Newspaper Page Text
VOL. 105, NO. 50, JULY 1, 2009
LEGAL ORGAN OF JENKINS COUNTY
MILLEN, GEORGIA • 75 CENTS
Effective June 1, the Jenkins County Development Authority assumed management of the Bo Ginn Aquarium.
Members shown at the newly renovated facility are, from left, King Rocker, Jerry Henry, Bobby Dwelle, Steve
Burke, Mabel Jenkins, Jeff Brantley, Randy Hill, Buddy Harvill and Robert Jenkins, aquarium manager. (Staff photos
by Deborah Bennett)
Jenkins Co. Development Authority
to operate Bo Ginn Aquarium
By Deborah Bennett
Millen News Editor
Effective. June 1. the Bo Ginn
Aquarium at Magnolia Springs
State Park began operations un
der the management of the
Jenkins County Development
Authority (JCDA).
Mabel Jenkins. JCDA chair
man explained. “The Aquarium
was operated by the State Parks
Division of the Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) of
Georgia until June 1. Due to the
economic condition of the state,
the DNR was forced to make
budget cuts and unfortunately,
the Bo Ginn Aquarium was one
of the entities that were listed
to be closed.”
“With the aquarium being an
important part of the Magnolia
Springs State Park, the loss of
the aquarium would have been
quite devastating to the future
of the park and a serious loss
for the county of Jenkins. It is
recorded that some 45.000 visi
tors visited the aquarium annu
ally. The guest register has en
tries from all over the world.”
Jenkins noted.
“Jenkins County was offered
by the state the option to oper
ate the aquarium, or it would be
closed. The county has lost hun
dreds of jobs, maintained the
number one spot as highest un
employed in the state for some
time, of which we are not proud,
and witnessed many closings of
local businesses. The Board of
Directors of the JCDA felt it
would be a large mistake for us
to let the Bo Ginn Aquarium
close. The city, county and
JCDA had just recently commit
ted to the state assistance on the
repairs of the pool at Magnolia
Springs State Park to keep it
open this season. It was also
scheduled to be closed. Without
a pool and the aquarium, the
park may find it hard to continue
which may have come to its clo
sure. Something had to be
done!” Jenkins said.
Jenkins stated that through the
efforts of the JCDA and the
DNR, an agreement was
reached and the JCDA accepted
the responsibility of operating
the aquarium, effective June 1,
with Robert Jenkins as manager.
Since that time, improvements
have been made in the appear
ance of the facility and sur
rounding area. The grounds
have been cleaned up and the
parking lot lines painted. New
signs have been placed and the
A small gift shop is now located in the lobby of the aquarium
flag pole has been painted with
new flags installed. Interior im
provements include a paint job,
new ceiling tiles, newly deco
rated lobby and the additions of
a gift shop, drink machine and
new exhibits. Several local busi
nesses also assisted with im
provements. These were
Kellwood Manufacturing, Deer
Creek Taxidermy and Superior
Alarms.
In order to finance the im
provements and pay for opera
tion of the aquarium, an admis
sion fee of $ 1 per person is be
ing charged.
“This does not take care of all
expenses,” Jenkins said. "The
JCDA would like to encourage
citizens to help us keep this fa
cility open. If possible, please
make a generous donation to
help cover the operation costs
until we can get some groups
coming and other money-mak
ing projects working.”
Checks should be made pay
able to Bo Ginn Aquarium and
mailed to: 1012 Hwy. 23 N.,
Millen, GA 30442. Jenkins
noted that the Authority plans
to post a list of supporters of the
aquarium.
“We ask that you keep a posi
tive attitude toward your city,
county and community during
these economic hard times and
do your part by being a positive
influence to others. Visit the
aquarium, the park and use the
facilities we have at home. This
will help us all,” Jenkins added.
Magnolia Springs State Park
was created in 1939. Prior to its
The exhibit room has been cleaned and the tanks are filled.
A display at the aquarium is shown.
operation as a state park, Mag
nolia Springs was the site of a
state fish hatchery. It was also a
popular privately owned recre
ation area. In 1948, more than
100 acres of park property was
transferred to the federal gov
ernment for the creation of the
Millen National Fish Hatchery.
In 1988 this facility was re
named the Bo Ginn National
Fish Hatchery and Aquarium. A
variety of sport and endangered
fish were raised at this hatchery
until it closed. At that time the
property, including aquarium
and ponds, was returned to
Magnolia Springs State Park.
Citizens are encouraged to
contact the JCDA for additional
information or questions con
cerning its operations.
Sheriff and deputy
complete training
On Friday, June 29, class #192 graduated from the Augusta
Regional Police Academy at the Enterprise Mill Building in
Augusta. Jenkins County Sheriff Robert Oglesby and Deputy
Wesley Aaron were members of that class.
The graduation was a culmination of 1OV2 weeks of train
ing, consisting of both classroom and practical exercises. The
mandated training consists of 408 hours of basic law enforce
ment training covering all aspects of job responsibilities for a
Georgia Peace Officer, laws of Georgia, emergency driving,
firearms training and qualification and many other topics.
Sheriff Oglesby commented to The Millen News that he is
happy to have completed the training and received his certifi
cation.
“I really never wanted to attend this training, but the law
required me to go. I have really missed my family, the citi
zens of Jenkins County and being able to do the job that I
love which is serving Jenkins County as your sheriff. These
past IOV2 weeks have been hard, but I learned a lot that will
help me do a better job, so I guess it was worth it,” he said.
Twenty-four candidates were “pinned” with their agencies’
badges and handed their diplomas during the ceremony. Funch
for the cadets, families and guests was sponsored by the
academy’s Advisory Board.
By Georgia law, newly elected sheriffs not previously cer
tified as Peace Officers must attend and complete Georgia
P.O.S.T. training for Peace Officer certification within the first
six months in office or lose their arrest powers.
Jenkins County Sheriff Robert Oglesby, right, and
Deputy Wesley Aaron recently graduated from the
Augusta Regional Police Academy. (Photo contributed)
Patriotic celebration
to be held July 3
The annual patriotic celebration, sponsored by Millen Bet
ter Hometown and the Millen-Jenkins County Chamber of
Commerce, will be held Friday, July 3, at the Jenkins County
Recreation Department complex.
Activities get underway at 7:30 p.m and will include a
“Kiddie Patriotic Parade” at 8 p.m. on the track. All children
who are dressed in patriotic attire are invited to participate.
Other activities will include a patriotic tribute, fireworks, mu
sic and activities for children and youth.
The public is invited to bring blankets, lawn chairs and pic
nic dinner and enjoy the evening. Admission is free. A con
cession stand will also be open with proceeds going to help
pay for the fireworks.
Delinquent taxpayers’
names to be published
The names of all delinquent taxpayers - property, mobile
homes, timber - will be published in the Wednesday, July 15,
edition of The Millen News.
Those who have not paid their taxes should do so by 5 p.m.
Friday, July 10, to avoid having their names published in the
newspaper. Payment should be made at the office of the Jenkins
County Tax Commissioner on the first floor of the Jenkins
County Courthouse.