The Rockdale News Rockdale News Digital Edition, December10, 2014 | Page 2

In Depth Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014 Online Poll Question Are you in favor of replacing grass with artificial turf in Rockdale’s high school stadiums? Yes Rockdale County: 2015 budget reduced to $61.4M, employee raises given Ethics board for commissioners approved 18 No 71 By Martin Rand, III Not Sure Saturday, Dec. 7, 2014 • 7 Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014 • 7 Saturday, Dec. 7, 2014 • 7 t Wonderful Time of the Year Newswrap After a month of meetings, budget hearings and debate, the Rockdale Board of Commissioners have officially approved a budget for the 2015 year. The approved budget for 2015 will be $61.4 million, which is $2 million less than County Chairman Richard Oden’s proposed budget and about $3 million more than the 2014 budget. The county will use $6.8 million from the general fund to help balance the budget. This adults, $5 children; 770-922-3143, Games and atrackless train. Santa and motions; Collecting cannedto a locally before Dec. 7 and are $15 on the over theGames and aatracklesstrain. Santa and 7 and are $15 on the day and are $15 on the day will reduce the county’s reserves from $34 million to Collecting canned foods and $8 adults, children; 770-922-3143, Games and trackless train. Santa and adults, $5 $5 children; 770-922-3143, motions; $27 million.canned foods andapproved motions; Collecting Due foods and day of Dec. What 7 may have missed weekend EC. 6 beforetouryouthe Olde Town Jail Mrs. Claus will be at their Covington www.conyersarts.org of the at at Olde Town Jail www.conyersarts.org Mrs. Claus will be at their Covington www.conyersarts.org bottled water for the tour the Mrs. Claus will be at their Covington bottled water for shelters and food of the tour at the Olde Town Jail ordinance, the county’s reserves cannot dropbottled watermillion.sheltersand food below $20 for shelters and food cret Shop cret Shop cret Shop workshop, located on the corner of the Pantries workshop, located on the corner of the Atlanta;ride starts 2031 starts 2031 workshop, located on the corner of the proposed capital budget of $2.4 million Pantriesin Atlanta; $2.2 million. Post 2 ComPantries in inAtlanta; ride starts 2031 d Methodist The Feeding Families for Christwas reduced to Atl,ride John Peek d Methodist Square nearest MetropolitanPkwy Atl, GA; John Peek Pkwy GA; MONDAY, DEC. 8 hard truths, Square nearest nearest Metropolitan Pkwy Atl, GA; John Peek Feeding Families for Christ‘Redemption Forum’ faces Square Metropolitan Feeding Families for Christ$6 per perper per$6 at678-758-2667 678-758-2667 Sounds mas mas atat 678-758-2667 Sounds of the Holidays mas ems priced Read more ems priced questions of the Holidays aftermath Best Christmas Pageant The Best Christmas Pageant 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; by KickStand Proconcert The 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; by KickStand ProThe Best Christmas Pageant 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; by KickStand Proconcert in Ferguson 7:30 top officials County Band will Ever Newton County Band will Ever Rockdale’s p.m.; Newton answered youths’Ever questions about 7:30 p.m.; Newton County Band will perform "Sounds of the Holidays" at 7 p.m.; The New Depot Players of the Holidays" at 7 Depot Players perform "Sounds of the Holidays" at 7 p.m.; extraorin policing and an The New Depot Players ciation racial disparities School for free government atp.m.; The Newplay by Barbara iation ciation Eastside High present the beloved play by Barbara present the beloved Eastside High School for free present the beloved play by Barbara Robinson, "The Best Christmas PagReadRobinson, "The Best Christmas Pagmore Robinson, "The Best Christmas Paga.m. ride; a.m. ride; RCA FFA Wreath Fundraiser eant Ever!," featuring the antics in a eant Ever!," featuring the antics in RCA FFA Wreath Fundraiser eant Ever!," featuring the antics in a a a. Highway 4 a. Highway church Christmas pageant with the Fresh wreaths from Frasier fir, pine, church Christmas pageant with the from Frasier fir, pine, church Christmas pageant with the Fresh wreaths from Frasier fir, pine, arley Davidarley DavidHerdman kids. The play is directed by berries and other greenery, range in and other greenery, range in Herdman kids. The play is directed by other greenery, range in Herdman kids. The play is directed by berries Chapter of of Chapter Tom Johnson and takes place at the price from $8 table pieces to $60 Tom Johnson and takes place at the $8 table pieces to $60 Tom Johnson and takes place at the price from $8 table pieces to $60 nforcement nforcement Rockdale Auditorium, 903 Main Street. large wreaths to take up a wall; also, Rockdale Auditorium, 903 Main Street. take up a wall; also, Rockdale Auditorium, 903 Main Street. large wreaths to take up a wall; also, oy of equal oy of equal The cost is $10/adults (general admisbaskets, mug pieces for the table, The cost is $10/adults (general admispieces for the table, The cost is $10/adults (general admisbaskets, mug pieces for the table, equal valvalequal The candy-cane shaped wreaths, mailCourt and and $8/seniors and students. The Rockdale County Probate box sion) Rockdale and students. The candy-cane shaped wreaths, mail box sion) and $8/seniors and students. The wreaths, mail box sion) and $8/seniors s Rockdale s Rockdale decorations, door and Charles K. Mays, Sr. at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12 and and mantle swags, play is is hosting Friday, Dec. 12 and play is at p.m. on County Probate Judge mantle swags, play is at 77p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12 and decorations, door and mantle swags, cranewspacranewspaand more. Proceeds go to FFA club Sat., Dec. 13 and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Proceeds go to FFA club Sat., Dec. 13 and at 33p.m.on Sunday, Sat., Dec. 13 and at p.m. on Sunday, and more. Proceeds go to FFA club projects, conventions and activities. To Dec. 14. 678-374-3224 more and activities. To To Dec. 14. 678-374-3224 proje