Newspaper Page Text
Page 12 — Wednesday, January 21,2009, The Millen News
State salaries, travel
Website makes public
records more public
Georgia residents can see ex
actly how their state tax dollars
are being spent, thanks to a new
website that allows users to ac
cess government expenditures
including state employees’ sala
ries and travel expenses.
Monday, Gov. Sonny Perdue
announced the launch of the
Open Georgia: Transparency in
Government at
www.open.georgia.gov.
“The Open Georgia website
makes state government more
transparent to its customer, the
taxpayer,” Gov. Perdue said.
"By being willing to further
open the halls of government to
the public, we give citizens
more confidence that their tax
dollars are being spent wisely.”
The site lists salaries for ev
eryone from bus drivers to GBI
agents to school and college
employees.
Besides salaries, the site gives
users online access to spending
for professional services, as
well as state financial reports
and program reviews.
Users can search by name,
title, description and agency.
The Open Georgia site is the
result of Senate Bill 300, the
Transparency in Government
Act, sponsored by Senators
Chip Rogers and Chip Pearson.
“This is a great day for Geor
gia taxpayers,” Sen. Rogers
said. “We have taken a major
step towards fully open and eas
ily accessible accounting of
how every state tax dollar is
spent. The very best way to pre
vent wasteful government
spending is to let those paying
the bills see exactly where their
money is going.”
The website is maintained by
the Georgia Department of Au
dits and Accounts. In 2010, it
will be expanded to include
grant and contract payments to
vendors by state agencies.
Jon Burns
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
As the 2009 Legislative Ses
sion convenes this week, we will
be addressing issues that are be
ing discussed around kitchen
tables throughout the state of
Georgia. As Georgians in every
comer of our state closely watch
their bottom line during this eco
nomic downturn, it will also be
a tough session for lawmakers as
we determine the fate of state
programs and projects as we face
a budget deficit.
Since state tax revenues are
lower than had been projected,
we will have to address spend
ing cuts for the last six months
of the current fiscal year. Gov.
Sonny Perdue has proposed a
large program funded on bor
rowing, but has not detailed how
he would spend the money. We
are also waiting to see how much
President-elect Obama’s stimu
lus package will affect individual
states. Once these two issues are
clarified, we will have to roll up
our sleeves and determine the
most responsible way to pro
ceed.
In regard to taxes, both House
and Senate leaders have ex
pressed support for plans to cap
property taxes, although the de
tails have not been agreed upon.
We recognize that any tax relief
would be welcomed by the citi
zens of Georgia, but we must be
diligent so that any such legisla
tion does not get drowned by dis
senting legislators in a myriad of
party-line details.
Roads and transportation will
also be a major issue this session.
As the more populous cities in
the state experience an increase
in traffic congestion, and as ru
ral areas desire roads to entice
employers, at the same time en
vironmental groups want a mass
transit system. All three inter
ests are being represented as
business groups and environ
mentalists are jointly lobbying
for a constitutional amendment
that would allow a group of
counties to impose a regional
sales tax to support transporta
tion projects. The proposal
would have to be passed by vot
ers in the 2010 general election,
so there is time for us to care
fully consider all of the ramifi
cations.
Trauma care is an issue that
lawmakers have wrestled with
for years and one that will likely
be another top priority. Because
there is a dire need for a dedi
cated funding source for a state
wide network of facilities to pro
vide advanced trauma care, in
cluding specialized equipment,
air transportation for patients,
and physicians, this is a cause for
legitimate concern. Without a
solution, there is a concern that
trauma centers could be forced
to close amid recent operating
losses in the millions of dollars.
Because of the dire need coupled
with a suffering economy, this
will undoubtedly be a hot-but-
ton topic again this year.
The Savannah Port continues
to create jobs and bring in sig
nificant revenue for the state, and
because of this the harbor deep
ening project that the Georgia
Ports Authority hopes to partially
fund with money from the state
will more than likely be ap
proved. The Port wants to
deepen the harbor from 42 feet
to 48 feet to allow for larger ves
sels. Due to the budget crisis, it
is more than likely that bonds
will be issued to pay for this con
struction project. It is most likely
that a final review of this project
will take place later this year.
Georgia’s deepwater ports and
inland barge terminals support
more than 286,000jobs through
out the state and contribute $ 14.9
billion in income and almost $3
billion in state and local taxes.
You are always welcome to
contact me at
jon.burns@house.ga.gov or at
my office by calling 404-656-
5105. This is a new phone num
ber as my office is now 131 in
the Capitol.
Seniors getting largest social
security increase since 1982
While the economy may be
hurting, good economic news for
senior citizens is coming from
the Social Security Administra
tion which has announced that
seniors can expect a 5.8 percent
benefit increase in 2009.
The largest benefit increase
since 1982, this boost in fund
ing will come in the form of a
“Cost-of-Living Adjustment.”
The 5.8 percent Cost-of-Liv-
ing Adjustment is beginning with
benefits that over 50 million So
cial Security beneficiaries re
ceive in January 2009. Increased
payments also will be coming to
more than seven million Supple
mental Security Income benefi
ciaries.
While benefits increase yearly
to compensate for inflation,
based on rises in the Bureau of
Labor Statistics’ “Consumer
Price Index for Urban Wage
Earners and Clerical Workers,”
the largest increase in 26 years
in Social Security is more than
welcome in the current economy.
These changes, though, will
not necessarily come as a bless
ing to all, as more payout by the
Social Security Administration
necessarily means more pay-in
by taxpayers around the coun
try.
Of the estimated 164 million
workers who will pay Social Se
curity taxes in 2009, about 11
million will pay higher taxes as
a result of the increase in the tax
able maximum.
Information about Medicare
changes for 2009 can be found
online at www.medicare.gov.
More information about So
cial Security benefits can be
found at www.ssa.gov.
Getting ready for tax season
By Alicia Saile
Social Security
Public Affairs Specialist,
Georgia Area Director’s Office
The holidays have passed us by,
the new year has begun, and tax
season is right around the comer.
The earlier you prepare for the
looming April 15 tax deadline, the
easier it will be to file your taxes.
Here are some helpful hints as you
begin getting ready for tax season.
Make sure your information
matches ours. Soon you will be
receiving your W-2s from your
employer(s) and tax information
from the IRS. Carefully check
your name. Social Security num
ber and all of the data on your W-
2s and on your Social Security
Statement or card to make sure
they match up. If you can’t find
your caul or Statement but know
your Social Security number,
make sure the number and infor
mation is correct on your W-2s. A
mismatch could delay your tax
refund and cause problems with
your Social Security benefits in the
future. Such errors are easy to fix
now.
A name change is the main
change. If you’ve legally changed
your name due to marriage, di
vorce, court order or for any other
reason, make sure you change
your name with Social Security by
applying for a new Social Secu
rity card. Make sure you change
your name with your employer as
well. If you change with one
source but not the other, it could
cause your earnings to be improp
erly recorded. A minor detail
could cause a major mix-up. You
can learn more about Social Se
curity numbers and cards at
www.socialsecurity.gov/
ssnumber.
Don’t forget the kids. If you
are the parent of a newborn, you
want to make sure that the newest
family member has a Social Se
curity number too. Most people
apply for their baby’s Social Se
curity card while they’re still in the
hospital at the same time they ap
ply for the birth certificate. But if
you didn’t, you’ll need to apply for
your child’s Social Security num
ber in order to claim the child as a
dependent on your tax return.
You’ll also need it if you ever ap
ply for government benefits on
behalf of the child or your family.
Go online if you can’t find
your 1099. Social Security Ben
efit Statements (Form SSA-1099)
for tax year 2008 are automatically
mailed to beneficiaries and should
be received by January 31, 2009.
If you receive Social Security and
haven’t received your 1099 in the
mail by the end of January, but
need it to file a tax return, just go
online. Beginning in February,
you can request a replacement
1099 online at https://
secure.ssa.g0v/apps6z/i 1099/
main.html.
For more information about
Social Security, visit
www.socialsecurity.gov.
Legal Advertising
property attached to and constituting
a
part of said property, if any.
Said property will be sold subject to
any outstanding ad valorem taxes
(including taxes which are a lien, wheth
er or not now due and payable), the
right of redemption of any taxing au
thority, any matters which might be dis
closed by an accurate survey and in
spection of the property, any assess
ments, liens, encumbrances, zoning or
dinances, restrictions, covenants, and
matters of record superior to the Secur
ity Deed first set out above.
The sale will be conducted subject
(1) to confirmation that the sale is not
prohibited under the U.S. Bankruptcy
Code and (2) to final confirmation and
audit of the status of the loan with the
holder of the security deed.
Notice has been given of intention to
collect attorney’s fees in accordance
with the terms of the Note secured by
said Deed.
Said property will be sold as the
property of Joy L. Bracewell, the prop
erty to the best information, knowledge
and belief of the undersigned, being
presently in the possession of Joy L.
Bracewell , and the proceeds of said
sale will be applied to the payment of
said indebtedness and all the expenses
of said sale, including attorney’s fees,
all as provided in said Deed, and the
balance, if any, will be distributed as
provided by law.
Regions Bank DBA
Regions Mortgage as
Attorney-in-Fact for
Joy L. Bracewell
File no. 08-007597
L. J. SWERTFEGER, JR.
SHAPIRO & SWERTFEGER, LLP*
Attorneys and Counselors at Law
2872 Woodcock Boulevard,
Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30341
(770) 220-2730/CC
www.swertfeger.net
‘THE LAW FIRM IS ACTING AS A
DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMA
TION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR
THAT PURPOSE.
JA7,14,21,28c
gpn07
-14A-
GEORGIA, JENKINS COUNTY
All creditors of the Estate of Russell
Brown, deceased, late of Jenkins
County Georgia are hereby notified to
render in their demands to the under
signed according to law, and all persons
indebted to said estate are required to
make immediate payment to me.
Dated, this 12th day of January,
2009.
Pearl B. Beaupre’
as Executrix of the Estate
of Russell Brown, deceased,
late of Jenkins County
JA21,28,FE4,11 p
gpn07
-10A-
NOTICE TO DEBTORS AND
CREDITORS
All creditors of the Estate of Paul O.
Clifton, late of Jenkins County, Georgia,
deceased, are hereby notified to render
their demands to the undersigned ac
cording to law, and all persons indebted
to said estate are required to make im
mediate payment to the undersigned.
This 5th day of January, 2009.
Gary Clifton,
Executor of the Estate of
Paul O. Clifton
Troy A. Gay
Troy A. Gay PC.
359 E. Winthrope Avenue
P.O. Box 1200
Millen, GA 30442
JA7,14,21,28p
gpn06
-12A-
NOTICE OF INCORPORATION
Notice is given that articles of incorpo
ration which incorporate MILLEN NEW
TESTAMENT CHURCH OF GOD, INC.,
have been delivered to the Secretary of
State for filing in accordance with the
Georgia Nonprofit Corporation Code.
The initial registered office of the cor
poration is located at 4459 Lewis
Church Road, Millen, Georgia 30442,
and its initial registered agent at such
address is Shirley Carlyle.
R.H. Reeves, III
Attorney at Law
P.O. Box 690
Millen, Georgia 30442
JA14,21 p
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United Way of Jenkins County
2009 Agency Applications
United Way of Jenkins County is now accepting applications from non-profit
or government agencies serving residents of Jenkins County. Applications
may be obtained from the Jenkins County Family Enrichment Center at 527
Barney Avenue, Millen, GA. Completed applications must be returned to
Julie Chance or Mandy Underwood at the Jenkins County Family Enrichment
Center at 527 Barney Avenue, Millen, GA.
Completed applications must be returned by
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