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♦ SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2006 8B DOWNTOWN From page iA years ago, the Downtown Development Authority has been seeking input from local citizens. “One of the questions asked,” said Hopson, “is what do you want in the downtown area?” A better one would be why does Centerville want a down town area? For Hopson that’s an easy answer. “Our approach is more of establishing a town center,” he said, “and using that as a draw ing card to give Centerville an identity.” Hopson points to the influx of new residents to the town of nearly 4,000 residents. He sees a changing face to its citi zens. With the new demograph ic comes new requirements to meet the needs of Centerville residents. Hopson and the other six members of the DDA envision a pedestrian friendly shopping and entertainment area, and he and his fellow DDA members have the unqualified support of city leaders. “We’ve received some (outside) interest,” said Centerville City Administrator Patrick Eidson. “We have 63 acres that’s open for development.” He was quick to point out that the city has no plans to buy land, nor does it seek to deprive property owners of their homes. “There’s a big misconception out there,” he said. “Eminent Domain is not an option. The mayor and the council have real FORMULA From page iA sheet held together with gorilla glue, he developed a siding that was stronger than what is currently on the market. Rahul Joshee, also in eighth grade this year, did his project on the Paulowina tree and growth hormones. The tree is Chinese, but here in Georgia, Joshee says for mer President Jimmy Carter has acres hill of the trees. His experiment was to identify the cytokinin (growth hormones) that pro duce the most chutes on a stem. He said this project is important because in five years this tree can grow to be 50 feet and can be used for lumber and “it cleans the environment by taking up a lot of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.” He also added that the trees can ferment into eth anol, which burns cleaner than gasoline. “I liked cutting the plants and putting them in the test tube - basically I liked work ing with the plants,” said Joshee, “and going to state was pretty fun too!” Jason Lloyd, now at Houston County High School, took on a project to help with the capture of the ever-prevalent mosquitoes in Georgia. He set out to improve current mosquito traps after speaking with his brother - an entomologist in Florida - who told him of some problems with mos quito traps not working. Lloyd said he then did some research to find out what attracts mosquitoes and how they move. Noting the movement of the mos quitoes, he decided to see if a moving trap would be better than the existing stationary trap. Lloyd added wheels and a motor to the current trap, which uses CO2 to attract the mosquitoes and fans to pull them into nets. He said he made the trap more human like by having it move in a WRECK From page iA the Taylor Oil tanker truck. He is not expected to be charged. Perry Police and fire depart ment units were dispatched to the scene, explained Capt. Bill Phelps, and “found the fuel truck and the Buick had collided. We immediately contacted the Sheriffs Office reconstructions team and the scene turned over to them.” Alexander is a reconstruc tionist with the Sheriffs Office Traffic Unit. ly strong feelings about that.” Hopson said, “We’re ask ing ourselves, ‘How can we do things efficiently with what we have?”’ Based on the most recent map outline of the proposed down town area, the land in question borders Gunn Road and what will be the Margie Extension, as well as other areas within the city limits. Hopson said that by the end of the year, the DDA will have a design in place that the author ity can take to architects and developers. Both Hopson and Eidson made it clear that all the building will be done by developers who buy into the DDA and city leaders’ concept. The grant and matching funds totaling $20,000 will be used to come up with designs for down town area that will be shown to developers. “The people seem to want a southern style,” Hopson said. “We have an opportunity now to determine what our future will look like. To me, it’s an exciting time for us.” The DDA is tasked with a plan to develop from nothing what other cities and towns already have - squares, downtowns, and parks - and the people of the community have voiced their support. “They gave us more confi dence,” Hopson said. “At least, we’re on the right track. We’re seeking to enhance the life style of everyone in Centerville.” Hopson said the DDA will con tinue to seek public input. “Our meetings are open to the public,” he said. circular motion. “It almost doubled the catch,” said Lloyd of his test trials in three different loca tions: a hunting range, his own backyard, and the back yard of a friend. With the chance to be cho FROM PRICEY CABLE TO WINDSTREAM AND 1.866.463.7063 | windstream.com Limited-time offer. Subject to availability in certain locations. Must be a Windstream wireline customer Savings Claim: Savings comparison based & prcwnwntmay fees & otheKharges, including Universal Broadband: Must maintain oneycar bundle including Connect Package and Broadband l s Service Agreement to be el it rikrnnnerted at I remalnine components convert to the regular tariffed monthly rate Other restrictions may Service Fund, apply. Windstream reserves the right to cancel or discontinue this plan at any time If any required bundle component is disconnected, all rem g P ... f details apply Offers are subject to the Windstream Terms & Conditions for Communications Services available at any Windstream store or at windstream com Contact a Windstream representative LUNCHEON From page iA Two: An Inspiring True Story and Guide for Cancer Patients and Their Partners. Balch supported his wife through her nine-month battle with breast cancer, going with her to every medi cal appointment and caring for her during her three surgeries, chemo therapy and radiation treatments. VOTING From page iA schools, they have to walk through the building’s main halls and cen tral meeting areas to get to a gym nasium where gym classes won’t be held for the day. Voters arrive from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at times when children are arriving and leaving by bus, and at times of maximum traffic. “My greatest concern is the safety of our elementary students when visitors are in the build ings,” said James H. Kinchen , Assistant Superintendent for School Operations. One mid-county principal explains that, even though a police officer is present at each polling place, she and her assistant principal spend the whole day on election day in the main hallway of the school, keeping an eye on things. It’s that situation, and more all over Houston County that led to a meeting earlier this week between school board officials and election board officials, with the mayors of Perry and Centerville also present. “We are trying to come up with a win-win situation. Our goal is to sen as a finalist and compete in Washington D.C, Lloyd said, “I haven’t been any where other than Georgia, so I’m looking forward to that.” The state competition was held in Athens at the SAVE A YEAR OVER CABLE LOCAL University of Georgia. “The Discovery Channel is proud to continue the tra dition of supporting middle school education and culti vating the next generation of American scientists,” said John Hendricks, Founder PHONE BROADBAND DIGITAL TV SAVINGS BASED ON EVERYDAY LOW PRICE! - - “This experience, although difficult, was the most rewarding and fulfill ing of my life,” he said. “I am on a mission to help partners of cancer patients as they walk that fine line of helping their loved one through a difficult illness while trying to cope with it themselves.” He added the most important thing he and his wife did was to keep their sense of humor while coping with her illness together. In addition to Balch, the luncheon ensure the safety of our students while at the same time accommo dating the needs of various voting precincts, “ said Dave McMahan, facilities director for the school sys tem. The wheels of the U.S. Justice system grind slowly when it comes to any changes in voting patterns in the southern states, and nothing, under the law, can change before the upcoming November elec tion, and its run off, according to Barbara Waddle, citizen chairwom an of the Houston County Board of Elections. “It’s pretty involved,” Waddle explained, “and we’ve got to have a plan that will work, and a map, and even then Justice requires six months for review.” With 28 polling places, and a legal requirement that voters be notified by mail in advance if their polling place is changed, there’s a lot to consider. Also, the schools sites have been free while others could require rent, and - with electronic vot ing machines - any site for voting now has to have adequate electri cal outlets. Moving voting out of the schools could wind up costing the County Commissioners more and Chairman, Discovery Communications in a press release. “Each year, the breadth of knowledge demonstrated by the DYSC’s 400 semifinalists is inspiring and a bit hum bling. These young men and will include a fashion show featuring evening wear provided by Belk’s and Evelyn’s and modeled by breast can cer survivors. The luncheon is free and spon sored by Houston Healthcare, RAFB Health and Wellness Center, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the American Cancer Society and Amgen Pharmaceuticals. Tickets are available by calling 478- 923-9771. Tickets must be presented for admittance. (if they have to rent buildings), but the discussions are under way, with good intentions on all side. Beth McLaughlin, Director of School and Community Affairs, stat ed the school system’s concerns. “The Board of Education is work ing with the Board of Elections to find alternative voting sites to replace some of our school sites,” she said. “Although we certainly encourage voting, our primary con cern is the safety of our students. In some cases, voters must walk through the school building to get to the voting area, putting them in close contact with children and giving access to areas not used for voting. “This not only creates a poten tial security issue for our students, faculty and staff, but also creates a hardship for voters who cannot walk long distances. Additional issues at some of our schools are traffic congestion and lack of park ing space.” “Changing precincts takes time and is not an easy process,” she added, “so we are beginning this collaborative effort now in the hopes of having new sites approved and announced in time for the 2008 election year. “ DON’T WAIT. 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