About The Jenkins County times. (Millen, Ga.) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 2, 2023)
jenkinscountytimes.com The Jenkins County Times Wednesday, August 2, 2023- Page 11 New Centralized Location for Election-Related Offices Aims to Streamline Voting Process By Joe Brady, Editor for The Times Millen - In a move aimed at enhancing voter convenience and efficiency, the registrar office and the clerk of court's office have switched locations within the county building, bringing all election-related departments together in a centralized space. The new arrangement, which was recently completed, relocates the registrar office to the first floor, adjacent to the drink machine, while the clerk of court's office now occupies the third floor in the former registrar office. The probate office remains unchanged in its current location. Election Superintendent Wanda Burke expressed enthusiasm for the new setup, stating, "From this office, we will do everything election- related, from early processing to election audits." The consolidation of election-related departments into a single space is expected to foster better collaboration and coordination among staff members, ultimately leading to a more streamlined voting process. Judge Burke, who helped spearhead the initiative, explained that the goal was to centralize the election-related departments to ease the voting experience for citizens. "One person can't run an election; it takes a team," she emphasized, highlighting the collaborative nature of election administration. One notable change brought about by the relocation is the end of early voting taking place in the middle of the hall. With the new central location, voters can now conveniently access all election services from a designated area, making the process smoother and more accessible. Registrar Patricia Rich took the opportunity to encourage citizens to verify their voter registration ahead of the upcoming November election. To check their registration status, voters can visit the website myvoterpage.com or contact the office directly at 478-982-3985 during business hours, which are from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Beyond their primary duties, the election-related office now also offers district and precinct maps at a nominal fee of $4 each, providing valuable resources for voters and candidates alike. "We are excited about this move, as it wouldn't have been possible without the tremendous support of County Administrator Grady Saxon, Maintenance Supervisor Kirby Dailey, and the dedicated team at New Beginnings in Christ Men's Recovery, Wayne Hutto, and Shannon Beasley," Registrar Rich expressed her gratitude for the assistance that made the relocation a reality. The new centralized location promises to enhance voter accessibility and improve administrative efficiency in preparation for future elections. With the election-related departments operating under one roof, the county is taking a significant step forward in ensuring a smooth, transparent, and accessible electoral process for all citizens. The election office staff is waiting to help voters prepare for the upcoming elections. Pictured are Patricia Rich, Registrar; Carrie Pye, Deputy Registrar; Wanda Burke. Election Superintendent; and Kathleen Piersol, Chief Deputy Registrar. Photo by J. Brady ATTENTION PARENTS OF SCHOOL | ATHLETES! | Our sports editor, I Brad Asbury, sure needs help this year taking photos B beyond the fence. If I you are the parent of a school athlete, please email him at I pastorbradasbury@ ■ gmail.com or just send| us a message and we'll get it to him! Tragic Death In Georgia Highlights Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba Infection By Joe Brady, Editor far The Times A Georgia resident has tragically died from a rare and deadly infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba known to destroy brain tissue and often lead to fatal brain swelling. The individual is believed to have been infected while swimming in a freshwater lake or pond within the state. Naegleria fowleri, commonly referred to as the "brain eating amoeba," thrives in warm, freshwater environments, including lakes, rivers, ponds, and hot springs. However, it is important to note that this amoeba is not found in saltwater bodies like the ocean, and it does not survive in properly treated drinking water or swimming pools. The amoeba causes a rare brain infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) when contaminated water enters the nose. It is not transmitted from person to person and cannot infect individuals if swallowed. While the infection is extremely uncommon, with only around three reported cases in the United States each year, it is known to be highly fatal. Symptoms of Naegleria fowleri infection typically begin with severe headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting, and can escalate to a stiff neck, seizures, and coma, often leading to death within approximately five days of symptom onset. The incubation period for the infection ranges from 1 to 12 days, with symptoms usually manifesting around five days after exposure. The amoeba is a natural occurrence in warm freshwater environments, and there is no routine environmental test for Naegleria fowleri in bodies of water. Due to its prevalence in the environment, controlling the levels of naturally occurring amoebas is not feasible, and their presence in water can vary over time. Considering this tragic incident, health officials are urging recreational water users to be cautious when swimming in warm freshwater and to be aware of the risk associated with Naegleria fowleri. While the risk of infection is low, it is essential to take preventive measures to reduce the possibility of contracting the amoeba. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends several precautions for those choosing to swim in warm freshwater bodies: • Avoid diving or jumping into warm freshwater, particularly during the summer months. • Keep your head above water or use nose clips to limit water entry into the nose. • Avoid submerging your head in untreated hot springs or geothermal waters. • Refrain from disturbing sediment in shallow, warm freshwater areas, as amoebae are more likely to reside there. This tragic death marks the sixth confirmed case of Naegleria fowleri infection in Georgia since 1962. Authorities are reminding the public to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines while enjoying water-based activities in natural environments. As the investigation into the specific source of the amoeba continues, health officials and local authorities are working to raise awareness about the potential risks and precautions to prevent future infections. Local library can help with school reading YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE JCMC OUTPATIENT THERAPY CLINIC THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 I 5-7PM 240 WALNUT ST. MILLEN, GA 30442 LANDFILL August 7th public meeting CANCELLED public meeting rescheduled for August 14th at 6:30pm (THE BARM 866 HWY 21 E, MILLEN] WE NEED YOU AT COMMISSIONERS MEETING August 8th 3:00pm & 4:00pm JENKINS COUNTY COURTHOUSE-COURT By Sharon Blank, Special Contributor for The Times The end of Summer Reading Program doesn’t mean the end of fun stuff to do at the library, though! Our awesome Crafts To Go kits are available year-round, and we are expanding to offer adult kits along with the children and teen kits! Children’s craft kits are available weekly, teen and adult craft kits are available once a month. The coming of August means the return to school for kids, and we can help with that! If your child or teen needs to read books for book reports or AR tests, research history for an essay, or just polish up their English skills, we will be happy to assist you and your child. We’ve even got laptops that they can use to type up their assignments available for checkout! Are you bored of the mindlessness of so many YouTube and Tiktok videos? Losing interest in the latest Netflix shows and want something that will make you think? Check out Kanopy! This streaming service is totally free, all you need is a library card and the internet - and it’s amazing! Whether you want classic movies, fascinating documentaries, or some of the best kids’ programming out there, you can find it on Kanopy. It’s even got series from the BBC and lessons from The Great Courses that cover everything from writing and drawing to yoga, philosophy, genealogy, and dog training. Want to know more about what’s happening at the library? Head over to www.facebook. com/jenkinscountymemoriallibrary and be kept up to date on the latest news, newest arrivals, and the occasional bit of literary humor and interesting articles. Well, that’s all for now - see you at the library! Equipment
