Newspaper Page Text
SAVINGS INSERT
INSIDE!
CO
0>
CO
CO
CD
lO
o
CO
CO
o
VOL. 114, NO. 28 January 13, 2021 LEGAL ORGAN OF JENKINS COUNTY MILLEN, GEORGIA • 75 CENTS
Meet the artists behind
Big Buckhead Church
By Joe Brady
Millen News editor
Jerry and Dona Hargrove
Locklair met in 1973. Jerry is
a native of South Carolina and
Dona a native of Millen. Dona
was a 1969 graduate of JCHS
and the daughter of Grady and
Bernice Hargrove. Dona grew
up on Buttermilk Road and
met Jerry during her college
days at Ringling College of
Art. The two married and had
two sons, Jeremy and Jason.
They made their home in
Lynchburg, SC on the Locklair
family farm. Together they
became established Southern
artists, having painted five
centennial portraits for Clem-
son University, the Citadel,
and USC. All of this came to
an abrupt end however when
Dona lost her battle with can
cer on June 7, 2017.
The couple’s work is in
spired by their southern heri
tage and also their travels
throughout North America,
Europe, and the Middle East.
Their work is remembered for
historically accurate depic
tions of life in the old south.
Jerry remembers the day
they were commissioned to
paint the portrait of Big Buck-
head Church. “The Jenkins
County Chamber of Com
merce called us and explained
they wanted someone local
to do the painting. Dona felt
she owed it to the residents of
Jenkins County to paint the
famous landmark not only
because of her lineage but
also because her father start
ed his ministry at Buckhead
Church,” Mr. Locklair stated.
Once the portrait was com
pleted, the couple agreed to
gift the painting to the county.
“We couldn’t come down
for the dedication ceremony
because Dona was battling
cancer,” Jerry explains.
Over two years after Dona’s
passing, Jerry made the trip
to see the painting he and his
beloved wife painted together.
“This is some of our finest
work, and I’m so glad Dona
got to do it,” Jerry said as he
stares at the painting hanging
at the Jenkins County Cham
ber of Commerce office.
It warms the heart to know
that a beloved landmark, so
prized in our own hearts was
painted by a couple whose
love will endure the ages.
Thanks Jerry and Dona for
giving us your talent and the
testimony of your love. Jerry
now paints alone and may be
reached at his website, www.
locklairart.com.
The Locklairs were married 43 years until Dona’s passing
on June 7, 2017; two days after her 66th birthday. The
couple’s paintings are prized by people of all walks of life.
Photo contributed.
The artistic team agreed to donate the portrait to Jenkins
County and it hangs at the Jenkins County Chamber of
Commerce. Photo by Mandy Underwood.
Landing honored by state
Mrs. Elizabeth Landing, Jenkins County Clerk of Court, was honored by a resolution of the Georgia House of Representa
tives, made this past Monday at the Jenkins County Courthouse. The presentation honored Mrs. Landing for her 50+ years
of dedicated service. Mrs. Landing retired as of Dec. 31,2020. She stands with her friends and family during the ceremony.
Tracey Herrington won the election for Mrs. Landing’s replacement and started in that role on Jan. 1,2021. Photo contributed.
GA roads no safer
than last year
The travel period that began at 6 p.m.,
Dec. 24-12 p.m., Jan 1 saw some 33 fatali
ties on Georgia roadways. The same travel
period in 2019 saw 32 fatalities.
Statewide, Georgia State Troopers in
vestigated 725 traffic crashes that resulted
in 272 injuries. Georgia troopers arrested
545 persons for driving under the influence
while 15,235 traffic citations were issued.
Of those citations, over 500 were written for distracted driv
ing violations and over 5,000 for speeding.
City to update water meters
By Joe Brady
Millen News editor
Millen residents will
soon get an upgrade to
new and improved water
meters. Jeff Brantley,
city manager explains,
“the current meters are
very old and over time
no longer record accu
rate water usage.” The
city was approved for a
Georgia Environmental
Finance Authority or
GEFA loan of $896K.
GEFA provides loans for
water, wastewater, and
solid waste infrastruc
ture; manages energy
efficiency and renewable
energy programs; and manages and monitors state owned fuel
storage tanks.
The low interest financing loan terms allows for a 40%
forgiveness of the loan. Because the new water meters will
be equipped with antennae to read data and transmit back to
the office, the city has entered into an agreement with Georgia
Power to monitor the system.
“Rather than buying the equipment to install for reading
the data, we have commissioned Georgia Power to read the
data because they currently have that equipment in place,” he
added. The same software and equipment used by Georgia
Power to monitor electric service may also be used for water
service monitoring.
The city would have to purchase software, equipment and
enter into a sliding scale maintenance contract had it not en
tered into the agreement with Georgia Power. By entering into
this agreement, the City is expected to see a $6k cost savings.
The Southern Company, the parent company of Georgia
Power will charge a $.99 fee for each meter read and since the
meter is read through a system the company currently oper
ates, the City of Millen will not have to pay a maintenance fee.
“The cost to replace a residential water meter is around $250,”
Brantley said, adding “of course commercial water meters
cost more.”
Don’t expect to see this price reflected on your bill, however.
These new and improved meters are being installed at no cost
to the customer.
The program should start in the next three months, Jeff proj
ects. Residents will continue to be billed by the City for water
and sewer usage.
No change in appointments to city
At the January meeting of the Millen City Council, the council
members voted unanimously to carry over the appointed
positions as previously assigned. R. Hubert Reeves, III will
continue in his roll as city Attorney; April Stafford will serve as
Municipal Court Judge; Municipal Court Solicitor will continue
to be Duff Ayers and the Municipal Court Public Defender will
continue to be Christopher Gohagan.
Council Member Darrell Clifton was elected Mayor Pro-Tern
for the 2021 term. Council Member Robin Scott served in this
capacity for the 2020 term.
“The problem with our existing
meters is that they are old and
no longer read water usage
accurately,” city manager
Jeff Brantley explains. Photo
contributed.
330 US HWY. 25 NORTH, WAYNESBORO - 706-554-2114 - www.mizellford.com
