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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 Huge After Christmas Sale • Sale does not include items already on sale, Zeiss or Swarovski optics • All sales final on sales items • All sales will last throughout the month Open: Tuesday - Friday 9 am - 6 pm/ Saturday 9 am - 3 pm Toll Free: (866) 564-2012 E-mail: gwo@alltel.net 120 N. Main Street » Sylvania, GA 30467 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 12 noon, Monday, February 2, 2009. Serving Tuesdav-Jaltirdav 10:30 a,In. • 7:00 p.m. Espresso Coffee: Cappuccino latte & Italian Macehiato Food: Soup, Sandwiches, Hatcher's Press Hamburgers Hotdogs, Nachos & More IHiglil'Tuesday 5-fp,in 99 £ With Paid Adult Meal Mot Cite * Wednesday M p.in, t|00 I Off Any Combo & Free Coffee Alf Day Check Out Our Website: aMiqutsahdtodashop.ebrn We Alto Hare Fa thion Jewelry t Animal Print Poeketbooki Codon Avenue, Hllltn