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CO 0> CO CO CD lO o CO CO o VOL. 114, NO. 27 January 6, 2021 LEGAL ORGAN OF JENKINS COUNTY MILLEN, GEORGIA • 75 CENTS Chance retires after years of dedicated service By Joe Brady Millen News editor Gail Chance sits quietly behind her clean desk waiting anxiously for our interview. Despite her previous tenure at The Millen News, she is uncomfortable talking with the press. “I prefer to be in the background,” she explains as we begin the interview. Gail’s last day at the court house was Dec. 31. She be gan working with the Jenkins County Probate Court seven teen years ago, Judge Wanda Burke in fact, gave her the job. “After I left the newspaper I went to work out of town but everytime a secretarial job would come open in Millen, I applied. I wanted to be closer to home.” Her diligence paid off because Judge Burke hired her and the two have never looked back. “I could not imagine having anybody else by my side,” Judge Wanda Burke states, “I have relied upon her more than even she realizes. Her dedica tion has made the department run smoother.” A Jenkins County native, Gail is the daughter of Nira and Byron Chance. She has two children and three grand children. She received a de gree in office technology from Ogeechee Technical College. Diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and out of work over five months Gail made a promise she would retire at the age of 66. “The Lord has blessed me,” she says. Having turned 66 in October, Gail made good on her promise to herself. “I wanted to retire when I could still enjoy it.” “My job has been easier because I work with such a great person. Judge Burke has been an exceptional boss,” Gail compliments. “Anybody would be fortunate to work with her.” Gail, as does Judge Burke, wears two hats in their positions. Judge Burke is also the election super- intendant. “I real- b ly enjoy working CHANCE, the elections, it’s 3 After 17 years of dedicated service to the Probate Court, Gail Chance retired Dec. 31. “I plan to catch up on my reading, travel, and piddle in my yard.” Photo by J. Brady. Covid Vaccines Arrive By Joe Brady Millen News editor Last week saw the arrival of the first Covid vaccines in the county as health care workers and first responders began rolling up their sleeves for the first 100 doses delivered to Eagle Pharmacy. “We began vaccinating early last week,” explains Ken DeLay, owner and registered pharmacist with Eagle Pharmacy. Health care workers at the Optim Medical Center and the Jenkins County Medi cal Center were also offered the vaccination. The long awaited Covid-19 vaccine comes on the heels of a year fraught with the rapid spread of the virus. Jenkins County has had a cummulative total over 540 covid-19 cases and 34 confirmed deaths. Of those having been tested in the past two weeks, 30% have tested positive. In the state of Georgia, 77,860 cases have been diagnosed in the past two weeks. This is informa tion available to the public from the Georgia Department of Health. In conjunction with Eagle Pharmacy, JCMC received 200 vaccines late last week. “We vaccinated 10 employees Friday, Jan. 1 and have anoth er 30 employ ees scheduled SEE this week,” An- VACCINES, toine Poythress, 2 Shumake By Joe Brady Millen News editor Makes A Difference “The proverbial batton has been passed,” founder of the Concerned Citizens Group, Giovanni Shumake explains. Photo contributed. When Giovanni Shumake returned to his hometown he never dreamed it would be to found a concerned citizens group. But become an activist he has. Blight in Millen has long been a problem and resources have been taxed to complete all of the necessary inspections required to keep property owners in compliance with local ordinances. That is where the Concerned Citizens Group comes in. However, the group is not just concerned with cleaning up the community, “we are concerned about the whole community and we have a myriad of concerns,” founder Giovanni Shumake explains. Addressing blight is just one of their projects. “Poverty is not always to blame for blight. It’s more apathy and mindset,” Giovanni further explains. He uses an example of a property owner who told him in no uncertain terms, “my property is no one’s concern,” to which Giovanni agrees, to a certain extent. “If you live within the city limits, your property is the concern of everyone living in the community,” he added. Giovanni is a Millen native and attended Liberty University, as a doctorate of Ministry. He lived several years in the Atlanta area. The Concerned Citizens Group has secured resources that will aid citizens in the clean up of their property at little to no cost. “We are pleased the city manager is working so diligently to address these issues with us.” City leaders work closely with the group to ensure the proper resources are there to rely on. Abandoned vehicles are breeding grounds for pestilence and disease and there are ordinances in place that make blight within the city limits of Millen against the law. Property owners could be fined and even jailed for these offenses. Giovanni realizes that the problem did not occur overnight and the solution won’t either. “We also challenge our local churches, civic organizations and school groups to adopt a neighborhood to help them clean SEE up. We are the SHUMAKE, next generation 3 Swearing in ceremonies at court house By Joe Brady Millen News editor Judge Wanda Burke was busy last week with swearing in ceremonies. Newly elected officials as well as incumbents took the oath of office. In years past the ceremony has been done with all the officials at one time but in the observance of Covid restrictions, each official received personal attention from Judge Burke. TOP RIGHT PHOTO: Incumbent Hiller Spann is sworn in for another term as County Commissioner of District 4. Commissioner Spann first took the oath of office in 2012. Photo contributed. SECOND RIGHT PHOTO: Jonathan Powell is sworn in on the courthouse steps for his term as County Commissioner of District 3. Photo contributed. NEXT RIGHT PHOTO: Henry Young is sworn in for his term as Jenkins County Coroner. Photo contributed. NEXT RIGHT PHOTO: Judge Wanda Burke is sworn in for another term as Jenkins County Pro bate Court Judge. Photo contributed. NEXT RIGHT PHOTO: Cynthia McNeely is sworn in on the courthouse steps. Photo contributed.