Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

Merry Christmas Published by Permar Publications ssislander@bellsouth.net December 18, 2023 Established in 1972 Vol 51 Issue 51 Legislators speak to Republican Women Last week Glynn County’s legislative delegation spoke to the Golden Isles Republican Women’s Club during a lunch meeting at Bennies Red Barn. Left to right are Senator Mike Hodges, Representative Steven Sainz and Representative Rick Townsend. Islander Staff Photo - Shierling State Representatives walk out prior to house vote on Hamas condemnation Juvenile Center could by under way by May By Matthew J. Permar Although nothing is set in stone and while there is still some prep work and approvals to get done, construction on Glynn County’s new Juvenile Justice Center could break ground by next May, accord ing to county officials. County Project Manager Jason Hagen updated local media last week (Wednesday, Dec. 13) on the project and pro vided copies of the architect’s rendering of the building. The building will be lo cated on the northern side of the property where the for mer County Detention Center once stood. It will be across Reynolds St. from the County Courthouse. Several years ago, during the tenure of the previous Glynn County Board of Com missioners (BOC) and admin istration, local Superior Court judges came to the BOC and requested upgrades to the Courthouse. The fundamental problems were poor security and lack of space. The Courthouse was re portedly too small when it was built in the 1990s and since then the population and crime have increased. In addition, since that time the Governor created a position for a fifth Superior Court judgeship and the Courthouse has become overcrowded. The Heery consulting firm was hired to do an overall space study and made a num ber of recommendations. In a more recent study, it was pointed out that one of the most critical aspects of the overall judicial system was the fact that the Juvenile Court is housed in the Office Park building on Gloucester St. and has very poor security in general. Turn to Page 12 Juvenile Center Speaking to the Golden Isles Republican Woman last week (Dec. 11), Representa tive Rick Townsend (R-179) said quite a few Democrats left the house floor prior to the vote on HR 4, a resolution con demning Hamas terrorism. The resolution passed during the recent special session. “Some just sat in their seats and did not vote,” Townsend said. “I was extremely dis appointed, shocked and dis mayed that some of my fel low legislators would do this. This was a bipartisan resolu tion sponsored by Rep. Brent Cox (R-Dawsonville) and Rep. Esther Panitch (D-Sandy Springs).” Note: It is against Georgia House rules to be in the House chamber and not vote. Rule By Pamela Permar-Shierling 131 - “The refusal of any mem ber present to vote, unless ex cused, shall be deemed in con tempt of the House.” Democrats who did not vote are: Solomon Adesanya - Marietta Kimberly Alexander - Hiram Imani Barnes - Tucker Debra Basemore - South Fulton Eric Bell - Jonesboro Roger Bruce - Atlanta Doreen Carter - Lithonia Jasmine Clark - Lilburn Terry Cummings - Mableton Viola Davis - Stone Mountain Demetrius Douglas - Stockbridge Gloria Frazier - Hephzibah Spencer Frye - Athens Carl Gillard - Savannah Sharon Henderson - Covington Betsy Holland - Atlanta Karlton Howard - Augusta Derrick Jackson - Tyrone Edna Jackson - Savannah Sheila Jones - Atlanta Gregg Kennard - Lawrenceville Pedro Marin - Duluth Dewey McClain - Lawrenceville Farooq Mughal - Dacula Gabe Okoye - Lawrenceville David Sampson - Albany Kim Schofield - Atlanta Sandra Scott - Rex Anne Allen Westbrook - Savannah Turn to Page 5 Walk out Surfin the News County-Wide News - Read County-Wide Page 3 - Jekyll Island sea turtle highlights Page 10 - Tree / light recycling Page 4 - URA helps with Newcastle electricity Page 11 - Taste of Glynn event Page 6 - Exchange Club & Pilot Club team up Page 14 - Pew Page 8 - GICCA Nursing Assistants pinned Page 16 - Back Talk Special to The Islander The Star of Bethlehem: Fact or Fantasy By Dr. Diane Bowen What are your thoughts about the “Christmas” star? Is it just a cute tinsel or silver topper for your tree, a story to entertain children at Christ mas time along with Frosty and Elf on shelf? Or is it real? Are you interested in learn ing more? So was Johannes Kepler, the famous astronomer who discovered the laws of plan etary motions. In the early 1600s, he observed a very unusual conjunction of plan ets and hypothesized that the Star of Bethlehem could be a planetary conjunction. He was preparing a Bible study lesson on the Star of Bethlehem, and that study Turn to Page 2 The Star City PAC refuses to approve 3210 Glynn Ave. site plan By Pamela Permar- Shierling Last week (Dec. 13) the Brunswick City Planning and Appeals Commission (PAC) voted to send the 3210 Glynn Avenue 90 per cent site plan to the City Commission with a recommendation to deny. This is the second time this plan has come before the PAC. The first time the PAC saw the 90 percent site plan was on Nov. 8. They voted four to one to require the developer, Maritime Homes, LLC, to come back saying the site plan was not 90 percent complete even though the City’s Plan ning Department staff recom mended approval. The staff report dotted all the i’s and crossed all the t’s Turn to Page 13 City PAC 0 9492229970 3