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Mayor closing out an era
Law prohibits third term for Tom Ratcliffe
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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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Early morning accident in McIntosh County kills five
traffic accident graphic

Five people were killed and another one was injured following a two-vehicle accident in McIntosh County on Sunday morning.

Witnesses told Georgia State Patrol Trooper Christopher Ashdown that a Jeep Cherokee was traveling south on Interstate 95 at a high rate of speed when it rear-ended an Infiniti. The Cherokee hit a guard rail, bursting into flames. The crash and ensuing fire killed one adult and four children.

Ashdown said the Cherokee was a rental and authorities are in the process of identifying the victims.  The driver of the Infiniti, from Long County, was transported to Southeast Regional Health System in Brunswick with non-life-threatening injuries.

The accident occurred at mile marker 62 around 6 a.m.

 

VIDEO: McIntosh County fatal accident

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