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Wednesday, October 20, 2021 - Pike County Journal Reporter - Page 3A ‘4' H 7 ; la? , x v i ft \ fm SUBMITTED PHOTO Among regular Backpack Program volunteers are AirLife Georgia crew members who flew in to help pack bags recently, includ ing (l-r) pilot Brett Sullivan, flight nurse Nyssa Hattaway, flight medic Frank Perez, flight nurse Amy Elder and pilot Mitch Kilby. to help local students in need Flying in The crew of AirLife Georgia arrived in style as they flew a helicopter in to help pack bags of food for the Pike County Backpack Program recently. They are new partners and volunteers with the program which is in its fourth year and provides local students with breakfast, lunch and dinner each weekend of the school year. “Last year during the 2020-2021 school year the Backpack Program provided 3,100 filled zip- lock bags to cover the 41 school weekends,” said Mike Cox. “Those bags totaled more than 25,000 pounds for the year and provided six meals during the weekend for students in need.” To find out more, go to christchapelga.com/ backpack-program or find the Pike County Backpack Program page on Facebook. Nov. 7 declared as Georgia Retired Educators Day The local slogan for the Pike County Retired Educators Association this year is ‘In 21 and 22, our success depends on you.’ “We would like to thank Briar Johnson and the Pike County commis sioners for signing the Proclamation declaring Nov. 7 as Georgia Retired Educators Day. Our goal is to pay it forward this year by helping Pike County High School students who want to go into the education field,” said Diane Beres. “Mem bers of our organization will be contacting local churches to honor their retired educators on Nov. 7. Our organization also asks the community to help us pay it forward.” SUBMITTED PHOTO Nov. 7 was declared as Georgia Retired Educators Day at a recent commission meeting. Pic tured are (l-r) Mike Beres, Diane Beres, Briar Johnson, Judy Turpin and Jim Turpin. Griffin Area Concert Association announces 2021-2022 season The Griffin Area Con cert Association (GACA) recently announced the return of live concerts for its 2021-22 season. “After having to cancel our last two concerts in March and April of 2020 and the entire season for 2020-21, we are excited to announce that the curtain is going back up with five outstanding concerts for the 2021-22 season,” said GACA co-president Lewis Brewer said. The season will kick off on Oct. 26 with the Tha- lea String Quartet. The quartet has performed at venues such as Carn egie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Massey Hall and has served as Associ ated Artists at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium. Due to the current renovation of the Griffin Auditorium, the concert will be held in the sanctuary of Griffin First United Methodist Church. The remaining four con certs will be at the Griffin Auditorium. All concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m. Back by audience request, Monroe Crossing Bluegrass Band will take the stage at the Griffin Auditorium on Jan. 11. Monroe Crossing dazzles audiences with an electri fying blend of bluegrass, bluegrass gospel and heartfelt originals. On March 3, GACA will present the exciting trio Holy Rocka Rollaz and their tribute to early American Rock ‘N Roll artists such as Elvis Pre sley, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley & The Comets and many more. On March 24, GACA, in collaboration with Griffin Choral Arts, will present Immortal Belated. Fea turing the Carroll Sym phony Orchestra, concert pianist Terry Lowry and Griffin Choral Arts, this concert will feature some of Beethoven’s best loved choral and orchestral works. The season ends on April 5 with British singing sensation Mark Kingswood and his band. Kingswood is redefining what it means to be a modern-day crooner and performs original com positions as well as more traditional songs of the genre. “Season tickets for all five concerts will remain $60 with varying levels of sponsorships also avail able. Individual ticket prices will remain just $20 with a special rate of $15 for groups of 10 or more and GACA will once again allow students free admission when accom panied by a paid ticket holder,” said Brewer. Ticket information is available on the GACA website at GriffinCon- certs.org or by calling 770-228-3229. FIRE: Department announces promotions FROM PAGE ONE Patrick Kelly was promoted to Chief of Training recently. Joseph Leonard 111 was promoted to Lieuten ant at Station 2 (Hol- lonville). Chasen Wright was promoted to Lieuten ant at Station 8 (Second District). “Thanks for every one’s continued sup port and dedication to our department,” said PCFD fire chief Bobby Wilkerson. PHOTO BY BEHIND THE LENS PHOTOGRAPHY Doug Neath was recently promoted to Chief of Opera tions, Chris Jones was promoted to Lt. at Station 3 (Lifsey Springs), Patrick Kelly was promoted to Chief of Training, Joseph Leonard III was promoted to Lt. at Station 2 (Hol- lonville) and Chasen Wright was promoted to Lt. at Station 8 (Second District.) Molena discusses internet expansion BY DWAIN W. PENN news@pikecountygeorgia.com The October 4 meet ing of Molena council was led by mayor pro tempore Jennifer Rig gins in mayor Joyce Corley’s absence. Two councilors participated through internet video calls. Discussion of the Molena Internet Service continued this month with project engineer David Stewart sharing ideas and proposals. “We propose to in crease internet service by extending the signal down from the tower in order to reach nearby hotspots of potential customers,” said Stew art. “Jones Road and McCrary Road are still high interest in servic ing. We can install a pole on the Beckham property off the right- of-way but there is no power source avail able.” Stewart mentioned the possibility of using solar power for remote areas, but fundamen tally it is not cost effective. Use of solar will take three years to break even on cost. It takes six hours of sunlight to recharge a battery and the maxi mum life of a battery is five to eight years. The Molena Food Mart will be contacted again to discuss some type of arrangement to bring internet to the area. Even White Plains Church is still a pos sibility as the pastor and members now see their participation as a vital ministry for the town. And even though it was noted at the meeting the church has contracted with AT&T for internet, they may consider canceling their affiliation and ac cept the city’s internet service. Stewart considers the first point of signal propagation on the south side will be at the fire station on Main Street. There is a pole wired with power near by. This one location should help to cover the GA 18 corridor plus Depot and Hill Streets. Two more custom ers were added since the September meeting bringing the total up to the low “teens.” Qual ity service is impor tant and no antenna will be installed until tests shows that signal strength will equal or exceed competing internet providers. The technology is there; one must determine the best way to deliver it. COUNCIL ALSO: • Received from chief Matt Polk the monthly report of 34 calls received for traffic and area checks. Polk said the department now has 12 reserve of ficers resulting in better coverage and becom ing proactive through involvement in the community. • Learned the repairs at the power substa tion on GA 109 east has been delayed and notice will be given prior to the power out age. Meanwhile Georgia Power will investigate to see if the work can be done without cutting power in the area. • Heard the city re ceived its first payment of ARPA funds. • Tabled discussion of employee insurance problems. • Held the second reading of the city fees ordinance. CITY OF CONCORD PUBLIC NOTICE The city of Concord Governing Authority does hereby announce that the millage rate will be set at a meeting to be held at the Concord City Hall, 50 Main Street on November 9, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. and pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. Section 48-5-32 does hereby publish the following presentation of the current year’s tax digest and levy, along with the history of the tax digest and levy for the past five years. CURRENT 2020 TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY CITY 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Real & Personal 6,890,290 6,988,499 7,288,105 7,272,191 9,442,918 9,643,683 Motor Vehicles 367,860 269,800 243,120 165,740 141,220 128,560 Mobile Homes 23,985 23,985 18,329 18,329 18,329 18,329 Timber-100% Heavy Duty Equipment Gross Digest 7,291,135 7,282,284 7,549,554 7,456,260 9,602,467 9,790,572 Less M&O Exemption 202,604 254,427 244,790 356,850 333,995 308,056 Net M&O Digest 7,088,531 7,027,857 7,304,764 7,099,410 9,268,472 9,482,516 Gross M&O Millage 13.045 13.00 13.50 13.497 11.018 14.197 Less Rollbacks 5.00 5.00 6.00 6.00 5.00 6.53 Net M&O Millage 8.045 8.00 7.50 7.497 6.018 7.667 Total Taxes Levied $57,027 $56,223 $54,785 $53,224 $55,778 $57,066 Net Taxes $ Increase - $495 -$804 -$1,438 -$1,561 $2,554 -$1,288 Net Taxes % Increase -1.00% -1.00% -3.00% -3.00% -5.00% -2.00% NOTICE The Pike County Board of Commissioners does hereby announce that the millage rate will be set at a meeting to be held at the Courthouse at 16001 Barnesville Street, Zebulon on October 28, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. and pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. Section 48-5-32 do hereby publish the following presentation of the current year’s tax digest and levy along with the history of the tax digest and levy for the past five years. CURRENT 2021 TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY COUNTY WIDE 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Real & Personal 506.639.694 515,566,497 527,046,229 543,656,176 683,405,744 704,936,240 Motor Vehicles 27,245,130 21,226,310 17,833,120 15,270,980 13,470,090 12,594,210 Mobile Homes 1,347,895 1,363,376 1,227,886 1,289,469 1,255,695 1,229,378 Timber-100% 2,227,243 1,394,601 1,052,258 666,224 901,081 624,614 Heavy Duty Equipment 58,204 80,996 88,794 147,902 75,306 Gross Digest 537,459,962 539,608,988 547,290,489 560,971,637 699,180,512 719,459,748 Less Exemptions 110,211,150 107,518,638 106,182,732 111,209,423 138,955,808 138,411,912 NET DIGEST VALUE 427,248,812 432,090,350 441,107,757 449,762,214 560,224,704 581,047,836 Gross Maintenance & Operation Millage 15.6470 15.6780 16.1210 16.020 14.0380 14.10000 Less Rollback (Local Option Sales Tax) 1.6910 1.7480 1.8600 2.0400 1.8700 2.1140 Net M&O Millage Rate 13.9560 13.9300 14.2610 14.2620 12.1680 11.9860 Total M&O Taxes Levied $5,962,684 $6,019,019 $6,290,638 $6,414,509 $6,816,814 $6,964,439 Net Taxes $ Increase ($6,553) $56,334 $271,619 $123,871 $402,306 $147,625 Net Taxes % Increase -0.11% 0.94% 4.51% 1.97% 6.27% 2.17%