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Page 8 - Wednesday, April 3, 2024
The Jenkins County Times
jenkinscountytimes.com
Georgia Senate Passes Bill
Targeting Transgender
Participation in High School
Sports and Sex Education
-Joe Brady, Editor
In a move that has ignited fierce debate, Georgia's
Republican state senators have approved a bill that
would enact sweeping changes affecting public
schools, including banning transgender girls from
participating in high school sports with other girls
and imposing restrictions on sex education.
The Senate voted 33-21 along party lines for House
Bill 1104 on Tuesday, a measure initially focused
on suicide prevention but extensively amended in
the Senate committee to encompass various other
proposals previously rejected by the Senate. The bill's
provisions closely resemble measures introduced
by Republicans in other states, reflecting a broader
conservative push within the education sector.
Senator Clint Dixon, a Buford Republican and the
bill's proponent, framed the legislation to protect
children and empower parents. Conversely, Senator
Elena Parent, an Atlanta Democrat, criticized the bill
as a collection of misguided culture war initiatives.
The bill, championed by Republican Lieutenant
Governor Burt Jones, a potential gubernatorial
candidate in 2026, includes several contentious
provisions. It specifically targets transgender
participation in high school sports, barring
transgender girls from competing alongside other
girls. Notably, this restriction extends to both
public and private schools competing against public
schools. While the Georgia High School Association
had previously enforced a similar ban following
earlier legislative actions, this bill seeks to codify the
prohibition into law. Additionally, the bill restricts
transgender students' access to multi-occupancy
restrooms and locker rooms, mandating they use
facilities corresponding to their biological sex rather
than their gender identity. Critics of the bill, such as
Jennifer Hadley of Bethlehem, who has a transgender
son, express concerns about the emotional toll and
uncertainties it imposes on transgender youth.
Furthermore, the bill proposes significant changes
to sex education, requiring parental opt-in for
enrollment and restricting instruction on human
reproduction to eighth grade and above. This
provision has sparked debate over its potential
impact on comprehensive sex education and parental
involvement. A contentious aspect of the bill also
involves parental notification of library materials
accessed by students and grants parents’ access to
various student information, including behavioral
patterns and extracurricular activities.
Opponents argue that the bill's stringent provisions
on sex education and parental notification could
inadvertently limit students' access to vital
information and exacerbate challenges related to
mental health and well-being.
As the bill progresses, it has drawn mixed reactions,
with proponents lauding its focus on parental
empowerment and protection of children, while
critics raise concerns about its potential adverse
effects on transgender students and comprehensive
sex education efforts. The fate of House Bill 1104 now
rests with the more moderate House, where further
deliberation and potential amendments are expected
before a final decision is reached.
National Patient
Access Week!
Dorothy Lindsey
Optim Medical Center-Screven is proud to recognize
our Patient Access Department during their special
week. These ladies are the first faces patients encounter
when they enter the facility and are exceptional at
their customer service duties. They are responsible
for registering patients for procedures, making
sure demographic information is correct, verifying
insurance coverage, and obtaining authorizations
when assigned. The department manager, Tabitha
Simmons, is consistently praised for her staff and
their caring attitudes.
Happy National Patient Access Week! Well deserved!
Laura Overstreet
Are you trying to rehome cats/kittens
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classified section at no charge!
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Arbery’s killers argue appeals of hate crime convictions
The men convicted of hate crimes for killing Ahmaud Arbery in 2020 will
appeared in federal court last Wednesday in Atlanta. Greg and Travis McMichael
and neighbor William Bryan are asking the court to throw out the hate crime
convictions in 2022. Both McMichaels received life sentences and Bryan received
35 years
Hinesville gets new police chief
Major Tracey Howard, assistant chief of Police has been named Hinesville’s
newest chief of police. Howard has spent over 33 years with the Hinesville Police
Department and was named assistant chief in 2021. Retiring chief, Lloyd Slater’s
last day is March 29.
City of Statesboro reconsiders church to bar distance
The Statesboro city council is considering changing a rule that forbids alcohol
sales within too yards of a church, educational campus, or rehab facility. No churches are currently in the zone
they laid out to be immune to the 100-yard rule. The council said they want to remove potential barriers for
new businesses hoping to settle downtown.
Georgia lawmakers want to give teachers and state employees a raise
Georgia Senators approved a budget that would include pay raises for public school teachers and state
employees, as well as boost spending on education, health care, and mental health. The budget, if approved,
will spend $6ibillion in the coming year. Public school teachers would get a $2,500 raise starting July 1,
boosting teacher pay in Georgia above $ 65k annually. State and university employees would get a 4% pay
increase.
Homerville Mayor pushing for improvements
Mayor Thomas Kennedy is upgrading the city of Homerville’s infrastructure; especially roads that have been
damaged and fixed with patches and repairs. Most replacement projects will cost up to $75,000 but he is
meeting with leadership to figure out how the cost can be managed.
In 2020, Kennedy submitted nis resignation as mayor, ending a decade of service. Since taking office again,
Kennedy has been working with city manager Wallace Mincey to address infrastructure concerns.
Thomasville voted best small town in Georgia
Thomasville is catching the eye of the nation. Thomasville’s charm and beauty have made it onto USA Today’s
Readers Choice-ranked among the best small towns in the South. The town won Downtown of the Year in 2023.
A lot of people travel to Thomasville to experience small town life. The city is known for the ease of getting
around and walkable. There are a lot of places to stay.
GA Public Service Commission could get more time in office
The Georgia Public Service Commission is an elected body that’s gone years without having elections due to
a redistricting lawsuit. Georgia lawmakers now want to add an extra two years to the six-year terms on the
all-Republican body. The plan was approved Thursday by the Georgia House and Senate. The commission
regulates what Georgia Power Company and other natural gas companies charge.
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Advanced Voting & Absentee Voting
April 9, 2024
May 21, 2024
June 18, 2024
November 5, 2024
December 3, 2024
Special Election Runoff for local offices / Advanced voting dates Asap - no later
than April 5th
General Primary/ nonpartisan Election/ Advanced voting dates April 29th - May 17th
General Primary/nonpartisan Runoff / Advanced voting dates ASAP- no later than
June 10th - June 14th
GENERAL ELECTION DAY / Advanced voting dates Oct 15th- Nov 1st
General Runoff / General Runoff for Federal Offices / Advanced voting dates ASAP
no later than Nov 25 - Nov 27th
All Advanced In-Person Voting will take place Monday through Friday (except for mandatory
Saturday voting) from 9:00 am -5:00 pm., at the Jenkins County Courthouse 611 East Winthrope
Avenue, Millen, Georgia 30442.
To request an application for an Absentee Ballot by Mail, contact the Registrar’s Office at 478-982-
3985 or by mail at Jenkins County Registrars P.O. Box 510, Millen, Georgia 30442 or visit the office
at Jenkins County Courthouse, Registrar Office at 611 East Winthrope Avenue, Millen, Georgia
30442.
For additional information about polling locations, sample ballots, advanced voting, absentee voting,
and Election Day voting please visit: mvp.sos.ga.gov
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Wanda P. Burke, Election Superintendent at
478-982-5581.
Wanda P. Burke,Election Superintendent
Patricia Rich, Chief Registrar
P.O. Box 510
611 East Winthrope Avenue Millen, Georgia 30442
478-982-3985