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f:r News Region Roundup Authority To Cut Rates To Boost Cash Flow By reducing its wholesale water rate, the Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority hopes to entice Braselton to buy water from it instead of from Gwinnett County. The authority is expected to act Thursday April 17, on a proposal by its chairman, Hunter Bicknell, to reduce its wholesale rate to a flat $3 per 1,000 gallons. Currently, the rates differ with virtually every customer. The authority sells water to both Braselton and Hoschton, as well as to Jefferson at rates ranging from about $3 to $4.50 per 1,000 gallons. Bicknell hopes the rate reduc tion will allow the authority to sup plant Gwinnett County as a water supplier to Braselton, a move that, he says, could bring in $30,000 a month in additional revenue based on the sale of about 11 mil lion gallons per month (mgm). To do that, however, the author ity would have to beat Gwinnett’s price, which Bicknell said is $3.60 per 1,000 gallons. Driving the proposal is the authority’s cost for water from the Bear Creek Reservoir, a cost that declines (per 1,000 gallons) as it takes more water. Selling an extra 11 (mgm) to Braselton would not only generate more revenue for the authority, but it would also lower the authority’s overall cost per 1,000 gallons. During 2006, the authority’s average cost per 1,000 gallons was $1.50 as it sold an average of 61.8 mgm. But in 2007, with sales restricted by the drought, the cost rose to $2 per 1,000 gallons for the year and peaked at $4.15 per 1,000 gallons in November when water restric tions reduced usage to 19.2 mil lion gallons. “We need to sell all the water we can sell and drive down the cost of water from Bear Creek,’’ pointed out manager Eric Klerk. According to Bicknell, Braselton buys about 11 mgm from Gwinnett County. It also buys 700,000 gal lons per day from Barrow County at $1.60/1,000 gallons — a price the authority can’t match. The authority has apparently made overtures to Braselton about switching to Bear Creek water. 'They have indicated a price they would like to get it for — less than $3,’’ said Bicknell, who sug gested that the authority could probably do better. “If it is cheap er from us, that 11 million gallons a day would come from us, not Gwinnett County,’’ he added. Under its current tiered struc ture, the more water a customer buys, the more it costs per 1,000 gallons. Bicknell wants to do away with that “conservation rate.’’ “We shouldn’t have conserva tion pricing on our wholesale sales,’’ he said. “Conservation pricing should be handled at the retail level.’’ While the change could ben efit Braselton, it would have little effect on Hoschton and Jefferson, which also buy from the author ity. Hoschton already pays about $3/1,000, while Jefferson has a long-standing contract under which it can buy 200,000 to 250,000 gallons per day at well under $3/1,000. You Have To File A Return To Get Federal Check By Allie Byrd The U.S. government is giving money away this summer. But to be eligible for it, people must file a 2007 tax return. As part of the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, the U.S. gov ernment plans to return money to U.S. citizens in an effort to bolster the country’s economy, which is teetering on the verge of recession. Eligible people will receive up to $600. Parents will get $300 per child under 17. “The stimulus is targeted to a broad number of consumers, so there are a lot of people who are eligible for at least some portion of the stimulus payment,’’ said Michael Rupured, a University of Georgia Cooperative Extension consumer economics specialist. “For most people, all you need to do is file your 2007 income taxes.’’ You must have a valid Social Security number to receive a check, he said. People who are not normally required to file a federal tax return will not receive a stimulus pay ment unless they take the extra step and file, Rupured said. “As long as they have more than $3,000 in income they’ll need to file to make sure they get a pay ment,’’ he said. Some people are not eligible, he said. If you have less than $3,000 in income or if you have income above a certain level, you are not eligible. The Internal Revenue Service web site, www.irs.gov, has a calcu lator to determine how much you will receive. You will need your 2007 federal income tax return to use it. The payment schedule is there, too. Allie Byrd is a student writer with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. PETCO To Locate Distribution Center In Braselton PETCO, a national retailer of pet food, supplies and services, plans to open a large distribution center in Braselton. The San Diego-based company is slated to open its distribution center in a vacant 506,200 square- foot facility on Ga. Hwy. 124, near Ga. Hwy. 211. The building is located in the Braselton Business Park in Barrow County. “We are delighted that PETCO has chosen Braselton as the loca tion for their new distribution facil ity,’’ Braselton mayor Pat Graham said in a statement Monday. “We appreciate their investment and the new jobs they are bringing to Braselton.’’ Gov. Sonny Perdue’s office reported Monday that PETCO is expected to invest $33 million in the Braselton distribution center that will serve the Southeast. At full capacity, the company plans to have up to 277 employees, according to a statement from the governor. “Georgia’s strength in logistics makes it a top choice for national retailers like PETCO,’’ Gov. Perdue said in a statement. “Our robust transportation network and ready workforce are a natural fit for dis tribution centers.’’ Dave Watson, senior vice presi dent of Grubb and Ellis Company, said he expects PETCO to move into the building in 120 days. PETCO signed a 12-year lease for the facility, he added. The building was occupied by Sears, before Sears relocated to Pendergrass in 2007. Watson said PETCO’s Braselton building cannot be expanded. Tractor Supply is located a short distance on Hwy. 124 from the facility. Other major distribution centers in the area include Haverty’s, The Home Depot, Whole Foods and Mayfield Dairy. PETCO operates more than 850 stores in 49 states and the District of Columbia, and has more than 100,000 pet-related products, according to the company’s web site. Water District To Promote Conservation The Oconee River Soil and Water Conservation District is asking residents to take personal responsibility to be good stew ards of the natural resources, including water, during its annual Stewardship Week celebration. The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) has proclaimed April 27-May 4, as Stewardship Week with the theme, “Water is Life.’’ Current population trends and prevailing drought conditions are impacting significantly the water resources within the area. District officials say water conservation is key. The Oconee River Soil and Water Conservation District pro vides all interested members of the community with an opportu nity to learn more about efforts in promoting natural resources con servation and a way to actively become a part of it. With educa tional programs related to conser vation in farming, forestry, urban $ 5 00 OFF Ticket Of s 20°° 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. | CLOTHING AND CONSIGNMENT SHOP • Women & Junior Clothing • Men's Clothing • Prom • Maternity • Dresses • Accessories • Handbags - We specialize in name brands and gently used clothing only - To sell your clothes come by or call 706-335-7821 We are open Monday - Saturday 10-7 and Sunday 1-5 and wildlife areas, the district can help citizens achieve a bet ter understanding of sustainable ways of conserving soil, water, air, plants and animals. David Jackson is the chairman for Oconee River Soil and Water Conservation District. The dis trict was formed to assist people in Barrow, Clarke, Jackson and Oconee counties. During Stewardship Week, the Oconee River Soil and Water Conservation District will con duct a poster contest through 4-H to all fifth graders in the district’s four-county area. The district will also hold a photo contest in the four counties. The photo contest will be opened to the public (all ages). Both contests will be held in the spring. The district is encouraging high school students to attend a 2008 natural resources conservation workshop that will be held at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton June 8-12. The student attending from Oconee River SWCD that receives the highest score on behalf of the dis trict students will receive a $200 scholarship. The Oconee River Soil and Water Conservation District is a mem ber of the National Association of Conservation Districts, which oversees the Stewardship Week program. Rep. Benton Brings Home State Funds For Local Causes Rep. Tommy Benton announced this week that he has acquired local assistance grants for several projects, including the following: • $3,000 for the South Jackson Fire Department to purchase imaging camera equipment. • $4,000 for the Commerce Fire Department for personal protec tion equipment. •$5,000 to the Jefferson Fire Department for extraction tools. • $3,000 to the City of Braselton for library equipment. County Considers Environmental Health Lee Hikes The Jackson County Board of Commissioners reviewed several proposed fee increases Monday Public Notice The Annual Report of the Harmony Grove Foundation, Inc. is available at the office of First Commerce Bank for inspection during regular busi ness hours, by any citizen who requests it within 180 days from April 15, 2008. The address of the Harmony Grove Foundation, Inc. is 1731 North Elm Street, Commerce, GA. Harmony Grove Foundation, Inc. Charles W. Blair, Jr. Secretary for the environmental health ser vices offered by the health depart ment. Action on the increases will be taken when the BOC meets at 6 p.m. Monday, April 21, at the courthouse in Jefferson. Most of the proposed increases range from $25 to $100. In other business at Monday’s meeting, the BOC discussed sev eral items that will be acted on at the April 21 meeting, including the following: • a request from Sonny Pruitt to allow an additional house to be located at 11612 Hwy. 124 due to a medical hardship. Pruitt is attempting to divide his property and the location of a house makes the division difficult. • a request from Double Oaks Golf Course, located at 3100 Ila Road, Commerce, for an alcohol license. The license is necessary due to a change in ownership of the golf course, formerly known as Sandy Creek Golf Course. •a request from Publix Super Markets for an alcohol license for its new store located at 6055 Hwy. 124 West, Hoschton. •a recommendation to name New South Construction as the construction manager for the new jail project and to approve $20,000 for pre-construction services. • a proposed policy for the acquisition of right-of-way that will allow the process to proceed more quickly. It will take out the require ment that appraisals be conducted. A policy will be in place outlining how the “fair market value’’ of a property is determined and the property owner and county must agree on the price. •a recommendation to award a bid to Green South Equipment for $69,125 and to Presley’s Farm and Garden for $7,039 for tractor and mowing equipment. • a proposal to declare four trac tors and four mowers as surplus property. •a proposed amendment to the budget to move $76,164 from property and liability insurance for 13 departments to the road department’s major equipment line item. •a recommendation to extend the 10-year solid waste contract with Waste Management. • a recommendation on how the five percent victims assistance funds should be distributed. The proposal calls for allocating the money for The Tree House, Peace Place, the Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children program and the Piedmont Rape Crisis Center. •a proposed intergovernmen tal agreement with the City of Commerce to utilize the county’s geodetic services contract with Wood Brothers to set 12 monu ments up in the city. The city will reimburse the county $800 per monument. • a proposed resolution con cerning the financing of coun ty road and sewer projects through the issuance of rev enue bonds. We invite you to come Experience the Difference. Here you’ll find. Furniture, Appliances, Electronics, and more. New Name Brand Merchandise. Pap 1s! mu • No Credit Checks. • Money Back Guarantee. • Return Anytime. • Free Delivery & Set-up. • We will Beat Anyone’s Price or Give You $100! Call Crusader Today!...1-888-707-5523 •This is a Consumer Rental-Purchase Agreement. 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For program compliance or questions please call our toll-free Customer Serv ice Hotline 1-866-837-1332 for assistance. The Commerce News Get the local school, church, sports and other community news delivered to your home each week! Just clip the coupon below to begin saving today over the newstand price! Name Address City State Zip Subscription rates for The Commerce News are asfollozvs: $19.75 per year for Jackson and adjoining counties; $17.75 per year for senior citizens in Jackson and adjoining counties; $38.85 per year for delivery elsewhere in Georgia; $36.85 per year for delizvry elsewhere in Georgia with senior citizen discount; $44.50 per year for delizvry out of Georgia; $42.50 per year for delivery out of Georgia with senior citizen discount; $42.20 per year for the military with APO address. Enclosed is my check for $ or dl MC or □ visa # Expiration MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. 33 Lee Street, P. O. Box 908 Jefferson, GA 30549 Phone 706-367-5233 Fax: 706-367-8056 Website: www. mainstreetnews. com Located at 137 Pottery Factory Drive at Commerce Crossing