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THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL. THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 19. 2009 — PAGE 5A
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Says justice system
failed her husband
Dear Editor:
I felt that I should write
after reading your Oct.
22 edition. I feel a deep
sadness for the family of
Summer Shenk, not only
for the loss of a loved one,
but also for the loss of
justice.
I feel somehow that I
am in the same boat as
the Shenk family, with the
exception being the justice
system is the one that was
found to be my culprit.
This system has taken my
husband away from me.
In Summer’s case, a guilty
man was found to be inno
cent, in my case, an inno
cent man was found guilty.
My husband was charged
with criminal trespass to
begin with, but in less than
two days his charge went
to breaking and entering,
to burglary. Because of our
strong belief in our jus
tice system, we chose not
to plea bargain but to go
before a jury of our peers.
Without any kind of evi
dence, he was found guilty.
Yes, that is correct, no evi
dence. Law officers did the
search warrant (and) found
nothing. (There was) no
witness putting my husband
inside the mobile home,
unless you count the owner
of the home, who my hus
band conversed with on the
property for a good 20 min
utes. No fingerprints, no
DNA found - although my
husband gave samples.
To make a long story
short, our justice system,
the jury of our peers, found
my husband guilty because
it was his intention to com
mit burglary and that was
why he was on the property
to begin with. Never mind
about the fact that we lived
five minutes up the road
and were trying to help
someone else find a place
to rent. Never mind the fact
that the owner of the home
stated that it had been
24-48 hours since he had
last checked the property
even though he lived right
next door. Never mind that
the investigator had nothing
that said beyond a shadow
of a doubt that my husband
was guilty. My husband
was, as one police officer
told me, in the wrong place
at the wrong time.
But, because the jury sud
denly became mind readers
and knew what my husband
intended to do, they found
him guilty. He is currently
awaiting his sentence - the
maximum time for burglary
is 20 years, or so I’ve been
told by the great justice
system.
I feel close to Summer’s
family, without really
knowing them, because just
like Summer, my husband
is here today but may be
gone tomorrow. And my
husband is my whole life.
He is all I have in this poor,
pitiful world of ours.
I send my deepest and
heartfelt sympathy to the
family of Summer Faith
Shenk. May God bless
you. As for everyone else,
be careful, someone may
decide that they know what
your intentions are and our
system could throw you in
jail for a long time based
on that fact and that fact
alone.
Sincerely,
Loretta Escoe
Ila
Thanks for making fund-raiser a success
Dear Editor:
We would like to issue a
special thanks to everyone
who came together to make
the Mathew Roberts’ chicken
plate fundraiser a huge suc
cess. We raised $4,800 to help
him with his medical expens
es.
Sincerely,
Deanne Harris
Colbert
Mary’s
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for the Nov. 26 publication
The
Madison County Journal
New ownership at Danielsville Florist and Gifts
Danielsville city leaders were on hand for a ribbon cutting Thursday morning
at Danielsville Florists on Hwy. 29 in Danielsville. Long-time owners Marie and
Donald Drake are stepping aside as Sheila Smith and Ann Gwathney take over
the business. Smith is the former owner of She Bugs in Crawford, while Gwathney
previously owned Inviting Events in Snellville. Pictured (L-R) are council mem
bers Janice Merk, Junne Temple, mayor Glenn Cross, Ann Gwathney, Sheila
Smith, mayor-elect Philip Croya, Marie Drake and Ron Faust.
At the
artists’
market
Over 30 local art
ists sold their
handmade works at
the historic court
house on the square
in Danielsville
Saturday at the
fourth annual
Madison County
Artist Market.
Area schools
to receive
federal award
money
Several Madison County
schools that are Title I
Distinguished Schools will
be given a monetary award,
according to the Georgia
Department of Education.
Those schools are:
Colbert Elementary, $712;
Comer Elementary, $1,068;
Danielsville Elementary.
$1,068; Hull-Sanford
Elementary, $712; and Ila
Elementary, $712.
Title I Distinguished
Schools that have made AYP
(Adequate Yearly Progress)
for four or more years will
receive a monetary award,
paid out of federal funds.
Title I schools have a sig
nificant population of students
who are economically disad
vantaged and receive federal
money to assist with the edu
cation of those students.
Hull to hold
tree lighting
The city of Hull will kick
off the 2009 Christmas season
Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 7 p.m.
at the Hull Pavillion (next to
the Golden Pantry) with its
annual Christmas tree light
ing ceremony, which this year
also includes a light display of
Christmas decorations. This is
the 20 th annual lighting of the
tree, Hull officials noted.
Everyone is invited to
attend, officials said.
NOTICE
The City of Danielsville Governing Authority does hereby announce that a Public Hearing will be held on November 30, 2009 at
6:30 p.m. for review of the 2009 Millage Rate. The millage rate will be set at a meeting to be held at the Danielsville City Hall on
December 7th, 2009 at 7:00 p.m and pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. Section 48-5-32 does hereby publish the following
presentation of the current year's tax digest and levy, along with the history of the tax digest and levy for the past five years.
The City of Danielsville Governing Authority does hereby announce that a Public Hearing will be held on November 30, 2009 at
6:30 p.m. and on December 7. 2009 at 6:30 p.m., for review of the 2010 Budget. The 2010 Budget will be set at a meeting to be
held at the Danielsville City Hall on December 7th, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.. Copies of the 2010 Budget will be available to view at
Danielsville City Hall, during regular business hours, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. beginning on November 16, 2009.
DANIELSVILLE 2009 TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Real & Personal
12.085.363
16.445.132
16.216.175
17.295,476
16.642.669
17.289.195
Motor Vehicles
1.277.670
1,194.440
1,103.200
1.022.430
1.050.080
972.740
Mobile Homes
121,476
53.325
39.145
40.952
61,177
23,278
Timber -100%
Heavy Duty Equipment
Gross Digest
13.484,509
17,692,897
17.358,520
18.358,858
17,753,926
18,285,213
Less M& O Exemptions
Net M & O Digest
13.484.509
17,692.897
17,358.520
18,358.858
17.753.926
18,285.213
Gross M&O Millage
10.210
10.080
11.100
12.010
11.660
11.290
Less Rollbacks
7 360
7.230
8.250
9.160
8 810
8.440
Net M&O Millage
2.850
2.850
2.850
2.850
2.850
2.850
Total City Taxes Levied
$38,431
$50,425
$49,472
$52,323
$50,599
$52,113
Net Taxes $ Increase
$3,488
$11,994
-$953
$2,851
-$1,724
$1,514
Net Taxes % Increase
9.98%
31.21%
-1.89%
5.76%
-3.30%
2.99%
Madison County’s
13tb Annual Kids’ Christmas Section
Deadline: December 2 • Edition Runs: December 24
Email information below and attach photo to
madisonchristmas@mainstreetnewsxom
or
Fill out this slip, attach photo of children
(ages 10 and under)
and mail to us at
The Madison County Journal
P. O. Box 658, Danielsville, GA 30633
or drop by our office across from the
County Government Complex on U. S. Hwy. 29
Child or Children's Name(s) & Ages.
Susie Jones, age 10
daughter of Ed and Louise
Jones, Nicholson, Ga.
Parents' Name(s)
City of Residence
(child must reside in Madison County)
Contact Name & Phone Number