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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 4860 Atlanta Highway • Bogart-Athens One Mile West of Sam’s Club • 770-725-1977 www.marvstackfeedDet.com iflo/ nff Any Item ofYour Choice m\J /0 V/il ‘'With This Ad - Expires 11/22/09 Including but not limited to these national brands: $ARIAT Carl&rtt Hard at work sl»c« 1W9 irideon riding wear KERRJTS. (excludes animal feeds, wormers, supplements & sale items) Premium Brands...Reasonable Prices One stop for you, your animals & your pets! HOLIDAY AD DEADLINE Classified and Display Ads 12 Noon, Friday, Nov. 20 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