Newspaper Page Text
VOL. 109, NO. 16, OCTOBER 17, 2012 LEGAL ORGAN OF JENKINS COUNTY MILLEN, GEORGIA • 75 CENTS
Law protects pecans from thieves
By Deborah Bennett
Mitten News Editor
Falling pecans may look like easy money to pecan pilferers,
but it could cost them plenty instead. Tree owners now have a
legal means of dealing with those who pick their pecans from
tree limbs and from the ground without permission.
A 2011 law passed by the Georgia Legislature states that when
pecan trees are grown on private property and the branches ex
tend over public roads, streets or highway rights-of-way, any
pecans falling from them onto the public rights-of-way shall be
the property of the owner of the trees until the end of the har
vesting season. Those who unlawfully collect pecans from these
public properties can be charged with a misdemeanor and fined
up to $500. Anyone who unlawfully collects pecans on private
properties can be charged with theft by taking and criminal tres
pass, misdemeanors, with fines up to $1,000 each. Thieves who
steal more than $1,500 worth of agricultural products, i.e. pe
cans, can face felony charges.
Pecan thievery is a major problem for the George Parker fam
ily, who owns a 190 acre pecan orchard.
"It’s so bad, we have someone who patrols the orchard con
stantly on a golf cart,” said Wade Parker. "At $1.50 per pound,
about 30 nuts, a few thieves sneaking into your yard or orchard
can steal your income in a matter of minutes.”
Theft of the nuts, however, is not the only problem created by
pecan thieves.
“Not only do they steal your income but they often use objects
such as pvc or galvanized pipes, walking canes, baseball bats or
other items to dislodge the pecans from the tree limbs. Not only
do you have a mess to cleanup from limb debris, but these ob
jects can damage the tree permanently and allow for the entry of
insects and diseases at a later time. Also, if thieves are entering
your property for the purpose of stealing pecans, many other items
in plain view run the risk of being taken also,” Wade said.
Millen Police Chief Dwayne Herrington said the Millen Police
Department has already received complaints from local citizens
concerning the theft of their pecans.
“It’s a problem and we’re going to enforce the law. Anyone
who is tempted to pick up a few nuts without permission from
the property owner should think again,” said Chief Herrington.
To combat the problem, Chief Herrington suggests that tree
owners secure their properties as much as possible and post very
visible “no trespassing” signs to send a clear message to would-
be-thieves. Neighbors should also be asked to keep an eye on the
property and to call law enforcement if they spot anyone stealing
pecans.
“Most pecans belong to someone and we’re going to prosecute
those who steal them from their rightful owners,” said Chief
Herrington.
you CON NOW ORDER NO TRESPASSING
SIGNS FROM THE GPGA
$ 500 00
FINE
FOR ANYONE CAUGHT STEALING
PECANS FROM THIS PROPERTY
GA LAW - OFFENSES INVOLVING THEFT
CA CODE OCGA 11&-S- 12 (SECTION C)
NO
TRESPASSING
The signs are 11” wide x 14” tall.
They are bright orange and are laminated.
The signs are $2.00 each and can be ordered by calling 229-382-2187.
or by email: Janice@georgiapecan.org
Grady Saxon named county administrator
By Deborah Bennett
Millen News Editor
Grady Saxon
Grady Saxon was officially employed as county administrator
during a recent meeting of the Jenkins County Commissioners.
Mr. Saxon holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and
Accounting degree from Georgia Southern University and comes
to the county from the position he held as Store Manager/Store
Director of the Millen BI-LO. He has held several different po
sitions with BI-LO through the years including: Marketing Co-
Manager, Statesboro; Assistant Store Manager, Sylvania; and
Customer Service Manager, Millen.
Interim County Administrator Roland Stubbs discussed the
proposed Energy Excise Tax Ordinance, explaining that the or
dinance would allow the county to recover a loss on energy ex
cise taxes that was created by HB 386. The recovery would be at
a rate of 25 percent of the total per year for four years. Mr. Stubbs
reported that the City of Millen had been notified and could pos
sibly participate.
It was reported that the new radio system would be installed
within six weeks. Chairman James Henry informed the board
that the radio system had to be operational by Jan. 1, 2013.
The possibility of the county applying for a grant to fund a
drainage project was discussed with Mr. Stubbs noting that the
deadline for submitting applications was April 1,2013. The com
missioners agreed to notify the Regional Commission of the
county’s intent to apply for the grant.
County Field Director Grady Lane reported on problems with
trees falling onto county roads. A suggestion was made to notify
property owners of the dangers and the need to remove the trees
from the right-of-way. The commissioners agreed to send prop
erty owners letters on matter.
Chairman Henry conducted the third reading of the Tattoo
Parlor Ordinance, which changed the licensing fee to $1,000
based on state recommendations, and the group approved it as
read. The second reading of the Occupational Tax Ordinance
was also conducted.
The commissioners approved a request from Kirkland’s Mor
tuary to assist with indigent funeral expenses in the amount of
$500.
Jonquette Sanders named
Homecoming Queen
Jonquette Sanders, daughter of
John Sanders and Patricia Folson,
has been crowned the 2012
Jenkins County High School
(JCHS) Homecoming Queen.
Jonquette is a member of Beta
Club, Interact, Science Club, the
Future Nurses Club, Leadership
Club Hero, JCHS Student Coun
cil, One Act Play Cast and the
Spanish Club. She will also be a
part of the Literary Team. She is a
member of Helping Communities
One at a Time, GSU Educational
Talent Search, Millen Make a Dif
ference and the Jenkins County 4-
H. She participates in basketball,
track and field and tennis.
Jonquette is a 5 year Rotary
Scholar. She was named the 2012
Prom Princess and is the reigning
Miss JCHS. She attends Rocky
Ford Baptist Church.
Jonquette’s future plans are to
attend the University of Georgia
to study pre-med. She plans to be
come an anesthesiologist.
Jonquette was escorted by her
father John Sanders and was
crowned by Shae Burke, the 2011
JCHS Homecoming Queen. Shae,
the daughter of Butch and Kelly
Burke, is a freshman at Georgia
Southern University pursuing a
degree in exercise science.
Jonquette Sanders,
JCHS Homecoming Queen
BOE sets millage
no tax increase
By Deborah Bennett
Millen News Editor
Local taxpayers will not see an increase in their taxes due to a millage increase by the local
school system. The Jenkins County Board of Education (BOE) voted on Oct. 4 to keep the rate at
12.901 mils for the coming year. The BOE has not increased its millage rate since 2008, despite
extensive state and federal cuts to its budget.
School Superintendent Tara Cooper commented, “We are very proud of our fiscal management
of the school system so that we haven’t had to further encumber the tax paying citizens in Jenkins
County. We, as a school system, understand the economic demands on our community partners
and supporters and are thankful that we are not adding to the burden.
The school system does expect to see an increase in the amount of local revenue it will receive
due to an increase in the tax digest. The predicted 2012 local revenue is listed at $3,025,848, an
increase of $418,456 over the previous year. However, this comes after the BOE incurred an
approximate $100,000 reduction in local revenue for 2009 and another $83,000 reduction in 2010.
The system showed a $15,000 gain in 2011.
Ribbon cutting
The Millen/Jenkins County
Chamber of Commerce re
cently sponsored a ribbon-cut
ting ceremony for Mana’ Res
taurant at its new location, 741
Hwy. 25 North, at Thompson’s
Corner. Those participating
were Cesar Santana-owner,
center; Lamar Faircloth,
Millen City Manager; Mayor
King Rocker; Clay Boulinea,
chamber director; Darcella
Russell; Crystal Golphin,
Antonina Bryant, Tiffany
Wasden, Vicki Burke, Miriam
Santana and Jeanetta Miller.
The business features Mexi
can, Indian and International
cuisine. The hours of operation
are 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday-
Thursday and 6 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Friday and Saturday.
9 0B
BOS
933
93
2
CHEVROLET' MSUjTjlW BMC TRUCKS
We were here Yesterday, We are here today
& We will be here Tomorrow!
We Are Jenkins County Peeler
AN AMERICAN
REVOLUTION
4# 8-2 31-4111
