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The Sylvania Times
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 - Page 5
YOUTHFUL GAMECOCKS HAVING
ROUGH GO OF IT
ABOVE: One of just three seniors on
the roster, Devin Oliver drives to the
basketball (photo by Francina Sanders)
LEFT: Senior Jay den Adams pulls up for
a jumper (photo by Francina Sanders)
Falling to SEB in the Yellow Jackets
home gym by a 76-68 margin in an exciting
game last Saturday night, the SCHS
basketball Gamecocks of Nick Clifton fell
to 2-6 at Christmas break and hope that the
2024 calendar will prove better. The team
will be back in action on January 5 for a
region game in Pembroke before hosting
nonregion Burke County the following
night. Defending region champion
Woodville-Tompkins will be at the local
gym on January 9.
Much like their football counterparts, the
youth of Clifton’s basketball Gamecocks
has played a huge role in their 2-6 start. Of
12 players seeing significant playing action
there are nine sophomores and freshmen,
leading to a low shooting percentage against
much more seasoned opponents as well as
a very high average of turnovers per game.
Saturday’s trip to Brooklet proved the
most exciting game of the week. After a
slow start that saw them down after eight
minutes 18-10, the Roosters moved closer
and stayed there the rest of the game. They
were just never able to get over the hump.
With the score just 51-49 their way after
the third quarter, the Jackets used a 25-19
final stanza to earn their win. Freshman
Demarko Ward led the way with 23 points
while sophomore Deon Dixon had 18.
Very impressive was the Gamecock foul
shooting as they were 13-16 in a pressure-
packed second half.
Hoping to improve their game against
Jenkins County in Millen over their first
meeting the previous week, the Gamecocks
started slowly and never caught up as they
fell 60-40. For the second game in the week
no Rooster hit for double figures. Of the
eight players who scored points, seven were
sophomores or freshmen. Sophomores
Rodney Beckwith and Jase Hughes each
had eight with Beckwith having a team
leading eight rebounds. Sophomore Dixon
had five rebounds.
As one sided as the night’s opening
contest was (71-21 Lady Gamecocks),
the nightcap of December 12 for the
Gamecocks was the opposite. Portal’s big,
strong, and powerful Panthers jumped to a
23-4 first quarter lead and only stretched it
the rest of the way in their 90-33 win. The
Panthers’ tight press forced 35 turnovers
from the very young SCHS backcourt. No
Gamecock hit for double figures as Drayden
Roberts led the way with just seven. Ward
had five rebounds.
IMPRESSIVE SCMS TEAMS
STAND AT 6-1 AT BREAK
Standing at 6-1, 2-0 in their North subregion, the SCMS Lady Gamecocks and Gamecocks
will next be in action on January 4 when Metter is here for another subregion contest. On
Monday, January 8, Jenkins County will be here for a subregion contest.
Last week the Lady Gamecocks soundly thrashed visiting Portal by a 34-11 margin.
A’Chanti Middleton led the way with nine points while Arianna Budget and Christina
Robbins had eight each. The Gamecocks were a little closer as they went home with a 58-43
win over the Panthers. Cam Carter had 21 points and eight rebounds to lead the charge. He
was followed by KaJay Tyler’s ten points and six rebounds. Chase Williams had eight points
while Quincy Thomas and Cleve Mingle had six each.
Rocky Ford Town Council Addresses Railroad Concerns,
Police Upgrades, and Grant Applications in December
Meeting
By Joe Brady, Editor
for
The Times
The Rocky Ford Town Council convened for their December monthly meeting at Rocky Ford City Hall, discussing a
range of topics impacting the community, including railroad concerns, police updates, and upcoming grant applications.
One significant announcement was Norfolk Southern's decision not to utilize the track as a transition railway. A
representative from the railroad company advised residents to report any instances of trains being stalled on the track for
more than 30 minutes. Mayor Mock emphasized the importance of community engagement, stating, "We can't strong-arm
them, but there is legislation in Washington now to minimize the crossing blockages."
In response to the occasional lengthy delays caused by stalled trains, residents in town have adopted a pragmatic
approach. They park their vehicles and either cross over or under the train to avoid extended waiting times, sometimes
exceeding an hour.
The Rocky Ford Police Department issued thirteen tickets in the month of November. Mayor Mock highlighted the
department's current financial situation, noting that it is not self-sustaining without city funds. The council is actively
exploring avenues to address this concern and ensure the continued effective functioning of the police force.
Mayor Mock also shared positive news about Santa's recent visit to Rocky Ford, describing it as a "huge success." Santa
spent nearly an hour in the town, spreading joy and festive cheer among the residents.
In a forward-looking move, the council voted to apply for 2024 LMIG (Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant)
funds. Mayor Mock elaborated on the council's preparations, stating that they are compiling a list of potential projects that
could benefit from the grant, aligning with the town's infrastructure improvement goals.
Additionally, Mayor Mock discussed the Norfolk Southern Safety-First Grant, emphasizing that they applied for the
technology grant due to a missed deadline for the community development grant. The $30,000 grant funds has been
awarded, and will be utilized to upgrade the police department's technology infrastructure. The grant may only be used on
non-salary-related expenses.
Looking ahead, the council announced plans to apply for the community development grant in the coming month. The
meeting concluded with an executive session to address personnel issues.
SCREVEN COUNTY RECEIVES EMPLOYEE SAFETY GRANT
FROM ACCG INSURANCE PROGRAMS
Screven County, GA, ( December 2023 ) - Screven County was recently awarded an Employee
Safety Grant from the ACCG - Group Self-insurance Workers' Compensation Fund (ACCG-
GSIWCF). The Employee Safety Grants are available to Fund members that are fostering a culture
of workplace safety through additional training, equipment, or services.
The ACCG-GSIWCF Board of Trustees allotted $1.5 million in grant funds over a three-year period,
with $500,000 available to eligible members in 2023. “We are pleased to offer this grant program to
assist members in their safety efforts," said ACCG-GSIWCF Board of Trustees Chairman and
McDuffie County Commissioner Frederick Favors. “The opportunity to receive the Employee Safety
Grant is one of the many benefits of participation in this member-owned workers’ compensation
program."
The ACCG-GSIWCF provides workers’ compensation insurance to more Georgia county
governments than all other insurers combined and has assets of approximately $280 million. Since
1985, the program has returned $114 million in dividends and grants to the membership.
Loss control services are provided to all members of the workers' compensation program through
Local Government Risk Management Services (LGRMS), a non-profit agency operated jointly with
the Georgia Municipal Association. Each member appoints a Safety Coordinator to work with
LGRMS to create and maintain safe working environments for government officials, employees and
volunteers.
ACCG is Georgia’s County Association and was formed in 1914 when county officials came together
to help fund the state's first highway department. ACCG works on behalf of county officials and their
communities by providing public policy and legislative advocacy, leadership development, civic and
community engagement initiatives, insurance and retirement programs that specialize in local
government needs and other cost-saving programs. ACCG today serves as a catalyst for advancing
Georgia's counties. For more information, go to www.accg.org.
Hiltonia City
Council Addresses
LMIG Project
By Joe Brady, Editor
far
The Times
The Hiltonia City Council convened for their monthly
meeting last Monday evening at Hiltonia City Hall,
tackling crucial matters concerning the Local Maintenance
& Improvement Grant (LMIG) and the ongoing repaving
project for Highway 24 to 4th avenue.
The proposed scope of work includes comprehensive
repaving, necessary repairs, and the installation of speed
bumps along 4th avenue. With $21,000 currently available
in the LMIG grant, the town shoulders 30% of the project
costs.
Two quotes have been obtained thus far, with Reeves
Paving presenting an estimate of $59,850 and L.R. Paving
quoting $79,840. Councilmember and Mayor Pro-Tern
Matthew Forehand took the initiative to clarify the scope of
work with Reeves Paving and expressed the intent to solicit
a third quote from Sikes Constmction.
Mayor Mobley volunteered to contact State House
Speaker Jon Bums in a bid to secure additional LMIG
funds, recognizing the importance of completing the project
efficiently. The looming deadline for applying for another
LMIG grant is January 2024.
The LMIG program, developed in part by the Georgia
Department of Transportation (GDOT), allocates fiinds
to local governments for annual improvements to their
roadway networks. These funds, derived from a percentage
of the state motor fuel tax, require strict adherence to
roadway standards, accounting practices, and applicable
transportation guidelines. The formula used to determine
funding considers centerline mileage.
Financial updates shared during the meeting revealed that,
as of November 30, 2023, the town's general fund stands at
$31,000+. Notably, local peace officers contributed $12,000
to the fund through fines income, with 56 tickets issued for
highway violations in the month of November.
The deliberations underscore the city's commitment to
maintaining and enhancing its roadway infrastmcture, and
ensuring safe and efficient transportation for residents.
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