About The Madison County journal. (Hull, Ga.) 1989-current | View Entire Issue (May 28, 2025)
THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL, WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2025 - PAGE 5A Red Cross shares critical water safety tips for children and families The American Red Cross encourag es families to prepare for the fast-ap proaching summer swim season by learning to be “water smart.” Research shows that participation in formal wa ter safety and swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% for one to four-year-olds. “Before families head out to pools and parks, it’s important for all fami ly members to learn and review criti cal water safety skills,” said Spencer Stelljes, sales director for Red Cross Training Services. “Knowing funda mental Red Cross water safety skills will help you feel more prepared for fun outings in, on and around the wa ter and help save lives.” Each year, more than 2.5 million people learn to swim through Red Cross lifesaving aquatics programs. These programs incorporate the lat est science-based curriculum and in dustry best practices, helping to keep individuals and families safer while enjoying water activities. Through this work, over the last century, the Red Cross has helped to reduce accidental drownings by nearly 90% nationwide. “Preventing unsupervised access to water, providing constant, active adult supervision and knowing how to swim are critical layers of protection to help prevent drowning,” Stelljes added. IMPORTANT WATER SAFETY TIPS This summer, remember these four water safety tips. Nobody should ever swim alone - adults and teens as well as children. Never leave a young child unattended near water, and do not trust a child’s life to another child. It’s best to always designate a “wa ter watcher” who will keep a close eye and constant attention on children and weaker swimmers in, on and around water until the next water watcher takes over. Have young children or inexperi enced swimmers wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jack ets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone. Reach or throw, don’t go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object to the person in trouble and tell them to grab on. Don’t go in! You could be in danger of drowning your self. “We encourage families to educate themselves on safer water habits, to learn to swim and know how to han dle emergencies,” said Stelljes. “Our aquatic training providers offer swim education and classes for both chil dren and adults. We recommend that you also learn first aid and CPR, so you’ll know what to do until help ar rives.” WHALE TALES FOR CHILDREN The Red Cross recently revamped its Longfellow’s WHALE Tales Water Safety for Children program. The no- cost program is available in English and Spanish and designed to help chil dren from all backgrounds in kinder garten through 5th grade learn vital water safety behaviors without having to be in or near the water. Educators, swim instructors, par ents, caregivers and others can teach critical water safety lessons to chil dren before the swim season kicks off. WHALE Tales are short, engaging and age-appropriate lessons that cover im ¬ portant water safety topics in different environments such as pools, water- parks, oceans, lakes and rivers. The free downloadable resources include lesson plans, course presentations and engaging materials such as videos and activity sheets and can be accessed at redcross.org/WHALEtales. If you’re a parent or caregiver teaching your own children, visit redcross.org.watersafe- tyforkids. COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Our Aquatics Centennial Cam paign, launched in 2014 to recognize 100 years of Red Cross leadership in swimming and water safety, is active in nearly 100 communities across the country. The program works to reduce drowning rates in locations where drowning rates are above the national average alongside valued community partners. Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Swim Seattle Initiative recently joined the Centennial Campaign to help re move barriers to learning to swim and eradicate disproportionate drownings among youth of color. “This partner ship will enable us to provide more quality swim lessons, water safety education and lifeguard training to the community than ever before,” said Mike Plympton, aquatic manager for Seattle Parks and Recreation. Learn more at redcross.org/centennialswim. GET STARTED TODAY Go to redcross.org/watersafety for swim program information and a vari ety of resources. The Red Cross Swim app can help children and adults learn with kid-friendly video and activities on mobile devices. Do your part. Be “water smart.” PZC recommends approval for several rezoning requests The Madison Coun ty Planning and Zoning Commission recently rec ommended approval for several rezoning requests at its May 20 meeting, including requests to split properties for fami ly members and efforts to bring parcels into compli ance with zoning regula tions. The rezoning requests will now go before the Madison County Board of Commissioners for final action. Among the items recom mended for approval were: • rezoning of 26.51 acres at 1364 Aderhold Rogers Rd., Commerce, from Al to A2 to allow the property to be split into two tracts of approximately 12.75 and 13.76 acres. • rezoning of a 4-acre portion of a 20-acre par cel at 196 Adams Duncan Rd., Hull, from A2 to AR to allow a split and gift to the owner’s nephew for a homesite. The remaining acreage would remain A2. • rezoning of a 6.32-acre portion of a 31.92-acre tract at 245 Bertha Willis Rd., Carlton, from Al to AR to allow the parcel to be split for tax purposes. • rezoning of a 10.94- acre portion of a 52.22- acre tract at 1745 Han nah Creek Church Rd., Royston, from Al to A2 to allow the owners to retain the portion while selling the remainder. • dual rezoning of a 10.98-acre tract at 7968 Hwy 29 S, Hull. A 2.96- acre portion would be re- zoned from A2 to R1 to be split and retained, and the remaining 8.02 acres would be rezoned from A2 to AR to allow for sale and compliance with zoning regulations. • rezoning of a 5.6-acre portion of a 40.97-acre parcel on Fred Goss Rd., Danielsville, from Al to AR to allow a split for a family member. The re maining land would re ¬ main in the Al zone. • dual rezoning of a 23.6-acre parcel at 333 Sailors Rd., Hull. An 8.1- acre portion would be re- zoned from Al to AR to be split and sold to a family member, and the remain ing 15.5 acres would be rezoned from Al to A2 to bring the property into zoning compliance. The board also voted to postpone a request to re- zone a 2-acre portion of a 17.14-acre parcel at 1008 Hwy 172, Colbert, from A2 to AR. The applicant was not present, and the board deferred the deci sion to its Aug. 19 public hearing meeting. Submitted photo Chamber of Commerce leaders, Grandma’s Got It Past and Presents ownership and staff and members of the communi ty participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony. Chamber holds ribbon cutting for Grandma‘s Got It Past and Presents The Madison County Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting for Grandma’s Got It Past and Pres ents, a Colbert thrift and consignment store, to welcome the store to its new location. “It was a joy to wel come this unique and charming shop to their new location, and trust us, you’ll want to stop by and see all they have to offer,” Cham ¬ ber leaders said. “From clothes, furniture, toys, tools and home decor, to favorites like Do- TERRA and Pampered Chef, they’ve got a lit tle something for every one. Whether you’re on the hunt for gently used treasures or something brand new, Grandma’s Got It.” Grandma’s Got It is located at 64 Fourth St., Colbert. ROTARY CONSTRUCTS RAMP FOR WILLIAMS FAMILY Submitted photo Members of the Rotary Club of Madison County and volun teers constructed their 983rd handicap ramp, a 32’ access ramp with a 4’ x 5’ landing, on Thursday, May 22, for Debra Williams who lives on Diamond Hill Neese Road in Colbert. “Debra is now retired but she worked a full career in the medical field,” Rotary leaders said. “She and her late hus band, Billy, have reared five attentive children in Madison County: Michael, Lamar, Sonya, Leanne and Lindsey, who live close by and provide abundant love and support. Debra has fallen and broken her hip before, and this ramp replaces difficult stairs, providing a much easier and hopefully much safer entry to her home.” Rotary members expressed their gratitude for Debra and her family purchasing all the ma terials used for the ramp and giving a donation to the Ramp Program. Debra joined the ramp crew in the accompanying photograph. This week’s crew consisted of: Alan Phillips, Peter LeFave, Artry Bishop, Don Sullinger, Walton Hill, Mitchell Hill, Ed Brown, Guy Spencer, Gerry Carroll, John Taylor and Bruce Gandy. Unemployment rate down across area, region, state The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday, May 21, that unemployment declined in every re gional commission across Georgia in April. “This April, unemployment rates dropped across every region of Georgia,” said Labor Commissioner Barbara Rivera Holmes. “When we connect Georgians with meaningful work, we’re putting food on tables, creating stability for individuals and families, and building an economy where our children can see their future—right here at home. This is how we grow a stronger Georgia— one job, one family, one communi ¬ ty at a time.” Highlights from the Northeast Georgia Regional Com mission include: • The unemployment rate was down six-tenths to 2.9% over the month, the rate was 2.7% one year ago. •The labor force was down 2,005 over the month and up 1,123 over the year, to 348,437. • The number of employed was up 273 over the month and up 637 over the year, to 338,458. • Initial claims were up 101 over the month and up 136 over the year, to 1,059. Madison County Recreation Department Request for Quote - Uniforms & Coach Apparel Madison County Recreation Department is soliciting quotes in order to identify individuals and/or businesses to supply uniforms and coach apparel for their athletic seasons; spring, fall, and winter. The department operates the following sports: baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, and basketball with potential new program of flag football. This RFP is designed for those interested in creating a contract relationship to provide jerseys, shorts, pants, hats, socks, etc. for the department. Questions may be addressed to the recreation department; (706) 795-6270. Quotes should be sealed and clearly marked on the outside of the envelope: "Quote for 2026 Uniforms and Coach Apparel." The Board of Commissioners reserves the right to reject any and all bids. All quote packages must contain O.C.G.A 13-10-91 E-Verify Affidavit in order to be considered. The quotes are due by 9:45am on Friday, June 13, 2025 and can be mailed to the following address: Madison County Board of Commissioners County Clerk's Office Attn: Madison County Recreation Department PO Box 147 Danielsville, GA 30633
