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THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL. THURSDAY. JULY 23, 2009 — PAGE 7A County commissioners hire PT help for courthouse security By Zach Mitcham zach@mainstreetnews.com Madison County commis sioners want to secure the county government complex — but at what cost? The group discussed the matter on several occasions in recent weeks, agreeing July 15 to hire four part-time workers, who will now man the metal detectors at the front and back doors of the Madison County government complex. Three of the four employees have some security background, commissioners said. While two deputies are leav ing the courthouse, Sergeant Willie Wilbanks will remain at the building full time to oversee security. And the part-time workers will have communication equipment to contact Wilbanks in the case of an emergency. The BOC office estimated the cost of the part-time help at $13,920 for the rest of the year and $30,160 for 2010. The commissioners approved a budget amendment to cover the cost of the part-time help for the rest of the year, but the 2010 expenses will be consid ered during upcoming budget discussions. The estimated costs were based on the expense of employing minimum wage workers for 40 hours a week at two courthouse doors. Earlier cost estimates provid ed by the sheriff’s office were lower than the BOC’s projec tions, but those calculations only included the expense of manning one door. Commissioners say the expense of part-time help will be dramatically lower than what it takes to fund full-time deputies at the government complex. But Magistrate Judge Harry Rice, who attended Wednesday's meeting, told commissioners that two deputies are already required during Superior Court func tions, adding that the Superior Courtroom is in use rough ly three days a week, with the Magistrate, Juvenile and Probate courts also using the room. He said courtroom dep uties are paid at time and a half and he suggested the BOC look at integrating courthouse security detail with courtroom security as a way to cut costs by paying deputies at their regular salary, rather than time and a half. Commissioner Bruce Scogin said the issues of courtroom and government complex security are different. He said the primary objective in Wednesday’s action was to free up deputies for work outside of the government complex. Commissioner Stanley Thomas agreed, saying he favors having deputies on patrol in the county, rather than in the courthouse. “I feel strongly about put ting our deputies out in the county,” he said. Hiring part-time help was also necessary because Sheriff Thomas said he doesn’t have the funds to man two court house doors with deputies. He said he would have to close the back door of the complex unless the board hired part- time help. Chairman Anthony Dove has opposed closing the back door, noting that more parking spaces are available in the back and that many citi zens use that door for county business. The board agreed to pay for two white Polo shirts for each security employee. The shirts will include the county logo. The security staff will be trained by the sheriff’s department but will be under the supervision of Chairman Dove. Fortson sworn in New Hull coun cilman Brandon Fortson was sworn in to office at Monday night’s meeting by city clerk Sandra Pou. Margie Richards/ Staff Hull-Sanford receives ‘healthy’ grant The Madison County School System did receive one good grant report amid the bad news at last week’s school board meeting. Hull-Sanford landed the ‘‘fresh fruit and vegetable grant” for next year. This will allow the school to vary the menu with fruits and vegetables and offer more nutritious snacks. Only 53 schools in the state received this grant. St. Mary’s to donate emergency vehicles St. Mary’s Health Care System is donating eight used emergency vehicles to deserving community organizations that can demonstrate they will put the former ambulances to good use. From now until Sept. 1, St. Mary’s will accept pro posals from organizations that are interested in one or more of the ambulances. Any non-profit, school, col lege or government agency may apply. Applications will be reviewed by St. Mary’s and vehicles will be granted to the organizations that St. Mary’s deter mines will best use them to serve the community. The ambulances are available because St. Mary’s outsourced its Emergency Medical Services to National EMS in March and no longer needs the eight vehicles. Four of the ambulances are van-type vehicles while the other four are larger, truck-style ambulances. All are Fords, and range from a 2006 model with just over 64,000 miles to a 1998 model with nearly 235,000 miles. “We have already awarded one ambulance to St. Mary’s Auxiliary for use in picking up donations to St. Mary’s Hospice House Thrift Store,” said Stephanie Walsh, grant specialist for St. Mary’s Foundation. “Our hope is that these vehicles will help other service organizations in our area, especially non-profits, improve or expand their service to our community.” All vehicles will be transferred “as is” and with no warranties. Organizations that receive them will be responsible for repainting the trucks and any other costs associated with transporting them or refitting them for a new use. Proposals must include the name, mission, goals and population served by the organization, along with information about how the ambulance will be used and who it will serve. Winning proposals must be consistent with St. Mary’s mission to be a compassionate healing presence in the community, and agencies must agree not to sell, transfer or give the ambulance to another organization or person. Preference will be given to non-profit organizations in the Northeast Georgia area, but any qualifying organization may apply. For complete application details or for more infor mation about the former ambulances, contact Walsh at 706-389-3928 or by email at swalsh@stmarysa- thens.org. JEMC warns about new phone scam Jackson Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) is cautioning mem bers to be aware of a new phone scam that’s tricked some Georgia utility con sumers into compromising their credit card numbers in an effort to keep their power on. Though Jackson EMC cus tomers so far appear unaf fected, some Georgia util ity customers are reporting fraudulent phone calls from persons claiming to be a util ity employee and demanding credit card information to prevent immediate discon nection. In a few instances, customers have provided the perpetrator with credit card information that was then used to fraudulently wire money to Alabama. Though Jackson EMC has yet to receive reports of any similar calls placed to mem bers, employees were recent ly advised to remain alert to suspicious activity and report any similar customer com plaints or inquiries to their supervisors. “Our members should be aware that Jackson EMC employees never call cus tomers to ask for a credit card number or make any similar demand of payment,” said Brent Cochran, Jackson EMC’s director of customer service. If a Jackson EMC member is past-due and scheduled for disconnect, they receive a pre-printed notice, and an automated phone call with a pre-recorded message informing the customer that they are scheduled for dis connect. The call instructs members to contact their local office to make payment arrangements. Cochran said that if a mem ber calls to inquire about or report a suspicious activ ity regarding their account, a “fraud alert” can be placed on their account to help pro tect them in the future. “If anyone has a question or concern about their account, or something they’re hear ing from someone claiming to represent Jackson EMC, the best thing they can do it is just contact their local Jackson EMC office direct ly for assistance,” Cochran said. To contact your local Jackson EMC office, visit: www.jacksonemc.com/con- tact. The Madison County Journal is your source for local news. 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