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Vol. 24 No. 11 • Publication No. 1074-987 • Danielsville, Madison County, Georgia 30633 • A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers Inc. • 28 Pages, 2 Sections Plus Supplements COUNTY GOVT BOC puts more in pot for chief appraiser Commissioners hope to draw qualified person to vital tax post By Zach Mitcham zach@mainstreetnews.com Madison County com missioners will sweeten the salary of the chief apprais er's position, hoping to draw a qualified person to the important vacant post. The commissioners voted 4-1 Monday — with John Pethel providing the lone "no” — to amend the 2009 budget, which includes a $55,000 line item for the chief appraiser’s position. The budget will now include $75,000 for the post. The increase will be covered with county contingency funds. New BOC chairman Anthony Dove supported the action, saying Madison County’s tax troubles have gone on too long and that a qualified chief appraiser is needed to bring stability. "We've got to get on the ball and get this thing fixed,” said Dove. "It has been one of our biggest problems in Madison County for eight long years. It's time for us to step up and fix this for — See ‘Appraiser’ on 7A DEATH Inmate dies after seizure at county jail A Madison County inmate died Tuesday afternoon after suffering a seizure Sunday night at the Madison County Jail. Walter Alan Pickles, Jr., 36, Hull, was transported to Athens Regional Medical Center after suffering a sei zure shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday. He was later trans ported to the intensive care unit at Emory University Hospital. Pickles had a history of seizures and was on medica tion for that condition, according to Madison County Sheriff Kip Thomas. Georgia Bureau of Investigation Agent Jim Fullington said the Madison County Sheriff’s Office requested that the GBI investigate the incident. “There is no indication of any foul play," said Fullington Tuesday afternoon. Pickles was being held in the county jail for proba tion violation. His original charges were speeding and driving while unlicensed. LEGISLATION Hudgens’ bill addresses stem cell research in Ga. By Zach Mitcham zach@mainstreetnews.com Madison County State Senator Ralph Hudgens recently introduced legis lation to prevent an “octo- mom” incident in Georgia, but the proposed restric tions on in vitro fertiliza tion have been dropped from the legislation, which is now aimed at outlining how Georgia will handle stem cell research. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted 7-6 Monday morning to approve amendments to the “Ethical Treatment of Human Embryos Act.” “My reason for intro ducing that (SB 169) was to eliminate the possibil ity of what happened with — See ‘Bill’ on 7A INSIDE Index: News — 1-3A Opinions— 4-5A Crime— 6A Socials — 8A, 14A Churches— 9A Obituaries— 10-11A Schools— 16A Sports— 1-3B Legals — 7-12B Contact: Phone: 706-795-2567 Fax: 706-795-2765 Mail: PO. Box 658, Danielsville, GA, 30633 Web: MadisonJoumalTODAY.com Next week: Ag Week •See the March 19 Madison County Journal for a special section devoted to agriculture in Madison County. •Visit the Madison County Freshman Academy (at the for mer MCMS parking lot and gym) Saturday, March 21, for the county's annual “Ag Day Celebration.” The event opens with tractor parade at 9 a.m. and concludes at 2 p.m. WEATHER The Storm’s County copes with significant structural damage 14 poultry houses destroyed in county INSIDE: •County residents can take storm debris to transfer station, 2A •County received 8.1 inches, 7A •Biggest snow since 19-something, 4A •Schools to make up one snow day Friday, 3A •County gov’t to calculate storm costs, 3A •Chairman thanks those who helped dur ing and after storm, 5A By Margie Richards margie@mainstreetnews.com By Zach Mitcham zach@mainstreetnews.com W hen the chicken house roof began to collapse on top of them, 18-year-old Jimmy Wages and his friend Tyler Smith, 16, ran for their lives. The teens sprinted for the door at the opposite end as the building collapsed behind them. They made it to within 75 feet of the opposite end when it knocked them down, burying them underneath the debris. Jimmy’s father, Larry Wages, who was standing at that end, opened the door and had his hat blown off by the force of the collapse. Fearing the worst, Mr. Wages ran quickly to cut off the gas line. “He just knew he was going to find them dead inside that house," Mrs. Wages said. But, miraculously, both boys escaped with only cuts and bmises. “I cried when I saw the chicken house - not for the — See ‘Aftermath’ on 3A The new Georgia Metal Finishing structure at Madico Park collapsed last week under the weight of the heavy snow. Photos by Zach Mitcham/Staff Dept, of Agriculture Report: •Poultry farms in five counties (Oconee, Morgan, Hart, Franklin and Madison) col lapsed March 1 due to the weight of the snow. Four poultry companies were involved, including Harrison Poultry, Morris Hatchery Company, Pilgrim Pride and Fieldale Com pany. •Madison County suffered the most damage, with 14 poultry houses down on 11 poultry farms. These houses included a total of 190,000 birds (broilers, pullets, hens and roosters): •A total of 22 poultry houses were destroyed in the five counties and 287,000 birds (broilers, pullets, hens, and roosters) were affected. Some birds were pickup by poultry companies, moved to other poultry houses and some were euthanized by foaming. Foaming was done by the Poultry Federation Laboratory Network. City of Danielsville employees Daniel Turpin (L) and Scott Anglin (R) load downed limbs into a woodchipper Monday. The city provided residents with roadside limb pickup Monday through Wednesday of this week. The roof of this out-of-use, 41-year-old chicken house off Commerce-Neese Road collapsed under the weight of last week’s snow. ART The granite carvings of Mike Jones will be on display from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday during the third-annual Carlton Art Group Show hosted by Jones and his wife at 65 Lexington Road, Carlton. Ben Munro/Staff ‘Rock’ On Carlton artist carves granite monuments By Ben Munro ben@mainstreetnews.com Mike Jones has worked on a shrimp boat. He’s worked as a private eye. He repaired saxophones. He even toured with a band called “Donkey.” But he's always been an artist at heart. A little over a year ago, Jones, 52, pulled pieces of granite from a scrap yard in Tiny Town and went to work with the desire to create art from local rock. Jones’ handiwork with granite will be ARTIST PROFILE Who: Mike Jones Age: 52 Home: Carlton Medium: Granite sculpting Originally from: Decatur Contact info: victorianmonu- ments@yahoo.com on display this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the third annual Carlton Art Group show hosted by him and his wife, Stephanie. The works in his short sculpting career include Jesus and the Virgin Mary. — See “Rock’ on 7A