Newspaper Page Text
THE COMMERCE (GA) NEWS, WEDNESDAY. APRIL 9, 2008 - PAGE 3A
— Discuss School Plans
Cont. from Page 1A
it never reconvened the group
to discuss or prioritize those
needs.
The architectural firm has also
drawn criticism, particularly when
its representative could not give
specific details at the March 31
presentation.
“From our viewpoint, they don’t
know the answers to a lot of the
questions yet," said member Keith
Massey, referring to both the
Commerce Board of Education
and the project’s architects. “They
are going to proceed and maybe
take care of those questions as
they come to them. For example,
in the gym situation, when people
asked, they didn’t have a plan,
but they said they would work
around it.
“We don’t think that enough
options had been looked at, and
enough consideration give to
future expansion. One case in
point is the auditorium. There is
no possibility of it being expand
ed if it is incorporated into the
school building as it is (on the
plans) right now.’’
Gym Compromise
Members of the group say
they’ve heard that the “compro
mise’’ for the gym conundrum is
the construction of a gym in a
metal building on the back side of
the campus.
Superintendent of Schools
James E. “Mac" McCoy promised
last week that a “compromise’’
that would satisfy all complaints
was imminent.
Not if it’s a steel building.
“We just don’t think there’s any
place for a Butler building on the
campus of the new school,’’ said
Massey. “We’ve got one, the field
house, which is ugly.’’
Such plain box-type buildings
— like the primary school gym —
“don’t reflect permanency of any
kind,’’ Massey added. 'They look
like a trailer and suggest a tempo
rary situation.’’
Hill agreed: “Nobody wants a
Butler building,’’ he stated.
Hill believes more effort should
be spent determining what the
citizens want, after which the
community can decide what it
can afford.
The main concern is the aca
demic center. Let’s get that, then
tell us what else (among the priori
ties) we can afford,’’ he says. “We
may have to build the academic
center and then come back with
another bond in two or three years
... The public wants us to have the
best school we can have. If it takes
another bond issue, so be it.’’
—light Agenda For Council
Cont. from Page 1A
Monday include:
•acceptance of a revised res
olution for Rob and Candice
Jordan’s Downtown Development
Authority revolving loan. The doc
ument will reflect minor language
changes.
• a decision to use almost
$300,000 of “flexible account’’
reserve funds held for the city by
the Municipal Electric Authority
of Georgia to pay off outstanding
telecommunications bonds.
• approval of an agreement with
Jackson County to spend $9,600
for eight “control point monu
ments’’ in or around Commerce
crucial to the county’s global infor
mation system (GIS) mapping.
•approval of a request from
the Downtown Development
Authority to close sections of
Little, Pine and Oak streets for
Friday night events in April and
May at Spencer Park.
—Nicholson Hires A Marshal
Cont. from Page 1A
Crumley said he has given the
mayor a proposed budget for
the office, which the council will
take up in the near future.
“It’s been a long time com
ing, but I’m glad you got here,’’
Maxwell said.
In other business, the council:
• voted to approve the building
of a duplex on a two-acre tract
on Cedar Drive.
•voted to send city building
inspector Wayne Holcomb to a
two-day seminar on updates to
state building laws and codes.
•approved $12,480 for con
struction of a concrete pad next
to the city’s civic center.
• approved increasing the
deposit for use of the civic center
to $200, which will be returned if
the facility is left clean.
• approved $ 1,480 to purchase
chairs for the city’s amphitheater.
Some $740 was also approved for
the future purchase of 100 more
chairs.
• approved a $240 expenditure
for the purchase of new carpet
for the city hall.
• approved a $552 expenditure
for the purchase of an audio
media cabinet for the Nicholson
library.
•approved a $500 contribu
tion to the Jackson County Relay
for Life. Council member Faye
Seagraves originally proposed a
$750 contribution, but the motion
died for the lack of a second.
The motion to approve the $500
contribution was made by Paul
Cartledge, seconded by Howard
Wilbanks. The vote was 2-1, with
Seagraves opposed.
Council member Lamar
Watkins was not present.
First Annual
Taste of East - A Family Affair
Saturday, April 19, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Food Vendors Start at 7:00 pm
Everything else starts at 6:00 pm
East Jackson Comprehensive High School
Band Practice Field
Sponsored by the EJCHS Band Boosters
Family Fun including moonwalk, slides, obstacle
course, carnival games for children, craft vendors,
silent auction (lots of great stuff from our local
businesses), local entertainment and best of all, great
food to be sampled from some of Jackson County’s
Best Restaurants: Shane’s Rib Shack, Papa John’s
Pizza, Redd’s BBQ and Stew, Johnny’s NY Style
Pizza, Supper’s Ready, Cabin Creek BBQ, My Friend’s
Place, Starbuck’s, Cracker Barrel, Sonic Drive-In,
Rey’s Cuban Grill, Wendy’s, Sara’s Restaurant...just to
name a few. Please join us in support of the EJCHS
Band for some great fun for the whole family and a
great cause!
Tickets are $10/5 tastes. Tickets are on sale now.
If interested, please call Karen Derochers at 404-983-
8189 or Vicki Whitmire at 770-654-0260. If interested in
participating as a food or craft vendor, please call
Karen Derochers or Janet McDonald at 706-658-6232.
NEED PRINTING?
CALL
706-367-5233
Community Calendar
To place events on the Community Calendar, call 706-387-5406 or e-mail mark@mainstreetnews.com
Thursday, April 10
Kiwanis Club meets: Noon,
Commerce Civic Center.
Cold Sassy Quilters: 1:00
p.m., Commerce Public Library.
Monday, April 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, April 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, April 17
Kiwanis Club meets: Noon,
Commerce Civic Center.
Pilot Club meets: 7:00
p.m., First United Methodist
Church of Commerce. The
Pilot Club of Commerce meets
on the third Thursday of each
month.
Monday, April 21
Hospital autnority meets:
1:30 p.m., conference room,
BJC Hospital. The BJC Medical
Center Authority manages BJC
Hospital and Nursing Home.
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, April 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.
Lions Club meets: 7:00 p.m.,
Ryan's Steakhouse, Banks
Crossing.
Thursday, April 24
Kiwanis Club meets: Noon,
Commerce Civic Center.
Cold Sassy Quilters: 6:00
p.m., Commerce Public Library.
Monday, April 28
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, April 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, May 1
Kiwanis Club meets: Noon,
Commerce Civic Center.
Monday, May 5
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, May 6
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, May 7
Chamber breakfast: 7:30
a.m., Jefferson Civic Center. All
members of the Jackson County
Area Chamber of Commerce
are invited.
Thursday, May 8
Kiwanis Club meets: Noon,
Commerce Civic Center.
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 night at
the same time.
Monday, May 12
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, May 13
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.
Thursday, May 15
Kiwanis Club meets: Noon,
Commerce Civic Center.
Cold Sassy Quilters: 1:00
p.m., Commerce Public Library.
Monday, May 19
Hospital autnority meets:
1:30 p.m., conference room,
BJC Hospital. The BJC Medical
Center Authority manages BJC
Hospital and Nursing Home.
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, May 20
Kiwanis Club meets: Noon,
Commerce Civic Center.
Pilot Club meets: 7:00 p.m.,
First United Methodist Church
of Commerce. The Pilot Club of
Commerce meets on the third
Thursday of each month.
Thursday, May 22
Kiwanis Club meets: Noon,
Commerce Civic Center.
Cold Sassy Quilters: 6:00
p.m., Commerce Public Library.
Monday, May 26
Memorial Day holiday: All
overnment offices and some
usinesses closed.
Tuesday, May 27
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.
Thursday, May 29
Kiwanis Club meets: Noon,
Commerce Civic Center.
Monday, June 2
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, June 3
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, June 4
Chamber breakfast: 7:30
a.m., location TBA. All mem
bers of the Jackson County
Area Chamber of Commerce
are invited.
Thursday, June 5
Kiwanis Club meets: Noon,
Commerce Civic Center.
School board meets: 7:00
p.m., Commerce Middle School
media center. This work session
prepares the board for its regu
lar meeting the following Mon
day night in the media center of
Commerce High School.
Monday, June 9
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, June 10
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.
Thursday, June 11
Kiwanis Club meets: Noon,
Commerce Civic Center.
Cold Sassy Quilters: 1:00
p.m., Commerce Public Library.
Monday, June 16
Hospital autnority meets:
1:30 p.m., conference room,
BJC Hospital. The BJC Medical
Center Authority manages BJC
Hospital and Nursing Home.
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, June 17
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, June 20
Kiwanis Club meets: Noon,
Commerce Civic Center.
Pilot Club meets: 7:00
p.m., First United Methodist
Church of Commerce. The
Pilot Club of Commerce meets
on the third Thursday of each
month.
Monday, June 23
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, June 24
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.
Thursday, June 26
Kiwanis Club meets: Noon,
Commerce Civic Center.
Cold Sassy Quilters: 6:00
p.m., Commerce Public Library.
—Number Of Building Permits Plunges In '08
Cont. from Page 1A
following number of building
permits: Hoschton, four per
mits in 2007 and two permits
in 2008 (a 50 percent drop);
Arcade, one permit in 2007
and no permits in 2008 (a 100
percent drop); Talmo, no per
mits issued in 2007 or 2008;
Pendergrass, 18 permits issued
in 2007 and none in 2008 (a
100 percent drop); Commerce,
nine permits in 2007 and four
in 2008 (a 55.5 percent drop);
Maysville, five permits in 2007
and six in 2008 (a 20 percent
increase); and Nicholson, one
permit in 2007 and four in 2008
(a 300 percent increase).
Spec Houses And Lots
According to statistics from
the Jackson County Public
Development Department,
fewer lots are being platted,
thanks to the housing slow
down.
From a high of 2,445 lots
plated in 2005, the number fell
to 1,687 in 2006 and only 1,094
last year. Through three months
of 2008, only 107 lots were plat
ted.
Meanwhile, the department
calculated that some 672 specu
lative houses were on the mar
ket at the end of March. The vast
majority — 412 — were in unin
corporated Jackson County,
Jefferson had 133, Braselton 69
and Commerce 28.
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