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THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL. THURSDAY. DECEMBER 17. 2009 — PAGE 5A Opinions Give something that God and Jesus would really understand Dear Editor: The population of Madison County in 2001 was 25,750 people. And Oglethorpe County was 12,635 folks. The total population that benefits from the Madison-Oglethorpe Animal Shelter is over 38,385 people. If one considers that perhaps half of that number is children, that leaves more than 19,193 adults. If each and every adult citizen in these two counties gave only one dollar, the shelter would have enough to continue oper ating into the near future — $20,000. If only half of these folks, 10,000, gave only one dollar, the shelter could also continue operating for a short while with the generous match ing funds of $10,000 recently offered. If only one quarter of this population 5,000 gave at least two dollars each, with the recent offer, the shelter would not have to close right away. If only one eighth of this popula tion (2,500) gave four dollars each, again, the shelter could survive a while longer. If only one sixteenth of the good folks of these counties 1,200 gave only eight dollars each, the shelter could survive. It’s Christmas, folks! I doubt very seriously that God and Jesus feel at all honored by everybody spending money they don’t have on gifts to exchange with others, most of which are never used or appreciated and soon take up space in the landfill. All this ridiculousness only enriches the retail indus try and stresses everyone out. I call it the Hallmark Syndrome. Of course, one does want to get something for the kids, but adults? At the very least, simply knock one person off your gift list and send them a card if you must. Then send $1, $2, $4, $8 or more to the shelter. That’s the kind of gift that God and Jesus would really understand! Sincerely, Virginia Moss Hull Help one or two pets you’ve never met this Christmas Dear Editor: Anyone who has known me for very long knows that I am an animal lover. I was raised in a home filled with warm fuzzy creatures, and my parents taught me that I had a responsibility to try to help any animal that came to me in time of need. My life has been filled with the joy these animals bring to me. They are important to me. The pets in my care are a spoiled bunch - they sleep secure in the knowledge that Santa will bring something special for them as well as for the two-footed people in my family. Many animals, however, are not so lucky. They roam cold, wet streets, hoping to find enough to eat. Every day I see dead animals by the side of the road, and my heart is sad. For the last couple of years, I have been privileged to be associated with the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter. Each year our facility takes in hundreds of animals that need a forever home. Sadly, our shel ter’s budget has not increased over the years, although operat ing costs continue to climb. We are now faced with more ani mals than we can care for. With the current dire employment situation in our area, more and more people are being forced to make the decision to give up their animals simply because they have no way to care for them. They cannot promise safe shelter or regular meals, and they make the humane decision to give up an animal that may have been like a member of their family for several years. We have many adult animals that do not understand why they no longer live with the family they were part of. This, too, breaks my heart, because I cannot explain to the animals that their owners didn’t abandon them in anger. It amazes me that most of the animals somehow remain very loving and trusting creatures, just waiting for then- next home. At this time of year we reach deep into our pockets to pro vide Christmas for our families. Somehow, most of us find the means to provide a few gifts to our immediate family. My pets are definitely part of my family, and my own children have never questioned the extra stockings that are hung alongside then- own each year. This year my pets will receive one present they’ve never seen before. They will learn that they are help ing animals in need. They will receive a card ‘explaining’ to them that a donation to MOAS has been made in their name. I think they will be proud. I would like to challenge all pet lovers to show their love for their pets by helping one or two they’ve never met. Every dona tion, no matter the size, will be a lifesaver. Sincerely, Carol Barnes Says tax commissioner isn’t doing her job Dear Editor: In response to the article “Tax sale planned,’’ tax commissioner Louise Watson is planning a tax sale in early March 2010. It is certainly time for this sale. And why are delinquent taxpayers given a two-year free ride to pay up? Listen up all property own ers, that must mean we all can be at least one year late paying our tax. The approximately 600 delin quent property owners have been given a free ride on the backs of us who paid our taxes. I do not believe Louise Watson is doing her job as she stated in the article. There is no excuse for allowing approximately 600 delinquent taxpayers two to five years to pay up. Has our commission chairman Anthony Dove not talked with Louise Watson about the lack of property tax collections? What about it Mr. Dove? I have talked to one commis sioner who told me he had talked with Louise Watson about the lack of tax collecting. He told me she said she feels sorry for those who cannot pay. Your job (Watson) is to collect property tax. We who came in to pay our tax have done so on our own. You, Louise Watson, did not “collect’’ any money from me. In my opinion, you are a very inefficient tax collector. Am I the only concerned prop erty owner in this county? I have yet to read anyone else's opinion on the tax commissioner’s office. I hope you all remember how inefficient this tax commissioner has been when the next election rolls around. Sincerely, Gene Lurwig Danielsville NEWS Ha moves forward with water system upgrades The Ila City Council voted this month to award bids and move forward with water system improvements for the town’s aging water system. The council awarded a con tract to replace the city’s water main to First Georgia Pipeline, Inc. in the amount of $271,932 and the contract for replacing the city’s water meters was awarded to D. Lance, Souther, Inc. in the amount of $120,495. City engineers Peoples and Quigley will prepare the con struction contracts and send the Notice of Award to the con tractors for signatures, accord ing to the meeting minutes. In another matter. Waste Pro, the city’s garbage collection company, was awarded a 3.5 percent increase in garbage fees per year over the next five years. The council also agreed to a fuel cost clause in the contract. The council also requested a 30-yard dumpster be left at the city’s mainte nance building (instead of city hall, as usual) for the last week in December for residents’ use. The council also discussed extending the city limits and asked city attorney Pat Graham to look into the feasibility of doing this and bring informa tion on annexation to the Jan. 4 meeting. The council voted to pay an additional $12,000 on the city’s USDA/Rural Development Loan, whose balance is due in December 2010. The council agreed to have gravel placed on the driveway to the city’s new well. Industrial authority to meet Monday The Madison County Industrial Development and Building Authority will meet at 6 p.m., Monday, Dec. 21, in the historic county courthouse. Agenda items include: •Financial report. •Water request. •Utility Director Report: a. billing report, b. 2008 water system expansion update, c. Harrison Water System Update. •Other ID A-related issues; a. Hull/Sanford sewer project update and revise construction standards and sanitary sewer system specifications amendment number 1, b. Hull/Sanford force main. For the best buys, read The Journal classifieds. Support Nadison County SHOP LOCALLY Sponsored by The Nadison County Chamber of Commerce We Buy All Gold & Silver ''I'M Including: Class Rings • Wedding Bands • Coins • Broken Jewelry • Dental Gold .Gamesoiffe 4 770-532-2592 1020 Jesse Jewell Pkwy. • Gainesville, GA Mon. - Thurs. 10-6:30 • Fri. - Sat. 10-7 women Experiencing hair loss and dont know what your options are? well call for your free consultation today!! • CUSTOMIZED HAIR WIGS • LACE FRONT/FULL LACE • FREE CONSULTATION • PRIVATE ROOM • INDIVIDUAL SERVICE • CONVENIENT LOCATION • GREAT PRICES 10% OFF WITH THIS AD > Law Hair care 1944 Braselton Hwy suite 102 Buford, GA 30519 1(678) 575-4484 www.lacehaircare.com Perplexed by reaction to mutilation of dog Dear Editor: I am perplexed by the reaction of all involved parties to the admitted mutilation of a family dog by a juvenile (December 3, 2009, juvenile admits to mutilating dog). The owners of the victimized dog declined to press crimi nal charges. This child needs psychological intervention. Animal abuse is abnormal behavior, especially if it involves genital mutilation! Animal abuse often escalates into person abuse — an extreme example is Jeffrey Dahmer. Perhaps the parents are very concerned and loving and already seeking counseling for the child. However, neglecting to pursue this situation beyond financial compensation sends the message to others that if you get caught abusing, mutilating, even castrating an animal, there will be no real consequences. Forgiving malicious property damage is also an error in judgment. This will be recognized when we as taxpayers pay for his sadly inevitable incarceration as an adult. Sincerely, Suzanne DeGrass Thank you to those who helped with ‘Toys for Joy’ Dear Editor: Community Baptist Church’s Lighthouse Ministries held its second annual “Toys for Joy” event Dec. 5. Toys for Joy is a special event that gives new and slightly used toys to families who are unable to provide Christmas. At the event, we had new and used toys for the families, each family receiving five toys apiece. This year’s event was the largest yet. We had 106 families come through our doors to receive toys. In all, Toys for Joy gave toys to over 300 kids. That means that over 1,500 toys went out the doors of our church to families who truly need them. Not only did each family get toys, but the first 75 families also received “Holiday Meals” given by our church’s Young Adult class. To see the appreciation of the people leaving with their gifts was such a humbling experience. To see men and women leave crying, thanking us. To hear them tell us how much this helps and that we will never know how much this means to them. It makes all those hours worthwhile and makes you realize how blessed many of us truly are. Even the ones who got small items that many of us would consider junk were so grateful. I want say “Thank You” to many, many families and indi viduals. First off, I am so grateful to all the families who donated to this event. Because of your donation, you brought smiles to many children’s lives this Christmas. Also, thanks to Community Baptist Church (Ila, Georgia) for your sup port and for all your help with this event. I want to thank each person who spent many, many hours preparing for and working during this event... it wouldn’t have been possible without you! I also want to thank the CBC Young Adult class for providing these families with holiday meals. Last but definitely not least, I want to thank each family who came to this year’s Lighthouse Ministries event! Again, I want to thank everyone who donated or helped with Toys for Joy. Many families were touched and many lives changed! Never would I believe that we would have had such a great turnout of donations and families with this only being our second event! Thank you all and may God bless you this Christmas season and in the year to come! Sincerely, Tyler Mize Lighthouse Ministries Director WANT TO SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE JOURNAL? Email us at: zach@mainstreetnews.com Or you can mail a letter to us at P.O. Box 658, Danielsville, Ga. 30633, fax us at 706-795-2765 or drop off a letter at our office across from the county government complex on Hwy. 29. You may place the letter in the drop box below the front porch window if the office is closed. Commerce Kidney Center 592 Ridgeway Rd. • Commerce, GA BezeAdogu, Khudr Burjak, Harini Chittineni, MD, PhD, FACP MD MD 1 st Rate Dialysis Care, Right Here At Home. ♦ Board-Certified Doctors ♦ Hypertension & Dialysis Experts ♦ Daily Evaluation By Doctor / Call (706) KIDNEYS v (706) 543-6397 for appointment. Visit facility with loved ones to see for yourself.,