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WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2008 THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS PAGE 5A Letters to the Editor Thanks for support at rabies clinic BOE receives report on latest ELOST funds Dear Editor: The doctors and staff of Commerce Veterinary Hospital and Jefferson Animal Hospital would like to thank the citizens of Jackson and Banks counties for their support of our annual rabies clinics. As veterinarians, one of our most important goals is to protect citizens as well as their pets from the danger of rabies. Our annual rabies clinics, held May 14 - 17, were the most successful clinics we have ever held. We vaccinated 2,550 pets in Jackson and Banks counties in a four-day period at 23 locations. We would like to thank the Jackson and Banks County Environmental Health Department, as well as the Jackson County Extension Service for their assistance in gathering sta tistical information on the incidence of rabies, identifying and establis hing locations to hold the clinics, and printing and distributing flyers with information on clinic locations and times. We are also very appreciative of the efforts made by the Jackson County, Banks County, Commerce, and Jefferson school systems to dis tribute information on the rabies clinics to their students. Thank you to all of the area businesses and schools who allowed us to take over their parking lots in order to offer this service to the public. Thank you also to Mark Beardsley and the MainStreet Newspapers for not only publishing our schedule but also for their continuing efforts to publish stories about the incidence of rabies in our area and the impor tance of yearly vaccinations for pets. We are also thankful for the willing ness of WJJC and WCON radio stations to broadcast the schedule for the clinics on air. Most of all, we would like to thank the citizens of Jackson and Banks counties for taking the time and making the effort to bring their pets to be vaccinated at the rabies clinics. In spite of the crowds, the barking dogs, and the heat, with animals and children in tow you continue to support our efforts. As our area continues to grow, we will be buil ding more and more houses in rural areas. This continued development increases the chance of contact bet ween wildlife (the source of rabies) and our citizens as well as their pets. We must continue to make vaccina ting our pets a priority in order to protect our families from the danger of rabies. Again, thank you all for your support. We realize that the success of preventing rabies lies not in our efforts but in the willingness of you all to protect your families and your pets through continued rabies vac cinations. Sincerely, Doctors and Staff of Commerce Veterinary Hospital and Jefferson Animal Hospital Recognizing BCHS teacher Kasey Hanley Dear Editor: As we enter the final week of school for the 2007-2008 year, I am full of excitement for my graduating senior. I find moments of sadness and pride for our teachers at BCHS. I can truly talk about one of them all day. I think, as parents, we seem to go to the school when we are upset and we do not thank them enough, so I felt compelled to put this in the paper for all to read. If your student is as lucky as mine to have this teacher, you will truly understand what I am say ing. The past four years have not come without trying moments as most of us have felt. He is a case worker for the students with IEP and truly fights and stands by his students. I believe he went up and above. He made her fight every chal lenge she encountered through the four years, and many times he did not even have her as a student, so he had to keep up with her. He would e-mail, call me whatever he had to do. As this week approached with our final meeting, it brought tears to my eyes to see how proud of her he was. I am now excited that she will be furthering her education and with the support and the push from this department. I know it would have been much harder without this help. I am very proud of them. I believe if any parent is willing to work with them they can help provide a brighter future for our children. If I could give a teacher of the year award to this person, I would. This teacher, in the last four years, has been attending school for his master’s degree, has had a son, coaches the wrestling team and still, in the background, stands behind his students at BCHS. I can only pray that my other children will have him as a teacher. The name of this teacher is Kasey Hanley and we should be proud to have him at BCHS. Sincerely, Barb Hill Media not reporting truth about Obama Dear Editor: I have often wondered why the news media today is so afraid to publish the REAL truth about Barack Hussein Obama. Do they not remember the Constitution of the United States gives us the right to voice opinion and question matters of importance to the common good? Well, I know this, our current news media is pushing to get Barack Hussein Obama elected as our next president. How truly sad because they will not reveal the truth about this candidate. If it were any other candidate, they would gladly print anything they could find about them but this is not the case with this candidate. Truth be known is that Obama was born to an atheist mother and Muslim father. Obama was educated in a muslim school in the Phillipines that has educated many of the ter rorists we are fighting today. Fact is, Obama has hidden these facts and only reveals his Catholic school education he got later in years and tries to make us believe he is of the Christian faith, which he has most definitely disproved. He was sworn into his current office using the Koran and not the Holy Bible. What else is not shown by the media is that he has not had one piece of legislature submitted dur ing his tenure in the Senate. If you cannot get it done as a senator, then you surely will not get it done as president. The man is a smooth talker and can tell you exactly what you want to hear whether it is true or not. Fact be known, he is dangerous. I am amazed at how our media today is unwilling to do their jobs and print the truth about this person. I hope that America will wake up and realize the danger this person poses to the nation if he is elected president. Sincerely, Stephen Webb Gillsville BY CHRIS BRIDGES Banks County Board of Education members were informed of the fig ures for the most recent Educational Local Option Sales Tax during a work session last Thursday. School system financial director Mike Beasley told BOE members and superintendent Chris Erwin the most recent check was for $282,082.52. This was the 17th highest amount of the 68 checks received. Also at last week’s work session, the BOE approved the following personnel items during a closed ses sion: •certified personnel, resignations: Jay Reid, teacher, BCHS; Eric Bona, teacher, BCHS; Kristen Walls, teacher, BCPS and William Meyer, teacher, BCHS, all for the end of the 2007- 08 school year. •certified personnel, new hires: Heidi Moon, Elisha Rhymer, James Dean Goodwin, Donna Jo Dillard and Kimberly Goodwin, teachers, 2008- 09 school year. •certified personnel, transfers: Vickie Martin, from para-profes sional to teacher, 2008-09 school year and Angie Bowen, from tech nology instructional specialist to teacher, 2008-09 school year. •classified personnel, resignations: Robin Newell, para-professional, effective May 1 and Renee Williams, para-professional, effective May 5. •classified personnel, new hire: Walter Carter, custodian. •classified personnel, medical leave: April Turner, para-profes sional. Students recognized for writing test BY CHRIS BRIDGES The Banks County Board of Education recognized several students during its May meeting Monday night for excelling on the fifth grade writing test. Students recognized included: Conner Allen, Yelenny Argueta, Jordan Barnett, Kayla Berry, Cara Black, Carliann Broome, Gregory Coughlin, Brittney Espinoza, Tyrsa Goodwin, Kade Hart, Jocelyn Heredia and Ashley Hill. Also, Cori Hughes, Savanna King, Brittany Langston, Will Ledford, Emma Matthews, Taylor Mullins, Jennifer Parrott, Brooks Roberts, Leia Rylee, Amber Sanders, Austin Segars, Tiffany Sheppard, Jared Slaton, Kaelan Standridge, Bonnie Taylor, Noah Trebec, Marissa Wade and BayLeigh Watson. The BOE also recognized Banks County High School senior Jay Harn for his recent performance at the Georgia High School Association Class AA state track meet in Jefferson. Harn won the state championship in the 200-meter and 800-meter events in the wheel chair competitions and was runner- up in the shot put. Superintendent Chris Erwin also announced Pam Strickland as the administrator of the year for 2007-08. Strickland, who oversees the special education program for the school system, has been in the education field for 35 years and will be retiring this summer. AM A KISH I Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar ENJOY A DINNER & A SHOW! 706-423-0040 228 Steven B. Tanger Blvd. • Commerce, GA 30529 Across From Home Depot Let us know your story ideas Have an interesting story to share? Do you have a unique hobby? If so, we would like to know. Contact Angie Gary, editor of The Banks County News, at 706-367-2490 or e-mail information to her at AngieEditor@aol.com. Do your part: Help keep Banks County beautiful! REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Professional Moving Services Bid Number 208-618 BANKS COUNTY, GEORGIA is requesting proposals, along with a statement of qualifications from qualified firms for moving services to relocate office furnishings, equipment and files for the new Banks County Courthouse Annex and the renovated Banks County Courthouse. To qualify for consideration, a firm must demonstrate experience with similar projects, availability of qualified personnel and ability to complete the work within a stated time period and budget. Interested firms must obtain a copy of the RFP packet and attend a mandatory presubmittal meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2008 at the Banks County Courthouse. Packets can be obtained by contacting either Angela Sheppard, Banks County Administrative Officer, at (706) 677-6200 ext. 105, or via e-mail at asheppard@co.banks.ga.us or Leonard Burris, Banks County Technology Administrator, at (706) 677 6841 or via e-mail at lburris@co.banks.ga.us. For consideration, proposals must be received no later than 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 by the Banks County Board of Commissioners, 144 Yonah- Homer Road, Suite 1, Homer, GA 30547. All proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope and marked with the following information: Your Company Name, Address & Phone Number, Bid No. 208-618, Professional Moving Services. Banks County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, to waive irregularities, informalities and technicalities, and award the contract in the best interest of Banks County. In no way will Banks County be obligated to award this project based solely on price or low bid. Any proposal received after 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 will be rejected. MEMORIAL DAY LI SUMMER S SALE FRI. THRU TUES., MAY 23 rd THRU MAY 27 th 12 MONTHS, NO INTEREST, NO PAYMENTS ON TOTAL LAWN & GARDEN PURCHASES, OUTDOOR FURNITURE & STORAGE OR GAS GRILLS OVER $299 WITH YOUR SEARS CARD w Offer applies lo total lawn & garden purchases over $299, oufdoor fumifure & storage purchases over $299 or gas grill purchases over $299 offer discounts and coupons when you use a qualifying Sears card and if paid in full within 12 months and account is kepi in good standing. Offer nol valid with Sears Commercial One' occounts. Offer good thru 5/27/2008. See our Important Customer Information below tor Important Deferred Interest defails. Excludes Outlet Stores. OR 5% CASH BACK AFTER ONLINE OR MAIL-IN REBATE ON TOTAL LAWN & GARDEN PURCHASES, OUTDOOR FURNITURE & STORAGE OR GAS GRILLS OVER $299 WITH YOUR SEARS CARD 5% rebate offer excludes Great Price Items. 5% rebate calculated on purchase price of item, less all discounts, coupons and reward certificates, not including tax, installation or delivery. Refumed and reconditioned merchandise not eligible for rebate. Offer not valid with Sears Commercial One* accounts. See store tor details. Excludes Outlet Stores. Offer good thru 5/27/2008. See sears.com for online rebate details. Of)% OFF ALL OUTDOOR FURNITURE AND KENMORE GAS GRILLS I I 20% 0(1 regular prices. Excludes Great Price Items, closeouts and accessories. 15% OFF ALL APPLIANCES & FLOOR CA Excludes Kenmore PRO', LG", Electrolux, compact refrigeration, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, sewing machines, water heaters, countertop appliances. Great Price items and closeouts. 12 MONTHS, NO INTEREST, NO PAYMENTS ON ANY APPLIANCE OVER $399 WITH YOUR SEARS CARDM* Offer applies to any appliance over $399 after discounts and coupons when you use a qualifying Sears card and If paid in full within 12 months and account is kept in good standing. See our Important Customer Information below for Important Deferred Interest details. Excludes Outlet Stores. OR FREE STANDARD DELIVERY AFTER ONLINE OR MAIL4N REBATE ON ANY APPLIANCE OVER $399 Free standard local delivery on any appliance over $399 after discounts and coupons. Standard delivery includes delivery within the local delivery area Mon. thru Fri. and delivery not requiring additional services or time. Customer pays an additional charge for non-standard delivery. Rebate values, local areas and additional charges vary. Maximum rebate value $75. See store for details. Excludes KitchenAld* built-in refrigeration and Outlet Stores. Offer good thru 5/29/2008. See sears.com for online rebate details. ^MAYIAG 1 A-mana SHOP SEARS.COM BUY ONLINE PICK-UP AT YOUR LOCAL SEARS STORE Excludes Alaska. COMMERCE SEARS OWNED & OPERATED BY ALLEN & JILL COOPER 40095 Hwy. 441 • Commerce, GA • (706) 335-3879 Open Mon.-Sat. 9-6; Sunday 11-4 COMMERCE Important Deferred Interest Promotional Offer Details FINANCE CHARGES accrue on a promotional purchase from the date of purchase at the regular purchase rate in effect from time to time and all accrued FINANCE CHARGES for the entire promotional period will be added to your account if the purchase is not paid in full by the end of the promotional period or if you default under your card agreement. Making the minimum monthly payment will not pay off your promotional purchase in time to avoid FINANCE CHARGES. With credit approval, for qualifying purchases made on a Sears card (Sears Commercial One® and Sears Home Improvement Account" accounts excluded unless otherwise indicated) Offer is only valid for consumer accounts in good standing and is subject to change without notice. May not be combined with any other credit promotional offer. Promotional offers of 14 months or more require minimum monthly payments as disclosed in the offer. Sears cards: APRs up to 26.49% but if your account has a variable APR, the APR is up to 29.24% as of 4/7/08 and may vary. Minimum Monthly FINANCE CHARGE: up to $1 See card agreement for details, including when the default rate applies. Sears cards are issued by Citibank (South Dakota). N.A. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED OR YOUR MONEY BACK": Exclusions apply. See Sears Return Policy for more details. Appliance prices shown are for white unless otherwise indicated. Colors, connectors, ice maker hook-up and installation extra. No extra charge for dishwasher colors. Excludes stainless steel finishes.'PCiR is a registered trademark of Procter and Gamble Company Cincinnati. Ohio, used under license by Sears. fTotal capacity. Some items may require assembly. See store for details. Authorized Retail Dealer SEARS DEALER R0P JA#805C003