HOLLYWOOD FILM TO BE SHOT IN TIFTON, THOMASVILLE

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

While the future of the Town Terrace (the "Pink Motel" ) in Tifton is still uncertain, the 1940's-era motel on 12th Street , under contract to be sold and possibly razed, will become one of the locations for an upcoming feature film starring Queen Latifah and Dennis Quaid.

The pre-production crew has already been in town, and filming is expected to begin soon on "The Tiger Rising," a movie being adapted from the children's book of the same name by Kate DiCamillo , who also wrote "Because of Winn-Dixie."

According to the entertainment newspaper Variety , "The Tiger Rising" follows "reserved 12-year-old Rob who, after starting a new life in rural Florida at a motel , lets his imagination run wild, a contrast to his life as a bullied boy who has just lost his mother .

"One day, his reality is met with something more whimsical than his own mind can ever desire: a full-grown Bengal tiger hidden in the woods and held captive by the mean-spirited motel owner , Beauchamp ( Quaid ). With the help of the wise and mysterious maid Willie May ( Latifah ) and the stubborn new girl in school, Sistine, Rob must decide whether to set the tiger free and in turn uncage his emotional grief ."

The film's director is Ray Giarratana , who also adapted the screenplay. He previously was a visual effects supervisor on such movies such as "Captain America: Civil War" and the recently released "John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum."  

Much of the movie is expected to be filmed in Thomasville , but the film crew has already been in Tifton repairing the Town Terrace Motel's lighted sign in preparation for filming in the Friendly City .

With Latifah and Quaid coming to town, it is becoming commonplace to see top Hollywood actors wander around Tifton these days. Just two weeks ago , actors Ann Heche and Thomas Jane stopped in the Southern Pickers shop on Main Street . Jane , known for such films as "The Predator," "Deep Blue Sea," "The Thin Red Line" and "Boogie Nights," just wrapped up filming the sci-fi thriller "Anti-Life," in Fitzgerald , which includes Bruce Willis in the cast.

Willis was spotted having dinner in Tifton a few weeks ago.

Heche , best known for the films "Six Days Seven Nights," "Donnie Brasco" and "Wag the Dog," was heading with Jane to Dallas, Texas , where they are to make a movie together. Jane and Heche posed for a photo (above) with Kathy Allen of Southern Pickers.

EARLY VOTING ENDS TODAY, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

√ √ √ ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY! √ √ √

STATE DECLARES LEVEL 1 DROUGHT; WATER CONSERVATION REQUIRED

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has declared a Level 1 Drought Response for 103 counties , including Tift . This requires the City of Tifton-Tift County water system to implement a water conservation campaign .

Because of the drought designation , outdoor watering is now only allowed between 4 p.m. to 10 a.m. Residents are also asked to check their pipes for water leaks , are asked not to allow their taps to continue running, and are requested to only water landscapes when absolutely necessary .

According to the federal government's U.S. Drought Monitor, the drought has affected the entire state with conditions ranging from abnormally dry to extreme drought . As a result, most of the counties in Georgia must follow the Level 1 Drought Response requirements .

The Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) delegation meets with U.S. Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., in Washington, D.C. From left are GMA Executive Director Larry Hanson, Screven Mayor Jason Weaver, Perdue, Tifton Mayor Julie Smith, Peachtree City Mayor Vanessa Fleisch and Becky Taylor, GMA director of federal relations & research.

TIFTON MAYOR LOBBIES

FOR GA CITIES IN D.C.

Tifton Mayor Julie Smith was among a small delegation from the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) in Washington, D.C., this week talking to White House staff and Georgia members of Congress about the importance of federal help with infrastructure and broadband for Georgia’s communities.

Smith, who is the GMA's third vice president, said the state's congressional delegation "heard loud and clear our need for infrastructure funding and the need for broadband in rural Georgia. Their passion for our state is evident. They understand the needs of Georgia’s municipalities, several of them having served on councils and as mayors before moving on to other political ambitions," she said.

"We talked everything from healthcare to paving, from education to clean water, and more. And at every turn, I had the opportunity to 'Talk Tifton' – and I’ve come back with a stack of cards and resources that I can share for many of our community projects like our Urban Redevelopment Area."

The mayor added that "while waiting on my plane in the D.C. airport, I met a lobbyist for Coca-Cola who couldn’t say enough just how excited Coca-Cola United is to be investing in Tifton. That’s great news to hear, even if I’m not surprised, being a little biased on how awesome our town is," Smith said.

TOURISM KEEPS TIFT PROPERTY TAXES LOWER, SPEARMAN SAYS

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

“If not for tourism ,” Tyron Spearman told the Tifton Rotary Club on Wednesday , “each one of you would have to pay $487 more taxes on your house each year.”

That is how much tax money the industry brings into our community through hotel/motel occupancy taxes , he said. The tax rate is currently 5 percent in Tift County , and Spearman , executive director of the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association , proposes raising it to 7 percent. The increase would make the county competitive with others in the area , he said. Currently 3 percent goes to the city and county , and 2 percent goes to the Tourism Association .

“We are the designated agency for tourism , and the agency for movies,” he said. “We give away $50,000 to $60,000 a year to local organizations promoting events in Tifton . 

The current number of hotel rooms in Tifton is 1,174 , including 104 new suites at SpringHill Suites , which opened in the spring. These rooms stay close to 50 percent occupancy when there isn’t a special event in the city or other impact. New hotels on the horizon include LaQuinta in early 2020 with 93 rooms, Marriott Courtyard in December 2020 with 128 rooms, and Home2Suites with an estimated 90 rooms. 

There are more than 100 restaurants in Tifton, Spearman said, which are enough for local residents to choose a different one each week.

Spearman said the daily vehicle count in Tifton includes 50,000 on U.S. Highway 82 ; 110,000 vehicles on Interstate 75 at Highway 82 ; and 6,500 on Main Street . Last year, he said, 61,921 people went through the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center in 352 different meetings. He said the state is spending $1.3 million to pave the parking lot there.

Tourism Product Development projects include finishing the E.B. Hamilton complex , “so we can host more competitions ,” he said.

OFFICE MANAGER POSITION AVAILABLE

Position:  Office Manager

Reports to:   Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Location:  Tifton, GA

Job Type:  Full Time / Exempt

Statement of Purpose :   The South Georgia Office accommodates attorneys from all over the state by providing office space for mediations, depositions and client meetings. We also accommodate members of other State Bar Associations as a courtesy. Continuing legal education programs are offered here as well as various training for law related groups. Consumers who are looking for an attorney or who need direction to other agencies come here. We also handle phone calls from consumers and send out Client Assistance Program (CAP) forms if they are requested. The goal of the office is to present a positive experience to lawyers and consumers while representing the State Bar of Georgia. A professional dress code is encouraged.     

 

Duties:

Host continuing legal education seminars

Serve consumers in person and by phone

Host meetings and luncheons for State Bar committees and the Tifton Bar Association

Assist local bar associations in the area by facilitating programs 

Contribute relevant articles to the Bar Journal

Serve as the staff liaison for the SOLACE Committee

Serve as staff liaison for the Local Bars Committee 

Keep the office clean and stocked

Promote a positive image of the State Bar in the community/outreach

Keep up with expenditures and prepare reports in  Certify  for Accounting

Help attorneys with CLE and membership questions

Report to the General Counsel’s Office on impaired attorneys and help distribute their client files

Assist the Bar staff at Board of Governor’s meetings

 

Essential Functions of the Job:

Pleasant, accommodating, hospitable attitude while assisting attorneys and consumers

Discernment and Confidentiality 

Proficient in Word, Excel and Certify

Knowledge of the State Bar of Georgia and its departments 

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Ability to multitask 

Operate audio/visual components

Flexibility 

Manage one part-time staff employee

 

Education, Training and Experience:

College degree required and 5+ years’ experience in office administration

Salary:    Commensurate with experience and skill-set

How to Apply: Please follow the below directions completely.   

You will receive an automated response confirming receipt of your submission.  Please do not send additional inquiries; we will contact you for an interview if you are a viable candidate.

Closing Date : November 15, 2019

The State Bar of Georgia is a non-smoking environment.

ABAC NAMES RURAL STUDIES DEPT. HEAD

With the naming of Dr. Adrian Israel Martinez-Franco as the head of the Department of Rural Studies , Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is launching a new community health track in the rural community development bachelor’s degree program.

Dr. Matthew Anderson , dean of ABAC's School of Arts and Sciences , believes the appointment of Martinez-Franco and the new community health program will have far reaching implications for students.

“The community health track is designed to prepare individuals for a variety of roles in the rapidly growing healthcare field," Anderson said. "As the healthcare industry expands, it will require not only clinical practitioners providing direct care to patients but also many healthcare professionals working in a variety of support and administrative roles.”

Anderson said that students pursuing the community health track will be prepared to fill a critical healthcare need and will be ready to work in private business, industry, community organizations and healthcare settings upon graduation.

Martinez-Franco holds a master’s degree in health systems management and a doctor of medicine degree from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. He has also held a faculty appointment at that university and served as head of its Biomedical Informatics Department.

In recent years, Martinez-Franco has served as a Fulbright Scholar in Residence at ABAC .

NATIONAL GROUP HONORS TIFTON HOUSING AUTHORITY DIRECTOR

Shaundra N. Clark, e xecutive director of the Tifton Housing Authority , has been recognized for exemplary work by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).

At NAHRO's recent national conference in San Antonio, Texas , Clark became the 26th NAHRO Fellow . The association's board of governors bestows the honor on individuals for their "accumulated wisdom and mastery as seen by their achievements and their actions within their own communities.  NAHRO Fellows demonstrate over time their commitment to  improving the housing conditions of their fellow citizens and the viability and sustainability of the communities in which they live and work."

Clark has been the the Tifton Housing Authority's executive director since June 2000 . NAHRO said that "she not only improved the  agency , but the community as well. She established a non-profit , which now owns units , facilitated a $7 million bond deal for a local affordable housing property , completed demo-dispositions , and has established youth after-school and senior programs."

She has served on numerous committees at the  national, regional and chapter levels, and is currently involved with the Tifton Rotary Club, PLIGHT Inc., Ruth’s Cottage & the Patticake House, Christ’s Church, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and other local community groups.

" Shaundra Clark has been an amazing partner for the Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence (TCFEE)," said Mike Brumby , the foundation's executive director.

"Under her inspiration and leadership , t he Tifton Housing Authority (THA) joined with the TCFEE for summer reading, math and computer programs at THA centers annually from 2008-2018 . She also served as a TCFEE board member from 2015-2018 . I would count her among our best ," Brumby said.

TIFT JOBLESS RATE DROPS

The unemployment rate in Tift County dropped significantly during September from the previous month, according to the Georgia Department of Labor .

In preliminary data released this week, the labor department said Tift had a jobless rate of 3 percent in September , down from 3.6 percent during August and down from 3.6 percent one year ago .

Of Tift County's total labor force of 19,646 in September, 19,060 individuals were employed , the labor department reported.

The unemployment rate for September in other local counties includes: Ben Hill, 4.9 percent; Irwin, 4.1 percent; Worth, 3.9 percent; Berrien, 3.5 percent; Turner, 3.3 percent; and Cook, 2.9 percent.

THEY'RE READY FOR ADOPTION AT

TIFT COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER

Visit us at the Tift County Animal Shelter, 1-6 p.m., Mondays-Fridays, 

at 278 Ga. Highway 125 South in Tifton.

YOUR WEEKEND

...at a Glance



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Tifton Grapevine

e-published every Tuesday and Friday

Frank Sayles Jr.

Editor & Publisher

Bonnie Sayles

Managing Editor

A Service of Sayles Unlimited Marketing LLC , Tifton, Georgia