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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. NEWS DEADLINE 4:00 MONDAYS DonByramArt Handcrafted Framing FEATURE EVENTS! The only local BM dealer offering Saturday Service OIL CHANGE, LUBE & FILTER, TIRE ROTATION, FREE BRAKE INSPECTION & ALIGNMENT APRIL 12 - 30 Banks County High School Senior Art Exhibit Come see selected graphic art and pottery of the Seniors from Banks County High School at DonByramArt. MAY 10 Burns-Telford House Art Gala 9447 Gillsville Road, Maysville, GA Over 20 artists displaying their art in the Victorian surrounding of the Burns-Telford House And as always, DonByramArt is home of Janice, VC, and Milli, the best framers in Northeast Georgia! 249 Pottery Factory Drive - Commerce Behind Zaxby’s 706-336-8080 Home of the $14.95 Oil Change Wednesday Only Senior Citizen $12.95 Oil Change 10 % Off All Other Repairs 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