About The Lee County ledger. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1978-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 23, 2019)
Page 4A, The Lee County Ledger, Wednesday, January 23, 2019 K&eorgi^^restry Commission Report Help At Hand For Michael- Struck Ga Landowners Emergency assistance for landowners impacted by Hurricane Michael is being rolled out by the Georgia Forestry Commission. Aid ap proved by the Georgia Legislature in November includes $20 million for debris cleanup in areas where the storm deci mated mil lions of acres of forestland and tree orchards. Two programs are available to help land- owners with specific needs: the Forest De bris Manage ment Program and the Forest Access Road & Firebreak Resto ration Project. Separate application procedures are required for each program. “Relief is at hand for landowners who need help with bulldoz ing downed trees and debris,” aid Georgia Forestry Commission Director Chuck Wil liams. “Applications are being taken now, and we are optimistic about the effects this program will have on reducing insect infestations, as well as catastrophic wildfires.” Landowners who have 10 or more acres of for estland or a commercial orchard of any size with trees damaged by Hurri cane Michael are eligible for the Forest Debris Management Program (FDMP). The sign-up period runs from Janu ary 14, 2019 to February 11, 2019, and applica tions can be downloaded on the GFC website here: http://gatrees.org/ forest-management/ stormdamage/ FDMP. cfm. Landowners may apply for debris manage ment funds retroactively. Approved applicants will be notified in writ ing beginning February 25, 2019, and funding levels and guidelines will be included. Upon completion of the work, participants will be required to submit of ficial cost documenta tion and a detailed map showing boundaries and debris manage ment routes. Cost share payments are based on 80% of the documented cost. The average cost of clearing debris from Tom Lambert forestland across the Southeast is about $500 per acre. Cost share may be limited per taxpayer identification number and a per-acre cap may be set, depending on the demand for funds. The Georgia Development Authority is responsible for pay ments. Another program to assist more specifically with fire prevention activities is available to landown ers in the designated 28-county disaster area* impacted by Hur ricane Michael. The Forest Access Road and Firebreak Restoration Project provides for the clearing of forest debris from existing firebreaks and roads at no cost to the landowner. The proj ect is designed to create a more manageable situ ation should wildfires become prevalent in the region. Eligible tracts must have had existing tree cover containing forest roads and estab lished firebreaks im mediately prior to the storm’s arrival. Written applications will be ac cepted from January 15 to February 28, 2019 and are available at http:// gatrees.org/forest-man- agement/storm-damage/ FARFRP.cfm, along with detailed project requirements. “The intent of these programs is to protect forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and increase timber and or chard production,” said Williams. “The GFC stands ready with the tools and the expertise to help landowners get through this important phase of recovery.” For more information about hurricane relief programs and services of the Georgia Forestry Commission, visit Ga- Trees.org. * Baker, Bleckley, Brooks, Calhoun, Clay, Colquitt, Crisp, Decatur, Dodge, Dooley, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Laurens, Lee, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Pulas ki, Randolph, Seminole, Sumter, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, Wilcox and Worth. The lee County ledger Established August 24,1978 lcledger@bellsouth.net P.0. Box 715 (126 4th Street) (229) 759-2413 Leesburg, Georgia 31763 USPS 470-310 Official Organ of Lee County SUBSCRIPTION RATES Lee and surrounding counties $20.00 year Elsewhere $25.00 year Publisher Derryl Quinn Editor Jim Quinn Layout and Design Zan Twiggs Advertising Manager Tina Maples (USPS 470-310), is published weekly for $20.00 per year in Lee and surrounding counties, and $25.00 per year else where by its offices at the May Office Building, 124 - 4th Street, Leesburg, Georgia 31763. Periodicals postage paid at Leesburg, GA. POST MASTER: Send address changes on Form 3579 to, P.O. 715, Leesburg, GA 31763. o Printed On Recycled Paper MEMBER OF GEORGIA PRESS ASSOCIATION Sharing the Word Special to the Ledger By Harry R. Martinez, Ph.D Perhaps this year? pt. 3 This is the third article about the first return of Christ, commonly known as the rapture. That word as such comes into our language from the Latin and is a theo logical term rather than a Biblical word. However, that does not in any way diminish its theologi cal meaning and truth concerning the coming of Christ for His Church. The Greek equivalent to the Latin is “harpazo and means to pluck up, pull away, catch or take away by force. With reference to Christ’s coming and taking away His Church out of Satan’s domain, it seems appropriate to render the closest mean ing as that of snatching away by force or in a violent way. The Greek word “harpazo” is found in Paul’s writing to the churches in Thessalonica ... “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud com mand, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up [harpazo] together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thess 4:16-17 NIV). On the eve of His crucifixion, Jesus told His disciples ... “In my Father’s house are many rooms [dwelling places, mansions]; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” John 14:2-3 NIV). How ever Jesus did not set a date for that return nor when He would set up His kingdom at the Sec ond Advent. “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own author ity. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:7-8 NIV). The Apostle Peter gives us an indication as to why the Lord responded in that manner just prior to His ascension ... “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 NIV). Thus, it seems plausible that when the last person to place their faith in Christ as their personal Savior, believing that He died on the Cross to offer eternal life through simple faith in Him, the Church will be completed and raptured, taken up, as the Bride of Christ. Since no prophecy must be fulfilled before the Church is taken up into heaven, it is imminent. In fact, the writers of the epistles anticipated His first return during their life time. Consequently, Paul encouraged believ ers ... “to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:12-13a NIV). Unfortunately, false teachers infiltrated the early Church teach ing that the persecution Christians were experi encing was part of the tribulation period and therefore the teaching of deliverance prior to that time period through Privilege And Joy To Know Wonderful Friends Dear Leesburg friends, it has been an honor to serve as your Fred’s Pharmacist for the past seven years. It’s hard to believe the years have gone by since the day the door first opened on Robert B. Lee Dr. With excitement we welcomed our new customers. Over time I have had the privilege and joy of getting to know many wonderful friends while serving our patients. In addition to helping with your healthcare needs, it has been great fun hearing your sto ries, keeping up with Southeastern Conference and Trojan football and discovering that many of you are fantastic cooks! Four years ago one of our Pharmacy friends discovered an adorable mixed black Labrador puppy abandoned on the road. They knew that we were looking for a puppy and “Bridget” became a delightful part of our home - and probably the most spoiled member of the household. It is with sadness that we heard the news that Fred’s Inc. made the business decision to sell their pharmacy business. They successfully sold the pharmacy records to approximately 180 of their stores including all but two of the locations in Southwest Georgia. My wife and I plan to remain in Lee County while I explore some business opportunities in the region. Lee County is where we raised our children, grew friend ships, did life together. It is my hope that our friends will stay in touch, and please let me know if I can continue to help in any way. Thank you again for the privilege of being your Fred’s pharmacist for the past seven years. With gratitude, Greg Drake Santa At The Mall I know this is a little late but now that every thing has settled down I had to write. The Santa at the Mall this year to put it simply was great. I had out of town guest with 5 little ones oldest nine years youngest two rapture was erroneous. The result was that well grounded believers, known for their faith, were becom ing confused and discour aged. Thus, Paul said ... “your faith in God has be come known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from and a half years old. We made our way to the Mall on December 21 for a visit with Santa. When the Mother of the two and a half year old year placed him on Santa knee you can imagine what he did. Yes he wanted none of this. The Mother did not go and get him nor did Santa say “Come get this screaming child.” Santa began to talk to him and gave him some bell to ring and before you knew it he was as happy as he could be sitting on Santa’s knee alone with his 7 year old sister. Wonderful Santa pictures were made with heaven, whom he raised from the dead — Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath” (1 Thess l:8b-10 NIV). Editor’s note: Dr. Martinez is an ordained minister and was a professor and head of the music department at Florida State University School from 1975 to 2003. He is the father of five adult chil dren and resides in Lee County with his wife, Sara. Santa and all the other little ones taking turns having their pictures made. What a kind and patient Santa he was and how well he understood children. As a retired educator administrator, I was very pleased that the experience with Santa was a huge success. Thanks to the fantastic Santa and the delightful photographer who made excellent Christmas pho tographs. Thanks to the Albany Mall for secur ing outstanding Santas that makes Christmas such a magical time for children. Nan Jones Submitted Photo This is Lois. She is about 4 1/2 to 5 months old. Lois is a Lab mix; she loves to run and play with a ball. Lois would really like to be in a Furever Home so she would have a yard to play in with a couple of children. Her adoption fee is $92.00. Stop by and see her at the Lee County Animal Shelter-101 Mossy Dell, Leesburg. Community Calendar • Lee County Board of Education will meet Monday, January 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the Board of Education office building located at 126 Starksville Ave. in Leesburg for their planning meeting. • Leesburg City Council will meet Tuesday, Feb ruary 5 at 6:00 p.m. at the Leesburg City Hall. • Lee County - Leesburg - Smithville Planning Commission will meet Thursday, February 7 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the T. Page Tharp Governmental Building. Opal Can non Auditorium, 102 Starksville Avenue North, Leesburg. • Christian Motorcycle Association (CMA) will meet Thursday, February 14 at 6:00 p.m. at Quickie Restaurant, 1906 N. Slappey Blvd. in Albany. All are welcome. FMI, call Ed @ 229- 343-0299. • Veterans join the camaraderie of fellow veterans at the Leesburg American Legion Post 182 the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at J&E Restaurant on Walnut Ave. in Leesburg. • The Albany Amateur Radio Club meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Ava lon United Methodist Church, Albany (rear of the church). • Albany Shrine Club business meeting is the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. Ladies Night is the third Saturday at 7 p.m. • Cub Scout Pack 210 meets at Leesburg United Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m. on Monday. Contact Stephen at 229-376-1754. LetMn To ThU Editor Harry R. Martinez
