About The Georgia post. (Knoxville, Crawford County, Ga.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 17, 2013)
W* BYRON L» BUZZ ?B Page 2 Thursday, January 17,2013 THE GEORGIA POST &THE BYRON BUZZ City Council Ends Year With Appointments Byron Lions Club Honors Charter Member, Provides Community Service By Victoria Simmons The Byron Buzz Byron City Council met on the last day of the year 2012,inaspe- cial session to which this newspa per was not given notification and therefore did not attend. Minutes were distributed at the January meeting for the December 31st one and below is a synopsis of what transpired. Appointments were made to the Byron Redevelopment Au thority. Jeffrey L. Ervin and Betsy Murdock were reappointed with temrs to expire December 31, 2015. Joan Hayes was appointed to replace Bill Gresham with term to expire December 31,2015. Mike Patel and Rick Knowles were reappointed to the DDA/ CVB Board, temrs to expire De cember 31, 2016. A resolution was unanimously passed authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Byron and Byron Better Hometown, Inc. A similar resolution was approved, con cerning the Byron Convention and Bureau Authority. A request from Jointly Owned Natural Gas to use By ron’s Sales Tax Exemption was tabled until the January 14, 2013 meeting but it was not on that agenda. RETIREMENT - Continued From Front Netherlands in 2012. One day, it was as though I told myself I was tired of ’dealing with stuff’ and that I was ready to give it up and let someone else have that ’pleasure’. Also I realized that if I did want to take a trip, I would not have to look at the calendar to see what I had go ing on at work,” she said about the decision to retire. She actually decided in No vember 2011. Making the an nouncement at that time gave other employees the oppor tunity to advance and allow Betty to sufficiently train her successor. ”1 hope I have done a good job in training her re placemen t. As I said in my re tirement notice read by Mayor Collins in January 2012,1 will be only a phone call away.” To her successor, Telina Allred, Betty says, ’’Learn as much as your can and stay abreast of changes in the laws. Dedicate yourself to the job. If and when you make mistakes, learn from them and remember that no one is perfect.” Betty says she feels she made a good choice in recommend ing Allred as her replacement. Once she makes that tran sition into retirement, Betty says she will do some orga nization around her house, do more volunteer work with her church and be available to take and pick up her granddaughter, who attends FPD in Macon. She will also continue her ex ercise program and will hope fully, she says, stay busy. She already has an eight-day trip planned in June to the Cal ifornia Coast that she is excited about. ”1 will still be the Elec tion Superintendent and handle the Municipal Election on No vember 5, 2013. So, I will still be somewhat involved wiht the City. I will also continue to be the Secretary for the Byron Rotary Club,” she said about plans. Betty has one son, Jeff Sims, who has a daughter, Mikki Dugger married to Zach Dugger and a seven year old great-granddaughter, Kayleigh Dugger, who all live in Chats- worth, Georgia. Her daughter, Cheryl Lowery, and son-in- law Jimmy Lowery have a son Trey,w ho attends UGA and daughter Lauren and they live in Byron. She attends Grace Baptist Church in Fort Valley, is an active member of Byron Babes Red Hat Club and is the secretary for the Byron Rotary Club. Her previous hobbies were crocheting and embroi dery but now she says her only hobbies are exercising and spending time with her grand children. ’’Even though I am looking forward to retirement, I know I will miss everyone,” she said. When Betty was hired in 1977, Larry Collins was Mayor at that time. He is still mayor as she retires. ”1 have enjoyed working with you Mayor Col lins!” she said. ”1 thank Mayor and Council members who have allowed me to attend clerk training, as well as Mayors’ Day and GMA Conventions” Betty said. BYRON - Continued From Front DUKES OF HAZZARD GEORGIA REUNION CLASSIC CAR SHOW & MUSIC FESTIVAL March 8, 9 & loth Middle Georgia Raceway, Byron follow updates on Facebook: DUKES OF HAZZARD be temporary could look at everything and decide what was needed and where the needs existed. He also said that Chief Mosby had drafted a policy which needs council input that had been put on a back burner for too long. In other business, Chidester brought it to coun cil’s attention that he had received several phone calls about the flags not being down at night and there be ing no light. Proper flag eti quette requires that the flags be taken down if there is no lighting at night. The lighting that was in place was vandal ized. Billy McDaniel, public works director was given the authority to determine what is needed, to spend the money to rectify the situation and bring the plan back to council with what was done and can continue to be done so that it is not a problem anymore. Council approved transfer- ing the Byron Development Authority loan to American Pride Bank.Mayor Larry Collins noted it would not increase the city’s obligation. By: LeRoy Geyman, Publicity Chair for the Byron Lions Club From Ben Robertson Day to the annual Turkey Shoot to the Lovelight tree to the Christmas parades and the club’s Christmas Dinner, it’s been a great year for the By ron Lions Club. On Novem ber 1st, the club gathered to honor our only charter mem ber and life member, Ben Robertson. It was a celebra tion of the 64th anniversary of the Byron Lions Club and of course Ben’s 64th year as a Lion. November 1, 2012 was proclaimed “Ben Rob ertson Day” by Mayor Larry Collins. The club’s annual Turkey Shoot was held on Novem ber 17, 2012. No, we don’t shoot turkeys. Targets are set up, which are made from paper plates with horizontal and vertical lines intersect ing at the center of the plate. In each round, 10 shooters compete, using their own guns or guns provided by the Byron Lions Club. The shooter closest to the “bull’s eye,” (the point at which the lines cross) wins the round. In case of a tie, a “shoot off’ is conducted. The winner re ceives a turkey. The compe tition is from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., so many turkeys are awarded at each turkey shoot. Lion Jim Harden heads up the Turkey Shoot committee and conducts the shoot. He is also our safety officer for the event. Lion Marlene Humphrey conducted the Lovelight Tree ceremony at Jailhouse Park on November 30th. At this ceremony, at a cost of $3.00 per name, you can honor a loved one, or memorialize a deceased loved one. Ah proceeds from this event go to the Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind. Proceeds from ah Lions fund-raisers go for service to community, and to Lions charities, such as Georgia Lions Lighthouse, Leader Dogs for the Blind, Southeastern Guide Dogs, and Learning Ally, which provides recordings for the blind and dyslexic, just to name a few. All administra tive costs are collected from Lions through dues and fees. As always, the club participated in the Byron Christmas Parade. The theme of this year’s pa rade was “How the Grinch Stole Christmas, then gave it back.” Since ours was the last float, its theme was “Giving Back Christmas.” The Grinch rode on our float and assisted Santa in giving out presents. By invitation, our float participated in the Roberta Christmas parade, without Santa, but with the Grinch. The club’s annual Christ mas dinner was held on De cember 6th. The meal as ca tered by Ms. Dot Andrews of the Creekside Catfish House. After the meal we were treated to a very interesting and informative presentation by foreign exchange student Fernando Artiach Tarascon from Spain. Fernando told us about his country; then answered our questions about life in Spain. Lion Lee Brown then conducted a gift exchange, where tickets with numbers were passed out. Each attendee, when his number was called, selected a gift from the table, or from a previous winner until the gifts were gone, and every body had a gift. The club continues to be active in community schools, through our “LI ONS” (Lions In Our Neigh borhood Schools) program. For the first time, the club “adopted” a needy family in our community for Thanks giving, and two families were helped at Christmas time. The Thanksgiving family received food for Thanksgiving dinner. The Christmas families received clothes, toys, and food. The year 2012 was a great year for the Byron Lions Club, and we are looking forward to an even greater 2013. School Board Re-elects Chairs At their January meeting, the Peach County Board of Education re-elected the board chair and vice chair for the next two years. Jamie Johnson was re elected chairman and Ben McDaniel as vice chair. McDaniel said he thinks the board works well to gether. Upcoming Events Byron Buzz Sudoku SOLUTION ON PAGE 3 S L ) D O K U cUsh DISH NETWORK Starting at SAVE! & flsk flbout SflME Dfly (1 LJ L? installation! ” PLUS 30 Premium Movie Channels free tor 3 Months! CALL 1-888-903-6814 A dish 8 6 9 4 7 6 1 8 7 1 3 2 4 5 3 9 8 6 3 9 2 3 6 2 4 6 9 3 C State-Point Media Fill in the blank squares in the grid, making sure that every row, column and 3-by-3 box includes all digits 1 through 9. Free ABE and GED classes every Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 5:30-8:30 p.m., on Wednesday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at the Adult Education Center, 200 Moseley Road, Byron. Orienta tion is on Monday from 8:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. For more information call 478-956-7621. Toddler Tales at Byron Public Library, Wednesdays 11 a.m. 18 months to 3 years. Wacky Wednesday every first Wed. of the the month for 4-7 years old. *AII children 4 years and younger must be accompanied by a caregiver, who must remain with the child dur ing their visit. Byron Public Library 105 Church St. Byron, GA 31008 478-956-2200. Toddler Tales at Thomas Public Library, Thursdays at 11 am. 18months to 3 years. Terrific Thurs day every first Thurs. of the month for 4-7 years old. Thomas Public Library 315 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Fort Valley, GA31030. The ICU Ministry provides hope to others in need. Handmade bags are delivered to area hospital waiting rooms with toiletry items, magazines, etc. for the family. Items for bags are always needed. If you are interested in volunteering or donating supplies call Para at 214-5560. lcukits.blogspot.com. or icukits@gmail.com. ICU Survival Kits Ministry. Come out and help assemble bags, meets every second and fourth Thursday at the Byron Depot. Times are from 8 a.m. -2 p.m.. Next meeting date will be January 24th 2013. The Comforting Quilters provide quilts to those in hospice and oth ers in need. The CQ meets the third Saturday of each month at 200 E. Heritage St., downtown Byron, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. For more information contact Julie at 478-978-0842 or comfortingquilters@gmail.com. The Compassionate Friends of Middle Georgia, Supporting Family After a Child Dies, local chapter meets the 4th Thursday of each month at Byron United Methodist Church at 7:00 p.m. For information call Chapter Leader Karla Chidester (478) 954-4592 or visit www.com- passionatefriends.org Scrapbooking at the Depot on Wednesdays 10 a.m . - 3 p.m. These are free sessions. For more info call Fran at 478-396-0131. Martin Luther Kind Jr. Memorial March, Monday, January 21,9 a.m., Wildcats Commons Club house. MLK program following march at Central Union Baptist Church, Fort Valley. FVSU Equine Program pres ents Beginner’s Day, Tuesday, January 22 for those interested in learning the art of horseback riding, at 4 p.m., Livestock pavillion. Free and open to the public. For info call 478-825-6935. Middle Georgia Peach Pageant, March 16 at Fort Valley State University. Entry deadline is March 9, 2013. Any Georgia girl ages 4-23 is eligible. Optional Talent Competi tion in all age groups except Tiny Miss. Queens serve as official ambassadors of the Georgia Peach Festival and are recognized by the Georgia Legislature and Governor. For more information call 478-923- 3846 or see the website at www. missgeorgiapeach.org. Beads, Bangles & Bunko, a Byron Lions Club fundraiser February 2, 2013 at Peach Valley Winery in the Peach Shops. Silent aution, hor deuvres and fun. Bunko and prizes begin at 7 p.m. Tickets now on sale at the Byron Welcome Center or you may contact any Lion Club member. For additional information contact Lee Brown at 478-956-4327 or 478-951-6989 or Fran Washko at 478-396-0131. Tickets are $15. Home Loan Information Night, Certusbank Byron Branch, 202 West White Road, Thursday, Janu ary 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Information on buying a home, refinancing or using the equity in your current property to be discussed. Refresh ments will be served. RSVP by January 14 to Branch Manager Karen Singleton at 478-956-2907 or Karensingleton@certusbank. com. Georgia Hunter Education Course CD Available for checkout at Peach Public Libraries: These cds are available for checkout for use on your home computer as an alternative to the 10-hour class room course. For more information on Hunter Education in Georgia, please visit the Georgia Depart ment of Natural Resources website at http://www.georgiawildlife.org/ hunting/education. The CDs are available for checkout from the Thomas Public Library in Fort Valley or the Byron Public Library in Byron, checkout requires a current library card in good standing. Byron United Methodist Church is collecting gently worn shoes or sneakers and other footware for Soles4Soles that distributes them in over 127 counties. Take them to Byron United Methodist Church through the month of December. Office hours are 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Ilmplantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Support group meets once a month to help patients with ICD learn how to stay fit and keep heart healthy. Meetings are held twice a month on Mondays at the Albert Luce, Jr. Heart Institute, 777 Hemlock St., Contact 478-633-7157 for details. Byron Area Historical Society will meet on February 19,2013. CPR Classes at the Wellness Center. To register for the AHA CPR or First Aid Classes contact the Advanced and Basic Life Sup port Training Center at 478-474- 3348. Prepayment and pre-regis tration required. Upon successful completion of a class, a card valid for two years will be issued. Check www.thewellnesscentermacon.com for more information. Central Georgia Autism Support Group meets monthly and is sponsored by the Right On Track Pediatric Therapy Program, a service of The Children’s Hospital at the Medical Center of Central Georgia. Contact Melanie Peacock Shell, SLP at 478-633-8088 or visit www.CentralGAAutism.org GOVERNMENT MEETINGS: - Al-Anon meets Mondays, 11 a.m. at old Byron School. For informa tion call 956-5637. -Overeaters Anonymous, Thursdays, 7-8 p.m., old school on Moseley Road, back of cafeteria. For information call 478-987-8939. -PC Board of Education meets first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.; Study session last Tuesday of month, 6 p.m. Upcoming meet ings, October 25, Study Session, 6 p.m.; Nov. 1, Regular board meeting, 7 p.m.; Nov. 29, Study Session, 6 p.m.; Dec. 6, Regular board meeting, 7 p.m. No study session on Dec. 27th. -PC Tax Assessors meet first Thursday of each month, 6 p.m. -Byron Lions Club, first and third Thursday, 7 p.m. -Byron City Council, second Monday, 6 p.m. -PC Commission, second Tues day, 6 p.m. -PC Development Authority, third Thursday, 8 a.m. -PC Water & Sewage Authority, third Monday, 6 p.m. -Byron Rotary Club, every Wednesday, 8 a.m., Masonic Lodge Hall. -Byron Tax Office, Tuesday & Thursday, 8:30-4:30 p.m. Byron Municipal Complex News deadline, Friday, 5 p.m.
