Newspaper Page Text
THE COMMERCE (GA) NEWS, WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 - PAGE 3A
Authority Fine-Tunes
Rules For Reservoir
By Mark Beardsley
Two weeks after the Bear
Creek Reservoir was finally
opened for limited boating
access, its owners adopted
the amended rules govern
ing the lake’s use.
The major changes regard
ed hours of operation and
length of types of boats
allowed. The regulations
are posted on the Upper
Oconee Basin Authority’s
new website, bearcreekwtp.
com.
Basically, the change in
hours is from a sunrise-to-
sunset schedule to more spe
cific hours: opening at 6 a.m.
and closing at 9 p.m. Fridays
and Saturdays and at 6 p.m.
Sundays from May through
September and from 6 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Saturdays and
Sundays Oct.-April.
The other changes extend
ed the length of boats
allowed on the lake to 20
feet and provided for accep
tance of any kind of boat
not propelled by an internal
combustion engine.
Jim Luke, chairman of
the authority’s Recreation
Committee, reported to the
full authority at its Sept. 23
meeting.
“We finally got a boat ramp
built, folks,’’ he said.
The authority spent almost
$308,000 on the project. It
has $12,000 left over.
Luke said the boat ramp
needs to be extended 15-20
feet, work that can be done
only when the lake level is
low, he pointed out.
Chairman Melvin Davis
proposed keeping the left
over money in the account.
Elton Collins, chairman of
the Finance Committee,
agreed.
“There will probably be
other expenses that will
come up that we don’t
know about yet,’’ he said.
“We’ll probably need more
gravel.’’
Jackson County Board
of Commissioners chair
Hunter Bicknell praised
Luke.
“I think Mr. Luke should
be commended on the com
pletion of that project,’’ he
said. “It’s been a long time
coming, but he was the right
man for the job.’’
Jackson County officials
hosted a meeting recent
ly of the neighborhood
association for a lakeside
development, at which
time the rules related to
the authority’s buffer zone
were explained. Planning
director Gina Mitsdarffer
presided.
“I think everyone went
away with a better under
standing of the buffer zone,’’
Bicknell said.
But there are other issues.
“A number of citizens,
most seem to be from
Jackson County, feel that
residents of that neighbor
hood will turn it (the lake)
into a private club,’’ Bicknell
warned. “We need to be cau
tious as we move forward
about not giving that group
preferential treatment.’’
State To Resurface 1 Street
Commerce will get one
street—three-tenths of a mile
— of road resurfacing under
the Georgia Department
of Transportation’s LARP
(Local Assistance Road
Program) program.
The lucky recipients of that
work are residents along
Highland Estates, where .32
miles of resurfacing are due
to take place this fiscal year,
the Commerce City Council
announced Monday night.
LARP is but a shadow of
its former self. Commerce
used to get a mile or more
of paving on several streets
from the DOT program, but
recently paving totals have
fallen.
However, Commerce
will likely resurface other
streets as well. Typically, the
city allocates some of its
SPLOST (special purpose
local option sales tax) funds
for resurfacing in conjunc
tion with Jackson County.
“We’ll take a look at some
other streets in spring,’’
said city manager Clarence
Bryant at the council’s Sept.
8 work session.
— BJC Hospital Sale Update
Cont. from Page 1A
final 45 days or so,’’ he
said.
Meanwhile, the facility
and Restoration Healthcare
continue to recruit a new
general surgeon. According
to administrator Jim
Yarborough, two prospects
have already visited and two
more will visit soon, after
which officials will create
a “short list’’ of one or two
candidates to be brought
back.
The authority hired King
Search to lead the process,
and Yarborough indicated
he thinks that was a good
decision.
“Based on these first two
candidates, we’re really get
ting our money’s worth from
King Search,’’ he said. “He’s
working very hard to find us
the kind of candidates we’re
looking for.’’
Yarborough also pointed
out that Steve Clapp, head
of Restoration Healthcare,
is participating in the screen
ing and the agreement with
the company provides that
it will cover the cost of the
recruitment.
A Red August
Higher-than-expected
expenses and reduced rev
enue left the medical center
in the red by about $50,000,
Yarborough said. Among
the unbudgeted expenses
was $12,500 for apprais
al services and $15,000
for legal services relating
to the negotiations with
Restoration Healthcare.
In other business, Edna
Hix of the BJC Medical
Center Authority revealed
that she will attend the East
Central District conference
Oct. 18-23 at which she will
be installed as its director.
— Political Forum Planned Oct. 16
Cont. from Page 1A 1, Keelan Cashana Rucker
incumbent; for Ward and Arthur Lee Pattman,
2, Darren Owensby and incumbent; for District 2,
Donald Wilson, incumbent. Robbie Barnett and Mary
For school board district Seabolt, incumbent.
TRI-COUNTY
WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE
A 12-week program with personalized one-on-one coaching
$39 for 12 weeks ($10 donated to Children’s Charity)
All money paid out in cash prizes to winners.
NEXT CHALLENGE STARTS
THURS., OCT. 8 IN JEFFERSON.
Last challenge winning weight loss -19 lbs. and 22 inches.
Pay out was $625!
Call Chef Mark or Vicki for information 706-693-0031
L -I
Community Calendar
To place events on the Community Calendar, call 706-387-5406 or e-mail mark@mainstreetnews.com
Thursday, October 1
Needles & Hooks: 6-8 p.m., First
United Methodist Church of Com
merce. Open to knitters of all age
and skill levels, as well as those
who crochet.
Lodge meets: 6:30 p.m. Hudson
Lodge #294 F&AM meets at its
Hospital Road facility.
Monday, October 5
Commerce Council meets: 6:30
p.m., Commerce Room, Commerce
Civic Center.
Maysville Council meets: 7:00
p.m., Maysville Public Library.
Nicholson Council meets: 7:00,
Nicholson City Hall.
Tuesday, October 6
JCCO meets: 6:00 p.m., BJC
Hospital conference room. Jack-
son County Community Outreach
defines itself as a grassroots com
munity organization.
TOPS meeting: 6:00 p.m., BJC
Medical Center cafeteria. Take Off
Pounds Sensibly is a weight loss
group. Weigh-in is 5:00 to 5:50.
Wednesday, October 7
Chamber breakfast: 7:30 a.m.,
Jackson EMC auditorium, Jefferson.
$5 for members of the Jackson
County Area Chamber of Com
merce, $10 for nonmembers.
Thursday, October 8
Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Com
merce Civic Center.
Cold Sassy Quilters: 1:00 p.m.,
Commerce Public Library, a "stitch
'n share" event.
Needles & Hooks: 6-8 p.m., First
United Methodist Church of Com
merce. Open to knitters of all age
and skill levels, as well as those
who crochet.
School board work session: 7
p.m., Commerce Middle School
media center. This prepares the
Commerce Board of Education for
its regular meeting the following
Monday night at Commerce High
School.
Friday, October 9
Bake sale: 10-2 at Quality Foods.
Peachtree Plantation will be raising
money for the Alzheimer's Associa
tion Memory Walk Oct. 17.
Monday, October 12
Commerce Council meets: 6:30
p.m., Commerce Room, Commerce
Civic Center.
School board meets: 7:00 p.m.,
Commerce High School media cen
ter. The Commerce Board of Educa
tion operates the city's independent
school system.
Tuesday, October 13
TOPS meeting: 6:00 p.m., BJC
Medical Center cafeteria. Take Off
Pounds Sensibly is a weight loss
group. Weigh-in is 5:00 to 5:50.
Lions Club meets: 7:00 p.m.,
Ryan's Steakhouse, Banks Crossing.
Thursday, October 15
Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Com
merce Civic Center.
Needles & Hooks: 6-8 p.m., First
United Methodist Church of Com
merce. Open to knitters of all age
and skill levels, as well as those
who crochet.
Pilot Club meets: 7:00 p.m., First
United Methodist Church of Com
merce. The Pilot Club of Commerce
meets on the third Thursday of each
month.
Friday, October 16
Movie In The Park: Dusk, Spencer
Park, Downtown Commerce. The
Downtown Development Authority
will screen "Monsters vs. Aliens."
The movie is free and free con-
cessins will be available.
Monday, October 19
Mended Hearts meets: 7:00
p.m., conference room, BJC Medi
cal Center. Mended Hearts is a
support group for heart patients
and their families.
Tuesday, October 20
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, October 22
Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Com
merce Civic Center.
Cold Sassy Quilters meet: 5:30
p.m., Commerce Public Library.
There will be a business meeting
and program.
Needles & Hooks: 6-8 p.m., First
United Methodist Church of Com
merce. Open to knitters of all age
and skill levels, as well as those
who crochet.
Monday October 26
Hospital authority meets: 1:30
p.m., conference room, BJC
Hospital. The BJC Medical Center
Authority manages BJC Hospital
and Nursing Home.
City planning meeting: 7:00
p.m., Peach Room, Commerce Civ
ic Center. The Commerce Planninq
Commission makes recommenda
tions to the Commerce City Council
on zoning and land use matters.
Tuesday, October 27
TOPS meeting: 6:00 p.m., BJC
Medical Center cafeteria. Take Off
Pounds Sensibly is a weight loss
group. Weigh-in is 5:00 to 5:50.
Lions Club meets: 7 p.m., Ryan's
Steakhouse, Banks Crossing.
Thursday, October 29
Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Com
merce Civic Center.
Friday, October 30
Downtown trick-or-treat: 4-6
p.m., downtown Commerce.
Sponsored by the Commerce
Area Business Association and the
Downtown Development Authority.
Monday, November 2
Commerce Council meets: 6:30
p.m., Commerce Room, Commerce
Civic Center.
Maysville Council meets: 7:00
p.m., Maysville Public Library.
Nicholson Council meets: 7:00,
Nicholson City Hall.
Tuesday, November 3
Election Day: 7-7 in Commerce,
Nicholson, Jefferson, Arcade,
Braselton and Hoschton.
JCCO meets: 6:00 p.m., BJC
Hospital conference room. Jack-
son County Community Outreach
defines itself as a grassroots com
munity organization.
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, November 4
Chamber breakfast: 7:30 a.m.,
Jackson EMC auditorium, Jefferson.
$5 for members of the Jackson
County Area Chamber of Com
merce, $10 for nonmembers.
Thursday, November 5
Kiwanis CIud meets: Noon, Com
merce Civic Center.
Needles & Hooks: 6-8 p.m., First
United Methodist Church of Com
merce. Open to knitters of all age
and skill levels, as well as those
who crochet.
Lodge meets: 6:30 p.m. Hudson
Lodge #294 F&AM meets at its
Hospital Road facility.
Scnool board work session: 7
p.m., Commerce Primary School
media center. This prepares the
Commerce Board of Education for
its regular meeting the following
Monday night at Commerce High
School.
Monday, November 9
Commerce Council meets: 6:30
p.m., Commerce Room, Commerce
Civic Center.
School board meets: 7:00 p.m.,
Commerce High School media cen
ter. The Commerce Board of Educa
tion operates the city's independent
school system.
Tuesday, November 10
TOPS meeting: 6:00 p.m., BJC
Medical Center cafeteria. Take Off
Pounds Sensibly is a weight loss
group. Weigh-in is 5:00 to 5:50.
Lions Club meets: 7:00 p.m.,
Ryan's Steakhouse, Banks Crossing.
Thursday, November 12
Kiwanis CIud meets: Noon, Com
merce Civic Center.
Cold Sassy Quilters: 1:00 p.m.,
Commerce Public Library, a "stitch
'n share" event.
Needles & Hooks: 6-8 p.m., First
United Methodist Church of Com
merce. Open to knitters of all age
and skill levels, as well as those
who crochet.
Monday, November 16
Mended Hearts meets: 7:00
p.m., conference room, BJC Medi
cal Center. Mended Hearts is a
support group for heart patients
and their families.
Library board meets: 5 p.m.,
Commerce Public Library. The
board will hold its annual long-
range planning meeting.
Tuesday, November 17
TOPS meeting: 6:00 p.m., BJC
Medical Center cafeteria. Take Off
Pounds Sensibly is a weight loss
group. Weigh-in is 5:00 to 5:50.
Thursday, November 19
Kiwanis Club meets: Noon, Com
merce Civic Center.
Needles & Hooks: 6-8 p.m., First
United Methodist Church of Com
merce. Open to knitters of all age
and skill levels, as well as those
who crochet.
Pilot Club meets: 7:00 p.m., First
United Methodist Church of Com
merce.
Monday, November 23
Hospital authority meets: 1:30
p.m., conference room, BJC
Hospital. The BJC Medical Center
Authority manages BJC Hospital
and Nursing Home.
—DDA Hopes To Hire Executive Director Soon
Cont. from Page 1A
At the suggestion of
Keith Ariail, the board
agreed to make a special
presentation to Craver at
the Oct. 16 meeting of the
Commerce City Council
to show the city’s appre
ciation for his service.
Renovation Of
Building Almost Over
The renovation of the
DDA’s Pine Street build
ing should be completed
by the end of October.
“The big thing (remain
ing) is the awning and
the railings inside and out
side,’’ Hill told the board.
He also suggested that
the entire board conduct
a walk-through of the proj
ect before the DDA issues
its final payment.
The building, which has
a meeting room, storage,
restrooms and a kitch
en, is available to rent.
Massey said her garden
club has already decided
to rent the building for its
next meeting.
Meanwhile, Hill
announced that the
Bray Construction, Inc.
• New Homes • Remodeling • Vinyl Siding
• Masonry Work • Concrete Finishing
(706) 789-2313
Commerce Civic Center
and Tourism Authority
will take over operations
of the Commerce Cultural
Center, normally a func
tion of the DDA executive
director.
DDA To Receive
Statewide Award
Hill notified the DDA
that it stands to be pre
sented a state award Oct.
8 related to “redevelop
ing the downtown in part
nership with local banks’’
— the Facade Grant
Program. He asked that
DDA members attend if
they can and proposed
that local bankers, whose
institutions fund the pro
gram, also be invited.
We Buy All
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• Dental Gold