About The Islander. (St. Simons Island, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (April 6, 2009)
PAGE 2, APRIL 6, 2009, THE ISLANDER Page 2 Georgia Pacific donates to GICA Georgia Pacific (GP) Cellulose and GP Gypsum presented a corporate contribution to members of the Golden Isles Career Academy (GICA) Board last week at the GP Gypsum plant. The check was for $27,500 and represents an installment as part of a five year GP commitment of $150,000 to support the Golden Isles Career Academy. On hand to receive the check from left to right: Dr. Ralph Gornto, Glynn County Schools Director of Career, Technical and Agricultural Educa tion; Andy Lundell, GICA CEO; Curt Riggen, Manager of Gypsum Plant; Tom Connelly, GICA Board Chair; Tony Thaw, Glynn County Commis sion (Dist. 3); Millard Allen, Chair Glynn County Board of Education; and David Martinez, Plant Manager Brunswick Cellulose/Georgia Pacific. Fendig to ran for District Cap Fendig, a two term Repub lican Glynn County Commissioner announced recently he will run for the District 3 Georgia Senate seat. Fendig stated that he was responding to many calls from friends and supporters who were encouraging him to run. “Public office is about serving,” Fen dig said. “I am once again offering my services to serve people." Before going public with his announcement, Fendig met face to face with the incumbent, Jeff Chapman, Georgia Senate Seat 2010 and another committed candidate to inform them of his intentions. Fendig promises a campaign on issues and not personal character destruction. -By offering to run for the District 3 Senate seat, I am giving voters an early chance to weigh in on their concerns and help shape policy that would be advocated in Atlanta if elected. People can give me their feedback by calling 912-399-5007 or email me; cap@capfen- dig.com." □ Nalley Honda proudly supports Please join our team! David Hunt and Al Lim 178 Altama Connector (912)267-7000 Brunswick GA 31525 www.nalleyauto.com (800) 625-5394 Teens and parents to get straight talk about Georgia laws The Glynn Academy PTSA has arranged for J. Tom Morgan, former DeKalb County (Ga.) dis trict attorney and now a lawyer in private practice, to speak to parents and teens on Thursday, April 16 at 7 p.m. in the school's Memorial Auditorium. The author of Ignorance Is No Defense: A Teen ager's Guide to Georgia Law, Morgan speaks can didly about Georgia's criminal laws regarding sex, alcohol, drugs and theft. Morgan, who has lectured throughout the United States, Europe, Mexico and Puerto Rico, is the first cousin of local Superior Court Judge Amanda Wil liams. A question and answer session with the audience will be held after Morgan's presentation. Morgan will also address Glynn Academy students at an assembly on Friday, April 17. His presentation will help to reinforce GA Princi pal Dr. Steven Ballowe's "5 Ds - drinking, drugs, driv ing, dumb and dead." As DeKalb County dis trict attorney, Morgan pros ecuted the first teenager in Georgia, a 14 year old, as an adult for murder under Georgia's 7 Deadly Sins law. Representing teenag ers who found themselves on the wrong side of the law motivated him to write a book that explains Georgia's laws in an easy to understand language for teenagers and parents. Morgan's book will be available for purchase after the program on April 16, which is being sponsored by the Glynn Acad emy PTSA with support from Outback Steakhouse. □ J. Tom Morgan Glynn County School System seeks Parent input The Glynn County School System is conducting an online survey for par ents to provide their opinion on how to best utilize teacher training resources. To receive certain federal funds, the school system must complete a needs assessment of school system stakehold ers, including parents. Parents of students in the Glynn County School System are encouraged to visit www.glynn.kl2.ga.us and click on the "Parent Survey" link under the Important Dates and Events header in the right column of the home page. The 20-question survey will be available from April 15 to May 15. No names are required, all answers are confidential and participants will never be identified. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission will compile the surveys and disseminate results to the Glynn County School System. For more information, call 912-267- 4100, ext. 1525. □ Tax Office Reminder School Tax Exemption Deadline Extension Homeowners who are 65 years of age or older on January 1, and whose income together with the income of the spouse does not exceed $40,000 for the immediately preceding year may claim an additional exemption from School Ad valorem tax. Income in this instance is defined as Georgia Net Taxable Income. The deadline for filing for this exemption is April 1, but for this year only the time allowed for application of this exemption has been extended until April 20, 2009. Bring in the 2008 Proof of Income (State, Federal Tax Return). If State and Federal Income Tax is not required to be filed, bring documents reflecting the total Household Income (Social Security, Retirement...etc.) Must supply Social Security Number and Picture I.D. (New voted on November 2008) Under Georgia law, all property is to be returned and assessed at fair market value every year (O.C.G.A. 48-5-6). Counties are required to establish a value as of January 1 of each year that meets the definition of fair market value pursuant to O.C.G.A. 48-5-2. There is not a state mandated revaluation schedule, rather the counties annually review the values on the digest compared to sales data and if property values are determined to be either too low or too high then values are updated. Taxpayers may challenge an assessment by the county board of tax assessors by appealing in writing to the county board of equalization or to an arbitrator or arbitrators within 45 days from the date of notice. Taxpayers may file an appeal on matters regarding value, uniformity, and denial of homestead exemption. Once a decision has been made by the county board of equalization or by an arbitrator or arbitrators, the taxpayer may appeal their decision to the Superior Court of Glynn County by mailing or filing with the county board of tax assessors a written notice of appeal.
