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? egion Roundup EPD Admits Goof In Saying Jackson Missed 10% Cut Either the Environmental Protection Division does not read the reports it requests or its math skills are limited. After the Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority present ed documentation detailing a 29.6 percent reduction in water usage, the EPD sent it a letter chiding the authority for failing to reach Gov. Sonny Perdue’s demand for a 10 percent reduction. “They didn’t read the report we sent in,’’ said manager Eric Klerk. That figures. The EPD still lists Jerry Waddell as the authority’s manager. Waddell’s been gone for two years, and repeated attempts to have the EPD change its records to reflect that have been unsuccessful. “All we did was point out all the numbers (on water usage) and how we arrived at them on a spreadsheet, but they didn’t read it,’’ said Klerk. “We’re close to 30 percent, not 10 percent.’’ What may have confused the EPD is the amount of water Jackson County bought from Commerce and the Bear Creek Reservoir and then sold to Jefferson. “If you take that number out, we beat that 10 percent (reduction) into the dirt,’’ said Klerk. The EPD has admitted its error, Klerk said. Perdue had ordered the reduc tions based on last winter’s usage as a response to the drought, and the EPD threatened significant penalties against water providers who failed to meet the goal. New Commander Named For Local Civil Air Patrol Unit The Georgia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol has announced a change of command at the Jackson County Composite Squadron. Taking position as squadron commander is Lt. Col. Richard Smith. Col. Smith comes to the squad ron with 17 years of experience with the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). He has completed all five levels of training in the senior program and has been awarded the Meritorius Service Award. “In all my 17 years of working in CAP, I have never been in command of a finer squadron than Jackson Thunderbirds,’’ Col. Smith said. “They are a good group of cadets with an excellent senior staff.’’ Col. Smith replaces the squad ron’s long-time commander, Maj. Michael Howington. Col. Smith served with the 82nd Airborne Division for two years, and 18 years with the Green Personal Trainers Now Available In Jackson County Let our Trainers Create Your Healthy New Life. Over 35 years of experience! Call: Marcell-706-658-7740 Clint-706-367-7841 Berets. He is a master parachut ist, a U.S. Army Pathfinder and a Desert Storm veteran. Smith has named his staff as follows: Capt. Paul Kyst, deputy commander of seniors; Lt. Mj. Bridges, deputy commander of cadets and public relations offi cer; and Lt. Luther McCory, moral leadership/safety and testing offi cer. The Jackson County Composite Squadron meets each Monday at the modular unit at the Jackson County Airport. Meeting times are 6:30-8:30 p.m. Membership for cadets is open for males and females who are in the sixth grade and up. Senior members must be 18 and over. Those wanting more information may visit the squadron meeting or contact Lt. Col. Smith at 770-894- 4629 or e-mail ltcrwsmith@yahoo. com. Republicans To Meet Saturday In Jefferson The Jackson County Republican Party will have the monthly break fast meeting Saturday, Jan. 12, at 8 a.m. at the Jefferson House Restaurant. The public is invited. Additionally, this meeting will include a seminar for candidates to assist them in beginning a cam paign for public office. Help Available For Those With New Telescopes Need help with a new telescope? The North Georgia Astronomers group will offer free assistance two weekends in January to area stargazers. According to Robert Webb, pres ident of NGA, the group will host a session Jan. 12 in Dahlonega and Jan. 19 in Gainesville. Webb said that Mars is up in the night sky for the best viewing in several years. Stargazers may even get to see Mars hit by an asteroid Jan. 30. To attend one of the stargaz ing sessions, you can register by e-mailing: telehelp2008@gmail. com Details of the two stargazing sessions are: Session 1: Saturday, Jan. 12,3:30- 6:30 p.m. Coleman Planetarium in Health and Natural Sciences Building North Georgia College, Dahlonega Added bonus at this session: “MARS: Exploration with Pictures, Words and Music’’ at 3:45. Session 2: Saturday, Jan. 19, 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. Science, Engineering & Technology Building Gainesville State College, Oakwood For additional information, con tact Webb at 770-535-7181. School Children Can Get Dental Care At Schools Forms that enable children to receive care at schools in Jackson County will be delivered to chil dren this week. Parents of all patients, even existing ones, must fill out and sign a new form and return it to HCS as soon as possi ble in order for children to receive dental care. Help A Child Smile is a mobile dental program that offers com prehensive dentistry from state licensed dentists to children that have limited or no access to oral health care. Of new patients, over 50 percent have never been treated by a dentist. Help A Child Smile accepts most insurance, includ ing Amerigroup, Peachstate, Wellcare, PeachCare for Kids and Medicaid. Founded by Dr. Mark Shurett and his associates in 1993 after 14 years of family practice, Help A Child Smile, unlike many mobile dental programs, provides com prehensive dental care including X-rays, fluoride treatment, seal ants, comprehensive exams and cavity treatment using compos ite materials. Children are never restrained or given sedatives in order to be treated. The mobile offices that will visit Jackson County schools are equipped identically to the offices of Dr. Shurett’s family practice in Conyers. Each full service dental office is staffed with one licensed dentist, one registered hygienist, two assistants, one mobile man ager and one X-ray technician. For more information, call 1-800- 770-0388 Democrats To Get Up To Speed On New Tax Plan DANIELSVILLE - House speak er Glenn Richardson backed out of a December speaking engage ment with the Madison County Democratic Party, but local Democrats will host an event Jan. 16 at the county library to learn more about Richardson’s propos al to eliminate property taxes in Georgia. Richardson is not expected to attend, but Dean Thomas P. Lauth, who is Dean of the School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Georgia and a nationally recognized tax expert, will address the audience. “This is our rescheduled event to explore the pros and cons of Richardson’s ‘GREAT’ tax plan for Georgia, which Richardson plans to introduce into the 2008 Legislative session (which begins Jan. 14),’’ organizers said. “We do not anticipate Richardson being with us for this event, as when he canceled he specifically said he wanted to wait and see how the bill did in committee. But this may be an even better, more informa tive event, as we’ve worked very hard to find an academic to give us the true 'no spin’ on this bill.’’ Madison County Democrats will also meet at 9 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 12, at the county library. Tenth District Congressional candidate Bobby Saxon will attend, along with Rep. Alan Powell, who will preview the upcoming legislative session. Third Time Not A Charm For Colbert Grant Hope The third time wasn’t the charm for Colbert. If anything, it added to the frustration. The city has again been denied a Department of Transportation grant to help it renovate its centu ry-old depot building, according to mayor John Waggoner. Waggoner didn’t hide his dis pleasure in breaking the news Monday night at the city’s month ly council meeting. “It’s another one of those things that there’s no rhyme or reason as to what they’re doing,’’ he said. “It’s because of politics.’’ The city had sought close to $400,000 in grant money to restore the building’s exterior to its original appearance and help fix up an old caboose adjacent to city hall. Adding to the mayor’s frustra tion were some of the projects that did get the OK. Waggoner pointed specifically to Union Point being awarded DOT funds to restore an old service station for use as a city welcome center. The mayor added that there were a couple more “just as dumb as the service station’’ that also received funds. Waggoner felt Colbert’s depot was plenty deserving. “This building has been here for about 110 years and is in bad need of preserving, but they didn’t see fit to do it,’’ Waggoner said. DID YOU KNOW? By Preacher Clint DID YOU KNOW THAT IN ORDER TO GO TO HEAVEN, “YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN?” When you were bom into your human family, you were born with a sin nature that was opposed to GOD. (PSA.51:5) we all inherited a sin nature from our Father Adam. (Rom. 5:12) When GOD created Adam and placed him in the garden of Eden, He Provided for Adam everything that was needed for a happy and healthy life even fellowship with GOD. There was only one commandment. (Gen.2:l6-17) Adam disobeyed and his Spirit died that day. Therefore in order to have fellowship with GOD, man must “BE BORN AGAIN.” Send comments to Clinton Sexton 116 Ashland Drive Commerce, GA 30529 K~ YOU’RE INVITED TO A DROP-IN Sunday, January 13, 2008 2:00 - 4:00 P.M. First Baptist Church Commerce, GA 1345 S. Elm St. Please join us for a drop-in to see our newly renovated facilities. Refreshments will be served. E JN Have Your Federal income Tax Return Prepared'-* In This Office And You Could Become The Proud Owner of a 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid PLUS • We ll make a 2008 estimated tax payment for you to cover the taxes 3 • Prepare your 2008 Income taxes for free 1816 N. Broad Street Commerce. CA 30529 (706) 335-3551 Your paid return will Automatically Enter You in a Company-Wide Drawing* to Win 1 - Tax return must be paid lor in ful by d-awing date to be eligible tor drawing 2 - Employoo* (and tool' rolot voi) of Security Finance Corporation of Spartanburg, it* subsidiaries and affiliates are not oiigiblo 3 Qnood on too additional tax toal would Have boon duo H prixo waa on your 9007 fodorol tax return * - Drawing to be oonductod by Independent Accounting Firm Eliott Da via, LLC on May 1,2006 k N COMMERCE FIRE DEPT. TO BEGIN NEW TRAINING CLASS FEB. 21 The Commerce Fire Department will begin a new Training Class on Thursday, February 21, 2008. Interested parties should pick up an application form at City Hall and return it before cut-off date of January 31, 2008. Training class will last approximately one year and at that time there will be a LIMITED number of positions filled in the department. Completion of training does NOT GUARANTEE placement on the department. All applications may not be accepted. Those interested must meet the following requirements: • Willing to spend a minimum of 120 hours training per year • Be able and available to attend at least 50% of all fire calls • Must be 18 years of age or older • High School graduate or equivalent • Complete Module I Firefighters Course with passing grade • Be able to pass rigorous physical fitness activities • Be willing to serve the community protecting lives and property • Be a “team player” and work well with the CFD family. COMMERCE FIRE DEPT. IS A VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT Colbert’s depot building stood as a vital cog of the city’s com mercial center for years, where goods would come and go from town, and still serves as a remind er of the town’s railroad heritage. The depot eventually closed in the 1970’s, but the building gained a second life as Colbert’s City Hall complex. The mayor has requested that state senator Ralph Hudgens ask the representative responsible for awarding these funds to write a letter to the city explaining why the depot restoration project was passed over. Waggoner said he’s received nothing so far. Being turned down this time was particularly frustrating con sidering the strength of the appli cation, the mayor said. “I called and talked to the folks at the RDC (Regional Development Center) again and they said they did not know why (it was rejected), because it was one of the best-qualified applica tions they’d put turned in for a T-grant,’’ Waggoner said. Country Charm Drops Plans For Egg Operation A large crowd attended a hear ing Thursday night about a pro posed poultry plant locating in Banks County only to learn that the application had been with drawn. The Banks County Planning Commission was to hear a request from McEver Family Heirs Partnership LP to rezone 199.5 acres on Duncan Road from ARR, (Agricultural, Rural-Residential) to CAD (Consolidated Agricultural District, Intensive). Country Charms Egg Company Gainesville, had planned to locate a large-scale egg laying plant on the property. Representatives of the poul try company appeared before the Banks County Planning Commission in early December requesting approval for a new operation in the area of Brown Bridge Road and Duncan Road. After listening to an hour of dis cussion from company officials and concerned citizens at that meeting last month, the planning commission tabled the request until its next meeting to have time Card of Thanks I would like to thank my family and friends for everything they did especially all the prayers during my recent hospital stay. A special thanks to Dr. Keith Ash for his good care. I will always be grateful. Sincerely, Jerry Smallwood to go over additional submitted information. When it was announced at last week’s meeting that the request had been withdrawn, the more than 50 people in the audience cheered and applauded. Banks Fireman Arrested Over Theft Allegations A Banks County volunteer fire arm was forced to turn in his axe after it was discovered he had been allegedly filling his personal vehicle with gas for approximately a year on county funds. Howard Lee Kitchens, 30, of 1485 Hwy. 441, Baldwin, has been relieved of his duties as a firearm and faces charges of theft by tak ing after an investigation revealed he allegedly took approximately $7,000 worth of gas using a depart ment credit card issued by the county. The end of Kitchens’ free gas ride came when a citizen reported him filling his personal vehicle and using a county credit card to pay for it. The citizen contacted the Baldwin Police Department who in turn informed the Banks County Sheriff’s Department. An investigation began immedi ately and gas records were pulled for the card, which was slated to have already been destroyed, for the past year. Initially the card was to be used to purchase diesel fuel, but Kitchens was using it for regu lar gas for his personal vehicle. Banks County sheriff Charles Chapman said Monday Kitchens confessed to using the credit card for personal gain. Kitchens has been released on bond and is awaiting an appear ance in Banks County Superior Court. There is no word on how the card was continued to be used for a year after it was slated to be destroyed. Kitchens has turned in all of his equipment related to his fireman duties. 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