About The Lee County ledger. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1978-current | View Entire Issue (May 22, 2024)
The Led County Ledger Your Hometown Source Of Local News Hometown Newspaper of Joan Shipes Volume XLVI- Number 33 Leesburg, Georgia - - May, 2024 Fifty Cents Phoebe Honors Nurses and Names Nurse of the Year During National Nurses Week Special to the Ledger Nick Dubravcic, a veteran charge nurse in the Phoebe Putney Me morial Hospital (PPMH) emergency center, was named the hospital’s Nurse of the Year during a Celebrating Nursing Ceremony marking National Nurses Week. Forty-four PPMH nurses were nominated for the award by their peers, with Dubravcic receiv ing an astounding 13 nominations. “As the strongest ER nurse in our health system, Nick’s profound impact on the lives of those he serves is unparalleled. Through his tireless efforts and boundless compas sion, he not only heals wounds but also nur tures spirits, embodying the very essence of our mission and setting a shining example for all,” one nominator wrote. Another said, “Nick communicates in a professional and kind manner, devoting as much time and energy as he needs to help explain or educate patients and visitors. He facilitates healing, he prioritizes safety of his patients and staff, and is kind to every person he encoun ters.” Dubravcic said he was very honored that so many people took time to nominate him for the award. “It means a lot. I’m just amazed by all the kind words from everybody. There are so many deserving nurses. I’m just speechless that they chose me,” he said. During the Celebrating Nursing event, hospi tal chaplain Rev. Joey Holland performed a Blessing of the Hands for nurses and the South west Georgia Nurse Honor Guard conduct ed a special tribute to Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing whose birthday (May 12) coincides with the last day of Nurses Week. “This is a week I look forward to every year because it gives us a chance to honor our nurses. You make a difference. It’s not just the clinical care you provide, it’s the compas sion and kindness you offer our patients and their families,” PPMH Chief Nursing Officer Maureen Jackson told the nurses in attendance. “This hospital would not be what it is without you.” Activities honoring Phoebe nurses this week included an International Nurses Night. Nurs es and their families representing a dozen countries gathered in the Phoebe Simulation & In novation Center to enjoy fun simulation activities, trivia games and a pot- luck dinner. Each family was invited to bring one of their favorite dishes from their home country. “Phoebe’s diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Our interna tional nurses are vital members of the Phoebe Family who bring unique backgrounds and high levels of commitment and compassion to their work. We welcome the opportunity to help them get connected to each other and to our commu nity,” Jackson said. Currently, Phoebe Putney Health System employs nearly 1,300 nurses throughout its hospitals and clinics. Commissioners Presented With Accessory Buildings Proposed Change During the county commission meeting May 14th, Joey Daven port, assistant county manager and acting county planner, present ed a proposal to amend chapter 70, article iii, section 70-84, of the code of ordinances of Lee County, with respect to the allowable areas and number of accessory buildings for lots five acres or more, located in residential districts. Based on information from the planning com mission, lot area where accessory building is proposed up to 21,780 square feet and 21,781 to 43,560 square feet could have three accessory buildings. Lot area where ac cessory building is proposed from 43,561 square feet to 5 acres, could have accesso- 8 10499 02456 8 DOHERTY, DUGGAN, HART&TIERNAN INSURORS Home • Auto • Business • Life/Health P.O.Box 71628 (229)888-2040 Albany, GA 31708-1628 800-628-2040 2301 Dawson Road (31707) Fax (229) 435-3036 www.ddhtins.com Smithville Neighborhood Watch Organizational Meeting 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 22 Community Building ry buildings of 1,000 square feet for the first acre, plus 750 square feet for each additional Zi acre, not to exceed a total of 7.000 square feet of floor area. 5 acres to 25 acres could have 7000 square feet for the first five acres, plus 250 square feet for each additional acre, not to exceed a to tal of 12,000 square feet of floor area. Accessory building setback and potential buffer require ments would be subject to approval by the plan ning director or his/her designee. For more than 25 acres, the maximum total allowable floor area shall be determined in accordance with AG-I requirements; Sec. 70- 314 Area, Height and Placement requirements for AG-I zoning. All requirements of Sec. 70- 314 shall be met for total allowable floor area of all accessory buildings to exceed 12,000 square feet. Accessory building setback and potential buffer requirements would be subject to approval by the plan ning director or his/her designee. Johnny Golden, a member of the planning commission, noted that the number of building for five acres to 25 acres and more than 25 acres should be increased from five accessory buildings. No action was taken by the commissioners. Chris Boswell, Direc tor of the Lee County Utilities Authority up dated the commissioners on the mass water meter change that is taking place. The intent is to replace all manual read meters with Allegro (tower read) meters. The system-wide meter replacement project and AMI infrastructure be gan in March 2024. The project was designed to replace old (outdated) meters with current tower read meters. Ap proximately $2.5 million was allocated to be spent on the project from the 2022 Bond issuance: This project will allow all the outdated meters to be replaced, some as old as 30 plus years, protect the water system with the installation of backflow devices on all meters, replacing broken and damaged meter box es lids, and gate values. Once the entire project is completed, the system will comply with EPD standards for backflow prevention. The Author Jorden Walker Named Public Works Employee Of The Month Jorden Walker has worked for Lee County Public Works for over two years. He is one of Public Work’s heavy equipment operators and his main duty is main taining the landfill and the stockpiles as well as hauling materials to job sites and is one of the on call employees. Over the past month, the Great American Cleanup overwhelmed the landfill with debris and materials. Jordan volunteered on his day off to haul materials to be recycled because of the pride he takes in keeping Lee County’s landfill clean and in good order. He was chosen as Employee of the Month by his fellow employees. Way to go Jorden! Great Job! Submitted Photo Jorden Walker Named Public Works Employee Of The Month is pictured with Mike Sistrunk, Public Works Director To Subscribe Call 229-759-2413 ity will read all meters from one central loca tion and improve cus tomer service by being able to read meters in real-time and eliminate contract meter readers. During their meeting May 14th, the county commissioners approved a rezoning request from Danielle Wetherald do ing business as Wether ald Behavioral Academy to rezone 12.391 acres at 552 US Highway 82 from R-l to C-4 for a small private school for children and young adults with autism and related disabilities. Wetherald Behavioral Academy is a non-profit private school school for transition to adulthood program for individuals with autism and related disabilities. They plan to offer a transition pro gram for middle school and high school-aged students. This program aims to equip students with job skills and inde pendent living abilities, enabling them to lead Homeownership is within your reach, even if you don't have much to put toward a down payment. GCB has you covered with low mortgage insurance premiums. Contact us to get a quote today! Georgia Community Bank 3000 N. Slappey Blvd. (229) 446-0102 Online @ GCB.bank NMLS # 648124 Subject to credit approval. FDIC as autonomous a life as possible given their cognitive abilities. The commissioners approved a request from the Lee County Emergency Response Department to install a communications tower and related appurte nances, with the com munications tower being greater than 100 feet in height at 2345 US 19 N. Smithville, GA (Fire Station 4). Since the communications tower will be greater than 100 feet in height, it re quires a conditional use approval. The communi cations tower and related apputlenances will be located on the same site as the Smithville Fire Station #4. The commissioners also approved a variance application for a reduc tion in setback require ments in the AG-1 Dis trict for the placement of a communications tower and related appurtenanc es at the Smithville Fire Station #4.
