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Mayor closing out an era
Law prohibits third term for Tom Ratcliffe
AW RatcliffeLastGavel
Two-term Hinesville Mayor Tom Ratcliffe calls his last city council meeting to order Thursday. - photo by Photo by Andrea Washington
The eight-year tenure of Hinesville Mayor Tom Ratcliffe inched closer to the finish line Thursday as the outgoing official presided over his last city council meeting.
Ratcliffe’s two terms in office have been a time of tremendous growth for the city, both physically and economically.
Before adjourning the last meeting of 2007, councilmembers took time to thank the mayor for his work in managing the city’s expansion.
“I think what Mayor Ratcliffe bought to the city was different type of management ... and we’ve come to the close of a fantastic eight year ride,” longtime councilman Charles Frasier said.
And remarking on Ratcliffe’s passion and vision for a better Hinesville, outgoing councilman Steve Troha said the departing mayor’s impact would be noticeable well after his time in office.
“The people of Hinesville will owe you for years to come. I have never witnessed a public servant serve the like public like you have,” Troha said. “Years from now, people will look back and say, ‘Wow, what a vision he had.’”
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Snow accumulation could be increasing
winter weather graphic

Southeast Georgia, including Liberty and Long counties, is under a winter storm warning from the National Weather Service.

The forecast for snowfall total has increased modestly overnight and freezing rain amounts are trending up along the coast.

Forecasters have high confidence that bitterly cold temperatures will impact southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia this week. Near-record low temperatures are possible Wednesday night. Dangerous wind chills are possible, especially Wednesday night, with values as low as 8-15°F.

Precipitation is expected to arrive this afternoon or early evening, and accumulation of snow and freezing rain is expected. Snow could be from 1 to 2.5 inches, with locally higher amounts possible. An accumulation of close to a quarter-inch of ice is projected for mainly coastal counties.

The risk of additional freezing rain along the immediate coast Thursday night is now very low.

There are also could be travel issues into Wednesday night and Thursday as wet roads could refreeze.

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