Newspaper Page Text
2 - The Savannah Tribune • Wednesday, January 21, 2009
SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY NEWS
AUOAOTY IF HOPE INJUJGUUi MU
Friday, January 23rd. S:DDPM
House of
Abraham:
Lincoln and the
Todds, a Family
Divided by War
In recognition of the
bicentennial of Abraham
Lincoln’s birth, the Georgia
Historical Society is partner
ing with Savannah Chatham
County Public Schools’
See House of Abraham, page 6
Chatham County
Commission Chairman
Pete Liakakis’ 2009
Inaugural Address
Citizens of Chatham
County, honorable local and
state elected officials, jurists,
Chatham County staff, visi
tors and guests. On behalf of
my fellow members of the
Chatham County Board of
Commissioners, welcome to
this 2009 Inauguration. For
the first time in memory, the
entire board of commission
ers has been re-elected to
continue to serve the people
of our great county of
Chatham.
This unprecedented
election is both a blessing
and a challenge. A blessing
because it recognizes the
excellent job done by each
commission member for the
past four years. A challenge
to not just match what we
have done but to exceed it in
the four years which start
today. I speak for us all when
I say thank you for the bless
ing and likewise for the chal
lenge. We will not disappoint
you.
Personally, as I enter
my second and final term, I
am envigorated by the chal
lenges that lie ahead, “lame
duck” is not in my dictionary.
It is not my style. You can
expect me to work harder and
better for you all.
Four years ago, we
inherited a ship floudering
financially and in dire need
of a new compass of leader
ship to set a course for finan
cial stability. This commis
sion steered a new course
through prudent planning and
a strict adherence to financial
policies grounded in fiscal
discipline. Our investment
paid off-not just on our word
but also on the words of those
who oversee our financial
condition. Less than a month
ago, our independent external
auditor declared Chatham
county to be in the best shape
financially of this entire mod
em era. Furthermore, the
national financial rating
agencies which determine the
health of private-sector com
panies and public-sector
organizations rewarded
Chatham County with an
upgrade in its bond rating to
AA. These recognitions can
be attributed to this commis
sion's understanding that the
county's financial condition
serves as the backbone of our
ability to provide quality
Pete Liakakis
services to citizens and our
county staff in sharing this
ideal and its professionalism
in helping to advise and guide
the commission in its mis
sion.
But the sea is getting
rough ahead of us, and we
need to made certain we trim
the sails and batten down the
hatches to weather this eco
nomic storm. A downturn in
the economy, coupled with
the downward push of servic
es at the federal and state
level, leaves local govern
ments as the backstop. We
recognize these tough times
require tough decisions. By
taking the steps we took over
the last four years to improve
our financial condition and
put in place the structure for
community problem solving,
we could not be better pre
pared for the economic times
ahead.
Protecting the public
safety has and will continue
to be job one for this commis
sion. Chatham County con
tinues to support the Chatham
Savannah Metropolitan
Police Department by provid
ing significant resources to
support the fine work of chief
Michael Berkow and the men
and women of the depart
ment.
Within three years, the
expansion of the detention
center will be completed and
the additional jail cells will
add meaning to the backstop
of the criminal justice system.
This project will present a
financial challenge because
of the increased funding
which will be needed to oper
ate and maintain the expand
ed facility.
Commission Chairman
Pete Liakakis’speech will
be continued in next week’s
edition of the Tribune
Nevada Cooper, Carlos Luckett, and Darren Parker, owners of The Executive Valet, Inc. join in the Ribbon Cutting.
HELP SAVE UVES
IN YOUR
NEIGHBORHOOD!
The Lewis Cancer and Research Pavilion is actively searching for volunteers
for their Community Health Advisors Program to help decrease health care
disparities in your community.
Cancer doesn’t discriminate based on age, sex or color. Help save the life
of your neighbor’s moms, dads, sisters, brothers and friends by providing them the
knowledge and know how to help prevent cancer through early detection and
screenings.
As a Community Health Advisor you will have the necessary skills to:
• Educate your community, family and friends about the importance of early
detection and screening for the prevention of cancer
• Recruit people for health screenings such as mammography, prostate, colon
and many more
• Set up and work health fairs,
• Present in churches and other community forums
This program includes three sessions with a graduation and presentation of
a certificate of completion.
When: Friday, January 23rd, 30th and
February 6th
Where: Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion
Conference Room, 2nd Floor
Time: 8:30am - 4:00pm
Contact: Wanda Jones, RN
Oncology Outreach 912-819-6449
This event is free and open to the public. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Completing an application prior to the event is required and seating is limited.
% % % Nancy N. and J.C.
BSp Lewis Cancer if
SELECTED A NATIONAL 0 n , ...
SflSSMSKSI CANCER INSTITUTE COMMUNITY <xK.eSeAl"Cn 1 AVlllOn
“K7I GRAM CANCER CENTER PILOT PROGRAM. - , —— —
The Savannah
Development and Renewal
Authority (SDRA) hosted a
ribbon cutting ceremony for
The Executive Valet, Inc.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
at 902 Martin Luther King
Blvd.
Located centrally
between Savannah's major
parking garages. Executive
Valet, Inc. provides valet serv
ice to businesses located in
the greater downtown
Savannah. The company's
mission is to provide profes
sional, friendly, and conven
ient parking service.
Incorporated in 2008 in
Savannah, Georgia, Executive
Valet, Inc. is admired for its
professionalism and great
livery
Saturday & Sunday 3 -5pm
Monday - Friday I J-5pm
100%
F inancirm
Available !
-No Monthly
FMI Required
-Siijject id
Income 1 .mins
Ih3 [’u\ Glen Court
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Visit www ctuoLepHul com
or call KfMi 4Jo J99S CM. KU(>2
for 24 hour recorded info
Carolr Piul, Rf|l(or
Model Home
912-963-0996
customer service. The com
pany's business philosophy is
based on consistent quality
service and integrity. The
company wants its customers
to relax when your car is in
there hands.
Representatives from
the City of Savannah,
Savannah Development and
Renewal Authority, the
Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
/ Montgomery Street
Business Association and the
Downtown Business
Association were invited to
serve as guest speakers at the
event.
Ruby Jones Sworn in as
Representative for School
Board District 8
Ruby D. Jones,
Representative for the
Savannah Chatham County
School Board, District 8, was
sworn in on Wednesday,
January 7, 2009, by the
Honorable Judge James Bass
at the Whitney
Meet Local Singles!!
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Ruby D. Jones
Administration Complex,
located at 2 Laura Street.
Family, friends, com
munity leaders, church mem
bers, sorority members and
well wishers were in atten
dance.
Ribbon Cutting held for The Executive Valet