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The Commerce News Page 2A • November 28, 2007 Region Roundup Former Jefferson Police Chief Gets Suit Tossed A federal court judge has ruled in favor of former Jefferson Police Chief Darren Glenn in a civil action filed against him in 2006. U.S. District Court Judge William O’Kelley granted Glenn’s motion for summary judgment last week in a 2006 suit filed by Jefferson officer Lee New against Glenn over a 2005 demo tion. The handling of that demo tion and New’s threat of a lawsuit led to Glenn’s firing by Jefferson officials in June 2006. Meanwhile, Glenn is scheduled to appear before the Jackson County Grand Jury next Tuesday as prosecutors try for a third time to indict him for having run car tag information illegally. Glenn’s grand jury appearance will be the first time Glenn’s side of the case is aired as prosecu tors have previously declined to interview Glenn and attempted to block his appearing before the grand jury. Last month, Superior Court Judge Bob Adamson dismissed 30 indictments against Glenn because prosecutors from the Georgia Prosecuting Council in Atlanta did not let Glenn make a statement to the grand jury in September. Under Georgia law, law enforcement officers have the right to make a statement to the grand jury if they face indict ment on charges related to their position. December’s hearing will be the third time state prosecutors have attempted to indict Glenn. In December 2006, prosecutors attempted to present similar indictments against Glenn and four other former JPD officers, but those indictments had to be withdrawn after Glenn’s attor ney, former Georgia Attorney General Michael Bowers, point ed out that they cited a state law code that does not exist. Last week’s ruling was a major victory for Glenn after 18 months of complex legal wrangling. In 2005, Glenn demoted New from sergeant to patrol status. New did not contest the demo tion at that time, but five months later, in May 2006, his lawyer began sending aggressive letters to Jefferson officials, hinting at a lawsuit and claiming that Glenn had violated New’s civil rights. All during May 2006, letters went back and forth between the city, New’s attorney and Glenn. On at least two occasions, Glenn asked for a meeting with city officials to discuss New’s lawsuit threats, but no meeting was ever held. On June 1, 2006, city manager David Clabo, assistant city man ager John Ward and city attorney Ronnie Hopkins met with New and his attorney to discuss the threatened lawsuit. At that meet ing, the city agreed to pay New $3,800, restore him to the rank of sergeant, give him the day shift for at least three months and give him a raise to $16.58 per hour. In return, New signed an agreement not to sue the city or anyone associated with the city over his demotion. Later that same day, Clabo and Ward summoned Glenn to city hall and fired him over his han dling of the New matter. Despite having agreed not to sue anyone over his demotion, New later filed a federal lawsuit against Glenn alleging his civil rights had been violated. However, last week the suit was effectively tossed when O’Kelley agreed with Glenn that New had signed the agreement not to sue the city or “any other individuals” acting on behalf of the city. Comer Gallery Holds Open House Through Dec. 22 COMER -- Blue Bell Gallery, Comer, is holding its holiday open house through Saturday, Dec. 22, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will feature more than 40 local artists. Also, the gallery will host a “Holiday Celebration” with a wine and cheese reception Friday, Nov. 30, at 6 p.m. Blue Bell Gallery is located in downtown Comer, at 89 East North Avenue. For more informa tion, contact Tina McCullough at 706-783-4665 or bluebellgallery@ windstream.net. Blood Drive Set Dec. 26 At Jackson EMC The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive Wednesday, Dec. 26, from 12:30-5:30 p.m., at Jackson EMC, located at 850 Commerce Road, Jefferson. For more information, call 1-800-448-3543 or visit www.red- crossblood.org. GEFA Shows Ways To Save On Energy Bills The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority’s (GEFA) Weatherization Assistance Program recently hosted a site demonstration on measures that homeowners can take to increase home energy efficiency and to lower their energy bills. “The need for increased energy efficiency continues to rise as the state of Georgia grows and we require more energy,” said GEFA executive director Chris Clark. “Georgia’s Weatherization Assistance Program helps low- income families save money through energy efficiency and it demonstrates effective steps that all of us can take in our homes to conserve energy,” Clark added. The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) works with low- income families to reduce energy costs by providing free home energy efficiency testing and solutions for individuals and families whose incomes do not exceed 150 percent of the fed eral poverty level (about $30,000 for a family of four). Preference is given to the elderly, people with disabilities and families with children. Last year in Georgia, 2,467 homes were weatherized, serving 3,618 clients. Nationally, weather- ization programs provide ener gy-efficiency services to nearly 100,000 homes on average every year. Based on current energy prices, weatherizing a home reduces average annual energy costs per household by $358 in the first year alone. Weatherization measures that were demonstrated included the installation of wall and attic insulation, duct pressure testing, sealing of ductwork, appliance metering, blower door air infil tration testing, and a “house of pressure” demonstration, which demonstrates air flows through out a house. WAP was created by the federal government in 1976 to assist low- income families who lacked the resources to respond to volatile energy markets by helping those families invest in energy efficiency. For more information regard ing Georgia’s Weatherization Assistance Program, call 404 584-1000 or visit http://www. gefa.org/Index.aspx?page=68. Red Cross Advises Readiness For Drought Disaster The American Red Cross is urging residents to prepare for extreme drought conditions — and other potential disasters — with a well-stocked disaster supplies kit. “Water is often overlooked in preparing a disaster supplies kit because, in the past, it’s been readily available,” said Jennifer Pennington, executive director for East Georgia Chapter of the American Red Cross. “The drought is reminding all of us that water can’t be taken for granted,” she added. “We need to plan for our water needs in a disaster along with those for food, clothing, flashlights, bat teries, personal items and other essentials.” Having enough clean water is essential to life. A normally, active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments can dou ble that amount. Children, nurs ing mothers and ill people will need even more. Water is also needed for hygiene and to pre pare food. The Red Cross recommends that everyone store at least one gallon of water, per person, per day. You should store a two-week supply of water for each member of your family. HOW TO STORE WATER •While it is safe to store tap water in clean, plastic containers such, as soft drink bottles, the Red Cross recommends that you purchase commercially bottled water in this situation to help conserve the public water sup ply. •Consider purchasing contain ers of water a few at a time when you go to the grocery store. This will help you to manage the expense of stocking water for long-term use. •Keep bottled water in its origi nal container, and do not open it until you need to use it. •Store water in a cool, dark place and rotate your supply every six months. •As you stock food in your disaster supply kit, look for foods that require little, if any, water for preparation. Also look for canned foods that contain water as a primary ingredient. • Don’t forget to include enough water for pets in your emergency supply kit. Two High-Profile Trials Slated For Early 2008 DANIELSVILLE - Court pro ceedings involving two high-pro file cases will continue in the early part of 2008. According to the District Attorney’s office, Jason Moon, who is charged with the murder Jan. 2007 of Edourado Monrico Barnett, will be tried in early 2008 while Cana Chambers, accused of stealing over $20,000 from the county probate office back in July, is expected to appear before the grand jury in mid-January. Northern Circuit District Attorney Bob Lavender will try both cases. Moon, a Comer man who is accused of the shooting death of Barnett, a 35-year-old Colbert man, has been incarcerated for almost a year. Moon’s case was sent to Superior Court after a January pre-trial hearing. Barnett’s body was discovered off Bellew Drake Road Jan. 5 and Moon quickly surfaced as a sus pect. Moon initially confessed to the killing, but recanted that statement in later conversations with police. Chambers, a former employee of the Madison County Probate Office, was arrested July 12 for the July 4 theft of over $20,000 in cash and checks from the office. Chambers, who actually report ed the crime to police July 5, was charged with one count each of theft by taking and false report of a crime after police after dis crepancies between statements made by Chambers and others in the office raised concerns among investigators. Square Dance Lessons Offered In Danielsville Square dancing lessons will be offered beginning Jan. 8 at the American Legion Building in Danielsville from 7 to 9 p.m. at a cost of $3. The first two lessons are free. The instructors are Willis Cook and Ken Perkins. For more infor mation, call Elizabeth Williams at 706-757-3747 or Jerry Ingram at 706-783-3570. New Resource Available For Local Veterans Veterans seeking help in fil ing claims with the Veterans Administration now have a new resource. The “Veterans’ Benefits Manual & Related Laws and Regulations” is now available at the Commerce Public Library on CD-ROM. The document contains the appli cable federal laws, VA claim pro cessing policies, advice on how to file claims, information on veterans advocates and much more. It was created by seven civilian attorneys on behalf of the National Veterans Legal Services Program, and it is updated annually. If the CD is not on hand, library patrons can ask that it be reserved. Animal Shelter Joins Effort To Find Good Homes DANIELSVILLE -- The Madison-Oglethorpe Animal Shelter (MOAS) will be a part of the IAMS Home for the Holidays (H4TH) 2007 adoption cam paign. “We are looking for a few good two-legged friends to help our four-legged ones find the kind of loving good home they deserve,” shelter officials said. 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