Newspaper Page Text
PAGE 6A - THE COMMERCE (GA) NEWS, WEDNESDAY. JULY 9. 2008
Casper and Sam Moon hold a newborn fawn their parents res
cued near Banks Crossing. The family turned the animal over to
state game and fish officials.
White-Tailed Deer
Rescued By Local Family
Newborn Fawn Found On U.S.
441 Near Banks Crossing
A newborn white-tailed deer is
alive today because a local cou
ple rescued it off the shoulder
of U.S. 441 just south of Banks
Crossing.
Tori and Steve Moon were
heading back to Commerce
after dropping sons Casper and
Sam at Bible school Thursday
June 26, when they spotted the
fawn in front of Sears at about
4 p.m.
“Its eyes were not even open,"
noted Nancy Smith, Tori’s moth
er. “There was no sign of its
mother."
The fawn was wobbly on its
feet and bleating for its mom,
Smith said.
They took it home and con
tacted Smith, who fed it evapo
rated milk, warmed it up with
bath towels heated in the clothes
dryer and rubbed it to encour
age it to begin walking.
They named it “June" because
of the month, Smith said.
The family contacted the
Department of Natural
Resources, and met a DNR agent
in Carnesville at about 8:00 that
evening, picking the boys up
early from Bible school.
“They wanted to keep it," their
grandmother remarked.
They turned June over to the
DNR agent at about 8:00 that
night.
“The boys were upset because
they didn’t want to give it up,"
Smith said. “I told them it was
the right thing to do."
Council Mulls
New Roof
For City Hall
The final budget hasn’t
even been approved yet, but
the Commerce City Council
is looking at a $65,800
amendment.
City Manager Clarence
Bryant explained at Monday
night’s work session the
need to replace the roof on
City Hall, most of which is
slate.
Only one contractor
has been found willing to
tackle the job, he told the
council.
The city has the option of
hiring Bone Dry Roofing to
do the slate work and bid
ding out the rest, but mem
bers didn’t appear warm to
that idea.
“You’re not going to get
anybody to warrant it unless
they do the whole thing,"
commented Councilman
Mark Fitzpatrick.
According to Bryant, a
core sample revealed that
water is getting under the
slate.
The facility was built in
1936 as a U.S. Post Office.
The slate roof is the original,
Bryant indicated.
“We’ve got a beautiful
building. We need to protect
it," said Mayor Charles L.
Hardy Jr.
The council will not
approve the final version
of its FY 08-09 until its
August meeting, at which
time it could incorporate the
change.
That will not be the only
change. With gasoline pric
es soaring and natural gas
at an all-time high, Bryant
indicated the revenues and
expenditures will be adjust
ed to compensate. He also
indicated that there will
be adjustments in both
costs and revenues for the
Electric Department based
on higher-than-budgeted
sales during the recently
completed fiscal year.
FREEDOM TO
CHOOSE!
We offer a 4.10% APY CD for
12, 18, 24, 30 or 36 months.
You choose the term
that’s right for you.
JJj/VIN K? f Geor s ia
Declare Your Independence
Whether it’s home, business ownership, or early retirement,
your American dream can be a reality
with the right bank partnership.
We are a true community bank
committed to service and your success.
Achieve financial independence with our special CD rate,
and “you choose” terms.
COMMERCE
3165 Maysville Rd.
706.423.2500
HOMER
185 Oak Street
706.677.5250
JEFFERSON
1057 Winder Hwy.
706.367.4300
WINDER
20 W. May Street
770.867.8737
www.freedombankga.com
* Annual Percentage Yield. Rate is subject to change without notice and
may be withdrawn at anytime. The minimum balance to open and obtain
the APY is $500. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. The APY
assumes interest will remain on deposit until maturity. A withdrawal will
reduce earnings. The APY is accurate as of this publication.
MEMBER
FDIC
Banks County Refutes Charge
That Egg Plant Threatens Reservoir
By Mark Beardsley
The chairman of the Banks
County Board of Commissioners
has assured the city of Commerce
that an egg production plant near
Gillsville will not adversely affect
the city reservoir.
At Monday night’s Commerce
City Council work session, Mayor
Charles L. Hardy Jr. read a letter
from Gene Hart responding to a
letter the city sent Hart in June. At
that time, water and sewer manag
er Bryan Harbin reported that the
Country Charm Egg Distributors
plant under construction posed
a threat to the reservoir. Harbin
reported that the contractor
grading the site had violated the
required stream buffer and that
the Environmental Protection
Division “had turned its head" on
enforcement of soil erosion and
sedimentation regulations.
Not so, responded Hart.
The Banks County chairman
reported that the 100-foot buffer
on both sides of a tributary to
the Grove River (which feeds the
city reservoir) are intact, that no
impervious surface will be closer
than 150 feet of the tributary, and
that no septic tanks or septic tank
drain fields are in the setback
area along the tributary.
Hart also pointed out that the
company’s development plan
calls for no poultry houses within
2,400 feet of the Grove River and
that a large sedimentation basin
will drain runoff and trap sedi
ment during construction.
“We continue to discuss and mon
itor this operation in cooperation
with the Georgia Environmental
Protection Division, the Georgia
Soil and Water Conservation
Commission and the president
of Country Charm, Mr. Brent
Booker," the letter concluded.
“All entities are working together
to ensure that this facility meets
state and local requirements. By
coordinating with all applicable
agencies and entities, we feel there
is no threat to the quality of water
in the Grove River Reservoir."
The project will comprise 12
poultry houses, each holding
96,000 layers. Back at the June
city council work session, Harbin
had expressed concern not about
poultry wastes, but about the resi
due from washing the eggs.
There was no discussion of the
matter after Hardy read the letter.
Extension Service Offers Course On Horse Pastures
The Jackson County Extension
Service will sponsor a semi
nar on “Establishing Horse
Pastures" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July
15, at the First Georgia Banking
Company community room
located on Old Swimming Pool
Road, Jefferson.
The seminar is for both the
new and experienced horse
owner alike.
The speaker for the program
will be Dr. Dennis Hancock,
University of Georgia forage
specialist. Dr. Hancock will
be discussing forage species
that are adapted to horses
and the establishment prac
tices that are needed to insure
success.
To register for the class or
get more information, contact
the Jackson County Extension
Service at 706-367-6344.
Dear Citizens of District 2.
Four years ago you elected me as your
county commissioner because you
wanted progress, honesty, and a voice
for every citizen. Over my last term,
our district has seen more
accomplishments than ever before.
We have the infrastructure in place
and can finally see the jobs and
industry in our district. Together we
have made steps that will only lead to
success in our future. District 2 has
become a better and safer place to
live.
In the upcoming election, you will
have a choice to make at the polls. My
opponent has made it very clear that
my record and accomplishments are
not the issue. My opponent has not
spoken of one thing he could have done better or would even improve.
In fact, he has only complimented my work.
He has made it clear that this election is about his time in a legacy of
politics. One part of this legacy is his father who is the mayor of our
district’s largest city. I feel this is not enough to qualify a leader for
the 10th fastest growing county in the nation. With the looming
potential conflict of interest in having a father-son run government,
the potential for legal and ethical challenges are too numerous to
imagine. Simply put, why take the chance?
During this campaign, I have endured many questionable occurances
aside from typical sign theft; City of Commerce employees have been
observed bush hogging my signs on private property, the mayor
bypassed city ordinances and permits to campaign for his son, and
there has been selective news coverage of the political forums by my
opponent’s neighbor and editor of the Commerce News (although
printed in the Jackson Herald, the Commerce News omitted coverage
regarding the District 2 race from the last two forums, one of which
was sponsored by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce). My
opponent was absent from these two very important forums so he
could go on a fishing trip. Does this show dedication to such an
important job or respect for the voters?
I am the leader who has proven himself before my peers. I have the
record, the roads, and I have followed through on all of my promises.
I said I would support our library and I did it. I said I would fix
dangerous roads and intersections, and I did it. I am asking for one
more term to keep our success growing. This is not the time to take a
step back or to take a chance with family politics. When you go to the
polls, remember who made it happen and has been here for the
people.
I appreciate your support and ask for your vote on July 15th.
Jody Thompson
Paid for by the candidate. 706-335-0872 • 40 Chantilee St., Commerce, GA 30529
electjody@gmail.com