christine Carter, Ayanna Crawford, James Powell (Sub), Jerdine Gray (Sub).
The board approved the following administrative services items:
* Four day work week (Monday-Thursday) from June 1, 2016 -July 29, 2016.
* Increase of Visiting Student Price from $2.25 to $3.25 for the Child Nutrition Program.
Payment of all bills, claims and payroll.Superintendent’s Report:
* Parent Visitation Day at Summer School is June 10, 2016.
* Report cards deadline is May 26, 2016.
* Summer school will be offered for students who have failed a course or would like more enrichment in reading and math skills.
* Committee has been appointed to develop a vision and mission statement for the school district.
* Committee appointed to revisit and develop a new strategic plan.
* Commencing with 2016-2017, course in computer science will be offered for grades 4-12.
* Plan to close career information gap.
* Plan to implement a mentoring program at all Greene County Schools commencing with 2016-2017 school year.
* Plan to organize a competitive Chess Club at Greene County High School commencing with 2016-2017 school year.
* Plan to teach “soft skills” for the work place.
* Freshman Academy will open on August 8, 2016 at GCHS.
* Greene County High will graduate approximately 70 students.
*Congratulatory breakfast will be held for graduating seniors, Tuesday, May 17.
* Seniors will visit their earlier schools wearing their cap and gowns to inspire young students to strive for excellence.
Former Greene County High School
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Carver Middle School inducts 16 students into Isaac N. Atkins Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society
On Thursday, April 28, 2016, Carver Middle School inducted 16 students into the Isaac N. Atkins Chapter of National Junior Honor Society. The inductees included: Karyn Atmore, J’nya Brown, Jarius Cockrell, Ja’Myas Davis, Taina Edwards, Makayla Farrow, Carmen Gibson, Jameria Hardy, Keontaye Levingston, Haley Noland, Jalia Noland, Lataursa Jones, Whitney Spencer, Ra’Niyah Taylor, Alex Williams, Destinee Wilson. Also shown above are Mrs. Isaac Atkins, Principal Barbara Martin, and Superintendent Dr. James H. Carter. School advisors included Andrea Perry, Chapter Advisor and Levi Wright, Assistant Principal.
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Chief Coleman urges observance of juvenile curfew schedule
Chief Derick Coleman
With classes in the county schools ending Tuesday, May 24, 2016, Eutaw Police Chief Derick Coleman expressed a concern that parents need to get more involved with their children. “Now that schools are closing for the summer, all parents should be mindful of their child /children’s whereabouts,” he said. Chief Coleman explained that curfew laws will be strictly enforced. Juvenile curfew laws are local ordinances that prohibit people of a certain age (usually under 18) from being in public or in a business establishment during certain hours (such as between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.). Juvenile Curfew Laws and Exempted Activities Almost all juvenile curfew laws identify exempted activities or exceptions under which juveniles may lawfully be out after curfew. These exceptions will vary by jurisdiction, but typically include the following: * Minors accompanied by a parent or guardian *Minors traveling to or from work. *Minors attending official school or religious events * Minors running errands under an adult’s instruction *Emergencies Punishment for Juvenile Curfew Violations Punishment for juvenile curfew law violations also varies among jurisdictions, but can often include one or more of the following options: * Fines (usually increasing for subsequent violations) * Imposition of community service or required enrollment in after-school programs * Restriction of driver’s license privileges * Possible detention in jail or juvenile hall. * Parents who knowingly allow their children to violate curfew laws may also be subject to fines and other punishment.
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Local DST Alumnae Chapter awards 11 scholarships
Scholarship Recipients – Bottom Row L to R: Teneshia Portis, Greensboro High; Tyra Hutton, Greene County High; Ollivera Hutton, Greene County High; Ashley Taylor, Greene County High; Top Row L to R: DeQuandra Lyles, Greensboro High; Rakeila Anderson, Greensboro High; Denzel Davis, Greene County High; Yahaira Davis, Greensboro High. Recipients not shown include: Amber French, Tukiya Cunningham, and Raven Gilliam of Greene County High. (photo by Marva Smith) The Greene County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. awarded 11 scholarships to graduates of Greene County High, Eutaw, AL and Greensboro High, Greensboro, AL. Greene and Hale Counties are within the Chapter’s service area. Each recipient will receive a $500 award once he or she has confirmed enrollment in a postsecondary institution. The Sorority Chapter held a reception for the recipients and their guests on Monday, May 23, 2016 at Ruby’s in Eutaw. Ms. Johnni Morning, Chaplain, shared an inspirational meditation. Mrs. Isaac Atkins, the Chapter’s 2nd Vice President, brought special words of guidance and encouragement. Chapter President Andrea Perry greeted the assembly and Mrs. Carolyn Young introduced the DST Chapter members present. Mrs. Nancy Cole served as Mistress of Ceremony. Refreshments were served.
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The Obama family will live in a 9 bedroom, $5.3 million D.C. mansion after presidency ends
BY LINDSAY KIMBLE
Home Obama family will lease in Washington, D. C.
The Obama family will be served a White House eviction notice come January, but luckily, they’ve already found new digs to lay down roots.
President Barack Obama, wife Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha, will lease the Kalorama, D.C., mansion of Joe Lockhart and Giovanna Gray, according to Politico. The home, which is 8,200 square feet, was built in 1928 and has nine bedrooms, in addition to eight and a half baths.
White House officials, contacted by PEOPLE, had no immediate comment on the story.According to public record, Lockhart bought the mansion in 2014 for $5,295,000. Lockhart, the former White House Press Secretary for President Bill Clinton and current EVP of communications for the NFL, and wife Gray, a Glamour editor, have relocated to Manhattan, Politico reported.
The president announced his plans to stay in D.C. after his term ends earlier this year. The family will stay at least until daughter Sasha, who is a sophomore, finishes high school, Obama said.Before moving into the White House in 2009, the family lived in Chicago, where Obama was an Illinois state senator and where the family still owns a home.
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GCHS Greene Team honors volunteers at luncheon
The Greene Team, local volunteers who devote time and treasure to the Greene County Health System, recognized their members’ contributions at an Annual Volunteers Luncheon held Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at Ruby’s in Eutaw. The luncheon featured presentations on Domestic Violence Awareness by Sheriff Jonathan Benison and Deputy Sheriff Lt. Jeremy Rancher.
The Greene Team was organized in 2010 and currently has 39 active members who contributed 2,766.5 volunteer hours to the GCHS from October 2015 to date.In addition to serving as receptionists and advocates for positive community relations, the Greene Team also raises funds for special projects to benefit the Greene County Health Systems, including purchasing visitors’ sleeping cots and TV’s for hospital rooms, personal items for residents of the nursing home and more. The Greene Team volunteers are local individuals, mainly retirees, who choose to give more to their community through the GCHS.
Mrs. Jeanetta Hall serves as president and Mrs. Melruth Carter as secretary. Mrs. Geraldine Walton was mistress of ceremony at the luncheon