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THE SYLVANIA TIMES
VOL.3 NO. 17 May 8, 2024
LEGAL ORGAN OF SCREVEN COUNTY
Sylvania, Georgia $1.25
Lifestyles ..2 | Editorials ..7 | Church News ..5 | Sports ..3 | Obituaries ..8 | Legals ..9-10 | Farm & Land.. 12 | Booking Log ..10
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Market on Maple Draws
Crowd for Opening Day
-Sarah Saxon. Reporter
The Market on Maple kicked off its 2024 season to an enthusiastic crowd on Thursday, May 2. It is a vibrant
market featuring a variety of items, amidst anticipation from attendees eager to explore the offerings.
Marking the
beginning of a
seasonal tradition,
the market is set
to grace the city
landscape every
Thursday from
May through
September,
welcoming
visitors from 3
p.m. to 6 p.m.
With a
commitment
to supporting
local businesses
and fostering
community
connections, the Market on Maple promises to be a hub of activity and commerce throughout the season.
City Manager Stacy Mathis and Chamber Director Kylie Forehand expressed their delight at the overwhelming
turnout for the opening day. Both officials emphasized the significance of community support and the invaluable
contribution of vendors in making the event a resounding success.
"This was one of the biggest Market openings that we've had, and we are incredibly grateful for the
enthusiastic support from our community and the dedication of our vendors," remarked Stacy Mathis. "The
Market on Maple represents a celebration of local talent and entrepreneurial spirit, and we couldn't be more
excited about the season ahead."
Kylie Forehand echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the anticipation for the upcoming months of the
market season. "The energy and excitement here today are palpable. We are thrilled to see the Market on Maple
become a thriving gathering place for our community, and we look forward to the diverse array of goods and
experiences that each week will bring."
From artisanal crafts to farm-fresh produce, the Market on Maple offers something for everyone, fostering a
vibrant tapestry of local culture and commerce.
The vendors who were part of the opening day were OF Country Farm, Jacob’s Produce, Sylvania Florist,
Ogeechee Peaches, Dragonfly Sweets, Kildare Station, Rosa Teague Sweets, Blend Company, Cottage Geeks,
Christy’s Crafts, Vitale in the South, Tiny Little Beads, Louise Brinson Produce, Daily Bread, Mel’s Munchies,
Froyo Bean and Boone’s Blazin’ Bites. Photo by: Sarah Saxon
United Methodist Church Removes Ban
on LGBTQ Clergy Ordination
-Special to The Times
In a landmark decision, the General Conference of
The United Methodist Church has unanimously voted
to abolish the ban on the ordination of clergy who are
"self-avowed practicing homosexuals," overturning a
prohibition that has been in place since 1984.
The decisive vote took place during the morning
plenary session on May 1, where General Conference
delegates approved the change alongside 22 other pieces
of legislation
on the consent
calendar. This
method allows
delegates to
pass multiple
petitions in bulk
if they have
overwhelming
support in the
legislative
committee and
do not have
budgetary or
constitutional
implications.
The vote on
the consent
calendar saw
overwhelming
approval, with
692 delegates
voting in
favor and only
51 opposed,
<
The
United
Methodist
Church
marking a significant
93% approval rate. The
announcement of the
decision was met with
applause from both delegates
and observers present at the
conference.
Among the key changes approved on the consent
calendar is a directive that superintendents are not
to penalize clergy or churches for either holding or
refraining from holding same-sex weddings. Additionally,
the General Conference has urged the Council of Bishops
to prioritize inclusivity in naming representatives to
ecumenical organizations, considering factors such as
gender, race, ethnicity, age, disabilities, sexual orientation,
and economic condition.
This move by the General Conference reflects a broader
trend of the denomination quietly reversing longstanding
restrictions against LGBTQ members. More potential
changes are anticipated in the future, including the
elimination of the ban on using United Methodist funds to
"promote acceptance of homosexuality."
Notably, the legislation approved explicitly protects
the right of clergy and churches not to officiate at or host
same-sex weddings, ensuring that individual beliefs and
practices are respected within the denomination.
Following the historic vote, retired Bishop Hope
Morgan Ward, a vocal advocate for LGBTQ inclusion in
church life, offered a prayer, emphasizing the importance
of serving with compassion and devotion. Similarly
Bishop Karen Oliveto, the denomination's first openly gay
and married bishop, expressed gratitude for the progress
made and highlighted the ongoing commitment to
inclusivity and acceptance within The United Methodist
Church.
EARLY VOTING
BEGAN
APRIL 29-MAY 17
Screven County Board of
Elections Contact Information
Check your voter registration information and view a sample
ballot at: www.mvp.sos.ga.gov
View Screven County Election information and news on
Facebook at Screven County Board of Elections
Find us on the web at www.screvencountyboc.com/
electionsadministration
Email at registrar@screvencountyga.gov
Or call us at 912-564-2153
Governor Kemp Signs Agricultural
Legislation with Focus on Security
and Support
-Joe Brady, Editor
Georgia Governor Brian
R Kemp, flanked by key
officials and legislative
partners, has enacted a
comprehensive package of
laws aimed at bolstering the
state's agricultural sector while
enhancing security measures
against external threats. The
signing ceremony, attended
by First Lady Marty Kemp,
Lieutenant Burt Jones, Speaker
Jon Bums, Commissioner
Tyler Harper, and various state
and local leaders, marks a
significant step in safeguarding
Georgia's vital agricultural
industry.
The legislative package
encompasses a range of
measures designed to fortify
the resilience of Georgia's
farming communities and
protect vital agricultural assets
from foreign interference
and internal threats. Notable
provisions include stringent
regulations on the ownership
of agricultural land and
properties near military
installations by individuals
with ties to foreign adversaries.
This measure seeks to prevent
the exploitation of agricultural
resources for nefarious
purposes and safeguard critical
national security interests.
Governor Kemp emphasized
the pivotal role of Georgia's
farming families in driving
the state's economy and
underscored the importance
of providing unwavering
support amidst unprecedented
challenges. These challenges
include grappling with adverse
federal energy policies,
combating attempts by foreign
entities to acquire farmland,
and addressing the escalating
issue of property theft,
particularly livestock.
"We are committed to
standing by our farming
communities and ensuring they
receive the support they need
to thrive," declared Governor
Kemp. "By addressing the
pressing issues facing our
agricultural sector head-on,
we are reinforcing Georgia's
position as a national leader in
agriculture while safeguarding
our state against emerging
threats."
In addition to its agricultural
focus, the legislative package
encompasses measures aimed
at addressing broader societal
concerns. This includes
initiatives to combat career
burnout among healthcare
professionals and crackdown
on the illicit distribution of
fentanyl-laced medications
and controlled substances,
underscoring the state's
commitment to public health
and safety.
The collaborative efforts
between Governor Kemp, state
legislators, and stakeholders
reflect a concerted commitment
to fortifying Georgia's
agricultural resilience and
enhancing security measures to
safeguard the state's economic
and national interests.
With these comprehensive
legislative reforms in place,
Georgia is poised to navigate
the evolving landscape of
agricultural challenges and
emerge stronger and more
resilient than ever before.
SCMS FFA Recognized
-Erica Frost,
Special Contributor
Several members (Dakota
Bragg, Riley Lamb, Stella
McBride, and Jay Conley
Smith) were recognized at
the State FFA Convention
last week for their Supervised
Agricultural Experience
Programs.
Jay Conley, however,
walked away, being named
the State Winner in the
area of Horticulture for his
SAE Recordbook. These
recordbooks are the start of
the member's proficiency
applications in high school.
I am incredibly proud of
our students, who were
recognized for their hard
work and success last week.
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