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Loo k T fof:ouf1nsertrin side VOL. 117 NO. 26 Millen, Ga. 30442 LEGAL ORGAN OF JENKINS COUNTY SINCE 1903 Wednesday, December 27, 2023 • 750 Congressman Rick Allen advocates for farmers DEBORAH BENNETT Millen News Editor U.S. Congressman Rick Allen, 12th Congressional District, is ad dressing issues that he feels are critical to the next Farm Bill. The 2018 Farm Bill was extended for an additional year while Congress works to write and adopt a new one. In an interview with The Millen News last week, Rep. Allen spoke of the importance of the Farm Bill to not only agriculture interests but the nation as a whole. “If we don’t properly support the Farm Bill, it could disrupt our food security, and make us dependent upon foreign countries. That is a national security risk,” he warned. Rep. Allen called attention to the fact that 80% of the Farm Bill is mandatory because it covers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, as well as a variety of smaller nutrition programs to help low-income Americans afford food for their families. “We are working on a nonpartisan basis to address nutrition issues in the Farm Bill,” he said. Foreign competition is also an issue the Congressman feels is a threat to the nation’s food security. “All of these foreign countries have socialist governments. This means they subsidize their own agriculture programs and can make their products cheaper,” Rep. Allen said. To combat this, the U.S. has ne gotiated trade agreements with oth er countries, one of which is the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) which entered into force on July 1,2020, replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). “We still have the most efficient food supply chain in the world. Our agriculture industries give us an abundant food supply with which to compete,” Congressman Allen said. Earlier this month, Rep. Allen addressed the House Agriculture Committee’s Member Day Hearing in Washington D.C., bringing these issues and others to the attention of those tasked with writ- SEE ALLEN, 2 Rep. Rick Allen is shown presenting his suggestions and concerns with the Farm Bill during the House Agriculture Committee’s Member Meet in Washington D.C. earlier this month. Deputy of the Year From left, Sheriff Robert Oglesby is shown congratulating Deputy of the Year Refugio Gudino as Chief Investigator Wesley Aaron presents the award. The presentation was made during the office Christmas party. In Appreciation From left, Sheriff Robert Oglesby and Chief Investigator Wesley Aaron are shown with the plaques presented to them by staff of the Sheriff’s Office. JC MLK Jr. Committee announces events for 2024 DEBORAH BENNETT Millen News Editor The MLK Jr. Breakfast will be held at 8 a.m. on Jan.6th at the First Baptist Church. Tickets are $10 each. The MLK Jr/Charles Beale Memo rial Scholarship Banquet will be held at 6 p.m. on Jan. 13th at the Jenkins County Senior Citizens Center. Tick ets are $25 each. The guest speaker for the MLK Jr. breakfast is Minister Marian S. Jackson. Ms. Jackson is a native of Burke County, Georgia. She was educated in the Burke County Public School System. She is a 1984 graduate of Waynesboro High School. She began her career in public service in 1987 as a billing and collections clerk for the City of Waynesboro. In 1996 she transitioned to Burke County Board of Commissioners as a personal property appraiser for the Board of Assessors. Ms. Jackson received her Level 2 Appraisal recognition and became the Property Records and Mapping Coordinator. As an appraiser, she had the opportunity to work closely with the tax com missioner’s office. Marian began to notice practices that could be imple mented in the tax commissioner’s office to better serve the citizens of Burke County. In 2012 she decided to qualify and place her hat in the race for Tax Commissioner. On July 31,2012, her heart’s desire was an swered. She successfully ousted the longtime Commissioner, winning 57 percent of the votes (Jackson 2,012 - Incumbent 1,518). Marian S. Jackson, MLK Jr. breakfast speaker Shiamante’ Grimes, Scholarship Banquet speaker Marian married Allen Jackson June 1,1985. Together they have two daughters, Shelby and Devon. She has one non-biological son, Tetric and three grandchildren, Nyla, Tetric Jr, Khalani. Marian credits God EVENTS for being who she is and where she is. She realizes Secretary Buttigieg announced $12 million grant DEBORAH BENNETT Millen News Editor U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg traveled to Millen Friday, Dec. 15th, to join state and local leaders in highlighting a $12 million federal grant to the Georgia Depart ment of Transportation (GDOT). The grant will fund the first stage of a project aimed at resolving traf fic disruptions caused by frequent blockages at the rail crossing on the Millen By-Pass. The grant is part of a new $645 million investment in 18 rural communities as part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Gov. Brian Kemp announced last week that the GDOT will provide an additional $3 million in matching funds for the effort. “This is the culmination of well over a year of work and close part nership between local and state-level leaders, as well as private partners like Norfolk Southern Corporation, to address this issue,” Gov. Kemp said. Joining Secretary Buttigieg on the program for the Millen event were U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, GDOT Deputy Commissioner Brad Saxon, City of Millen Mayor King Rocker, and Jenkins County School Superin tendent Dr. John Paul Hearn. “The problem of blocked rail crossings is not unique to Millen. Small communities have historically shouldered the burden of the supply chain. Often big federal investments pass smaller communities by, but not this time. Under President Biden we are pushing for rural communities,” Secretary Buttigieg said. “Blocked crossings are a threat to emergency vehicles and law enforce ment. It’s not just an inconvenience. It’s a safety issue,” he said. Secretary Buttigieg praised U.S. Senators Ossoff and Raphael Warnock for their efforts in bringing the issue of blocked rail crossings in Millen to his attention. “I will be shocked if I don’t re ceive more letters from ccc Senators Ossoff and Warnock, more projects GRANT, from the GDOT, and 3 U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is shown speaking with Mary Andrew during a program held Dec. 15th on the Millen By-Pass to announce a $12 million grant award.