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PAGE 2A — THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL. THURSDAY. JANUARY 22, 2009 New water tank goes up; IDA agrees to 6 in-house’ engineer By Margie Richards margie@mains treetne ws. com Madison County’s newest water system tank is now “in the air” next to EMS Station 1 on Hwy. 98 West. The tank is expected to be in service by April, Industrial Authority utility director Steve Shaw said. This tank joins the Madico Park, Hull-Sanford, and Hwy. 72 water towers. Shaw said construction should be finished at the tank site in a week and that bids for painting the tank will be opened on Feb. 10. The tank project is expected to come in at approximately $400,000 when complete, Shaw noted, more than $200,000 less than if a new tank had been purchased. The tank was moved from Center after Jackson County declared it surplus proper ty and sold it for $10. Stacy Jenkins, water service manager for the Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority, said the tank has a 250,000-gallon capacity. Executive director Marvin White said the tank is in great shape. In other business, the IDA agreed Monday night to approve an intergovernmental agreement with the board of commissioners for the services of an in-house engineer, if the county agrees to hire one. The IDA estimated Monday night that it has spent between $200,000 - $250,000 per year on engineering services - money, it says could better be spent laying water and sewer lines. White said the county and IDA should look to sharing the services, and the salary, of a county engineer. Chairman Bruce Azevedo said it is important that the IDA con tinuously look for ways to save money. “We need to look at every thing as we continue to grow,’’ Azevedo said. “And engineer ing costs are getting out of con trol.’’ BOC chairman Anthony Dove, also an ex-officio mem ber of the IDA board, said the BOC’ had appeared receptive to the idea of hiring and sharing the services of a county engi neer. And he pointed out that the BOC has also had to spend money for engineering work by outside firms. Dove agreed to put the matter on an upcoming BOC agenda for further discussion. In other business, the IDA heard from utility director Steve Shaw that the water author ity billed 592 customers for December, with a water use of 3.25 million gallons. Shaw also reported that water line instal lation along Hwy. 29 South is almost complete, with only 4,000 feet left to install. He esti mated that the job should be finished in less than two weeks. The EPD has approved a discharge permit for the Hull- Sanford sewer project, execu tive director Marvin White said, adding that they hope to be able to bid the project following the anticipated approval of GEFA loan funds on Jan. 27. 2009 Relay for Life Kickoff set for Monday The 2009 Madison County Relay for Life Kickoff is set for Monday, Jan. 26, at the Sanford Community Center Refreshments will be served at 6 p.m. and the program will begin at 6:30 p.m. “Celebrate the successes from 2008 and learn all that we have in store for 2009,’’ organizers said. “Remember those we’ve lost to cancer, fight back against this disease that will be the No. 1 killer in the world by 2010. We have a full program and hope that you’ll be there to celebrate.” Call Katie Cullinan, American Cancer Society staff partner, at 706-549-4893 or e-mail her at katie.cullinan@cancer.org for more information or to let her know you plan to attend. This year, there’ll be a “ Main Street Relay.” All of the Relay teams will select a “store front” theme throughout the Relay season. For example, teams can be a bakery, soda shoppe, ladies cloth ing boutique and more, organizers said. Teams will select their themes based on registration payment order, organizers said. “Pay your registration early to get the most variety,” organizers said. The team total and grand totals for 2009 will be announced at the Kickoff. Hull announces special election for empty council seat By Ben Munro ben@mainstreetnews.com The city of Hull has called a special election for its empty council seat. The election is scheduled for March 17 with advanced voting dates set for Feb. 24 and March 3 from 6:30-8 p.m. The early voting date is March 10 from 6:30-8 p.m. There’s been an opening at the council table since September when Paul Elkins resigned from his post to pur sue the city’s mayoral position vacated by Rebecca Hutchins. Elkins won the small town’s first contested mayoral race in a decade, defeating new comer Toney Ganey, 27-21, in November. Hull, which has had prob lems filling council seats in the past, has operated as a four-member council for the past four months. Qualifying for Elkins’ old council seat is Feb. 9 from 9-10:30 a.m., Feb. 10 from 5:30-7 p.m. and Feb. 11 from 4-5:30 p.m. The qualifying fee is $19.50. The voter registration dead line is Feb. 16. The city voted to use the same poll workers it used in its last election. Budget corrected Hull leaders amended their 2009 budget Monday, sepa rating SPLOST money from the general operating fund. This wasn’t done in December when the council initially approved the budget. The city is slated to receive $15,600 in SPLOST this year. City clerk Sandra Pou sug gested opening a separate account for the SPLOST, perhaps a money market account. The city also transferred $1,100 from the insur ance fund to miscellaneous expenses to cover reimburse ments to council members for training fees. Council members sworn-in, duties appointed The council swore in mem bers Rebecca Elkins and Wayne Melton for their new terms of office Monday. The city also selected its mayor pro tern (Melton), election superintendent (Sandra Pou), attorney (Pat Graham), registrar (Tracy Dean) and auditor (Hawkins and McNair). In other news, the council will postpone approval of a survey and staking pins proj ect until more certain of its funds. City leaders will revisit the matter in June. In what he called “public relations,” Elkins presented a draft of important govern ment, emergency and utility phone numbers to be sent to citizens. The council also heard the city received a $480 check from an agency collecting on delinquent accounts. Madison Co. BOE approves personnel moves The Madison County Board of Education approved the follow ing personnel moves at its Jan. 13 meeting: •Colbert Elementary School - granted long-term medical leave for school nutrition work er Sue Chandler and teacher Sue Hensley; approved Evelyn Sears as a long-term substitute and approved leave for teacher Josh McCurley for the birth of a child. •Hull-Sanford Elementary - granted medical leave for para- professionals Stacey Gordon and Jennifer Forester and teacher Sarah Drohan and approved Cindy Sartain and Rina Southall as long term substitutes. •Madison County Middle School - approved Katherine Hart-Peterson as a long-term substitute teacher and David Freeman as a substitute custodian and terminated paraprofessional Dorothy Beatty. •Student services — contracted Mary Brubaker as a substitute speech therapist for two days a week. •System - hired Patti Irvin and Yvonne Ring as call-in or trip bus drivers and approved a $5,000 supplement for Victoria Matthews for custodial services Republicans to meet Sat. The Madison County Republican Party will meet Saturday, Jan. 24, at 8:30 a.m. at the Madison County Library. “Our guest speaker, County Chairman Anthony Dove, will give a presentation on the status of Madison County,” organiz ers said. Information on upcoming elections and conventions will be available at this meeting. Breakfast and coffee will be served at 8:30 a.m. Doors will open at 8:15 a.m. Support Madison County SHOP LOCALLY Sponsored by The Madison County Chamber of Commerce City of Danielsville QUALIFYING NOTICE For the March 2009 Special Election Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with O.C.G.A. 21-2-540, a Special Election shall be held in the City of Danielsville due to a vacancy on the City Council. The election will be held on March 17, 2009, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. The following office is scheduled for election: Councilman, Seat 3, Resigned Incumbent: Mr. Roger L. Watson, term of office will be from April 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009. Qualifying will begin on February 9, 2009 and end on February 13, 2009, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Those wishing to qualify may do so during this time at Danielsville City Hall, 10 Government Circle, Danielsville, Ga. Qualifying fee for Council Persons is $59.23. The State of Georgia Municipal Election Code sets the mandatory qualifying dates, times, and fees. The deadline to register to vote in the March 2009 election is February 9, 2009. You may register to vote at the Madison County Registrars Office in the Madison County Government Complex in Danielsville or pick up a registration form at Danielsville City Hall. Early voting will begin on February 24, 2009 and end on March 13, 2009, in the Danielsville City Hall during normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Madison Co. BOC to meet Monday The Madison County Board of Commissioners will meet at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 12, in the county government complex. Agenda items include: •Marvin White — report from IDA. •Chairman Anthony Dove — chairman’s report to the board. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ACTIONS •Jeff Fowler’s request to rezone approximately four acres of a 9.16-acre parcel from A-l to R-R to subdivide for two home sites for fam ily members. The property is located on Farm Road on Map 71 Parcel 45-A in District 5. •Mitchell Goss’s request to rezone .379 acres from an 8.25-acre parcel from A-2 to A-l to combine with his two adjoining properties. The property is located on Map 70 Parcel 87, on Goss Lane in District 5. •Mitchell Goss’s request to rezone an 8.28 acre parcel from A-2 to A-l to combine with his adjoining property. The property is located on Map 70 Parcel 87-01 in District 5. •John Byram’s request to rezone 135.30 acres from A-2 to R-3 with a PUD overlay with a Conditional Use for an EPD sewer system. The property is located on Map 58 Parcel 118 on Colbert Danielsville Road in District 5. OLD BUSINESS •County attorney Mike Pruett — restoring powers and duties back to the chairman. •Commissioner Stanley Thomas — personnel/poli cy change for county clerk, deputy clerk or administrative assistant. •Commissioner Stanley Thomas — planning for 2009 BOC meeting dates. •Commissioner Stanley Thomas — review of occupa tional tax. NEW BUSINESS •Wendell Williams — con tinuing tax concerns. •Madison County Health Department — environmental health fees. •Chairman Anthony Dove — road projects. •Urgent matters. 7 Gs Farm WINTER SALE Ley I and Cypress Trees l-gal. containers 3-4 ft. tall $5.00 3-gal. containers 4-5 ft. tall $9.00 7-gal. containers 6-7 ft. tall $21.00 V- 7 G's Farm • 2331 Old Kings Bridge Rd. • Nicholson, Georgia Phone: (706) 757-2526 • www.7gsfarm.com • Open Daily 10-6 A J We Buy All Gold & Silver .(jaine.soiKe cf" 770-532-2592 1020 Jesse Jewell Pkwy. • Gainesville, GA Mon. -Thurs. 10-6:30 • Fri. - Sat. 10-7 Including: • Class Rings • Wedding Bands , • Coins • Broken Jewelry • Dental Gold AMERICAN Well & Boring Co.. Inc . 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