Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

Wednesday, October 27, 2021 - Pike County Journal Reporter - Page 3B SPECIAL PHOTOS Airman First Class Cameron A. Cooper performs a post flight inspection of a C-17 aircrew member’s helmet. He is assigned to the 437th Operation Support Squadron at Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina. Cameron Cooper serves at Joint Base Charleston; sister at PCMS Airman First Class Cameron A. Cooper is currently serving in the U.S. Air Force in the 437th Operation Sup port Squadron at Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina. The base is part of the Air Mobility Com mand Unit. Airman First Class Cooper graduated from Pike County High School in 2020. Cooper left for basic training at Lackland AFB in Texas in January 2021, then went to Shephard AFB in Texas for Tech School and is now in Charleston for his first duty station. “1 never really under stood the sacrifices that military service members and their families made until 1 became a military mom. 1 am just begin ning to see what they go through to defend our freedoms and serve our country. We are super proud of what it took for him to get there and to fullfil his dream. He is do ing very well and loving his job,” said his mother Mary Cooper. The 437th and 315th Airlift Wings provide rapid global mobility using the largest fleet of the C-17 Globemaster 111. They deliver armored vehicles, medical efforts, paratroopers and cargo where needed. The 628th Air Base Wing and the Naval Support Activ ity provide installation support services to more than 60 mission partners and 90,000 service mem bers, retirees and fami lies. Approximately, 20% of all jobs in the Charles ton Metropolitan area are tied to JB Charleston. Airman First Class Cooper is the son of Wren and Mary Cooper and his sister Taylor Coo per, all of Pike County. Taylor recently graduated from Geor gia Southern Univer sity as a music educa tor and started her first job as Pike County Middle School’s choir di rector in August. “We are super blessed that she was able to come back to her home town and find a teaching job in music,” said Mary. Taylor Cooper recently started her first teaching job at Pike County Middle School as the music educator. Veteran and Military of Year nominations needed Pike County Middle School is now accepting nominations for its an nual Veteran of the Year and Active Military of the Year Awards. Nominations must in the form of an essay as to why the person should receive the honor. It should include name, branch of service, years served, medals and by Nov. 1 ribbons earned and any other relevant informa tion. For veterans, any veteran organizations, community service, et cetera will be helpful. The deadline for nominations is Nov. 1. Nominations can be sent to Todd Child at Pike County Middle School or e-mailed to childt@pike. kl2.ga.us. Concord council talks millage rate increase BY DWAIN W. PENN news@pikecountygeorgia.com The October 12 meet ing of Concord council was amenable from the beginning with a welcome of a new city resident attending the proceedings. Sharing of reports followed with the usual topics of ways and means, water depart ment, street department and the Strickland build ing. The first item of new business was the 2021 millage rate. From the subject arose the challenge of how to finance the 2022 budget without a major increase in city taxes. During discussion, one council member observed, “We have suddenly become like the federal govern ment.” “The current tax digest didn’t show an expected increase,” said mayor John Strickland. “There was a slight decrease in the digest. If we keep last year’s mill- age rate, the city will fall $72,000 under budget. To cover the budget, the tax rate must be raised from 6.2 to 7.65 mils. To help reduce that increase we can use some of our budget surplus to cover the difference.” If the millage rate is increased to finance the budgets, it is an increase of less than 25%. Howev er, the mayor and council vowed to do everything possible to reduce the tax burden on residents. Budget hearings will be held at city hall on Thursday, October 28 and Tuesday, November 2, both starting at 6:30 p.m. COUNCIL ALSO: • Heard from water su perintendent Doug Neath the good news that duck weed on the wastewater ponds is under control. But getting sunlight to the ponds has caused the algae to bloom which is being controlled by chemicals. • Heard from the mayor that speed bumps were removed from a city street prior to paving and they haven’t been reinstalled. • Learned the Jubilee will have 113 vendors, fewer foods yet a variety, and new craft vendors. • Heard from deputy clerk Anita Neath the city is still negotiating a con tract for the Strickland building keyless system. • Heard a Pike County Family Connections pre sentation from director Michael Powell. As part of their literacy outreach, more books will be given away at public events. • Learned through the mayor the county com missioners are encourag ing municipalities to have a float in the Christmas parade as practice for the county’s bicentennial celebration in December 2022. • Heard the city has 48 internet customers and that number is increasing steadily. SPECIAL PHOTOS At left, kindergarten students who were selected as Septem ber Students of the Month at Pike County Pri mary School include Lacey Bowlden, Briar Bowl den, Amory Clower, Scar lett Davis, Lo gan Valeich, Kamrynn Bryan, Bray- lynn Story and Aaron Hamlin. Not pictured are Sophia Pate and Brilynn God bee. PCES honors Students of the Month At right, first graders who were selected as September Students of the Month at Pike County Primary School in clude Remi Boyt, John Patrie, Bent ley Stansell, Teah Mone, Tinlee Leather- man, Karlee Martinez, Presleigh Spradlin, Caylee Totzeck, Raegan Fulgham and Avalynn Poole. Not pictured is Zoey Dock ery. «%:;v At left, sec ond graders who were selected as September Students of the Month at Pike County Primary School in clude Zain Momin, Beau Williams, Gunner Hayes, Stella Gillies, May- lee McIntyre, Easton Walker, Pyper Valeich, Auria Willis, Brooks Stephens, Aubree Bruce, Koah Ivester, Gray son Potter and Ryann Bates.