Newspaper Page Text
THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL. THURSDAY. JULY 2, 2009 — PAGE 5A
Beardsley... continued from page 4A
United States) to rally Iranian masses to his side,
but we are similarly summoned by the call to
“protect our freedom” by invading a third-world
country whose leader we despise and whose oil
we covet.
We can be patriotic and be misguided, which
is understandable in these confusing times.
Sometimes we can learn from the most improb
able sources, like the thousands who protested a
rigged election in Iran. Those people also love
their country, but they stood up for the principle of
free elections to a corrupt power structure. We are
not alone in loving freedom, but we've enjoyed
so much for so long we forget what it’s like to
not have it.
We’re luckily spoiled. We haven’t had to defend
our freedom since the Cold War ended. The big
gest threat to our American freedom comes not
from abroad, but from those within who would
trade away the very rights for which our forefa
thers fought in exchange for a false sense of secu
rity or to vindicate their political passions.
The signers of the Declaration of Independence
stood for bigger things. Because they put their
families and lives at risk and prevailed, America
stands today as the most powerful nation in the
world.
It is appropriate to note that we’re today where
Great Britain was in 1776. Times do change.
Mark Beardsley’ is the editor of The Commerce
News, a publication ofMainStreet Newspapers.
Fourth of July ... continued from page 1A
tained Colbert in 1971 by
riding a bicycle backwards,
his signature trick. That bike
currently rests in Colbert’s
museum.
Sen. Sam Nunn, Sen.
Herman Talmadge, Gov. Joe
Frank Harris and Gov. Roy
Barnes (whose wife used to
teach in Colbert) are other
past high-profile guests.
“We've had several well-
known politicians,” Waggoner
said.
Many local politicians have
used the parade to bolster their
own campaigns. Waggoner
said it’s easy to tell when it’s
an election year by the politi
cal fliers strewn throughout
town.
“In an election year, you
have more trash to pick up off
the ground,” he said.
Glad-handing from politi
cians aside, the Colbert parade
remains basic at its core: kids
and community.
“It’s for the kids, really,”
Waggoner said. "And it’s an
opportunity to showcase some
of the things going on in the
county.”
Though the parade is well-
established, Waggoner said
the future of Colbert’s prin
cipal event depends on the
younger generation.
“We need to get more young
folks involved if we’re going
to carry on this tradition,"
Waggoner said.
COLBERT
CELEBRATION
INFORMATION
The 40th annual Colbert
Independence Day parade
begins July 4 at 9 a.m.
This year’s procession fea
tures antique cars, tractors,
marching bands, fire engines
and motorcycles.
“Real fun for all ages," orga
nizers said.
Melvin Johnson and Ben
Tuggle, long-time contribu
tors to the Colbert community,
are grand marshals. The mas
ters of ceremonies are Tommy
Hall and “Crazy Ole’” Roscoe
Pucannon.
The Colbert barbeque lunch
is served after the parade. The
Colbert Lions’ Club will offer
hot dogs and hamburgers. Other
food vendors will be on-site
as well.
The Eberhardt Home, a long
cabin belonging to one of the
earliest families in Five Forks
(Colbert’s former name), will
be on display. The railroad
museum (located in the depot)
and the city’s red caboose and
fire truck will be opened to the
public, too.
Fourth of July activities
include horseshoes, pony rides,
little train rides and inflatables
for kids.
The Madison County
Community Band will perform
a concert at the post office at
9 a.m.
Lydia Joiner and Alan White
will perform the national
anthem.
Bands will take the stage
under the old oak trees, emceed
by — in his own words —
the “disaster of ceremonies,”
Roscoe Pucannon.
Musical acts include Bill
Ashley, Southern Drive Band,
The Billy Fowler Band with
Homer Chastain and Atlanta
country-rock group, the Rock
Bottom Band. Tommy Hall and
Lydia Joiner will also perform.
“Mayor (John) Waggoner
would like to thank all the
people who contribute in so
many ways to make the Colbert
parade and celebration a tradi
tion for 40 years," organizers
said.
MUSIC INFORMATION
Here’s information on the
bands playing the Fourth of
July celebration:
•The Rock Bottom Band, a
group of musicians from Atlanta,
has performed renditions of
country-rock pop songs for 10
years. Guitarist Danny Smith
“is well-known for his unusual
style of playing,” according
to organizers, while drummer
and vocalist Mark Ensley has
a reputation for “his way of
delivering soulful sounds and
the diverse nature of the mate
rial he performs so skillfully.”
Baseman Jimmy Rogers and
singer Robyn Bratcher — both
“no less talented in their own
right” — round out the lineup.
•The Billy Fowler Group has
played in the area for many
years. Fowler will team-up with
long-time keyboardist Homer
Chastain, drummer Jason
Griffeth and base player Wayne
Smith for the Fourth of July
show.
•The Southern Drive Band
comprises popular musicians
with a repertoire of new music
and old country rock and pop
standards with a touch of soul
and blues.
•Bill Ashley, proficient with
many instruments, will be on-
hand “with his great touch of
blue grass styling that has made
him so well know,” organizers
said.
MCMS fares better on CRCT report
By Ben Munro
ben@mainstreetnes.com
Madison County Schools superintendent Mitch
McGhee praised improvement system-wide on
the CRCT report released earlier this month, but
noted much-needed gains at the middle school
level.
“The middle school was the area that we
needed to see the most improvement in, and we
did,” McGhee said.
Particularly in math.
Half of Madison County Middle School eighth
graders failed that portion of the CRCT last year,
and 40 percent statewide. But 67 percent of this
year's MCMS eighth graders meet or exceeded
the standard, one of the largest improvements in
the area.
“We had a lot of room to improve, and we did
... We had very significant gains in Math and we
were very happy with that,” McGhee said.
Middle schoolers faired well in other areas as
well.
The state was forced to throw out woeful middle
social studies scores throughout Georgia last year.
But this year, 71.4 percent of Madison County’s
eighth graders met or exceeded the standard.
McGhee called that an “incredible report.”
The middle school’s gains on the CRCT helped
it meet Adequate Yearly Progress marks on the
initial report.
Only after summer re-takes, did MCMS meet
AYP last year.
Madison County Middle School’s success
comes at a time when McGhee said middle
schools in the state are having difficulty meeting
AYP.
“We think that’s pretty significant for us,”
he said. “Because if you look across the state,
typically, less schools are making it, not more. So
we’re kind of going against the tide there.”
As for the rest of the system, McGhee noted
improvements in reading and language arts scores
in grades K-8.
"Across the board, we saw some pretty signifi
cant gains there,” McGhee said.
IDA makes report to the
board of commissioners
Madison County Industrial Development and
Building Authority executive director Marvin
White presented a a status report to the county
board of commissioners at their meeting Monday
night.
The report included:
•Water/sewer update: The IDA has re-adver
tised the bid for the wastewater treatment plant,
along with the drip field for the Hull-Sanford
Sewer System. The system will have a beginning
capacity of 50,000 gallons per day, with a second
50,000 gallons per day to be added when needed.
The IDA received a $500,000 grant award June 24
from the One Georgia Authority for the system.
This grant, along with a $1.6 million Georgia
Environmental Facilities Association (GEFA)
loan, a private developers’ investment of $341,000
and $750,000 in SPLOST funding over a six-year
period brings a total investment in sewer services
in the county to $3,2 million.
•Eleven bids were received on the Harrison
community water project and low bidder Griffin
Brothers, of Maysville, with a bid of $1,233,128
was selected for this phase of the project. The IDA
has $2.3 million approved for the total project
with a 70 percent federal subsidy and a 30 percent
loan at three percent. Construction is expected to
begin in mid-July and must be completed by Dec,
31, 2010.
•The IDA is still working with two large busi
ness prospects for the county.
•Mike Alewine is establishing a new chicken
house bedding process center in Comer, which
will provide a few jobs for the county and tax
revenue from the business.
•Columbia Farms plans to open its new feed
mill on Hwy. 72 East of Comer by the end of
this month. The IDA has installed two wells with
approximately 100-120 gallons per minute to sup
ply water to this area, with plans to install a water
storage tank at this site as soon as possible. The
IDA will sell water to the feed mill.
Madison County Industrial Park
Water System
Annual Quality Water Report 2008
jbo I need to take special precautions?
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons
such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV / AIDS or
other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice
about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/ Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to
lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Water Drinking Hotline
(800-426-4791). The county drinking water is disinfected by chlorine and floruide is added for better dental.
Where does my water come from?
The county drinking water is supplied by 2 ground water wells in MADICO Industrial Park.
Source water assessment and its availability
The county water source is protected by a wellhead protection plan and a source water assessment program as provided by the state of
Georgia.
Why are there contaminants in my drinking water?
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The
presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and
potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-
4791). The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and
wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases,
radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity:
Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, that may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock
operations, and wildlife; inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban
stormwater runoff, industrial, or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming; pesticides and herbicides,
which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses; organic Chemical
Contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum
production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems; and radioactive contaminants, which can
be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink,
EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public
health.
How can I get involved?
It is controlled by Madison County Industrial Development and Building Authority which is located on Hwy 29S, 101 Courthouse
Square, Suitel02. Board meeting every third Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
Water Quality Data Table
The table below lists all of the drinking water contaminants that we detected during the calendar year of this report. The presence of
contaminants in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. Unless otherwise noted, the data presented in
this table is from testing done in the calendar year of the report. The EPA or the State requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less
than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently.
MCLG
or
Contaminants MRDLG
MCL,
TT, or
MRDL
Your
Water
Range
Low High
Sample
Date
Violation
Typical Source
Disinfectants & Disinfection By-Products
(There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.)
Chlorine .
(as Cl 2) 4
4
1.0
0.5 2.0
2008
No
Water additive used to
control microbes
(ppm)
TTHMs
[Total
80
16
N/A
2008
No
By-product of drinking
water disinfection
Trihalomethanes]
(ppb)
Inorganic Contaminants
Fluoride 4
(ppm)
4
1.0
0.6 1.5
2008
No
Erosion of natural deposits
water additive which
promotes strong teeth;
Discharge from fertilizer
and aluminum factories
Nitrate 10
[measured as
Nitrogen] (ppm)
10
1.1
NA
2008
No
Runoff from fertilizer use;
Leaching from septic tanks,
sewage; Erosion of natural
deposits
Microbiological Contaminants
Fecal coliform/ 0 0 NA NA 2008
E. coli
(positive samples)
A violation occurs when a routine sample and a repeat sample, in any given month, are total coliform positive, and
jyj _ Human and animal fecal
waste
one is also fecal coliform or E.coli positive.
Total Coliform 0
(positive
samples/month)
1
0
NA
2008
No
Naturally present in the
environnment
# Samples
Your
Sample
Exceeding
Exceeds
Contaminants
MCLG
AL
Water
Date
AL
AL
Typical Source
Inorganic Contaminants
Copper-action
level at consumer
taps (ppm)
1.3
1.3
0.52
2008
0
No
Corrosion of household
plumbing systems;
Erosion of natural
deposits
Lead-action level
at consumer taps
(ppb)
0
15
0
2008
0
No
Corrosion of household
plumbing systems;
Erosion of natural
deposits
Undetected Contaminants
The following contaminants were monitored for, but not detected, in your water.
MCLG MCL
or or Your
Contaminants MRDLG MRDL Water
Violation Typical Source
Unit Descriptions
Term
Definition
ppm:
ppb:
positive samples
/ month
positive samples
NA
ND
NR
ppm: parts per million, or milligrams per liter (mg/L)
ppb: parts per billion, or micrograms per liter (ug/L)
positive samples /month: Number of samples taken monthly that were found to be positive,
positives samples /yr: The number of positive samples taken that year
NA: Not applicable
ND: Not detected
NR: Monitoring not required, but recommended
Important Drinking Water Definitions:
Term
Definition
MCLG
MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: Tire level of a contaminant in drinking water
below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
MCL
MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level: Tire highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking
water. MCLs are set as close to MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
TT
TT: Treatment Technique: A required process intended to reduce the level of a
contaminant in drinking water.
AL
AL: Action Level: Tire concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment
or other requirements which a water system must follow.
Variances and
Exemptions
Variances and Exemptions: State or EPA permission not to meet an MCL or a treatment technique
under certain conditions
MRDLG
MRDLG: Maximum residual disinfection level goal. Tire level of a drinking water disinfectant
below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits
of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
MRDL
MRDL: Maximum residual disinfectant level. Tire highest level of a disinfectant allowed
in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary
for control of microbial contaminants.
MNR
MNR: Monitored Not Regulated
MPL
MPL: State Assigned Maximum Permissible Level
For more information please contact:
Steven Shaw, P. O. Box 189, Danielsville, GA 30633, 706-795-9865.