Newspaper Page Text
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2010
THE JACKSON HERALD
PAGE 5A
Why are we weeping and wailing?
Roofer continued from page lA
PAVING ain't the
same as preserving.
Or conserving, either.
You don't have to be
a rocket scientist to
know that.
Every foot of God's
Good Earth that is cov
ered with concrete or
asphalt is another foot
of God’s Good Earth
that ain't soaking up
any water. Or growing
anything. It is another foot of
God's Good Earth that is out of
commission - dead, if you will;
good for nothing. I don't believe
God intended for that to happen
to His Good Earth.
“For the mountains will I take
up a weeping and wailing, and
for the habitations of the wilder
ness a lamentation, because they
are burned up, so that none can
pass through; neither can men
hear the voice of the cattle; both
the fowl of the heavens and the
beast are fled; they are gone.”
Jeremiah was not the only
prophet - just one of the earli
est - to weep and wail over the
environment.
“Conservation of natural
resources is the fundamental
problem. Unless we solve that
problem, it will avail us little to
solve all the others.” Theodore
Roosevelt, a Republican, 26th
president of the United States,
said that in 1907.
Roosevelt was responsible
for the creation of our national
park system. Today, many of
our national parks are in disar
ray, and Congress cannot come
up with adequate funds to staff,
maintain, conserve and preserve
them in their pristine state.
Shame on us.
“Men and nature must work
hand in hand.” Theodore's
distant cousin, Franklin, a
Democrat, 32nd president of
the United States, said that
in 1935. On the heels of the
Great Depression, an economic
disaster, and the Dust Bowl, an
environmental disaster, Franklin
was responsible for the Civilian
Conservation Corps.
The CCC did what the
name implies: employed mil
lions of jobless young men to
go throughout the country to
improve, conserve and protect
our natural resources.
I understand there are mil
lions of unemployed young
men in America
today. We aren't in a
Great Depression, but
we are close. Would
a modem CCC be
appropriate now? Of
course it would. There
are thousands of envi
ronmental and infra
structure problems
crying out for solu
tions. So why don't
we have it? We can't
afford it.
Shame on us.
Here is a related, or similar,
idea. Let's bring back the draft.
There probably won’t be room
for all unemployed young men
in the CCC. That's all right;
we'll sign ‘em up for the mili
tary. Not only that, we’ll con
script all young Americans -
both male and female - between
the ages of 18 and 20.
That will get a lot of drug
pushers, crack heads and hood
lums off the street, and a lot of
rich kids with too much time on
their hands out of their cars and
bars and off their cell phones
and computers.
We'll turn 'em over to Marine
and Army drill sergeants for
a couple of years, and when
they get out at age 21 they will
be mature, disciplined citizens
ready to make a contribution to
the country that has taken care
of them all their lives. And it
will take a tremendous load off
their parents who brought them
into the world and loved them
throughout their hectic - if not
chaotic - youth.
(Jeez! I’ve been watching
entirely too much television
and spending entirely too much
time with the Clark’s Hill Gang.
Sorry about that. I’ll try to get
back on subject.)
“Clean air, clean water, open
spaces - these should once
again be the birthright of every
American.” Richard Nixon, a
Republican, 37th president ofthe
United States, said that in 1970.
The Environmental Protection
Agency was established dur
ing his administration, and dur
ing the ensuing years numerous
laws mandating many positive
environmental projects have
been passed by Congress.
The only trouble is, Congress
mandates, but does not provide.
Where are the funds the EPA
needs to carry out the orders?
virgil
adams
DFCS continued from page 1A
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business at the monthly
DFCS meeting:
•director Jacqueline Franklin
said that due to high turnover,
four new case managers have
been hired.
•Franklin reported the total
July county expenditures at
$1,916.
•Franklin presented the July
social services report showing:
71 active foster care cases, eight
investigations, 27 on-going child
protective services (CPS) cases,
42 diversions, two ICPC-other
state cases, nine CPS safety
resources and 19 OTI-secondary
assignments.
•Terri Heliums, Office Family
Independence (OFI) representa
tive, presented the July report
showing: 198 food stamp applica
tion, 158 family Medicaid appli
cations, 37 temporary assistance
for needy families (TANF) appli
cations and 100 adult Medicaid
applications. Total cases for July
were: 3,627 food stamps, 2,736
Medicaid, 81 TANF, 1,357 adult
Medicaid and 125 childcare.
The next regularly scheduled
DFCS board meeting is set for
10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 22,
at the Jackson County DFCS
office, Athens Street, Jefferson.
FAULKNER TREE LLC
• Tree Removal • Tree Trimming • Landscaping
• Underbrush Removal • Minor Grading
Concrete/Driveways • Drainage/Water Problems
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Telephone Applications Welcome,
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FINANCE
1816 N. Broad Street
Commerce, GA 30529
(706)335-3551
'More if you qualify. All loans are subject to our
liberal credit policy and credit limitations, if any.
The same is true with educa
tion. Governments, both state
and national, are good at telling
us what to do without providing
us with the resources to do it.
Shame on us for electing con
gressmen and senators who talk
the environmental and educa
tional talk, but don’t walk the
environmental and educational
walk.
Three weeks ago, in the col
umn “The heart of God bleeds,
too,” I cited a definition that said
the environment “ultimately
determines a community's form
and survival.” I assume it is all
right - accurate, too - to say
that the environment ultimately
determines a nation’s - and
world’s - form and survival.
Sometime between 627
and 586 B.C., the prophet
Jeremiah wept and wailed for
the mountains and the wilder
ness “because they are burned
up, so that no man can pass
through...”
One hundred and three
years ago Theodore Roosevelt
said, “Conservation of natural
resources is the fundamental
problem.”
Seventy-five years ago
Franklin Roosevelt said, “Men
and nature must work hand in
hand.”
Forty years ago Richard Nixon
said, “Clean air, clean water,
open spaces - these should once
again be the birthright of every
American.”
It is 61 days until the general
election in November. Between
now and then it will be interest
ing to see what the priorities of
our congressmen and senators
are. No doubt there will be a lot
of politicking. Getting elected is
the fundamental problem.
First things first, you know.
We'll take care of the environ
ment, education and all those
other little things - tomorrow.
Shame on us.
Virgil Adams is aformer owner/
editor ofTIte Jackson Herald.
a fourth of the region’s cases
located in Auburn, Bethlehem
and Winder. Their collective loss
es total about $30,000.
While bankruptcy typically
protects business owners, Georgia
law makes it a felony to take
money for a contracted home
improvement and not to use the
money for the work, according to
Barrow County sheriff’s investi
gator Matt Guthas.
HOSCHTON COMPANY
Barrow County’s alleged vic
tims were asked by company
representatives to write personal
checks or to sign over insurance
proceeds at the time their con
tracts were signed. The company
reps promised quick services, but
the jobs were never started.
Most of the local contracts were
signed in February and March,
which was months after the com
pany had begun experiencing
financial problems and at least six
months after the first local hom
eowner began encountering some
irregular business practices.
According to an owner of a
Hoschton company that provided
dumpsters for discarded shingles
where work was performed.
Southeastern initially paid its
invoices on time.
However, that changed late last
year.
“They got slow paying in
November and December,” the
owner said, asking that her name
and company’s identity not be
disclosed.
“Then it was one of those things
where ‘we’ll pay you, but hold the
check for me’ or they weren’t
paying all of their invoice. After
the first of the year was when
we were really having trouble
with them. Some of the oldest
invoices we have open go back to
December.”
Her family-owned business
has lost $28,000, which has been
a tough blow especially in the
recession.
FIRST SIGN OF
TROUBLE IN BARROW
The first sign of trouble in
FOR ONLY $5 PER MONTH,
YOU CAN LIST YOUR GROUP'S MEETINGS!
Let your members know when your group is meeting!
Call (706) 367-5233 to advertise your
meeting time, place and date in...
• The Jackson Herald
• The Commerce News
• The Braselton News
• The Banks County News
• The Madison County Journal
Pilot Club of Jefferson
Meets 3rd Tuesday of
each month, 6:30pm
Jefferson City Club House
706-367-9313 or
706-693-4715 % 4
LAKE COUNTRY SHAKERS
A PARKINSON SUPPORT GROUP
Meets 1 st and 3 f d Thursday
of the month at 11:00 AM,
St Paul United Methodist Church
404 Washington St, Gainesville
Phone: Deane or Dave 770-976-0161
Pd. 11
ABATE of Georgia, Inc. • District 5 North
Your motorcycle rights organization,
now meets at Cycle World of Athens, 4225
Atlanta Hwy., on the 3rd Tuesday of the
month at 7 p.m. in the Customer Lounge.
For more information, call
Cam McCallister, assistant district
coordinator at 706-206-2903 Pd. 10
All motorcyclists always welcome!
JEFFERSON
WAMERICAN LEGION
Albert Gordon Post 56
Each 3rd Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
Harvie Lance, Commander
Phone (706) 654-1274 3io
JACKSON COUNTY
REPUBLICAN PARTY
Meets 2nd Sat. of each month
7:30 a.m., Jefferson Clubhouse
302 Longview Drive, Jefferson
Everyone welcome!
www.JacksonGOP.org pd. 12
DANIELSVILLE
jgjg AMERICAN LEGION
Post 39
Meets last Thursday, 7 p.m.
JANUARY - OCTOBER
American Legion Building
Crawford W. Long Street
St. Catherine Laboure
Catholic Mission
Mass Schedule: Fri. 9 a.m., Sat. 4:00 p.m.,
Sun. 11:00 a.m., Thurs. 12:10 p.m.
First Friday Adoration 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Website: www.stcatherinelabourega.org
706-367-7220 pd 12
NORTHEAST MOUNTAIN
BEEKEEPING CLUB M n
lune 10, 2010 • 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Clarkesville Public Library, Clarkesville, GA
“Processing Honey” by Bob Binnie
Public and new beekeepers invited to attend.
Paul S. Kudyba, Jr. • 770-598-5970 • drpsk@aol.com
BANKS COUNTY
lgf AMERICAN LEGION
Post 215
Meets each 3rd Thursday, 7 p.m.
In Homer, GA at the
American Legion Building on
Historic Highway 441 pd.o/n
HUMANE SOCIETY OF JACKSON CO.
2010 Meeting dates: February 9, May 11,
August 10, November 9 at 7 p.m.
Jackson EMC Community Meeting Room
Jefferson Road, Jefferson
706-367-1111 * www.hsjc.com/
13827
A ROCKWELL
^ LODGE F& A.M.
No. 191, Hoschton, GA
2nd Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. • Dinner at 6:30 p.m.
www.rockwelllodgel 91 .com
Two blocks behind Larry’s Garage
West Broad at Hall Street Pd. l/i l
Jk UNITY LODGE
F & A.M.
No. 36, Jefferson, GA
1st Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m.
Dwayne Potts • 706-367-4449
Borders St. behind Tabo's 260
JEFFERSON ROTARY CLUB
Meets Tuesdays
Jefferson City Clubhouse
12:30 p.m. *(706) 335-3151
Shade Storey, President
547
19562 JEFFERSON AREA
BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
www.jaba-ga.org
Meets 3rd Thurs. • 11:45 a.m.
Community Bank & Trust Bldg.
71 Memorial Drive
JEFFERSON LIONS CLUB
Meets 2nd & 4th Monday
Jefferson City Clubhouse
6:30 p.m. *(706) 367-9349
Jimmy Mock, President
542
WgM BANKS COUNTY
[§y|AMERICAN LEGION
3^ Georgia Real Estate Investors
.in™ Association, Inc. - Athens
Meets the third Thursday each month
6:30 pm at the UGA Conference Center
1197 South Lumpkin Street,
Athens, GA 30601
Tom Hewlett - Chapter President
thewlettl@charter.net j2
Riders Post 215
Meets each 2nd Thursday, 7 p.m.
In Homer, GA at the
American Legion Building on
Historic Highway 441 pd.02/1
HIS MARY WRITERS
Luke 10:38-42 M 01,11
Meets 2 nd Saturday
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Contact Terri: (706) 654-4631
BANKS COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC.
meets first Monday each month
7:00 p.m. in the Banks Co. Historial
Courthouse at 105 U.S. Hwy. 441
North in Homer pa 07/11
Barrow County, however, turned
up a year ago.
In July 2009, a sales rep
for Southeastern Roofing &
Restoration offered an Evergreen
Road homeowner a “free” hail
damage evaluation of her roof.
A few weeks later, after an
adjuster confirmed the need for
the repair, the homeowner’s insur
ance company issued a check for
$2,425.86, which was for about
half of the estimated repair cost.
As many others would later
do, the Winder resident signed
over the insurance company’s
downpayment check to the roof
ing company when the contract
was signed.
But company representatives
then delayed the start date for
the work, and the homeowner
eventually took out a warrant for
Ervin’s arrest.
However, the warrant was never
served, because the homeowner
didn’t have any information about
Ervin other than his name and
business address.
Sheriff’s investigator Guthas
said this week that the home-
owner contacted him after read
ing a news story about the ongo
ing investigation. Her charge, in
fact, became the eighth for which
Ervin was booked last Thursday
into the Barrow County jail.
The additional Winder vic
tim, however, is not listed in the
bankruptcy records as one of the
company’s creditors, raising a
question of whether all of the
company’s alleged victims have
been accounted for.
In fact, another Lawrenceville
victim, also not listed in the bank
ruptcy financial statement, came
forward this week, according to
an incident report filed Aug. 30.
She told police that she gave
both an $8,784.89 insurance com
pany check and a $1,000 per
sonal check to a sales rep last
November, “and that was the last
she has heard from Southeastern
Roofing.”
ATTORNEY: ERVIN
WILL BE VINDICATED
Nonetheless, Ervin’s bank
ruptcy attorney, Evan M.
Altman of Atlanta, said in an
Aug. 28 letter to bankruptcy
judge Robert Brizendine that
he believes his client “will be
vindicated from all charges
stemming from the warrants.”
Contacted Tuesday by the
Barrow Journal, Altman
declined to comment further.
Bruce Riley, the Ball Ground
homeowner who witnessed
Ervin’s arrest, said he and the
15-20 other homeowners in
the federal courtroom hadn’t
expected him to show up that
day but were glad he did.
“We had gone once before
and he didn’t show up,” Riley
said. “But we are retired, so we
just went anyway. We didn’t
anticipate anything happening.
It was a pretty good lick.”
Riley noted the irony of
Ervin winding up in a cell at
the Fulton County Jail this past
weekend, because the retiree
said he was once responsible
for all of that jail’s mechanical
systems.
“I wouldn’t wish a dog in
there,” he said. “It’s a terrible
place.”
HUMAhli i
SoC|£Ty
J&ckson Gouwt)^
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.
Please call Commerce Veterinary Hospital at
706-335-5111 for the pets below:
Animals in Humane Society Foster Care
Call 706-367-1111
/
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 $100.00 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
County
Animal
Control
J A C K ST
v
A magazine celebrating the people,
places and lifestyles of Jackson County
www. livingjackson. com
www.FunopolisFamilvFunCenter.com
Located at 40155 Hwy. 441 Sin Commerce -
south of exit 149 off 1-85 past Walmart
* North Georgia
Pet Cremations
Jackson County’s
'»• Only Pet Crematory
* www.noapetcr6mations.coin
■*'(770)540-2078
ADVERTISE
your business here and show your
support for the Humane Society!
Call 706-367-1111