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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2008 THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS PACE 2A Bids approved for work on Homer fire station BY SHARON HOGAN The Homer City Council ap proved a bid of $39,890 from Farr Electric, Gainesville, for labor and materials for electri cal work on the new fire station at its monthly meeting on Tues day, Dec. 9. This bid covers doing the minimum amount of work ac cording to the plans of the tem porary drawings, Mayor Doug Cheek said. A bid of $51,382 was also received from Tucker Electric, Athens, on this project. The council also approved a bid of $38,512 from Modem Design, Homer, to finish two bathrooms, hallway, kitchen and training room in the new fire station. Bids on this work were also received from Hodge Construc tion, Watkinsville, in the amount of $50,250, and Sims & Sims, Flowery Branch, for $62,695. OTHER BUSINESS In other business at the coun cil meeting: •the council approved a reso lution extending the current ser vice strategy delivery agreement until June 1, 2009. •the council discussed the Dec. 31 expiration of Bobby Lewallen's term on the hous ing board. No nomination was made for this position. •the council unanimously ap proved two Blue Cross health insurance plans to be offered to city employees. The current plan being offered to employ ees is going up 31 percent, from $358.05 per month for employ ee only to $472.27 per month for employee only. The council agreed to offer the same plan with the employee being given the option to pay the difference in the monthly premium. The second plan carries a premium of $349.33 per month for em ployee only. •the council set a called meet ing for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at city hall to discuss sala ries. The next regularly scheduled council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at city hall. BOE approves personnel items BY SHARON HOGAN The Banks County Board of Education approved two personnel items at the monthly board meeting on Monday. The resignation, effective Dec. 5, of June Carlan, me dia clerk, was approved and family medical leave was approved for Patsy Payne, Banks County Elementary School teacher. In other business at Mon day's meeting: •the board approved a project request for the gifted classes to sell Candy-Cane- Grams as a fund-raiser. •the board unanimously ap proved the meeting schedule for 2009. The board meetings will be held at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month, with the exception of Janu ary when the meeting will be held on the third Tuesday. •the board discussed the proposed 2009-10 school cal endar presented by Assistant Superintendent Donna Reed. Reed said, “We are still tak ing suggestions through this Friday.” The calendar will need to be approved in Janu ary or February at the latest, Superintendent Chris Erwin said. •Financial director Mike Beasley reported $259,732 was received for Novem ber ELOST. Beasley said as of Nov. 30 41.66 percent of the year is complete, overall income for the period is at 19.47 percent and overall ex penses are at 40.35 percent. •Lynn Suggs, Banks Coun ty High School Graduation Coach, gave a presentation on the Junior Leopard Men toring Program and several students were recognized. •the board recognized Dr. Bill Jackson as a mentor at Banks County Elementary School. Banks County schools given Several schools in the Banks County School System will receive financial awards for being named a Title I Distinguished School. Georgia has 777 Title I Distinguished Schools that made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for at least three years in a row. Title I Distinguished Schools that have made AYP for three consecutive years are awarded a certificate, while those who have made AYP four or more years receive a monetary award, paid for out of federal funds. Title I schools have a sig nificant population of stu dents who are economically disadvantaged and receive federal money to assist with the education of these stu dents. In Banks County, awards were given to: •Banks County Primary Title I awards School, $1,263 for consecu tively making AYP for nine years and seven years as a distinguished school. •Banks County Elementary School, $842 for consecu tively making AYP for six years and four years as a distinguished school. •Banks County Middle School, $842 for consecu tively making AYP for four years and two years as a dis tinguished school. Lula reports sewage spill A sewage spill has been re ported by the City of Lula. The spill occurred at the pump station at 5477 Hood Street on Wednesday, Dec. 10. The city reports that it was a “limited spill of raw sewage in an amount less than 100 gallons.” The spill was reportedly caused by a “significant” amount of rain that led a nearby creek to flood. This “resulted in surpassing Senior center to be closed for holiday The Banks County Senior Citi zen’s Center will be close Dec. 22 for the Christmas holidays. The office will reopen on Dec. 29. Meals will not be delivered while the office is closed. Anyone with an emergency is asked to call the center at 706- 677-3275. Messages will be checked each day. the capacity of the pump station,” city officials report. The property has been posted and the Georgia Environmental Protection Divi sion has been notified, as is the procedure for minor spills. “The city continues to moni tor the condition and pump sta tion’s performance and has a mechanical contractor reviewing operation of the facility,” leaders report. City works had completed the clean-up by Friday. Service Loan & Tax Don’t Lose Out On Those Holiday Sales. For that extra cash, we are now making tax refund loans! Call or come by today! Stop by and let us prepare your income taxes this year! Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 8:30-5:30 • Fri. 8:30-6:00 Kesha Ivory & Sandy Anderson Jeff Suggs & Connie Wood 49 Washington St. • Jefferson, GA 1730 N. Broad St. • Commerce, GA 706-367-9700 706-423-9660 All applications subject to our liberal credit policies. ABC Pawn & Connie's Jewel Box We Want & Appreciate Your Business. MERRY CHRISTmas! Sales On: • Jewelry • Firearms • Tools • Games & Systems • Guitars • Electronics • Computers • Helmets & Much More! LOW PRICES - FAST FRIENDLY SERVICE 3 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER: Commerce Jefferson Lavonia 706-335-3808 706-367-9994 706-356-4541 See Our Classified Ads Also! SANTA VISITS BANKS COUNTY CHAMBER Santa paid a visit to the Banks County Chamber of Commerce monthly break fast on Thursday, Dec. 11. Santa passed out goodies to those in attendance. Also shown is Dee Tolbert, Nicholson. Photo by Sharon Hogan SANTA CLAUSE AND REINDEER VISIT HOMER Santa Clause and four of his reindeer paid a visit to Homer last Sunday after noon, much to the delight of a huge crowd of children who stood in line with parents and other adults waiting to catch a closer glimpse of the reindeer and share with Santa all their dreams and wishes this Christmas. The visit by Santa was made possible by Homer merchant Bo Garrison who had the jolly old man and his hoofed friends stationed in front of his Amish store fronting Veterans Memorial Park. www.commercechrvslerdodgeieep.com COMMERCE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP (706) 335-2800 NO HASSLE! NO HAGGLE! ' ALL REMAINING 2008 CHRYSLER DODGE ^ AND JEEP VEHICLES IN STOCK ONLY Get the local school, church, sports ad other community news ielmrei 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! Expiration Phone or □ MC or □ VISA # MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. 33 Lee Street, P. O. Box 908 Jefferson, GA 30549 706-367-5233 Fax: 706-367-8056 Website: www.mainstreetnews.com