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™, N r ? egion Roundup 4 'Prospects' For Hull City Council Attend Meeting No one committed themselves, but four Hull residents showed up at the town’s city council meeting Monday night, each of them to consider whether they might be interested in filling one of the city’s two vacant council seats. Until at least one of the coun cil seats is filled, the council is limited in what business it can conduct. The council discussed the city limits, requirements for serving on the council, revenue, annexa tion and other matters with those present. One audience member, Wayne Melton Jr., suggested hav ing a “get to know your mayor and council day’’ to help gener ate interest in the town. In other business, the coun cil discussed whether or not to attend the annual GMA conven tion in Savannah, but made no decision. The council asked the clerk to invite city building inspector Jim Baird to the March council meeting to discuss the option of keeping him on as building inspector, or of entering into an intergovernmental agreement with the county. New city clerk Sandra Pou reported that the D.O.T. has fin ished its work on Old Elberton Road and that she had contacted county chairman Wesley Nash to tell him that the road is ready for the county to finish the building and shaping of the shoulders, as required by the state. She also reported that approxi mately $6,000 in insurance pre miums for the city and the fire department are due. The council instructed her to go ahead with payment of the premiums. Valentine's Day Dmg Raid Nets 8 Arrests DANIELSVILLE - Eight people were arrested in a Valentine’s Day drug bust in northern Madison County last week. Madison County deputies went to a home at 34 Vaughn Circle off Reed Brawner Road Thursday afternoon to execute a search warrant. Once inside the home, deputies found John Edward Manning, 42, of 911 Park Place in Loganville, with a handgun drawn. After disarming Manning, they searched him, finding a second handgun and methamphetamine, according to the report. A search of the home found more methamphetamine, mari juana and an undisclosed amount of cash. Manning was charged with two counts of possession of arms by convicted felons with first offender probation, two counts of possession of firearm or knife while trying to commit crimes, possession, manufacture, dis tribution, etc. VGCSA posses sion of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of marijuana less than an ounce and possession of tools for the commission of a crime. The homeowner, Sharon Tonya Roberts, 38, was arrested and charged with possession, manu facture, distribution, etc. VGCSA methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of mari juana less than an ounce and possession of tools for the com mission of a crime. Also arrested during the raid were: • Kenneth Lee Manning, 22 514 Emory Lane, Logan ville, posses sion of tools for the commission of a crime and possession, manu facture, distribution, etc. VGCSA methamphetamine with intent to distribute. • David Wayne Bryant, 34,2270 Hughes Road, Elberton, posses sion, manufacture, distribution, etc. VGCSA methaphetamine with intent to distribute and pos session of tools for the commis sion of a crime. •Holly Lynn Harris, 18, 220 Gumlog Grove Road, Lavonia, possession of tools for the com mission of a crime and posses sion manufacture, distribution, etc. VGCSA methamphetamine with intent to distribute. •Thomas Max Hubbard, Jr„ 19, 2200 Rehobeth Road, Bowman, possession manufacture, distri bution, etc. VGCSA possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of tools for the commission of a crime. • Jonathan Crossland Grasman, 20, 2695 Wildcat Bridge Road, Royston, possession of tools of the commission of a crime, pro bation violation (original charge: theft by taking) and possession, manufacture, distribution, etc. VGCSA methamphetamine with intent to distribute). •Denise Lane Williams, 37, no address listed, Royston, posses sion of tools for the commis sion of a crime and possession, manufacture, distribution, etc. VGCSA. Action Inc. Seeks Jackson Board Member The Action Inc. board of direc tors is seeking an individual from Jackson County to represent low- income households. The individual chosen by the election must live in the coun ty he/she is representing and while not required to be low- income, must have an under standing of the root problems of poverty and be sensitive to the needs of low-income house holds. To nominate an individual to represent the low-income popu lation of Jackson County on the Action Inc. board of directors, submit the name, address, coun ty of residence, daytime phone numbers and a brief descrip tion as to why you or this per son should be elected to serve to Action Inc., RO. Box 1072, Athens, GA 30603-1072 to the attention of board secretary Ava Ivery. Nominations must be received no later than March 11, 2008 to be on the ballot. All names received by specified date will be placed on the election ballot. The statements submitted with the nominations will be available for voters to read on the day of election. The election will be held March 20 from 8 a.m. to noon dur ing the USDA commodity dis tribution at the Jackson County Community Services Office, 29 South Avenue, Jefferson. All vot ers must be at least 18 years of age and Action Inc. program recipients. Those individuals who are elected will receive the largest number of the votes cast and will be informed as to the outcome by the agency’s executive direc tor or board chair prior to the next regularly scheduled board meeting and will be seated at this same meeting. For questions, call 706-546-8293. $ 5 00 OFF Ticket Of s 2CP° Or More. Valid with coupon Mon.-Thurs. only. La Hacienda Commerce La Hacienda Jefferson 173 Steven B. Tanger Blvd. 605 Athens Street 706-335-7458 706-367-5095 | The Original Mexican Restaurant! Not affiliated with any other restaurant. | Man Dies In Fall From Roof In Braselton A man working on a new dis tribution center in Braselton fell 40 feet to his death Thursday, according to police. Alfredo Gutierrez-de la Fuente was working on a deck on the roof of a 632,500 square-foot building on Jesse Cronic Road when he fell. The coroner determined that Gutierrez-de la Fuente died of blunt force trauma to the head, according to Braselton assistant police chief Lou Solis. He broke his neck when he fell from the building, Solis added. Gutierrez-de la Fuente had just unhooked a safety harness when he began walking to an area across the building for a break period. He stopped to check on a deck, when he slipped and fell, Solis said. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) began its investigation into the incident this week, Solis said. The building is being developed by Duke Realty Corporation, as part of its “Park 85 at Braselton’’ project in Jackson County. Solis said the company stopped con struction on the site last week after Gutierrez-de la Fuente’s death. Gutierrez-de la Fuente was a subcontractor with JB Steel Erectors, according to Solis. He was from San Luis, Mexico, but lived in Austell. Gutierrez-de la Fuente was single, although he had an uncle who lived in Austell and worked at the same construction site, Solis said. At the time of the incident, there were an estimated 15 work ers on the site, Solis said. Qualifying Dates Set For Local Primary Elections Qualifying for elected positions on this year’s ballot in Jackson County will begin Monday, April 28, at 9 a.m., and end Friday, May 2, at noon. Those running for an elect ed office must qualify at the local headquarters of either the Republican or Democratic pari ties during that time. The primary election in Jackson County will be held Tuesday, July 15. Voters must choose either a Republican or Democratic ballot for that election. A run-off election after the pri mary, if needed, will be held Tuesday, Aug. 5. The general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 4. A run-off election, if needed, is planned for Tuesday, Dec. 2. Non-partisan races in Jackson County will be on the general election ballot in November. ON THE BALLOT The following offices in Jackson County will be on the ballot for the 2008 election: •Jackson County Board of Education, post 1 (Michael Cronic, incumbent). •Jackson County BOE, post 4 (Lynne Massey Wheeler, incum bent). • State Court judge (Jerry Gray, incumbent). • Solicitor General (Donald Moore, incumbent). • County Surveyor (Dan Venable, incumbent). • Magistrate Judge (Billy Chandler, incumbent). •Coroner (Keith Whitfield, incumbent). •Sheriff (Stan Evans, incum bent). • Probate Judge (Margaret Deadwyler, incumbent). •Tax Commissioner (Don Elrod, incumbent). •Jackson County Board of Commissioners chairperson (Pat Bell, incumbent). •Jackson County BOC, district 2 (Jody Thompson, incumbent). •Jackson County BOC, district 1 (Tom Crow, incumbent). •Clerk of Superior Court (Camie Thomas, incumbent). •District Attorney for the Piedmont Judicial Circuit (Rick Bridgeman, incumbent). State Has New System For Obtaining Records The Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, Office of Vital Records has implemented a new system that will significantly reduce the length of time it takes Georgians to obtain official cop ies of birth and death certifi cates. The Vital Events Information System (VEIS) is an electron ic registration system of vital records that now allows constitu ents to receive copies of their vital events within a few days — compared to weeks with the old paper-based system. The system also improves the quality and accuracy of vital events data. “The new system allows us to provide quality and timely cus tomer service to Georgians who need to obtain official copies of their vital records,’’ said Dr. Stuart Brown, director of the Division of Public Health. “The Vital Events Information System not only decreases constituent wait time but it also allows for increased accuracy and com pleteness.’’ The Vital Events Information System (VEIS) began as a pilot project in April 2007. It was rolled out statewide in August of 2007, with an initial focus on birth registration. The pilot stage for death regis tration began in November and will be rolled out statewide in February. Prior to VEIS, it took as long as six to eight weeks for births to be registered in the system and made available to customers. With the new system, these vital records are registered and pro duced per a customer’s request within an average of 13 days. The new electronic system not only focuses on reducing the time vital records are available to customers, but it provides more reliable data as well. Vital records data is often used by key partners such as the Division of Family and Children Services and parents to help make pub lic health decisions for at-risk children. Accurate information is also imperative for families who have suffered a loss and need to obtain death certificates for insurance purposes. With VEIS, the Office of Vital Records is now able to retrieve accurate data from vital records clerks in hospitals and other sources. If an error occurs either on a birth or death certificate, it can now be corrected within the system eliminating the need to issue custodial copies to local offices. Other features of the Vital Events Information System include: • Certified copies of vital events now available in all Georgia coun ties. • Local custodians can issue certified copies of vital records. • Registration of paternity acknowledgments at hospitals without delay. For more information about the Office of Vital Records, visit: http://health.state.ga.us/pro grams/ vitalrecords/ index.asp. Olive Trees Seen As Possibility For Georgia Could Georgia go from being “the peach state’’ to “the olive state?’’ Former Georgia state Senator Mary Squires and University of Georgia Associate Professor Kathryn Taylor think so. Research conducted by the two women in 2007 indicates that Georgia is just right for an olive production industry. “Climate change has presented Georgia with the opportunity to enter this multi-billion dollar international food and biofuel market,’’ says Squires. “Olive growing isn’t new to Georgia. Qlives were successfully grown in Savannah in the 1730’s. Now more of the state is favorable for growing this crop and Americans clearly have a taste for table olives, olive oil, and a need for additional biofuel sources.’’ In the fall of 2007, at Squires’ request, Dr. Taylor prepared a research document entitled, Table Olives, Virgin Olive Oil, and Biodiesel for Georgia Farmers: A proposal for assessing the suit ability of olives as an alterna tive crop for South Georgia. The research was profound. As a result two crop test sites will be established in southwest Georgia: one at the Attapulgus Research Station in Decatur County and a second at the Coastal Plains Experiment Station in Tifton. A third test site will be hosted by private growers outside Alma in the east. “I am excited about the prospect of bringing an econom ically powerful agricultural prod uct to Georgia,’’ says Squires. “Right now I am focusing my efforts on directing funding to the University of Georgia’s olive research. Farmers must be armed with solid data, experienced assistance, and a ready market for their product. I plan on mak ing sure that happens.’’ For more information on the plan to bring olives to Georgia, please call Mary Squires at (404) 518-7222. Magazine Selects Banks County As 'Place To Live' Banks County was recognized as one of the top 20 coun ties to live in the southeast by Progressive Farmer magazine. The magazine released the list of the “Best Places to Live in Rural America.’’ Banks County was listed as the number 16 place to live in the southeast. Number one was Kent County, Maryland. Other counties in Georgia that made the top 20 list were Gilmer County, six; Camden County, nine; Hart County, 15; and Bryan County, 18. To see the list, go to www. Grant Funds Available To Local Farmers The Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) has announced that a Clean Water Act water quality improvement cost share program is available for landowners in the Upper Broad River Watershed. The project area includes Banks County, as well as Jackson County, north of Ga. Hwy. 98, and Madison County, north of Hwy. 98 and Hwy. 174. GSWCC will work with local agricultural producers over the next three years to implement the program. Participating pro ducers will receive cost share funding for the purpose of installing best management prac tices (BMPs) in the Upper Broad River Watershed. The manage ment practices will be available to landowners at a base cost share of 60 percent. Landowners will have one year to complete practices under contract. Eligible BMPs include, but are not limited to Stackhous es, winter feeders, composting facilities, watering ramps, stream crossings, incinerators, heavy use areas, buffer fencing and crossing fencing. Buffer fenc ing is paid at 60 percent for 15-foot buffers, 80 percent for 30-foot buffers and 100 percent for 60-foot buffers. The local soil and water conservation districts assist ing in the project include the Broad River Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Stephens County Soil and Water Conservation District. The federally-funded project is made possible by Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act with the primary purpose of reduc ing pollutant loadings from non point sources of pollution within the watershed. Interested agricultural produc ers may apply to take part in the program Feb. 18 through March 21. For more information, or to sign up, contact project coor dinator Loren Hebert at the GSWCC office in Athens at 706-542-9233. DID YOU KNOW? By Preacher Clint DID YOU KNOW THAT GOD JUDGES THE SECRETS OF MEN BY THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST? (Rom. 2:16) Nothing you do or think can escape an all knowing GOD and you will be judged by your acceptance or rejection of the gospel of CHRIST. If you accept the gospel it is “The power of GOD unto salvation,” If you reject the gospel (The death, burial and resurrection of CHRIST) you will face eternal separation from the presence of GOD. Heaven or Hell that is the choice. (Matt. 25:46) Life is all about choice. You can choose to live for yourself and die in your sins or accept GOD S way and live forever. WILL YOU ACCEPT CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR? Send comments to Clinton Sexton 116 Ashland Drive Commerce, GA 30529 Bray Construction, Inc. • New Homes • Remodeling • Vinyl Siding • Masonry Work • Concrete Finishing (706) 789-2313 Clinton Sexton 116 Ashland Drive Commerce, GA 30529 We Pay Top Dollar on all gold, silver, diamonds, paper money and sports memorabilia. Knows Coins! 706-548-1632 2830 Lexington Rd. 706-548-1632 www.thorntonsdirect.com buyers of-Precions Metals & Collectibles for Over 30 Years in the Athens Area Dr. Neelagaru, M.D. (Dr. Neel) |Lj N. Neelagaru, M.D. (Dr. Neel) is now associated with Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville, Georgia and will do all o Invasive Cardiology Procedures at V this facility. Commerce Cardiology Clinic Call 335-2000 for appointment