Newspaper Page Text
PAGE 10A
Reporter
December 31, 2008
County moves toward
water independence
BY GINA HERRING
and WILL DAVIS
Monroe County may soon
have its own source of
water and a treatment
plant to go with it.
The Monroe County
Development Authority on
Monday agreed to a
request from county com
missioners for another 60
days to pay for the Plant
Camellia water treatment
facility in Juliette.
The decision came just
two days before the coun
ty's option to buy the plant
expired on Dec. 31.
Commissioners decided at
their Dec. 19 meeting that
they wanted the plant, but
asked for more time to
secure financing backed by
their 1-cent sales tax rev
enues.
On Monday, in the inter
im, the authority voted to
pay off the $670,000 loan
to Farmer's Bank on the
water plant by the end of
the year. Then, the com
missioners will buy the
property from the authori
ty once they bond the
money, within 60 days.
Commissioner Jim Peters
said they acted after coun
ty engineer Carter and
Sloop assured commission
ers they could get the
water treatment plant
working again for less than
expected. Peters says it
will cost about $4 million
to rehabilitate the plant
and about $4-5 million to
run lines.
The county currently has
to buy its water from Bibb
County, and at too high of
a price, says commissioner
Mike Bilderback.
County commissioners
have set aside $6 million
for water projects in their
current SPLOST, but that
money must be broken
down with $1.2 million for
each district. The county
set aside another $550,000
for water projects in the
county at-large.
The development authori
ty ignored a request from
the county earlier this year
asking it to sell it the
water plant for $1.
Safety buoy installed on High Falls Lake
High Falls State Park Rangers installed a safety buoy
on High Falls Lake on Dec. 18 with the goal of making
the lake a safer place for the thousands of boaters who
use this local natural resource every year. Park Manager
Robert Wilson said, “This buoy marks an area of rocks
and tree stumps just below the surface of the water. If a
boat were to go across this area boaters could be injured
or boats damaged. The buoy was badly needed; these
rocks are near the center of the lake definitely in a com
mon area of boat traffic. I am glad to get the buoy in
place as it marks the area effectively.”
For years the hazard was marked with two white pipes
and a traffic cone, and thus could be misinterpreted by
boaters. The new buoy is a large and easily seen from a
distance. It is white with orange stripes and black letter
ing on two sides stating, “Danger, Hazard.” Park
Manager Wilson went on to say, “My self and the Park
staff are working to bring our management of the Park
and lake to a higher level of safety and compliance. We
want the Park to always be looking forward for improve
ments, it’s a process. The buoy is just one small sign of
our efforts, but it’s a visible show of our efforts.”
The buoy is located across from Harbor Shores subdivi
sion near the center of High Falls Lake and being made of
durable plastic should be in place for years to come.
Adkins graduates Coast Guard basic training
Devon Skylar Adkins recently complet
ed basic training in the United States
Coast Guard. Adkins graduated from
Training Center Cape May in New
Jersey on Nov. 14. While there, Adkins
was selected to be one of two squad
leaders for his company. He was also
chosen to be a rifle bearer in the color
guard and was considered for the honor
guard. Seaman Adkins is now stationed
at U.S. Coast Guard sector New Orleans
in Louisiana. He is working with
marine science technology and environ
mental control in the Gulf of Mexico
and inter-coastal waterways. Some of
his work involves flying in the Coast
Guard Jayhawk helicopters.
Devon is a 2008 graduate of Central
High School in Macon. He is the son of
Tara Edge Adkins of Forsyth and Justin
and Kelley Adkins of Macon. His grand
parents are Ricky and Peggy Abernathy
Adkins of Culloden; Wayne and Robin
Edge of Sandersville; and Terri Yeomans
of Macon.His entire family, especially
little brother Christian, is extremely
proud of him for his commitment to
serve his country with honor respect
and devotion to duty.
We
oo k forwart
NCI IMS
to serving you in 2009
Dr. Tom Perry
Optometrist
For Complete
Eye Examination
9am-5pm Mon-Thurs.
™ f
9am-4imWed
105 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
Forsyth, GA.* 994-2988
To our customers, neighbors, associates and friends, go our thanks and
best wishes at the New Year. We wouldn't be where we are without
people like you, and we're grateful for your loyal support.
We wish all of you a safe and happy New Year's Eve celebration,
and we look forward to seeing you soon in 2009!
HEATING & AIR, INC.
405 College St. • Forsyth, GA 31029 • 478-994-0647
MaCidaif Mauw
We will be opened until 2 pm New Year's Eve.
Closed New Year's Day. Reopen Friday,
January 2nd at 4 pm.
Brick-Oven Pizzas, Sandwiches, Coffees,
Pastries, Fresh Artisan Bread, & More!
ON JOHN STON
ftgnBf A Brick Oven Bistro & Bakery
478-994-8844
26 E. Johnston St. Forsyth, GA
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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DODD
Builders Supply* Ine.
63 Harold G. Clarke Pkwy
I-75 Exit 185 Forsyth, GA
(478)994-6403
CLINIC
■ — OF FORSYTH
Animal Medical Clinic of Forsyth sets itself apart from other veterinarians in
the area with its friendly customer service, conven ien t hours - including
Saturday hours and a “just off the square ” location. Each pet is treated as if
it was Dr. Smith’s family pet.
Kevin D. Smith, DVM
Serving Monroe County Since 1989
Small animal medicine and
surgeries including spaying
and neutering
House Calls Available »m #
Pet grooming, baths, dips ®
Dentistry
Radiology
Vaccinations
Boarding
Preventative medicine includ
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flea and tick control
and
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Laila, Kasey, Dr. Smith,
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60 S. Jackson St. Forsyth
994-4986
Thank You for
your loyal patronage