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THE COMMERCE (GA) NEWS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2007 -- PAGE 3A Board Of Health To Ask County For Local Funding Hike By Brandon Reed The Jackson County Board of Health will soon request an in crease in funding from the coun ty government. Lead nurse Beth Heath told the board that the health depart ment received only $30,000 in county funding increases rather than the $140,000 originally re quested. Heath said more money was needed because of a decrease in fees and Medicaid reimburse ments. Heath said the priority has to be to keep clinic services going and to keep employees in the system. Board chairman Henry Slocum asked for figures on what funds are needed and said he will go to the January meeting of the Jackson County Board of Com missioners to ask for a funding hike . The board also heard a request on increasing environmental health fees. With the adoption of new food service regulations by the state, more time is needed to perform inspections. District environmental health director Todd Johnson asked the board to consider a fee increase to compensate for the increase in time the inspections are ex pected to take. The board also heard from District Health director Claude Burnett about water shortages in the area. He told the board that counties using the Bear Creek Reservoir are in a tight situation. He said he thinks the reservoir will be down to one quarter full by the third week in January and Athens may be out of water by early in February without more rain. The board did not vote on any items in the meeting, due to a lack of a quorum. — Opera? In Commerce? Cont. from Page 1A Both the date and the location — the Commerce Cultural Center — are tentative. The Atlanta Opera is coming free of charge, but there will be an admission fee, says Craver, who added that he hoped to use the proceeds to bring in some theater troupe for a perfor mance. “That’s a very small price to pay to have something very neat like that (the opera) here,” Craver said. The Atlanta Opera’s full perfor mance of “Cold Sassy Tree” will take place in February. — Debate Maysville Repairs Cont. from Page 1A Parr also said that when the building was constructed the vinyl siding was applied improp erly and is now warping. The rescue facility does not have a proper training area so officials must conduct outside classes in one of the bays. The rescue chief said it is impor tant to be able to train properly as new methods and equipments are constantly being added and updated. Council officials asked Parr why the rescue department was not located in the fire department off Hwy. 52. After hesitating to answer, Parr said it was because fire chief James Lyle did not want them in the building. An issue was also raised about the entrance door to the rescue building, which several months ago was kicked in and broken. Parr requested funds from city officials to fix the door. Council member Rebecca McNeely, who represents the area of Maysville where the rescue building is located, asked Parr why he had not fixed the door. Parr said it was not his respon sibility to pay for the repair since the city owned the building. After going back and forth with McNeely over the door issue, Baker authorized a new door be purchased at Home Depot and for a city employee to install it. There was also discussion about moving the water department into the building with the res cue department and Parr said he had no objections to that if a barrier could properly separate the two departments. A storage trailer is also currently located in the back of the rescue building which is used for storage for the city’s water department although no one could remember when or why it was placed there. Town officials discussed the option of moving the storage unit and expanding the building. The council took no action on the repairs. Councilman Scott Harper, whose term expires at the end of the year, said the council needs to decide “exactly what are we going to do with the building before a bid is awarded.” “It’s obvious something needs to be done,” Harper said. “I think we need to discuss it and see what we can do.” A work session date was not set by the council although one is typically held the Thursday before regular meeting. The next meeting is set for Dec. 3, which would put a work session Thursday, Nov. 29, at 5:30 p.m. Community Calendar To place events on the Community Calendar, call 706-387-5406 or e-mail mark@mainstreetnews.com Thursday, Nov. 15 Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Commerce Civic Center. Pilot Club meets: 7:00 p.m., Parham's Restaurant. The Pilot Club of Commerce meets on the third Thursday of each month at the same time and place. Monday, Nov. 19 Hospital authority meets: 1:30 p.m., conference room, BJC Medical Center. The BJC Medical Center Authority man ages BJC Hospital and Nursing Home. It meets on the third Monday of each month. Library board meets: 5:00 p.m., Commerce Public Library. The Commerce Library Board oversees the city library. Mended Hearts meets: 7:00 p.m., conference room, BJC Hospital. Mended Hearts is a support group for heart patients and their families. Tuesday, Nov. 20 TOPS meeting: 6:00 p.m., BJC Medical Center cafeteria. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weight loss group. Weigh-in is from 5:00 to 5:50. Thursday, Nov. 22 Thanksgiving Holiday: Most businesses closed. Christmas lights to be turned on in down town Commerce. Monday, Nov. 26 City planning meeting: 7:00 p.m., Peach Room, Commerce Civic Center. The Commerce Planning Commission makes recommendations on zoning requests and land use matters. Tuesday, Nov. 27 Garden club meets: 1:30 p.m., Commerce Public Library. The Harmony Grove Garden Club will meet to decorate the library's Christmas tree. TOPS meeting: 6:00 p.m., BJC Medical Center cafeteria. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weight loss group. Weigh-in is from 5:00 to 5:50. Wednesday, Nov. 28 DDA meeting; 8:00 a.m., 12 Pine Street. The Commerce Downtown Development Au thority oversees the preserva tion and revitalization of the historic downtown district. Thursday, Nov. 29 Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Commerce Civic Center. Lions pancake supper: 5:30 7:30 p.m., First United Meth odist Church of Commerce. The Lions Club event, featuring all-you-can eat pancakes, will benefit Habitat for Humanity. Tickets are available from club members, $5 for adults, $2 for children. Saturday, Dec. 1 Breakfast with Santa: 9:00 11:00 a.m., Opera House Dance Academy, Commerce. Children can enjoy breakfast and have their picture taken with Santa. Hometown Holiday Cruise- in: Noon-3 p.m., downtown Commerce. It's a hot rod and antique car show. Secret Santa Workshop: Noon-3 p.m., 1736 North Broad Street, Commerce. This is a children's only Christmas shopping event. All gifts are under $10. Pilot Club members will assist children in selecting gifts and managing their money. Business & loft open house: 3:00-6:00, downtown Com merce. Newly-renovated build ings and upper-floor residential units will be open. Sunday, Dec. 2 Christmas parade: 3:00 p.m., downtown Commerce. The theme will be "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." Holiday concert: 5:00 p.m., Spencer Park, downtown Com merce. The Downtown Devel opment Authority will present a free concert of holiday classics by one of the southeast's most colorful bands. Monday, Dec. 3 Commerce Council meets: 6:00 p.m., City Hall. This "work session" prepares the city coun cil for its regular meeting the following Monday. Nicholson Council meets: 7:00 p.m., City Hall. Maysville Council meets: 7:00 p.m., City Hall. Tuesday, Dec. 4 TOPS meeting: 6:00 p.m., BJC Medical Center cafeteria. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weight loss group. Weigh-in is from 5:00 to 5:50. JCCO meets: 6:30 p.m., BJC Medical Center Conference Room. Jackson County Com munity Outreach is a grassroots community organization. NWA meeting: 6:00 p.m., Nicholson City Hall. The Nich olson Water Authority manages the city's water system. Wednesday, Dec. 5 Chamber breakfast: 7:30 a.m., Jefferson Civic Center. Open to all Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce members and their guests. Thursday, Dec. 6 Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Commerce Civic Center. Monday, Dec. 10 Commerce Council meets: 6:30 p.m., Commerce Room, Commerce Civic Center. School board meets: 7:00 p.m., Commerce High School media center. The Commerce Board of Education operates the city's school system. Tuesday, Dec. 11 TOPS meeting: 6:00 p.m., BJC Medical Center cafeteria. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weight loss group. Weigh-in is from 5:00 to 5:50. Lions Club meets: 7:00 p.m., Ryan's Steakhouse, Banks Crossing. Airport Authority meets: 5:30 p.m., Jackson County Ad ministrative Building, Jefferson. Thursday, Dec. 13 Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Commerce Civic Center. Cold Sassy Quilters: 1:00 p.m., Commerce Public Library. Monday, Dec. 17 Hospital authority meets: 1:30 p.m., conference room, BJC Medical Center. The BJC Medical Center Authority man ages BJC Hospital and Nursing Home. It meets on the third Monday of each month at the same time and place. Library board meets: 5:00 p.m., Commerce Public Library. The Commerce Library Board oversees the city library. Mended Hearts meets: 7:00 p.m., conference room, BJC Hospital. Mended Hearts is a support group for heart patients and their families. Tuesday, Dec. 18 TOPS meeting: 6:00 p.m., BJC Medical Center cafeteria. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weight loss group. Weigh-in is from 5:00 to 5:50. Thursday, Dec. 20 Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Commerce Civic Center. Pilot Club meets: 7:00 p.m., Parham's Restaurant. The Pilot Club of Commerce meets on the third Thursday of each month at the same time and place. Monday, Dec. 24 Christmas Eve: Many busi nesses and some government offices will close early. Tuesday, Dec. 25 Christmas holiday: All overnment offices and most usinesses closed. Thursday, Dec. 27 Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Commerce Civic Center. Cold Sassy Quilters: 6:00 p.m., Commerce Public Library. Beginning and experienced quilters are invited. Monday, Dec. 31 New Year's Dance: 8:30 p.m., Commerce Civic Center. Ages 21-up only, featuring The Jesters. Ticket info to be announced by the Commerce Area Business Association. Advance tickets are $25, and a dinner package is available. For tickets, call the Downtown Development Authority office at 705-335-2954. Tuesday, Jan. 1 New Year's Day: Most businesses and all government offices closed Wednesday, Jan. 2 Chamber breakfast: 7:30 a.m., location TBA. Open to all Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce members and their guests. Thursday, Jan. 3 Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Commerce Civic Center. Monday, Jan. 7 Commerce Council meets: 6:00 p.m., City Hall. This "work session" prepares the city coun cil for its regular meeting the following Monday. Nicholson Council meets: 7:00 p.m., City Hall. Maysville Council meets: 7:00 p.m., City Hall. Tuesday, Jan. 8 TOPS meeting: 6:00 p.m., BJC Medical Center cafeteria. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weight loss group. Weigh-in is from 5:00 to 5:50. Lions Club meets: 7:00 p.m., Ryan's Steakhouse, Banks Crossing. Airport Authority meets: 5:30 p.m., Jackson County Administrative Building, Jeffer son. The authority manages the county airport. Thursday, Jan. 10 Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Commerce Civic Center. Cold Sassy Quilters: 1:00 p.m., Commerce Public Library. School board meets: 7:00 p.m., Commerce Elementary School media center. This "work session" of the Commerce Board of Education is used to prepare for the regular meeting the following Monday. Monday, Jan. 14 Commerce Council meets: 6:30 p.m., Commerce Room, Commerce Civic Center. School board meets: 7:00 p.m., Commerce High School media center. The Commerce Board of Education operates the city's school system. Tuesday, Jan. 15 TOPS meeting: 6:00 p.m., BJC Medical Center cafeteria. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weight loss group. Weigh-in is from 5:00 to 5:50. Thursday, Jan. 17 Pilot Club meets: 7:00 p.m., Parham's Restaurant. The Pilot Club of Commerce meets on the third Thursday of each month at the same time and place. Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Commerce Civic Center. Monday, Jan. 21 Hospital authority meets: 1:30 p.m., conference room, BJC Medical Center. The BJC Medical Center Authority man ages BJC Hospital and Nursing Home. It meets on the third Monday of each month at the same time and place. Library board meets: 5:00 p.m., Commerce Public Library. The Commerce Library Board oversees the city library. Mended Hearts meets: 7:00 p.m., conference room, BJC Hospital. Mended Hearts is a support group for heart patients and their families. Tuesday, Jan. 22 TOPS meeting: 6:00 p.m., BJC Medical Center cafeteria. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weight loss group. Weigh-in is from 5:00 to 5:50. Thursday, Jan. 24 Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Commerce Civic Center. Cold Sassy Quilters: 6:00 p.m., Commerce Public Library. Beginning and experienced quilters are invited. Monday, Jan. 28 City planning meeting: 7:00 p.m., Peach Room, Commerce Civic Center. The Commerce Planning Commission makes recommendations on zoning requests and land use matters. Tuesday, Jan. 29 TOPS meeting: 6:00 p.m., BJC Medical Center cafeteria. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weight loss group. Weigh-in is from 5:00 to 5:50. The Commerce News Get the local school, church, sports and other community news delivered to your home each week! Just clip the coupon below to begin saving today over the newstand price! 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