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VOL. 106, NO. 14, OCTOBER 21, 2009 LEGAL ORGAN OF JENKINS COUNTY MILLEN, GEORGIA • 75 CENTS
City applies for grant to clean up SOC Station
By Deborah Bennett
Millen News Editor
For many years the old SOC
Station on Winthrope Avenue,
across from the Jenkins County
Courthouse, has been an eye
sore in downtown Millen. The
City of Millen moved a little
closer to getting the site cleaned
up last week with the announce
ment that it is applying for a
$200,000 Environmental Pro
tection Agency (EPA) grant to
fund the project. The City’s
share of the cost, which may be
labor, materials and services,
would be 20 percent, or
$40,000.
The SOC Station was previ
ously operated as a gasoline sta
tion and automobile repair
shop. The major environmental
concerns at the site are from
lead and petroleum leaks from
three underground storage
tanks into the soils. The build
ing also contains asbestos, lead
paint and is infested by a colony
of bats. However, the City has
confirmed that the underground
storage tanks at the site are now
empty, and there no continuing
releases or threat of a release.
The City took ownership of
the property from the estate of
the previous owner, Ayre Lee
Aycock, in February and has
entered the property into the
Georgia Brownfield program.
Two site assessments have been
performed and a corrective ac
tion plan has been completed.
The master plan for renova
tion of the site includes public
outdoor seating and greenspace
landscaping with trees, side
walks, benches and a bicycle
rack. In addition, the large SOC
Station sign will be refurbished
and placed as a tribute to the
historical use of the site. A small
plaque recognizing the former
owner, Leon Aycock, will be
placed in the public seating
area. The City is also consider
ing utilizing part of the future
building for nonprofit uses in
cluding a visitor’s center or of
fice space for the Millen Down
town Development Authority.
The site may also be developed
to include a restaurant for the
convenience of those attending
court at the Jenkins County
Courthouse.
The project is expected to in
crease the City tax base rev
enues by $100,000-$ 130,000
over the next 10 years and cre
ate 12-14 permanent jobs.
A decision on the grant appli
cation will not come until May
2010, and if approved, work on
the project will not start until
October 2010.
Hasten
This architectural drawing depicts the City of Millen’s planned project forthe site of
the SOC Station once the area has been cleaned up.
Looking good!
These photographs show the progress of the City of Millen’s TE-grant project on Cotton Avenue. Greenspace with trees,
new sidewalks with decorative bricks and new streetlights enhance the appearance of the street. Work has also begun on
Phase II of the project which includes additional parking on the railroad side of the street. (Staffphoto by Deborah Bennett)
Website offers voter information
By Deborah Bennett
Millen News Editor
Voters across the state have
a new tool with which to ac
cess sample ballots in upcom
ing elections, voter registra
tion information, maps to
polling places. Congressional
District maps. State District
maps, information on elected
officials and information on
how to become a registered
voter.
The "poll locator’ is found
on the website of Secretary of
State Karen C. Handel at
www.sos.georgia.gov/elec-
tions/polllocator/. Voters
simple enter the information
requested - name, county of
residence and birth date - to
access their voter information.
Jenkins County Election Su
perintendent Wanda Burke
called attention to the fact
those residents of the City of
Millen who are eligible to vote
in the Nov. 3 General Elec
tion, Ward #1, can also find a
sample ballot to view on the
website when their voter in
formation is retrieved.
Jenkins waiting
for H1N1 vaccine
By Deborah Bennett
Millen News Editor
While the public health agencies of several surrounding counties
have received their first shipment of the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine,
Jenkins County was not among the fortunate even though two cases
of the H1N1 flu were confirmed in the county during the month of
September. There have been no confirmed cases this month.
A press release from the Georgia Department of Community
Health notes that the initial shipment was in limited supply and in
the form of a nasal spray that was targeted for healthy children ages
2-4 years. Counties with less than 100 children in this age group,
however, did not get the vaccine through public health agencies. It
is expected that future shipments, which should arrive within the
next two weeks, will be made available to those counties that did
not receive the first round of vaccine.
The East Central Health District’s (ECHD) portion of the first
allotment was 2,000 doses. Those doses were divided among
ECHD’s 13 counties using a population-based formula.
Nasal spray H1N1 flu vaccine is made with live, weakened H1N1
flu viruses. "However, it is only for healthy people ages 2-49, so
many high risk residents must wait for the shot,’ said Dr. Ketty
Gonzalez, ECHD health director.
Those persons at the top of the priority group for the H1N1 vac
cine include: pregnant women, people caring for infants under six
months old; healthcare workers who have direct contact with pa
tients; children from 6 months to four years of age; and children
from five to 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions.
The nasal spray was available before the more widely used flu
shot because the spray does not take as long to produce, said health
officials.
The H1N1 vaccine is being provided free of charge by public
health, but administration fees may be charged to Medicaid, Medi
care or state health benefit plans. No one, however, will be denied
the vaccine. Private providers will also be offering the vaccinations.
Harvest of Fun set for Oct. 31
Millen/Jenkins County Recreation Department will be the loca
tion for the ninth annual Harvest of Fun Festival 6-9 p.m. Satur
day, Oct. 31. In this annual event children, up to age 12, are invited
to enjoy free games, activities and prizes sponsored by local mer
chants, civic groups and churches. Another popular part of the
evening is the costume contest. Children age 12 and under are
eligible to enter. Judging will be in three categories: 6:15 p.m.,
ages 1-4; 6:30p.m„ ages 5-7, 6:45 p.m. ages 8-12, 7 p.m. adults.
Overall first, second and third place prizes will be awarded in each
category.
The success of this event depends on the participation of civic
groups, businesses, churches and individuals who provide games
for the children or who make candy or monetary donations. Any
group who wishes to support the project should call Beth Collins
at 982-3336, or the chamber office at 982-5595 to volunteer or for
more information.
Attendees at the Harvest of Fun are requested to not bring pets,
skateboards, or bicycles.
Millen Better Hometown and Millen/Jenkins County Chamber
of Commerce sponsor the event.
Beware counterfeit
bills!
Millen Police Chief Dwayne
Herrington displays a coun
terfeit $5 bill that a local citi
zen turned in after receiving
it in change from a Statesboro
fast food restaurant. The bill
is smaller and the paper
lighter than its real counter
part. When tested with a
counterfeit pen, black marks
appear. Barely visible yellow
marks would appear on a real
bill when marked with a
counterfeit pen. (Staff photo by
Deborah Bennett)
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