Newspaper Page Text
Page 4 — Wednesday, March 23, 2011, The True Citizen
★ * ★ ★★ * it it ★★ * it it -ir
The Pledge Of Allegiance
I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which
,it stands, one Nation under
God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
★ -A'’*’*- ★★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Rep. Jon Burns
(R-Newington-District 157)
We reached an important point in the 2011 ses
sion on Wednesday, March 16th. “Crossover Day,”
the thirtieth day of the session is the last day a bill
passed by either chamber can be considered by the
other chamber.
The House passed several pieces of legislation last
week and a few are highlighted below. One bill of
significant importance involved zero-based budget
ing and would require all state departments and
agencies to periodically justify their spending. A
similar bill was passed last year and was vetoed by
former Governor, Sonny Perdue. House Bill 33
passed 126 to 45 and would begin in January of 2012
by providing zero-based budgeting in the State of
Georgia. It authorizes the Joint Fiscal Affairs Sub
committee to require certain departments and agen
cies to submit a zero-based budget at least once ev
ery six years. The information submitted and re
viewed includes: an analysis of the two previous
fiscal years, fiscal spending plans, purpose state
ments, and the efficiencies of the programs within
the agency. The goal of this legislation is to increase
accountability and transparency within the agencies
and departments of the State of Georgia.
House Bill 275 passed 160 to 1 and would clarify
which health care providers are allowed to honor
do-not-resuscitate orders from patients and would
now include nursing homes.
House Bill 256 passed 161 to 2 and would allow
the fees on prepaid wireless purchases (75 cents per
transaction) be split among the 911 centers in the
state.
In addition to reforming our state’s budget pro
cess, we also passed legislation to create the Spe
cial Council on Criminal Justice Reform for Geor
gians. This council will study criminal justice re
form during the interim and make legislative rec
ommendations to a joint legislative committee be
fore the 2012 session. The intent of this bill, HB
265, is to find solutions that will allow the state to
ensure public safety while decreasing the cost of
our corrections system. It is imperative that we look
at these reforms. Georgia currently spends more than
$1 billion a year and has the fourth-highest incar
ceration rate in the nation. However, recent studies
suggest that an estimated three-fourths of the state’s
prison population is believed to have some type of
drug addiction, which could be treated at much
lower costs than imprisonment. For example, Geor
gia pays $49 per day per inmate housed in a state
prison, compared to $1.50 per day for probation
supervision or $16 per day for community treatment
at a Day Reporting Center.
The aforementioned bills have passed the House,
in addition to others, and will now make their way
through the Senate committee process. If passed
by the Senate and signed by the governor, these bills
will become law.
Now that Crossover Day has passed, the remain
ing ten legislative days will be used to consider leg
islation already passed by the Senate. Please let me
know if you have any comments or questions re
garding Senate legislation. As the Senate bills be
gin to make their way through the House committee
process I will be sure to consider your comments.
You can reach me at my capitol office at 404-656-
5099 or email me at jon.burns@house.ga.gov.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your repre
sentative.
CL Ire (True Citmnt
P.O. Box 948 • 601 E. 6th Street
Waynesboro, Georgia 30830
Telephone: (706) 554-2111 • Fax: (706) 554-2437
Published every Wednesday by The True Citizen, Inc.
Periodical Postage Paid at Waynesboro, Georgia (USPS
642-300)
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The True
Citizen, P.O. Box 948, Waynesboro, GA 30830.
Roy F. Chalker Jr. Bonnie K. Taylor
Editor & Publisher General Manager
Elizabeth Billips
Associate Editor
Jill DuMars, advertising composition and computer pho
tography; Lavonna Drawdy, advertising composition
and design and advertising sales; Lisa J. Chance, pro
duction manager; Anne Marie Kyzer, staff writer; Tres
Bragg, staff writer and advertising composition;
Marianne Smith, classifieds, circulation and accounts
receivable.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
$1 per single copy at locations all over Burke County.
By mail: In Burke County, 6 months, $17.90, 1 year,
$28.10, 2 years, $48.20; outside Burke County, 1 year,
$44.30; outside of Georgia, 6 months, $30.00, 1 year,
$55. Student rate: 9 months in state: $25., outside of
Georgia, $30; One-year online subscription, $20. All
prices include state and local tax.
Arguments Agaimst- /
RFD
By Bonnie K. Taylor
General Manager The True Citizen
There's lots to do in the ’Boro during the next few weeks.
This one is for all us girls! The Town and Country Woman’s
Club is planning a Girls’ Night Out in China Town 7 p.m., Thurs
day, March 31, at the Burke County Office Park Auditorium.
Dinner, a fashion show featuring styles from
Chico’s of Augusta, and a performance by
Steve Chappell honoring the memory of Elvis
are special features of the evening. Jittery Joe
coffee provided by Burke Perk and door prizes
round out the night.
Tickets are available from any club mem
ber for $30. For more information, contact
Linda Alexander at 706-554-5385 or by e-mail
at alexanderprop@msn.com.
This one is for the guys and gals. The Future Farmers of America
Horticulture Class is sponsoring a plant sale set for March 29-
April 2 at Burke County High School.
Buy begonias, ferns, peppers, tomatoes, impatiens and more
from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
You will ses we have a new columnist, the Rev. Dr. Jim
Shumard, rector of St. Michael's Episcopal Church.
Dr. Shumard’s columns will be a mixture of humor and inspi
ration.
I told him we would make him famous!
I know he would like to hear from you. You can reach him at
stmichaelswaynesboro. org
The Waynesboro Exchange Club is hosting its first-ever Spring
Music Fest Saturday, April 9, at 4 p.m. featuring The Tams and
the Swingin’ Medallions to the club’s fairgrounds for an evening
of beach music and dancing.
The Tams will perform oldie favorites such as 1960s charttopper
"What Kind of Fool Do you Think I Am?”.
The Swingin’ Medallions will close out the night with their
popular blend of beach and party music.
VIP parking passes are available for $20 and guests will be
allowed to enter as early as 2 p.m. to stake their claim on the best
spots on the grounds. Only 200 such passes will be sold and are
available on a first come, first serve basis.
Advance ticket holders will guarantee their spot at the concert
as well for $20.
Advance tickets may be purchased by visiting the Waynesboro
Exchange Club page on facebook. Tickets may also be purchased
directly through etix.com.
If space is still available on the concert date, tickets may also
be purchased at the gate for $25.
Concert goers are welcome to bring their chairs and coolers,
but no glass bottles or tents will be allowed in the gates.
Food vendors will be on the grounds throughout the event.
Be sure to get your VIP passes and tickets early. I hear lots of
folks are saying they will be attending. Out-of-towners from as
far as Florida have also expressed interest in coming to the ’Boro!
Don Lively
UP TO DATE SCHOOLING
Education arrives from many venues.
I was sure that making and raising and riding herd over three
kids all born within five years of each other
qualified me as an expert in the area of
childrearing. To be sure, the practical, hands-
on lessons learned in my young Daddy years
were more valuable than a dozen doctorates.
But being a Granddaddy has, without a
doubt, furthered my education.
On a recent visit to the Lone Star State to
spend time with my granddaughter and her
Mama and Daddy I acquired a few more cred
its toward my latest advanced degree.
For instance, did you know that, when it’s carried out by an
modern, energetic two and a half year old, organized chaos re
ally isn’t an oxymoron.
The Princess found it necessary on the day of my arrival to
pull out every toy and every book and every blankie and every
sippy cup she owns, apparently to show me the depth or her
wealth. The living room floor was literally covered within thirty
minutes after I walked through the door and it stayed that way
until I had to leave.
At first I thought she was just making the same messes that
most children make at that age but I quickly learned that there
was a process to her pandemonium and the lesson was simple.
She never knew when she might need a certain possession so
why not keep everything in close proximity?
It looked like extreme disarray to me but she knew exactly
where everything was, and not just her stuff but mine too.
“Hey, what did you do with my cell phone? ”
With hands on her hips, a look on her face that told me she
thought I was simpleminded and an audible sigh of exasperation,
she retrieved the phone from where she had carefully hidden it
under Smoochie The Stuffed Cat who was under a pile of dress-
up clothes that were inside of her collapsible tent sent to her by
her California uncle and aunt.
“Thank you.”
Another sigh.
I later learned that she’d managed to place one call to Sri Lanka
and another to Muleshoe before she let me have my Verizon
back.
That’s when the phone started living out of her reach.
I also learned that grandparents should do a garment check
before getting dressed every morning.
If you leave your shoes on the floor of a house that is domi
nated by a toddler you shouldn’t be surprised to find half eaten
bananas pushed way up into the toes when you slip them on. It’s
an experience that every grandparent should have at least once.
Our grandchildren also know a lot more about sneak attacks
than our kids did.
She came and snuggled up next to me with her favorite blan
ket and teddy bear, presumably to watch cartoons and take a
break from her perpetual whirling dervish routine. She laid her
head against my shoulder and told me she loved me.
I let my guard down.
I basked in the sweet moment and was just about to doze off
under the mistaken impression that she had fallen asleep herself
when suddenly I felt all three joints of her skinny little finger
jam deep into my left earhole.
That’ll get your attention.
I guess she just wanted to see what was in there.
Of course I understand that not all youngsters are as brilliant
as my granddaughter but I suspect that all grandparents think
that way.
My time in Texas was enlightening in other ways too.
I learned that my daughter and son-in-law were just as shifty
as the baby girl.
They became aware early in my visit that The Princess took a
shine to me. And they took full advantage of that fact.
When she’d wake up in the middle of the night needing chang
ing they knew the cries would wake me too. And they also knew
that if they out-waited me a few minutes that the little one would
eventually call my name.
“Ah-daddy! (that’s her latest name for me. ) I wet! ”
What mortal man, regardless of his level of sleeplessness, could
resist that sweet and mournful plea?
Not me.
So, into the nursery I’d go, armed with handi-wipes and fresh
Pampers. She’d smile up at me as I went about the chore, then
I’d lay her back down next to the same fuzzy friend, Sarah Bear,
that I put her Mama to bed with a million times.
If you’re a grandparent you know exactly how that feels and it
verifies another lesson learned.
History does indeed repeat itself.
Thank the Lord.
Don Lively is a freelance writer and author of Howlin’ At The
Dixie Moon. He lives in Shell Bluff. Email Don at
Livelvcolo @ aol.com.