About The Islander. (St. Simons Island, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (April 13, 2009)
THE ISLANDER, APRIL 13, 2009, PAGE 5 Park & Tree Board Continued from Page 2 “The park and tree board will provide education to the public on the impor tance of keeping the tree cover on their private property,” said Chilton, “If trees need to come down for development or other reasons, then we’ll recommend that they be replaced.” “We are also going to try to revive the honorarium program, in which people can donate trees to honor local citizens,” said Chilton, “This was a program the city had in the past. There are some trees planted in and around Howard Coffin Park that were planted as part of that program. It has been stopped but we are going to try to get it restarted.” “Also, one of our long term goals is a city arboretum,” said Chilton, “But that’s on our long term wish list.” At the end of 2008, Brunswick’s P&TB was re-designated a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. Brunswick was named a Tree City some years ago and then lost the desig nation about five years ago. Mayor Brian Thompson said it was first established approximately 12 years prior to former Mayor Brad Brown's first term in office. There are four requirements for the Tree City USA designation, according to Thompson. They are: • Create a tree board; • Develop a tree care ordinance; • Maintain a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita (Thompson said Brunswick's is roughly $35,000 per year); and • Hold an Arbor Day observance with a proclamation. "Arbor Day is April 24," said Chilton, "We are currently planning our celebra tion. We will do a commemoration and plant another tree, although the site hasn't been decided yet." Asked for a time frame on the tree ordinance, Chilton said, "This is work in progress, but we hope to have it done by the end of the year." “I First Annual Mother Nature Festival on JI Celebrate Spring on Jekyll Island with the first annual Jekyll Island Mother Nature Festival on Saturday, April 18. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is the main hub of event festivities. From 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., the Center will host an eco-friendly exhibitor area, eco-craft zone, outdoor entertainment and silent auction. Environmental organizations, artists, and shops will exhibit their eco-conscious and nature- related wares. Simultaneously, in the children’s eco-Other activities include a Family Fishing Day sponsored by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, an Eco-Book Fair at Jekyll Books, a kite buggy demonstration on the beach, and a herpetology session at Tidelands Nature Center. All of these events are free and open to the public. The Jekyll Island parking fee will be waived on April 18 for all guests driving a hybrid vehicle to the festi val. For more information visit www. jekyllisland.com/mothernaturefesti- val or call 1-877-4JEKYLL. □ New City animal facility Continued from Page 1 would be included in the next fiscal year's budget (2009/2010) and that all the commissioners are on board with the idea. "When the City decided to take on its own animal care we began to look at the cost of a (animal care) facility," Chief Johnson said. "We found an alternative in that we were presented with a low kill, no kill facility and the (City) commission thought that was a great idea." "We realized we didn't want to return to killing animals," she said. "We want to establish a positive pro gram with a quality life for all the City's animals." Chief Johnson said that the shelter facility would "make its own money." According to the Chief and to the Mayor the location, still undisclosed, will be close to a residential area, accessible to the community, include a police substation, a dog park, and community facilities such as meeting rooms. Chief Johnson gave The Islander a draft annual operating expense figure of $275,000 per year which includes a shelter director, two officers and an operations manager plus all costs to operate the shelter. According to the Mayor the shelter design itself is simple as well as simple to operate. He estimated that the facil ity would house 120 dogs and 150 to 175 cats. Chief Johnson introduced Sgt. Rus sell Berger who heads up Animal Con trol and also works internal affairs. Sgt. Berger said a feral cat ordinance is in the works to augment the City's current animal ordinances. The new ordinance, when approved, will stop indiscriminate trapping and protect the City's feral cats. "We are becoming educated on what we can do differently in unwanted, stray animal care," Mayor Thompson said. "We are committed to the safety, well being and care of the animals in our community." Thompson said he hoped the City's new shelter facility would be up and running "this time next year." □ Come enjoy the money-smart privileges of membership. Now more than ever, it pays to belong to a credit union. • Higher interest on your savings • Lower interest on your loans • Free checking with interest • Reduced fees • No Origination Fee on home mortgages • Quick and easy small and short-term loans When you’re a member at Sea Island Credit Union, you’re also one of the owners. That means you’ll always get the helpful attention you need. And it means profits are passed on to you as higher savings rates and lower loan rates, since there are no shareholders. Call or stop by today to find out more about membership. Brunswick 4401 Altama Ave. 912-264-7533 800-280-8213 St. Simons Island 495 Sea Island Rd. 912-264-7533 800-280-8213 All loans subject to standard credit criteria. NCUA SEA ISLAND CREDIT UNION Like a bank, only better.
