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THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL. THURSDAY. APRIL 16. 2009 — PAGE 3A
County extension coordinator retiring
...but will work half-time until replacement hired
Carl Varnadoe has served as Madison County’s exten
sion coordinator for 11 years.
By Zach Mitcham
zach@mainstreetnews.com
C arl Varnadoe was a
long-bearded bas
ketball coach in
1980 when the head of human
resources for the University
of Georgia’s extension service
noticed that the college senior
had a knack for relating to
youth.
After a ball practice one
night the extension leader,
who had a son on Vamadoe's
team, approached the coach.
“He said, ‘What’s your
major?’” Varnadoe recalled.
“I said ‘agronomy.’ I kid you
not. When I said agronomy,
his eyes twinkled. He said,
‘Do you want a job?’ I said,
‘Well that’s why I’m going to
school. What you got?’”
Varnadoe soon shaved the
wooly beard and headed for
Washington County, his first
stop in a nearly 30-year career
of extension service. He stayed
in Sandersville for four and a
half years as a 4-H agent, then
moved to Butts County for
a 13-and-a-half year stint as
extension director, watching
Atlanta growth from Henry
County knock out much of
that area’s rural character.
When the extension direc
tor’s position in Madison
County came open 11 years
ago, Varnadoe jumped at the
chance. And he’s been pleased
with that decision ever since.
He speaks with pride about
Madison County and what it
continues to offer in terms of
agriculture.
“Right now, agriculture
is still the lifeblood of this
community,” said Varnadoe.
“There’s going to be more
Reception
planned
A retirement reception will
be held for Carl Varnadoe
Tuesday, April 21, at
Wesley Chapel Church, lla.
The drop-in reception will
be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.,
with remarks and reminis
cences scheduled for 7:30
p.m.
development and industry
moving in over time, but this
place is a really special place
in its appreciation for agricul
ture. We have a strong contin
gent of people who appreciate
agriculture for what it is. And
this place is worth protecting
...We’re not saying people
can’t come, but let’s work
together so we can have the
best of both worlds.”
While Varnadoe has found
his service to Madison County
fulfilling, he recently bid fare
well to his long-time role as
head of the extension service.
With the state facing a tre
mendous budget crunch,
Varnadoe is among 35 exten
sion employees in Georgia
taking an early retirement.
However, he will stay on as
a half-time employee until the
state has enough funding to
cover a full-time replacement.
So Varnadoe won’t be
a stranger in the extension
office, despite his official
retirement. No, he won’t be
a full-time extension coor
dinator. Instead, he’ll get to
be a full-time dad. Varnadoe
speaks with obvious excite
ment about spending more
time with his 6-year-old son,
Parker. When the conversa
tion turns to karate classes
for youth, Varnadoe considers
the possibility of enrolling his
son, maybe even joining up
himself.
Of course, Vamadoe’s eyes
light up when he talks about
watching youth learn and
succeed. And he’s gotten to
see plenty of that as Madison
County’s 4-H program has
been a beacon of local talent.
Varnadoe remembers some
of the 4-H’ers of yesteryear,
such as John Dean, Summer
Adams and Clinton Rouse.
“Those three kids were top
4-H’ers at the time and they’ve
turned out to be quite success
ful at what they’re doing,” he
said.
He talks about some of the
current 4-H’ers, such as John
Scott, Russell Adams, Steven
Goldman, Kasey Roth, Dylan
Brooks, Tiffany Garrett and
Isabel Edwards.
“The thing that impresses
me every day about 4-H is
that the kids who are in 4-H
are just exceptional. They
have so many things going
on. It would be so easy to say
‘I don’t have time for 4-H.’
But they make the time. The
potential is just so tremendous
for all these 4-H’ers and it just
lifts your heart to see them
work so hard.”
Varnadoe says the kids are
great to work with, but so is
the extension staff.
“Best staff I’ve ever worked
with,” he said. “They are so
dedicated, loyal, fun, hard
working. It’s a real pleasure to
come to work each day ... We
enjoy each other as friends as
well as co-workers.”
Varnadoe said he appreciates
the support of the Madison
County community over the
years.
“I’ve been blessed to be
here,” he said.
Tax collection rate similar
to last year at this time
Madison County’s collection rate for 2008 property taxes is
similar to last year’s figure shortly after taxes were due.
Property taxes for 2008 weren’t due in Madison County
until the last week in March this year. According to the county
tax commissioner’s office, as of March 26, 81.25 percent of
2008 property taxes had been collected in Madison County.
Approximately $13.4 million in property taxes have been
received, leaving an estimated $3.1 million still to be col
lected.
That’s nearly identical to figures shortly after taxes were due
last year. With approval of the county digest behind schedule,
the 2007 bills were also mailed late. The 2007 bills were due
March 6, 2008. As of March 10 last year, 81.13 percent of
property taxes had been collected.
Your Satisfaction is Our Goal!
Mar-Co
Construction Inc.
(706) 713-6142 • Fax (706) 549-6594
mktatum @ bellsouth.net
Fire, Water, and Wind Damage & Remodeling
MARK TATUM • Licensed General Contractors
City of Colbert
NOTICE TO THE
PUBLIC
The harden House
Garden Plants, Vines & Vegetables
Annual & Perennial Heirloom Favorites,
Herbs, Soil & Supplies
TOMATO PLANTS
Hours: Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. * Closed on Sun.
Directions:
Hwy. 29 North to Hull Ingles Store. Left at light
onto Hwy. 106 through school light, next left
onto Sanford Road - follow signs.
706-543-9564
A petition has been filed requesting
that the property located at the
corner of 7th Street and Railroad
Avenue belonging to Allen E.
Roberts, Map/Parcel: CL01-125 be
rezoned from R-l to C-2.
A public hearing will be held at the
Colbert City Hall Meeting Room on
Monday, May 4, 2009 at 6:30 P.M. All
those having an interest in this
petition should be present.
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church
Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust
2227 Diamond Hill-Neese Road
Hull, GA. 30646
Financial Statement
January 1,2008 - December 31,2008
Animal Shelter Inc.
1888 Colbert-Danielsville Road
Danielsville, 6a.
Is offering a
ASSETS
January 1,2008
December 31,2008
Investments
$ 56,027.28
$ 64,727.28
Checking Account
Interest from Investments
2,05335
1,68634
Contributions
3.148.29
1398.29
Total Checking Account
$ 5,201.64
$ 2,984,63
TOTAL ASSETS
$ 61,228.92
$ 67,711,91
LIABILITIES
0.00
0.00
EQUITY
Retained Earnings
$ 57,451,70
$ 61328.92
Net Income
3,777.22
6.482.99
TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY
$ 61,228.92
S 67,711.91
INCOME 2008
Interest from Investments
Memorials
Donations
Cemetery Lot Sales
TOTAL INCOME
$ 3,087.84
3,430.00
1,420.00
2,000.00
$ 9,937.84
EXPENSES 2008
Cemetery Upkeep
Other Expenses
TOTAL EXPENSES
NET INCOME 2008
$ 3300.00
154.85
S 3,454.85
+ S 6,482.99
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust
Board of Trustees
Ramona H. Booth, Chairperson
Carol F. Brown, Treasurer
Terry Scarborough, Secretary
E. L. Smith
Williford N. Guest
[Ji ^onCJD
WALK-IN RABIES CLINIC
Saturday, April 18
Noon - 3 p.m.
One year rabies shot - $10
Three-year rabies vaccine - $15
(must provide proof of previous vaccine
for the three-year shot.)
The following vaccines/services
will also be offered:
Distemper/parvo for dogs/puppies $10
Feline leukemia for cats/kittens $10
Microchipping $25
Y \
% >.
v, •,
f ’/J; ,1-v-
The shelter operates a low
cost spay/neuter clinic for
the public. Grooming
services are also available
the last Saturday of each
month with all proceeds
going to the shelter.
Please call 706-795-2868
for a surgery or grooming
appointment and pricing.
Powerful storms roll
through county
A couple of powerful storm systems rolled through
Madison County this past week, the most severe com
ing on Friday night.
According to 911 director David Camp, Friday night’s
storm led to reports of several downed trees, including
a large one on Madison Street in Danielsville that took
power lines with it, cutting power to at least half of the
city for several hours.
Other reports of downed trees were on Manley Martin
Road, Blacks Creek Church Road, Carithers Road,
Hwy. 22 in Comer, Reed Brawner Road, Vinyards
Creek Church Road and Lexington Road in Carlton.
Carmine’s Restaurant in Comer reported flooding.
Harrison Fire Department reported minor damage to
its station. Hail, heavy rains and strong winds were
reported by field personnel throughout the county as
the storms passed through. There were no reports of
injuries.
On Monday, Jackson EMC reported power outages
to roughly 30,000 customers in northeast Georgia as
high winds roared through the area. Approximately
4,800 customers in the Neese area were briefly without
power.
Unemployment insurance
claims up in March
Unemployment in Madison County showed no signs of
relenting in March as 354 people made first-time unem
ployment insurance claims.
That number was up 176 percent from March 2008 and
was a 3.5 percent increase from February this year.
As an economic indicator, rising first-time unemploy
ment claims often portend a rise in the overall unem
ployment. Statewide, first-time unemployment insurance
claims were up 126.3 percent in March 2009, compared
to March of last year.
Williams Bar-B-Que
Best
BBQ Ever
Since
1988
Spring Is Here & The Fish Are Jumpin’
Ole Time Fish Fry
FRIDAY EVENINGS - 4:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
706-795-5394 (across from Madison County Hardware)
7 G’s Farm
SPRING SALE
Ley land Cypress Trees
1 -gal. containers 3-4 ft. tall $5.00
7-gal. containers 6-7 ft. tall $21.00
7 G's Farm • 2331 Old Kings Bridge Rd. • Nicholson, Georgia
Phone: (706) 757-2526 • www.7gsfarm.com • Open Daily 10-6
Community First Aid
National Safety Council basic First Aid.
Receive 3-year First Aid certification
at end of course.
Community First Aid
Thursday, May 14
5:30-9:00 p.m. • $20*
*scholarships offered
For more information,
call (706) 475-5620
Athens Regional
MEDICAL CENTER
Saturdays
8-2
Call ahead for an
appointment.
706-335-2831
2377 Homer Rd. • Commerce, GA* 706-335-2831