About The Sylvania times. (Sylvania, Ga.) 2022-current | View Entire Issue (March 20, 2024)
thesy lvaniatimes. com The Sylvania Times Wednesday, March 20, 2024 - Page 5 Hiltonia Council Meeting Discusses Reopening Mill Street -Joe Brady. Editor The Town of Hiltonia convened for its regular monthly meeting on Monday, March 11, at 6:30 p.m., where a range of topics from law enforcement to infrastructure were discussed. One of the prominent features of the meeting was the introduction of Sheriff Candidate Bruce Rowell, who, along with his chief deputy Ben Forehand, addressed the council. Candidate Rowell took the opportunity to underscore his qualifications for the sheriff position, presenting his vision and plans for law enforcement in the area. The council opted to delay decisions on several key issues. The review of the wastewater job overview was postponed until the April meeting, as was the consideration of a USD A grant related to patrol cars. The council briefly touched upon the topic of the residential utilities tum-on ordinance. After some deliberation, they chose to table the discussion until a future date for a public hearing could be scheduled and proper notice could be published in the local newspaper. The proposed ordinance would mandate property inspections before city utilities are turned on for any change of occupancy. In another matter, a new property owner sought the re-establishment of Mill Street, formerly known as Quarters Road, to gain access to their property. However, the council decided to postpone a decision on this request until more information could be gathered, particularly regarding Sheriff Candidate Bruce Rowell introduced himself to the town council and highlighted his qualifications. Photo by J. Brady alternative access routes, citing concerns about concrete debris obstmcting the road. Despite these delays, the council did act on certain fronts. They approved donations to the Screven County Livestock Association and the Screven County Library, demonstrating their commitment to community support. Lastly, the meeting concluded with the council entering an executive session. Residents can expect further updates on these matters as they unfold in future meetings Rocky Ford Monthly Meeting Highlights: New Restaurant Proposal, Infrastructure Updates -Joe Brady, Editor The Town of Rocky Ford convened for its monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 12, at 6 p.m. at City Hall, where a diverse array of topics ranging from law enforcement to infrastructure improvements were discussed. One of the notable highlights of the meeting was the introduction of Sheriff Candidate Bruce Rowell (R), who presented himself to the council and provided a brief overview of his qualifications for the position. Rowell's presence underscored the upcoming election's significance, sparking interest and dialogue among attendees. Another key agenda item involved Jayquan McNeil, a chef hailing from South Carolina, who approached the council seeking a business license to establish a restaurant within the city limits. McNeil expressed his enthusiasm for bringing his expertise in low country cooking to Rocky Ford. Town Clerk Shannon Phillips welcomed McNeil's proposal, inviting him to initiate the licensing process at his convenience. Police Chief Tony Taylor addressed the council, highlighting the department's recent achievements following the addition of a third police officer. Taylor reported that the department issued 31 tickets during the month of February, showcasing their commitment to maintaining law and order within the community. Mayor Ken Mock provided updates on infrastructure initiatives, including the procurement of a backup chlorine pump for the water department to ensure operational continuity in case of equipment failure. Additionally, Mayor Mock emphasized the urgent need to address drainage issues along Main Street to Brinson Street to mitigate flooding concerns during heavy rainfall. The street department is actively pursuing negotiations with property owners to facilitate obstruction clearance, thus enabling progress on the project. Mayor Mock further outlined the city's plans to initiate an LMIG (Local Maintenance Improvement Grant) project to secure additional funding for infrastructure upgrades. The council is in the process of soliciting quotes for various projects to enhance the town's infrastructure and public services. City Clerk Shannon Phillips delivered promising news, announcing that Rocky Ford had been awarded a grant totaling $76,500 for the Lead Service Line Inventory project. This initiative, mandated by the state, aims to assess the composition of water service lines to ensure public safety. M.E. Sack Environmental has been contracted to execute the project, with a deadline set for completion by October 16, 2024. Mayor Mock concluded the meeting by explaining that the dead trees discussed at last month’s meeting have been removed. He also reported that he had done some cleaning and burning of brush at the recreation department. Board of Commissioners Tackles Range of Issues at March Meeting Screven County Board of Education Highlights Monthly Meeting Sarah Saxon.Times Reporter The Screven County Board of Commissioners convened on Tuesday, March 12, in the commissioner’s office, addressing a wide array of issues pertinent to the community's welfare. Led by Chaimian Will Boyd, the board members engaged in discussions ranging from infrastructure concerns to community initiatives. Addressing community concerns, Jerry Winters raised issues regarding water drainage problems on Twin Oaks Road. Unauthorized alterations, including additional driveways and changes in water direction due to new constructions, have exacerbated drainage issues during heavy rainfall. Board member JC Warren pledged to assess the situation alongside Road and Bridges Supervisor James Woods, promising swift action to mitigate the problem. The board also approved a request for proposal concerning sanitation services, aimed at addressing trash accumulation issues in the county. With most bins being serviced by Allgreen’s concerns were raised about littering during collection. The board was reassured that measures would be taken to prevent littering, ensuring a cleaner environment for residents. Fire Department Chief Harvey Cryder emphasized the importance of signing the Statewide Mutual Agreement and the Assistance Agreement with Homeland Security, crucial for ensuring effective emergency response protocols in the county. In matters of infrastructure, a grant proposal to replace the HVAC system at the Sheriff’s Department was approved, with the project estimated at $150,000. Georgia Southern University has offered a grant to help with the repairs. The money for the repair must be paid in advance with the work being done by July 1, and then they will pay the county back after the renovations are done. Additionally, a resolution to close Cypress Pond Road was adopted, with provisions made to allow continued access for residents. Commissioner Rosa Romeo provided an update on the bridge renaming initiative to honor the late President of the Screven County NAACP, Roosevelt Culver. Plans for the renaming will be communicated to the community in due course. Commissioner Willis addressed various concerns, including updates on Ag Center renovations and road striping projects. Plans to seek assistance from the Department of Corrections for renovation work were discussed, albeit with potential delays. Efforts to address issues at the library, including leaking and mold, were also highlighted. Sarah Saxon, Times Reporter The Screven County Board of Education convened for their monthly meeting on Monday, March 11, at the Board of Education headquarters. With a comprehensive agenda to address, board members, led by Superintendent Dr. Jim Thompson, delved into key discussions and decisions affecting the county's educational landscape. Present at the meeting were Superintendent Dr. Jim Thompson, along with board members Julie Cannon, Lindy Sheppard, Randall Thomas, Frank Johnson, and Abbie Robbins. However, Troy Lawton was notably absent from the proceedings. The meeting commenced with the approval of the minutes from previous sessions, followed by the financial report delivered by Christy Durrence, who confirmed the successful completion of the audit, reassuring the board that all financial matters were in order. In his superintendent report, Dr. Thompson highlighted various achievements within the school community. Rhonda Hinson's recognition as the VFW Georgia Teacher of the Year was celebrated, underscoring the dedication and excellence exhibited by educators within the district. Dr. Thompson also expressed gratitude for the community's involvement in the recent Read Across America event. Sports and extracurricular activities were discussed. Dr. Thompson noted the impending playoffs for the middle school baseball team and the successful hosting of a leadership event by the high school FFA, attended by seven regional schools. Plans for advisement sessions for upcoming 9th graders were outlined. A highlight of the meeting was the screening of "Supporting Your Friends," a short film created by elementary school teacher Evon Robers' class for the Georgia Movie Academy. The film, entirely scripted, edited, and filmed by students, showcased their creativity and collaborative spirit. Lauren Clark, the 4H Coordinator for the schools, introduced students who presented their service projects to the board members. These projects, covering a wide array of topics including Farm to Table, Health, and Performing Arts, Target Sports, and musical instruments demonstrated the students' dedication to community service and academic excellence. The board approved the purchase of 100 new desks for the middle and high schools, as well as the implementation of SCES Access Control for enhanced school security. Both expenses, totaling over $33,000, will be covered by SPLOST funds. Looking ahead, the board discussed upcoming events such as the GSBA convention in Savannah and the need for representation was tabled until the next monthly meeting. The challenge of finding substitute teachers at the middle school was addressed, with teachers stepping up to fill in until positions are filled. As the meeting ended, plans for upcoming events including the elementary schools Mobile Dairy Exhibit and the middle school art exhibition were announced, further highlighting the vibrant educational opportunities available within the Screven County School System. With a commitment to excellence and community engagement, the Screven County Board of Education continues to strive towards providing quality education and opportunities for all students within the district. Bay Branch Homemakers Thank Supporters The Bay Branch Homemakers want to reach out and thank local businesses for their support of our Family Bingo Game Night. Your prize donation for our fundraising event makes it possible for us to support local Charities and Non-Profit Organizations. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to those who attended our event. Your participation helped make it a success. The community’s commitment has given us the opportunity to provide funds to the Screven County Extension Office to help offset the cost for students traveling to 4-H camp this summer. Again, we want to thank the following businesses for their generous support: Amy’s Tupperware Brower Oil Company Brown’s Office Centre Chick-Fil-La / Statesboro Chilitos Mex Grill Darrel Oglesby Food Lion Frencheese Kathleen’s Pet Grooming Salon Kim McMillan Little Dipper Mary Joyce Florist Nets Seafood & Steak Our Daily Bread Bakery Peggy Finch Pops Kitchen Possum Eddy Ace Hardware R.T. Collision Towing RockStar Graphics Ross Drug Rowe’s Food Plot and Land Maintenance Screven Outdoors Sew & So Sheer Perfection / Jenni Johnson Stoners Pizza Subway Sylvania Sportsman The Wood Shop Tri-County Processing LLC Vicki Irwin Walls Diner Wammock Farm Service Williams Brothers Hauling Wonder Horse Farm Advanced Voting & Absentee Voting information Who, what, whan, where, and how April 9,2024 Special Election Runoff for local offices / Advanced voting dates Asap - no later than April 1st - April 5 th May 21, 2024 General Primary/ nonpartisan Election/ Advanced voting dates April 29th - May 17 th June 18, 2024 General Primary/nonpartisan Runoff / Advanced voting dates ASAP- no later than June 10th-June 14th November 5, 2024 GENERAL ELECTION DAY / Advanced voting dates Oct 15th- Nov 1st December 3, 2024 General Runoff / General Runoff for Federal Offices / Advanced voting dates no later than Nov 25 - Nov 27th 0RING MILLY YESTflN r 05 LI CROLE Mia jrniian (MHflttU. HE V Els IftYNWt&K People shouldn’t be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people. - Alan Moore Get out and vote\
