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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.