Newspaper Page Text
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2010
THE JACKSON HERALD
PAGE 5A
Images along the Interstate
I DON’T KNOW
about you, but I like to
go places where peo
ple don’t live, where
nobody has built any
thing, and where there
ain’t so much as one
foot of concrete.
There aren’t many
places like that around
here. And there aren’t
any along Interstate
85 from Petersburg,
Va., to Montgomery,
Ala. Years ago I heard some
one predict that 1-85 would
become a strip city someday.
I don’t remember who it was,
but Brother, your prediction
was right on!
Things get a little better
when you get to Interstate 65
at Montgomery and head south
toward Mobile. Right outside
Mobile, you pick up I-10 and
you begin to see some desolate
places. It is good to see there
is still a lot of nothing in the
world. (The Creator might not
like me calling any part of his
creation “nothing” - not even
in barren Mississippi.)
Of course, the Interstate is
paved with concrete; so you
know you aren’t in the wilder
ness.
However, from Montgomery
to Mobile to Vancleve, Miss.,
if you pay attention and look
to the right and left, you’ll see
places where people don’t live
and where nobody has built
anything.
But somebody sure has
planted a lot of pine trees.
Mile after mile, as far as the
eye can see, there are pine
trees, some only two or three
feet tall and some reaching for
the sky and ready
for the paper mill.
It occurred to me
that tree planters
have a lot of faith.
Some of the pine
plantations are 20 to
30 years away from
harvest. If somebody
invents a substitute
for paper during
that time, the paper
industry will be in
a world of hurt. But
then, the trees will grow large
and tall and produce lumber
for the next housing boom.
Yes, there will be a next hous
ing boom. Housing booms and
busts are part of our history.
Along Interstate 10, in the
midst of wetlands, swamps,
creeks, rivers, sweet gum trees
and pine forests, somebody
is trying to keep a part of our
history alive. There is not a
building in sight. It is obvi
ous nobody lives in the vicin
ity, but right out there in the
middle of the forest, on a flag
pole that reaches higher than
the tallest pine, a Confederate
flag, about the size of Old
Glory over at Banks Crossing,
flaps in the breeze.
And I thought: If you are
a Yankee traveling Interstate
10, I hope you don’t break
down near this stretch of road.
Although there’s nobody in
sight, you can rest assured that
a Mississippi Redneck is lurk
ing nearby. He may be tending
his still or stalking alligators.
Whatever, I’m pretty sure he
doesn’t want to be bothered by
the enemy. Fergit, Hell!
On down the road we saw
a hippy-looking guy standing
on an entrance ramp. He had
long hair and a beard to match,
and he looked like he needed
a mother, wife or girlfriend to
wash his dirty clothes. His lug
gage - probably all he owns in
the world - was at his feet. He
was trying to hitch a ride ... to
somewhere.
I thought, “Good luck, fel
low,” and asked Shirley how
many travelers would pass him
by before someone picked him
up. We had no way of know
ing, of course, but I guessed
it would be in the hundreds.
There are a lot of folks like
me (and you?) - scared of our
shadows.
It occurred to me that this
young man is the epitome of
another part of our history. The
history (evolution) of hitchhik
ing is, in a nutshell, the history
(evolution) of America.
We’ve changed. We don’t
pick anybody up anymore. It’s
not that we don’t care. We
do. My heart went out to that
young man standing on the
entrance ramp of I-10. But I
was afraid. I feared the good
I could do for him would be
trumped by the bad he could
do to me.
We’ve got to be careful. Use
common sense. Don’t take
chances. Oddly enough, those
thoughts summed up a recent
Sunday school lesson about
the Good Samaritan. Like in
the old days, there aren’t many
good Samaritans around.
Oh, we may take flowers or
a fruit basket to a member of
our Sunday school class who
is sick. Or send a get well
card. May even take time to
call him on the phone, or go
see him.
But pick up a hitchhiker?
Help a stranger? No way!
Then it hit me. If anybody
gave that young man a lift, it
was that Mississippi Redneck
who hoisted that Confederate
flag in the midst of nowhere.
I can see him now, opening
the door of his old beat up
pick-up and telling him to hop
in. He probably offered him
a beer and asked where he
was headed. Chances are he
bought him a Big Mac at the
next intersection. When the
Mississippi Redneck reached
his exit and let the hitchhiker
out, he wished him good luck
and gave him a five for another
Big Mac on down the road.
Better yet, he may have put
him up for the night at the
Holiday Inn.
And by the way, if that
Yankee had broken down, the
Mississippi Redneck probably
would have pulled over and
offered to help.
You see, this guy isn’t afraid
of anything or anybody. He
doesn’t always use common
sense. He takes chances. He
can be rude, crude and gross
at times, and when he’s had
too many beers, his language
may be a bit foul. He’s not
like us, not one of us. But deep
down inside, he’s a good man
... with a big heart. He’ll stop
and help a stranger after all the
Levis and Priests have passed
him by.
Remind you of anybody you
know or have read about? I’m
betting it does.
Virgil Adams is a former
owner/editor of The Jackson
Herald.
virgil
adams
Reward offered in bike wreck
Dear Editor:
On Friday of last week, three
other cyclists and I were rid
ing east on New Kings Bridge
Road, just a mile or so from the
middle school. We were obeying
all laws, riding single file, keep
ing far to the right, and wearing
helmets. A car coming in the
opposite direction intentionally
veered into our lane to scare us.
I was the first cyclist in line and
even in that brief moment, I made
eye contact with the driver — he
looked directly at me and contin
ued heading for our group. I had
to stop at once and pull off the
road. Two bikes back, one of our
riders, a woman, could not stop
in time and hit the rear wheel of
the bike in front of her. She lost
her balance and fell, breaking
her right arm and dislocating her
elbow. She had to be taken by the
EMT’s — who were responsive
and terrific — to the hospital.
There are so many things that
are awful about this. This female
rider, a good friend, had hip-
replacement surgery a couple of
years ago and finally, tentatively,
after lots of therapy and hard
work, got back on the bike for the
first time this past fall.
Starting with an 8-mile ride,
she built herself up quickly and
became one of the strongest,
toughest riders around. Just
last week, she announced her
decision to do the annual 210-
mile Athens-Savannah ride next
month and she was beaming
with satisfaction and pride. On
Friday, lying on the side of the
road, one of the first things she
said to me was, “Well, there goes
Savannah.” My heart broke to
hear that.
Regarding the incident, it hap
pened so quickly that I don’t
have many details to share, but
it involved a white male, 30-ish,
driving an older model (1990s?)
sedan, dark green or grey or blue.
Even more disturbing, since put
ting out the word about this inci
dent, I have already heard from
others who have had very similar
experiences with a driver match
ing this description in virtually the
same location. So we may have
a very misguided and dangerous
individual who thinks he is pro
tecting “his” roads from cyclists
(and possibly motorcyclists, from
what I’ve heard). Or maybe it is
just some kind of sick sport.
On the restore-your-faith-in-
humanity side, many wonder
ful folks stopped along the road
to offer help or a kind word.
Especially noteworthy, before
the EMT’s arrived, Josh Allen
a young man with the Athens-
Clarke County Fire Department,
who happened to be driving by,
stopped and provided first aid and
support. He even drove by again
later to check on us. I couldn’t
help but notice that he had his
little daughter in the backseat of
his vehicle when he returned. In
any case, he was truly an angel
of mercy.
We are all someone’s little
daughter, or son, or dad, or
mom, or friend. Please be kind,
everyone. And if you can help
identify this individual, please let
me know — we are offering
$500 for information leading to
the identification and arrest of
this driver — and please con
tact the Jackson County Sheriff’s
Department. You may be saving
someone’s life.
Sincerely,
Ken Sherman
AthensGaBicycling
www.athensgabicycling.com
Upset with Maysville leaders
Dear Editor:
The City of Maysville is mak
ing a big mistake! Which one,
you ask? The one involving Dr.
Gary Kinsey. Dr. Kinsey is a
blessing to his many patients.
Maysville should be very proud
of him and his contributions.
He is more like “the old timey”
doctor. He worries about his
patients. He checks on some of
the patients he knows are down
and out. He travels to where
they might be housed, and
checks on their living/medical
conditions. When needed, his
wife often assists with needed
provisions and or other duties.
How many doctors do such in
this day and age?
He has an apparently legally
binding lease with the city.
This lease is for the build
ing his office is located in. In
1987, the city needed a fam
ily practice doctor. The then
mayor begged him to move to
Maysville. To get him to agree
he was given this lease. Why
do you suppose this council/
mayor now wants to dissolve
this lease? It has been in exis
tence for 18 years ... now
they are considering a lawsuit
to remove him. What do you
suppose this is all about? One
might say, “something is fishy”
in town.
When this doctor knows his
patient is financially hurting, it
has been noted, that he writes
on the report, “no charge.” In
addition, he carries his “black
bag” for emergencies. This
way, he’s always ready.
In today’s world, family
practice doctors are very hard
to find. So let’s go citizens, we
put these people in office to do
our bidding. Let them know
how wrong they are. Help
Maysville keep this super nice
doctor in his office.
Sincerely,
H.E. Clark
Maysville
Letters Policy
All letters-to-the-editor must be signed by the writer with a
phone number provided for verification.
Letters may be mailed, faxed or emailed. The deadline for
letters is noon Monday. The Herald reserves the right to edit or
reject any letter submitted.
Write us about your thoughts or local, state or national issues
at:
The Jackson Herald
P.O. Box 908
Jefferson, GA 30549
FAX: 706-367-8056
E-mail: editor@mainstreetnews.com
5875 Thompson Mill Road, Suite 380
Hoschton, GA
678-960-6000
2510 Limestone Parkway
Gainesville, GA
770-534-9933
Steve
Banniste
Jefferson Police Department
Imagine if your eyes and nose were
swollen like a balloon on a
daily basis and you had no
idea why! Well, that's
what it was like six
months out of
year for me.
Dr. Nish
diagnosed me
with allergies
to certain
grasses and
trees that I
am around
everyday.
Through
medication
and treatment,
I no longer have
to suffer and can
enjoy life.
Two locations for your convenience and
extended shot hours for after school patients.
Dr. Andy Nish & Dr Kimberley Shanks, Board Certified
APyERHSEMEm.fOR.BlPS
PROJECT: Jackson County Senior Citizens Center Renovation and Addition
OWNER: Jackson County Board of Commissioners
Scaled bids will be received by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners for a General Contract to furnish
and install all materials, labor and equipment necessary for the construction of the JACKSON COUNTY
SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER RENOVATION AND ADDITION located in Jefferson. Georgia.
Bids w ill be received by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners at 67 Athens Street. Jefferson. Georgia
30549. no later than 10:00 n.m. local lime on Tuesday, April 20. 2010 Bids will be publicly opened and
read aloud at this location at 11:00 a.m. local time. Any bid received after 10:00 a.m. local time on bid opening
date will not be considered by OWNER. Bids will be evaluated by OWNER and the project award is
anticipated upon completion of this evaluation.
A pre-bid conference will be held at 3:00 p.m.. Tuesday. April 6. 2010. at the project site. 151 General
Jackson Drive. Jefferson. Georgia 30549.
BASE BID: Furnish all materials, labor, tools, equipment and all other miscellaneous and/or necessary items
for the renovation of an existing 6.683 square foot Senior Citizens Center and the construction of
2302 square feel of new office, kitchen and dining spaces as well as associated site
improvements.
ALTERNATES: (if authorized by owner)
The required time of substantial completion is one hundred twenty (120) consecutive calendar days from the
date of the written Notice to Proceed. The required time of final completion is thirty (30) consecutive calendar
days from the dale of substantial completion (i.e. all punch list items addressed and all closeout items satisfied).
The Contractor shall be liable and hereby agrees that the Owner may retain from the monies which become due
as liquidated damages and not as a penalty the amount of $300.00 per day for every calendar day that the work
is not completed beyond said time, as liquidation for the extra expenses incurred by the Owner and liquidated
damages to the Owner.
Bidding Documents may be accessed on the Precision Planning. Inc. FTP website upon payment of a non-
refundable cost of $ 150.00. Checks shall be made payable to Precision Planning. Inc. and mailed to P.O. Box
2210.400 Pike Blvd.. Lawrenceville. GA 30046-2210. Call 77()-338-8(XX) or email kbarkei nni.us to order.
Hard copies of Bidding Documents may be obtained at the office of Precision Planning. Inc.. 4(X) Pike Blvd..
P.O. Box 2210. Lawrenceville. Georgia 30046-2210. upon payment of a lion-refundable cost of $150.00.
Checks shall be made payable to Precision Planning. Inc. Call 770-338-8000 or email kbarkers ppi.us to order.
Bid Documents may be examined at the following locations:
Jackson County Board of
Commissioners
67 Athens Street
Jefferson. GA 30549
(706) 367-6309 Phone
I-en Bernal
McGraw-Hill Construction
1750 Enterprise Way
Suite 103
Marietta. GA 3<X>67
(770) 953-2442
(770) 953-2430 Fax
Precision Planning. Inc.
4(X) Pike Boulevard
Lawrenceville. GA 30046
(770) 962-8000 Phone
(770) 822-5990 Fax
AGC Builder’s Exchange
1940 The Exchange
Suite 300
Atlanta. GA 30339
(678)298-4130 Phone
(678) 298-4133 Fax
Applied Images
d/h/a Gainesville Whitcprint
312 Bradford Street. NW
Gainesville. GA 30501
(770) 534-2086 Phone
(770) 534-3174 Fax
Reed Market Data
30 Technology Parkway South
Suite 100
Norcross. GA 30092
(770) 849-6424 Phone
(770) 849-6475 Fax
OWNER requires a bid bond issued by a Surety listed on the Treasury as licensed in the State of Georgia, or a
cashier's check in the amount of five percent (54b) of your total bid to be enclosed with your bid at the time of
bid opening to be made payable to OWNER. No other form of security will be acceptable.
Each bid must be submitted in a scaled envelope, addressed to OWNER. BIDDER shall provide four (4)
originals of the hid form. Each sealed envelope containing a Bid must be plainly marked on the outside as.
"Bid for Jackson County Senior Citizens Center Renovation and Addition Project." If bid is forwarded
by mail, the sealed envelope containing the Bid must be enclosed in another envelope to the attention of
OWNER at the address previously given.
Any and all Bids received without the aforementioned criteria enclosed, will be relumed to BIDDER.
All Bids must be made out on the bid form of the type bound in the Contract Documents, in accordance with the
instructions in the INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS Section (X)I(X). No interlineations, additions, or deletions
shall be made in the proposal form by BIDDER. No conditional Bids will be acceptable.
Contract will be awarded on a stipulated sum to the most responsive BIDDER presenting the lowest acceptable
Bid. based on the Lump Sum Base Bid plus any combination of Alternates (if appropriate) acceptable to
OWNER.
OWNER reserves the rights to waive any informalities or to reject any or all Bids, to evaluate Bids, and to
accept any Bid which in its opinion may be in the best interest of OWNER. No Bid w ill be rejected w ithout just
cause.
No BIDDER may withdraw his bid within the lime limit specified in the INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS
Section 00100.
Any questions regarding the meaning or interpretation of the Contract. Contract General Conditions.
Specifications, Drawings. Bidding Form or Instructions to Bidders, shall be directed to Mr. Chad Smith AIA.
LEED' AP. NCARB. Project Architect, by email at 759cs(frppi.us. no later than 5:00 p.m.. Friday. April 9.
2010. Receipt of Addenda shall be acknowledged in the Bidding Form. No oral interpretations or information
can be considered as binding, therefore, no telephone or verbal correspondence will be acknowledged.
Attention of BIDDERS is particularly called to the requirements regarding as to conditions of employment to be
observed and minimum federal wage rates (Davis-Bacon Act) to be paid under the contract documents on this
project, and that the contractor, subcontractor must also comply w ith all Federal. State, and local requirements.
Minority and female owned firms arc encouraged to participate in this Federally-funded project. Procurement
will be in compliance w ith the Common Rule. 24 CFR 84.36. Potential respondents arc particularly called to the
requirements of Title VI; of Civil Rights Act of 1964 and CFR 570.602; and Executive Order 11246-Equal
Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action. The work to be performed under this contract is subject to
the requirements of Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968. as amended. 12 U.S.C. 1701
u (Section 3). Tbc purpose of Section 3 is to ensure that employment and other economic opportunities
generated by HUD assistance or HUD-assisted projects covered by Section 3. shall to greatest extent feasible,
be directed to low- and very-low income persons, particularly persons who arc recipients of HUD assistance for
housing. Neither the United States nor any of the departments, agencies, or employees is or will be a party of
any contract awarded pursuant to this invitation to bid. This project is being funded with Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The Humane Society of
Jackson County presents
PETS
OF THE
WEEK
For a complete listing of our animals available
for adoption, please visit our website at www.hsic.com.
Humane Society of Jackson County photographs animals available for adoption located at Commerce
Veterinary Hospital and Jefferson Veterinary Hospital. These animals are not part of HSJC foster care.
HUMAhli 4
SoC|£Ty ]
Jackson County!
f Please call Commerce Veterinary Hospital at
706-335-5111 for the pets below:
Please call Jefferson Veterinary Hospital
at 706-367-5161 for these pets
Please Don’t Litter, Spay and Neuter
Time is of the ESSENCE
Hurry to adopt one of these great pets. Please call to spare a life - call to adopt or
become a foster home. For more information, call 706-367-1111 or see a full list of our
pets on Petfinder.com under shelter and rescue groups. Adoption fee is $100.00 per
dog and $80.00 per cat - this includes their spay/neuter and all up-to-date shots.
‘Pet of the Week’ is made possible by these community-minded sponsors:
Jackson
i|S|
County
MJ Animal
/ Control
A magazine celebrating the people,
places and lifestyles of Jackson County.
www. Hvingjacksoti. com
www.FunopolisFamilvFunCenter.com
Located at 40155 Hwy. 441 Sin Commerce -
south of exit 149 off 1-85 past Walmart
‘ c . North Georgia
’*■„ Pet Cremations
■;!.;■ Jackson County’s
Only Pet Crematory
* www.naaD6lcrenialions.com
* ... (770)540-2078
www.petmechanics.org
706-654-3291
ADVERTISE
your business
here and show your
support for the Humane
Society!
Call 706-367-1111