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PAGE 2A — THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL. THURSDAY. OCTOBER 22, 2009
Rotary Club constructs 400th ramp
The Rotary Club of Madison County reached another
milestone Saturday, when it constructed its 400th
ramp.
A large group of Rotarians and guests turned out on a
rainy day to construct a 32-foot ramp for Ronda Brown,
who lives at 75 Transco Road. Brown was in a bad car
wreck that resulted in her breaking her legs, hip and
arm. She was having to stay with friends because her
husband could not get her in and out of their house. The
ramp will allow them to come home.
Forty-one Rotarians and guests helped on the
ramp. Rotary District 6910 Governor Shane Burr and
his wife Donna were special guests. After the work
in the rain, the Rotarians went to the senior center
for a chicken dinner. Jordan Chinouth, local aid to
Representative Paul Broun, presented a resolution that
Representative Broun had read into the Congressional
Record about the ramp program of the Rotary Club.
Madison County commissioners had previously pre
sented one, and State Representative Allen Powell has
one in the works from the state house.
Those on hand Saturday included Bob Padilla, Ed Brown, Odis Graham,
Stanley Thomas, Anthony Dove, Greg Wilkes, Harry Rice, Calvin Ward, Alton
Rowe, Marvin White, Bob Anderson, Bruce Azevedo, Wesley Chandler, Chris
Young, James Adams, Johnny Bond, Jim and Sandy Jeffer, Erwin Hardeman,
Rodney Chandler, Alice Chandler, Jerry Bond, Greg Bleakly, Jerry Coutant,
Anton Zellman, Jeff Dillard, Taylor Wilkes Aurtry Bishop, Rotary District 6910
Governor Shane Burr, and his wife Donna Burr, Jordan Chinouth local repre
sentative for Rep. Paul Broun. Chip Scarborough and Loshanti Ransom from
WNEG TV, Barbara Gandy, James Wofford, Tommy Lackey, Pete Bond, Mary
and Ashton Boutier, Roy Gandy and State Representative Allen Powell.
Salaries ... cont’d from 1A
any increase.
Commissioner Scogin said
Thursday as the BOC approved tax
rates that the sheriff had received a
“bum wrap” in the public over
budgeting issues.
“We met with him the other day
and he and his staff have been very
cooperative," said Scogin.
Thomas addressed the 2009
budget last week, saying that he
felt the department could have
returned some money this year to
the county had the salary shortfall
issue not come up. He noted that
housing-out expenses have been
reduced approximately $80,000.
Madison County has had consid
erable expenses housing female
inmates out of the county since the
county has no facility to incarcer
ate women. The sheriff said he
worked out an arrangement with
the Oglethorpe County sheriff to
take one of their male prisoners
in exchange for housing a female
inmate.
“It’s a one for one deal and it
saves us a lot of money,” he said.
Thomas said his department has
reduced food costs at the jail by
about $10,000. He said two depu
ties positions have gone unfilled,
with a savings of roughly $60,000.
Jail positions have also gone
unfilled with savings of approxi
mately $70,000, he said.
In other budget matters, the
sheriff noted that he switched
investigators to four-day work
weeks, serving 10-hour shifts. He
said the department has also been
using part-time employees in the
jail rather than paying overtime to
full-time workers.
Allison Craig, the sheriff's
administrative assistant who works
with the departmental budget, also
said the department reduced costs
by using $4 generic prescriptions
from Wal mart as opposed to order
ing all prescriptions thru a mail
order vendor. She said the depart
ment took other measures, such as
changing bread vendors, getting
for 94 cents from a local store
rather than $2 from the previous
vendor.
Nevertheless, if the cost cut
ting measures don't cover the sal
ary shortfall, the department could
request some contingency funds
from the county.
“Our hope is to not have to dip
into the county contingency fund
whatsoever this year,” said Craig,
adding that the most the depart
ment expects to need in contingen
cy funds is $31,000, or one percent
of the departmental budget.
The sheriff said the department
has received some recent grant
funding from the U.S. Deputy
Sheriff’s Association for flashlights
and hand-held alcohol sensors. The
department also anticipates a grant
for a Tahoe and four new portable
radios. There is also the possibility
of a grant for a trailer to serve as a
training room.
Elbert.. • cont’d from 1A
which would take an estimated three
years. The facility would generate an
estimated $2 million in tax revenues
annually for Elbert County, accord
ing to the Star report.
According to the GreenFirst press
release, the facility would create 750
jobs during construction at the site,
with an estimated “1.900 more cre
ated in ancillary businesses in the
region."
“Once the plant is operational, 50
good-paying, full-time positions will
be available at the facility.” the press
release stated. “Another 65 perma
nent secondary jobs will be needed
at businesses that support the plant’s
operations.”
On Monday. Elbert County com
missioners hosted a “needs assess
ment" meeting to receive input on
solid waste disposal from the public.
The meeting was limited to 30 min
utes with citizens given a maximum
of five minutes to speak. The small
meeting loom was filled to capacity.
Elbert County commission chair
man Tommy Lyon opened the meet
ing with a prepared statement, say
ing that Elbert County is pursuing a
long-term approach to solid waste.
He said the county is far from final
izing any plans.
Ten people spoke at the hearing.
Three offered favorable opinions of
the proposed facility, while others
opposed or voiced concerns about
the proposal.
Those who favored the proposed
incinerator said disposing of trash
through burning is preferable to
opening another landfill where trash
will simply sit and eat up space.
Proponents also said it will be a
cost-effective way to deal with the
county’s trash issues.
“We need to do something per
manent," said Ray Howell. “I'm 100
percent for something like that (the
biomass facility)."
But those objecting to a possible
incinerator said that such a facility
would damage the environment and
put nearby residents at risk of devel
oping cancer due to exposure to
toxins. They said the toxins front the
facility will outweigh any benefits
the business might bring to the coun
ty. They wonied about neighboring
property values plummeting.
“Every county in the state needs
to have a facility to take cate of solid
waste.” said Michael Moody. ‘This
particular idea of a waste incinera
tor is probably the most toxic, most
dirty, most unforgiving thing that
you could ever come up with. If
you’re looking at the long-term
future of your county, you're com
mitting the biggest sin of all by hav
ing one of these."
While file proposed facility is
close to the Madison County line.
Madison County solid waste direc
tor Sandra Webb, who serves as the
county's regional solid waste repre
sentative, said that she has not been
contacted by Elbert County officials
about file proposal.
The Journal sought more details
this week about exactly how far
the proposed incinerator is from the
Broad River. Elbert County man
ager Bob Thomas had not returned a
call as of press time. Matt Cochran,
a public relations representative for
GreenFirst, contacted the Journal
this week and sent a press release
about file proposal, but declined
to comment on the distance from
the proposed incinerator site to the
river.
“We do not have any additional
details to release at this time, as we
are still in the preliminary phases
of the proposed project," wrote
Cochran in an emailed response
to the question regarding the river.
“Nonetheless, we would be happy
to set up an interview in the next few
weeks when more details become
available.”
The Star reported that “GreenFirst
will attempt to initiate the process
to acquire state and environmental
permits required for the project at
next month's Elbert County Board
of Commissioners meeting.”
Vaccine
cont’d from 1A
Hull councilman
decides against
withdrawal
City’s Nov. 3 election still on
By Ben Munro
ben@mainstreetnews.com
Hull councilman Paul Cook
has thrown his hat back into a
city council race from which he
temporarily withdrew.
Cook told Hull leaders
Monday night that he wouldn’t
seek re-election, only to recon
sider that move the following
day.
Cook informed city clerk and
election superintendent Sandra
Pou Tuesday morning that he
was still a candidate in the Nov.
3 election.
Cook, who was appointed to
his seat in 2007, will face politi
cal newcomer Paige Phillips.
Early voting had already start
ed when Cook made his initial
announcement to the council.
IDA...
Cook, who offered no explana
tion for his withdrawal, waited
until all business had been con
ducted at Monday’s meeting
before making his announce
ment. A resignation, however,
is not official until written noti
fication is supplied to the county
election superintendent by the
candidate.
The election will now continue
as planned.
Cook was still on the ballot
Tuesday during the second day
of early voting.
The next date is Oct. 27 from
6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The election is Nov. 3. Polls
will be open from 7 a.m. to 7
p.m.
Pou noted that six residents
voted in the first early voting
date.
’d from 1A
end their contract.
White said it has been "almost a nightmare” to work with the
firm on the project, whose contract began in August, 2006.
He noted that he and IDA chairman Bruce Azevedo, along
with utility director Steve Shaw, have met with engineer Charlie
Armentrout on several occasions to express their concerns over
repetitive problems that included not following board instruc
tions.
“We were just not getting the things we need, despite several
meetings," White noted. “This project should have been com
pleted April 15, 2009.. .with every ‘i’ dotted and every ‘f crossed.”
He also noted that $60,000 in extra expenses have been paid out in
the last six months due to the delays.
Some progress, such as grading, work on the pond site and
driveway to the sewer plant site is underway. White noted.
The board also agreed that IDA engineer Phil Munro and util
ity director Steve Shaw should now oversee the completion of
the project, with the assistance of engineering firm Peeples and
Quigley.
White said completion of the sewer project is now scheduled for
the spring 2010.
2010 BUDGET APPROVED
The Madison County Industrial Development and Building
Authority approved a $621,120 budget for 2010 at its regular busi
ness meeting Monday night. The vote came after a second public
hearing was held at the start of the meeting.
The budget includes a 10-percent reduction in revenue over
2009’s budget of $687,326.
The IDA board also set the 2010 tax rate at .931 mills.
OTHER BUSINESS
The IDA signed an intergovernmental agreement with Franklin
County to provide water to Harrison District customers. The IDA
signed a similar agreement with the city of Royston earlier this
year.
Shaw noted that water line construction along Hwy. 281 in
Harrison is now complete, with approximately half the construc
tion finished on Cheek Pulliam Road.
Shaw also reported that the water department billed 667 custom
ers in September (for August usage) and that approximately four
million gallons were used, down about 100,000 gallons from the
previous month.
is not nearly as high as the fever
that's experienced by flu,” Dumpert
said. “Any side effect issue that you
would feel is minor compared to
complications that the flu can actu
ally cause."
Meanwhile, the injection from
of the vaccine should reach the
MadisonCountyHealthDepartment
within weeks. Dumpert said the
H1N1 shot is in the allotment pro
cess.
"So we are still waiting for orders
to be filled, and we do expect that
within the next couple of weeks,"
he said.
Dumpert isn't sure exactly how
many shots will be available.
“No, though I have seen some
numbers that suggest an allotment
larger than the nasal spray.” he
said.
Dumpert expects the allotment
of injections to be trickled in small
parts every week, rather than one
lump dumped on each state. That’s
due to limited storage space at the
clinics.
“If we have a storage problem,
we essentially have vaccine we
can't use.” Dumpert said. “And that
would be a problem.”
As for the seasonal flu. all the
area clinics have run out of that
vaccine. The need for H1N1 vac
cine caused manufacturers to cease
production of the standard flu vac
cine. The same manufacturer is
producing both vaccines.
It will convert its production
lines back to seasonal flu in order
for local health departments to be
stocked by early November.
"Because by November, we
should be approaching the begin
ning of our standard flu season.”
Dumpert said.
The main concern among public
health officials is that everyone get
the H1N1 vaccine since a very
low percentage of the population is
immune to it.
“This is the flu that is more than
likely going to make this flu season
much more severe if people don’t
get vaccinated," Dumpert said.
City of Danielsville
NOVEMBER 2009
GENERAL ELECTION
50%
OFF
retail prices
ALL CONTAINER
PLANTS Pre-dug
and all
Pre-dug
balled &
burlapped
trees and
shrubs
sugar
maples
($75
sale) and
October
Glory red
maples
($93.75
sale)
We have TREES!!!! red maples, sugar maples, oaks, cryptom-
eria, leyland cypress, hollies, dogwoods, elms, Japanese maples,
ginkgo, redbuds, magnolias, birches, cherries, arborvitae, zelcova,
etc., etc. And lots of sasanquas, camellias, etc., etc.
NO CREDIT CARDS
FRUIT TREES & BLUEBERRIES
Not part of the sale.
www.PinebushNursery.com
3332 Hwy. 106 between Neese & lla • Madison County
CHECK OUR WEB SITE for directions, limited hours, pics
OPEN Oct 22-23, 10-6; Sat Oct 24, 10-3 • 706-789-2344
The City of Danielsville will hold Municipal Election on
Tuesday, November 3, 2009. The following offices are
scheduled for election.
Mayor
(term of office - January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011)
Glenn Cross (incumbent)
Philip Croya
No election will be held for the following offices due to no
opposition for new qualifers:
Councilperson - Seat 1
(term of office - January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011)
Ron Faust
Councilperson - Seat 2
(term of office - January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011)
Jamie Spurlin
Advance Voting and Absentee Ballots will begin October
13, 2009 and end on October 30, 2009, at Danielsville City
Hall, 10 Government Circle, Danielsville, GA, between
8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Absentee Ballot Applications can
be obtained by calling (706) 795-2200. Election Day hours
are from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
FOR ONLY $5 PER MONTH,
YOU CAN LIST YOUR GROUP'S MEETINGS!
Let your members know when your group is meeting!
Call (706) 367-5233 to advertise your
meeting time, place and date in...
• The Jackson Herald
• The Commerce News
• The Braselton News
• The Banks County News
• The Madison County Journal
St. Catherine Laboure
Catholic Mission
Mass Schedule: Sat. 4:00 p.m.,
Sun. 11:00 a.m., Thurs. 12:10 p.m.
First Friday Adoration 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Website: www.stcatherinelabourega.org
706-335-2622 pd |0
JEFFERSON
WAMERICAN LEGION
Albert Gordon Post 56
Each 3rd Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
Harvie Lance, Commander
Phone (706) 654-1274 3io
jlte BANKS COUNTY
& AMERICAN LEGION
Post 215
Meets each 3rd Thursday, 7 p.m.
In Homer, GA at the
American Legion Building on
Historic Highway 441 Pci.06/10
ggfr VETERANS OF
W FOREIGN WARS
Post 4872, Hurricane Shoals Convention Ctr.
Each 4thTuesdasy, 7:00 p.m.
Jason Mergele, Commander
Phone 706-367-7237 263
JEFFERSON ROTARY CLUB
Meets Tuesdays
Jefferson City Clubhouse
12:30 p.m.-(706) 367-1109
Gina Mitsdarffer, President
547
A UNITY LODGE
w( F & A.M.
No. 36, Jefferson, GA
1st Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m.
Dwayne Potts • 706-367-4449
Borders St. behind Tabo’s 260
JEFFERSON LIONS CLUB
Meets 2nd & 4th Monday
Jefferson City Clubhouse
6:30 p.m.-(706) 387-1156
Mack Cates, President
542
HO BANKS COUNTY
|0|AMERICAN LEGION
Riders Post 215
Meets each 2nd Thursday, 7 p.m.
In Homer, GA at the
American Legion Building on
Historic Highway 441 pd,o2/io
2^ Georgia Real Estate Investors
Association, Inc. - Athens
Meets the third Thursday each month
6:30 pm at the UGA Conferen ce Center
1197 South Lumpkin Street,
Athens, GA 30601
Tom Hewlett - Chapter President
thewlettl@charter.net Pd.12/09
BANKS COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC.
meets first Monday each month
7:00 p.m. in the Banks Co. Historial
Courthouse at 105 U.S. Hwy. 441
North in Homer pd.-07/io
NORTH EAST GEORGIA
AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
Meets the 1st Thursday
each month at the
Commerce City
Public Library
1344 South Broad Street
www.ne4ga.org Pd. 12