About The Banks County news. (Homer, Banks County, Ga.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2013)
PAGE 2A THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013 Gear up for Relay for Life on May 18 Parade, street dance in downtown Homer The annual Banks County Relay for Life will be held on Saturday, May 18, in downtown Homer on the square in front of the historic courthouse. The Relay for Life this year is a one-day event being held on Saturday, May 18, beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at 11 p.m. on the square in Homer in front of the historic courthouse. “The relay committee hopes that holding the event on one day rather than the usual day and overnight fundraiser that the community participation and crowd attendance will be greatly increased and sup portive,” organizer Charlotte Maxwell said. A parade and street dance are planned as part of this year’s Relay for Life. The parade will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 18. Anyone that would like to participate is asked to meet at the elementary school park ing lot by 9:30 a.m. The com mittee is looking for a variety of people to be a part of this special event. Because Relay for Life is a family-friendly event, youth of all ages are invited to ride their Big Wheels, tricycles, bicy cles and four-wheelers in the parade. Participants are also invited to decorate their rides. This group is asked to meet at the parking lot at Tiny Town. They will lead off the parade. Those who are under age 18 must submit a parental permis sion slip to participate. Antique cars, horse riders, bands, beauty queens, twirlers, tractors will also be a part of the race. Those who plan to par ticipate are asked to email the relay committee at keri.rowe@ cancer.org. For more infor mation, call Tim Harper, 706- 677-4230; Charlotte Maxwell, 706-335-6948; Joan Cochran, 706-335-6250; or Keri Rowe, 678- 858-3430. A street dance will begin at 6 p.m. with live bands playing a variety of music. Everyone is invited to bring a lawn chair and enjoy the entertainment. SURVIVORS WALK The Relay for Life committee is inviting all cancer survivors and their caregivers to attend the ceremonies. Cancer survi vors are invited to join the other survivors at the hospitality area at 7 p.m. prior to the inspi rational Survivors’ Lap. The celebration stand area, which is located next to the historic Homer courthouse, is reserved for survivors and their families. The highlight of the Relay for Life event is the Survivor Lap when only survivors and their families walk together during this special time. “It’s a celebration of the vic tories that the survivors have achieved over cancer,” Maxwell said. “It’s an emotional example of how Relay participants are creating a world with more birth days like those of each individ ual who is walking the survivor lap on the track. Spectators and relay teams are asked to line the pathway and cheer and clap as the survivors and their families complete this victory lap.” The event will include con cessions sold by the Relay teams. A live auction will take place from the stage area with a multitude of items to bid on. The time for this will be announced at the Relay. Children will be able to enjoy many activities such as inflatables. A toilet tis sue throw into an authentic out house built by one of the teams will test your throwing skill to win prizes. Teams from the schools, churches, businesses and indi viduals will be participating. LUMINARIES The Luminaria Ceremony will begin at sundown and pay tribute to loved ones who are courageously fighting against cancer and remembers those who have died. Each luminary is $5 and there is no limit to pur chase. Contact Maxwell at 706- 335-6948 or go by Honeysuckle Gifts and Such/Tnagles Salon in Homer to reserve a lumi naria. CHAIRMAN OF RELAY The 2013 honorary chairman for the Banks County Relay for Life this year is unique in the fact that both the wife and husband are each survivors of cancer. Their families have been strongly and emotionally touched by a situation, which no one ever hopes to affect them and their lives. Swayne and Wynnell Aaron have both battled cancer. In April of 1994, Wynnell was diagnosed with breast cancer. The following month she had surgery and in addition had reconstructive surgery followed by nine chemotherapy treat ments over the course of six months. In 2000, she had a reoccurrence in a lymph node, had it removed and was given 33 radiation treatments. In September of 2000, Swayne was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After having a bone marrow biopsy, the test result showed the cancer had spread to his bones. Six chemotherapy treat ments followed this diagnosis. Both continue to have check ups every six months and both are in remission. Maysville from ia searching for the right prop erty for “some time” and that the property at 48 Homer St. seems like a “good fit.” “It just seem like it worked out well for everyone involved,” added Presley. While the city paid cash for the property it is currently searching for state and federal grants to fund the park proj- ect. The city was previously awarded a $50,000 grant from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, which has been reallocated to fund the park development. While the council did not have an exact timeline for the development of the park, Presley said that it would be a work in progress for an extend- ed period of time. “It’s something we are going to grow in to,” he added. In other business, the coun cil reviewed the proposal of Withers Home Construction Inc. for the renovations to the second story of city hall. Paul Withers’ proposal included a total cost of $20,534.60 for materials and labor. Budget from 1A PUBLIC TRANSPORATION A cut of $1,000 was made to the proposed $86,450 FY2014 public transportation budget. HISTORIC BUILDING MAINTENANCE The commissioners didn’t make any cuts to the proposed $6,000 FY2014 budget for his toric building maintenance. NATURAL RESOURCES No cuts were made to the proposed $8,232 natural resources budget for FY2014. LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION A $3,000 cut was made to the proposed $95,000 FY2014 library administration budget. BUILDING INSPECTION Cuts totaling $1,800 were made to the proposed FY 2014 building inspection budget totaling $96,580. PLANNING AND ZONING Cuts totaling $4,100 were made to the $65,778 FY2014 budget proposed for the plan ning and zoning department. MAINTENANCE The BOC increased the proposed FY 2014 budget for the maintenance department by $31,337 to include salary and benefits for an additional maintenance person that was previously approved. The total recommended FY2014 budget is $123,311. PROBATE COURT Betty Thomas, probate court judge, came before the com missioners on Wednesday to discuss the probate court bud get. Thomas wanted to make the BOC aware that the probate court budget could increase if Banks County is required to fund a prosecutor for probate court due to a new law going into effect. Thomas said at the current time she didn’t know when the new law would be signed nor the date it would take effect. PROBATION The commissioners ques tioned Thomas about the pro bation budget. Hooper said, “How much interaction does she (proba tion officer) have with proba tioners on a daily basis?” Thomas said she didn’t have a figure on this, but she was sure she could get those num bers for the BOC. “I think this definitely could be a part-time job,” Turk said. Thomas explained to the commissioners that the proba tion officer also helps out in the probate judge’s office. “She helps out in my offi cer also,” Thomas said. “She answers the phone and any thing else she can do to help.” PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Dr. David Westfall, District II Public Health Director, talked to the commissioners about the $25,000 increase being requested for FY 2014. Westfall told the BOC that the $25,000 increase would allow the health department to have two nurses and end the year with two months in operating funds. The commissioners ques tioned Westfall about the $10,838 expense for contract ed environmental health ser vices. Westfall explained this expense is for a shred environ mental health position. Hooper also questioned Westfall about the possibility of having the health depart ment open 30 minutes later each, close 30 minutes earlier and have a program assistant for five hours per day instead of eight hours per day. “I am from the old school where you do more with less,” Hooper said. Hooper added, “I am in agreement with having two nurses. Cut contracted ser vices by $5,000 and I would be inclined to go for the addi tional $25,000.” At Wednesday’s meeting, the BOC also approved sur- plusing and old tanker owned by the county. Reece explained the tanker was once used for asphalt. Rabies clinic to be held Saturday Banks County will hold its annual rabies vacci nation clinics on Saturday May 4, at six locations around the county. Owners of dogs and cats will be asked to bring their pets to one of the locations for the annual treatment against rabies. Georgia law requires that every dog or cat over the age of three months be vaccinated every year. The shots will cost $11. Other yearly vaccina tions and testing will be available during the clinics at additional charges for those pet owners who are interested. During the past 12 months, Banks County officials encountered 13 cases of rabies (11 in skunks and two in raccoons) but tested two dogs, five cats, 12 skunks, two foxes, four rac coons and a bat for the disease. One individual had to undergo post-exposure treatment for rabies, and eight animals had to be euthanized for testing. CLINIC SCHEDULE The schedule of clinics, conducted by Commerce Veterinary Hospital, includes: New Salem United Methodist Church, 1:00 to 1:30; Boling Farm Supply, 2:00-2:40; Irvin’s Store, Hollingsworth, 3:00-3:30; Homer Hardware, 3:45- 4:15; Mt. Carmel Church, 4:30-5:15; and Lula City Hall, 5:30-6:15. For more information, call the Banks County Health Department (706-677-5009 or Commerce Veterinary Hospital (706-335-5111). Lula renews liability insurance BY CAMERON WHITLOCK The Lula City Council held a special called meeting last Friday April 26, to discuss the renewal of the city’s liability insurance. The council received two quotes - one from Selective Insurance Group at $30,140, and one from Glatfelter Insurance Group at $28,889 - for insur ance premiums. The quote from Glatfelter was eight percent higher than last year’s premium. After brief discussion, the council voted unanimously to accept the renewal of Lula’s liability insurance with Glatfelter Insurance Group. OTHER BUSINESS In other business, the council: •voted to increase the profes sional consulting and engineer ing services from Rindt McDuff on the Streetscape II project by $1,963. The Streetscape II proj ect has been delayed by the DOT until June 2014; therefore, Rindt McDuff requested extra funds due to the extended time line. • approved a drainage design proposal from Rindt McDuff for the Streetscape III project at a cost of $6,720, which will be paid out of the SPLOST VI fund. The city recently conducted a survey to project elevations around the Main Street area, which runs from Athens Street to Cobb Street. The city staff indicated that the city might be able to finish phase III of the streetscape project before the city begins phase II. •denied a request from the Norton Agency for the city to contribute $12,000 toward fixing a privately owned storm water drain/piping located at the inter section of Highway 365 and Belton Bridge Road. Commerce First United Methodist Church Preschool Registering for 2013 School Year Two, Three, and Four year old classes LEARN, SHARE, LAUGH, and GROW 54 Cherry Street Commerce, Ga. 30529 706-335-9589 Christian Based Education yuimiitn Ctnysler Dodge Jeep Ram RAM WARRANTY LIFETIME OF PROTECTION AT NO EXTRA COST ^// Jeep 2377 Homer Rd. Commerce, GA 30529 706-335-2800
