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Data centers and how to ride herd on them dominated discussion at the regular meeting of the Lamar County commission March 17. When all was said and done, the commission voted unanimously to extend its…

Keep Barnesville Beautiful (KBB) is partnering with Gordon on a citywide beautification project aimed at enhancing the visual appeal of the community and promoting civic pride. Work will be done on the weekend of April 17-19.

On each of those days used tires can be dropped off at the Gordon parking lot off College Drive from 2-6 p.m. There is a limit of eight tires per person and proof of city residency is required.
Pick-up of tires is also available for those who need it.

On Saturday, April 18 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., teams of volunteers will scour the city, cleaning up litter and debris. Check-in is at the Gordon lot where safety vests, garbage bags and pick-up grabbers will be distributed.

During that same period, free shredding of personal and business papers will be offered.

Volunteers are much-needed to make this effort successful. For more information, to arrange tire pick-up or to volunteer, call 678.603.0375.

The mayor and council of the City of Barnesville have named Richard Newbern as the lone finalist for the position of city manager after a lengthy search. Newbern currently serves as city manager in Cochran, Ga.

The city is expected to finalize the hiring of Newbern at its March 2 meeting.

Continental’s announcement Friday that it will incrementally shut down its Aldora Mills operation here will leave some 230 people without jobs and marks the death of the once-thriving local textile industry.

The company plans to let employees go in stages beginning in March and close down the plant, which has been in continuous operation for 136 years, by the end of 2026. Continental acquired the plant is 1988.

Employees were notified of the decision at a meeting Nov. 14. In a news release, Continental outlined the reasons for it.

“The decision…follows a comprehensive business review to safeguard the company’s profitability, competitiveness and business performance in the Americas region. The plant has not been cost competitive for many years despite continuous turnaround efforts.”

At a meeting with local leaders Friday afternoon, company officials promised to offer career counseling and employment resources to the affected employees, many of whom have been there for over 30 years.

Once the shutdown is accomplished, considerable environmental work will be required on the site.

After that, the plant will likely sit vacant for an extended period as there are very few examples of small town textile mills in Georgia which have been successfully restored and repurposed.

Two adorable pups are up for adoption at the Lamar County animal shelter and are this week’s featured cuties.

Po (left) is a foxhound who came in with another dog who is now a service animal. Young and goofy, Po is an expert toy chaser and talented singer.

Augie (right) is a one-year-old lab/pointer mix who loves people and gets along great with all other dogs.

For more information on adopting these or other animals, call 770.358.5160.

An Army veteran with over 35 years experience as a city manager/administrator is now at work in Barnesville’s city hall as interim city manager, a post he is intimately familiar with.

H. Carter Crawford began work here Oct. 13 and is already making an impact. “He came in and got right to work. He has a lot of energy and has already made an impact,” mayor Kelly Hughes said.

Crawford now lives in Sylvania, Ga. and specializes in interim municipal administrative posts. He served as a counterintelligence agent in the US. Army. He worked as a personnel specialist in Warner Robins and city manager/administrator in Millen, Cedartown, Statesboro and Sylvania.

Additionally, Crawford has served as interim city manager in Washington, Temple, Harlem, Claxton, Fort Valley, Port Wentworth, Brooklet and twice in Metter.

He is overseeing the city’s day-to-day operations and working to streamline the city’s delivery of services.

He has served on multiple boards and won a wide range of awards including the Deen Day Smith Service to Mankind Award.

Crawford is also assisting in the search for a new permanent city manager, advertising for and screening candidates and preparing a list of candidates for the city council to consider.

“We hope to have a permanent city manager in place by mid-January,” mayor Hughes concluded.