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THE COMMERCE (GA) NEWS, WEDNESDAY. TANUARY 9, 2008 - PAGE 3A GIS Used To Update Jackson County Tax Maps Community Calendar To place events on the Community Calendar, call 706-387-5406 or e-mail mark@mainstreetnews.com By Angela Gary Jackson County’s new GIS (Global Information System) program has been busy updating Jackson County’s tax maps for the first time in three years, com pleting a zoning map and keeping the annexation maps updated. GIS manager Joel Logan gave a report on the program’s work to the Jackson County Board of Commissioners Monday night. Logan said that 450 platted subdivisions have been found in the county 232 of which were recorded since 2000. The first re corded subdivision found was in the 1950s. He added that the larg est concentration of development in the county has been between Hoschton and Jefferson south of Interstate 85. Cont. from Page 1A of the water used by Clarke and Oconee counties, and a substan tial portion of that used by Barrow County. Jackson County is less dependant upon the reservoir because most of its municipalities have their own water sources, but Bear Creek is the primary source of water for the Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority, which has more than 6,000 cus tomers. Restrictions Continue In spite of the recovery of the reservoir, Jackson County remains under severe restrictions of outdoor water use. Virtually all residential use of water outdoors is prohibited, as is much of the commercial use. Those restric tions are likely to continue for Cont. from Page 1A recommended acceptance; the other is a variance for the new Ingles to allow it to place more signage at the site than allowed by the city’s ordinance, for which the planners have recommended denial. •an amendment to the city’s Cont. from Page 1A Zellner said he is not sure if Walgreens has closed on the land. “I would say yes, simply because the BP is closed,” he speculated. Zellner said he asked the Walgreens official a month ago about the timetable. “He said he’s not sure, but I got a call today from a sign company The number of new subdivisions approved in 2007 was down, with the “peak” year for subdivision de velopment being 2004, according to Logan. “These statistics help us with future land use planning,” Logan said. Another benefit of the GIS pro gram has been keeping an update of annexations from the cities. He said this allows county staff to check quickly to make sure land is contiguous and that no “islands” of unincorporated areas are cre ated. One project that Logan expects to have completed soon is the fire district map. He added that this process has taken awhile because of the large number of fire districts in the county. months — until the Environmental Protection Division deems the drought over. While the Bear Creek Reservoir appears to be on the road to recovery, and the Commerce reservoir has fully recovered, lakes Allatoona and Lanier, which provide water to the Metro Atlanta area, remain at record low levels. Their status is driving state policy regarding water use, which is based on the concern that Allatoona and Lanier will not recover by next May, when usage is typically high and rainfall is scarce. The specter of those lakes going dry will likely be on the minds of legislators as the 2008 session of the General Assembly gets under way next week. budget to reflect a grant of $8,591 the fire department received to buy a thermal imaging camera. • a declaration that a 50 by 100- f oot lot located behind the old strip development on Maysville Road be declared surplus and put up for bids. The lot formerly housed an electric system substation. wanting to see our regulations,” he said. The Pittman House had been advertised for sale at $75,000, with the stipulation that it be moved. According to Zellner, a rumor was floated that the house was to be moved to Maysville — by helicopter. “There’s no feasible way for that to happen,” he laughed. Thursday, Jan. 10 Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Commerce Civic Center. Cold Sassy Quitters: 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 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 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 Quitters: 6:00 p.m., Commerce Public Library. Beginning and experienced quliters are invited. Monday, Jan. 28 Hospital authority meets: 1:30 p.m., conference room, BJC Medical Center. The BJC Medical Center Authority man ages BJC Hospital and Nurs ing Home. The meeting was changed to the fourth Monday due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Library board meets: 5:00 p.m., Commerce Public Library. The Commerce Library Board oversees the city library. City planning meeting: 7:00 p.m., Peach Room, Commerce Civic Center. The Commerce Planninq 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. 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 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, 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 Ad ministrative Building, Jefferson. Thursday, Feb. 7 Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Commerce Civic Center. School board meets: 7:00 p.m., location to be announced. 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 Quitters: 1:00 p.m., Commerce Public Library. Monday, Feb. 18 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, 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. Monday, Feb. 25 Hospital authority meets: 1:30 p.m., conference room, BJC Medical Center. The BJC Medical Center Authority man ages BJC Hospital and Nurs ing Home. It normally meets on the third Monday of each month but was moved back a week due to the Presidents' Day holiday. City planning meeting: 7:00 p.m., Peach Room, Commerce Civic Center. The Commerce Planninq Commission 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. Monday, March 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, March 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. 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. Wednesday, March 5 Chamber breakfast: 7:30 a.m., location TBA. Commerce Civic Center. All members of the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce are invited. Thursday, March 6 Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Commerce Civic Center. School board meets: 7:00 p.m., location to be an nounced. This "work session" of the Commerce Board of Education is used to prepare for the regular meeting the fol lowing Monday. Monday, March 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, March 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. Wednesday, March 12 CABA meeting: noon, Com merce Civic Center. All Com merce Area Business Associa tion members are invited. Thursday, March 13 Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Commerce Civic Center. Cold Sassy Quilters: 1:00 p.m., Commerce Public Library. Monday, March 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, March 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, March 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. Monday, March 24 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, March 25 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, March 27 Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Commerce Civic Center. —Reservoirs Filling Up — Little On Council Agenda —Walgreens Edges Closer The only local GM dealer offering Saturday Service OIL CHANGE, LUBE & FILTER, TIRE ROTATION, FREE BRAKE INSPECTION & ALIGNMENT Hwy. 441 in Commerce 706-335-3196 800-798-7435 www.wayneneal.com SERVICE HOURS: M-F 7:30-6:00 • Sat. 8:00-4:00 W & W METAL ROOFING IWFl 30 Year ^ Paint "4 “We Got You Covered” Agricultural Residential • Commercial • Ship Anywhere In The USA • We Stock Your Metal Needs • Visit Our Showroom www.wwmetalroofmg.com 706-654-5836 Hwy. 60 / Candler Hwy. • Pendergrass, Ga. Warranty Sales Service Installation Bray Construction, • New Homes • Remodeling • Vinyl Siding • Masonry Work • Concrete Finishing (706) 789-2313 Now In Commerce Esquire Insurance No Driving Record Too Good Or Too Bad Over 40 Companies Represented • Progressive • Mercury • Travelers & More We offer: • Commercial Insurance • Auto • Home • Life • Health Mon.-Fri. 9am-5:30pm • Sat. 10am-1pm 950 S. Broad Street • Commerce, Ga 706-335-0881 P3 Weeks Till We Are Back^j Across The Parking Lot! Janice & VC formerly of The Pottery now in the framing business at DonByramArt. 706-336-8080 Commerce Crossing, Suite #249