About The Jenkins County times. (Millen, Ga.) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 13, 2023)
Page 4 - Wednesday, December 13, 2023 The Jenkins County Times jenkinscountytimes.com wmbowp John Paul Hearn, Superintendant Jenkins County School System I enjoy watching Hallmark Christmas movies with Renee’. There, I said it. If anyone is wondering, I do like a good Christmas movie. We were watching one Sunday afternoon, and the following statement was made. “Christmas is a time to reflect on things that matter the most.” That is a very true statement. It seems that in our busy hectic lives, the only time we ever slow down even a little may be around the Christmas holidays. I know we are still busy with family engagements, but it is a time that we slow down some from our daily schedules. I had the opportunity this past week to slow down for a few days and spend some time with just Renee’. It is sad to say but when we get busy with life, those we love most are often the ones who get the least amount of attention. I absolutely love spending time with Renee’. There is not another person that I would rather go on an adventure with. She doesn’t quite share my love for attending college football games, but she doesn’t mind that I go do that with Taylor and Anna Kate. Outside of that, I really don’t want to experience much else without her. We were able to spend a couple of days in New York City. Now if you had asked me a few years ago about spending time in the Big Apple, I would have told you that you were crazy if you thought I was going. But that was an adventure that she had always wanted to go on so a couple of years ago I surprised her with a trip there. I must say I really enjoyed it. We stay in the same quiet neighborhood and don’t eat out a lot when we go. We also don’t do a lot of touristy things. Instead, we explore the quieter parts of the city. In fact, on Saturday we just sat inside and watched Christmas movies all day. On Saturday night we went to a Christmas concert with Brett Eldredge. I have always wanted to see his Christmas show. As a side note, if you like the “Big Band” sound, you need to look up his Christmas music. I Love it. Back to my story. If you know anything about NYC, you know it is a very diverse place. If I had to guess, most races, nationalities, and religions are represented in the population of NYC. In fact, the state of Georgia only has about 2 million more citizens in the state than the population of NYC alone. At the concert, a lot of that diversity was represented. But I will say this. During that concert of nothing but Christmas music, the audience was united. Most sang along and were joyful. To end the show, he put the microphone away. The band did not play. He sang The First Noel acapella. You could have heard a pen drop in the theater. He asked the audience to join in and the entire audience did so. It was a lesson for me. Reflect on things that matter the most. Tell the ones you love that you love them. Take the time to go on adventures with those that matter the most. And remember that we are a much more beautiful and effective people when we are together. By Joe Brady, Editor for The Times I did a dumb thing. Now, when I made that announcement earlier this week my family all grabbed their heads, like, Oh dear God, what now? It wasn’t that kind of dumb. Sunday evenings I have a date with my weekly pill organizer. Just me, my drugs, and the various little compartments they go in. I have said it before, I don’t know how people ever handled multiple pills without an organizer. Granny had hers in a white oblong Tupperware container on the table. Bless her heart! Well, I can’t even keep it straight with the pill organizer. So, let me get back to my story. I methodically place each pill in the little compartment until they are all gone. Now one of my pills, my crack, I call it is a horse pill. Now, if Eagle didn’t automatically refill my prescriptions, I would be lost. I picked them up last week, in fact, they are still sitting on the counter, in the white shopping bag! Anyway, I used to count my number of pills each morning and night, just to make sure I had them all. There should be seven pills in my hand each morning. Last week, however, I did not count them yet about Wednesday I noticed I seemed to be short a pill. Thursday morning, I discovered I had not been taking my crack! No wonder I had not felt good all week. I thought it was the cold I have really kicking my behind. No, it was the absence of a horse pill that keeps my blood vessels big and open so my blood can flow! Maybe I need a medicine nurse to fix my meds each week. Is this only gonna get worse? Younger folks, please talk with your parents and grandparents and ask them to count their pills. I mean, medicine is great when we take it! I won’t tell my doctor, he might have me committed! That’s all for now, take care! A WORD FROM JON BURNS, Ga Speaker of the House of Representatives Special Session on Redistricting The Special Session continues this week. Last week, both the House and Senate adopted new maps for their respective legislative districts. Those maps now go to the other chamber to be reviewed and approved. Late Friday afternoon a new congressional map was introduced and will also be considered this week. All these maps comply with the instructions of the federal judge, who overturned the maps the General Assembly approved two years ago. These new maps will go to the judge for consideration before his December 8 th deadline, if adopted by both chambers and signed into law by Governor Kemp. I appreciate all the members of the House and Senate who are taking time away from their jobs and families to help us satisfy the judge’s requirements. In addition, the state is still planning to appeal the judge’s ruling to a higher federal court so that we may get our originally adopted maps restored. As this Special Session continues, you are welcome to come to watch your state government at work by visiting the State Capitol and viewing our session from the fourth-floor public galleries. You are also invited to watch both committee and floor sessions live on the House website at https://www.legis.ga.gov/. Thankful for friends and deep roots... Last week, when we convened for this year’s Special Session, I had the honor of doing so with a very special gavel. I am grateful to my friend, Ronny Just, for crafting a new gavel with an accompanying strike plate made from the timber of a Live Oak at Sweetheart Circle on the campus of my alma mater, Georgia Southern University. The symbolism of this gavel is not lost on me - both the tree and I find our roots in the same soil. I was blessed not only to graduate from Georgia Southern, but meet my wife, Dayle, while we were students there. While my duties require me to spend a great deal of time in Atlanta these days, home is never far from my heart. I appreciate dear friends who would provide such a meaningful gift. Thanks to Ronny Just, Bryan Tolar, Emily Engel, and Bill Benzur. Historic News in the Governor’s Office Last week, Governor Kemp announced that his dedicated Chief of Staff Trey Kilpatrick would be leaving public service to take on a senior leadership role in the private sector. Trey has been an invaluable partner working with my staff and me over the last year in crafting policy and overseeing the work of our state government. I appreciate Trey’s service and friendship. Trey’s replacement will make history. Longtime state staffer and Current- Deputy Chief of Staff, Lauren Curry, becomes the first lady appointed as Chief of Staff to the Governor of Georgia. Lauren has served our state well for many years, and I congratulate her on this historic achievement. My staff and I look forward to continuing to work with her and Governor Kemp to keep Georgia the envy of the nation. Bipartisan support for others While partisanship tends to run high during legislative sessions, I was proud to join members of both parties in donating blood at the State Capitol last Wednesday. Every donation of blood can help up to three individuals receiving medical care, and as we know, every life is priceless. Giving blood is an easy way to help your friends and neighbors. If you would like more information on donating blood, visit https://www. redcross.org/give-blood.html King Rocker Hello Millen and Happy Holidays! First, I wanted to say thank you for making your voice heard in this past run off election. I appreciate all your votes and I look foward to working with you as I continue to serve as your Mayor. What a wonderful city we live in! This week I wanted to take time to bring you up to date on our Community Developmental Block Grants. Phase one of the grant in 2018 was used behind McDonald's. This project, of course is completed. It included Johnson and Warren Streets. We were awarded 1,000.000 for housing, water and storm water work. Phase two was completed in 2020, where we moved over to Lincoln, Warren and Tarver Streets. Another 1,000,000. was awarded for this project. Same as above, housing, water and storm water work. Phase three was awarded in 2021 and was used for Palmer Row. Another 1,000.000. was awareded for this project and was to be used for the same listed above. This project is still on going, with water, sewer, and storm water is complete. Our plans are to have the housing part of the grant completed in the very near future. Phase four was awarded 1,000.000. in 2023. This particular grant is in the planning phase. On December 18,2023, in council chambers of City Hall, a public meeting will be held for any citizens who would like to attend. The target areas for this grant will be Waters Ave. and Buckhead Road from Palmer Row up to Dexel Ave. With all the above items being done on these streets, we will also be using part of the grant for sidewalks. However, this particular grant did not include any housing, due to the fact, nothing qualified. We plan for this project to go up for bid in early 2024. All of these projects also include the City of Millen's matching funds, which is usually 10% or around 100,000. for each grant. The City Council and myself are committed to keep improving these areas where the grants have been approved to use. Personally, I think, this is what we would call, "Keeping our feet to the FIRE!" And just so you know, we will be applying for phase 5 very soon. There will be more "coming down the tracks" really soon! Happy Holidays, QCocker The crew from Millen is pictured here volunteering at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia Telethon this past Thursday in Augusta. The telethon raises money every year for the Children’s Miracle Network. The volunteers from Millen are Mayor King Rocker and his wife, Beth, Dale and Neasy Suggs. Whitney Zeagler, Paula Adams, Linda M Jenkins and Rose Small. Letters to the editor of The Jenkins County Times are welcomed and encouraged. These are pages of opinion, yours and ours. Letters to the editor voice the opinions of the newspaper’s readers. The Jenkins County Times reserves the right to edit any and all portions ofa letter. Unsigned letters will not be published. Letters must include the signature, address and phone number of the writer to allow our staff to authenticate its origin. Letters should be limited to 400 words and should be typewritten and double-spaced or neatly printed by hand. Deadline for letters to the editor is noon on Wednesday. Email Letters to the Editor to: thejenkinscountytimes@gmail.com Area restaurant offers more than good food Middle school FBLA officers and Middle/High FFA officers participated in an etiquette lunch at Jacqueleen’s Southern Porch in Garfield, GA. Officers were treated to a 4-course meal and trained in fine dining table etiquette. Everyone had a great time and learned a lot! 1 fLyi i A-fervc'-d YSi m K l V V ■ \ At 1 £;■ jF Nip Ay ; . . 1 f'nkiniMBPjiinty TjlMr^ Phone: (478) 401-5007 ^ Proudly covering Jenkins County's news, sports, and community events . Sam Eades Publisher Joe Brady Editor Sam Eades Advertising Sales Debbie Hearn Admin/Layout and Design Executive Sarah Saxon ....Admin/Legals/Reporter/AP Correspondent BradAsbury Sports Editor Lori Jones Front Office/Receptionist THE JENKINS COUNTY TIMES issue 40 December 2023 is published weekly by on Wednesday for $24.95 per year by THE JENKINS COUNTY TIMES, 125 N. Main • Sylvania, Ga. 30467. Periodical postage pending at Sylvania, GA POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE JENKINS COUNTY TIMES, P.O. Box 1448 Millen GA 30442 Subscription Rates (Includes tax): 1 Year in Jenkins County $24.95 1 Year Online Only $18.00 2 Years In Jenkins County $45.00 1 Year Outside of County $29.95 1 Year Outside of Georgia $42.00 1 day online pass $1.99
