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PAGE 6A - THE COMMERCE (GA) NEWS, WEDNESDAY. TUNE 18, 2008
Republican Party Political Forum - District 2 BOC
Candidates Exchange Views On Experience
By Angela Gary
District 2 Commissioner Jody
Thompson and challenger Chas
Hardy spoke on their experience
at a forum Tuesday night, June 10,
in Commerce.
“When the people voted me
into office, the county finances
were stressed and the budget
was a challenge to work with,"
Thompson said. “I was a part of
50 meetings that first year, repair
ing the damage."
He said that finishing the roads
for the Toyota project gave the
county “hundreds of jobs."
“Since then, I placed alloca
tions in the last SPLOST to give
money to both the library and the
Commerce Health Department,"
he added. “For the first time, my
citizens have seen new roads for
economic growth in District 2. In
fact, more roads have been paved
here than ever before. We have
funding in place to fix the very
dangerous intersection at Hwy. 98
and B. Wilson Road.”
Thompson said he has worked
to make government more trans
parent.
“I am the leader who responded
to the people and made every
effort to make progress in our dis
trict," he said. “I have worked very
hard improving our finances and
giving the people a voice."
Thompson said his goals for
the next term would include “the
much-needed animal shelter,"
updating county codes and offer
ing taxpayers “more relief while
still getting more services."
“Our progress will continue and
the citizens will continue to have
leadership without political ties
and who will serve 100 percent of
the people."
Hardy, who serves on the
Jackson County Industrial
Development Authority, said he
“wants to be a part of the solution
and not a part of the problem."
“We need people who have
respect for the people they serve,"
he said.
Hardy said a commissioner
needs to work toward develop
ing relationships with others in
government.
“One of the most important
aspects of a good leader is to be
able to humble himself and build
those relationships," he added.
Hardy said he is already serv
ing the county as a member of
the Jackson County Industrial
Development Authority.
When the candidates were
allowed to question each other,
Thompson asked Hardy if he
would have any conflict of inter
est since his father is the mayor
of Commerce. Hardy replied that
it would not be a conflict and that
he would represent all citizens of
District 2.
“What I have with the city of
Commerce is a working rela
tionship," he said. “I will estab
lish relationships with other
towns."
Hardy asked Thompson why
he wanted to be re-elected. The
incumbent said he believes in two
terms and would not seek office
any longer than that.
Republican Party Political Forum - BOC Chairmanship
Candidates Explain Why They
Think Voters Should Select Them
By Angela Gary
The three candidates for chair
man of the Jackson County Board
of Commissioners each told why
they would be the best person for
the job at a political forum June
10 in Commerce.
Hunter Bicknell, who is chair
man of the Jackson County Water
and Sewer Authority, said he is
the “most qualified of the three
candidates." He listed leadership,
business experience and judg
ment to do what is best for the
citizens of Jackson County as the
reasons he should be elected.
Tony Beatty spoke on the eight
years he served on the Jackson
County Board of Commissioners
and said he would work to
increase tax benefits for senior
citizens and farmers.
Ron Johnson is a former Sugar
Hill city councilman and said he
would work to cut taxes and “be
fiscally responsible." He added
that he “believes in public safety."
The candidates were allowed to
question each other. Beatty asked
Bicknell about his past leadership
experience. Bicknell responded
that he is chairman of the water
authority and has 30 years of
business experience in executive
positions.
Johnson asked Bicknell about
the water authority turning its
$1.6 million debt over to the BOC.
Bicknell pointed out that it is a
“county debt," not a debt of the
water authority.
Bicknell asked Beatty what
grade he would give the current
BOC. Beatty said he would give
the commission a “C-,” with one
reason being that some of the
commissioners have only been in
office a short time.
Beatty asked Johnson his expe
rience and the Hoschton resident
pointed out that he has served on
the city council in Sugar Hill.
Johnson then asked Beatty
about his military experience,
after pointing out that he served
“combat duty." Beatty said he was
in the Navy from 1969 to 1973,
during the Vietnam War, although
he did not serve overseas.
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2008 WATER QUALITY REPORT
City of Commerce, Georgia
PWSID#: 1570001
P.O.Box 348 Commerce, GA 30529 (706) 335-3164
Prepared in Accordance With;
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Primary Drinking Water Regulation
40 CFR Parts 141 and 142
Is my water safe?
The City of Commerce is pleased lo report (hat your community's drinking water met or exceeded all safety and quality standards set by the State of
Georgia and EPA during the previous year (2007). This Water Quality Report is intended to inform our customers of where their drinking water
comes from, how its treated, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies. Our employees are committed to
providing you with safe, dependable tap water on a year round basis and are proud to provide the enclosed information.
Where does my water come from?
The City of Commerce utilizes surface water as its raw water source from the 325 acre Grove Creek Reservoir located North of downtown
Commerce in Banks County. This reservoir is supplied by water draining the Grove Creek watershed. A Reservoir Management Plan and a
Watershed Protection Plan exist to protect the drinking water source through such measures as establishing buffer zones around streams and water
bodies, specifying allowable impervious surface densities within the watershed, and addressing the recreational use of the reservoir.
A source water assessment plan (SWAP) has been completed which identified potential sources of surface water pollution that may pose a threat to
the water supply within the Grove Creek Watershed. According to the GA EPD ranking methodology, this assessment determined that the
watershed's susceptibility to pollution was MEDIUM. To obtain a copy of the SWAP, contact Bryan Harbin at (706) 335-5202.
How is this water treated?
The raw water from the reservoir is pumped to the nearby water treatment plant on Water Plant Road. When this water enters the plant, a coagulant is
added so particles will settle out in a basin. The water is then filtered through a dual media filter of anthracite and sand to remove remaining
particles, including natural organic materials, clays and silt, iron and manganese, and microorganisms. Phosphate (to make the water non-corrosive
to plumbing systems), lime (for pH control), and fluoride (for dental health) are each added, and the water is disinfected with chlorine to make it
biologically safe.
Contaminants and Health Risks Found in Drinking Water
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of
contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be
obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791. Additional information can be obtained over the Internet from:
http://www.cpa.gov/ow
http://www.dnr.state.ga.us/epd
http://wwwawwa.org
http://www.amwa-water.org
Some people may he more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons, such as
persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system
disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from other
health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbiological
contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791.
The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water
travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can
pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include the
following:
[] Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock
operations, and wildlife.
Q Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or
domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
□ Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential
uses.
O Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which arc by-products of industrial processes and
petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems.
0 Radioactive contaminants which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water
systems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public
health.
Water Quality Data
The table below lists all of the drinking water contaminants that were detected through monitoring and testing during the calendar year of 2007. The
presence of contaminants in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. The State requires us to monitor for certain
contaminants on a daily basis and others monthly, yearly, or less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change
frequently.
Terms and Abbreviations Used In Table
0 MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk
to health. MCLGs allow fora margin of safety.
0 MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the
MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
[] Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing
evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbiological contaminants.
0 Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or
expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
0 AL (Action Level): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must
follow.
0 Parts per million (ppm): or Milligrams per liter (mg/I)- one part per million corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in
$10,000.
[] Parts per billion (ppb): or Micrograms per liter (Dg/7) -one part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years, or a single penny
in $10,000,000.
Q Treatment Technique (TTJ: A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water,
Q Turbidity Units (NTU): Measure of the clarity of water.
TABLE OF DETECTED CONTAMINANTS
Detected
Substance
Units
MCLG
MCL
Result (a)
Range
Detected
Violation?
Probable
Source
Regulated Contaminants
Turbidity (b)
NTUs
N/A
TT = 0.3
0.29
(100%)(c)
N/A
NO
Soil runoff.
Total Organic Carbon
(TOC)
Ratio
N/A
o
c4
n
1.72(d)
0.9-2.6 (e)
NO
Naturally present in
the environment.
Inorganic Contaminants
Copper (f)
ppb
AL=I300
AL=1300
35(g)
0(h)
NO
Corrosion of
household plumbing
Lead(0
ppb
0
AL=I5
0(g)
0(h)
NO
Corrosion of
household plumbing
Fluoride
ppm
4
4
1.06 (i)
0.80- 1.20 (j)
NO
Water additive that
promotes strong teeth
Volatile Organic Contaminants (VOCs)
Chlorine
ppm
MRDLG = 4
MRDL=4
1.40 (i)
0.80-1.80
NO
Added to water for
disinfection.
Trihalomethanes
(THMs)
ppb
N/A
80
48.0 (i)
19-77
NO
By-product of
drinking water
chlorination
Haloacelic Acids
(HAAs)
ppb
N/A
60
43 (i)
25-72
NO
By-product of
drinking water
chlorination
Unregulated Contaminants
Sodium
ppm N/A
N/A
5.4
N/A
NO
fa) Values represent highest single measurement unless otherwise noted.
(b) Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water and is monitored because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of the filtration system,
(cj Lowest % of monthly samples meeting turbidity limits.
(d) Average of monthly averages,
t e) Range detected in mg/I.
(f) Water from the treatment plant does not contain lead or copper, however under EPA test protocol, water is rested at the tap. Tap tests reveal whether lead or
copper is corroding from the piping system and contaminating the water supply. Phosphate, a corrosion inhibitor, is added prior to distribution.
(g) 9ir percentile.
(h) Number of sites exceeding AL.
ti) Annual average.
(j) Monthly Average.
Lead
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is
primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The City of Commerce is responsible for providing high
quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When" your water has been silting for several hours, you
can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your lap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you arc
concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can
take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at htlpJ/www.epa.gov/safewater/iead.
Cryptosporidium
No Cryptosporidium was detected in our finished drinking water. Cryptosporidium is a microbial contaminant commonly found in surface water. Source
Water quality monitoring conducted as part of the City's SWAP project indicated the presence of this organism in one out of five samples obtained from
the Grove Creek Reservoir. Symptoms of Cryptosporidium infection include diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever
Opportunities for public participation
TheCity of Commerce holds its Citv Council meetings on the 2 ,kl Monday of every month at 6:30 PM at the Commerce Civic Center located at 110 Slate
Street.
For more information
For more information regarding this report or to receive an individual copy, please contact Jerry McLocklin at the Commerce Water Treatment Plant at
(706) 335-6330. Individual copies of this report will not be mailed to each consumer.
This water quality report was prepared by Stevenson & Palmer Engineering, Inc., as a service to the City of Commerce, GA.
Stevenson <£ Palmer
Engineering, Inc
