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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
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People shouldn’t be afraid of their government.
Governments should be afraid of their people.
- Alan Moore
Get out and vote\