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PAGE 2A — THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL. THURSDAY. DECEMBER 17, 2020
Those on hand for the Dec. 10 mentor breakfast gather for a group photo.
Madison County Mentor
program hosts Chamber event
Shirley Aaron (L) is pictured with Brenda Abdel-Hafez (C) and Melanie Berryman,
who have been with the mentor program since its inception.
The Madison County
Mentor Program hosted
the monthly Chamber of
Commerce coffee Dec. 10
in the PLC 2 meeting room
at the county school board
office.
Mentors past and present
were recognized, with some
sharing what mentoring has
meant to them. There was
a wide array of food, door
prizes and JoBeth Guest
entertained the audience on
the keyboard.
Mentor program director
Shirley Aaron led the event,
recognizing many who
have supported the pro
gram over the years. She
thanked mentors and advi
sors Michael Williams and
Ryan Melton and advis
er Anna Strickland, the
director of the Chamber of
Commerce. Strickland said
that she has signed up to
mentor a Madison County
student and she encouraged
others to sign up as well.
Hundreds of students are
on a waiting list for an adult
mentor, but there aren't
enough volunteers.
Aaron recognized those
who have helped the pro
gram since its inception,
including Beth Coker
and Melanie Berryman
and program support
er Brenda Abdel-Hafez.
She recognized mentors
whose mentees graduated
in May: Kelli Dixon, Jane
Fitzpatrick, Jill Fortson.
Ryan Melton, Loren Metts,
Zach Mitcham, Amanda
JILL FORTSON
Sailors, Sherry Shelton and
Brad Sikes.
Aaron recognized behind-
the-scenes helpers for the
mentor program, includ
ing Strickland, Berryman.
Montie Burroughs, Olivia
Hanson and Dale Kenner.
Those who helped put on
the Mentor breakfast Dec.
SHERRY SHELTON
10 were Berryman, Abdel-
Hafez, Kenner, Joanna
Bost, Beth Coker, Marta
Garland, Karen Harrison.
Pam Weaver and Gail
Cochran.
Aaron was also recog
nized by Superintendent
Williams for her work in
overseeing the mentor pro-
LOREN METTS
gram.
Those on the mentor
advisory board for 2020-21
are Monica Allen, Katelynn
Bennett, Tracey Crawford,
Tracy Hebenton, Tonya
Hill, Ryan Melton, Teddi
Shriner, Anna Strickland,
Tara Thomas and Michael
Williams.
Want to become a mentor?
Those who are interested in mentoring a Madison County student can call 706-338-
3689 or email mcmentor@madison.k12.ga.us
Madison Co. BOC
to meet Dec. 21
The Madison County
Board of Commissioners
will meet at 6 p.m.,
Monday, Dec. 21 in the
public meeting room at the
county government com
plex.
Go to madisoncountyga.
us for instructions on how
to join via Zoom.
Agenda items include:
•Business involving
guests, groups or multiple
visitors: Anna Strickland,
Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director
•Chairman's report
•Statements and remarks
from citizens on agenda
items
•Consider dates for 2021
holidays
•Consider dates for 2021
BOC meetings
•Consider 2021 beer and
wine license applications
•Consider 2021 food
bank budget
•Consider 2021 law
library and clerk’s deed
budgets
•Consider 2021 sheriff’s
office and jail commission
budgets
•Consider approving a
continuing spending res
olution for a temporary
2021 budget
•Roads update
•Urgent matters
•Statements and remarks
from citizens
•Statements and remarks
from commissioners
•Closed session to dis
cuss real estate acquisi
tion. personnel matters
and/or potential litigation
Judge emphasizes
importance of jury duty
As the Northern Judicial Circuit initiates a return to jury trial
proceedings, Chief Judge Jeffery S. Malcom emphasizes the
critical role citizens play as jurors to ensure justice for all, while
assuring them that extra precautions are being put into place to
protect their health and safety.
“We’re urging all citizens to respond to the summons to be a
juror, because the right to a trial by jury is fundamental to the
American system of justice.” said Judge Malcom.
Juror summons are expected to go out in December 2020 for
some counties, with others to follow, with the expectation that
jury trials will resume in January 2021.
Jury trials and most grand jury proceedings have been sus
pended in Georgia since March 14, 2020 when the Honorable
Harold D. Melton, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of
Georgia, first declared a Statewide Judicial Emergency in
response to the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-
19.
Since then, he has extended the emergency every 30 days, as
state law permits. In early October, the Chief Justice announced
that the next order he would sign on October 10 extending the
emergency for another 30 days, would immediately lift the
suspension of jury trials in Georgia and allow them to resume
under strict COVID-19 safety guidelines and at the discretion of
the Chief Judge of each Superior Court in consultation with the
local District Attorney.
As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Northern
Circuit judiciary, in collaboration with local public health
experts and county government officials, has identified alterna
tive locations for some counties for jury selection and jury trials
to safely resume.
Northern Judicial Circuit officials say they are dedicated to
protecting the health of all prospective jurors, employees, and
the general public. Specific protocols will be followed, includ
ing pre-screenings and temperature checks, practicing social
distancing, masks required, and employing enhanced cleaning
procedures throughout the day. Furthermore, all court functions
held will be subject to the provisions of the Northern Judicial
Circuit Standing Order for Court Procedures During COVID-19
Judicial Emergency.
Board of Elections to meet Jan. 7
The Madison County Board of Elections and
Registration monthly board meeting for Jan. 5,2021 will
be rescheduled for Jan. 7, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
LOAN AUTHORITY TOURS GRP
Madison County Industrial Development and Building Authority Executive Director Frank Ginn talks to
members of the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), who toured Georgia Renewable Power
(GRP) in Colbert last week. Ginn spoke about the extension of a water line from the Elbert County line to GRP
that was funded with a GEFA loan. The group is pictured in front of a three-million gallon water tank that
serves GRP, but also serves as backup for the county water system. GRP paid for the tank and deeded it to
the industrial authority. Plant manager David Groves led the tour. He said groups wanting to tour the facility
can call him at 706-909-6002.
Church news
•Canaan Baptist Church,
980 Homestead Road, will
have a gospel singing on
Sunday, Dec. 20. Johnson’s
Edition will perform at 9:45
a.m. (masks are required)
and at 11 a.m. (masks are
optional). For more informa
tion, contact Pastor David
Strickland at 706-202-5188.
•Gordon’s Chapel United
Methodist Church. Hull,
will hold its monthly food
giveaway and clothes closet
on the following Fridays in
2020, from 9 to 10 a.m. on
Dec. 18. "These food and
clothes giveaways are held
for those who are in need
of food for their immedi
ate family,” church leaders
said. “Please note that all
food and clothes distribu
tions are on a first-come,
first-serve basis and that it
is fully funded by Gordon’s
Chapel UMC. For food dis
tribution, Gordon’s Chapel
works in coordination with
the NEGA Food Bank."
The food bank is held at
the Sanford Community
Center, 6495 Nowhere Road
and is currently operating
as a drive-thru. The clothes
closet is held in the green
building next to the com
munity center and will be
observing social distance
guidelines. Organizers ask
that you please stay in your
vehicle when you arrive at
either location and follow
signs and volunteer direc
tions.
AN ORDINARY MAN -
Throughout Scripture. God used
ordinary people to carry out His
extraordinary plan. One of those
people was Joseph, the carpenter
from Nazareth.
Joseph's first, big step of faith
was taking Mary as his wife. She
was pregnant, but not by Joseph.
No doubt they faced ridicule
from a culture and community
that would not accept this ar
rangement. Joseph and Mary had
to be strong in their faith, as they
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traveled to Bethlehem for the
birth, and then to Egypt to avoid
Herod’s wrath.
Through his adult life, this
ordinary man walked by faith
and fulfilled God’s plan. What
a blessing it is to know that God
is still using ordinary people to
fulfill His plan of redemption for
mankind.
ATHENS
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“Affordable Quality Education Since 1970"
K3-12TH CALL (706) 549-7586
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