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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
