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Hospital audit shows strong financials
The most recent audit n*port
of the Peach Regional Medical
Center shows a strong financial
turnaround.
“Basically, it's a miraculous
report,” said Larry Collins. Hos
pital Authority Chairman.
“During the year 2000, we wen*
losing a lot of money. But in the
year 2001, after converting to a
Critical Access Hospital, we
have a positive bottom line for
the first time in three? years."
The auditor’s report that
prompted Collins’ enthusiastic
remarks had more good news.
“That tn'nd (upward) is contin
uing into the current fiscal
year” reportix! Draffin & 'Dick
er partner David Blitch. "These
are the Kind of Trends we like
to see; we an* very pleased with
FALL FESTIVAL PARTICIPATION SOUGHT
The time is fast approaching to begin work on
putting the Fall
Festival together. This year the Lions Club would
like for our festival to be different with more par
ticipation from the community. As a community,
we need to pull together to provide a safe and fun
environment for our children on Oct. 31 st. The
more participation, the more fun for everyone.
Please find the time to encourage your group,
class, employees, church to set up games, (hobhinl
for apples, mazes), concession stands, whatever you
can think of.
Remember, this is also a great opportunity to
raise money for your club as well as serving your
community.
Please call Gary Borosky 825-7633 or 923-1208 or
Stacey Shy 825-1468 if you would like to
participate.
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the financial turnaround of this
hospital," said Blitch.
The audit report was pre
sentcd to the Hospital Authori
ty on Thursday, September 26,
2002 .
Peach County Commission
Chairman James Khoury said
the n*port was good news for all
Peach Countians. “We want and
need our hospital. This report is
a shot in the arm for all of us. A
healthy hospital speaks
volumns about us as a county,”
Khoury said. The commissioner
added that there are other
great things happening in
Peach County, and this hospital
report underscon*s and empha
sizes that Peach County is on
the move.
Hospital Administrator
®fje Teaber -HCrtbune
WEDNESDAY, October 9, 2002
Nancy Peed also reported that
w ith only two months left in the
current fiscal year, it seems
likely that the current year (fis
cal year 2002) will also reflect a
positive bottom line. "We have
been working extremely hard at
controlling expenses,” said Mrs.
Peed. “We also have been
awarded grant funding during
the fiscal year."
She explained that the hospi
tal used the grants to improve
equipment and services. “W'e
purchased a new state-of-the
art CT scanner and we devel-
Horse in Byron found
to have West Nile disease
Fort Valley, GA; Laboratory
tests confirm that a ten year
old Quarter Horse mare living
in the Byron. GA area was
infected with the West Nile
Virus. The horse was tested for
tile presence of the virus after
she developed neurologic symp
toms on September 29, 2001
The horse had not been vacci
nated against the West^Mile
Virus. Attending veterinarian
Dr. Charlene Cook of Central
Georgia Equine Services, Inc.
examined tile mare and coordi
nated her treatment. Dr. Cook
reported. Tile man* is respond
ing to treatment and is expect
ed to make a full recovery. We
urge all area horse owners to
have their horses vaccinated
against this dangerous dis
ease." Dr Cook added, "The
UP
_
reported cases, 26 are from the
state of Georgia. West Nile
Virus has spread rapidly across
the United States this Year
w ith 36 states reporting equine
cases
BYRON DEPOT REOPENS
After months spent in
repainting the Depot and
bringing it up to code for
handicapped accessiblity,
the Byron Depot is ready
to Ik* put back in order and
opened to the public.
Volunteers from the
Byron Area Historical
Society are working hard
to meet the Sat., Oct. 12
deadline, when visitors
from Austria will be at
Jailhouse Park. The soci
ety will be serving punch
and cookies for the entire
community. Join them at
the Depot from 10 a m.
until 2 p.m. Saturday.
ber 19-20. For information call
478-922-8265.
Annual Christmas Parade,
w December 7, 5 p.m., Downtown
mm: Fort Valley lighting, Christmas
I X T carols and blessing after the
parade.
y
Julie Quick, voter registration
coordinator for Peach County
will demosntrate and inform the
Political forum, Peach County Court
house, Oct. 16, 7 p.m. sponsored by
Gamma Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority. Local board of
education candidates with opposi
* tion, state legislative candidates and
j national representative participate. candidates
are invited to
Christmas tour of homes - Make plans
now to attend the home tour on
December 14. Hear the Sweet Ade
line's and Chime Bell Choir perform
ing at St Andrews Episcopal Church,
Featured homes are the Freshwater,
O'Shields, McGehee, Dankel and
Ashley homes. Tickets are $10 for
the day or evening tour and $12 for
both. For more information contact
the Main Street office at 825-5986.
Mossy Creek Barnyard Festival, Octo-
oped and implemented a car
diac rehabilitation program and
an extended care program.
Additionally, we were able to
purchase a new computer sys
tem that will help us to be more
efficient and effective. We have
also purchased endosopy equip
ment because our surgery
demand is increasing,” said
Mrs. Peed.
“More and more people want
to have their health care and
medical procedures done close
to home And we are respond
ing to that net-d,” she added.
vaccine for horses has been
available for the past Year and
recent research has proven
that the vaccine is both safe
and effective." There is no vac
cine for humans, which can
also contract the virus. "We
also encourage area horse own
ers to do everything possible to
retard mosquito growth stated
Cook. Horse owners can help
protect their horses with insect
repellents and stabling under
fans. Horse owners and other
outdoor enthusiasts are also
encouraged to protect them
selves with insect repellents
and protective clothing.
The USDA National Veteri
nary Service Laboratory
reported that there have born
7.462 equine cases nationwide
from January 1. 2002 through
29. 2002. Of tile
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Above, Buddy Luce greets
Governor Roy Barnes % .
upon his arrival at Blue . '
Bird. At right, R.K.Sehgal, ■>Vv
Commissioner of Indus
' V;:
try,Trade and Tourism,
speaks with Peach County m
representatives and Kep.
Lymore James after n
speech at Blue Bird. m
Rodeo opportunities available
Tiie SunMark Peach Region
al Rodeo, November 8-9, 2002.
promises unparalleled enter
tainment and excitement for
area enthusiasts. Located just
north of Fort Valley at the inter
section of file Hwy 341 By-Pass
and Hwy 49 (Peach Parkway),
the rodeo will begin at 7:30 p.m.
each evening with local talent
providing pre-show activities.
Admission tickets are $10 for
adults, $5 for Veterans with mil
itary identification card, and $5
for children under 12. Early
arrival is recomm nded - gener
al seating. Advance tickets will
he on sale starting Oct 25th at
either SunMark Comir^ijiitV
Bank in Fort Valley or Kent
Chevrolet in Reynolds. Tickets
will also be available at the
rodeo gate November 8th and
9th.
This event, organized by the
Fort Valley Masonic Uxlge. has
earned the endorsement and
encouragement of State Repre
sentative Robert Ray, Mayor
John St umbo and Mayor Maty
Ayers of Reynolds. Other com
munity businesses and individ
uals providing key sponsorships
to date are Allen's Insurance
Group, Whitaker and Whitaker
Family Dentistry, Westview
Pharmacy, Tapatio's Mexican
Restaurant, Steve Oliver (CPA),
Blue Bird Body Company,
Lane's Packing Company and
Robins Federal Credit Union.
During the SunMark Peach
Regional Rodeo, countless non
resident professional competi
tors and other dignitaries will
be visiting Fort Valley including
public on the use of the new voting
machines on Monday, Oct. 14 at St.
Peter AME Church. 502 State Univer
sity Drive, 7 p.m. Everyone invited to
learn how to use the new machines,
Further sessions set for Oct. 21 and
28 at same time and location,
The Compass and Square Club of
Fort Valley will sell Chickenquie din
ners Saturday, October 12, from 11
a.m. until 2 p.m. at Fred Douglas
Masonic Lodge on Pine Street. $5 per
plate.
There will be ameeting held fo rthe
Mentor USA Club of Fort Valley Oct.
12, 4 p.m. at Appling Estates on Wit
lowlake Road. Purpose will be to
organize committees and officers for
the year. One main purpose is to cjis
cuss festivities for the FVSU Home-
m
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Miss Rodeo USA, 23-year-old
Georgianne Ahdo from Tulsa,
Oklahoma. Through her Tree
dom Reins" platform, Geor
gianne encourages children of
all ages, physical abilities and
backgrounds to become involved
in rodeo and horseback riding.
In today’s world of superficial
heroes. Miss Rodeo USA is a
wholesome role model all chil
dren can look up to.
The rodeo is a Southern
States Rodeo Association
(SSRA) and International Pro
fessional Rodeo Association
(IPRAi sanctioned event. SSRA
-,an([IPfy\ cardfhoiders member*; and non
(including Ideal
entries ) are encouraged to par
ticipate as contestants. All rodeo
contestants must contact the
Central Entry System in Okla
homa City at 800-639-9002.
There are stiff opportunities
to support this local rodeo event.
Regional businesses, churches,
clubs, organizations and private
citizens can purchase event
sponsorships or program-guide
ads. Five Rodeo Event Sponsor
ships are still available: Bare
back Bronc Riding, Team Rop
ing. Saddle Bronc Riding, Calf
Roping, and Steer Wrestling. To
sponsor an event and display
your business logo before thou
sands of rixleo enthusiasts, con
tact Josh Chadwick (478-923-
7707 wk or 478-827-0103 hm).
All profits for this event will
benefit the needy in our commu
nities through the Fort Valley
Masonic Lodge benevolence
fund.
coming. If you would like to become a
mentor, please attend.
Fort Valley Middle School will hold
the "Lights on After School Celebra
tion" Thursday, October 10, 6 p.m. in
the gymnasium. The community is
invited to attend. After School pro
gram students will perform and Pas
tor Richard Smith will be the speaker,
Open House to celebrate National
Physical Therapy Month, the Rehabili
tation Services Department at Peach
Regional Medical Center is hosting an
open house. Sat., Oct. 12, 9 ? m.
noon. Everyone invited. Door prizes
and refreshments. Free activities,
PCHS Trojan Touchdown Club annual
Chick-n-que, Friday, Oct. 18,11 a m -
2 p.m. and 3:30-5 30 p.m. Vacant lot
on Camellia Blvd.
The Hunt Educational and Cultural
Center invites Huntonians, family
members and friends to an old timers
hospitality social. Oct. 18,8 p.m. A 55
love contribution is asked. For info
call Alfred Ellis. Jean Jackson or Eve
lyn McCray at 825-8278.
FVMS School Council meeting, Tues.,
Oct. 15.5:30 p.m. media center.