GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US..
I'M FRANK MALLOY..
AND I'M LEAH JOHNSON..THIS IS EYEWITNESS NEWS AT 11.
WARNER ROBINS' MAYOR PRESENTED A REVISED DRAFT OF HIS 2013 BUDGET TO COUNCIL TONIGHT.
IT'S NOW BALANCED... WITH CUTS IN SOME DEPARTMENTS AND ADDITIONAL SPENDING IN OTHERS.
LORRA LYNCH JONES TALKED WITH THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL ABOUT THE FINER POINTS OF THE 36-MILLION DOLLAR PLAN.
<<nats-
WHEN MAYOR CHUCK SHAHEEN GAVE COUNCIL THE FIRST DRAFT OF HIS BUDGET... IT CAME UP ABOUT ONE-POINT-TWO MILLION DOLLARS SHORT.
HE ASKED CITY DEPARTMENT LEADERS TO SEARCH FOR SPOTS TO CUT.
Chuck Shaheen: (21:55) "Not even one of them said no I can't."
(TAKE GFX)
THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS TRIMMED A COMBINED 85-THOUSAND...
PUBLIC WORKS CUT 72-THOUSAND IN EQUIPMENT...
AND SHAHEEN SAYS THEY'LL USE A HALF MILLION IN SURPLUS MONEY FROM LAST YEAR... TO COVER THE COMING YEAR'S COSTS.... IN ADDITON TO OTHER MEASURES.
Chuck Shaheen: (18:40) "In a nutshell, we did it without raising taxes."
SHAHEEN ALSO ADDED EXPENSES TO HIS SECOND DRAFT.
(TAKE GFX)
30-THOUSAND TO PAY A LOBBYIST FOR THE CITY.
MORE THAN 12-THOUSAND TO PAY THE CURRENT REDEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR... TO TAKE ON ADDITIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DUTIES.
AND 43-THOUSAND FOR A NEW PUBLIC RELATIONS POSITION.
Chuck Shaheen: (20:30) "Its nice to have someone that helps get information out to another generation that doesn't read the paper anymore."
COUNCIL MEMBERS MIKE BRASHEAR AND MIKE DALEY SAY THEY'RE UNDECIDED ON THE NEED FOR A P-R POSITION.... WITH TWO SUPPORT POSITIONS ALREADY ON THE MAYOR'S STAFF.
Mike Daley: (29:40) "I think were all concerned about the best use of manpower and people that we have around us."
Mike Brashear: (24:18) "Is it something we need to do right now or sometime in the future?"
COUNCIL HAS NOT TALKED ABOUT THE BUDGET AS A GROUP YET... BUT SAY THEY PLAN TO AHEAD OF THE SECOND PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 18TH.
Mike Brashear: (23:56) "There's still alot of things we will go back and talk about."
Mike Daley: (27:50) "I would say were 90-percent there."
STD
>> SHAHEEN SAYS HE WANTS TO PAY A LOBBYIST TO PROMOTE WARNER ROBINS' INTERESTS AT THE STATE CAPITOL... AND ACQUIRE MORE STATE FUNDING.
HIS EXAMPLES OF HOW A LOBBYIST COULD HELP THE CITY INCLUDED... CONVINCING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ADD MORE RAILROAD CROSSINGS AND GETTING STATE FUNDS FOR BETTER ACCESS TO ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE.
STATE LAW REQUIRES A VOTE ON THE BUDGET BY THE END OF JUNE.
BIBB COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SPENT THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS SHAVING WHATEVER THEY COULD FROM A 13-MILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT.
THEY'VE PULLED FROM DIFFERENT FUNDING SOURCES... BUDGETED SPLOST MONEY AND PUT OFF SOME EXPENSES UNTILL NEXT YEAR.
FINALLY... THEY ASKED FOR HELP FROM OTHER COUNTY OFFICIALS.
AS CANDACE ADORKA REPORTS... COMMISSIONERS SAY BALANCING A BUDGET IS A TEAM SPORT.
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***Self propelled power brrom an security system at the dam we need those...***
AFTER A FULL MORNING OF SLICING AND DICING THE COUNTY BUDGET... THE BIBB COUNTY COMMISSION FOUND A LITTLE OVER A MILLION DOLLARS IN CUTS... BUT IT WASNT ENOUGH.
***we need help guys.... whatever y'all can find, if there's any way y'all can cut something, we need it.***
THE COMMISSION IMPLORED DEPARTMENT LEADERS TO LOOK AT THEIR BUDGETS ONE MORE TIME.
"Everybody showed up. And they knew we had trouble everybody was digging they went back and sad they would look again."
WITHIN ABOUT AN HOUR... THEY CAME UP WITH ABOUT 4-HUNDRED-50-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN CUTS ON THE SPOT.
"Replacing carpet that had been there many years and was really worn we have chairs in the reception room that have holes in them, looks kinda ragged, we didn't think it was a good impression."
CHIEF SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE PHIL BROWN SAYS THE JUDGES PUT THEIR HRADS TOGETHER AND CUT ALL THEIR REQUESTS EXCEPT FOR COMPUTERS.
"we've had a good bit of trouble lately with court reporters computers crashing in the middle of trials. Just old equipment, something we didn't feel like we could shortchange right now."
THEY SAVED ABOUT 10-THOUSAND DOLLARS.
***thank you....***
THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE... COUNTY CORONER... EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND SEVERAL OTHER AGENCIES ALSO PITCHED IN.
"we are team players, and if we found the county needs to reduce its deficits this year, we're just offsetting some of the expenditures till next year."
"I was impressed, i think we had a lot of people who did what they could on the spot to help us with doing the bUdget balance."
JUST HOURS BEFORE... COMMISSIONER JOE ALLEN BROUGHT UP FURLOUGHS AS AN OPTION... BUT NOW HE SAYS THAT'S OFF THE TABLE... SO SOME EMPLOYEES STILL GET RAISES... RETIREES PENSIONS ARE INTACT...
"And guess what, taxpayers, the poor taxpayers who have really been hit hard, they're not gonna have to pay any additional taxes, so everybody wins CANDACE ADORKA 13 WMAZ EYEWITNESS NEWS.
>> COMMISSIONER ELMO RICHARDSON SAYS FOR NOW, THEY PLAN TO PULL ABOUT 4-MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE COUNTY'S RESERVES TO PLUG THE REMAINING DEFICIT HOLE.
A RELIGIOUS SKEPTICS GROUP HAS COMPLAINED TO THE HOUSTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT... SAYING VETERANS HIGH SCHOOL'S GRADUATION VIOLATED STUDENTS' CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.
WISCONSIN-BASED FREEDOM FROM RELIGION FOUNDATION SAYS SOMEONE WHO ATTENDED THE CEREMONY COMPLAINED THAT IT WAS MORE LIKE A CHURCH SERVICE.
SPOKESMAN ANDREW SEIDEL SAID THE GRADUATION INCLUDED AN OPENING PRAYER... GOSPEL MUSIC... AND A SPEECH BY SUPERINTENDENT ROBIN HINES THAT SOUNDED LIKE A SERMON.
SEIDEL SAYS COURTS HAVE RULED THAT SCHOOL-SPONSORED PRAYERS VIOLATE THE FIRST AMENDMENT.
"29 perecnt of the country, if theyre under 29 years of age also do not adhere to any particular religious belief so these prayers and preaching and religious music at these ceremonies that are meant to include everybody and are to be the culmination for everybody actually exclude the vast chunk of the peolple sitting there. One quarter fo the children
HE SAYS THEY'D PREFER TO WORK OUT THE MATTER WITH THE DISTRICT... BUT THEIR OPTIONS INCLUDE A LAWSUIT.
SCHOOL SPOKESWOMAN BETH MCLAUGHLIN SAID HINES IS AWARE OF A COMPLAINT MADE BY A PERSON WHO ATTENDED THE CEREMONY.
A FIRE THAT RAVAGED AN EAST MACON APARTMENT COMPLEX DESTROYED FOUR UNITS AND DAMAGED EIGHT OTHERS.
FIRE INVESTIGATOR BEN GLEATON SAID THE BLAZE STARTED BECAUSE SOMEONE WAS COOKING HOT DOGS AND LEFT THE STOVE UNATTENDED.
FAILING TO WATCH THE STOVE WHILE COOKING IS THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR HOUSE FIRES...ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION.
AND THE DAMAGE DONE COULD HAVE BEEN LIMITED WITH A DEVICE CALLED STOVE TOP FIRE STOP.
THE DEVICE HANGS ABOVE THE STOVE AND HAS A FUSE THAT IGNITES WHEN FLAMES REACH THE BOTTOM OF THE CAN. THEN IT RELEASES EXTINGUISHER POWDER THAT PUTS OUT THE FIRE.
LARRY SMALLWOOD OF THE MACON -BIBB FIRE DEPARTMENT SAYS PEOPLE MAKE TWO BIG MISTAKES...WHEN FIRES BREAK OUT IN A POT OR PAN.
throwing water on it ...causing it to splash...and picking it up and running with it
IF A FIRE GETS OUT OF HAND...THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS TO TURN THE STOVE OFF... THEN PUT A LID OVER THE FIRE.
STOVETOP FIRESTOPS ARE SOLD IN TWO-PACKS... AND THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE IS 50 DOLLARS.
HERE IN CENTRAL GEORGIA... YOU CAN PLACE A SPECIAL ORDER AT LOWES STORES... THROUGH THE COMMERCIAL SALES DEPARTMENT.
YOU CAN ALSO ORDER ONLINE... AT LOUISVILLE FIRE AND SAFETY.
THAT'S LOUSIVILLE-FIRE-PROTECTION DOT COM.
WHEN YOU CHECK OUT... USE THE PROMO CODE "13WMAZ" TO GET A TEN PERCENT DISCOUNT.
THE PULASKI COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT IN HAWKINSVILLE ALSO SELLS THE DEVICES... AND AT LEAST ONE OTHER CENTRAL GEORGIA FIRE DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING INTO OFFERING THEM.
TODAY'S 13WMAZ DOT COM WEB POLL ASKS... HAVE YOU EVER PUT OUT A KITCHEN FIRE?
SO FAR 54 PERCENT OF YOU SAY YES... YOU HAVE.
AND 46 PERCENT SAY YOU HAVEN'T.
VOTE NOW... VISIT 13WMAZ DOT COM AND LOOK FOR THE QUESTION ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HOMEPAGE.
MUSIC ROYALTY CELEBRATED QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND TODAY... WITH A CONCERT MARKING HER 60-YEAR REIGN.
BUT ONE MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY WAS MISSING FROM THE FESTIVITIES.
TINA KRAUS HAS MORE FROM LONDON.
((NARR-1))
A HANDFUL OF KNIGHTS RAISED THEIR VOICES TO THE QUEEN.
((NATS--mccartney))
SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY HEADLINED THE DIAMOND JUBILEE CONCERT AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE... ALONG WITH SIR ELTON JOHN AND SIR TOM JONES.
(( nats applause ))
((NARR-2))
THE QUEEN ARRIVED PARTWAY THROUGH THE SHOW. BUT MISSING FROM HER MAJESTY'S SIDE WAS THE QUEEN'S HUSBAND, PRINCE PHILIP.
HE WAS HOSPITALIZED EARLIER IN THE DAY WITH A BLADDER INFECTION.
THE PRINCE - WHO TURNS 91 ON SATURDAY - WILL REMAIN UNDER OBSERVATION FOR A FEW DAYS.
((STANDUP BRIDGE)) Tina Kraus, CBS News, London
"Royal insiders say while the Queen is concerned about her husband's health, she knows all of Britain is watching - and the show must go on."
((SOT- MOS))
"of course we're British, we have to carry one. We can't stop the show just because of that."
((NARR-3))
MORE THAN TEN-THOUSAND LUCKY TICKET-HOLDERS GOT TO THE SEE CONCERT ON THE GROUNDS OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE...WHILE OVERFLOW CROWDS FILLED SURROUNDING PARKS TO WATCH ON GIANT TV SCREENS.
((SOT))
it's every British person's dream - to come to the palace
(NATS - HIP HIP HOORAY)
((NARR-4))
PRINCE CHARLES LED THE CROWD IN THREE CHEERS FOR HIS MOTHER.
((SOT)) Prince Charles
" it is our opportunity to thank you and my father for always being there for us, for inspiring us with your selfless duty and service."
((NARR-5))
AFTER THE CONCERT, THE QUEEN LIGHTED THE LAST OF MORE THAN 42-HUNDRED BEACONS AROUND THE WORLD.
((nats - fireworks))
THE JUBILEE WRAPS UP TOMORROW... WITH A SERVICE AT SAINT PAUL'S CATHEDRAL... A CARRIAGE PROCESSION AND A WAVE FROM THE ROYAL FAMILY AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE.
A CLASSIC FAIRY TALE RACKED UP SOME BRAND-NEW NUMBERS AT THE BOX OFFICE THIS WEEKEND... AS A FAIR MAIDEN SOUGHT TO TOPPLE THE MEN AT THE TOP OF THE CHARTS.
LET'S GET TO THE COUNTDOWN.
TAKING THE BRONZE MEDAL... "THE AVENGERS."
THE ACTION ADVENTURE FLICK ABOUT THE CLASSIC TEAM OF SUPERHEROES ADDED 20-AND-A-HALF MILLION DOLLARS TO ITS HAUL THIS WEEKEND... BRINGING ITS TOTAL DOMESTIC GROSS TO NEARLY 553 MILLION IN THE MONTH SINCE ITS RELEASE.
AND IN CASE YOU WERE CURIOUS... IT'S MADE NEARLY ONE-POINT-FOUR BILLION DOLLARS WORLDWIDE.
SLIPPING A LITTLE BUT STILL HOLDING STEADY FOR THE SILVER... "MEN IN BLACK THREE."
THE ALIEN-HUNTING FLICK STARRING WILL SMITH AND TOMMY LEE JONES EARNED 28-POINT-ONE MILLION DOLLARS OVER THE WEEKEND.
THAT BRINGS ITS TWO-WEEK TOTAL TO 111-POINT-ONE MILLION DOLLARS.
BUT THIS WEEKEND'S BOX OFFICE CROWN GOES TO "SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN."
THE REVAMPED VERSION OF THE FAIRY TALE STARS "TWILIGHT'S" KRISTEN STEWART AND "THE AVENGERS'" CHRIS HEMSWORTH AS THE MAIN CHARACTERS.
IT BROUGHT IN 56-POINT-TWO MILLION DOLLARS ON ITS FIRST WEEKEND OUT.
MEMBERS OF A MACON CHURCH HOPE A MISSION TRIP HELPS FAMILIES IN HAITI..
IN TONIGHT'S HERO CENTRAL REPORT, WE SPOKE WITH THE YOUNGEST PERSON IN THE GROUP HEADED TO HAITI TO VOLUNTEER.
17 YEAR OLD MARISOL ORTIZ SAYS SHE'S EXCITED ABOUT THE TRIP.
WE CAUGHT UP WITH HER AT VINEVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH TAKING FINAL INVENTORY OF WHAT'S SHE'S PACKED IN HER SUITCASE.
ANGELA BLIZZARD WHO'S OVERSEEING THE MISSION TRIP SAYS THEY'LL BE TAKING MUCH NEEDED SUPPLIES WITH THEM TO HAITI.. LIKE HIGENE ITEMS, SHOES AND TOYS FOR CHILDREN.
ORTIZ SAYS SHE HAS ALWAYS DONE VOLUNTEER WORK BUT THAT THIS WILL BE HER FIRST TIME HELPING PEOPLE ABROAD.
"I decided to go on this mission trip almost as soon as I heard that our church was going because I love helping people more than I can fully explain."
NINE MEMBERS FROM VINEVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH LEFT FOR HAITI SATURDAY.
THEY SAY THEY'LL BE THERE UNTIL THE END OF THIS WEEK.
THANKS FOR JOINING US.... FIRST MORNIN COMES YOUR WAY AT 5 A-M.
THE NEWS IS ALWAYS ON AT 13WMAZ DOT COM.
LETTERMAN'S NEXT..TONIGHT'S GUEST INCLUDE INDY 500 WINNER DARIO FRANCHITTI..
HAVE A SAFE NIGHT EVERYONE.