The Madison County journal. (Hull, Ga.) 1989-current, November 19, 2009, Image 1

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The Madison County journal., November 19, 2009, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextThe www.MadisonJournalTODAY.com NOVEMBER 19, 2009 Merged with The Comer News and The Danielsville Monitor, 2006 Vol. 24 No. 46 • Publication No. 1074-987 • Danielsville, Madison County, Georgia 30633 • A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers Inc. • 28 Pages, 2 Sections Plus Supplements CITY GOVT CHRISTIAN SERVICE ECONOMY Da receives money for water upgrades The city of Ha was given the green light Tuesday for a drink ing water loan of $400,000 and a subsidy of $400,000 to help finance water system improve ments. Upgrades include the devel opment of a well, water main replacement, new meters and the replacement and repair of fire hydrants. The city will pay no interest on the 20-year loan. The total project cost is $800,000 with the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) providing the entire amount. The Ila project was one of seven environmental infra structure project loans totaling almost $5.7 million approved by the governor Tuesday. Five of the projects were either fully or partially financed by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) at a total of almost $3 million. The GEFA board of directors approved the commitments to help finance water and sewer infrastructure projects in seven communities throughout Georgia. “Investment in our state’s water and sewer infrastructure stimulates the economy, pro motes the stewardship of our natural resources, and helps to meet Georgia’s future water needs,’’ said Governor Sonny Perdue. “The projects approved today will improve water and sewer system efficiency and will ensure clean and safe water.” INSIDE Send us your kids’ Christmas pictures The Madison County Journal will again pub lish its annual Kids’ Christmas section. See the ad inside for details. — Page 5A Index: News — 1-3A, 7A Opinions — 4-5A Crime — 6A Schools — 8-9A Socials — 10A, 16A Churches —11A Obituaries —12A Classifieds —13-15A Sports — 1-2B Legals — 3-11B Contact: Phone: 706-795-2567 Fax: 706-795-2765 Mail: P.O. Box 658, Danielsville, GA, 30633 Web: MadisonJoumalTODAY. com Jubilee Partners, which has offered a place of comfort for over 3,000 refugees from 30 countries, will celebrate 30 years of existence in Madison County on Thanksgiving Day. Pictured (L-R) are Jubilee volunteers Amber Oda, Indiana; Manal Tayar, Lebanon; Jubilee leaders Don Mosley and wife Carolyn; and vol unteer Chris Haynes, Tennessee. Zach Mitcham/staff Thirty years at... Jubilee Partners The Job Market County’s first-time unemployment claims dip slightly, but still greater than a year ago Madison County saw a slight drop in first-time unemployment insurance claims last month, but the claims are still up from last year. According to figures released last week by the Georgia Department of Labor, Madison County’s first-time unemploy ment claims totaled 271 in October, down nine or 3.2 percent from the September total of 280, but up 44 or 19.4 percent from Oct. 2008. In Georgia, first-time unemployment claims were up six percent over the past month, from 66,614 in September to 70,597 in October. But last month’s state figures were 2,030 or 2.8 percent below the Oct. 2008 figure of 72,627. “The October jobless claims report provides a revealing snapshot of the condition of Georgia’s job market and viability of the nascent economic recov ery,” said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. “Most striking is the lack of improvement in initial claims, which showed a decline of only 2.8 percent over the year. This is a stark reminder that job losses are continuing at rates comparable to those experienced at the height of the Great Recession.” HEALTH Comer Christian organization celebrates three decades of helping world’s refugees Inside: ‘Mosley works on housing project in North Korea,’ Page 2A By Zach Mitcham zach@mainstreetnews.com T hirty years have passed since six adults and five kids moved from south Georgia to 260 acres in Comer. Those first Jubilee Partners in Comer were set on doing the Lord’s work. And they slept in tents, took baths in the creek. “In a mild sense of the word, we were like refu gees,” said Don Mosley, director of Jubilee Partners, remembering the early days in Comer. “We got just a taste of it. We became more sensitive to what real, bona fide refugees around the world are up against.” Apart from the lack of modern comforts, there was another concern. Mosley, his wife Carolyn, and others were aware that some might worry about what would happen on that rural land. It was 1979, only a year removed from that horrible incident in Jonestown, Guyana, in which a Christian ministry had taken a horribly un- Christian turn and more than 900 people lay dead. The newspaper headlines out of Athens spoke of a “commune” coming to Comer. But the Jubilee Partners found support in Madison County, not hate. “We were going to local churches, such as the Comer United Methodist Church,” said Mosley. “And bless their hearts, they stood up for us. There were several instances when people said ‘Do you know what’s com ing across the street from you?’ And the people there, William Porterfield and others, said ‘Hey, you ought What: 30-year anniversary of Jubilee Partners Where: Jubilee Partners, Hwy. 22, Comer When: Thanksgiving Day What’s happening: Open house, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; wor ship service, 9:30 a.m.; potluck meal, 1 p.m. For more information: 706-783-5131, ext. 110 to meet these people. They attend our church. They’re good folks.’” What took root 30 years ago on that Comer prop erty has changed numerous lives — not just in Georgia, but nationally and intema- — See “Jubilee” on 2A Swine flu vaccine remains elusive at local health depts. By Margie Richards margie@mainstreetnews.com A sign taped to the front entrance of the Madison County Health Department pretty much sums it up - it is out of flu shots. The message also highlights the “serious shortage” of H1N1 (swine flu) inject able vaccine that contin ues to plague the northeast Georgia area. But the good news is that cases of the H1N1, or swine flu, are down some in Georgia currently, according to Northeast District health director Dr. Claude Burnett. Burnett addressed the flu pandemic and vaccine shortage during a Madison County Board of Health meeting last week. But Burnett also warned that cases of H1N1 could go back up as cold weather and the “regular” flu sea son sets in, which is some times as late as Januray or February. “It’s prudent to get the vaccine,” he advised, if you can find it. The clinic still has sup plies of the H1N1 nasal spray, which is available for ages 2-49. The most serious cases of swine flu are being seen in the four to 24 year old age group, he added, noting that the medical community is not seeing a lot of serious disease in the over-50 population. Burnett said he speculates that older generations have some immunity to the virus, possibly due to being exposed to a similar — See “Flu” on 2A‘ HOLIDAY HELP Thanksgiving tradition lives on in Comer “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, And one who waters will himself be watered.” — Proverbs 11:25 By Zach Mitcham zach@mainstreetnews.com You may be hurting, but you are cared for. And you are not alone. That’s the message the late Carmine Costello wanted to send with his annual Thanksgiving dinner for those in need, which he started 12 years ago. Costello’s family and numerous volunteers keep that tradition of giv ing alive, providing an estimated 650 hot Thanksgiving meals from Proverbs 11:25 Ministries, hosted by Carmine’s Pizza Time in Comer. The — See ‘Thanksgiving” on 2A‘ Want to request a meal? Call 706-552-0097 to reserve a Thanksgiving dinner at no cost. Make sure to leave a mes sage with a phone number so reservations can be confirmed. Dinners may be picked up starting at 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, with a limit of eight dinners per household. Want to donate? The Ministry is in need of donations of money, food and time to make the event happen. Those who would like to donate food should contact or come by Carmine's to let them know what you are planning to provide. Monetary donations may also be made at the restaurant, or deposited at First Citizens Bank in Comer. All checks should be made payable to Proverbs 11:25 Ministries.