About The Banks County news. (Homer, Banks County, Ga.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (June 18, 2008)
PAGE 2A THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2008 JEMC representatives speak at Chamber meeting ELECTRIC CAR ON DISPLAY Several members of the Banks County Chamber of Commerce are shown at Thursday's breakfast meeting looking over the electric car on display. The car was presented by Jackson Electric Membership Corporation. BY SHARON HOGAN anks County Chamber of Commerce members heard from Jackson Electric Membership Corporation repre sentatives at the monthly breakfast meeting on Thursday. Bonnie Jones, JEMC, spoke to the group about the cooperative’s Operation Round-up. Jones said JEMC has 90 percent participation from its members for this project. The average costs for the project is $6 per person per year. “Every dime collected goes into grants,” she said. So far, $2.45 million has been put back into the community, she added. Banks County organizations have been the recipients of $60,000 in grants thus far, Jones said. She urged Banks County organizations to apply for the grants. Alan Shedd, JEMC, talked to the group about green power. Shedd had the electric car on display for the members to see. The JEMC vehicle is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Shedd said at night while he is home he plugs the car in to the electrical outlet and, during the day while at work, he plugs the car in also. The car also runs on gas when it is not operating off the electricity. Hybrid vehicles average $4,000 more in cost than a regular vehicle, Shedd said. Shedd also discussed using solar heating in homes. “It takes three to five years to see a return on your money for this,” Shedd said. Shedd said JEMC does offer solar rebate programs to its customers. OTHER BUSINESS In other business at Thursday’s JONES TALKS TO CHAMBER Bonnie Jones, Jackson Electric Membership Corporation, talked with Banks County Chamber of Commerce mem bers at Thursday's break fast about the cooperative's Operation Round-up. Jones said $2.45 million has been collected thus far in the proj ect. All of the money collected goes into grants. meeting: •Tara Fulcher, chamber director, said members of the Entrepreneur Friendly Initiative traveled to Statesboro on Wednesday to the Georgia One Authority board meet ing to receive a signed proclama tion declaring Banks County as an Entrepreneur Friendly county. •Tom Murphy, Murcon Web Site Developing, Pendergrass, was rec ognized as a new members. Chamber chairman Helen Hewell and Fulcher presented Murphy with a member ship plaque. James Luthi, FusionWorks Technologies, was also recognized as new member. •Fulcher announced the grand opening and ribbon cutting to be held at 11 a.m. at Funopolis, Hwy. 441, on Friday, June 20. •Chamber board member Todd Hubbard, JEMC, spoke to the mem- bers about the importance of the chamber committees. •Fulcher announced the political forum to be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, at the Banks County High School auditorium. UP NEXT The next monthly breakfast meet ing of the chamber will be held at 8 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, in the meeting room at First Georgia Bank. MURPHY RECOGNIZED Tom Murphy (C), Murcon Web Site Developing, Pendergrass, was recognized as a new member at the Thursday breakfast meeting of the Banks County Chamber of Commerce. Also shown are: Tara Fulcher (L) chamber director, and Helen Hewell (R), chamber chairman. Murphy was presented with a member ship plaque. Photos by Sharon Hogan Lula officials hold meeting on water district requirements BY SHARON HOGAN The Lula City Council held a called meeting on Wednesday, June 11, to discuss the require ments of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District. City manager Dennis Bergin pre sented the council members with a copy of the water planning dis trict’s audit checklist and long term wastewater management requirements. “We (City of Lula) passed the audit,” Bergin said. “However, we want them to know what is expect ed of them down the road.” Bergin explained the city is under a new draft review for the district requirements. “We want them to play a role in understanding what’s going to be expected of them not only today, but two or three years from now,” Bergin said. Bergin pointed out even though the city passed the district’s audit, with the city to soon start construc tion on a new $2 million waste- No citizens attend three Lula hearings BY SHARON HOGAN The Lula City Council held three public hearings last week on to dis cuss the proposed 2008-09 general fund budget. No citizens turned out for the hearings. The total proposed general fund budget is $629,454. water treatment plant, compliance will continue. Bergin said under water planning requirements, the city has to moni tor water quality levels in streams flowing from Habersham County that do not even run through Lula’s city limits. The cost to the city for the first year of this monitoring is $43,000. Mayor Milton Turner encour- aged everyone to vote yes on the city’s upcoming Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) 6 referendum. “We have to support SPLOST 6 in Hall County,” Turner said. “All the regulations are going to cost the city money. It (SPLOST 6) will fund about $1.2 million of upgrades to our old water and sewer lines.” Count the Numbers of High Blood Pressure 7 in 3 people have high blood pressure.* High blood pressure can appear at any time, any age, any gender or race. If left untreated or uncontrolled, you could be at a higher risk for kidney failure, stroke or heart attack. Participants are needed for a research study of people with high blood pressure. People with high blood pressure who are currently not taking blood pressure medication or are taking only one blood pressure medication may be eligible for this trial. This study will test a currently marketed combination medication to see if it helps to lower blood pressure. To start counting your numbers, contact us at 770-534-5154 or 1-877-CARE-UOC www.BloodPressureResearch.com Volunteer For Your Future. ‘American Heart Association, Jan. 2008 To l be RTiiuij Bradford 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. Clayton Street, Suite 514 • Athens, GA 30601 Jefferson • 706-367-5290 • 62 Washington Street • Jefferson, Georgia 30549 Approval of the SPLOST 6 vote would also help the city offset the cost of continuing compli ance with water district planning requirements, Turner added. TALKING ABOUT ELECTRIC POWER Banks County Chamber of Commerce members heard a pre sentation from Alan Shedd, Jackson Electric Membership Corporation, on solar and electric power at the breakfast meet ing on Thursday. Shedd had the JEMC electric car on display for members to see. Served with commitment, dedication and honor Proven leadership with the Sheriffs office Fiscal responsibility - working within budget Effective, fair, impartial law enforcement I would appreciate your vote on July 15 for the privilege to serve as your sheriff. VOTE FOR AND RE-ELECT CHARLES CHAPMAN SHERIFF BANKS COUNTY
