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WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2008 THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS PACE 3A Lula post office named in honor of solider Hart responds to official's concern over Commerce water reservoir Enviro-Grind Mulching Service — Have Underbrush & Hedge Taken Over? ENVIRO-GRIND Can Make Your Property Have A More Park-Like Appearance. 706-680-0346 www.enviro-grind.com • Mitchell Owensby POST OFFICE TRIBUTE Lula postmaster, Jimmy Turk, unveils a mockup of the plaque that hangs in the post office. The Original Mexican Restaurant! Not affiliated with any other restaurant. Summer hours, activities set for BCHS The chairman of the Banks County Board of Commissioners has assured the city of Commerce that an egg production plant near Gillsville will not adversely affect the city reservoir. At Monday night's Commerce City Council work session, Mayor Charles L. Hardy Jr. read a letter from Gene Hart responding to a letter the city sent Hart in June. At that time, water and sewer man ager Bryan Harbin reported that the Country Charm Egg Distributors plant under construction posed a threat to the reservoir. Harbin report ed that the contractor grading the site had violated the required stream buffer and that the Environmental Protection Division “had turned its head” on enforcement of soil ero sion and sedimentation regulations. Not so, responded Hart. The Banks County chairman reported that the 100-foot buffer on both sides of a tributary to the Grove River (which feeds the city reservoir) are intact, that no imper vious surface will be closer than 150 feet of the tributary, and that no septic tanks or septic tank drain fields are in the setback area along the tributary. Hart also pointed out that the com pany's development plan calls for no poultry houses within 2,400 feet of the Grove River and that a large sedimentation basin will drain run off and trap sediment during con struction. “We continue to discuss and moni tor this operation in cooperation with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission and the president of Country Charm, Mr. Brent Booker,” the letter con cluded. “All entities are working together to ensure that this facility meets state and local requirements. By coordinating with all applicable agencies and entities, we feel there is no threat to the quality of water in the Grove River Reservoir.” The project will comprise 12 poul try houses, each holding 96,000 lay ers. Back at the June city council work session, Harbin had expressed concern not about poultry wastes, but about the residue from washing the eggs. There was no discussion of the matter after Hardy read Hart’s let ter. Family Connnections continues to accept applications for school supplies Banks County Family Connection is accepting applications for those families needing assistance for school supplies. Families will need to apply at the Family Connection office on Evans Street located next to DFCS. Families must be in the income brackets listed below in order to receive the free supplies. Proof of income and address must be pre sented. Family size Income 2 1,484 3 1,861 4 2,238 5 2,615 6 2,992 Applications must be received by July 10 in order for students to receive school supplies and a book bag (Kindergarten through 6th will receive a book bag). Applications received after July 10 will receive school items that are available. The annual event will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, in the park downtown Homer. School supplies will be provided to students who are enrolled in Banks County schools. In addition to providing school supplies, there will also be free hot dogs and drinks. A variety of games and entertainment has been planned for the families. “Help is needed in collecting school supply items or monetary donations,” Trotter said. “If you are interested in helping, contact the office for a list of supplies.” For more information, contact Robin Trotter at 706-677-1303, or if you would like to mail your dona tion, sent to Banks County Family Connection, P.O. Box 452, Homer, Ga., 30547. AN AMERICAN HERO Members of the Patriot Guard Riders held flags during the ceremony. Approximately 2000 people were present for the ceremony honoring Johnathon Millican. of Commerce BY JUSTIN POOLE A pproximately 200 peo ple were present for a ceremony Thursday in Lula for the unveiling of the Pfc. Johnathon Millican Lula Post Office and posthumous presentation of the Silver Star to Millican’s mother, Mary Lykens, and sisters. Millican was killed in combat in Karbala, Iraq, January 2007. Lula Mayor Milton Turner wel comed the crowd and thanked those in attendance for showing their sup port for the family. "He was a warrior to us,” said Turner. “We are so proud that we can honor him today here at the post office.” Millican’s elementary school teacher, Sara Justice, also spoke fondly remembering the character of the young boy she taught, and the man he grew into. "He was a hometown boy,” said Justice. “He had a huge heart. He was a natural leader ... and would assist in any way.” Justice continued to say that after Millican joined the army he spoke to her with enthusiasm about serving the country. Because the post office is a federal building, Congress has to approve a bill to be signed by the president into law to change the name. Congressman Nathan Deal spon sored the re-designation bill, and spoke a few words at the ceremony. Deal said that the life of Millican was a culmination of efforts of all the people and that Millican was someone who probably never thought he would be regarded as a hero. “He did what he thought was expected of him at his place in the history of this great country,” said Deal. “I hope that as people go into the Lula post office, they will be reminded that heroes walk among us every day.” Lula Postmaster Jimmy Turk took the podium to unveil the post office IN REMEMBRANCE Sara Justice spoke about the character and the type of per son Johnathon Millican was. Justice was Millican's fifth grade teacher. Summer hours at Banks County High School are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. A counselor is available July 14-18, July 21-25 and July 28-Aug. 1. The records’ clerk is available July 8-9, 15, 25 and 28 and Aug. 1. New student registration will be July 14-18 from 1-3:30 p.m.; July 21-25 from 8-11:30 a.m. and July 28-31 from 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. In order to complete the registra tion process, the following items are necessary: •proof of Banks county residence (only power bills, water bills, land line phones or rental/lease agree ments are accepted). •a copy of the student’s social security card. •a copy of the student’s birth cer tificate. •photo identification of the legal guardian. •official withdrawal form from previous school. •discipline record from previous school. •immunization record. •hearing, vision and dental form. •attendance record from previous school. •all records for new students must be in an envelope sealed by the previous school or faxed to Banks County High School from the pre vious high school to be considered official. IN HONOR OF SERVICE The newly renamed Pfc. Johnathon Millican Lula Post office. A dedication ceremony was held last week. Photos by Justin Poole signs and a mockup of the plaque that hangs inside the building. Following the re-designation cer emony, a medal presentation was conducted presenting the Silver Star to Lykens. The Silver Star is award ed for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States and is the third highest military award given for valor in the face of the enemy. Bobby Burns of the Georgia Chapter of the Patriot Guard Riders presented the family with a plaque in honor of Millican’s service and sacrifice. After the presentations, Sylina Buehne, Millican’s aunt, spoke on behalf of the family thanking everyone who contributed and was involved in the process of having the post office named. “We have been brought togeth er today, by Private First Class Johnathon Millican’s actions of bravery and heroism,” said Buehne. Last week’s post office dedica tion ceremony concluded with a three-volley salute and the playing of Taps by the Hall County Honor Guard. PORTRAIT OF A HERO Private first class Johnathon Millican was killed in action Jan. 20, 2007 in Karbala, Iraq. FORTSON Well Drilling & Environmental Services, Inc. Residential & Commercial Services • 6” Drilled Wells • Water Filtration and Purification • Water Conditioning Systems • Irrigation Systems • Monitoring Wells • Remediation Wells Customer Satisfaction Is Important To Us. We Invite You To Check Us Out. PHONE 795-2717 FAX 795-3713 Located 5 Miles North Of Danielsville On Hwy. 281 Danielsville, Georgia Keep Banks County beautiful! $ 5 00 OFF Ticket Of $ 20°° Or More. Valid with coupon Mon.-Thurs. only. La Hacienda Commerce La Hacienda Jefferson 173 Steven B. Tanger Blvd. 605 Athens Street 706-335-7458 706-367-5095 W & W METAL ROOFING “We Got You Covered” Residential • Commercial • Agricultural • Ship Anywhere In The USA • We Stock Your Metal Needs • Visit Our Showroom www.wwmetalroofing.com 706-654-5836 30 Year Paint "4 m: IU Hwy. 60 / Candler Hwy. • Pendergrass, Ga. 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