By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Elderly man needs shelter
Joe Louis Goldwire
Joe Louis Goldwire, 76, is nearly blind and needs walking stick to get around. - photo by Mark Lastinger/staff
Mark Lastinger
Effingham Herald
Updated: Apr 25, 2022, 7:12 PM
Published: Apr 25, 2022, 12:13 PM

SPRINGFIELD — Joe Louis Goldwire’s smile is incapable of accurately reflecting his happiness. That’s because he has no teeth.

Goldwire, 76, has other problems, too. He has hypertension, uses a walking stick to get around and is nearly blind. He also struggles with his hearing.

And then there’s his biggest challenge — he has no place to live.

Several days ago, Goldwire was found alone in Berryville, abandoned by a family member. Aware that Eva Goldwire and her daughter, Keosha Rivers, turned an old travel trailer into a space for homeless people to use on a temporary basis, Joe reached out to them for help April 18.

“I appreciate them,” he said while forming a toothless grin. “I don’t know what would have happened to me.”

“I didn’t know that he had been put out,” Eva said.

The trailer on Lower Ferry Road doesn’t have air conditioning but features multiple windows that allow air to flow. Still, it will get painfully hot as temperatures rise and a more suitable place needed.

Thankfully, the trailer comes with one key benefit.

“I’ll see that he gets something to eat so he won’t have to worry about that,” Eva said.

In addition to feeding Joe, Eva said she feels compelled to take him to a dentist and an ophthalmologist.

“I wouldn’t have it no other way,” she said. “When God sends someone your way, to me, it’s a test and it’s a testimonial.”

Joe, who worked many years in the pulpwood industry, also needs to get back on his blood pressure and heart medications. He’s been off them for two weeks.

A widower with no children, Joe hasn’t had a stable home life since he lived in Springfield’s Spring Hollow Apartments 15 years ago.

“He kept his apartment very clean,” Eva said. “He knew how to cook and everything.”

Eva said Joe was evicted because of a few complaints about him.

“He doesn’t know the time of day,” Eva explained. “At night, he might go knock on a neighbor’s door and ask them something. When people are afraid and old, they are going to report that but he didn’t really know what time it was.”

He has bounced around since then, staying at the homes of friends and distant relatives. He said he was kicked out of one because of his “smacking,” a situation caused by his dental issues.

Joe, who has spent the bulk of his life in Effingham County, had 17 brothers and sisters. He said he no longer has contact with any of them, including a couple in Savannah. He added that a few have died.  

People interested in helping Joe should contact Rivers at keyosharivers13@gmail.com or Eva at evagoldwire58@gmail.com.
Effingham Schools Approve Property Tax Rate Increase
School Property Tax Rate Increase
Comparison of the property tax impact for Effingham County homeowners under the approved millage rate increase, showing the difference from fiscal year 2025 to 2026.
Updated: Sep 19, 2025, 12:52 AM
Published: Sep 19, 2025, 12:53 AM

SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — The Effingham County Board of Education unanimously approved raising the property tax rate from 16.5 to 18.45 mills. For a homeowner with a $350,000 property, that’s about $22 more per month. The vote was 5-0.

Why the Increase is Needed
District officials said the adjustment is necessary to cover rising costs and remain competitive in attracting and retaining teachers and staff. More than 87% of the district’s budget goes to salaries and benefits for employees ranging from classroom teachers to bus drivers, nurses, counselors, paraprofessionals, and administrators.

Most of the increase is tied to an $8 million spike in required contributions to state benefit plans.

The state’s health and retirement benefits for certified employees — teachers — are going up 7% in 2026, finance director Lauren Cain, said. Benefits for non-certified employees — staff — are rising 36%. That’s a total of $8 million more in health and retirement benefits the district will have to cover.

Although the state is increasing funding to Effingham schools by $4 million, it will cover only about half the benefits hike, she said.

As of July 1, premiums for the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) have nearly doubled since FY2023, jumping from $945 to $1,885 per month per employee. In addition, the district’s contribution rate to the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) has increased from 20.78% to 21.91%.  

To help offset those rising costs, the district voted to raise the millage rate.

Millage Rate

Balancing Costs & Education
Superintendent Yancy Ford previously called the increase “an investment in every child’s future.” He said, “Smaller class sizes, highly qualified teachers, and strong support staff are all proven to raise student achievement. This millage rate increase allows us to continue building on our successes and to make sure every child in Effingham County has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.”

Ford also acknowledged the strain on taxpayers. “We don’t want to put the taxpayers in this position next year,” he said. He promised to “dissect the budget” and search for ways to “lower costs” while still doing what’s best for students. “We know people are feeling it,” he added.

Fiscal Accountability & Academic Record
While the millage rate itself rises about 11.5%, higher property values mean overall revenue collections will increase nearly 26%. School leaders say the additional funds will help preserve Effingham’s strong academic record, which includes a 90.7% graduation rate, above-average reading scores in elementary grades, and SAT results that top both state and national averages.

Ford  emphasized accountability in managing taxpayer funds. Every dollar from this millage rate increase is an investment directly tied to student learning, he said.

Effingham Schools recently earned a 4.5 Financial Efficiency Star Rating from the Georgia Department of Education, ranking fourth out of 180 school systems statewide.

Public Concerns
About 20 residents attended the final public hearing before the vote. Several property owners, retirees on fixed incomes, and business owners voiced frustration over rising appraisals, cost of living increases, and tax abatements for industry.

Historical Millage Rate Chart

Looking Ahead: ESPLOST Vote

Looking ahead, the district is preparing to ask voters in November to approve another ESPLOST (Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax). If passed, funds would go toward capital projects such as facility upgrades and technology improvements.