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THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL. THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 26. 2009 — PAGE 3A
Shelter
Speed bumps slowing fast traffic in Hull
• • • continued from page 1A
and the significance of having the shelter to service the
two-county area.
"What both counties need to understand is that if we
weren’t here, that’s 2,500 animals that are going to be
free in both these counties.”
She noted that the 2,500 animals would “double in a
heartbeat.”
"There are too many strays still, even with us here,”
Fornash said. "If we were not here, just imagine."
Including Fornash, MOAS has seven employees —
four of which earn minimum wage — to tend to all the
animals.
"What I want people to understand is that we are here
for the animals,” Fornash said. “We are here to try to find
every single one of these animals a home."
She said she and her staff go out of their way to save
money for the shelter. In fact, workers take turns buying
bleach and paper towels for the facility, “so we don’t take
that out of shelter money,” Fornash said.
But Fornash said she cannot reduce the payroll and take
care of the animals at the same time.
"There’s nowhere left to cut," Fornash said.
Still, despite tough financial times, adoption fees at
the shelter haven’t changed in five years, while spay and
neuter fees have remained steady for the last three. That’s
because MOAS wants to remain a low-cost option for
residents, Fornash said.
"Because that’s what we want people to do is spay,
neuter and adopt," Fornash said. “We’re certainly not in
it for the money.”
But the bills to run the facility aren’t getting any
cheaper.
In fact, it costs about $2,000 a month in propane alone
during the winter months to heat the building and run the
crematorium. The shelter also owes its drug company
about $9,000. And, still, the animals keep coming.
While the shelter sees a few more adoptions during the
Christmas season, that’s usually trumped by increased
intake from January to March. Often, new dog owners
decide during these months that they no longer want
their pet.
"It’s not the cute little cuddly puppy (anymore) or
chews up something," Fornash said.
Adding to the bad news is that January to March are
also slow months for spays and neuters. So the money
that MOAS normally generates from that will also
decrease.
"And that’s why I’m so concerned about the next two to
three months,” Fornash said. “Because it’s just not going
to be coming in, but it’s still going to be going out. We’ll
still have a shelter full of animals that we have to take
care of and feed and vet.”
By Ben Munro
ben@mainstreetnews.com
Hull appears to be well on
its way toward slowing speed
ers on Pope Miller Road.
Construction crews com
pleted the installation of
sales tax funded speed bumps
last week (Nov. 16), and the
devices are working, accord
ing to mayor Paul Elkins.
"(Councilman) Wayne
(Melton) said that traffic has
slowed noticeably,” mayor
Paul Elkins said. “And for
that, they’re very thankful.”
Melton lives on Pope Miller
Road.
Concerned by reports of
motorists speeding through
the residential area, Hull city
leaders appropriated $18,198
worth of SPLOST funds in
September to remedy the
problem, which the council
deemed a safety threat.
The speed bumps were part
of a three-part road improve
ment SPLOST package.
The other two parts were
the repaving of a pair of
small, deteriorating residen
tial streets — Cornelia Drive
and Yarbrough Road. The
roads were paved on Nov.
18-19.
Elkins was pleased with all
three facets of the SPLOST
upgrades, and the speed
bumps seem to be serving
their intended purpose, he
said.
“It serves a purpose, and
it’s an example of what can
be done with SPLOST funds
that are beneficial to a lot of
people,” Elkins said.
The city has made an ini
tial payment of $14,435 on
the road projects, leaving a
$3,763 balance to payoff.
In other news, Hull will
vote on its budget at its Dec.
21 meeting which starts at 7
p.m. The city, however, will
hold a budget hearing regard
ing the budget prior to the
meeting at 6:30 p.m.
The city also welcomed
councilperson-elect Paige
Phillips to its council meet
ing last week. Phillips will
take over for Paul Cook in
January.
Madison County BOC to meet Monday
The Madison County Board
of Commissioners will meet
Monday at 6:30 p.m., in the
county government complex.
Agenda items include:
•Chairman’s report.
(Chairman Anthony Dove)
•Business involving guests,
groups or multiple visitors.
•Report from IDA - Marvin
White.
•Statements and remarks
from citizens on agenda
items.
•E-911 request to upgrade
the warrant clerk position from
Grade 9 to records technician
grade 11. (Donna Sisk)
•Request to fill two full
time positions at E-911 - war
rants clerk and dispatcher I.
(Donna Sisk)
•Discuss BOC/PZ meeting
schedule calendars for 2010.
(Donna Sisk)
•Consider resolution regard
ing Danielsville Volunteer
Fire Department new pumper
truck. (Chairman Dove)
•Consider personnel posi
tions for 2010 and finalize
2010 budget. (Chairman
Dove)
•Consider banking for
SPLOST account. (Chairman
Dove)
•Roads update. (Chairman
Dove)
•Urgent matters. (Chairman
Dove)
•Review Dec. 7 agenda for
business meeting.
•Statements and remarks
from citizens.
•Closed session to discuss
land acquisition, personnel
matters and/or potential liti
gation (if needed).
Comer Christmas parade, tree lighting, set for Dec. 5, 6
The annual Comer
Christmas Parade will be
Saturday, Dec. 5, at 2 p.m.
This year’s theme is “The
Old Made New.”
Organizers say plans are
underway for an exciting day
with Comer Elementary’s
festival, the recreation depart
ment’s 5k Fun Run, as well
as performances by local
choruses and singer Tommy
Hall prior to the parade.
Santa will be on hand to
greet everyone and wish all
a Merry Christmas. "Come
bring your family for a fun
day together,” organizers
said. For more information
go to www.citvofcomer.
com or call 706-783-4553 or
706-783-5678.
The lighting of the city’s
Christmas tree will be Sunday
night, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m.
Madison County School cho
ruses will perform. Comer
United Methodist Church is
in charge of the program,
Comer Baptist Church will
host a live Nativity and
Springfield Baptist Church
will serve refreshments,
compliments of First Citizens
Bank.
“Please come out for a
meaningful service with your
family and have a Merry
Christmas and a Happy New
Year,” organizers said.
For the best buys, read
The Madison County Journal classifieds.
c
m
•ecember 4, 2009
All Stores Open until 9:00 p.m.
Sanders Furniture
Our Town Antiques
Commerce Drug
My Daughter's Antiques
Little Italy
Subway
Sheila's Consignment
Cherished Treasures
Carol Streetman Photography
Edward Jones'
Jay's Department Store
Chris' Place
Wing Slinger's
Giftworks At The Joy Shoppe
Harmony Grove Grill
Commerce Printing
Holly Rogers Tax & Accounting
New Image
Emergency Billing
Cremco Computer
1 st Choice Locksmith
First Commerce Bank
Regions Bank
GA Agri-Business
McDonald Ace Hardware
Community Bank & Trust
Come Join The Fun
• Candle Lit Sidewalks • Caroling
• Carriage Rides • Live Nativity Scene
• Jackson County 4-H Love Of Llamas Club
• Pictures With Santa Claus
Complimentary Refreshments At Most Locations
Visit participating locations for a chance
to win 1 of 3 Gift Certificates
for downtown shopping
Cans For Coupons
To Benefit Banks Jackson Food Bank.
(Drop off at Community Bank
& Trust or GA Agri-Business)
For more information, call:
706-335-2954