Newspaper Page Text
Page 6 - Wednesday, February 14, 2024
The Jenkins County Times
jenkinscountytimes.com
Georgia Senate wants guns
and ammo tax holiday
Most Georgia senators
want to let people buy
guns, ammunition, and
gun safes without paying
sales tax for five days each
fall, while some House
members are considering
a narrower tax break for
only gun safety devices.
Republicans favor both
approaches, but Democrats favor only tax breaks for safety
devices.
The Senate voted 30-22 on Tuesday to approve Senate Bill
344, sending it to the House for more debate. Republicans
supporting the bill, says the tax break would promote
hunting and the control of Georgia’s deer population. The
tax holiday would last for five days in October just before
the beginning of deer hunting season. “We hope to expand
the base of hunters and increase the tax revenue devoted to
conservation,” one senator said.
But Democrats said they don’t believe that Republicans
are just interested in promoting hunting, noting that in
committee GOP members rejected an amendment to limit
the tax break to hunting rifles. They said the measure would
encourage more guns and more violence.
“Instead of looking out for children and families, we’re
looking out for gun manufacturers,” said Sen. Jason Esteves,
an Atlanta Democrat. “You want to pander to politics that at
the end of the day do not help everyday Georgians.”
The debate was less partisan during a House Ways and
Means subcommittee Tuesday. There, Republicans and
Democrats expressed support for a $300 state income
tax credit that could be used to pay for gun training, gun
safes or gun locks. “This allows those individuals to get
properly trained in safe handling and use and storage of
a firearm and to obtain a safe storage device,” said Rep.
Mark Newton, an Augusta Republican sponsoring the bill.
REP. RICK ALLEN
ANNOUNCES 2024
SUMMER INTERNSHIP
PROGRAM
Congressman Rick W.
Allen (GA-12) announced
his office is seeking
applicants for the 2024
Summer Internship
Program, to be offered in
his Washington, D.C. office.
This program is open
to college students and
young professionals
interested in learning about
the legislative process and
assisting with the responsibilities of a congressional
office. Interns will perform a range of tasks including
constituent outreach, legislative writing, and more,
with the possibility of earning school credit. Summer
internships are split into two six-week sessions and
all applications must be submitted via Congressman
Allen's website by Friday, March 15, 2024. Upon
the announcement, Congressman Allen issued the
following statement: Working in a congressional
office provides a unique opportunity to gain firsthand
experience into how our government operates and
network with individuals from all walks of life. In our
office, we employ a bottom-up approach to empower
others to be the best they can be. Many of our past
interns have used the skills gained during their
internships to transition into a variety of successful
career paths. My staff and I look forward to welcoming
these talented young professionals in the coming
months.” Those interested in a summer internship
can apply on Congressman Allen's website. Please
contact Lorene Parker at Lorene.Parker@mail.house,
gov with any questions.
Millen Lions Club finds new location, aquires
new members, and is a Beacon of light.
I have to say, I have never been to a Lions Club meeting in
my life. However, my Dad was a member for most of his life
and enjoyed it very much. I did attend my first meeting this
past week and enjoyed it, I must say.
Our local Lions Club recently moved its location after many
years to the old elementary school. One of the old classrooms
has been converted to a really nice meeting room for the club.
Meetings are held once a month on Thursday at 7:00 pm. The
local Lions Club does much more than you or I thought. More
than just providing glasses to those in need and selling mops
in May or brooms once a year in June. This group of men and
now ladies, give of their time and talents to help others in a
new way. Charlie Rossman, upcoming president of the local
chapter stated, "our local Lions Club sponsors three different
foundations that offer help to others that we feel are a main stream of our mission", The Lions blind camp, The
Lions Lighthouse Foundation (which offers free exams and free glasses for those in need), and Leader Dogs for
the Blind(who offers dogs for the blind).
I have to say, If you have ever considered being a part of a group of folks that care about others, you should
consider joining this group.
In this past week's meeting, the group discussed many plans for the upcoming year. One of the discussions,
was this past pancake supper which was given in memory of one of it's past members, Mr. Jimmie Edenfield. It
was one of the largest turnouts they had ever seen and the tickets sales were tremendous. However, they knew
that some of the turn around time on pancakes were somewhat of a problem that they want to fix. So, with this
next year coming up, they plan to form a committee to look at ways to improve the service and maybe even
provide some entertainment while cooking some of their famous pancakes, while serving even more Jenkins
County citizens.
Another special event the Millen Lions Club offers is an vision screener. Each year they offer students at Burke
County Schools an opportuity to have an eye exam for free. It is an important part of the community. At one time,
they provided this service for Jenkins County Schools. Of course is still available to citizens of Jenkins County.
In closing, here is one story I heard the local Lions Club provide. I would like to share it with you. A local ciitizen
named Emory Lewis, had cataracts in both eyes so bad he could not see at all. He was practically blind. The
Lions club met this man through the local enrichment center and decided to help him by providing him with the
means to have surgery to remove cataracts from both eyes.
He had surgery on one eye completed and was able to see out of that eye very well. He began to work at the
enrichment center, by giving back. Loading food and unloading food for customers. He was happy and thankful
for the Lions club and their generosity. Within the next week, he was scheduled to have surgery on the other eye.
One day while riding with a family member to have their truck repaired, he had a heart attack and died in the
truck. Yes, before he had his other eye surgery. This story is a reminder, that whatever we do for others does not
go unnoticed. Folks do remember, no matter how long, no matter what is done. There is alway an impact on the
lives of others and that is what The Lions Club does. Impact others in what they do. Thank you Lions Club and it's
members for being a beacon of light in our community. If you would like to become a member of the Lions Club
or have any questions. Please reach out to the current President, Robert Boatright at: 706-699-1709.
By Sam Eades, Publisher
for
The Times
ROAR
LIKE A
now
Millen,
Georgia
LIONS
CLUB
GAHouse approves
$5 billion Boost to
state budget
-Special to The Times
Georgia’s House backed changes to the state budget
Wednesday that would add $5 billion in spending, including
a burst of roadbuilding, new dental and medical schools,
and money to cover bonuses paid to state employees and
teachers.
’’Five billion dollars. You can do a lot of good with $5
billion,” House Appropriations Committee Chair Matt
Hatchett, a Dublin Republican, told House members. “Now,
not every item in the budget is glamorous, but I can tell you
it’s needed.”
The House voted 161-2 to pass a bill that adds money to
the current budget running through June 30. The bill now
goes to the Senate for its own changes.
Republican Gov. Brian Kemp proposed the boost, which
would push spending of state money to $37.5 billion. Total
spending, including federal aid, college tuition, fines and
fees, would rise to $67.5 billion
The state can spend lots more, even though growth in
tax collections is slowing, because Kemp set a revenue
estimate much lower than what the state will actually
collect this year and because Georgia has $10.7 billion in
surplus cash beyond its $5.4 billion rainy day fund. Kemp
would spend up to $2 billion of the surplus.
Because lawmakers can’t spend above Kemp’s revenue
estimate, lawmakers can only cut or rearrange the
governor’s proposed spending.
In some cases, the House voted to add back projects that
Kemp originally struck from this year’s budget, a move
that provoked anger among lawmakers. Kemp has since
allowed some of that spending to take place, and Hatchett
said the House would continue to push for other items.
“Please know, we aren’t done with the discussion,”
Hatchett said.
The governor before Christmas ordered $1,000 bonuses
paid to state and university employees and public school
teachers. The House plan includes $315 million to pay
for the bonuses. Kemp has also proposes pay raises for
1
employees beginning July 1, which lawmakers will
finalize in March when they vote on next year’s budget.
Kemp wants state and university employees to get a 4%
cost-of-living increase across the board, while teachers
would get a roughly equivalent $2,500-a-year increase.
The House agreed to Kemp’s plan to spend $1.5 billion
more to speed planned roadwork and establish a freight
infrastructure program. But the House wants to spend $100
million more on road repaving to cover higher costs for
asphalt and concrete. The House also boosted spending for
airport aid. To pay for those changes, the panel cut Kemp’s
proposed spending on freight infrastructure by $131
million to $510 million.
The House would allocate Kemp’s proposed $200 million
increase in road and bridge aid to cities and counties in a
way that wouldn’t require local governments to match the
money. The measure also includes $178 million for a new
dental school at Georgia Southern University in Savannah
and $50 million for a freestanding medical school at the
University of Georgia.
The House approved Kemp’s plans to spend $451
million to finish a new prison in Washington County and
$135 million to repair other prisons. The budget also adds
money to install technology to prevent inmates from using
contraband cell phones.
Also approved were $500 million to pay down debt in
one of the state’s employee pension funds, $250 million to
finance water and sewer work, and $200 million for grants
and sites to attract industry.
Aged to Perfection
Jenkins County Senior Center
By Lee Wilson,
Special Contributor
During our devotion time at the Senior Center, we were
discussing a verse in the book of Matthew that said unless
we change and become like little children, we will never
enter the kingdom of heaven. We read a story that reminded
us of that verse.
“A Baby’s Hug”
We were the only family with children in the restaurant
that day. I sat Erik in a highchair and noticed everyone was
quietly seated and talking. Suddenly, little Erik squealed
with glee and said, “Hi there.” He pounded his fat baby
hands on the highchair tray. His eyes were crinkled in
laughter and his mouth had a toothless grin as he wriggled
and giggled with merriment.
I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It
was a man whose pants were baggy, and his toes poked out
of his shoes. His shirt was dirty, and his hair was uncombed
and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a
beard, and his nose was so varicose that it looked like a road
map. We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he
smelled. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. “Hi
there, baby; Hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,” the man
said to Erik. My husband and I exchanged looks, “What
do we do?” Erik continued to laugh and answer, “Hi, hi
there.” Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us
and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance
with my beautiful baby.
HUBE
Continued from page 1
are prosecuted quickly and effectively.”
“Too much taxpayer money is being wasted and too many
victims are not seeing justice,” said Busbee. “We deserve a
district attorney who will treat this office as a full-time job
and will simply do a better job of prosecuting cases.”
Robert Busbee is a defense attorney in Statesboro who
owns his own law practice, Busbee Law Group.
Busbee received his bachelor’s degree from Georgia
Southern University and his law degree from Georgia State
University College of Law. He has practiced law for more
than 10 years.
Get Your Flu Shot Today
Jenkins County
Booking Log
Fedruary 14 th
January 30 - Joseph Brown, Hold Placed.
January 30 - Rodney Ahkeen Hawkins, Hold Placed.
January 30 - Mallori Conner Lemacks, Hold Placed for
Bulloch County.
January 30 - Zeke Mackenzie Lindbergh, Hold Placed.
January 30 - Rose Mitchell Roberts, Hold Placed.
January 30 - Bennie Kyle Carter, Hold Placed for
Bulloch.
January 30 - Elias Cameron Skipper, Hold Placed for
Bulloch County.
January 30 - Arthur Lee Huff, Hold Placed.
January 31 - Felton Riley Joyner, Probation Violation.
January 31 - Henry Lee Hagan, Probation Violation.
February 1 - Quanda Renee Ball, Interlock Probation
Violation (State Court).
February 2 - Jaleel Foots, Interlock Probation Violation
(State Court).
February 2 - Derrick Anthony Grier, Hold Placed 10-13
Order.
February 2 - Taliyah Amari Perkins, Hold for Weekend.
February 2 - Jessie James Tilley, Hold Placed for RSAT.
February 3 - Euodio Perez, Driving w/o Valid License
(Misd.), Driving on Wrong Side of Road, Failure to
Yield to Emergency Vehicle, Open Container, Driving to
Exercise Due Care, DUI.
February 4 - Kelvin McClain, Terroristic Threats and
Acts, False Imprisonment.
February 5 - Christopher Lee Joyner, Burglary 1st
Degree (Felony).
February 5 - Shey Joseph Hubbard, Hold Placed 48
Hours Per Judge.
February 6 - Eric Jermaine Sapp, Failure to Appear
(State Court), Interlock Probation Violation (State Court),
Probation Violation.
February 6 - Joshua Edward Jenkins, Cracked
Windshield, DUI (Drugs), Driving w/o Valid License on
Person (Misd.), Failure to Obey Stop Sign, Remove or
Affix Plate to Conceal Vehicle Identification, Seat Belt
Violation, Trafficking in Cocaine, Illegal Drugs, Marijuana,
or Methamphetamine.
February 7 - Neil Lee Hodges, Hold Placed for Bulloch
County.
February 9 - Alisa Sue Taylor, Hold Placed Superior
Court Bench Warrant.
Incident Reports
February 8 - Miscellaneous Report, Magnolia Avenue.