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o o JANUARY 7, 2021 Madison County Journal Merged with The Comer News and The Danielsville Monitor, 2006 MadisonJoumaITODAY.com Vol. 37 No. 49* Publication No. 1074-987 • Danielsville, Madison County, Georgia 30633 • A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers Inc. • 16 Pages, 2 Section Plus Supplements $1.00 PUBLIC HEALTH Vaccine waiting game Shots not yet available in Madison County By Margie Richards margie @ mainstreetnews.com As COVID-19 numbers continue to rise dramatically in Madison County and all across Georgia and the coun try, many are wondering when they can expect to receive the needed vac cines to protect them from the vims. Madison County Health Department Nurse Manager Elizabeth Allen says some patience will be required. “Vaccinations are our thing,” she said of public health departments. “We are anxious to get fired up and get the community vaccinated against this vims.” However, the rollout is going to take some time. For the foreseeable future, those receiving a vaccine when their turn comes will do so at the Athens-Clarke County Health Department, where Allen says they are vaccinating 150- to-200 people a day, by appointment only. She said one major obstacle hin dering having the vaccines at the Danielsville office is the requirement. particularly for the Pfizer vaccine, for a freezers capable of storing it at subzero temperatures until thawed for use. “The freezers are out of stock right now,” she said. Another issue right now is supply. Madison County is part of the ten-county Northeast Georgia Health District, which includes Clarke County. Its website, publichealtha- thens.com, provides information about COVID vaccines, including the federal government’s priority list vac cination program, developed due to the limited availability as the program begins. The state is currently on priority level la. which includes all health care workers and residents and staff of skilled nursing facilities; howev er, Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) announced Dec. 31 that due to extra shipments sent to mral areas they were expanding la criteria in See ‘Vaccine’ on 2A ELECTIONS Marilyn Hilley (L) and Madison County Board of Elections and Registration Chairperson Tracy Dean (R) process mail-in ballots Tuesday. Senate runoffs Republicans take Madison County by 3-1 margin COUNTY SEAT D’ville City Hall closed due to coronavirus Danielsville City Hall will be closed until Monday, Jan. 11 due to COVID-19 among the staff. According to the Danielsville Police Department, there will be no front end staff to handle payments, billing, or gener al inquiries over the phone during this time. The police department will still be available by calling 706-795-2189 and leaving a message or you can contact them through their Facebook page. For emergency assis tance, call 911. Emergency contacts for maintenance personnel and other city workers are posted at city hall. COUNTY GOV’T Pictured (L-R) at Monday’s county commission meeting are Dennis Adams, Terry Chandler, chairman Todd Higdon, Theresa Bettis, Brian Kirk, Derek Doster and attorney Mike Pruett. Index: News — 1-3A Opinions — 4-5A Obituaries — 6-7A Crime — 8A Sports — 1-2B Social — 3B Legals — 4-7B Classifieds — 8B New faces at BOC table By Zach Mitcham zach @ mainstreetne ws .com While Georgia has turned purple lately, Madison County remains solidly red. Republican incumbents Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue were the overwhelming favorites of Madison County voters in the Senate runoffs Tuesday, with both winning the county by a 3-1 margin. According to unofficial totals from the Madison County Board of Elections and Registration office, Loeffler topped Democrat Raphael Wamock, 10,084 to 3,086, (76.6 to 23.4 percent), while Perdue topped Dem ocrat Jon Ossoff, 10,108 to 3,058, (76.8 to 23.2 percent). But the statewide Senate races remained too close to call as of press time. The eyes of the nation are on Geor gia as control of the U.S. Senate will be determined by the two Georgia runoffs. Also Tuesday, Republican public service commission incumbent Lauren “Bubba” McDonald was favored over Democrat Daniel Blackmon, 10,088 to 2,295 (77.5 See ‘Runoff’ on 2A EDUCATION Online or in-person? Superintendent expects to announce something Friday about next week Contact: Higdon, Adams, Chandler take their seats Phone: 800-795-2581 Mail: P.O. Box 658, Danielsville, Ga. 30633 Web: MadisonJournalTODAY. com By Zach Mitcham zach @ mainstreetnews.com Todd Higdon presided over his first meet ing as county commission chairman Mon day, while two fellow board members, Dennis Adams and Terry Chandler, also took their seats for the first time at the board table. “Not much to report; today's the first day,” said Higdon during the “chairman's reports” agenda item. “I got about eight or nine hours under my belt so far.” Monday’s meeting included routine zon ing hearings that involved no opposition. The meeting was over in about 20 minutes. Higdon thanked former county commis sion chairman John Scarborough for his helpfulness during the transition. “He went above and beyond to make my next four years very pleasant, at least to the best it could be,” said Higdon. “He provided every bit of information that I needed to have.” The new chairman also welcomed Adams and Chandler to the table. “I think the county is going to be well served with these two,” he said. “I look forward to the next four years working with Brian (Kirk), Teresa (Bettis) and Derek 2021 budget hearing When: 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 14 Where: in the commission meeting room in the county government complex (Doster), Danny and Terry. I think Madison County has a pretty bright future.” Higdon said the county is on sound finan cial footing as he takes office. "I will say to the people of Madison County, I may be the very first chairman to ever be elected with a budget in the black, which makes my life a little bit better and Madison County residents’ lives a little better,” he said. In a separate matter Monday, the com missioners approved a one-time payout for employees who were not able to use all of their vacation time in 2020 due to COVID- 19 and the elections. Some employees couldn’t take vacation because other people were out due to quarantine or being sick. Higdon said that about seven employees were unable to use vacation days and that the total hours to be paid out is less than 150. The board also discussed the recommen- See “BOC” on 2A By Zach Mitcham zach @ mainstreetnews.com Madison County schools returned from Christmas break with digital learn ing this week. And coun ty school superintendent Michael Williams says he anticipates making an announcement Friday on whether school will be in-person or digital for Jan. 11-15. “We’re assessing where we are as a county as well as a school system and what our numbers look like, our covid pos itive cases as well as our quarantine cases,” he said. “We’ll try to have a deci sion about next week hope fully Friday morning.” The county school board will meet Jan. 12. In light of the steep rise in COVID-19 cases in Madison County, Williams was asked if the BOE may shift policy on mask wear ing back to earlier guide lines, which required stu dents and staff to wear face masks in classrooms when social distancing was not possible. “We are evaluating that,” he said. “We’ll most defi nitely looking at that.” Tuesday’s meeting will also include the approv al of the 2021-22 school calendar and discussion of COVID-19 pay for staff. Federal funding covered up to 80 hours of COVID- 19 sick leave for school personnel, but the CARES funding expired Dec. 31. The board will discuss the matter Tuesday and how it wants to handle leave time for those sick or quar antined. Williams said he anticipates an extension from the board for per sonnel. Madison County COVID-19 cases continue to rise. As of Tuesday, Jan. 5, there have been 1,733 total COVID-19 cases in See ‘School’ on 3A