Page 8 - Wednesday, September 13, 2023
The Jenkins County Times
jenkinscountytimes.com
BROOKS
Continued from page 2
culture in the workplace.
This mission was
eloquently outlined in
his book, "Go See the
Principal," which offered a
treasure trove of strategies
for taking ownership of
one's work environment.
His wisdom and humor
made the book an essential
resource for educators
looking to create a positive
atmosphere in their
schools.
As Gerry stepped onto
the stage at the Screven
County Auditorium, the
applause from the eager
educators was thunderous.
He had the undivided
attention of everyone in
the room, from Dr. Jim
Thompson, the Screven
County Superintendent,
to Dr. John Paul Heam,
the Jenkins County
Superintendent. Together,
they were ready to embark
on a day of learning,
laughter, and inspiration.
In Screven and Jenkins
Counties, the seeds of
positive change had been
sown, all thanks to Gerry
Brooks and his comedic
educational prowess.
Teachers walked away with
more than just knowledge -
they carried with them the
gift of laughter and the
power to transform their
schools into beacons of
positivity and growth.
Photo by Sarah Saxon
EAGLE
Continued from page 4
done in the organization,
while climate reflects the
actual experiences and
perceptions of employees
within that culture. Positive
culture and climate are
essential for a healthy
and productive work
environment. A positive
culture promotes shared
values, collaboration, and
a supportive atmosphere,
while a positive climate
reflects employees' positive
experiences, perceptions of
fairness, and satisfaction
in their work environment.
A positive culture and
climate contribute to
employee engagement,
productivity, and overall
organizational success. By
nurturing a positive culture
and climate, organizations
can create a supportive and
thriving environment for
their employees.
If you have ever worked
anywhere with a group of
people, you understand
how culture and climate
impact a workplace. You
also know that it can make
a place fun to work at or
make that same place seem
like a place of drudgery.
This past week, we had a
teacher workday. We did
something a little different.
We had a joint meeting with
our Screven County School
System neighbors. Gerry
Brooks came and shared
with us. He is the principal
of a K-5 elementary school
in Lexington, Kentucky,
and is also a motivational
speaker. He spoke to us
about the culture and
climate of our schools and
reminded us that each of
us is responsible for the
culture and climate of our
school.
Relationships were one
constant he kept coming
back to when seeking
to influence culture and
climate. We must build
positive, meaningful
relationships with those
that we work with. In our
school system, that also
means we must build
positive relationships
with those whom we
serve. Gerry Brooks said
we should never wait for
someone else to develop
that relationship or to
create that positive climate.
We should be proactive and
initiate it ourselves. I want
to encourage each of you to
build positive relationships
with your children's and
grandchildren’s teachers
and the staff of the school
they attend. Look for ways
to get involved and support
your child’s school and
teacher. Together, we CAN
create a culture and climate
that will make us great.
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BRANTLEY
Continued from page 1
selected by the mayor and
city council over other
applicants. The process of
getting the job involved
as Brantley states, “they
wanted to know if I was
serious about doing this
job/career change.” Some
of his responsibilities as
city manager is being over
all departments such as
police, fire, public works,
and utilities. Brantley
states, “I work closely with
all department heads to
make sure the departments
are running smoothly and
over the finances of the
city like grant applications/
administration.” He
mentioned that most cities
either have a city manager
or administrator. Millen
had changed the position
from an administrator
position to a manager
position a few years ago.
Brantley oversees all of
Millen’s 44 city employees.
All the departments he
oversees covers Millen
except for the utilities
department, which
provides water/sewer/
natural gas to both Millen
and Jenkins County. He
states, “we go outside
the city limits for water
and natural gas.” His
responsibilities are given
by the mayor and city
council. What Brantley
enjoys about his job he
states, “it's something
different every day, I put
on lots of hats so to speak
but there’s never a dull
moment.” I can attest to
this, working at a small
town newspaper, there is
always something different
and never a dull moment,
but it keeps the job fresh.
He was drawn to the city
manager position due to
his desire to give back to
his hometown. Brantley
currently serves on the
hospital board and has
served on the development
board as well. When
he was on the hospital
authority, they successfully
bought back the Jenkins
County hospital from
Optim Healthcare two
years ago after having
sold the hospital in 2010.
The county oversees the
administration of the
hospital. He states, “we
bought back the hospital
prior to the pandemic” and
acknowledged that this is
rare given that many mral
hospitals in Georgia are
closing.
Brantley served on
the Jenkins County
development authority
from the late 90s to January
2023. The purpose of the
development authority
as Brantley states is “to
offer incentives to entice
industries to come into
Jenkins County.” He also
says, “I work for politicians,
but I don’t want to be one.”
While being city
manager he has helped
with Millen getting over
7 million dollars in grants.
Some of the grant money
went to things like water,
sewers, infrastructure, and
the revitalization of various
buildings. He does oversee
all grants coming into the
city’s accounts. Brantley
also talked about the hope
of putting broadband in
some underserved sections
of Millen lacking this cable
technology.
DEBATE
Continued from page 1
each contender’s vision,
the Jenkins County Times
and the Jenkins County
Chamber of Commerce are
joining forces to host an
eagerly anticipated political
debate. Mark your calendars
for Thursday, October 5, at
7 p.m., as the Historic Pal
Theater becomes the arena
for this insightful event.
Engaging the
Community:
As the citizens of Millen
prepare to cast their votes,
the upcoming mayoral
debate promises to be a
pivotal moment in the
election season. Voters are
encouraged to play an active
role by submitting their
questions to the Jenkins
County Times ahead of
time. This unique approach
ensures that the topics
addressed are of genuine
concern to the community.
Each of the four candidates
will be allotted time to
provide comprehensive
responses to the submitted
questions. This structured
format guarantees that
voters gain a comprehensive
understanding of the
candidates’ viewpoints on
critical issues facing Millen.
Moreover, the debate
will include a spontaneous
segment during which can
didates will field questions
directly from the audience.
This interactive element
adds an unpredictable di
mension, allowing can
didates to showcase their
quick thinking and adapt
ability.
Unveiling the Moderators:
Leading this exciting de
bate will be Sam Eades. As
the publisher of the Jenkins
County Times and co-owner
of Spring Creek Auction,
Eades brings a wealth of
experience in facilitating
meaningful discussions.
Mandy Underwood, the
Director of the Jenkins
County Chamber of Com
merce, will also be in the
spotlight as a co-moderator.
Underwood’s connection to
the local business commu
nity and her dedication to
fostering economic growth
make her an ideal choice to
steer the event.
Wider Accessibility:
For those unable to attend
the event in person, the
Jenkins County Times has
a solution. The debate will
be broadcasted via Face-
book Live, ensuring that a
broader audience can tune
in and witness the candi
dates’ positions, responses,
and interactions.
Invitation to the Public:
The debate is open to the
public and comes at no cost.
Citizens are invited to at
tend, witness the discourse
firsthand, and engage with
the candidates as they lay
out their plans for Millen’s
future.
This mayoral debate is
not just a political event
but a demonstration of the
vibrant democratic spirit
that thrives within the Mil
len community. Make sure
to mark your calendars for
October 5, 7 p.m., at the
Historic Pal Theater, as Mil
len takes an important step
toward shaping its future.
You may submit your
questions to: thejenkin-
scountytimes@gmail.com
”
Three students carry home big prizes
Congratulations to Amelia Suggs, Paisley Thompson, and
Walker Kirkland for being the fundraiser drawing winners.
The stuffed animals were bigger than they are. Photo
contributed.
Eagles School Menu
September 25-29
Breakfast - Daily choices of 100% Fruit Juice, Assorted Fruit, 1%FF Assorted Milk
or GNG (Grab ‘n Go).
September 25 - Breakfast Pizza or GNG Chex Mix & Fruit Juice.
September 26 - Sausage Biscuit or Parfait w/Fruit & Granola or GNG Blueberry
Muffin & Fruit Juice.
September 27- Pancake on a Stick or GNG Pop-Tarts & Fruit Juice.
September 28 - Fun Fruitti Waffles & Sausage or GNG Granola Bar, Cheese & Juice.
September 29 - Grits, Sausage, & Toast or GNG Assorted Variety.
Lunch - May choose PB&J Uncrustable instead of Hot Entree, All meals are served
with a choice of assorted fruits & milk, MUST choose at least 3 items. One MUST be
a FRUIT or VEGETABLE.
September 25 - Pizza, Com, Garden Salad w/Ranch, Baby Carrots w/Dip, Cinnamon Roll.
HS Choice: Pizza or Salad Bar Available.
September 26 - Com Dog Nuggets, Seasoned Fries, Celery Sticks w/Dip, Brownie.
HS Choice: Pizza or Salad Bar Available.
September 27- Beef Nachos w/Queso, Tortilla Chips, Salsa/Sour Cream, Black Beans.
HS Choice: Pizza or Salad Bar Available.
September 28 - Chicken Chunks, Steamed Broccoli, Wheat Roll, Celery Sticks w/Dip.
HS Choice: Pizza or Salad Bar Available.
September 29 - GAME DAY Hot Dog on Bun, Creamy Coleslaw, Baby Carrots w/
Dip, Frito Com Chips.
HS Choice: Pizza or Salad Bar Available.
UNIVERSAL
Sudoku Puzzle
3
7
6
9
7
9
8
4
2
3
Complete the
grid so every row,
column and 3x3
box contains
every digit from
1 to 9 inclusively.
9
8
1
DIFFICULTY RATING: ★★☆☆☆
i 2023 by Andrews McMeel Syndication
Previous puzzle
solution
5
7
9
1
2
8
4
6
3
3
2
1
9
4
6
7
5
8
6
4
8
7
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5
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9
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6
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2
1
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5
3
9
8
7
8
5
7
2
9
1
6
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3
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9
1
2
6
7
9
6
3
1
2
8
4
5
1
8
2
5
6
4
3
7
9
Answer to Previous Puzzle
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ACROSS
1 Truck part
4 Cry of
distaste
7 Dell
11 Hotfoot it
12 Requirement
14 Fall birthstone
15 Not common
16 Red inside
17 Recipe qtys.
18 Bother
20 Cracker
go-with
22 NATO cousin
23 Rower’s pole
24 Fishing net
27 Pats down
30 Spyglass part
31 Ancient
France
32 One, to
Conchita
34 Household
pet
35 Benchmark
36 Rickrack
37 Desert
phenomenon
39 Tattered
40 Arith. mean
41 Evil spell
42 Thrust
forward
45 Workers’
groups
49 Volkswagen
kin
50 Gael republic
52 Old pro
53 It runs on
runners
54 Barge
55 Down Under
bird
56 Dick Tracy’s
wife
57 USN officer
58 San Francisco
hill
DOWN
1 Karate blow
2 Helper
3 Rose patches
4 Imaginary
5 Watch innards
6 That lady
7 Politician
pickers
8 Altar end
9 Times around
the track
10 Failing that
13 Propriety
19 Drags behind
21 Weather
phenomenon
24 RN’s knack
25 500 sheets
26 Debate side
27 Ticket price
28 Russell or
Cobain
29 Agitated state
31 Eye
protectors
33 Actress
Poehler
35 Wheel hub
36 Car for hire
38 Turbulent
water
39 Freshens
41 Erie neighbor
42 Time gone by
43 Exercise
power
44 Inspired
verses
46 Kiln
47 Fictional
captain
48 Blunt end
51 Road hazard
3-21 © 2023 UFS, Dist. by Andrews McMeel Syndication for UFS
