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THE COMMERCE (GA) NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2007 -- PAGE 3A Council Members Honored The Town of Maysville honored its three outgoing council members during the December council meeting. Mayor Jerry Baker (right) presented plaques of appreciation to council mem bers Scott Harper, Trent Strickland and Janis Parkhill, from left who will complete their terms this month after deciding not to seek re-election earlier this year. Nicholson Looking For Place To Drill A Well By Brandon Reed The Nicholson Water Authority continues to search for new well sites. Authority chairman Doug Ayers said during last week’s monthly NWA meeting that he thought he had two sites, but one was close to an old dump site, rendering it unusable. Ayers said he has had several responses from NWA customers of prop erty to put wells on at no cost, but he continues to search for an appropriate site. “I had hoped to be further along, but we’re not,” Ayers said. “That’s just the way things work.” In other business: • The board voted to cancel its January meeting, and reconvene in February. •The board voted to give em ployees a Christmas bonus equal to one week’s salary. •Ayers said that response to the notice of the increase of wa ter rates has been minimal, and that water usage for NWA cus tomers is down. •The board voted to amend its cash flow budget worksheet based upon projections. Ayers attributed the amendment to a higher repair, maintenance and supplies cost. The vote was unan imous. Local Governments Curbing Water Usage Do local governments practice what they preach? When it comes to conserving water, the answer is “Mostly,” according to a small survey of local government offices. A quick look at the water usage of local city halls and county buildings shows that over the last few months, governments have been cutting back on their water usage. The cuts come after many of these same governments have been encouraging local citizens to conserve water during one of the worst droughts on record for the area. Some local government offices use only a few thousand gallons of wa ter per month and have small variations in their month-to-month usage. The largest users are area jails and prisons, which use several hundred thousand gallons each month. But even those facilities were using less water in recent months. Some local governments are in the process of making even more cut backs. In Commerce, the town is soliciting bids to replace 11 commodes and two urinals with higher-efficiency units. The city is also planning to talk with the city board of education about installing higher-efficiency toilets in the school system. In Winder, the city has already replaced several fixtures with lower- flow units and has done an audit of city water usage, said Roger Wil helm, program coordinator with the Winder utility department. “You have to sweep around your own back door before you tell others to sweep around theirs,” he said. Government Water Usage Thousands of Gallons Govt. July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Braselton City Hall 12,900 42,250 38,150 8,400 NR Braselton Police 44,300 46,450 15,650 5,950 NR Commerce C. Hall 20,000 20,000 15,000 15,000 12,000 Hoschton C. Hall 936 698 818 816 NR J .Co. Courthouse 137,500 166,000 176,000 111,500 79,000 Courthouse Irrg. 94,500 91,500 95,500 0 0 J.Co. Admin. 18,000 26,800 22,600 18,500 19,850 JCCI 869,000 889,000 935,000 753,000 773,000 Jeff. City Hall 1,700 1,600 3,600 1,600 1,750 Winder City Hall 4,900 5,200 5,600 5,300 4,900 Barrow Co. CH&Jail 341,400 386,200 326,200 296,500 NR Hours: Thursday and Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Leslie M Pitts, DMD Pediatric Dentistry 706-335-7793 215 Mercer Place, P. O. Box 1241 Commerce, GA 30529 Website: drlpitts.com Email: drlpitts@drlpitts.com -t-'- - v- 1 - 1 -"-'- - WJ. i \ i i i i i i i ,i l Community Calendar To place events on the Community Calendar, call 706-387-5406 or e-mail mark@mainstreetnews.com 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 manages 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 Li brary Board oversees the city library. 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. This meeting was moved from the regular fourth Monday time due to Christmas. 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 .m., Commerce Public Li- rary. Beginning and experi enced quilters are invited. Monday, Dec. 31 New Year's Dance: 8:30 p.m., Commerce Civic Center. Ages 21-up only, featuring The Jesters. Advance tickets are $25, and a dinner pack age is available. For tickets, call the Downtown Develop ment Authority office at 706 335-2954. 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 mem bers 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 council for its regular meeting the following Mon day. 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, Jef ferson. 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 Com merce 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 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, Jan. 21 Hospital authority meets: 1:30 p.m., conference room, BJC Medical Center. The BJC Medical Center Authority manages 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 Li brary 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 .m., Commerce Public Li- rary. Beginning and experi enced quilters are invited. Monday, Jan. 28 City planning meeting: 7:00 p.m., Peach Room, Commerce Civic Center. The Commerce Planning Commis sion 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. Thursday, Jan. 31 Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Commerce Civic Center. Monday, Feb. 4 Commerce Council meets: 6:00 p.m., City Hall. This "work session" prepares the city council for its regular meeting the following Mon day. Nicholson Council meets: 7:00 p.m., City Hall. Maysville Council meets: 7:00 p.m., City Hall. Tuesday, Feb. 5 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, Jef ferson. Thursday, Feb. 7 Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Commerce Civic Center. School board meets: 7:00 p.m., Commerce Elementary School media center. This "work session" of the Com merce Board of Education is used to prepare for the regular meeting the following Monday. Monday, Feb. 11 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, Feb. 12 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, Feb. 14 Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Commerce Civic Center. Cold Sassy Quilters: 1:00 p.m., Commerce Public Library. Monday, Feb. 18 Hospital authority meets: 1:30 p.m., conference room, BJC Medical Center. The BJC Medical Center Authority manages 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 Li brary 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, Feb. 19 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, Feb. 21 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, Feb. 25 City planning meeting: 7:00 p.m., Peach Room, Commerce Civic Center. The Commerce Planning Commis sion makes recommendations on zoning requests and land use matters. Tuesday, Feb. 26 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, Feb. 28 Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Commerce Civic Center. Help Us Make A Child’s Christmas! New Patients 1st Visit Free For The Entire Month of December (with your toy donation)* Existing Patients Free Adjustments December 19, 2007 10 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (with your toy donation)* Dr. Kevin L. Strohman 30346 Hwy. 441 S. Commerce, GA 30530 Phone: 706-335-2225 Fax: 706-335-2231 www.bulldoghealthcenter.com A Minimum of one or more unwrapped toys equal to or greater than $15 in value • All Treatments Will Be Given At No Charge! • All Case Histories Will Be Given At No Charge! • All Exams Will Be Given At No Charge! • All X-rays (If Needed) Will Be Given At A Value Of $250.00 Make Your Appointment While They Last! *Due to insurance regulations, Medicare and some other insurance's may be excluded from this offer. RECYCLE THIS PAPER IN KEEP JACKSON COUNTY BEAUTIFUL RECYCLING BINS FOR ONLY $5 PER MONTH, YOU CAN LIST YOUR GROUP'S MEETINGS! Let your members know when your group is meeting! Call (706) 367-5233 to advertise your meeting time, place and date in... • The Jackson Herald • The Commerce News • The Braselton News • The Banks County News • The Madison County Journal & UNITY LODGE F & A.M. No. 36, Jefferson, GA 1st Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m. A. Ben Wurtz • 706-367-1400 Borders St. behind Tabo's 260 JEFFERSON ROTARY CLUB Meets Tuesdays Jefferson City Clubhouse 12:30 p.m. • (706) 654-2237 Clay Eubanks, President 260 COMMERCE ^AMERICAN LEGION Commerce Rec. Dept. Post 93 Carson Street - 1st Mon. night Each Month, 7:30 p.m. 335-6400 BANKS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC. meets first Monday each month 7:00 p.m. in the Banks Co. Historial Courthouse at 105 U.S. Hwy. 441 North in Homer Pd.-2/2008 JEFFERSON ^AMERICAN LEGION Albert Gordon Post 56 Each 3rd Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. Harvie Lance, Commander Phone (706) 654-1274 310 l 1 * Georgia Real Estate Investors Association, Inc. - Athens Meets the third Thursday each month 7:00 pm at the Holiday Inn 197 East Broad St, Athens, GA 30601 Tom Hewlett - Chapter President mailto:thewlett1@charter.net website: www.gareia.org Pd 10/07 The Jackson Co. Republican Party Would like you to meet us for breakfast the second Sat. of each month, 8:00 at The Jefferson House. For more information, call 706-652-2967 or email fishyglass@yahoo.com Pd.05/08 BANKS COUNTY Ml AMERICAN LEGION Post 215 Meets each 3rd Thursday, 7 p.m. In Homer, GA at the American Legion Building on Historic Highway 441 Pd.06/08 VETERANS OF W ! FOREIGN WARS Post 4872, Hurricane Shoals Convention Ctr. Each 4th Monday, 7:00 p.m. Mike Buffington, Commander Phone 706-335-6532 263 JEFFERSON LIONS CLUB Meets 2nd & 4th Monday Jefferson City Clubhouse 6:30 p.m. • (706) 367-1400 Mark Bradley, President 260