About The Lee County ledger. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1978-current | View Entire Issue (April 3, 2019)
Page 4A,The Lee County Ledger, Wednesday, April 3,2019 Ksewgig Forestry Commission Report Sharing the Word DESTRUCTIVE WEED IN GEORGIA One of the “World’s Worst Weeds” has crept into the State of Geor gia, and residents should be on the lookout for its warning signs. “Cogongrass is ex tremely destructive,” said Mark McClure, Georgia Forestry Commis sion (GFC) Forest Health Forester. “It spreads rapidly and forms thick mats that displace native vegeta tion and wildlife. It is also extremely flam mable and can create a severe wildfire hazard.” Cogongrass is widely es tablished in Florida and is now has moved into South Georgia, accord ing to Mark McClure. It is considered to be one of the top 10 worst weeds in the world. According to the GFC, March to early June is a good time to find cogon grass, because it is form ing seeds, which emerge from a white, silky, plume-like flower at the top of the grass blade. Another distinguishing feature to look for is the off-center midrib on leaf blades which is more ap parent towards the tip of the one-to-four foot long blade. “If you suspect cogon grass is on your prop erty, call your local GFC forester or County Ex tension Agent as soon as possible,” said McClure. “Don’t mow through or near the area that has the weed, especially if it’s flowering, because that can disperse the seeds.” Soil work, such as disking or grading in or near the area that has cogongrass should also be avoided, according to McClure. GFC foresters are working with the Georgia Department of Agriculture, University of Georgia Extension Service, USDA Forest Service, and Animal and Plant Inspec tion Service to stop the spread of this invasive spe cies. For infor mation on identifying and treating cogongrass, contact Mark McClure of the Georgia Forestry Com mission at 759-3011 or visit the GFC website at www.gatrees.org Special to the Ledger By: Sen. Greg Kirk (R - Americus) The Senate just wrapped up week 11 under the Gold Dome leaving us with just one day to go. This year, Sine Die will fall tomorrow, April 2nd, where both the House and Senate chambers will complete our work for the 2019 legislative session. Because we are only in the first year of the biennial session, any piece of legislation that was introduced this year but needed more work before final passage still has the potential to be considered next year. While some important measures fall under this category, I believe that the General Assembly really got to work this session, passing some of the most impactful legislation. Two of the bills I want to highlight this week resulted from long hours of hearings and debate, but I believe Special to the Ledger By Harry R. Martinez, Ph. D Go Tell John The account of the imprisonment of John the Baptist provides much insight into the adversities that come into the life of believ ers regardless of their spiritual growth. Scrip ture reveals the Ford’s accolades of John ... “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen any one greater than John the Baptist” (Matt 11:11a NIV). This John was a voice in the wilder ness calling the nation of Israel to repentance. “Religion” was draining the spiritual life of the people as it promoted Pharisaical elitism, overt observance of ritual with little or no understanding the two bills are what’s best for Georgia. The first bill I want to mention is House Bill 481, or the Fiving Infants Fairness and Equality (FIFE) Act, also known as the Heartbeat Bill. HB 481 would establish the life of an unborn child as soon as the heartbeat is detected, which is typically around six weeks, and would prevent the termination of a pregnancy at or past this point. The Senate Science and Technology Committee amended the bill’s original version to allow for exceptions in cases of rape, incest or certain specified health conditions. Though I believe life begins at conception, I supported this bill and know it will help reduce the 27,455 abortions performed on average in our state each year. I was proud to speak in support of this measure when it came to the Senate floor as I have always, and will always be, in support of life. The reason I, and so many of my colleagues, stood in support of this bill was to provide a voice for the innocent, unborn child. Once the heartbeat is detected, there is no argument whether or not a life has begun. While I trust women to make choices about their own bodies, this comes down to more than just her own body and her own life, there is now another life to take into consideration. I support HB 481 because I support life, no matter what stage of develop ment it has reached. This bill was passed in the House, amended and passed in the Senate and the Senate’s substi tute has now also been approved by the House. The bill is in the final step of becoming law, pending signature of the governor. The second bill I wanted to highlight from this year’s session is Senate Bill 77 which would protect all monu ments, whether privately owned, or owned by the state. The bill includes protections for flags, seals and other symbols, but the hot topic in this as to the true meaning of the sacrifices, feast days and Sabbaths. In short, Israel was steeped in religiosity as the means of having a rela tionship with God. Those who were responsible for teach ing God’s Word had perverted their mission and message. God in His faithfulness repeatedly exposed the hypocrisy of the nation. John the Baptist was not the first prophet to summons the nation to turn back to God. God had His prophet Isaiah 700 years earlier to call the people to repentance. His mes sage was clear ... “The bill is the protection of all monuments. The legislation was drafted by our Rules Chairman, Sen. Jeff Mullis, whose district faced desecra tion of gravestones this past year. As you may remember, last year I introduced Senate Bill 347 which would increase the penalty of criminal trespassing on military and non military graves. This has been an issue for some time and is not just seen in one part of our state, it has reached every corner. SB 77 will protect the memory of lives that have been lost, as well as preserve the history of our state and nation. I was proud to support this legislation, not only to honor the lives of all Georgians, but to remember our history, good and bad, because that is what has put our state and our country above all. I also want to high light the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget and some good news we received for Dooley, Turner and Wilcox Counties. The State Board of Educa tion budget originally had 10 percent slotted through Sparsity Grants multitude of your sacri fices — what are they to me?” says the FORD. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened ani mals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats” (Isa 1:11 NIV). Hosea’s message challenged the people to true worship, that which reflected the inner condition of their soul and not that which was external to be seen of men ... “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offer ings” (Hos 6:6 NIV). for these counties, but we were able to double that amount and further our goals for quality education for all of our students. I am proud to represent our area and be able to work towards a more level playing field for chil dren across District 13. As we wind down here at the Capitol, I want to remind you that I am your Senator year-round. During the interim is when we are drafting legislation to be considered for the next session. If you have any concerns that you would like me to address, I will be your voice in the Senate. It is an honor to serve district 13 each and every day, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office if there is anything I can help you with. Sen. Greg Kirk serves as Chairman of the State and Focal Governmental Operations Committee. He represents the 13th Senate District which includes Crisp, Dooly, Fee, Tift, Turner, and Worth counties, and portions of Sumter and Wilcox counties. He may be reached at 229.854.9706 or by email at greg.kirk@sen- ate.ga.gov. God’s message through Amos bluntly stated that ... “Even though you bring me burnt offer ings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteous ness like a never-failing stream” (Amos 5:22-24 NIV)! These warnings and calls to repentance continued to go un heeded. The nation of Israel had learned little from its exile to Assyria and Babylon. Still, it was the divine intent to bring Messiah into the world through the Jewish nation. After four hundred years of divine silence, God sent another prophet. “And this was his [John the Baptist] message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 1:7-8 NIV). John was merely ... “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Ford, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation” (Fuke 3:4b-6 NIV). “And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them. But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison” (Fuke 3:17-20 NIV). God’s faithful servant was not immune to adversity. He had faithfully announced the coming of Messiah, yet now he found himself in prison. This adversity caused discouragement and doubt to surface in his thinking. “When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” Had John mistakenly identi fied Jesus as the Savior who would go to the Cross and bear the sins of mankind? Was not the good news that faith in this Jesus would result in a personal relationship with God that could not be attained by outward acts of religious obser vance and ritual? Jesus would reply ... “Go and tell John...” (Fuke 7:22 NKJV). Editor’s note: Dr. Mar tinez is an ordained min ister 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 children and resides in Fee County with his wife, Sara. Letters Policy The Fee County Fedger welcomes - indeed encour ages - letters from our readers on matters of interest for the community. Have a complaint? See a problem that needs correcting? Have the solution to a prob lem that others haven’t seen yet? Feel some person or group deserves praise and isn’t getting it? Please write us and let everyone share in your viewpoint. We do request that all letters be signed and accompanied by the writer’s street address and telephone number. We reserve the right not to print any letter. Fetters not signed will not be printed. Fetters may be edited for space. Address your letter to Editor, The Fee County Fedger, P.O. Box 715, Feesburg, Georgia 31763 or bring them by our office. The Lee County Ledger Established August 24,1978 lcledger@bellsouth.net P.O. 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. Printed On member of Georgia Recycled Paper press association Submitted Photo Leesburg Police Chief Chris Prokesh read the book Gloria to kindergarten students in Courtney Joiner’s class at Lee County Primary School. The class was learning about community leaders. Tom Lambert Week 11 Update from the Gold Dome Harry R. Martinez Sen. Greg Kirk
