Bridge Turner

Co Owner and Editor in Chief at The Upson Beacon

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Articles

Scout Hut Fate Remains Undecided

1 week ago | upsonbeacon.com | Bridge Turner

Council members took no decisive action regarding potential demolition of the Boy Scout hut at Greatest Generation Memorial Park last week, and received negative feedback on the first three weeks of a step toward golf cart operation on city roadways. Jane Burdette, chair of the local historic preservation commission, expressed opposition to demolition of the hut at council’s May 6 meeting.
School Board to Hold 2 Budget Public Hearings

2 weeks ago | upsonbeacon.com | Bridge Turner

The Thomaston-Upson Board of Education will hold two public comment sessions in June for the school system’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget, according to a notice submitted to The Upson Beacon. Meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 10 and 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 24 at the board of education office, 205 Civic Center Drive in Thomaston. The purpose of the meetings is to provide an opportunity for public input on the proposed budget.
Alcohol, Zoning, Park on BOC’s Radar

2 weeks ago | upsonbeacon.com | Bridge Turner

After consulting with state officials, County Attorney Heath English told commissioners during a work session last week that Upson’s beer and wine sales ordinance is stricter than Georgia’s statute. Recent questions concerning measurements from churches to establishments requesting licenses prompted commissioners to request a more in-depth look by the attorney.
County Considers Committee Method to Kick Start FLOST

2 weeks ago | upsonbeacon.com | Bridge Turner

Chairman Dan Brue suggested last week that commissioners designate a small group of county delegates to meet with city representatives to establish an acceptable starting range for proposed floating local option sales tax negotiations. Proceeds of FLOST, a key component of House Bill 581 designed to provide property tax relief, must be shared between Upson County and the City of Thomaston through an intergovernmental agreement.
City Dismisses County’s First FLOST Proposal

3 weeks ago | upsonbeacon.com | Bridge Turner

FLOST is headed BTTDB. After receiving initial proposals from Upson County Commission Chairman Dan Brue, Thomaston City Council members opted last week to submit a counter proposal before meeting to negotiate a potential floating local option sales tax split designed to benefit property owners. So, the governing bodies are headed “back to the drawing board” before it begins.
Chaney Seated as Mayor Pro Tem by 3-1 Council Vote

3 weeks ago | upsonbeacon.com | Bridge Turner

Thomaston City Council members voted 3-1 last week to appoint Troy Chaney to fill the remainder of former Mayor Pro Tempore Doug Head’s unexpired term, which ends Dec. 31, 2025. Head announced his retirement earlier this year, after serving more than two decades on the council, and his last day was April 30. Chaney and John Trice both submitted letters of interest to fill the seat.
Council Vote Denies Consideration & Exception for New Convenience Store

3 weeks ago | upsonbeacon.com | Bridge Turner

City council members voted last week to deny consideration of a new convenience store and to allow vertical headstones throughout all open sections of Southview Cemetery. Despite an ordinance against establishing new convenience stores without a mandated minimum of fueling stations, council previously indicated its intention to allow a request for exemption to be presented to Thomaston Planning Commission for review. “What is council’s intent?
McRae Resigns Amid Allegations of Misconduct

3 weeks ago | upsonbeacon.com | Bridge Turner

Upson County Probate Judge Danielle McRae resigned Friday amid allegations of judicial misconduct, according to the investigative panel of the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission. On the same day, Gov. Brian Kemp accepted Judge McRae’s resignation.
IDA Chair Clarifies Indiana Trip

1 month ago | upsonbeacon.com | Bridge Turner

Following last week’s meeting of Thomaston-Upson Industrial Development Authority, Chairman Chase Fallin issued a statement clarifying expenses related to a trip to Ashley, Ind., to tour Brightmark’s plant prior to the company investing in Upson County. “After reading [an article] in the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, I want to make sure… one thing mentioned was about us taking our trip to Ashley in the past… I want to make sure it’s clear that the IDA paid for our trip to Indiana,” Fallin commented.
Planning Director Recommends BOC Approve Rezoning

1 month ago | upsonbeacon.com | Bridge Turner

Prior to a 4-1 vote to deny rezoning for Serenity Lake, Upson Planning Director Doug Currier recommended conditional approval of rezoning for the high-end development, citing “a huge loophole” in the county’s current ordinance. During his presentation, Currier concluded the proposed development is “well planned and intended to be high quality,” and noted that Upson’s comprehensive plan expresses a need for housing.