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o o JULY 13, 2023 Merged with The Comer News and The Daniclsvillc Monitor, 2006 4 MadisonJoumalTODAY.com Vol. 40 No. 23* Publication No. 1074-987* Danielsville, Madison County, Georgia 30633 • A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers Inc. *12 Pages, 1 Section Plus Supplements $1.00 STATE ‘Operation Southern Slow Down’ starts July 17 State and local law en forcement officers in five states are warning speeding drivers to lift their right foot off the gas pedal or they could find themselves hold ing a ticket in their hands. The warning comes be fore the start of “Operation Southern Slow Down,” a multi-state speed enforce ment campaign that begins Monday, July 17, and runs through Sunday, July 23. The campaign will kick off Monday with news con ferences in Augusta, Geor gia, Chattanooga, Tennes see, Phenix City, Alabama, and Yulee, Florida. State and local law enforcement officers in Alabama, Flor ida, Georgia, South Car olina and Tennessee will spend the rest of the week conducting concentrated enforcement on interstates and major highways in their respective states. According to the Nation al Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 12,330 people were killed in crash es involving speeding in the United States in 2021, which is a 28% increase from 9,592 persons killed in crashes involving speeding in the U.S. in 2019. Speed ing was a factor in 28% of total fatal crashes in the U.S. in 2021 compared to 26 per cent in 2019. In the five states partici pating in Operation South ern Slow Down, there were 1,773 persons killed in crashes involving speeding in 2021, which is a 17% increase from 2019 when 1,513 persons were killed in crashes involving speeding. Speed was a factor in 24% of the total fatal crashes in Alabama, Florida, Geor gia, South Carolina and See Speed, page 2A Index News — 1-2A Opinions — 4A Crime — 7A Socials — 3 and 5A, 12A Schools — 6A Churches — 5A Obituaries — 9A Sports — 8A Classifieds — 10A Legals —11A Contact Phone: 706-367-5233 Email: hannah@mainstreet news.com Web: MadisonJoumalTODAYcom MAILING LABEL BOC County commissioners extend moratorium on accepting conditional use applications for dog kennels By Hannah Barron hannah@mainstreet- news.com The Madison County Board of Commissioners voted Monday to extend the moratorium on accept ing conditional use applica tions for dog kennels. The moratorium will last through the end of the year, county attorney Mike Pru ett said. The BOC also approved amendments to the speed zone ordinance as recom mended by the Georgia Department of Transporta tion. The ordinance allows for the use of speed detec tion devices on approved roadways. Main changes to the ordinance include the addition of an Automated Traffic Enforcement Safe ty Device (ATESD) to the Comer Elementary School zone and the extension of the 35-mph speed zone for College Ave. to Hwy. 72. OTHER ZONING MATTERS In other zoning matters July 10, the BOC: • tabled a vote on a vari ance for 7959 Hwy. 29 N, located in Danielsville. Applicant Michelle Kay requested a variance to al low a home to be built on the property that cannot meet front property line setbacks, with a deficit of 35 ft., due to septic and water issues. The item is expected to be discussed again next month. • approved a zoning change from A2 to AR for 14.35 acres located at 0 Neese Commerce Rd. in Commerce. Summer Puck ett, applicant for her mother Carol J. Spataro, requested to rezone her 14.35 acres from A2 to AR to allow (2) 4-acre splits to gift her chil dren for home sites. • approved a zoning change from A2 to AR for two adjoining properties containing 3.37 and 2.78 acres The properties are lo cated at 788 Hwy. 172 in Colbert. Applicant Melinda Baker requested the rezon ing to bring the lawfully nonconforming properties into compliance with zoning regulations by combining them into one tract with 6.15 acres. • approved a zoning change from A2 to AR for 2.98 acres located at 544 Pine Tree Rd. in Daniels ville. Applicants Charles and Sandra Lankford re quested to rezone the 2.98- acre portion of their 12.98 acres to split off for a home site for their nephew. The remaining 10 acres will stay in the A2 zone. The request Photo submitted Mallory Lee receives a proclamation for winning the 2023 Georgia FFA Creed Speaking Lead ership Development State Championship. was made prior to changes in current zoning standards. • approved a zoning change from A1 to AR for 7.38 acres located at 853 Foote McClellan Road in Colbert. Applicant David H. Drake, Jr., requested the re zoning to bring the lawfully nonconforming property into compliance with zon ing regulations and to allow a 2.639-acre split to gift his grandchild, with the remain ing 5.01-acre tract to include his son’s existing home. OTHER BUSINESS • recognized Madison County Middle School stu dent Mallory Lee with a proclamation. Lee won the 2023 Georgia FFA Creed Speaking Leadership Devel opment State Championship and will represent MCMS and Georgia FFA at the na tional contest this fall in In dianapolis. • discussed amendments to the travel policy for coun ty employees. • heard from chairman Todd Higdon about road projects. He said TSPLOST paving overlay projects will start in August on recently patched roads. The county has also received grants for patching, striping and sig nage projects. Higdon also congratulated Colbert and Ila’s Black Antler Tattoo Shop on their successful Independence Day celebra tions. COMMUNITY Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens host first organization-wide field day at Sandy Creek Park The Boys & Girls Club of Athens held their first ever organization-wide field day. Organized by Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens staff member Tyrique Dunn, kids from all Clarke County units — Joel E. Smilow, H.T. Edwards, Rocksprings, Nellie B and YouthForce Innovation Hub; as well as The Boys & Girls Clubs of Jackson County and Winder-Barrow County gathered at Sandy Creek Park for a whole day of food and fun. Dunn, who current ly serves as the program coordinator for Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens’ YouthForce Program, saw a demand for a closer con nection amongst the clubs. With that in mind, he put together this event to al low kids from different schools, clubs and coun ties to get to know one an other. It also allowed club staff from across the re gion to meet and connect over their shared devotion to kids and their develop ment. Field Day activities in cluded basketball, kick- ball, tug-of-war, water games, and dancing. The Sheriff’s Department pro vided hot dogs and ham burgers for all attendees and Big Boy Wings of fered wings and fries from their food truck. Attending the event were 500+ Boys & Girls Club members and Club staff. About Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens Since 1962, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens have given youth a safe place to learn about life and explore possibilities for the future. Our youth development programs, See Clubs, page 2A DANIELSVILLE Danielsville Farmers Market to expand at end of summer with more vendors, longer hours By Alison Smith Mayor Michael Wideman reported Monday that the Danielsville Farmers Market has been a huge success and the market committee plans an expanded market for the last one of the summer. On Saturday, August 26, the market will feature ex tended hours and more invit ed vendors than the home made and homegrown wares, which have been featured at the regular markets. According to Wideman, organizers plan to allow food vendors, including food tracks, entertainment, a safe ty seat initiative from police chief Cleve Williams and more. The details for the market are in progress, so the city will announce specific vendors and times for the expanded market on the Danielsville Farmers Market Facebook page. Vendors wishing to join the market may contact dan ielsville .marketmanager@ gmail.com.The city donates $10 to the Madison Ogletho rpe Animal Shelter from each vendor fee. Until the August 26 market, the Danielsville Farmers Mar ket is held on Saturdays at the Danielsville City Hall parking lot from 8 a.m. to noon. EXTENSION Madison County’s UGA Extension Office welcomes Travis Tankersley as new ANR agent The Madison County Extension Office recently welcomed Travis Tankers ley as its new Agriculture and Natural Resources agent. Tankersley, a lifetime native of Madison County, has a bachelor’s degree in animal science and is no stranger to the livestock exhibiting industry be cause he grew up show ing swine, dairy cattle and goats. He looks forward to serving in a communi ty where he can raise his daughters to also be ad vocates for the agriculture industry. “I am excited to serve my community as the new UGA Extension Agricul ture and Natural Resources Agent for Madison Coun ty,” Tankersley said. “I have had the privilege to grow up in the county and now start my own family here. My wife Rachel and I recently welcomed our twin girls Lillian and Conley Jane to the world earlier this year. I graduated from Madison County High School and have a bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Georgia. My background is full of livestock shows, commu nity service and leadership skills that I look forward to using in this new position.” There is a “Meet-n- Greef ’ planned for Monday, August 7, from 2 to 4 p.m. If you’d like to meet Tank ersley, stop by the Madison County Extension Office (97 Sunset Dr., Daniels ville) and introduce your self. You can also contact him via email at tlt73907@ uga.edu. Photo submitted Travis Tankersley and family 14 14 4