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WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008 THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS PAGE 5A Letters to the Editor Comments on lack of animal control School News Dear Editor: On the subject of animal control for Banks County, I am motivated by concern and compassion for the suffering of those creatures entrust ed to our care to stand with other of my fellow citizens to give a voice to those who have no voice to advocate for themselves. To the veterinarian who wrote to you several months ago, I say “Ma’am, I share your frustration and heartbreak over the lack of ser vices to address the problems you described.” Growing up in the late 1940s - 1950s in a region, which offered no veterinary medical services at the time, I discovered the priceless value of compassion for the suffer ing at a very young age as I cared for sick, injured or dying pets. Those experiences inspired me to achieve my seemingly unattainable goal, given the circumstances of my child hood, to (I’m humbled to say) go to college, earn a degree in Nursing Science and practice as a Registered Nurse then later the privilege to offer my nursing skills in honorable service in the U.S. Army. I am responsible and compelled to give back what I was given through the suffering of those creatures, lower on the scale than I, by design, in the taxonomic designation of all living organisms. That is why I speak on their behalf. It seems to be the canine species in Banks County which are most often seen as “the problem,” i.e. “vicious dogs, stray dogs, roaming dogs scavenging for food” etc., etc. We need to ask ourselves why these dogs are causing so many problems - what is the root of the problem? If we must use the word or phrase animal “control,” perhaps we might want to entertain the thought of humane animal control, i.e. a humanely overseen comprehensive animal control ordinance with spe cific guidelines to address specif ic issues, laws in place to support these guidelines, strict enforcement of those laws and fines imposed on those of use who may need assis tance to become responsible animal/ pet owners. Those fines would surely gener ate some revenue to fund services, Mr. Hart. The “control” methods we now have (“just shoot them, starve them, let them die from para site infestations and other diseases/ complications best addressed by a veterinarian) are simply not solving the problem - many do die from the above conditions however, they are soon replaced in spades by own ers who allow uncontrolled, indis criminate breeding to produce more unwanted puppies to join the ranks of the already plentiful supply. I reiterate a question posed in a let ter to “Dear Editor” recently. “Why do you not want a comprehensive, humanely overseen animal control ordinance, Mr. Hart?” I now wish to express apprecia tion to officer Mike Wood. Officer Wood, if it is true that you are allow ing your K-9 partner of the canine species to sleep in your house at night, then you, in my opinion, are a shining example for our kids to show concern for the safety and comfort of officer Jo Jo. Bless both of you as you are out there every day risking your lives to protect our kids and set an example for us all! To Sheriff Chapman, thank you sir, for purchasing the van so that officer Jo Jo will be more comfort able as he and Officer Wood are out on the roads working long hours - your concern for his comfort is also a positive example for our kids and for all of us. Sincerely, Linda Shelton Qualifies lor nationals... STATE CHAMPS The Banks County High School FFA team, consisted of (from left) Caiti Brown, Quinton Krieg, Koltan Pendley, Cody McMahan and advisor/coach Kipp Jackson, recently won the state cham pionship in the Livestock Judging Competition. The team has earned the right to compete at Nationals during October in Indianapolis. BCHS FFA earns state championship Open letter to Congressman Paul Broun Dear Editor: Open letter to Congressman Paul Broun: Dear Dr. Broun, I’ve received your forceful letter ranting against our current federal tax system. This is to respectfully disagree with nearly every point you made. I do agree that the process of filing taxes is daunting, for those of us with adequate income and investments to hire an accountant to do it for us. For those who file the short form, most senior citizens and persons with moderate to low income, it is remarkably easy and help is available for those unable to do their own taxes. Your assumption that we should all pay the same tax rate (fair tax) seems to assume that all come into this world equally able to become rich and to inherit that needed to prosper, often without hard work. I’m afraid that is delusional. I’m sure you have seen persons in your medical practice who have various handicaps, medical and mental, that prevent them from the high achievement you describe. Many are born into poor families, and single parent homes where survival is the achievable goal, not great wealth. In short, the fair tax is regressive, and is opposed by most thinking, fair-minded Americans. For those of you who run for public office and think what your constituents want to hear is to cut taxes and throw out the immigrants, you may be surprised when you find the majority of people of Northeast Georgia have more compassion, guided by their religious beliefs in Jesus Christ who demonstrated a far different way. Sincerely, Mary Ellen Myers Alto Memorial Day salute scheduled at BCHS A Memorial Day salute to the Armed Forces program and con cert will be presented in the Banks County High School auditorium at 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 29. Northwinds Adult Community Band of Gainesville will present a tribute to all veterans. “Come hear this professional band play music from the different wars and familiar American tunes,” said Jon Congdon, BCHS band director. “There will also be special pictures from the wars and from local vet erans. It will certainly be a moving experience.” For more information, contact Congdon at 706-677-4740. The Banks County High School FFA Livestock Judging Team has earned elite status. In recent weeks, the team — con sisting of members Caiti Brown, Quinton Krieg, Koltan Pendley, Cody McMahan — captured the state championship and has earned the right to compete at the National Competition, which will be held in October during the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. For advisor Kipp Jackson and his team members, this is a culmination of months of preparation and work. “We are very excited because all of their hard work and practice has paid off,” Jackson said. BCHS also qualified for Nationals Jessica Lee Mullins graduated from the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine. The ceremony was held Friday, May 9, at the James Brown Arena in Augusta, and recognized Mullins as an M.D. She will move to Winston- Salem, N.C., to complete her resi- in 2006. In 2007, BCHS finished second in state by four points and went to Denver for the National Western Stock Show. (Second place teams get the chance to go to the stock show but must pay their own way. BCHS raised the funds to com pete.) FFA has divided Georgia into six areas. Each area is allowed to send two teams to the State Livestock Judging Competition. Each area holds its own competition to deter mine the top two teams. Banks County’s area consists of 25 coun ties, primarily Northeast Georgia, and schools compete against each other regardless of classification. Teams are comprised of four mem- dency at the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. She eventu ally hopes to practice in the field of oncology. Mullins was a 2001 graduate of Banks County High School and went on to obtain a B.A. degree in biology at Berry College. bers and the top three scores count with the lowest being dropped. Participants in the Livestock Judging CDE (Career Development Event) evaluate cattle, swine and sheep for breeding and market purposes. Contestants also pres ent oral reasons on selected class es to defend their selection deci sions. Performance data will also be included in keep/cull and placing classes of breeding animals, Jackson said. The BCHS team knows Nationals will be the ultimate in competition. “Each state can only send one team,” Jackson said. “So we will be competing against the best from each state.” See more School News on Page 8B BCHS graduate completes medical school Howell § Qrikdoti'\jcjh Providing Braces for Children and Adults! **Call TODAY to schedule a FREE Initial Exam with Dr. Howell **Flexible Interest-Free Payment Plans Available *Convenient Hours (before AND after school hours available) **Most orthodontic insurance plans accepted For more information visit our website: www.howe11ortho.com Conveniently located at: 2614 Highway 129 North in Jefferson, GA (next to Jefferson Pediatrics) The Banks County News Get the local school, church, sports and other community news delivered to your home each week! Just clip the coupon below to begin saving today over the newstand price! Name Address City State Zip Subscription rates for The Banks County News are as follows: $19.75 per year for Banks and adjoining counties; $17.75 per year for senior citizens in Banks and adjoining counties; $38.85 per year for delivery elsewhere in Georgia; $36.85 per year for delivery elsewhere in Georgia with senior citizen discount; $44.50 per year for delivery out of Georgia; $42.50 per year for delivery out of Georgia with senior citizen discount; $42.20 per year for the military with APO address. Enclosed is my check for $ or □ MC or □ VISA # F i ti MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. P dL ° 33 Lee Street, P O. Box 908 Jefferson, GA 30549 ph one 706-367-5233 Fax: 706-367-8056 Website: www.mainstreetnews.com TolbertiSiBradford ATTORNEYS AT LAW STOP Foreclosures STOP Repossessions STOP Garnishments STOP Tax Levies STOP Creditor Harassment Chapter 13 Repayment (Pay only Filing Fees to Start) Chapter 7 Get a Fresh Start Free Initial Consultation Athens • 706-549-8545 • 320 E. 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