About The Jenkins County times. (Millen, Ga.) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 6, 2023)
Page 6 - Wednesday, December 6, 2023 The Jenkins County Times jenkinscountytimes.com A bridge over troubled waters for local journalism By Dean Ridings, CEO, America’s Newspapers Special Contributor for The Times Among the liberties enshrined for Americans in our founding documents, freedom of the press stands first among equals. "A popular government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it," wrote James Madison, "is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy — or perhaps both." For generations, local journalism has been the lifeblood providing citizens the means to acquire the information required for enlightened self-governance. Yet today, a perfect storm of economic disruption jeopardizes this proud tradition foundational to our democratic experiment. As digital technology has upended traditional revenue models, many newspapers have struggled to achieve sustainability. This has led to the proliferation of so-called "news deserts" across the land — communities bereft of comprehensive local reporting. But amid these headwinds, local newspapers have shown remarkable resilience. Despite the economic challenges, most organizations are optimistic about the future and are committed to serving their communities through print and digital platforms. And while not all have achieved financial stability, even local newspapers in the most challenging environments are aggressively innovating and continuing to evolve their business models to achieve sustainability. While not all have achieved financial stability, this fortitude reveals an industry positioned for success given pmdent policy support. That is why Congress has developed legislation targeted specifically at converting struggling newspapers into sustainable businesses. The Community News and Small Business Support Act would provide temporary tax credits to inject resources into local newsrooms and incentivize small business advertising partnerships. For qualifying newspapers, the Act offers credits of up to $25,000 per journalist in year one, phasing down subsequently — timely aid to rebuild battered newsrooms. Concurrently, thousands in credits encourage small businesses to advertise in local outlets, seeding a symbiotic growth cycle benefiting community partners. These smart incentives offer a bridge over the stormy seas local publishers navigate. More reporters can be hired to supply the essential news rural residents rely upon. Once- robust papers decimated by staff cuts can restore breadth and depth. And critically, with expanded resources, outlets can consistently deliver high-quality journalism while adapting for the future. We remain clear-eyed that fuller remedies will come only through many efforts: philanthropic funding, developing new rural business models, training journalists in community engagement. But federal incentives can help accelerate this work before the lights go out — offering temporary ballast to sustain community papers until achieving financial shipwright. Some may argue that the government should stay out of the newspaper business altogether. But this phased, targeted support is a lifeline — not a takeover. Credits empower local organizations to freely navigate disruption on their own temis, while safeguarding press independence. Critically, the Act includes an inbuilt sunset mechanism that promotes fiscal restraint. The tax credits phase down after year one, and expire completely five years from enactment. This ensures temporary support to bridge the storm — not endless government intervention or expenditure. The sunset clause limits assistance to a fixed temi designed to deliver stmggling newspapers across the passage to sustainability. Once achieved, the market discipline of performance, not federal credits, will dictate individual outcomes. The Community News and Small Business Support Act — https://supportcommunitynews.com/ — represents a hand across troubled waters for community journalism. The industry has shown its mettle, achieving profitability through performance. This legislation will help the vulnerable remainder make the passage to sustainability — ensuring citizens nationwide can stay informed on the issues directly impacting their lives. Perfection Jenkins County Senior Center By Lee Wilson, Special Contributor for The Times Well, one of our seniors, we’ll call him “James”, was telling us that he had gone to the Christian bookstore in Augusta and while there he saw bumper sticker that read “honk if you love Jesus”. “James” said he bought the sticker and put it on his bumper before he left the store. He said what an uplifting experience that followed! On his way home” James” said he stopped at a red light at a busy intersection and started thinking about the Lord and how good he has been. “James” said he didn’t notice that the light had turned green. He said that it was a good thing that someone else loved the Lord because had the car behind him had not started honking, he would have not noticed that the light had turned green. “James” said that LOTS of people loved Jesus that day because all of the cars behind him started honking. “James” said that one man leaned out of his window and started shouting “For the love of God! GO! GO! GO!” What an exuberant cheerleader that man was for Jesus! Everyone started honking! “James” leaned out of his car window and started smiling and waving at all of those lovely people. ” James” even honked a few times to share in the love. There must have been a man from Florida back there because “James” said he heard him yelling something about you “sunny beach”! He saw another guy waving in a funny way with only his middle finger stuck up in the air. ” James’” friend “Roger” was riding with him that day so he asked “Roger” what that meant. “Roger” said that he thought it was a Hawaiian good luck sign or something. Well, “James” said he had never met anyone from Hawaii, so he leaned out of his window and gave him a Hawaiian good luck sign back. A couple of people were so caught up in the joy of the moment that they got out of their cars and started walking towards him. “James” said that they probably wanted to pray or something but that’s when the light had turned green again, so he waved to all of his sisters and brothers in Christ and drove on through the intersection. “James” said he noticed he was the only car that got through the intersection before the light changed back to red. “James” said he felt kind of bad having to leave them behind after all the love they had shared, so he gave them all the Hawaiian good luck sign one last time while he drove away! The 2023-2024 Partners in Education for the Jenkins County School System are: B&T Food Fresh Market; Brinson Insurance; The Charm Bam; CoreCivic; Dairy Queen; Durden Bank; Georgia Power; Hadden Insurance Agency; Huddle House; Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce; Jenkins County Times; Jenkins County Family Enrichment Center; Jenkins County Medical Center; Modern Woodmen of America; Planters EMC; Queensborough Bank; Regions Bank; Round's on Winthrope; Subway; Superior Alarm of Millen; Spring Creek Auction These businesses are proud to support Jenkins County Schools. Experience Magnolia Springs Monday, January 1, 2024 First Day Hike at Magnolia Springs 10 AM to 12 PM Magnolia Springs State Park - Millen, GA What better way to start out the New Year than a beautiful easy guided hike down our wooded trails through the park and Camp Lawton? Hikers will pass unique lime sinks and then along the lakeside before making the stroll back to the Visitor's Center. You can choose to complete the first 1.5 miles or hike the entire route for a rewarding 3 miles. $5 parking. 478-982-1660. Cottages 1-5 opened on November 1st. Reservations can be made online or by calling 1-800-864-7275. Georgia Republicans Advance Legislative Maps Amidst Controversy over Congressional District Redrawing By Joe Brady, Editor for The Times Georgia Republicans made significant strides on Thursday as they moved forward with new legislative maps designed to maintain their majorities in the state House and Senate. However, the spotlight remains on the party's strategy concerning the redraw of Georgia's 14 congressional districts, a detail still undisclosed. A state Senate committee, in a 7-5 party-line vote, pushed ahead with a new Senate map, while a House committee voted 9-5 to advance a new House map. These bills are now set to face debate in their respective full chambers on Friday. The legislative maps have drawn criticism from Democrats and advocacy groups, particularly targeting the Senate map for allegedly failing to create meaningful opportunities for Black voters in districts previously identified as violating federal law. U.S. District Judge Steve Jones had mandated the creation of additional Black majority districts to address the dilution of Black voter power, a ruling stemming from October. Democrats express concern over the House map as well, highlighting potential alterations to or elimination of two districts where no ethnic group holds a majority. The proposed Senate map, if implemented, is expected to maintain the current 33-23 Republican margin by reshuffling districts, turning two Democratic-held districts with white majorities into ones with Black majorities. In the House, the current 102-78 Republican advantage could potentially see two additional Democrats due to the creation of five new Black districts. Nevertheless, Democrats argue that changes to competitive House districts could tip the balance in favor of Republicans. Democrats argue that the changes proposed by Republicans are insufficient to address the specific areas of voter discrimination identified by the court. Republicans, on the other hand, criticize a Senate map presented by Democrats, asserting that it would likely result in the Democrats gaining two additional seats, narrowing the Republican advantage in the Senate to 31-25. The ongoing debate over redistricting becomes increasingly complex as the U.S. Supreme Court's stance on partisan gerrymandering comes into play. While federal courts should not intervene in partisan gerrymandering, the Voting Rights Act protects minority voters. As Georgia's lawmakers grapple with these intricacies, the nation watches closely to see how this pivotal redistricting process unfolds. The decisions made in the coming days will undoubtedly shape the political landscape of Georgia for years to come. are you trying to rehome cats/ kittens or aogs/puppies? place an ad in the classified section at no charge! email: thejenkinscountytimes@ gmail.com or call 912-451-NEWS
