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6A WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2006 DREAM From page lA African-American children at a time when nothing was available for them. She enrolled her own children, too, and got an ongoing proj ect going which is close to the heart of many. The new building, which can serve 121 children, was made possible by fund rais ers, donations, backing from the Church Women United and a number of churches and civic clubs, as well as grants. At the opening ceremo ny County Commission Chairman Ned Sanders’ voice broke as he talked about how much his late wife, Annette, had loved Cherished Children, and how he STEPHENS had asked that memorial donations be made in her name. Members of the Warner Robins Pilot Club were there, taking pride in the sunshine filled babies’ room which they furnished in memory of Pilot Gertrude Scarborough, who was a caregiver for many years at her church. Debbie Stephens was all smiles about being back home with Cherished Children. She graduated from kin dergarten there, and is now back as Executive Director. Stephens said that the community support was “such a blessing,” and noted that Jean Coleman “truly loves kids.” “She saw the need,” Stephens said. “There were no daycare facilities then for African-American children. She started it and stayed with it.” As for Coleman, she says “God planted a seed in my mind.” EARFUL From page iA transportation projects road and sidewalks includ ing, some SB2 million of that directly associated with schools, Sanders noted. “SPLOST is another way to fund infrastructure, it is a use tax.” Sanders said “if we don’t raise taxes marginally, we have to reduce services and lay off people.” Burch said, “that is where the seniors are - having to do without, cutting back.” Sanders said, “as we build more houses, we have to provide more services for the increasing population. In 1990, Houston County had 89,700 people, in 2000, there were 110,700, accord ing to the Census Bureau and at a 2.7 percent rate of growth, we’re at 131,000 as of July.” He noted the Detention Center is the biggest expense we have at sll million a year. “People come her for jobs, good schools, low crime rate and our taxes are low,” Sanders said. Winton Cain told the board “I believe why you’re doing is not in your best interest of credibility. It really damages your cred ibility, raising taxes beyond what the law says you have to,” after the SPLOST. Cain noted “revenue does not keep up with growth” and proposed impact fees and provided a study by the Brookings institute on Florida. In the study Cain said, “impact fees are like user fees to ensure revenue of those services growth demands. It does not slow job growth.” Cain said, “the time has come for developers to pay for things they’re having the great benefits from.” Sanders said “impact fees are not a significant source in total revenue,” compared to SPLOST, and impact fees are stringently auditable and stringently directed. ” Cain said the impact fees would not cover all, but would fill in the gaps. “I don’t appreciate having to support the infrastructure for all the new subdivisions. I think developers should urjmrr llikk ‘ i -■ “ is «■} "u & 'll - - nHr I & J IWte' wmmmm HB- w " I ' ■ mAfc 'L|||| 'l|. • - BB Journal/Charlotte Perkins Jean Coleman, with her young friend Shannon Martin, is surrounded by friends and board members of Cherished Children. From left, Gary Martin, Harrison Head, Elizabeth Bonaparte, Betty Bailey, Rep. Willie Talton, Fannie Corbin and Brenda Walker. - ■■ - 11 ■" ", y / , Journal Charlotte Perkins Warner Robins Pilot Club members take pride in their support of Cherished Children. They donated funds for the furnishings in the babies’ room at the new facility in mem ory of Gertrude Scarborough. They provided 15 cribs with mattresses, toys, mats and decorations. From left, Margaret Duffey, Eleanor Granthum, Terry Duernberger, Virginia Brand, Brenda Walker, Imogene Yongue, Marilyn Beckman and President Linda Harris. have to pay.” Sanders noted roads, water lines and sewer lines in the cities are paid for by developers, and are paid into the enterprise fund, paid for by users. He noted the funds for impact fees are restricted, “targeted only to those devel opments and the immediate areas.” “I don’t see a whole lot of counties rushing in to use them,” said Sanders, also chairman of the Association of County Commissioners Georgia revenue committee. The county is looking into impact fees. Wade Patton also raised the credibility question. “You’re losing credibility by raising taxes. If the increase is so minute, then bring it down so you don’t have to raise taxes. Cut it down.” While the county has pro posed lowering the tax rate or millage, down half a mill from 9.82 to 9.32 mills, with reassessments that rate brings in more revenue than £9l 8 rt Up jbi, I Journal Kay Lightner Winston Cain (standing) spoke out at the Tuesday morn ing public hearing on the tax rate increase. Cain and others asked why taxes are going up if the SPLOST was passed. ASE MASTER MECHANIC f ; •Air Conditioning Repair •Engine Repair •Tune Ups, Belts & Hoses riii . unKWRB, JfT m——wmwiMMM a—artttDrtw C47»)W-aoa» the rollback rate of 9.11 mills. The rollback rate is the tax rate the county needs to bring in the same amount of money as it did last year if the reassessments did not occur. The tax increase, is 2.31 percent over the rollback rate, Sanders said. The county has to meet increased costs for fuel, electricity and employees, “in a realm of reasonableness.” With zero revenue increas es, we can’t give raises, can’t buy vehicles and can’t us the energy needed. Sanders noted the coun ty portion of the tax bill is only 41.4 percent of the total bill. The school system gets 58.6 percent, and the state Department of Revenue gets a quarter of a mill to operate and administer tax laws. He also explained how it affects the average taxpayer. Based on a $150,000 house, minus the $2,000 homestead exemption, the SB,OOO state tax credit, it would cost $455.50 for city residents, LOCAL and $515 for those in unin corporated areas because of the fire tax. “It’s less than a dollar a month more,” j.l 'V mm M m«k ip: < v ‘ Am, -m. * . ... '1 ■' mmrnimm k 111.. Neighbors 13&7-D Sam Nunn B!vd. Parry, GA 31069 /I (Q nil 478-987-0172 questions@comsouth.net 00036421 The following chart shows the percentage of students served by the honored Houston County schools each day and the average daily participation throughout the state of Georgia for that type of school. School Percent students Percent state average served each day participation Breakfast Lindsey Flementary " "73 TO Pearl Stephens * 55 TO Flementary Lunch Kings Chapel "*92 "84 Flementary Lindsey Elementary "95 84 Miller Flementary " "91 84 Park wood Flementary “ "9T "84 Pearl Stephens 93 84 Flementary kussell Elementary i "91 ■ Westside Elementary " "93 84 Perry Middle School " 87 72 Thomson Middle 87 "72 School 'Warner Rofrrns Middle 87 72 School Northside High School " "54 59 Perry High School , "59 59 SCHOOLS From page iA faculty and staff who sup port and participate in the program and it as enhancing the learning process; and a wide vari ety of menu options daily, allowing students greater opportunity to select a nutritionally complete meal ECSt*-. ... ,-♦ j mm m pIUshHHHBw -a ~-*i whjaBtKKKSLj a ENI/Gary Harmon Lunchroom workers in the Perry High School lunch room prepare the Student meal for Tuesday. Sanders The fire tax rate is 1.19 mills this year, down from 1.3 mills last year, to pay for HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL that they enjoy.” During the 2005-2006 school year 74 percent of students in attendance at Georgia schools ate lunch each day and 29 percent ate breakfast. Also according to the release, “this participation is among the highest in the nation, with schools across the state achieving above average fire service in the unincor porated areas of the county. City residents pay city taxes for fire service. ' HMBMI he tradition of r.eigh «i has deep roots in Georgia. 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