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PAGE 2A THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2008 County to become 'entrepreneur friendly' on May 3 BY SHARON HOGAN Banks County Chamber of Commerce members at the month ly breakfast meeting on Thursday heard from a variety of speakers dealing with the issue of bringing new businesses and keeping current businesses in Banks County. Chamber board member Jerry Boling said that a project was start ed a few months ago to attract new businesses to the county. A group of individuals from various businesses, county and city officials were asked to serve on the committee to work on this project. This group worked closely with Suzanne Browne, Georgia Department of Community Affairs-Department of Economic Development Entrepreneur and Small Business Regional Project Manager, on this project. The date given by Browne for Banks County to receive the des ignation as an “Entrepreneur Friendly” county is May 3. Browne said the Entrepreneur Friendly Initiative works to encour- age small businesses to grow. Grants are also offered through the initia tive to small business owners. The group also heard from Kathy Papa, DCA Department of Economic Development Regional Representative; Carole Ciriacks, DCA Department of Economic Development Existing Industry and Recruitment Regional Project Manager; and Cheryl Smith, DCA Department of Economic Development Regional Tourism Representative. Ciriacks said she works with both existing and new industry. Ciriacks said she has recently worked with Scott Ledford, MetroSite, during his re-location to the Banks County Industrial Park. Ledford constructs cell phone towers at this location. Smith told the group her depart ment works to promote, educate and assist tourism businesses. Smith encouraged those in attendance to network with other businesses to get business information out. James Thompson, Appalachian Regional Commission Business Development, presented a power point presentation to the group. Thompson also gave the group some information about grants that are available to small business own ers through the ARC. Ron Simmons, area director, and Dede Gossage, program coordina tor, University of Georgia Small Business Development Center, pre sented information to help small business owners on the manage ment side of the business. Gossage said her department could help with growth tips, start up tips and marketing tips. Gerald McDuffie, United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Rural Business Specialist, encouraged small busi ness owners and homeowners to look into the loan programs being offered through the USDA. McDuffie said they have a large list of loan programs available for people to take advantage of. Greg Pitts and Kimberlee Wilson, Georgia Department of Labor, talk ed to the group about tax credits that are available to business own ers for specialized training. Wilson said they offer 50 percent funding up to six months for specialized training. She encouraged the busi ness owners to take advantage of this program. Each group represented at the breakfast offered handouts explain ing the offers available to small business owners. OTHER BUSINESS In other business at the break fast: •chamber director Tara Fulcher welcomed the two new boards of director members, Mark Payne and Robin Trotter. •Fulcher also announced two new chamber members, Don Byran Art & Framing and MetroSite. The next regularly scheduled breakfast meeting of the chamber will be held at 8 a.m. on Thursday, May 8, at First Georgia Bank, Homer. Alto, Baldwin plan clean-up day The arrival of spring means it’s time for some spring cleaning. Clean up days have been planned in Alto and Baldwin. Clean up day will be held in Alto on April 26 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Volunteers are needed to tidy up the streets inside the city lim its. All supplies will be furnished. Free lunch and T-shirts will be provided for participants. “Contact city hall to sign up or just show up,” leaders state. Baldwin is also seeking volun teers to meet at Fellowship Church at 9 a.m. on April 26 to help clean up the streets in town. Supplies will be furnished. Biscuits will be provided on a first-come, first- served basis. Fellowship Church will be cooking lunch for the volunteers. T-shirts will be pro vided to the participants in the clean up. Fellowship Church is located in the Industrial Park in Baldwin. Alto Spring Fling set for May 3 The Town of Alto will hold its annual Spring Fling Parade and Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. Danny O’ Day will be the master of ceremonies for the program which will get underway at noon. Live entertainment featuring the LeFevre Quartet will be featured. Those who plan to attend are asked to bring their lounge chairs for the afternoon entertainment. Food, crafts, a tractor contest, antique car competition and activities for the kids are among the activities planned. To sign up to participate in the parade or for a vendor table, contact city hall at 706-778-8035. Qualifying coming up April 28 for July primary election BY CHRIS BRIDGES Banks County voters will go to their respective voting polls this sum mer for another primary election with 11 county posts up for vote. Candidate qualifying for the General Primary Election will begin Monday, April 28, at 9 a.m. and continues through Friday, May 2, at noon. Probate judge Betty Thomas said qualifying for all candidates would be in the probate court in the Banks County Courthouse. Offices which can be contested in the primary election and the qualify ing fee for each is as follows: •sheriff, $1,616.40 •tax commissioner, $1,392.24 •clerk of superior court, $1,392.24 •coroner, $72 •county chairman, $1,080 •county surveyor, $25 •board of education, post 1, $64.50 •board of education, post 2, $60 •board of education, post 4, $60. Qualifying for magistrate judge and probate judge will be held the last week of June since these offices are non-partisan. The fee to run for both of these offices is $1,392.24. The qualifying fee for each office is based on three percent of that office’s base salary. For additional information about qualifying, contact the Banks County Probate Court at 706-677-6250. Lula plans Railroad Days Festival BY SHARON HOGAN Lula City Council members are planning the 32nd annual Railroad Days Festival for Saturday, May 17. The festival begins with the parade down Main Street at 10 a.m. and continues throughout the day with entertainment, rides, crafts, food and drinks at the historic Railroad Park. There is no admission charge and parking is free for the event. For more information, contact city hall at 770-869-3801. Hearing set Fri. for Linn Jones A hearing related to theft charges filed against, Linn Jones, the wife of former district attorney Tim Madison, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the Banks County courthouse in Homer. Jones worked in the DA’s office and faces charges related to having falsified payroll documents. She was on both the Banks County and Jackson County payrolls. Family Connection group to meet The Banks County Family Connection networking group will meet on Thursday, April 17, at 10 a.m. at the Banks County Recreation Department. Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center seeks volunteers Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) needs car ing individuals and groups to volun teer their time to help serve patients coping with terminal illnesses. Volunteer opportunities will accommodate anyone’s schedule and interest, including providing support and companionship for patients and families on a regular basis, provid ing clerical support in the office or helping with an event or project once a year. Many flexible options are available that will allow anyone the opportunity to volunteer with Hospice of NGMC. Free training and ongoing support are provided. For more information, call Carol Jewell, Hospice of NGMC volun teer coordinator, at 770-533-8888 or 888-572-3900. Compassionate Hospice needs volunteers Compassionate Hospice, Gainesville, is seeking individuals and group organizations to volun teer their time to help those who are terminally-ill and their loved ones. Volunteering opportunities include companionship, reading to patients, respite for a caregiver, preparing simple meals, clerical support and running errands. For more information, call the vol unteer coordinator at 678-717-0969 or 678-651-1440 or visit www. chcmg.com. Send us your vacation news The Banks County News occa sionally features travel news. Countians are encouraged to write a first-person account of their travels and submit it, along with photographs from the trip, to The News for publication. Articles and photographs may be dropped off at The News office in Homer or mailed to: Angela Gary, The Banks County News, P.O. Box 920, Homer, Ga., 30547. Public meetings you can attend The following local government agencies hold regular meetings which are open to the public: •Maysville City Council, 7 p.m., first Monday of each month at the Maysville Public Library. •Banks County High School All Sports Booster Club, 6:30 p.m., first Monday of each month, BCHS library. •Maysville Planning and Zoning Commission, 7 p.m., last Monday of each month, Maysville library. •Banks County Planning Commission, 7 p.m., first Tuesday of each month at the courthouse. •Gillsville City Council, 7 p.m., first Tuesday of each month at city Legacy Link offers free job training for Banks County resi dents age 55 and older. The senior community service employment program offers part time on-the-job training positions for qualified people. The qualifi cations include: age 55 and older, must be a resident of the state and must meet federal low-income guidelines. “The purpose of the program is to offer a temporary stepping stone back into the work force,” officials say. “Positions are not hall. A work session is held at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month. •Banks County Board of Education, 7 p.m., third Monday of each month at the BOE office. The work session is held on the Thursday prior to the regular meeting. •Baldwin City Council, 7 p.m., second and fourth Monday of each month at city hall. A work session is held at 6:30 p.m. on the Thursday preceding each regular meeting. •Homer City Council, 6 p.m., sec ond Tuesday of each month at city hall. •Banks County Board of Commissioners 6:30 p.m. second Tuesday of each month at the court- meant to be permanent employ ment.” On-the-job training means that the participants will be assigned to train at a government or non profit agency for 20 hours per week. The pay will be minimum wage for any time spent train ing, attending approved classes or program meetings or any other related training activities. Program participants perform a wide variety of duties, including clerical/office support, providing social services to other seniors house. A work session is held at 3:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month at the courthouse. •Alto City Council, 7 p.m., second Tuesday of each month at city hall. •Lula City Council, 7 p.m., third Monday of each month at city hall. A work session is held at 11 a.m. on the Thursday preceding the regular meeting. •BJC Medical Center board of directors, 1:30 p.m., third Monday of each month in the conference room of the hospital. •Banks County Middle School Booster Club, 6:30 p.m., third Monday of each month at the Banks County Middle School lunchroom. and members of the community, helping in the kitchen of senior nutrition sites and other tasks. The participants will also undergo assessment, testing and counseling while in the program. Participants will also be referred to jobs in the area as they become available. The program is funded by a grant from the United States Department of Labor through the National Council on the Aging Inc. For more information, call 770-538-2650. DNR approves Traveler's Rest celebration The Traveler’s Rest celebra tion will be held after all. Early in the 2008 Session of the General Assembly, Representative Jeanette Jamieson learned that the Confederate Memorial Day celebration held annually at Traveler’s Rest would no longer be allowed. Throughout the 2008 session, Representative Jamieson worked to resolve this issue, including introducing legislation taking authority away from the DNR board. Tuesday,April 1, Representative Jamieson introduced an amend ment to a Senate Bill which finally got the attention of the DNR. Following this action, DNR Commissioner Holcomb gave Representative Jamieson a letter reinstating the celebra tion. Traveler’s Rest serves as a central site for celebration for Stephens, Franklin, Banks, and other surrounding counties. Recycle! Legacy Link provides job training for senior citizens o, Commerce $ 5 00 OFF Ticket Of $20 00 Or More. Valid with coupon Mon.-Thurs. only. La Hacienda Commerce 173 Steven B. Tanger Blvd. 706-335-7458 La Hacienda Jefferson 605 Athens Street 706-367-5095 The Original Mexican Restaurant! Not affiliated with any other restaurant. FOUR C’S TRANSMISSIONS GRAND OPENING SPECIAL! TRANSMISSIONS SERVICE most vehicles $50 OIL CHANGE labor $15 Low Prices, Quality Work and Over 20 years experience CALL 706-677-0071 Your patronage helps provide for those in need. 321 Pottery Factory Drive, Commerce — across from OUTBACK STEAK House