About The Jenkins County times. (Millen, Ga.) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (May 26, 2023)
Shop Local and • MILLEN • PERKINS • SCARBORO • BUTTS • EMMALANE • THRIFT • BIRDSVILLE • FOUR POINTS • Vol 1 No 12 May 26, 2023 Quality News That Affects You Millen, Georgia $1.25 Eat Local Embarking on new adventures By Joe Brady, Editor for The Times Congratulations Class of 2023! As some ofyou leave the hallowed halls you have called home for the past twelve years, others are embarking on the journey you leave behind. What bright futures you have! Congratulations again class of 2023 and the class of 2035! Photo by M. Underwood The Road Not Taken -Robert Frost Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth. Then took the other, as just as fair. And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference. The passing of the baton Dr. John Paul Hearn has been named the next superintendent of Jenkins County Schools. The vote unanimously passed at this week’s Board of Education meeting. Dr. Hearn will take his oath of office July 1st. As previously reported in the Times, Dr. Hearn has been with the JCSS for seventeen years, his recent position has been that of Assistant Superintendent. Hearn began his career in 2005 as a middle school social studies teacher. Hearn served seven Dr. John Paul Hearn will be sworn into office July 1. He recently credited Mrs. Cooper, “Through the leadership of Mrs. Cooper and our board, our school system is in a good place both academically and financially. I look forward to continuing the work. ’’ Photo by D. Hearn years as middle school assistant principal. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in education, master’s degree, and education specialist degree in educational leadership. Dr. Hearn graduated with his doctorate from UGA this month. “It is an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to lead the Jenkins County School System. I do not take it lightly. Both of my children attended Jenkins County Schools. I believe that all my past experiences in life have prepared me for this opportunity. I feel that working in public education is a calling for me. I am excited to work in our school system. Through the leadership of Mrs. Cooper and our Board of Education members, our school system is in a good place both academically and financially. I look forward to continuing the work of striving for academic excellence with our students,” Dr. Hearn explained. Recreation Dept to benefit from $2.2 million allocation By Joe Brady, Editor for The Times Governor Brian Kemp announced last Thursday a $225 million grant package for several Georgia communities; Jenkins County was just one of the 142 projects awarded funds to improve neighborhood assets like parks, recreation facilities, sidewalks, and healthy food access in the designated communities. The Jenkins County Recreation Department will collect $2.2million of the funds. Gov. Kemp said in a statement, “with our partners on both the local and state levels, we’ve prioritized helping Georgia’s communities further recover from the pandemic with a bottom-up approach, today we’re investing these funds to see that those most heavily impacted have even more resources at their disposal.” Senator Max Bums sent his congratulations, “I join our Governor in congratulating Burke, Emanuel, Jefferson, Jenkins, and McDuffie counties in receiving these major grants.” Grady Saxon, Jenkins County administrator said, “we applied for this grant and received more than we had applied for. This is a grant with no stipulations, we are currently getting our plan together for how we will use the funds.” Mr. Saxon has a partial list of projects the county commission would like to see performed at the recreation department such as new batting cages, pickle ball courts, renovating the dug outs and restrooms, installing walkways, drainage, and field lighting. Also on the list replacing the scoreboards, replacing the tennis courts and basketball courts. “We want to say thank you Governor Kemp for awarding this money to Jenkins County, it will go along way in improving the lives of our athletes,” Saxon concluded. Three offices up for grabs in November municipal election By Wanda Burke, Special Contributor for The Times The Nonpartisan General Election for the City of Millen will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at the City Hall. The positions of Mayor to succeed King Rocker, Council Member Ward #1 to succeed Robin Scott, Council Member Ward #2 to succeed Darrel Clifton will be voted on at this time. Candidates desiring to qualify for this election shall file notice of candidacy and pay the qualifying fee in the office of Wanda P. Burke, Probate Judge/Municipal Election Superintendent at the Jenkins County Courthouse 611 East Winthrope Avenue Millen, Georgia 30442. Candidates may qualify no earlier than Monday, August 21, 2023 at 8:30 a.m., and no later than Friday, August 25, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. The qualifying fee for Mayor is $108 and each council seat is $72. For more infomiation, please contact Election Superintendent’s office at 478-982-5581. JCFEC hold special field day By Joe Brady, Editor for The Times With the school year winding down, we couldn’t let the very special field day hosted by the Jenkins County Family Enrichment Center slip by without a nod. The festivities were co-hosted by the Sexual Risk Avoidance Education(SRAE) program at JCFEC. Judith Taylor, the Abstinence Coordinator explains the little known program, “we go into the school four times a month and talk with students about healthy vs unhealthy relationships. I focus more on the bullying aspect and how to stop it.” The SRAE program is made possible by a federal grant given to the JCFEC. “The field day is an award for the kids working so hard during the school year,” Taylor said. In addition to ice cream provided by Rolling Monkey, adults and faculty got to enjoy fresh brewed coffee by Rise and Roam Coffee. “We also want to thank Game Rover, Eudora Farms, and PS Inflatables. Taylor says, “the best way to prevent bullying is to not engage in it and remember, if you see it happening, step up. It is our responsibility to defend victims against bullying.” Happy Memorial Day JENKINS COUNTY All gave some, Some gave All. Proud supporter of The Jenkins County Times f Local Living ..2 Faith & Family ..3 Perspectives ..4 Obits ..5.. Crossword/Comics ...7 & 8 Sports ..9 & 10 Farming & Fishing ..11
