October 17, 2018 Page 7A
Reporter
Continued from Front
month evaluation.
Commission chairman
Greg Tapley said Hedges'
qualifications stood out
among the three finalists,
which also included former
Hogansville city manager
lames Woods and Georgia
Public Defender Council
Director of Grant Initia-
fives Karl Kitchens.
District 3 commissioner
John Ambrose said he
thinks Hedges has the
comb'marion of experience
and knowledge that the
county needs.
Ambrose said, "I believe
that he will be the best
suited to move Monroe
County forward"
District 1 commissioner
Larry Evans said of Hedges:
"He seems to be a good fit
for us."
According to a March
26 Albany Herald article,
Hedges inherited a $1.45
million budget deficit upon
taking over as Pelham city
manager in January 2015
and turned it into a $1.15
million surplus by March
2018. Prior to taking over
as Pelham city manager,
Hedges was elected as
mayor of Ashburn for two
terms.
Before his governmen-
tal career, Hedges was an
executive with the Amoco
gas corporation, serving as
Senior Finance Manager to
lead all financial activities
for the Azerbaijan Inter-
national Operating Corn-
Continued from Front
Frida) Sept. 28. Businesses
may only give prizes for
winnings, not cash, under
Georgia law.
Patel was released from
the Monroe County Jail on
a $2,500 bond.
Sgt. Jarrad Duncan said
they sent in an undercover
agent to play the machines
after getting an anonymous
complaint. Duncan said it's
his first arrest since taking
over the drug unit, which
he said operates as a vice
unit handling gambling as
well. He said the machines
actually belong to another
company but said the state
gambling commission has
put them under lock so they
can't be used while they
investigate. He said the state
could pull the store's lottery
or alcohol license as well. He
said illegal gambling opera-
tions make "a lot of money",
although he couldn't say
until the state is done in-
vestigating how much Falls
View was making.
Anyone with informa-
tion about illegal gambling
or drug problems is asked
to call Duncan at 478-994-
7048 for more investigation.
pany, which was created
to develop oil rid& in the
Republic of Azerbaijan.
While at Amoco, Hedges
was also appointed to lead
the financial and adminis-
trative departments of two
of Amoco's three largest
overseas operations, having
lived in or traveled to 61
different countries. Hedges
has a Bachelor of Science
degree in administra-
tion and accounting from
. Northeastern State Univer-
sity in Tahlequah, Okla.
Tapley said Hedges does
not intend to take any
county health or retirement
benefits, which will save
the county an estimated
$12,000 to $14,000. How-
ever, commissioners did
agree on Wednesday to buy
a county administration
vehicle for Hedges' use for
up to $25,000 to be paid for
using contingency. Com-
missioners said the new
vehicle will not be taken
home.
The county manager
position had been vacant
since June when former
county manager Anita
Buice was demoted to
zoning officer after com-
missioners learned the
; ii
Call your loCal Monroe County representative
Scott Harrell
478-256-3586
or toll free: 800-551-1102
3250 Vineville Ave.r MaconI GA 31208 C
county owed about $50,000
in state and federal income
tax penalties and interest
for failure to pay county
payroll taxes in a timely
manner. Retired county ad-
ministrator Gall King was
hired as interim manager
after Buice's ouster.
District 2 commissioner
Eddie Rowland was absent
from Wednesday's called
meeting.
HOPKINS
S~I{~ASSOCIATES
Certified Public Accountants
68 North Jackson Street Forsyth
(p) 478-994-1820 (f) 478-994-3102
www.hopkinscpaga.com
Serving Forsyth for more than 40years~
Nav .ice ntI t e al t
would like to help you pay off your debt.
One time offer of
of your bill
October 1, 2018 thru December 31, 2018
,f
Call
,/ Worked his way up from a radio operator to
patrol deputy to Captain
Served on the DUI Enforcement Task Force,
Criminal Interdiction Unit and as S.W.A.T
Team Commander
That's why when it comes to electing
our next Sheriff, experience counts.
And I have the unmatched experience
in this race. I am asking for your vote
so I can continue Working to protect
our families and keep Monroe County's
future bright."
Entrusted to numerous special assignments,
including, the G-8 Economic Summit at
Sea Island, and a Tri-state operation to eradicate
cocaine dealers
Medal of Valor Recipient from the National
Sheriff's Association
FBI National Academy Graduate and GBI Special
Agent Appointment
Graduate of Mercer University
Paid for by Zach Brown
I
