1.22.10: The Water and Sewer Authority page has the latest minutes online. Click here to view these minutes. If you would like to sponsor this page with your business, please contact me at editor@pikecountytimes.com.

1.16.10: The Tax Assessor pages have been revamped. The latest approved Tax Assessor minutes are online. Click on the Tax Assessor link above to read these minutes. If you would like to sponsor this page with your business, please contact me at editor@pikecountytimes.com.

1.6.10: The answer to Movie Trivia is not "The Beastmaster" or "3000 B.C.". More clues have been added on Movie Trivia located in the middle of the Advertising bar on the right side of the page.

10.27.09: The Past Stories page has been updated so it will load easier for those with dial up. I am doing a slow revamp on the entire website between uploading information.Thanks for your patience!

8.21.08: A link to the county government website is on the Links page. The Post Agenda is on the BOC page as well as minutes from past meetings.

When you do business with anyone who advertises on my website, please tell them that you saw their advertisement on the Pike County Times.

The annual Pike County Health Fair sponsored by the Pike County Cooperative Extension and the Pike County Farm Bureau is scheduled for Friday, February 19. It will be held at the Pike County High School located on Highway 19 in Zebulon from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

There will be many free health screenings and educational exhibits according to Helen Carter, Family and Consumer Science Agent with Pike County Cooperative Extension, coordinator of the event. The event is opened to any citizen that is concerned about their health.

The free screenings include: hearing, glaucoma, blood pressure, body mass index, blood glucose, carpel tunnel, posture/balance, lung function capacity, and sleep study.

The Pike County Health Department will give free H1N1 flu vaccines during the event for anyone needing one. Bring your insurance cared if you have Medicare/Medicaid, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, State United Healthcare, or Cigna insurance.

Spalding Regional Medical Center will provide the blood pressure checks, and a posture/balance screening.

Upson Regional Medical Center will provide the following services for a fee: Fasting Blood Sugar and Lipid Profile for $10, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone for $5, PSA for males only for $5, Colorectal Cancer Screening kit for $5.00; and EKG's for $10. For the blood tests it is recommended that you don’t eat or drink except water for 10 hours prior to the test. Doing so will give more accurate results.

The fasting blood glucose is a blood test to help your physician assess for diabetes. The lipid profile is a panel of five (5) blood tests that measures the total cholesterol, the LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol. It also measures the triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood. The thyroid stimulating hormone test helps assess the function of your thyroid gland. The prostate screening antigen (PSA) is for males only and measures prostate health.

The EKG, electrocardiogram, is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat. The test will be interpreted by a skilled internal medicine physician. Within 10 days, your personal physician will receive the results of your exam. A letter will be mailed to you regarding the results, encouraging follow-up with your doctor. If you do not have a doctor, your results will be sent directly to you through the mail.

Upson Regional Medical Center will send results of your lab tests from the health fair directly to you. But, they urge you to take these reports to your family physician for review no matter the results, stated Carter. The laboratory testing should be utilized along with other examinations and medical history obtained by a family physician.

Forty exhibitors will also be providing educational information on various health related topics, according to Carter. Exhibitor organizations include: Pike County Cooperative Extension, Pike County Farm Bureau, Amedisys, Audiological Consultants of Atlanta, Brightmoor Hospice, City Pharmacy, Council on Aging, Curves for Women, Dr. Clayton, Georgia Traffic Injury and Prevention Institute, Griffin Eye Clinic, Hines-Stevens, Jazzercise, McIntosh Trail Management Services, Mid-Georgia Cattlewomen’s Association, Molena Health and Rehab, Palmetto Health Council, Inc, Peach State Health Plan, Pike County Health Department, Pike Family Medical, Pike Manor Assisted Living Center, Providence Hospice, Right from the Start Medicaid, Rosewood Institute, Spalding Regional Medical Center, Southern Crescent AAA, Sunny Grove Assisted Living, United Bank, United Home Care, and Vista Care Hospice.

The health fair is open to the public. Come join us on February 19 from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and take advantage of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

For more information please contact the Pike County Extension Service office at 770-567-2010.

The following students from Pike County were named to the fall 2009 semester Dean’s List at Gordon College. In order to be named to the Dean’s List a student must be in good standing with a semester grade point average of 3.50 or higher for 12 or more semester hours of course work.

Amy Betsill, Jessica Evans, Kellan Harwood, Sarah Mathews, Tyrena Davis, Cody Howell, Lee Merritt, Rebecca Sinoway, Shannon Smith, Valencia Stephens, Brandon Allison, Adrienne Butler, Chelsea Nicewander, Anna Turner, Carrie Bates, Rhonda Driver, Charles Eidson, Katherine Holmes, Trenton Homiller, Nicole Moody, Brianne Moody, Stephen Munday, Melissa Oliver, Brittany Strait, Stacy Brown, Heather Cadenhead, Mary Calvert, Caitlin Cox, Jessica Cox, Eren Dansby, Nicole DeMarco, Heyward Driver, Taylor Granger, Tiffany Hammons, Jennifer Hurley, Justin Ivester, Holly Latimer, Lindsay Naramore, Jennifer Pippin, Austin Rawlins, Amanda Sams, Jessica Sheffield, Monica Stephens, Christie Stoermer, Dara Story, Jenna Treadwell, Stephen Whitley, Jessica Zellner.

The following students from Pike County were named to the fall 2009 semester Dean’s Merit List. In order to be named to the Dean’s Merit List a student must be in good standing with a semester grade point average of 3.50 or higher for 10 or 11 semester hours.

Wendy Wilson

Gordon College, in Barnesville, is a residential state college of the University System of Georgia and offers more than 80 programs of study to more than 3,800 students.

Congratulations to the Pike County High Winter Guard for placing second out of ten groups at the competition held at Pope High School today.

The Winter Guard performs an indoor routine to music using props such as swords, rifles, and flags.

Pictures are on the We Are Pike County page. Photos courtesy of Ashley Baboi.

I. CALL TO ORDER ...................................................................... Chairman Doug Mangham

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE .................................................... Chairman Doug Mangham

III. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA - (O.C.G A. 50-14-1 (e) (1))

IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - (O.C.G.A.§ 50-14-1(e) (2))
   1. Minutes from Regular Monthly Meeting held January 26, 2010.

V. INVITED GUESTS
   1. Blake Sharpton of Jones, Cork & Miller LLP will be present to answer questions in response to Commissioner Collins’ request to discuss the possibility of calling for a 2010 SPLOST referendum on November 2, 2010.

VI. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS, DEPARTMENTS, COMMITTEES, AUTHORITIES

A. Monthly Reports submitted from County Departments and County Authorities

B. County Manager Report - Presentation to Commissioners
   1. County Manager will update on 2006 SPLOST payments to Cities of Pike County.

C. Commissioners Reports

D. County Attorney Report to Commissioners
   1. County Attorney will update the Board on the Shawn Shoats restitution process.
   2. County Attorney will update the Board on a review of the Pike County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 116, Fire District Ordinance, to provide for text amendments and a reconsideration of the billing rate structure as defined for the Fire District.

VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None

VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
   1. The Board is requested to consider, carried forward from no action at the January 26, 2010 Board meeting, approval of a request for a Special Exception #SE-09-05 of American Towers, Inc. as Applicant for Owner: John E. Carter for a Special Exception to allow for construction of a 195-foot leased leased cell tower on Gresham Road to accommodate maximum of four antennas, with outbuilding.
   2. Chrystal and Ricky Williams desire approval of their request to the Department of Planning and Development for a refund of the major subdivision application fee ($500), revised to a minor subdivision application fee ($200), for a net $300 refund.

IX. NEW BUSINESS
   1. Consider acceptance of proposal, and authorization for work as specified, from Allen & Sons Roofing Company of Thomaston, Georgia for roof repair to the jail in the amount of $12,000, on recommendation of the Building and Grounds Supervisor, Willie Quiller.
   2. Meredith Sorrow desires consideration for appointment to the Pike County Board of Appeals for a three-year term to expire February 9, 2013.
   3. Commissioner Collins desires that the Board appoint appropriate members to the Pike Area Transportation Committee as established in the Transportation Ordinance, Chapter 33.05, adopted on second reading at the November 24, 2009 Board Meeting.
   4. Public Works Director Todd Goolsby desires approval of a Moratorium on the acceptance of applications for, and the sale of, culvert pipe to the general public until implementation of the next fiscal year’s budget on the first day of July 2010.
   5. Commissioner Powers desires to have the Board reconsider the sliding payment scale for certain invalid building permits for new construction as originally recommended by the Department of Planning and Development on December 9, 2009.

X. EXECUTIVE SESSION
   1. Commissioner Swift desires an Executive Session for discussion or deliberation on the appointment, employment, compensation, hiring, disciplinary action or dismissal, or periodic evaluation or rating of a county officer or employee, regarding the County Manager in the Administrative Department, as provided in O.C.G.A. § 50-14-3(6).
[Note from the Editor: A revised agenda included #2 below sent out on 2.8.10. Thanks to all involved for getting this information out to the public prior to the meeting.]
2. County Attorney desires to discuss pending or potential litigation as provided in O.C.G.A. § 50-14-2(1).

XI. PUBLIC COMMENT- (Limited to 5 minutes per person)

XII. ADJOURNMENT

Call to order …………… Jeff Kenerly

Approval of the Agenda

Approval of the minutes from the January 11, 2010 meeting minutes

Treasurers Report………………..Kevin Teate/ Mary Cooper

Committee Reports

Director’s report
• Sports Report: Youth Basketball, Youth Softball, Youth Baseball & Youth Soccer
• Approval of 2010 Holiday Schedule
• Approval of Revised User Agreements
• Approval of Revised Kidsafe Policy
• Approval of Intergovernmental Agreement with Pike County Board of Commissioners
• Review of Uniform Rental Proposals from Uni1st and ARAMARK and selection of uniform company for the maintenance crew staff
• Presentation of Proposed Signage for the dedication of the John Hollis Memorial Field
• Report on current staffing levels
• Approval of the Revised Maintenance Crew Chief Job Description
• Report on the Georgia Department of Labor Appeal’s Hearing
• Report on the annual audit
• Report on the installation of the new soccer playground
• Report on the fence improvements being made throughout the park
• Report on Dog Obedience Training Class request & Maintenance Equipment Trade
• Other Business

Adjourn

Here is a flashback to a celebration of 60 years of service. This man is well-known in our community.

He is a decorated war veteran in multiple branches of the military. He has worked for thirty years for Firestone, is up to date on aviation law, eminent domain, and has served as General Counsel for Frank J. Zamboni for nearly twenty years.

He was best described by his son as a man who “never sits still”. And it was stressed that this December celebration was not a retirement party.

This community leader moved to Pike County in 1991 and worked with Mack Crawford. He has handled matters in almost every state and abroad. “He has had a great impact on this community,” said his son, Rob Morton.

“My foot is bigger than his, but I’ll never be able to fill his shoes,” Rob said when he introduced his father, Tom Morton.

Many in the community gathered to celebrate sixty years of legal service with Tom Morton that day.

Judges Chris Edwards and Johnny Caldwell presented a resolution signed by the judges of the Griffin Judicial Circuit to Tom that afternoon. Charles Jones from Beck, Owen, and Murray made a presentation on the behalf of the State Bar Association in honor of sixty years of service.

Tom was visibly moved by the gathering of friends, family, and those he has served over the years in our community.

“I appreciate it,” Tom said of the celebration and the honor of his colleagues. “My life is full.”

Tom spoke of his experiences over the past sixty years. His experience includes working in every state except for Vermont.

He currently provides counsel in product liability and personal injury all over the United States. Tom stressed that he is not ready to retire.

Tom commended the judges in the Griffin Judicial Circuit. “They stand taller than most of the judges I’ve stood before,” he said.

Tom then gave some words of advice to those who gathered to celebrate with him.

“Remember that your mind is a sacred enclosure,” he said. “Nothing can enter without your permission.”

He also advised everyone to try to learn something new every day. Tom ended his remarks by saying, “It is my pleasure to be your neighbor.”

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue today announced a comprehensive proposal that will encourage water conservation, reduce wasteful loss and incentivize innovation in both increasing water supply and lessening demand. Many of the proposals in the Georgia Water Stewardship Act of 2010 are based on recommendations from the Governor’s Water Contingency Task Force, which met in the fall and winter and featured more than 80 business, government and environmental leaders from around Georgia.

“This bill represents the hard work and effort of the water task force and provides a road map towards being better stewards of our limited natural resources,” Governor Perdue said. “We have made great strides in creating a culture of conservation in Georgia, and these measures will continue our commitment to protect our state for future generations.”

The bill will be introduced in both the House and the Senate and will be sponsored by Senate Natural Resources and the Environment Committee Chairman Ross Tolleson and House Natural Resources and Environment Committee Chair Lynn Smith.

“During the past two years Georgia has shown a great willingness and ability to conserve water and these proposals build on that foundation,” Senate Natural Resources and Environment Chairman Ross Tolleson said.

“Water is our most precious natural resource and this legislation gives us the tools we need to prepare for future growth and future droughts,” House Natural Resources and Environment Chair Lynn Smith added.

Beginning in July 2012, the legislation requires efficient water fixtures in all new residential and commercial construction statewide as well as the installation of efficient cooling towers in new industrial construction. Also, for all new residential and commercial multi-unit projects, the bill will require sub-metering so that each unit will receive consumption reports and have incentive to practice conservation measures.

The legislation also instructs eight different state agencies to look at local government and water provider grant and loan programs to develop incentive criteria that would encourage retrofit programs on existing construction. For example, a community could receive a interest rate discount for a Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) loan or be able to apply for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) annually instead of every two years. These incentive programs could range from retrofitting water fixtures to installing drought resistant landscapes to using grey water and implementing conservation pricing.

These incentives will also apply to water supply development as well, such as interconnections, new reservoirs, reservoir expansion and others.

The act will also create a joint House and Senate committee on water supply that will to look at the task force’s work on additional contingency supply options.

The bill also tasks the Georgia Environmental Protection Division with setting standards for water loss and leak detection for all medium and large public water systems. These systems serve 91 percent of Georgia’s water customers. Because data on water loss is currently not comparable from system to system, setting the standards will allow the state to assist water providers by identifying where the biggest losses are occurring.

The final piece of the legislation extends the voluntary agriculture monitoring program to include surface water withdrawals. Farmers around the state have voluntarily agreed to have groundwater withdrawals monitored and the results have disproven many negative assumptions about agricultural water use. Extending this program to surface water withdrawals, from our rivers, streams and lakes, will continue to provide the state critical data that informs not only water negotiations with our neighbors but also our water inventory of sources and uses that Georgia’s Regional Water Councils are currently developing.

Tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air, extending from a thunderstorm that is in contact with the ground. Tornadoes can vary in shape, size and intensity. Most tornadoes are weak, lasting a few minutes and producing winds of less than 100 mph. However, a few tornadoes are strong or even violent. These tornadoes last from 20 minutes to over an hour and can produce winds of between 100 and 300 mph.

The best thing to do to protect yourself and your family is to have a plan of action before a threatening tornado develops.

Prepare a Home Tornado Plan

• Pick a place where family members could gather if a tornado is headed your way. It could be your basement or, if there is no basement, a center hallway, bathroom, or closet on the lowest floor. Keep this place uncluttered.
• If you are in a high-rise building, you may not have enough time to go to the lowest floor. Pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building. Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Containing
• First aid kit and essential medications.
• Canned food and can opener.
• At least three gallons of water per person.
• Protective clothing, bedding, or sleeping bags.
• Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
• Special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.
• Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas, and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to restore natural gas service.)

Stay Tuned for Storm Warnings

• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio and television stations for updated storm information.
• Know what a tornado WATCH and WARNING means:
• A tornado WATCH means a tornado is possible in your area.
• A tornado WARNING means a tornado has been sighted and may be headed for your area. Go to safety immediately.
• Tornado WATCHES and WARNINGS are issued by the National Weather Service. When a Tornado WATCH is Issued

• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio and television stations for further updates.
• Be alert to changing weather conditions. Blowing debris or the sound of an approaching tornado may alert you. Many people say it sounds like a freight train.

When a Tornado WARNING is Issued

• If you are inside, go to the safe place you picked to protect yourself from glass and other flying objects. The tornado may be approaching your area.
• If you are outside, hurry to the basement of a nearby sturdy building or lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area.
• If you are in a car or mobile home, get out immediately and head for safety.

After the Tornado Passes

• Watch out for fallen power lines and stay out of the damaged area.
• Listen to the radio for information and instructions.
• Use a flashlight to inspect your home for damage.
• Do not use candles at any time.

For more information, visit these Web sites: www.gema.ga.gov, www.ready.ga.gov, www.srh.noaa.gov/ffc/, or www.ready.ga.gov.

Thunderstorms affect relatively small areas when compared with hurricanes and winter storms. Despite their small size, all thunderstorms are dangerous because they can produce strong winds, lightning, tornadoes, hail and flash flooding. The typical thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter and lasts an average of 30 minutes. Straight line winds can reach speeds excess of 100 mph and produce damage similar to a tornado.

The biggest threat from severe thunderstorms is damaging straight line winds and large hail. These winds occur, on average, 19 days per year in Georgia. They occur in every month of the year, but are most common in the spring and summer months, peaking in July. Here is some information to help you recognize severe weather, develop a plan, and be ready to act when threatening weather approaches:

To prepare for a thunderstorm, you should do the following:
• Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and cause injury or damage during a severe thunderstorm.
• Remember the 30/30 lightning safety rule: Go indoors if, after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.

What you should do if a thunderstorm is likely in your area:
• Postpone outdoor activities.
• Get inside a home, building, or hard top automobile (not a convertible). Although you may be injured if lightning strikes your car, you are much safer there than outside.
• Remember, rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide no protection from lightning. However, the steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal.
• Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.
• Shutter windows and secure outside doors. If shutters are not available, close window blinds, shades, or curtains.
• Avoid showering or bathing. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity.
• Use a corded telephone only for emergencies. Cordless and cellular telephones are safe to use.
• Unplug appliances and other electrical items such as computers and turn off air conditioners. Power surges from lightning can cause serious damage.
• Use your battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio for updates from local officials.

Avoid the following:
• Natural lightning rods such as a tall, isolated tree in an open area.
• Hilltops, open fields, the beach, or a boat on the water.
• Isolated sheds or other small structures in open areas.

• Anything metal—tractors, farm equipment, motorcycles, golf carts, golf clubs, and bicycles.

For more information, visit these Web sites: www.gema.ga.gov, www.ready.ga.gov, www.srh.noaa.gov/ffc/, or www.ready.ga.gov.

Severe Weather Awareness Week has been observed in Georgia for 32 years. During that time, at least 49 people were killed and more than two dozen were injured by lightning in Georgia. Fortunately, no one died as a result of lightning strikes in the state last year but at least 16 people were injured.

Lightning is a deadly "by-product" of thunderstorms which are very common in Georgia, particularly in the spring and summer. Lightning kills an average of 100 people a year throughout the United States. Statistics show that on the average, lightning kills more people in the United States every year than tornadoes, floods, or hurricanes. It occurs mostly during the warmer months of June through September.

Learn the basic safety rules and precautions about thunderstorms and the embedded killer called lightning. Share this knowledge with your family and friends. Don’t be caught off-guard by these storms. When outdoors, be aware of the most current local weather forecasts. Always stay alert for signs of approaching thunderstorms. Lightning is nature’s warning signal that a thunderstorm is in its most violent state and that you should seek shelter immediately.

Before Lightning Strikes

1. Keep an eye on the sky. Look for darkening skies, flashes of light, or increasing wind. Listen for the sound of thunder.
2. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Go to safe shelter immediately.
3. Monitor NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for the latest weather forecasts.

When a Storm Approaches

1. Find shelter in a building or car. Keep car windows closed and avoid convertibles.
2. Telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity. Unplug appliances. Avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances. (Leaving electric lights on, however, does not increase the chances of your home being struck by lightning.)
3. Avoid taking a bath or shower, or running water for any purpose.
4. Turn off the air conditioner. Power surges from lightning can overload the compressor, resulting in a costly repair job.
5. Draw blinds and shades over windows. If windows break due to objects blown by the wind, the shades will help prevent glass from shattering into your home.

If Caught Outside

1. If you are in the woods, take shelter under the shorter trees.
2. If you are boating or swimming, get to land and find shelter immediately!

Protecting Yourself Outside
1. Go to a low-lying, open place away from trees, poles, or metal objects. Make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding.
2. Be a very small target! Squat low to the ground. Place your hands on your knees with your head between them. Make yourself the smallest target possible.
3. Do not lie flat on the ground. This will make you a larger target!

After the Storm Passes

1. Stay away from storm-damaged areas.
2. Listen to the radio or television for information and instructions.

If Someone is Struck by Lightning

1. People struck by lightning carry no electrical charge and can be handled safely.
2. Call for help. Get someone to dial 9-1-1 or your local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) number.
3. The injured person has received an electrical shock and may be burned, both where they were struck and where the electricity left their body. Check for burns in both places. Being struck by lightning can also cause nervous system damage, broken bones, and loss of hearing or eyesight.
4. Give first aid. If breathing has stopped, begin rescue breathing. If the heart has stopped beating, a trained person should give CPR. If the person has a pulse and is breathing, look and care for other possible injuries. Learn first aid and CPR by taking an American Red Cross first-aid and CPR course; call your local Red Cross chapter for class schedules and fees.

For more information, visit these Web sites: www.gema.ga.gov, www.ready.ga.gov, www.srh.noaa.gov/ffc/, or www.ready.ga.gov.

Floods are the most common and widespread of all natural disasters, except fire. In Georgia, many communities experienced flooding in 2009 after spring rains and heavy thunderstorms. Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed and ten people lost their lives. Dam failures are potentially the worst flood events. When a dam fails, a gigantic quantity of water is suddenly let loose downstream, destroying anything in its path.

Floods can be slow or fast rising but generally develop over a period of days. Flash floods usually result from intense storms dropping large amounts of rain within a brief period. They occur with little or no warning and can reach full peak in only a few minutes.

Neighborhoods especially at risk for flooding are those located in low-lying areas, near water, or downstream from a dam. Here is some information to help you develop a plan and be ready to act before the possibility of a flood or flash flood threatens you or your family:

Know What to Expect

• Know your area's flood risk--if unsure, call your local emergency management agency office, planning and zoning department or local Red Cross chapter.
• If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily raining for several days, be alert to the possibility of a flood.
• Closely monitor a local radio station, TV station or NOAA Weather Radio for flood information.

Reduce Potential Flood Damage By

• Raising your furnace, water heater, and electric panel if they are in areas of your home that may be flooded.
• Consult with a professional for further information if this and other damage reduction measures can be taken.

Floods Can Take Several Hours to Days to Develop

• A flood WATCH means a flood is possible in your area.
• A flood WARNING means flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area.

Flash Floods Can Take Only a Few Minutes to a Few Hours to Develop

• A flash flood WATCH means flash flooding is possible in your area.
• A flash flood WARNING means a flash flood is occurring or will occur very soon.

Prepare a Family Disaster Plan

• Check to see if you have insurance that covers flooding. If not, find out how to get flood insurance.
• Keep insurance policies, documents, and other valuables in a safe-deposit box.

Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Containing

• First aid kit and essential medications.
• Canned food and can opener.
• At least three gallons of water per person.
• Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
• Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
• Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.
• Written instructions for how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to turn them back on.)
• Identify where you could go if told to evacuate. Choose several places -- a friend's home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.

When a Flood WATCH Is Issued

• Move your furniture and valuables to higher floors of your home.
• Fill your car's gas tank, in case an evacuation notice is issued.

When a Flood WARNING Is Issued

• Closely monitor NOAA Weather Radio, local radio or television for the latest weather forecasts.
• If told to evacuate, do so immediately!

When a Flash Flood WATCH Is Issued

• Be alert to signs of flash flooding and be ready to evacuate on a moment's notice.

When a Flash Flood WARNING Is Issued

• Or if you think it has already started, evacuate immediately. You may have only seconds to escape. Act quickly!
• Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks, and storm drains. Do not drive around barricades . . . they are there for your safety.
• If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.

For more information, visit these Web sites: www.gema.ga.gov, www.ready.ga.gov, www.srh.noaa.gov/ffc/, or www.redcross.org.

“Edge of Darkness” (Warner Brothers)

The Return of Mad Mel

Mel Gibson made his name in movies like “Mad Max” and the “Lethal Weapon” series. The after his career was established as an actor he got sidetracked into directing and scored big with “The Passion of the Christ” and “Apocalypto.” Now he is back in full acting mode on the big screen as a man with a mission in “Edge of Darkness.”

Thomas Craven (Gibson) is a Boston police detective. He has one child, a daughter Emma (Bojana Novakovic), and she is everything to him. The movie starts with him picking her up at the train station for her first visit home in some time. She is working as a research intern in a huge plant, and Craven knows very little about what her job entails.

When Emma is gunned down as she and her father are leaving his home the first thought is that she was killed accidentally by someone after her father. But as Craven investigates the murder he becomes more and more convinced it is Emma who was the target. That is when he really gets mad.

“Edge of Darkness” is a movie with a lot of edge and most of it comes from Gibson’s performance. He is very effective as a distraught father looking for his daughter’s killer. In order to play this grieving, stressed man Gibson lets the age lines show and the bleary eyes work for him. His weariness is almost tactile and his dedication is obsessive.

Equally good in the film is Ray Winstone who plays a mystery clean up man. The scenes which focus on him and Gibson together are the best in the movie. These two come across as old war horses who have seen it all and are worn out by it. Also good is Danny Huston as the leader of the NorthMore group. If you need someone to play a smarmy villain then Huston is your man.

The film is based on a BBC miniseries and is directed by Martin Campbell who steered “Casino Royale” And “The Legend of Zorro” to success. The sometimes difficult to follow script is by Andrew Bovell and William Monahan. There are some questions that are never answered in the plot but happily they don’t interfere with the overall enjoyment of the film.

The movie is rated R for profanity and violence.

Mel Gibson is a talented actor and a man of tremendous charisma and charm. “Edge of Darkness” is a welcome return to his dramatic roots and he is fascinating throughout the length of the film. He may look a little older and a little more worn around the edges, but he is still Mel and audiences have not forgotten him.

You will be totally drawn into the story of “Edge of Darkness.” It has brilliant acting, a suspenseful story, and provides an emotional outlet for all who are mad as hell and not going to take it any more.

I scored “Edge of Darkness” a shadowy 7 out of 10.

©2010 Jackie K. Cooper

Official Website

Jackie has many movie reviews on his website at www.jackiekcooper.com including "When In Rome".

Jackie also has reviews of the latest books, DVDs, television shows as well as columns on life and living in the South.

President Ronald Reagan believed in America. He also believed in protecting America. And he put his money where his mouth was. Serially underestimated by his adversaries and even by most of his close friends, Reagan performed not only the greatest geo-political feat of the 20th Century, but also the greatest strategic military feat of the 20th Century as well – he won the Cold War without so much as firing a shot. How? Through vision, courage of conviction, and faith in God, Reagan beat the Russians at their own game.

When he became president, some say the Russians, knowing Reagan was strong on national security, felt the need to flex their military muscles in response. They began spending money on a massive military build-up – lots of money. Reagan responded in kind and the race was on – the arms race, that is. At the time, most considered Reagan’s approach misguided if not down right reckless. “The president is just provoking the Russians,” many said. But Reagan understood clearly something that most pundits and politicians were oblivious to – that the Soviet economy was weak and shallow and therefore, Russia was vulnerable. Reagan believed that, in their desperation to keep pace with the American military build-up, the Russians would spend themselves into bankruptcy. And he was right. Eventually, the Russian economy failed, the Iron Curtain fell, and the Cold War came to an end. Ah, where’s the “Gipper” when we need him?

Fast forward 20 years and, regrettably, America finds itself in a new kind of undeclared war – a war not based upon military power but, rather, an economic war. And America is losing. The relationship between the US and China is tense to say the least and has been for many years. In the past, however, America held the edge by maintaining a strong military coupled with a strong economy. Of course, we still have a strong military but, regrettably, our economy is weak and in shambles – a situation that leaves us vulnerable.

Even worse, as if a weak American economy weren’t bad enough when it comes to our ability to deal effectively (and forcefully if need be) with China, America finds itself in the completely untenable position of being in debt to the Chinese. Various sources offer varying figures but the total US indebtedness to the communist nation is in the hundreds of billions to trillions of dollars. That reality is both astounding and scary. How, one must ask, did that happen? Again, many reasons are offered but the bottom line is that America spends far more than it earns. Thus, we borrow. And we borrow big. In fact, we’ve borrowed so much, that many countries, including China, have signaled an unwillingness to continue lending to us at current levels.

So what does being so in debt to China have to do with our ability to deal with them effectively? Plenty. Consider for a moment the issue of human rights violations, something the Chinese are notorious for committing. The US has long described itself as caring about human rights. We have made repeated attempts through the years to encourage China to stop its overt oppression of political dissidents who speak out against the country’s dictatorial communist regime. Does China listen? Of course they don’t. And why should they? We aren’t going to do anything substantive about it and they know it. And why aren’t we going to do anything substantive about China’s infamous record of human rights violations? Because, regrettably, we need China a lot more than China needs us. Sure, Americans buy lots of stuff from the Chinese and they don’t want to lose us as a trading partner. But, more importantly, they are well aware that we need their cash more than we need their cheap products and that gives them the edge over us.

Consider another example - Iran. The United States has urged China to support our efforts at stopping the radical Islamist-led nation from producing weapons-grade uranium at its uranium enrichment facilities (facilities which Iran repeatedly denies access by inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency). For the most part, however, the Chinese refuse to participate along with us in economic sanctions. Why? Two reasons: China makes lots of money selling supplies to Iran that are utilized at their uranium enrichment facilities and, China knows we aren’t in a position to pressure them to support the sanction. So, there you have it – China keeps doing whatever it wants and America is powerless to stop them or to even effectively pressure them for that matter.

Some say that China’s ultimate goal in loaning America so much money is to contribute to our eventual economic collapse. This could be true. But that wouldn’t really make sense. After all, if the American economy fails completely, we won’t be able to pay our debt to China which means, in the end, that if we lose, China loses as well. There’s an old saying that if you owe someone a thousand bucks, you have a problem but if you owe someone a million bucks, they have a problem. That being the case, I don’t believe China is out to destroy us economically as Reagan did the Soviet Union. However, the fact remains that America’s dependence on Chinese loans to run the government and pay its bills places us at a decided disadvantage in dealing with any issue in which China is a player. The stark reality is that we are a superpower in name only as long as China is pulling America’s purse strings.

To contact Spencer, read his blog, or review an archive of his columns, please visit www.conservativecommentaries.com.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today joined 23 of his Senate colleagues in co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation that would cut off funding for the trials of the 9/11 conspirators in civilian court.

“Suggesting we send Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to New York City where he was the mastermind of the slaughter of almost 3,000 Americans and hold a trial in that city was just plain wrong,” Isakson said. “It is wrong to grant American constitutional rights to a foreign terrorist, and I believe we must ensure that these terrorists are tried by military commission.”

Isakson’s co-sponsorship of this legislation follows the Jan. 8, 2010, letter he signed to President Obama along with 21 other senators, urging the president to rethink his decision to prosecute airline bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab of Nigeria in our criminal justice system.

BARNESVILLE - The cement corner has been poured as part of the construction foundation of the Gordon College Nursing and Allied Health Building. And to fill the building, applications are being accepted for the school’s RN to BSN program.

“We have been plagued with a very wet fall and early winter which has slightly delayed the site preparation,” said Richard Vereen, Gordon College Director of Facilities. “With the pouring of this concrete, we can begin moving right along. We do anticipate the building to be completed and ready for classes in late November, early December of this year.”

The 54,000 square foot building is being built on the west side of campus near Spencer Street. It will contain two large, tiered lecture halls, a collaborative learning center, computer lab and several classrooms. The focal point of the building will be the second floor where a state-of-the-art simulation lab, practice lab and check-off lab will be located. The labs will allow nursing and allied health students to learn in an environment that very closely resembles a hospital.

The construction coincides with Gordon’s addition of a completion program that allows nursing students to now earn their bachelor of science in nursing degree at Gordon College.

Classes in the BSN program will begin this summer and the first class will graduate in 2011. Applications are being accepted through March 5. For more information see Submitted 2.3.10

Are we going to have six more weeks of winter? Well, it depends on which groundhog you ask.

Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog from Pennsylvania, sent out his message by text saying: "If you want to know next, you must read my text. As the sky shines bright above me, my shadow I see beside me. So six more weeks of winter it will be."

New York City's Staten Island Chuck says that Spring will be here soon. What about Georgia's own groundhog?

General Beauregard Lee, a fun-loving groundhog that lives in Stone Mountain, Georgia says that it will be an early Spring as well.

Which groundhog tradition should we go with? I don't know about you, but I'm all for an early Spring.

This annual traditional of unconventional weather forecasting is all in good fun. Click here to find out some background behind this tradition that dates back more than 100 years.

This meeting was called to order at 4pm as advertised, by Commission Chair Doug Mangham and was attended by all of Pike County’s Commissioners as well as the County Clerk Teresa Watson, County Attorney Tom Morton and approximately 15 interested citizens.

The focus of this work shop was a revisiting of the newly enacted Fire Fee, how the fee is assessed, who may be exempt and how someone may elect to not pay this fee.

The over all concern of the board was to make sure the fees assessed are uniform and fair for all citizens and there was almost 2 hours of discussion about how to accomplish that goal.

Because Pike County is a rural county in the throes of growth we have various parcels of land that were divided but not recorded at the courthouse and we have some uses that are long standing non conforming commercial uses on non commercial land. All of this lends to confusion when trying to make sure everyone is treated in an appropriate manner. With use divisions being industrial, commercial, residential with improvement, residential with no improvement (improvement meaning any sort of structure having been built on the parcel) and agricultural there is certainly a lot of room for variation.

In an effort to make a sensible fee schedule the commissioners spoke with Pike County’s Tax Commissioner, Fire Chief and Chief Assessor and at least two basic ideas emerged from the long meeting. Fees can be assessed according to the parcel value and mil rate or they can be assessed on a flat fee basis.

The Commissioners requested additional information from the Tax Assessors Office in order to have accurate knowledge about the number of parcels involved in each assessment category. In addition it was requested that more information be gathered explaining how other counties handle this fee. For example in Spalding County this is a Fire Tax and is handled as a tax based on property value.

Once the requested information is available the revised fee schedule will be discussed, set, voted upon and if approved will be activated for the 2010 budget year.

The meeting ended around 6pm with the Commissioners hopeful that this issue would be resolved by March.

"The Pike County Parks and Recreation Authority is proud to announce park improvements," said Director of Pike County Parks & Recreation Authority Kevin Teate by email.

Fence improvements are being made to Fields 1 and 2. Eight-foot fencing is being installed and extended past the spectator areas on both fields. New player gates are being installed. Field 2 is complete. Field 1 improvements are ongoing.

Fence improvements to Field 6. Eight-foot fencing to be installed and extended beyond spectator areas. The four-foot fencing is being replaced with six-foot fencing. New player and maintenance gates are being installed. Improvements scheduled to be completed.

There is a new playground at the Soccer Complex. This new ADA compliant playground complete with play activities for ages 2-5 and 5-12 as well as swings is being installed next to the concession/restroom building. Installation is ongoing.

These improvements and the walking track are for community use. Park hours are 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Former Lamar County Sheriff Joe Buice was shot in the line of duty Friday in Spalding County and is recovering this weekend at Grady Hospital in Atlanta.

According to Spalding Chief Investigator Captain Tony Ranieri, the incident occurred around 4:30pm when deputies were dispatched to a reported suicide attempt at a residence at 2388 East McIntosh Road.

“Shortly after the first officers on the scene found no one at the door, a third deputy arrived and a man came out of the residence with an assault rifle,” he said.

Deputy Buice moved for cover on the opposite side of the Sheriff’s cruiser but was struck in the face with a round that passed through the windshield and passenger compartment, Ranieri said. The bullet traveled downward and into his neck.

The other deputies engaged the suspect, who was killed at the scene.

At a 10:00am Saturday news conference, Ranieri identified the dead man as 38 year-old homeowner Michael Stringer, whom he described as disabled and unemployed.

Ranieri said four County vehicles were damaged in the exchange of gunfire and that the suspect also shot at passing vehicles. A male driver was treated for injuries caused by flying glass, he added. Investigators have not released the names of those victims or of the other deputies involved in the incident.

“Buice was Life Flighted to Grady Hospital, where he went through surgery last night,” he continued. “At this time he is listed in critical but stable condition.”

Family members, friends and law enforcement on standby outside the Grady Trauma Center told BGN reporter Robert Neal Devane that Buice was transferred from surgery to the hospital's intensive care unit around 9:45pm Friday.

Buice was hired as a Spalding County deputy last July.

Ranieri said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation will assume the primary role in investigating the case.

Spalding County Sheriff’s Deputy Joe Buice is expected to recover after being shot in the face by a local man wielding an assault rifle Friday afternoon.

“He was shot in the facial area and went into Grady last night,” Capt. Tony Ranieri of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office said. “He came out of surgery just fine and was listed critical, but stable.”

Ranieri said that according to the hospital, Buice is expected to recover from his wounds. The next 24 hours will be instrumental in determining his condition.

Michael Stringer, 38, is the suspected shooter. He was killed by sheriff’s deputies after emerging from his home on 2388 E. McIntosh Road, firing an assault rifle at 4:15 p.m Friday.

Stringer was unemployed and living on disability insurance and had threatened suicide, prompting the Sheriff’s Office to go to his house.

His initial assault struck Buice and a nearby car driven by Mark Martin, who received eye injuries from flying glass. Another car driven by an unnamed woman was struck by gunfire, but the woman was not injured. Several Sheriff’s Office cars and nearby trees were hit as well.

“All that happened in the burst of bullets he got out before our officers ended up shooting him,” Ranieri said.

Martin was taken to Grady as well but was released later.

Ranieri said more information as to Stringer’s condition and motive will be available early next week.

Update 2.3.10: [Note from the Editor: Joe is home with his family at this time. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.]

Two people were shot in the area of a residence at 2388 E. McIntosh Road at about 4:15 p.m. Friday, including a Spalding County Sheriff’s Office deputy.

According to Capt. Tony Ranieri, who heads the Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigation Division, deputies responded to a suicide threat at the residence.

When deputies arrived at the scene, the suspect, who was alone in the house at the time of the incident, opened fire. He shot deputy Joe Buice in the face.

Law enforcement officers returned fire and killed the suspect, Ranieri said.

Medical helicopters transported the injured deputy to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. Buice was undergoing surgery late Friday night.

Authorities originally believed that the gunman had also shot a male motorist in the head before the gunman was killed by deputies.

However, Ranieri said late Friday night that the male motorist had not been shot.

The male motorist suffered eye injuries after being hit in the face with glass when his vehicle was shot at by the suspect, he said.

The male motorist was also taken to Grady Memorial Hospital by medical helicopter and was treated and released.

Authorities did not release the name of the suspect or male motorist Friday night.

The gunman also shot a vehicle being driven by a female motorist. She was not injured.

Members of the Griffin Police Department and the Spalding County Fire Department were also at the scene, as were ambulances from Spalding Regional Medical Center Emergency Medical Services.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating the incident, said Spalding County Sheriff Dee Stewart.

Buice is a former sheriff of Lamar County and has been with the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office for about a year, Ranieri said.

A second strategic meeting of concerned citizens was held January 29, 2010 at 2pm in the Pike County High School cafeteria to discuss the upcoming budget process in Pike County and ways to address making citizen concerns known and understood by the Pike County Board of Commissioners.

The overall feeling of citizens here is that our leadership neither understands nor cares about the wants and needs of the people who elected them to office, pay for their continuing education and provide insurance for their family while some of our citizens are so financially strapped they may have to consider dropping their own insurance so they can pay their power bill.

Over and over citizens are saying:

Stop Spending Now
Cut the county budget
Do not introduce any new fees
Do not hire any new employees
Eliminate contractual services
Government needs to be accountable

Several people present at the Saturday meeting are members of a locally active group “Citizens For Accountability” but all citizens in Pike County are urged to take a stand against the uncontrolled spending of our leadership.

If you would like more information on what you can do to make your voice heard please contact CFAPIKE@aol.com.

Up through Williamson and running off 362 is an old country road called Jonathan’s Roost. If you turn there and go on a bit you are going to find one of Pike County’s most interesting works in progress which is the re – creation of Atlanta’s Candler Field (now known as Hartsfield/Jackson), a museum and a restaurant called Barnstormers Grill.

Barnstormers Grill is what I want to tell you about today because I had dinner there this week and the food was out of this world. I ordered all you can eat salad bar, soup of the day (vegetable) and grilled salmon. Everything on the salad bar was fresh and the salmon was grilled to perfection. Comfortable enough for jeans but elegant enough for dress up the atmosphere as the old fashioned gas lanterns were lit became even more warm and welcoming. The people who work there are nice and the prices are affordable.

All through the year the museum is used for community events that range from formal banquets to high school plays and when serving as a museum you may find antique cars, antique airplanes or a mixture of both.

Whether or not you go to the museum events you simply must go to Barnstormers for dinner. You won’t be sorry you did, I wasn’t!

The Keep Pike Beautiful Authority will be awarding two $500 scholarships to Pike County residents and graduating 2010 High School Seniors. Participants must be accepted at an accredited technical school, college, or university and have performed at least 40 hours of community service in Pike.

These scholarships are available to any High School Senior from public, private, church, or homeschool in Pike County.

Scholarship participants must write a minimum 500 word essay on "What It Means to be Green in Pike County". Mail the essay with contact information to: Keep Pike Beautiful Authority, Application for Scholarship, P.O. Box 377, Zebulon, Georgia 30295.

Deadline for acceptance is March 30, 2010.

Students will need an acceptance letter from the college that they will be attending and documentation of community service from a church, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Boys & Girls Club--Pike County Unit, or other service organization.

For more information on this scholarship, please call 770-228-4874.

Kevin Chapman, age 22 of Meansville, was arrested yesterday in a joint effort between the Pike County Sheriff's Office and and the Clayton County Police Department.

According to Major David Neal of the Pike County Sheriff's Office, Pike County deputies and Clayton County police officers went to a residence in Clayton County to arrest Kevin Chapman for outstanding warrants for Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, and False Imprisonment in reference to an armed robbery that occurred on Harden Road in December.

"The suspect fled out the back door but was apprehended a short time later after a foot chase," said Major Neal.

Chapman has been brought back to the Pike County Jail and has been taken before the Magistrate Judge who ruled that no bond would be issued in his case.

The Pike County Sheriff's Office has recovered the AR-15 rifle that was linked to this crime. The rifle was recovered in Lamar County today.

The Sheriff's Office is warning citizens to be on the alert about anyone who comes to their door and offers to do work such as painting, putting sealant on asphalt driveways, and any offers for work that sounds too good to be true.

The Pike County Sheriff's Office arrested four of the Irish Travelers today so they are in our area.

The Irish Travelers are notorious for doing very poor work or ripping people off by quoting a small price at the beginning of the job and then saying it is much more at the end of the job. It is common for the Irish Travelers to have out of state plates on their vehicles such as Ohio and South Carolina.

Anyone who comes into contact with the Irish Travelers should call the Pike County Sheriff's Office at 770-567-8431.

“Extraordinary Measures” (CBS Films)

One Man Makes A Difference

“Extraordinary Measures” is a 4-H movie. It is about Hope, Health, Happiness and Helping. It is one of those feel good movies that make you appreciate what a few good people can accomplish when their hearts are in the right place. The fact it is based on a true story adds to the enjoyment of the film as you don’t have to waste time scoffing at the unreality of it all.

The story focuses on John and Aileen Crowley (Brendan Fraser and Keri Russell) who are the parents of three children. The oldest is perfectly healthy but the younger two are afflicted with Pome’s Disease, a neuromuscular ailment that is usually fatal within the first eight years of life. Megan (Meredith Droeger) is the middle child and Patrick (Diego Velazquez) is the youngest. Megan is eight years old at the start of the film and Patrick is six so time is running out for them.

John works for Bristol-Meters and Aileen stays home with the children. When Megan takes a turn for the worse John knows he has to do something. Through his research he has learned that Dr. Robert Stonehill (Harrison Ford) is one of the leading researchers in the filed of Pome’s. He has tried to contact him several times but has been unsuccessful. Finally he decides to drive to the University of Nebraska where Stonehill is employed.

The two men meet and clash. Stonehill is crusty and cantankerous but he needs John’s business acumen to help him get research dollars. John of course needs for Stonehill to find a cure for Pome’s. They form a symbiotic relationship that might help them both.

The film is maudlin to say the least but true life is sometimes maudlin. It is also horrific in its scenes of the children’s’ illness. If you are a parent it is difficult to watch this and place yourself in the Crowley’s place. But the film also underscores the need for activism in the face of adversity. Plus both John and Stonehill have to bend to achieve their goals.

Ford is perfectly cast as the irascible Stonehill. He is light years away from his action hero characters but he is still a hero of sorts in this movie. He has good chemistry with the other actors in the film and makes his participation integral to the success of the movie.

Fraser has to grow on you. At first glance he appears to be out of his league in this very serious role but the more you get into the film the better he gets. He convinced me he was a dedicated father willing to do anything to help his kids. Russell is kind and loving in her role but doesn’t get much of a chance to flex her acting muscles.

The film is rated PG for mild profanity.

“Extraordinary Measures” will touch your heart and give you hope. It shows mankind at its best, and we need to see that reflected on screen.

I scored “Extraordinary Measures” an extraordinary 7 out of 10.

©2010 Jackie K. Cooper

Official Website

Jackie has many movie reviews on his website at www.jackiekcooper.com including "Legion".

Jackie also has reviews of the latest books, DVDs, television shows as well as columns on life and living in the South.

I. CALL TO ORDER………………………………Chairman Doug Mangham

IX. NEW BUSINESS
   1. Discuss Pike County fire fee structure and policy.
   2. Discuss other related issues.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

Zebulon - The Pike County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) supports the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and the National Weather Service in observing February 1-5, as Severe Weather Awareness Week. Encouraging families to learn emergency preparedness and response procedures for all types of severe weather events is the goal of the observance with a daily focus on these topics:

February 1 Monday Family Preparedness/NOAA Weather Radio Day
February 2 Tuesday Thunderstorm Safety
February 3 Wednesday Tornado Safety (Statewide Tornado Drill)
February 4 Thursday Lightning Safety
February 5 Friday Flooding (Alternate Drill Day)

Family preparedness is the focus on Monday, February 1. Family Preparedness Day is a time for every family in to plan and rehearse what they should do during the first 72-hours of any severe weather-related event or disaster.

To help families get started, Ready Georgia - a statewide emergency preparedness campaign established by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) - offers the tools needed to make an emergency supply kit, develop a communications plan and stay informed about potential threats. Ready Georgia's interactive Web site, www.ready.ga.gov, provides detailed information on Georgia-specific emergency preparedness and allows users to create a personal profile and receive a customized checklist and a family communications plan.

During winter storms, floods, tornadoes or hurricanes, it may take emergency workers 72-hours or more to reach certain areas in order to open roadways and restore utilities. The benefit of being self-sufficient for 72-hours, or longer, is that your family can survive circumstances that might otherwise be tragic, if you were not prepared. With a little time and effort, families can prepare for severe weather hazards affecting our area. Developing a family disaster plan is the first step.

Severe weather or a disaster may force an evacuation of your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What will you do if your basic utilities - water, gas, electricity, or telephones -- are cut off? These are the types of questions your family disaster plan must address in order to help protect your family. Follow these basic steps to develop a family disaster plan . . . .

In addition to your local EMA, you may contact the nearest National Weather Service office, Ready Georgia or the American Red Cross. Find out what type of disasters could occur and how you should respond. Learn the community's warning signals and evacuation plans.

Discuss the information you have gathered. Pick two places to meet: a spot very near your home for an emergency, such as fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you cannot return home. Choose an out-of-state friend as your "family check-in contact" for everyone to call if the family gets separated. Discuss what you would do if advised to evacuate.

Ask questions to make sure your family remembers meeting places, phone numbers, and safety rules. Conduct drills. Test your weather radio and smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. Test and recharge your fire extinguishers according to the manufacturer's instructions. Replace stored water and food every six months.

For more information visit these Web sites: www.gema.ga.gov, www.ready.ga.gov, www.srh.noaa.gov/ffc/, or www.ready.ga.gov.

Washington, D.C. – With the Union in a state of anger, President Obama’s efforts to focus on jobs and fiscal responsibility in tonight’s address come too little, too late, said U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland.

"Tonight, the president talked a good game about fiscal responsibility, creating jobs for Americans and building a better future together,” Westmoreland said. “I know he realizes that Americans are hurting and are worried about their future. With the popular tide turning away from the Democrats toward the Republicans, the president has a great opportunity – his fellow liberal Democrats won’t see it as an ‘opportunity’ I’m afraid – to finally fulfill his campaign promise to work across the aisle to achieve practical solutions. We have been offering cost-effective solutions on health care, jobs and energy, but we’ve been shut out because the Democrats own a super majority held hostage by the left.

“I admit, though, that I find the president’s message contradictory. He’s talking about fiscal responsibility and more jobs, yet his proposals all call for bigger government, more regulation and higher taxes. It’s a ‘we’re going to spend our way out of debt’ mentality.

"In election after election, even in deep blue states, Americans have sent the message that Washington isn’t pursuing the right priorities,” Westmoreland said. “The focus in Washington should be jobs, jobs, jobs. Instead, we’ve spent a year on job-killing health care legislation, job-killing energy legislation, job-killing bank regulation that will choke off small business lending, and spending borrowed money on a stimulus that didn’t stimulate.

“It’d be best for the nation if tonight marked a turning point – a point where we put aside the Liberal Legislative Wish Book that consumed 2009 and where the president moves back toward the center to get some of this important work done. I don’t expect him to agree with Republicans on every issue; he wasn’t elected to institute my agenda. But he was elected to pursue common ground, and 2010 would be a good time to start.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., tonight issued the following statement following President Obama’s State of the Union address:

“I know from traveling Georgia there is one major issue on people’s minds: jobs and the economy. It’s essential that the President start to handle it in a meaningful way. It’s obvious the stimulus didn’t help with the unemployment situation. We have a very uncertain marketplace right now. We need to bring clarity and opportunity for the private sector to make those investments that are necessary to bring back our economy.

“I’m glad the president has finally realized that spending is a problem. The only problem with freezing it at current levels is it includes all the money that’s been spent for the stimulus. It includes all of the budget increases from last year, in some cases 20 percent increases in one year. It’s also inconsistent to come to us tonight and ask us to cap spending while on the Senate floor he’s asking us to raise the debt by almost $2 trillion.

“The American people expect us to spend their money like they spend their money. Sitting around the kitchen table, establishing priorities, not going into debt, spending money only where it should be spent. That’s what the federal government needs to be doing. Caps are fine. Limitations are fine. But they need to be meaningful and they need to be consistent with debt borrowing, and they’re not right now.

“On national security, while I was pleased with the president’s decision to send 37,000 troops to Afghanistan, I’ve been deeply disappointed that the president has decided to grant constitutional rights to foreign enemy combatants. To send Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to New York City where he was the mastermind of the slaughter of almost 3,000 Americans and hold a trial in that city in my opinion is just plain wrong. We were right to establish the facility at Guantanamo Bay. We were right to establish military tribunals. It is wrong to grant American constitutional rights to a terrorist from another country.

“On health care, the American people think we need to get back to the basics and start over. I think we ought to do a step-by-step approach. For example, we know by allowing insurance to be sold across state lines and forming risk pools across state lines that we can open accessibility to affordable health care for almost a third of the uninsured. We know that a third of the uninsured are really eligible for Medicare, Medicaid or SCHIP but they’re not enrolled. The government ought to have an enrolment system so when they show up at health care facilities the coverage is there. There are other things we need to do including tort reform. The tremendous amount of money that goes out in runaway verdicts or from negotiated settlements out fear of going to trial is just not right. I would rather us start with a step-by-step approach that deals with the things we know we can do rather than a comprehensive and pervasive overhaul of a system that ends up destroying what 86 percent of Americans have all for the 14 percent who don’t.”

Atlanta – Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp today announced the launch of a new website called Cut The Red Tape, which allows Georgians to submit ideas on how their government can create opportunities for businesses to grow, create new jobs, and eliminate bureaucratic red tape. The Cut The Red Tape website can be viewed at: www.sos.ga.gov/cuttheredtape.

Secretary Kemp said, “As a small business owner and former state Senator, I am keenly aware of the challenges involved with operating and growing a business, in good economic times and bad. As Georgia’s Secretary of State, I am committed to helping businesses remove the red-tape roadblocks that impede business growth and job creation.”

Kemp added, “This website provides an opportunity to share ideas on how government can better serve Georgia businesses. We want to help Georgia businesses grow, and your input is a valued part of this process.”

For example, all businesses registered with the agency’s Corporations Division can pay their annual renewal fee online, and elect to receive renewal notices and other important information via email. This tool will also prevent corporate identity theft and fraud. Individuals can also form new businesses online. These resources will save Georgia businesses countless hours of time previously spent on paperwork and bureaucratic compliance.

Additionally, more than 35 license applications in the Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Boards Division are now available online, and the agency is adding more each week.

Washington, D.C. – Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today released the 2010 Prime Cuts, a compendium of 763 waste-cutting recommendations that would save taxpayers $350 billion in the first year and $2.2 trillion over five years.

The 2010 Prime Cuts comes out at a propitious time. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its troubling budgetary outlook yesterday and President Obama is poised to make his first State of the Union Address tonight. News reports over the last few days have predicted that the President, whose party has been dealt several recent political and policy setbacks, will use tonight’s speech to pivot toward fiscal issues. He is expected to call for a three-year domestic, discretionary spending freeze that would save $10 to $15 billion in 2011. It has also been reported that the President will announce a bipartisan budget task force to study the thorny fiscal issues facing the country. At the same time, White House spokespersons have also been floating expensive spending initiatives and tax credit programs.

“CAGW’s 2010 Prime Cuts gives the public, the President and Congress a very straightforward list of failed, duplicative, and outdated programs,” said CAGW President Tom Schatz. “The federal bureaucracy is a target-rich environment for any President or member of Congress truly committed to cutting wasteful spending. What is missing is the political audacity to identify and eliminate these boondoggles using the budget process and the veto pen.”

While Prime Cuts is not the only answer, it can help reduce the $1.3 billion deficit, the $12.2 trillion national debt, and keep more money in the hands of individuals and small businesses that can more directly address the stubborn 10 percent jobless rate. Ignoring the recommendations will exacerbate the massive growth in government that has been cause by bailouts for banks, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and the auto companies, along with the failed stimulus package, Cash for Clunkers, and Cash for Caulkers, all of which have failed to jumpstart the economy.

“Taxpayers now recognize that President Obama and his congressional allies will say anything to sound fiscally rational, but their actions tell a different story. The spendthrifts in Washington, D.C. should read and adopt every recommendation in the 2010 Prime Cuts,” Schatz concluded.

www.cagw.org/reports/prime-cuts/2010/2010-prime-cuts.html

Citizens Against Government Waste is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, mismanagement and abuse in government.

If I heard it once, I heard it a thousand times – “It’s the economy, stupid.” That phrase, the mantra of the “Clinton ‘92” presidential campaign blasted relentlessly across America’s airwaves for months leading up to the election – and it worked.

The phrase, reportedly the brainchild of James Carville, close associate of, and campaign advisor to, then presidential candidate Bill Clinton, played on America’s fears regarding a sluggish economy. Public concern regarding the economy as generated by the phrase, coupled with the bungling though somewhat likeable Ross Perot and the eleventh-hour indictment of National Security Advisor Caspar Weinberger on trumped-up charges (which were later dismissed) led to a dilution of the Bush vote and a win for Clinton. Interestingly, the economy actually wasn’t in bad shape and was already rebounding briskly from a mild recession earlier that summer. Such is the power of illusion.

Fast forwarding nearly 20 years, anyone who pays any attention whatsoever to current events can easily see that the state of our economy really is, simply put, bad – and that’s no illusion. Unemployment is still above 10 percent nationwide (and much higher in certain locales), overall economic growth is paltry at best, and new housing sales in December were at their lowest point in 40 years. And what is the Administration doing about the problem? Well, not much.

A recent poll conducted by The PEW Research Center for the People and the Press demonstrated that the economy was the number one concern of Americans with jobs and terrorism placing second and third, respectively. Interestingly, the economy was also America’s top concern one year ago at the time of President Obama’s inauguration. However, health care, rather than the economy, appears to have been the Administration’s top priority since coming to power. But where does health care rank on the list of America’s top concerns? A distant eighth – far from the top of the list.

With Americans so obviously concerned about the economy for more than a year now, why hasn’t the Administration made improving the economy its top priority? Why, instead, has President Obama focused so much attention, energy, and effort on health care reform when it is such a low priority for most Americans? Beats me. One thing is for certain, though – Americans are paying attention.

My guess as to why President Obama insists on focusing on ramming sweeping health care reforms through Congress rather than first improving the economy is rooted in his inherent desire to bring about profound and far-reaching social change resulting in a more socialist America. The evidence is clear – government-controlled health care, Obama’s top priority for the first year of his presidency, is a central tenet of socialism and it is such control of the American health care system that Obama seeks.

And, all the while, Americans continue to suffer at the hands of a bad economy. However, that may have actually been part of the plan in the first place – maybe the Administration believed that Americans were so preoccupied with concerns about the economy that sweeping health care legislation could be passed with little notice. Obviously, however, the plan backfired. The American people, after all, were paying attention and they didn’t like what they saw. They began to speak up and be heard, first at town hall meetings and TEA parties across America, and later at the ballot box as witnessed by impressive republican victories in Virginia and New Jersey in November and in Massachusetts last week.

The message from the American people to President Obama seems clear – ignore our concerns about the economy and it’s going to cost you. In fact, it already has – in terms of diminished national standing and squandered political capital. Out of concern for the outcome of the mid-term elections in November, the Administration will likely minimize its overt actions toward passing ObamaCare legislation. However, it hasn’t given up. The plan will likely be repackaged and re-visited soon.

The lesson that Americans should take away from the health care reform fiasco during the last year cannot be ignored – that President Obama is determined to convert the American health care industry from a free-market to a socialist program regardless of the ultimate cost to Americans. And if he has to ignore the sufferings of the American people at the hands of a bad economy in order to succeed, he’s willing to do so. However, Americans aren’t going to take it lying down. They have mobilized in big cities and small town all across the nation and are sending President Obama and all elected officials in Washington a clear message – “Hello, it’s the economy.”

To contact Spencer, read his blog, or review an archive of his columns, please visit conservativecommentaries.com.

Atlanta – Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp today testified before the Georgia House of Representatives Governmental Affairs Committee in support of legislation that would establish a pilot voting project for Georgia’s overseas and military personnel. The pilot voting project would provide overseas and military personnel alternative methods to cast their ballots and have them received by local election officials in time to be counted. Currently, Georgia’s overseas and military personnel are allowed to submit their absentee ballots only by mail.

The bill (HB 665), introduced in the House by Rep. Mark Hamilton (R-Cumming), Chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee, allows the State to participate in any future pilot voting programs, so long as those programs meet certain minimum standards such as: encryption and transmission of information over a secure network; verification of the identity and eligibility of electors to vote; protection of the privacy, anonymity, and integrity of ballots cast; prevention of tampering or illegal manipulation of the system; and ability to verify that information transmitted over the secure network is not viewed or altered before the vote is received at the vote counting destination.

“This legislation will help ensure that the men and women who fight to protect our Constitution and our freedoms can fully participate in Georgia’s elections,” Secretary Kemp told the committee. “One ballot cast by a member of our military that is not counted due to slow mail service or a missed deadline is one too many.”

“I want to thank Secretary Kemp for his early leadership and support of this issue, and his dedication and commitment to helping Georgia’s military personnel fully participate in our democratic process,” said Rep. Hamilton. “I look forward to continuing to work with Secretary Kemp’s office to develop and implement this much needed resource.”

All five Commissioners were present along with County Clerk Teresa Watson to take the minutes and County Attorney Rob Morton. County Manager Steve Marro was not present.

Here are the big items that happened last night. Two items were added at the beginning of the meeting. The first was adding the 2010 Ambulance SErvice Contract to New Business. [Note from the Editor: This is the Ambulance Contract that was added to the agenda for the morning meeting and verbally agreed to at the past meeting. I think that this was inadvertently left off of this agenda as opposed to being added to the past agenda when it could have waited until this meeting to be advertised on the agenda and discussed.] The second item was an Executive Session for Personnel.

PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Consider recommendation of the Pike County Planning and Development Staff and Board of Appeals to approve the request of Verizon Wireless for a Special Exception to allow for construction of a leased cell tower off Gresham Road.The public hearing for the AT&T cell tower was held last night. The Commissioners listened to one person speak in favor and several of the neighbors who spoke against the tower because of its height (195 feet) and the fact that there is only one company contracted to be on the tower with another company that is interested in the tower. According to our ordinances, the tower can only be as tall as the allowances for the number of companies who will be on the tower. The Commissioners did not make a decision on this last night but have placed it on the next agenda for a final decision.

NEW BUSINESS: 3. Nathan Rounds, Zebulon, Georgia, desires to receive reimbursement for overpaid property taxes and legal fees incurred during appeals process on an erroneous assessment of property. Nathan gave a packet to the Commissioners explaining the problems that he encountered with his property assessment from 2008. He said that his property tax increased nearly 300% in 2008 and eventually had to hire an attorney to present his case to the Board of Equalization. He asked for--and was given--a refund on overpaid property taxes in the amount of $847.01 and a refund on his attorney's fees in the amount of $2,914.89 for a total of $3,761.90. The Budget Officer for the county will have to look into this matter and determine whether the money can come out of the Tax Assessor's budget or from Contingency. If it comes from contingency, the Commissioners will have to vote on it. This motion was approved with a vote of 3-1 with Commissioner Don Collins voting against it.

The Commissioners discussed the $89,000 contract that the County Attorney has with the county. Commissioner Swift made phone calls to find out about other County Attorneys and found that the average was about $150,000 for representation (about $165,000 on average) and does not include litigation. The current $89,000 contract in Pike County includes litigation but not bonds. The Commissioners decided to continue their contract with the County Attorney due to the cost of the advertising and the time that would be involved in this process compared to the other County Attorney contracts in surrounding areas.

V. INVITED GUESTS - None

VI. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONERS, DEPARTMENTS, COMMITTEES AND AUTHORITIES

A. Monthly Reports submitted from County Departments and County Authorities

B. County Manager Report presentation to Commissioners (County Clerk in absence of)
    1. Present financial statements for the months of November and December 2009: Commissioner Don Collins asked for a summary of financials instead of the line item detailed financial statements that Commissioners receive. Discussion about the statement on the financials including why the final numbers for the past year are not prepared yet. Commissioners were advised that the auditors are not finished making adjustments yet and that the financials are subject to change.
    2. Update on County-maintained roads with severe weather-related damage: Dunn Road opened up on the day of the meeting where it had been closed. Public Works Director Todd Goolsby advised that the department is working on potholes and that freezing temperatures when the moisture is already under the asphalt makes problems even worse. Asked citizens to call Public Works with potholes so they can get them on the list for repairs. Todd was commended for the work of his department in keeping up with the problems on our roads because of the weather. Noted that there were 17 roads that were almost impassable with only two closed and now all are open with only a culvert on Hwy 109 with barricades around it.
    3. Update on LGRMS Sensitivity Training on 1-14-10 and notation of upcoming Diversity Training on 1-29-10 for one-hour sessions throughout 9 am to 4 pm, provided at no cost to the County: County Clerk Teresa Watson gave an overview of the past training saying that it was a one hour training session provided to employees at their convenience during that day.
    4. Report on ICMA Webinar re “Using Baldridge in Local Governments on 1-14-10 from 1:00-2:30 pm for County personnel: Costed $149 for the training of 7 department heads. [Note from the Editor: Scroll down to 1.21.10 article entitled "Department Heads Attend Online Budgeting Seminar" to read about this training. Also includes information about the upcoming Budget Calendar for FY 2010-11.]
    5. Update on RFP issued for Benefits Brokerage Services: This was published with a deadline of February 16th at 3 p.m.
    6. Update on Ad for County Manager position as approved by the Board: This is also published as approved by the BOC. Deadline is March 1, 2010. Already received 3 or 4 applications.
    7. Suggested revision to Budget Calendar for FY 2010-2011: There were some minor changes for the July 1, 2010 deadline.

C. Commissioners Reports:
    District 1 Roosevelt Willis: Asked whether the County Manager would be attending more training at this time. Was advised by the County Clerk that the CM is not registered to attend any upcoming classes.
    District 2 Parrish Swift: Asked about the Pike County Transportation Committee and obtaining money for road paving, repairs, etc. Was advised by the County Attorney that the Pike County Transportation Plan Ordinance was approved but a committee is not in place. Discussion of possibly asking if the Citizens Advisory Task Force (CATF) could help provide members for this. Concerned about being left out of future plans for roads in Pike and the surrounding communities.
    District 3 Tommy Powers: Commended Public Works Director Todd Goolsby and his department for their hard work on the roads.
    District 4 Don Collins: Said that Coweta County is negotiating with the City of Griffin to be part of a regional water system and that this could help with their water rates. Asked if BOC members thought that Pike should be investigating this. County Attorney Rob Morton advised that Pike was given an open invitation on this. Don did not know exact figures on this. * Talked about ISO ratings for some people in the county and the possibility of auxilliary stations with surplus equipment to cover those who are outside of 5 mile radius from a fire station so they can see the benefits of a lowered ISO rate in Pike County. Was advised that Pike County pages out three stations to all fires and that remapping will be done all at once when everything is in place on this. The CAD system that coordinates public safety is being bid out on now. Remapping will entail mapping phone numbers to residences and will be a long process. Some remapping is being done now but not to the extent as it will be done with the CAD system.
    Chairman Doug Mangham: Said that his concern was roads and that has been discussed.

More later.

D. County Attorney Report to Commissioners

VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
    1. Consider recommendation of the Pike County Planning and Development Staff and Board of Appeals to approve the request of Verizon Wireless for a Special Exception to allow for construction of a leased cell tower off Gresham Road.

XIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
    1. Consider, on second reading, adoption of proposed text amendment to the Code of Pike County, Georgia to amend Chapter 156, Section 156.340 Official Zoning Map, Section 156.341 Identification, Alteration and Replacement of the Official Map, and Section 156.343 Relationship Between Official Map and Pike County Land Use Plan, as appropriate to allow for the re-adoption of the Pike County Official Zoning Map.
    2. Consider, on second reading, adoption of the Pike County, Georgia Official Zoning Map.
    3. Consider providing direction to Pike County Tax Commissioner regarding exemption of certain entities from payment of the Fire District Fee.

IX. NEW BUSINESS
    1. Opening of sealed proposals for the Pike County 911 Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Geographic Information System for award at a later date after thorough vetting.
    2. Discuss and/or authorize issuance of RFP for solicitation of County Attorney services.
    3. Nathan Rounds, Zebulon, Georgia, desires to receive reimbursement for overpaid property taxes and legal fees incurred during appeals process on an erroneous assessment of property.
    4. Walker Chandler desires permission to use the main courtroom of the Pike County Courthouse on March 4, 2010 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. for an organizational, public meeting to explore formation of a marching band.
    5. Prayer Power of Georgia, Ben Maxedon, desires permission to use the Pike County Courthouse and Square on Thursday, May 6, 2010 from 10 am to 2 pm for the annual Prayer on the Square in observance of the National Day of Prayer.
    6. J. Joel Edwards Public Library requests appointment of a Library Board member to fill the term of Mary Milner, who not desire reappointment, for a term to expire 8-31-2012.
    7. Consider approval of the Agreement between Pike County and the Keep Pike Beautiful Authority for a term to expire June 30, 2010.
    8. Consider request of Ed Sanders, Keep Pike Beautiful Chairman, to dismantle the committee and accept returned funds appropriated for the 2009-2010 budget year.
    9. Consider declaring surplus, for disposal at the discretion of the Board of Commissioners, nine deadlined vehicles as identified by Pike County Sheriff Jimmy Thomas.

X. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None

XI. PUBLIC COMMENT- (Limited to 5 minutes per person)

XII. ADJOURNMENT

[Note from the Editor: The discussion of the RFP for County Attorney Services and Fire Fees came up from the Strategic Workshop Session that was held on January 20, 2010. Guest Columnist Tamra Jarrett wrote an article on this workshop dated 1.23.10. I have some comments below it in the Agenda notice as well.

Click here to read an editorial entitled "How Does the Pike County Board of Commissioners Reach a Decision?"]

On Thursday morning at 9 a.m., a ceremony for the unveiling of two domestic violence billboards will be held in Griffin at the corner of Highway 19-41 and Varsity Drive in Griffin. The public and media from surrounding counties are welcome to attend this event.

"These two billboards are centered on domestic violence," said Vanessa Mottley, Executive Director of Promise Place. She explained that this is a pilot project for the entire state of Georgia sponsored by the Georgia Commission on Family Violence.

Spalding County is going to be the first county in the state of Georgia to be involved in the pilot program.

These billboards will have the 24 hour Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-33-HAVEN (42836) to help victims of domestic violence find the help that is available to them.

The billboard program could expand to other areas based on the results from this pilot program in Spalding County.

Promise Place serves victims of domestic violence and their children in the Griffin Georgia Judicial Circuit, which includes Fayette, Spalding, Pike and Upson counties by providing an undisclosed Emergency Shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children.

Contact Promise Place at 770-461-3839 for more information or go to PromisePlace.org to find out more about Promise Place and the services that it provides in our community.

On Sunday, January 24, 2010, Meriwether County authorities requested the assistance of the Pike-Spalding Dive team to locate a drowning victim in a Meriwether County pond.

Members of the Dive Team met with Meriwether County personnel at the site and surveyed the location on Saturday night and then set up a recovery operation on Sunday morning with divers and support staff.

It was rainy and the water was very cold that morning. Visibility was not good. However, divers worked approximately 35 minutes and to locate the victim.

Photos on the We Are Pike County page courtesy of Pike County Emergency Services.

The Coweta Falls Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) will sponsor a ceremony honoring freed slave Austin Dabney at his grave site in Zebulon, Pike county, Georgia. The ceremony will be at Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 11:30 am in Zebulon. The public is invited. Admission is free.

Austin Dabney was a slave who secured his freedom by supporting the Patriot (American) side in the War for Independence, 1775-1783. His master was afraid to serve and volunteered Austin to serve in his place when called upon by the Wilkes county militia.

Austin Dabney's bravery and exploits as a Patriot are celebrated in Georgia legend, including the stories of notable historian and story-teller Joel Chandler Harris.

He is buried in the Harris field just off the old Mitchell planation in Pike county, Georgia.

Cooperating with the SAR chapter in Columbus in staging this program honoring Austin Dabney are the Marquis de LaFayette SAR chapter in Fayetteville, The Lamar-Fayette DAR chapter in Barnesville, and the Pike County and Upson County historical societies and Harris-Mitchell-Middlebrooks family descendants.

For additional info contact Bob Galer, Coweta Falls (Columbus) Chapter SAR, at 706 324-2931.

Directions: 3/4 mile from the Courthouse on Hwy 18 West. Pope Street on the left about 1/2 mile. Park. Board shuttle or walk approximately 3/4 mile through the woods. Heavy rains will move the ceremony indoors.

Click here to view directions and the Proclamation for Austin Dabney Day with historical information for this event or click here to read it from the Pike County Government website. This is a two page document.

Stephen Powers, assistant professor of English at Gordon College, will present poems from his book The Follower’s Tale as part of the Gordon College Speakers Series.

The Follower’s Tale is a collection of lyric and narrative poems about road trips to Dollywood to see Dolly Parton perform with diversions to Milwaukee, New Orleans, Paris and other places far and wide. The poems are about driving and exploring, music and loss, and paint an off-beat picture of where America fits today in a world turning under the shadows of pop culture icons.

The reading is Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Student Center Auditorium. Admission is free.

United Men of Pike for Progress needs help from the public in order to send care packages to soldiers in our community. They are asking that families of soldiers provide an address to them in order to send a care package to let them know that their community is supporting them.

United Men of Pike for Progress always does projects to help within the community throughout the year, but members began thinking about soldiers serving their country overseas and ways to support them as a service to the community because of the Austin Dabney Ceremony on Saturday.

"We want to let them know that the community is thinking about them," said UMPP Treasurer Charles Burden.

United Men of Pike for Progress plans to send items for soldiers to write home as well as candy and other items from back home to show support for soldiers.

If you have a loved one from Pike County serving overseas and would like for them to receive a care package from United Men of Pike for Progress, please send your soldier's name and address to: United Men of Pike for Progress, PO Box 94, Zebulon, Georgia 30295.

The Pike County Emergency Services and the Fire Auxilliary donated money for stuffed animals to present to Pike County Emergency Services at the December Banquet. The stuffed animals were presented to Mid Georgia Ambulance Operations Manager Darrell Riggins on January 15, 2010.

These stuffed animals will be given to children during ambulance transport.

"We appreciate what you do," said Fire Auxilliary President Teri Totten to Operations Manager Darrell Riggins at the presentation.

Picture is on the We Are Pike County page.

Applications for the 2010-2011 pre-k school year will be available at the Board of Education Office located at 16 Jackson Street, Zebulon, Georgia beginning Tuesday, February 2nd through February 25th from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

All applications should be returned no later than 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 26th.

To be eligible for the 2010-2011 pre-k school year, children must be age 4 by September 1st. Required documents to be submitted with the application include a copy of the student’s birth certificate, a copy of the student’s social security card, and proofs of residency for Pike County. Proofs of residency must include your power bill and one other utility bill. You should also provide a copy of your driver’s license or picture I.D. If available, please submit Form 3231 and Form 3300.

The drawing for pre-k enrollment will occur in March. The day, time and location of the lottery will be announced.

If you have further questions call the Pre-K Office at 770 567-4769.

From PromisePlace.org: Promise Place exists to prevent domestic violence through awareness programs, educational training and providing safe environments for the victims and their families, utilizing legal advocacy, emergency shelters and transitional housing.

Promise Place works to empower local communities to eradicate domestic violence and promote emotional and physical healing for our clients. Serving Victims of Domestic Violence and their children in the Griffin Georgia Judicial Circuit, which includes Fayette, Spalding, Pike and Upson counties.

Promise Place provides an undisclosed Emergency Shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children. This is a place for victims to turn to for safety.

Services provided include: Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter, Support Groups, Legal Advocacy, Teen Dating Violence Awareness Program, Safety Planning, Children's Programs, Community Education, and a 24 hour Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-33-HAVEN (42836) or 770-460-1604.

Donations are tax deductible and can be sent to: Promise Place, P.O. Box 854, Fayetteville, GA 30214. Other ways to contribute include becoming a Promise Place Partner, buying Gourmet Coffee through the Promise Place Coffee Fundraising Program, dropping off used cell phones, and more.

Contact Promise Place at 770-461-3839 for more information or go to PromisePlace.org.

Each year, Pike County Girl Scouts conduct their annual cookie sale, December through March. Proceeds from each package of cookies support Girl Scout troop activities and service projects, program resources and facilities, volunteer support, and financial aid.

Not only do girls earn funds to help pay for their activities, they develop lifelong business, leadership and entrepreneurial skills than can open doors to future success. This year don't just buy a box of Girl Scout Cookies, help support the development of a young lady with high aspirations.

For more information regarding the Girl Scout opportunity contact our local Service Center at (770) 702-9400 or e-mail brownieleader098@yahoo.com. See you in the community!

Roads were at the top of their list when commissioners met last week for a strategic planning workshop at the United Bank lake house in Zebulon. Another Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax and the addition of another mill (nearly $500,000) to the digest, specifically for roads, were two of the funding vehicles suggested during the discussion.

During the five and a half hour session held Wednesday, Jan. 20, attended by three citizens, commissioners addressed a number of their concerns, which included capital improvements, policy and personnel - namely the hiring of a new county manager. Department heads, the county manager and the county clerk were called by commissioners during the morning session and asked to appear separately, in half hour increments, after lunch. Citizens Advisory Task Force Chairman Bobby Blalock was also questioned by the board.

Commissioner Tommy Powers first brought up the topic of roads, dissatisfied with the practice of repeatedly putting gravel on dirt roads.

Commissioner Roosevelt Willis said that practice could be avoided if roads are properly prepared and given the right base. Chairman Doug Mangham said the county would need a roller machine for packing the roads.

Commissioner Don Collins asked if the board was dealing with a lack of knowledge. "Not having an engineering study killed us on getting stimulus money," he said. In response to Willis' concern about road preparation, he suggested the board might want to hire a road consultant or expert.

Later, when discussion of another SPLOST arose, Commissioner Parrish Swift recommended roads be one of the capital improvements to benefit. Collins later said commissioners need to set a specific millage rate to accommodate roads and capital improvements.

County Manager Steve Marro, who appeared at 2 p.m., said, "Speaking strategically, we have to start putting money toward roads, whether the taxpayer likes it or not." It would also cost another million dollars to get needed road equipment and the personnel to run it, he added.

Other highlights included:

FIRE FEES. Swift said the fire fees adopted last year need to be amended. Mangham agreed, noting a landowner with a smaller tract of land should not pay as much as those with larger parcels. Swift said commercial businesses may not need to pay $650 either. Fire fees were set based on appraised values, but should be done on a flat rate system, Swift said.

"I personally feel there was some gouging done," Powers said. The board will discuss fire fees in a workshop.

Swift also agreed to look into concerns that some citizens aren't getting a reduction into their fire insurance premiums since the ISO rating was reduced effective Jan. 1.

COUNTY MANAGER ADVERTISEMENT: County Clerk Teresa Watson prepared the advertisement for the job now held by Marro. Commissioners previously decided not to renew his contract, which expires May 31. Key issues the new County Manager will face include budgetary concerns due to challenges by the current economy and its impact on revenue, as well as economic planned growth, development and diversification."

"Candidate should be a motivated individual with a degree in Public Administration and have experience working in a similar government position, preferably in a growing community. A Master’s degree in Public Administration with at least three years’ experience is preferred, but a combination of education, experience and motivation will be considered. County Official certification is preferred, but a commitment to complete such certification in a timely manner will be considered. Salary range will be $70,000 to $90,000 depending on qualifications. Excellent benefits are provided, " it states. The deadline for applications is Mar. 1. In addition to the ACCG web site, the ad will appear in papers in Pike, Spalding, Lamar and Butts counties.

Marro, who has been county manager three years, is enrolled in his last class toward (County Manager) certification, Watson said. She will take her final class toward her Clerk certification in February.

In other personnel matters, Watson said there needs to be a restructuring of job duties for Secretary Nancy Cook since most of her duties now belong to her (Watson). "Nancy's floundering," she said. When asked if there could be a reduction in staff, she said no. She said there needs to be a re-defining of job descriptions and cross-training.

LEGAL SERVICES: Collins said the board agreed to go ahead and advertise for legal services, but said the decision would have to be made in open session. Mangham noted even if he (Rob Morton) doubled his salary, his would be a lower price than many other attorneys. Powers said if the attorney wasn't satisfied with what he was getting, he already been gone.

Swift said he would rather spend $150,000 on a county manager than a county attorney. Watson was charged with the task of researching putting legal services to place it out for a bid. Currently, there is $85,000 annually budgeted for the county attorney.

Collins said he intended to ask County Technician Sean Townsend for a breakdown of all money paid for legal services. There was also mention that financial reports weren't being posted in a timely manner on the county web site, to which Swift said, "If financials aren't on the web site, someone needs to have a write-up in their file."

Mangham said the company that is supposed to manage the web site has been "dragging their feet."

GAS PIPELINE: There is to be another meeting of the pipeline committee, which includes members of the development authority, according to Collins. The basic premise is that the natural gas pipeline would come from Lamar County up Highway 41, which is about half of the pipeline. He said Lamar County has exhibited a willingness to participate in the project - without providing money. The benefit would be in Lamar County lending its name as a less prosperous county than Pike to possibly qualify for a One Georgia grant.

Collins also noted Pike County's grant writer, Bill Chamberlain, has contacted Senator Saxby Chambliss, via his staff, and is working on getting information for other funding. "We can't count on it," Collins added.

According to Collins, Atlanta Gas Light, the company that would sell the gas, wants a six inch line rather than a four inch line. "They have agreed to take off a half of a million on it, which makes it much more reasonable," he said. The county would also get a credit for anyone who ties on. The gas line is expected to cost $1.5 to $2 million.

Collins said Supreme Corporation has already committed to the pipeline (as a customer) and there are possible three more subcontractors who would "put in" facilities to utilize the pipeline, adding there are "no firm commitments." He said the committee, specifically the development authority, is to discuss bond funding with local banks.

"Before I vote for it, if it's a tie, I need some facts," Mangham said.

"It's nice to have all the facts, but the facts are hard to round up sometimes," Collins said. The development authority was to meet with AGL to get the facts, he noted.

SPLOST: The consensus of the board was that if another SPLOST proposal was to come before the voters, it should contain no more than two items. At the top of commissioners' list was roads. Collins said in the past he was in favor of renovating the courthouse. "It's time to look at bringing our judicial center to modern day standards," he said. It was noted superior court judges may demand better court facilities. A previous ballpark estimate for a new judicial center from Precision Planning was $6.1 million.

"With the economy, it's prudent to take a step back, irregardless of what judges may say," Swift said.

Mangham said a jail concerns him more than a courthouse, noting the expense of housing inmates out of the county.

Swift said he spoke with someone in Clayton County and was told it is more cost-efficient to house them out.

Before commissioners determine a capital improvements list for a SPLOST, they must determine whether or not Pike County could hold a SPLOST vote in 2010 after voters failed to pass a SPLOST renewal in a Nov. 3, 2009 election. If an election could be held in November this year, there would be just a four month gap in collections, Collins explained.

CATF: Chairman Blalock met with commissioners to answer questions they have about the number of CATF members. He supports continuation of the advisory committee, and agreed it could function with fewer members, but no less than 13. County code states membership is not to exceed 23; yet there are 28 on board.

Blalock said the CATF has been working on policy for records and retention since the failure of the SPLOST. Collins suggested the CATF could also look at the county's personnel manual, which is about 60 percent complete. There is no mention of a county clerk in it, he added. Mangham said the first order of business is to get the committee "straightened out."

OTHER COMMENTS: Marro said he would not be surprised if the county runs three-quarters of a million dollars less in revenue than last year.

Collins noted the sheriff's office was the main department to go over-budget last year because the board of commissioners didn't set enough money in his budget (for payroll).

Collins recalled Marro had preached "doom and gloom" at a regular meeting about tax collections. Powers and Mangham said they heard it's rolling in.

Swift queried whether Pike County has too many appraisers for its size. Willis contends the chief appraiser isn't getting "the most bang for her buck out of that office."

I. CALL TO ORDER………………………………Chairman Doug Mangham

IX. NEW BUSINESS
1. Strategic planning – morning session.
2. Interaction with Staff/Administration – afternoon session.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

[Note from the Editor: This is a public meeting.]

Update 1.23.10: I moved the agenda to correspond with the article above. I am grateful to Tamra for her write up on this meeting because I could not attend and, as readers can see, some very important things were discussed. I do want to note that I attended the morning session of this workshop last year which was held in the same place with very little room for observers.

My biggest problem with this meeting is that the Commissioners may have violated or interfered with the duties of the County Manager. Commissioners brought two Department Heads and the County Clerk before them for questioning/discussion without the County Manager being present.

Our County Manager form of government was clarified with a Consent Interlocutory Order signed on January 21, 2004. HB 1819 incorporated these changes and was approved by the Georgia Legislature on May of 2004. Both of these documents are specifically referenced in the Employment Agreements of the past two County Managers. Section 4.1 of HB 1819 states: "...The powers and duties of the county Manager shall be: ... 4) To exercise control over all departments and divisions created therein or which may be hereafter created by the commissioners; ... 9) To supervise and direct the offical conduct of all county officers and employees except as otherwise provided in this Act (Explanation: Does not include Constitutional Officers such as the Sheriff, Magistrate, and other elected officers spelled out in Section 10)..."

This possible violation needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Commissioners should act in a manner that is above reproach. At the very least, actions like this deepen a distrust between the public and our Board of Commissioners.

Update 1.26.10: I have tried to comprehend why the Commissioners would have questioned County Clerk Teresa Watson about positions in the County Commission Office. It was totally innappropriate. And the more I think back to my attendance of last year's Strategic Workshop, the more concerns I have about the Commissioners ever having another one without proper supervision in a place that is easily accessible to the public. I realize that the Commissioners were looking for a place that was more comfortable for their discussions than the Commission Room which does not have a round table atmosphere, but there were problems with this location. First of all, citizens would have to go an extra step to find out exactly where it is located. I went last year after I called United Bank to get directions and was not comfortable driving to the location. Secondly, it is a gravel driveway which could have led to problems with someone attending who had a disability. We even had one vehicle get stuck in the mud down there last year because of the recent rain before that meeting.

Finally, the commissioners have chosen--twice in the recent past--to gather and discuss items without making any decisions. Both times, the public has raised questions about these meetings showing that there is a lack of trust between the public and the Commission. The relationship between the public and the Commissioners has been damaged over the past ten years and it takes time to build that relationship back up to what it should be. While the Commissioners cannot solve this problem with a magic wand, they can act in a manner that is above reproach. Being a public servant is a tough job that requires sacrifice and concessions. That means going the extra mile to be sure that citizens can see that the Commissioners are acting in a transparent manner so no one can accuse Commissioners of wrongdoing.

Southern Rivers Energy is accepting applications for the following educational opportunities:

High School Seniors (Public, Private or Home School) or College Students
•Walter Harrison Scholarship – Must live in a household served by SRE. Statewide scholarship competition. Nine scholarships worth $1000 each will be awarded in the spring. Application Deadline is Feb. 1, 2010
•Southern Rivers Energy Trust Scholarship – Primary residence must be within one of the nine counties served by SRE. Local scholarship competition. Fifteen scholarships worth $1000 each will be awarded in the spring. Application deadline is Mar. 15, 2010

High School Juniors (Public, Private or Home School)
•Washington Youth Tour – Students must attend school within one of the nine counties served by SRE. Applicants take a written test and the highest scoring individuals are invited to participate in an interview. The two winners received $250 and a free, week-long tour of Washington, DC with over 100 other students from across the state and are featured on the cover of the GEORGIA Magazine. Tour dates are June 10-17, 2010. Application Deadline is Feb. 12, 2010

Details about all three programs as well as applications can be found in the “News” section on the home page of the cooperative’s web site: www.southernriversenergy.com or you can contact Erin Cook at 770-358-1383 ext. 332 or 877-358-1383.

The Pike County Board of Appeals met on January 21, 2010 in the Commissioners meeting room. In attendance were Chairman John Hoover, and members Teresa Crow and Ron Snowden. Absent was member Bonnie Gardner. Representing the Department of Community Development were Department Head David Allen and Secretary Kim Morris. Also in attendance were approximately 15 interested citizens.

The meeting was called to order at 7 pm by Chairman John Hoover. The Pledge of Allegiance was followed by approval of the agenda which had been amended to include election of the 2010 Chair and Vice Chair of this Board.

John Hoover was re-elected Chairman for 2010 and Bonnie Gardner elected Vice Chair for the same term.

Following approval of the minutes from the December 17, 2009 meeting the only order of business was a revisiting of the application by American Towers, Inc requesting a special exception for a cell tower on property owned by John E Carter at the corner of Highway 19 and Gresham Rd. north of Zebulon.

American Towers was again represented by Kim Bucciero who had prepared additional information as requested by the board at the December 17, 2009 meeting. Ms. Bucciero had met with residents and conducted another balloon study which marks a visual reference to where this tower is to be sited and provided some additional study information in an effort to explain why this tower is necessary.

There was a lot of discussion about the height, location and necessity of this tower with several residents expressing concerns about the visual effect as well as the effect a cell tower would have on their property values.

After almost 1 ½ hours of discussion a motion was made by Ron Snowden to recommend this application be approved with various stipulations such as site and buffering requirements as well as a 2 year bond insuring that trees transplanted to buffer the site would remain alive after transplanting.

The motion was carried in a 2/1 vote with Chairman Hoover voting against the recommendation.

The meeting adjourned around 9pm

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that State Representative Jimmy Pruett, one of the Governor’s House floor leaders, will introduce legislation to improve access to home-based care. Amending the Nurse Practice Act will allow an unlicensed person who is trained by a Registered Nurse (RN) to provide a defined set of skilled services to a specific person, as long as those services are ordered by a physician, dentist or podiatrist for a person who is disabled.

“Right now there are thousands of people in Georgia who could be cared for at home, but under current law their care must be provided by a licensed nurse,” said Governor Perdue. “This amendment to the Nurse Practice Act would open the door to allow people to remain at home and in their community. This will make healthcare more convenient, more affordable and more accessible to Georgians with disabilities.”

Under current law, no skilled service can receive reimbursement unless the caregiver is a licensed health care provider. Expanding the pool of caregivers will make community care more affordable for both Medicaid and private payers. The training must be for a specific individual and does not allow the unlicensed person to serve others without separate, specific training. The changes to the Nurse Practice Act have also been approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing.

“This bill will increase choice for Georgia’s elderly and disabled,” said Rep. Pruett. “It will help many people stay in their community, rather than go to an institutional setting.”

“This legislation will give families more options to potentially expand services they receive based on their own choices,” said Frank Shelp, M.D., Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today voted to end the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program, known as TARP, which was designed to assist troubled banks, financial institutions and automakers, but now is being eyed by Democrats as a way to fund their new spending initiatives.

The amendment, which required 60 votes to pass, failed by a vote of 53-45. Isakson was a co-sponsor of the amendment, which sought to amend legislation to increase the federal debt limit.

Isakson argued that it is irresponsible to be increasing the federal debt ceiling without a plan to begin curbing federal spending and lowering our debt. The Treasury Department has more than $300 billion in unused TARP money, and the administration as well as House and Senate Democrats have begun eyeing the fund as a way to pay for their new spending initiatives. For example, the House recently passed another stimulus bill designed to create jobs and used TARP funds to offset $75 billion in new spending.

“It is time for the federal government to stop using the Troubled Asset Relief Program as a slush fund to spend whenever and wherever the White House sees fit,” Isakson said. “Ending TARP is absolutely essential to decreasing the federal debt and reducing the need to increase the debt limit.”

The amendment would have prohibited the Treasury Department from making any further commitments to spend TARP funds and would mandate that all returned TARP funds be used to lower our national debt.

On Jan. 15, 2009, Isakson voted to oppose the Bush administration’s request to access the remaining $350 billion in TARP funds, citing his disappointment and frustration over how the administration spent the first $350 billion. Isakson also strongly opposed the Bush administration’s decision to use TARP funds to bail out U.S. automakers.

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue today announced that Georgia and Microsoft will combine efforts in a unique, public-private partnership to provide free technology training to displaced workers. The Governor joined Steve Ballmer, Microsoft’s Chief Executive Officer, at the Capitol to applaud the initiative titled “Microsoft Elevate America.”

“We are excited to join forces with Microsoft in this important initiative. This partnership will provide thousands of Georgians with the education and skills required to succeed in the new economy,” Governor Perdue said. “When people obtain the necessary job and technology skills, their quality of life, and the quality of our state workforce, vastly improves.”

Microsoft is partnering with the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development to distribute a total of 25,900 training vouchers during the next 90 days. Courses range from basic technology literacy to intermediate and advanced level technology skills training. A portion of the vouchers will be issued to Georgia residents for Microsoft Certification Exams, all at no cost to the recipient.

“Our vision for Elevate America is to give Americans the technology training and certification to help them get back to work, “said Steve Ballmer, Chief Executive Officer, Microsoft. “Many individuals do not possess critical skills needed in today’s changing economy. We believe that through a strong partnership with the state of Georgia, the training offered through Elevate America can lead to employment opportunity and ultimately grow Georgia’s economy.”

Georgia will receive 11,500 vouchers for Microsoft Windows and Office online training, 11,500 vouchers for Microsoft Business Certification Exams, and 2,900 vouchers for advanced technical professional level online training:
• Each training voucher is redeemable for free online training in Microsoft Windows, or one of the programs in the Microsoft Office suite.
• Each certification exam voucher is redeemable for a Microsoft Business Certification Exam.
• Advanced technical professional level vouchers are redeemable for free online training for individuals in technical professional career tracks in areas such as web development or database management.

Any Georgia resident may request and receive a voucher. The vouchers will be distributed through the Georgia Work Ready Web site through on-line application at www.gaworkready.org; through participating Workforce Investment Act (WIA) One Stop Centers and select Goodwill locations. In its role as Microsoft’s “designated partner” for administration of Elevate America in the state, the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development is responsible for the overall distribution program. Vouchers will be available to citizens across the state on a first-come, first-served basis starting today through April 22, 2010. Individuals must activate their vouchers for training and complete certification exams within the 90 day period.

Microsoft Vice President Pamela Passman announced the “Microsoft Elevate America” program at the National Governors Association winter meeting in February 2009. The initiative is expected to provide up to 1 million vouchers nationwide for Microsoft e-Learning courses and select Microsoft certification exams at no or low cost to recipients. The program is designed to provide technology training for up to 2 million people during the next three years. Georgia’s participation in the program makes it the tenth state to take part in this groundbreaking initiative.

For additional information regarding the Microsoft vouchers and locations where citizens can obtain a voucher in Georgia, please visit www.gaworkready.org within the “Jobseeker” portion of the site.

Seven Pike County Department Heads attended an online budget training seminar on January 14, 2010 to learn how to provide more county services with less money. This training is an extension of the Goals-Based Budgeting process that was begun last year.

Pike County is in the second stage of Goals-Based Budgeting. This budget process requires all department heads to give goals for the upcoming year and address the goals from the previous year.

Some goals may have been met and other goals will be carried forward this year. According to County Manager Steve Marro, this is to be expected since the Goals-Based Budgeting process has been implemented in stages in Pike County.

The second phase of this process, according to the County Manager, is for Department Heads to learn to fund more services in their budgets. "The whole goal behind that was to try to figure out methodologies for department heads to measure the effectiveness of their departments in addressing their goals and performing their regular day to day services," County Manager Marro said.

The County Manager explained how this budgetary process is more open and revealing to the public because each department will show how it reached goals in last year's budget or why certain goals were not met from the prior year.

This seminar was a telephone conference call with a simultaneous online presentation called a "webinar". Counties and cities dialed into the 1 1/2 hour telephone conference call that consists of one hour of training and a thirty minute question and answer session. "It's a digital way of networking," said County Manager Marro.

This webinar was extremely cost effective since seven Department Heads were trained for the $149 webinar fee, and there were no meals, travel expenses, or overnight stays involved with this training. "It is the wave of the future," he said.

County Manager Steve Marro said that the "new norm" (normal) in government is to perform better with less money. Training Department Heads to make the most of their budgets is one of the final steps to be taken before the budget is presented to the County Commissioners.

An interoffice budget memorandum went out to all Department Heads on October 6, 2009. It placed an emphasis on a "totally transparent budget process" that informs the public of every aspect of each department's operation. Goals and objectives are required of every department.

Capital expense items are being used to identify items that Department Heads feel should be replaced in the 2010-2011 budget as well as identifying what items can be placed in a Capital Improvement Element in order to budget for future expenses.

According to Pike County's "Suggested" Budget Calendar for the fiscal year July 1, 2010 through June 20, 2011, Department Heads are currently meeting with the County Manager to defend their budget proposals. The 2010-2011 proposed budget is supposed to be submitted to the Board of Commissioners at the February 10, 2010 meeting.

A public hearing advertisement will appear in the Pike Journal Reporter (the print newspaper and legal organ for Pike County) prior to the budget presentation. The Pike County Times will receive this notification and post it online as well.

Budget workshops will then be scheduled in March and April with public hearings, publication of Pike County's 5 year budget history, the adoption of the budget, and setting of the Pike County Mileage Rate taking place prior to the (CORRECTION: NOT August 1, 2010) July 1, 2010 deadline for submitting the budget to the Georgia Department of Revenue.

According to a press release from the Pike County Sheriff's Office, Deputies responded to the area of Harden Road in reference to an armed robbery. Upon arrival, they were informed that three suspects in an SUV had used their vehicle to block the victim's vehicle. The suspects then ordered the victims to exit their vehicle with guns drawn on them.

Upon further interview with the victims in the case, Deputies learned that the reason for the armed robbery was to steal drugs. The suspects struck one person in the head with a gun and fired several shots at one of the individuals.

Investigators followed numerous leads including phone records to determine what happened on the night of the incident. It was learned that a gun used in the robbery had been thrown into a lake on Chapman Road. The lake was searched and a sawed off shotgun was recovered that has been linked to the crime.

Arrested in this case are 40 year old Thomas Andrews of Griffin--charged with party to a crime Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, and False Imprisonment; 35 year old Franklin Scott Gladden of Meansville--charged with Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault and False Imprisonment; and 24 year old Ray Haralson, Jr. of Barnesville--charged with Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, and False Imprisonment.

Investigators are currently trying to locate 22 year old Kevin Chapman of Meansville with outstanding warrants for Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, and False Imprisonment.

Anyone with information should call the Pike County Sheriff's Office at 770-567-8431 and ask to speak with Investigators. Anonymous tips can be given to the Sheriff's Office by telephone.

“The Spy Next Door” (Lionsgate)

Jackie Chan Is the Man

Jackie Chan has long been a favorite of American audiences. His martial arts skills as well as his limber and athletic body have helped him create scenes of daring that can not be duplicated. He has made many action films and now has created one that is aimed at the entire family. Its title is “The Spy Next Door” and it is predictable in the extreme but still fun for the kids.

Chan plays Bob Ho, a Chinese spy on loan to the CIA. He lives next door to an attractive divorce’ (Amber Valetta) and her three children. Gillian loves Bob but she stresses to him that her children come first, and they are not crazy about Bob. Bob decides that he will win them over in any way he can.

When Gillian’s father gets sick he volunteers to baby sit the kids. This seems to be fine with the littlest child Nora (Alina Foley). The other two, Farren and Ian (Madeline Carroll and Will Shadley) are not as easy.

Bob has not had a chance to tell Gillian he is a spy and so she has no idea her children might be in danger. But when Bob gets drawn into a caper involving deadly Russian criminals the kids end up in the thick of it. Didn’t you just know that was where it was going?

This is a good role for Chan. He gets to be warm, loving and comedic. Also putting him in a line up of “stars” which includes George Lopez and Billy Ray Cyrus makes him look like an Oscar caliber actor. He outshines them easily. It should be noted however that Chan’s stunts look heavy choreographed this time around. What used to appear to be spontaneous now just look rehearsed.

Valetta makes for a good love interest. She is believable in being in love with him and that is all her part requires. That and to be pretty. Cyrus plays one of Bob’s co-spies and he is just Billy Ray Cyrus playing a spy. Still you have to admire how this guy has extended his fifteen minutes of fame.

The kids are good, especially Carroll. She displays talent in her scenes of vulnerability. Foley however is just too cute and wears out her welcome a few minutes into the film. Shadley has a few moments in the film where you enjoy him.

The film is rated PG for violence.

Overall kids should enjoy this movie, while adults will be able to tolerate it. It isn’t anything great but it is passable. Make sure you stay for the outtakes at the end of the movie as they give some of the biggest laughs.

I scored “The Spy Next Door” a neighborly 5 out of 10.

©2009 Jackie K. Cooper

Official Website

Jackie has many movie reviews on his website at www.jackiekcooper.com including "The Book of Eli" and "The Lovely Bones".

Jackie also has reviews of the latest books, DVDs, television shows as well as columns on life and living in the South.

“Historical” – that’s the word many republicans are using to describe State Senator Scott Brown’s victory over Attorney General Martha Coakley in the recent special election to fill the late Edward Kennedy’s Massachusetts senate seat. The word many democrats are using to describe the outcome of the much ballyhooed race is…”shocking.”

Massachusetts, or “Taxachusetts as it is often called, has long been considered by many as America’s bluest state. “Land of the Kennedys,” currently, all 10 of its representatives are democrats and, until the recent Brown victory, both of its senators were democrats as well.

Brown, a little-known republican state senator from the “Bay State” challenged Coakley for the senate seat held by Kennedy for nearly 47 years until his death from brain cancer last summer. Many political pundits both inside Massachusetts and across the country initially considered Brown’s challenge laughable. Nevertheless, Brown, who was nearly 20 points behind in most polls in November surged ahead in recent weeks and soundly defeated Coakley 52 to 47 percent. The last time Massachusetts sent a republican to the US Senate was 1972.

The race garnered nearly constant national media attention in the past several weeks as the results stood to reach far beyond the state of Massachusetts – at stake was the democrats’ super-majority in the US Senate, the pending healthcare overhaul legislation, and President Obama’s national standing. Democrats fought desperately to stem the tide of Brown’s surge but came up short as Coakley’s campaign spiraled downward in recent weeks, some say as a result of her poor campaign skills and frequent gaffs, complacency among the state and national Democratic Party, and widespread discontent with the Obama Administration’s policies.

And, just as the democrats feared, the Brown victory changes everything. First of all, gone is the democrats’ super-majority in the Senate. Republicans now have enough votes, 41, to at least frustrate democratic efforts to pass Obama’s socialized medicine program if not block it outright. Second, a republican senatorial victory in Massachusetts is equivalent to the “shot heard round the world” for democrats up for re-election this year. No longer will these democrats blindly support the Obama-Pelosi-Reid triumvirate in a quest to convert America to socialism. In the name of political self-preservation, these democrats will now be much more likely to listen to their constituents back home rather than the party leadership in Washington, DC. The message from Massachusetts is clear – democrats who continue to support Obama and the Democratic Party leadership while ignoring the will of the people will be sent packing. It happened in Virginia and New Jersey last November. It happened in Massachusetts last Tuesday. It will happen again across the nation this coming November unless the democrats put people before policy.

The most far-reaching implication of Brown’s victory in Massachusetts, however, may have little to do with the state of Massachusetts. Many interpret his victory as an outright repudiation of President Obama’s policies and leadership style. The American people no longer accept the democrats’ standard excuse that all things bad in America, including the economy, are President Bush’s fault. For a full year now, American’s have given Obama a real chance to bring about change. In return, they’ve received politics as usual or, as many suggest, politics at its worst. In response, on the day before the anniversary of Obama’s inauguration, the people of Massachusetts have given republicans one of the most significant electoral victories in modern times.

During his presidential campaign, many Americans bought Obama’s message of change hook, line, and sinker. A year later, with the economy still in shambles, unemployment hovering at near historic levels, a growing deficit, and democratic majorities in both houses of Congress and a democratic Administration that refuses to listen to the will of the people, Americans are no longer waiting for change to come from Washington. In fact, Americans have now decided to bring about change of their own through the ballot box. What the democrats have failed to recognize is that Americans are usually willing to give a new guy a chance. Further, Americans are, in general, very forgiving. But there are limits. Deceive the American people long enough and they will respond. When enough Americans saw red in our bluest state, they made a change. I suspect the same kind of change is coming to the rest of America in November.

To contact Spencer, read his blog, or review an archive of his columns, please visit www.conservativecommentaries.com.

Click here to read Guest Columnist Margie Trammell's write up on this meeting.

On Jan. 20, 2009, President Obama took the oath of office as our 44th president amid unparalleled excitement about his promises for change. On Jan. 20, 2010, Americans are saying, “Keep the change.” What a difference a year makes, said U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland today.

“In a marriage, one year is the ‘paper anniversary’ where you exchange paper-based gifts,” Westmoreland said. “The paper the American people have received is more than $1 trillion in IOUs through deficit spending, and thousands and thousands of pages in big government legislation on energy, health care and the financial system.

“Americans, in fact, are saying loud and clear that they’re tired of these paper gifts after one year. That’s why Massachusetts voters cast their paper ballots yesterday to end the Democrats’ supermajority in the Senate.

“President Obama told us once that we’d remember his presidency as the moment ‘when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal.’ Instead, our nation will remember this time as when our flood of debt became a tsunami of debt, when $800 billion in stimulus spending failed to stimulate, when Americans in search of work wondered how they were going to pay their families’ bills, and when even the most liberal state in the nation rejected a massive agenda of big government programs that our nation simply cannot afford.”

Click here to read the post agenda.

My husband is home on leave from Iraq for the next couple of weeks. I am spending time with my family first and working on Pike County Times as much as I can.

Thanks for the prayers and encouragement that I have received from those who knew that he has been overseas since last summer. We are looking at the tail end of his second deployment.

If you know someone who has a loved one overseas, give them a hug and some encouragement because it's not an easy road to walk down. Knowing that we are walking with our faith, friends, and family has made a big difference in our lives.

Republican Scott Brown won this Senate Seat tonight over Democrat martha Coakley. This was a special election held for the late Ted Kennedy's Senate Seat.

This win will break the Democrat's filibuster proof majority in the Senate.

Newly elected Senator Brown is the first Republican to be elected in Massachusetts since 1972. Senator Kennedy held this seat for 47 years.

It remains to be seen what effect this will have on health care or other big issues in Washington D.C.

Today was hailed as a day of service as people across the country came together to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Parades came through towns and gatherings were held to discuss what community, equality and serving others means in our communities.

There are many ways to volunteer here in our community. From giving blood at an American Red Cross Blood Drive to serving in a soup kitchen in Barnesville (call Edd Sanders at 770-228-4874, or contact Ken at impactchristianministries@gmail.com or by phone at 678-603-0831), donating to Pennies for Posho to feed children in Africa or volunteering as a member of one of the many service organizations like United Men of Pike for Progress and the Lion's Club here Pike County.

The Fire Auxilliary would welcome members: Pike County Emergency Services. And donations can be made to our local American Red Cross at: The American Red Cross Metro Atlanta Southern District, 3486 Covington Hwy, Decatur, GA 30032 and donations to Haiti and other parts of the world can be made at: RedCross.org.

Churches often serve in the community and abroad and donations to service organizations and prayer for their efforts are a service as well. Prayer Power of Georgia is a prayer organization in our area and ThankYouSoldier.com and OperationFreedomInc.com are soldier appreciation organizations.

These are just a few organizations that I have come into contact with in the past year. There are so many ways to help others from mowing our neighbor's lawn next door to helping those in our community, state, nation, and our world.

Our "Hero of the Week" honors those members of Delta Company, 69th Armor Battalion who presented ThankYouSoldier with a wonderful gift recently. You can read more about that below or on the blog site.

We started off the year with 7 "Hero Pack" care packages shipped to our deployed heroes. We're off to a good start for 2010!

Click Here To View The Site: www.ThankYouSoldier.com.

ThankYouSoldier received a wonderful recognition on January 12th from E7 Sidy Ndao who was a recent "Hero of the Week" and is currently deployed to Karbala, Iraq. It was a folded American flag which actually flew over Patrol Base Husayniyah on the 14th of December 2009. This was an amazing sign of gratitude from one of our many deployed troops! Check the blog or the "Letters from the Field" to see the certificate and a picture of that flag.

New "Letters from the Field" and Blogs have been added. Check the sites regularly so you don't miss out on any of our support efforts or responses from those we serve.

As always ... don't forget to catch up on any Blog articles you may have missed this week. We try to post regularly.

God Bless America,
Jonathan Gates
Support@ThankYouSoldier.com.
Facebook Link.
Twitter.
YouTube.

ThankYouSoldier is an official mission of East Highland United Methodist Church, Columbus, Georgia and is covered under the non-profit statue as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, your donation is tax deductible in accordance with applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

BARNESVILLE - Gordon College will offer yet another baccalaureate degree, Bachelor of Science in mathematics, starting with the fall 2010 semester.

The first degrees will be awarded in spring, 2012.

Approval of the program was given by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia at its Jan. 12 meeting.

This brings to four the number of baccalaureate degrees offered by the state college.

Gordon offers a baccalaureate degree in early childhood education, biology, nursing and now, mathematics as well as associate degrees in 40 disciplines to more than 4,500 students.

WILLIAMSON - On Friday, December 11, 2009, the Pike County Emergency Services (PCES) Auxiliary hosted a Christmas Party at the Church of Joy in Williamson. 

Firefighters and First Responders from all the county's stations attended.  Attendees enjoyed a meal followed by an awards presentation.

Awards were presented by Chief Danny Henderson.

Lt. Josh Childs was awarded as Firefighter of the Year. Capt. Brian Michel was awarded as First Responder of the Year. Brian Jenkins was awarded as Paramedic of the Year. Firefighter Benji Manley was awarded as EMT of the Year. Firefighter Charlie Morris was awarded as Rookie of the Year.

The Chief's Award was presented to Mrs. Trisha Dabbs for outstanding support of PCES efforts. The Chief's Award was also presented to Teri Totten, who heads the Auxiliary, for exemplary volunteerism and citizenship.

Chief Henderson also presented life-saving awards for Trauma, Cardiac, and Rescue.

Following the awards ceremony, Santa and Mrs. Claus made a special appearance for the kids, young and old! A great time was had by all.

Pictures are on the We Are Pike County page. Pictures courtesy of www.EverythingPike.com.

Atlanta — Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp today offered advice to individuals planning to donate to charities in response to the recent earthquake in Haiti. Secretary Kemp serves as Georgia’s chief charities regulator.

“During a time when so many want to help provide for those in need, it is crucial to ensure the consumer’s donations are received by legitimate organizations,” Secretary Kemp said. “It is important for individuals to research a charity before donating to verify that the charity is legitimate, that it is in compliance and that their generous gifts are being used for the stated cause.”

Secretary Kemp issued the following tips for charitable giving:

It is important to research charities before you contribute. The percentage of your contribution that a charity spends on fundraising activities, employee salaries, or expenses which do not directly support the charity’s stated mission varies greatly by organization.

A number of online resources can help you research charities. The Better Business Bureau give.org. and GuideStar guidestar.org provide detailed information about nonprofit organizations. Also, take time to review the organization’s own website.

In addition, many charities must register with the Georgia Secretary of State’s office. You can research charities at the Secretary of State's website sos.georgia.gov/securities.

Be wary of telephone solicitors asking for contributions. If you are solicited by phone, ask that the individual put their request in writing and provide complete information about the charitable program. Also, ask if the person conducting the solicitation is a volunteer or a paid solicitor.

NEVER give your credit card, debit card or bank account information to a telephone solicitor. Also, be particularly cautious of couriers willing to rush out to your home or business to pick up your contribution.

If a tax deduction is important to you, make sure the organization has a tax deductible “501(c)” status with the IRS. The IRS website irs.gov/charities/contributors. has a searchable database of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. Make sure you get a receipt which shows the amount of your contribution and states that the contribution is tax deductible.

Many charitable solicitors ask for contributions of clothing, other household items and vehicles. IRS rules concerning valuations and receipts have changed significantly in recent years; be sure you understand them completely irs.gov/charities/contributors.

Not all organizations with charitable sounding names are actually charities. Many organizations adopt names confusingly similar to well-known charities. Be sure you know exactly who is asking for your contribution.

Watch out for organizations that use questionable techniques such as sending unordered merchandise or invoices after you have turned them down for a donation. You are under no obligation to pay for or return items received under these circumstances.

Citizens can file a complaint against a charitable organization on the Secretary of State’s Securities and Business Regulation Division website: www.sos.ga.gov/securities.

Anyone with questions can call the Georgia Secretary of State’s Securities and Business Regulation Division, which oversees charities, at (404) 656-3920.

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue today released his Amended Fiscal Year 2010 and Fiscal Year 2011 budgets today, delivering functionally balanced budgets that also continue to invest in Georgia’s future.

“We have actively managed the budget in a step-down approach as revenues have continued to slide,” said Governor Perdue. “Just as Georgians are balancing their checkbooks and making tough decisions in difficult times, the state must and will do the same.”

Governor Perdue’s recommended Amended 2010 budget totals $17.4 billion, a $1.2 billion reduction from the original FY 2010 budget, and the 2011 budget stands at $18.2 billion.

While there are spending cuts throughout both budgets, the Governor is recommending additional funding into the state’s mental health system to stabilize staffing levels in state hospitals and improve care for patients. $20 million is called for in the AFY 2010 budget and an additional $50 million in FY 2011.

“We cannot retreat from our duty to protect those who cannot protect themselves,” Governor Perdue said during his State of the State address on Wednesday. “I am convinced that Georgia can, Georgia must, and Georgia will adequately care for citizens in our state’s mental health program, even though this has been a daunting challenge that precedes my time as Governor.”

The Amended FY 2010 budget also includes $27 million to provide disaster assistance funding for storm damage and floods in south Georgia this spring and for September flooding in the Metro Atlanta area.

The FY 2011 budget includes just over $900 million in bond projects, including $168 million in construction, equipment and school buses for Georgia’s K-12 schools. There is also $121 million in projects at our state’s universities and another $44 million at technical schools, for a total of $333 million in education that signals a clear and continuing investment in Georgia’s future.

As he announced yesterday, the Governor also is recommending $300 million in transportation projects in the bond package as well. In addition to the $300 million, the Governor also recommended $68 million for the deepening of the Savannah River harbor. As the environmental studies near completion, the joint federal-state project will deepen the shipping channel from 42 feet to 48 feet allowing the world’s biggest ships to call on the Savannah Port.

To download a copy of both the Amended FY 2010 budget and the FY 2011 visit the Office of Planning and Budget’s home page -- www.opb.state.ga.us -- and look on the top right for the link.

Fort Washington, PA – In consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., is voluntarily recalling certain lots of OTC products in the Americas, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Fiji (FULL RECALLED PRODUCT LIST BELOW). The company is initiating this recall following an investigation of consumer reports of an unusual moldy, musty, or mildew-like odor that, in a small number of cases, was associated with temporary and non-serious gastrointestinal events. These include nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. This precautionary action is voluntary and has been taken in consultation with the FDA.

Based on this investigation, McNeil Consumer Healthcare has determined that the reported uncharacteristic smell is caused by the presence of trace amounts of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA). This can result from the breakdown of a chemical that is sometimes applied to wood that is used to build wood pallets that transport and store product packaging materials. The health effects of this chemical have not been well studied but no serious events have been documented in the medical literature. A small number of the product lots being recalled were associated with the complaints of an unusual moldy, musty, or mildew-like odor, and some of these lots were found to contain trace amounts of TBA. In December 2009, McNeil Consumer Healthcare also recalled all lots of TYLENOL® Arthritis Pain 100 count with EZ-OPEN CAP related to this issue. McNeil Consumer Healthcare has now applied broader criteria to identify and remove all product lots that it believes may have the potential to be affected, even if they have not been the subject of consumer complaints.

In addition to the product recall, McNeil Consumer Healthcare is continuing their investigation into this issue and is taking further actions that include ceasing shipment of products produced using materials shipped on these wood pallets and requiring suppliers who ship materials to our plants to discontinue the use of these pallets. We will continue to closely monitor and evaluate the situation and consult with the FDA.

Consumers who purchased product from the lots included in this recall should stop using the product and contact McNeil Consumer Healthcare for instructions on a refund or replacement. For these instructions or information regarding how to return or dispose of the product, consumers should log on to the internet at www.mcneilproductrecall.com or call 1-888-222-6036 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time). Consumers who have medical concerns or questions should contact their healthcare provider. Any adverse reactions may also be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Program by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch website at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

The affected product lot numbers for the recalled products can be found on the side of the bottle label.

McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division of McNeil-PPC, Inc. markets a broad range of well-known and trusted over-the-counter (OTC) products.

For years, Better Business Bureau has educated consumers about not giving out personal information over the telephone or to anyone who shows up at their front door. With the U.S. Census process beginning, BBB advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft.

The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race and other relevant data.

“Most people are rightfully cautious and won’t give out personal information to unsolicited phone callers or visitors, however the Census is an exception to the rule,” said Steve Cox, BBB spokesperson. “Unfortunately, scammers know that the public is more willing to share personal data when taking part in the Census and they have an opportunity to ply their trade by posing as a government employee and soliciting sensitive financial information.”

The Census data will be used to allocate more than $300 billion in federal funds every year, as well as determine a State’s number of Congressional representatives. Households are actually required by law to respond to the Census Bureau’s request for information.

During the U.S. Census, households will be contacted by mail, telephone or visited by a U.S. Census worker who will inquire about the number of people living in the house. Unfortunately, people may also be contacted by scammers who are impersonating Census workers in order to gain access to sensitive financial information such as Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers. Law enforcement in several states have issued warnings that scammers are already posing as Census Bureau employees and knocking on doors asking for donations and Social Security numbers.

The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

• If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.

• Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, it will not ask for Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.

• Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail or in person at home. However, they will not contact you by e-mail, so be on the look out for e-mail scams impersonating the Census. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an e-mail that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org.

I. Call to Order

II. Approval of Agenda

III. Approval of January 5, 2010 Regular Meeting Minutes

IV. Invited Guest
1. Jim Lester-Map#69-8 & 9

V. Chief Appraiser Report(None)

VI. Old Business:
1. Cell Tower Valuations
2. Commercial/Industrial Valuations
3. Job Descriptions

VII. New Business:
1. CUVA Applications:
   a. 2010 New CUVA Applications
   b. CUVA Continuance Applications
   c. CUVA Application Releases
   d. 2010 Renewal CUVA Applications
2. Traylor Business Services Personal Property Audit Accounts Subpoenas

VIII. Public Comment

IX. Board Members Report

X. Adjourn

[Note from the Editor: This is the first night meeting of the Board of Assessors. It will accommodate those who cannot attend during the day meetings. Please attend these night meetings in a show of support for night meetings and to see first-hand what this board does for Pike County.]

“Leap Year” (Universal Pictures)

The Charms In the Stars

Sometimes an ordinary movie can be made better just on the charm of the actors in the lead roles. “Leap Year” is such a movie. It has a plot that you can almost write yourself but Amy Adams and Matthew Goode are so good in playing their parts that the audience is pulled into the contrived situation and taken on a joyous ride. You may not remember it for very long after it is over but it certainly leaves a sweet taste in your mouth.

The slight plot has practical and straight-forward Anna (Adams) involved in a relationship with cardiologist Jeremy (Adam Scott) for four years. She is expecting a proposal any day now but none is forthcoming. So when Jeremy leaves for an extended meeting in Ireland, Anna decides to hop a flight and propose to him on Leap Year’s Day. It is an Irish tradition (or so she’s heard) and she wants to get engaged.

Because of bad weather Anna doesn’t make it to Dublin. She gets to Ireland but needs someone to take her to that city which is a good distance away. She ends up paying Declan (Goode) a pub owner to take her and he does so reluctantly. They take an instant dislike to each other and bicker the entire way. Still we all know where their relationship is headed.

Adams and Goode are convincing in their moments of aggravation and in their moments of love. They have so much chemistry together that you can forgive any plotholes and just relax and enjoy the tender love in bloom story they present. Adams has never been more beautiful and Goode never as rugged. They enhance each other’s appeal and elevate each other’s acting skills. It is a perfect screen pairing.

Plus you do get some comedy in the story and some beautiful Irish scenery. Along the way you also meet an assortment of supporting players and each and every one of them is perfect for their part in the overall story.

The movie is rated PG for some adult situations and mild profanity but overall it is a movie the entire family can enjoy.

“Leap Year” is not a brilliant film in any way but it is a movie that will thoroughly entertain you for a couple of hours and send you out of the theater feeling better than you did when you entered. Word of mouth should help build its box office as friends recommend it to friends.

Adams and Goode are the perfect couple for this type of film and their charm will guarantee you a pleasurable movie going experience. With any other two actors it might have all been trite, but with this duo it is warm and wonderful.

I scored “Leap Year” a bounding 6 out of 10.

©2009 Jackie K. Cooper

Official Website

Jackie has many movie reviews on his website at www.jackiekcooper.com including "Youth in Revolt" and "Daybreakers".

Jackie also has reviews of the latest books, DVDs, television shows as well as columns on life and living in the South.

Visit us Year Round Rain or Shine, Saturdays 8 am until noon, Bluebird Market, 218 N. Center Street, Thomaston GA, Historic Downtown Train Depot to meet local growers and sign up for your Bluebird Multiple Farm CSA share boxes.

Local Harvest has approved our Bluebird Market rural Middle Georgia Multiple Farm Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and states the CSA nationwide effort is “a simple enough idea, but it’s impact has been profound.”

Because of globalization, rarely do local and regional small farmers’ bring their produce to an infrastructure system of super markets. As a result, CSA cooperatives are growing at a tremendous clip across the country. They offer an effective solution for us to again directly reconnect with our local rural growers.

Click here for more information on the Bluebird Market.

Pike County Manager Steve Marro learned Wednesday that the Pike County Board of Commissioners has elected not to renew his contract.

“They (BOC members) told me my contract will not be renewed at the end of May,” Marro said. “They began the process of seeking a new county manager.”

This decision was announced following an executive session that was a revision to the original agenda.

Marro said the announcement did not come as a complete surprise.

“That’s the nature of this business. Being a city or county manager, you never know when they will decide not to renew your contract,” he said. “You take the position knowing that 51 percent of the people hate you and the other 49 percent are up in the air. As long as you do your job ethically and morally and try to provide the taxpayer with the best possible service you can give them, then you’re all right, at least in your own mind.”

Read the rest of the article by clicking here.

The MLK Jr. Annual Parade will circle the square in Zebulon on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 11 a.m.

Call Regina Bridges at 678-588-4058 for more information or to register.

Mt. Hope Baptist Church will hold an hour long program after the parade on the theme for this year's parade: "Is the Dream Alive or Dormant?"

All five commissioners were present at this meeting as well as County Manager Steve Marro, County Attorney Rob Morton, and County Clerk Teresa Watson to take the minutes.

The agenda was amended by Commissioner Parrish Swift to include a five year contract with Mid Georgia Ambulance under New Business. This is a $450,000 contract that was presented as an opportunity to lock in this rate for five years. There was a motion to approve this price in a contract between the county and Mid Georgia Ambulance. [Note from the Editor: I have a problem with a topic being placed on the agenda at the last minute unless there is an immediate need for discussion and it cannot wait until the next meeting. I did not see an actual contract being reviewed by the commissioners and still do not see the urgency to give a verbal approval on this contract at this particular meeting. (I have put in an Open Records Request for this document in case I missed it.) Some may say that no harm has been done here since the contract would have been renewed because of the great job that Mid Georgia is doing in Pike County, but I say that there has been a breech of community trust because of this vote. Agendas notify citizens of what is reasonably expected to be discussed at a meeting. Commissioners can legally add items if needed, however commissioners should respect citizens-and themselves-enough to err on the side of caution so that no one can accuse them of wrongdoing.]

An Executive Session was also added to the agenda in which the Board of Commissioners decided to advertise the position of County Manager. Current CM Marro's contract will be up on May 31, 2010. The commissioners were required, according to the current CM contract, to give at least 30 days notice before advertising this contract. [Note from the Editor: Scroll down to 1.6.10 to read the article where the current CM has an interview in Florida later on this month. Even though this information hit the internet on more than one news website on January 6, 2010--and it would be hard to convince me that no one called any of the Commissioners to let them know this or that at least one of the Commissioners was not up to date enough on the news in this area to know that this happened--I can give them the benefit of the doubt on adding this item to the agenda because it happened so close to the cut-off date for the agenda.]

B. County Manager Report presentation to Commissioners
     1. Cell Tower re-appraisal process update: [Note from the Editor: I missed the first five minutes of the meeting.]
     2. Computer Assisted Dispatch (CAD) request for proposal results and extension: Only have 2 bids and need 3. Extended until January 26th when bids will be opened in the meeting.
     3. Component Unit contract renewals: Authorities, etc. who receive money from the county received their contract renewals. The only changes are for an 8 month contract as we change to the new year and that the Recreation Department is now getting its own insurance separate from the county.
     4. Landfill peer-review process update: Public Works Director Todd Goolsby and CM Marro met with Arcadus on this. The Peer Review will take about 5 weeks. Should be receiving it soon.
     5. Pike County Personnel Policy status update: A number of recommendations have been made. The county is taking input on this. Expect workshops and meetings on it.
     6. LGRMS Diversity/Sensitivity Training scheduled for 1-14-10 and 1-29-10 from 9 am to 4 pm: A former motion would have costed the county $3,000 to $5,000 on this and the Commissioners chose not to do this. However, in a meeting with the Insurance and Safety component of ACCG it was discovered that they provide this free of charge. www.accg.org
     7. ICMA Webinar re Using Baldridge in Local Governments on 1-14-10 from 1:00-2:30 pm for County personnel: This is a 1 1/2 webinar on budgetary process provided for Department heads and Constitutional Officers and the commissioners if they wanted to attend. Cost of $149 total. Emphasis on performance and goal setting and providing more county services with less money. The CM said that the county is looking at significant depletion of revenues in this budget and that everyone needs to be looking at this issue and not just the CM.
     8. Review of Basic Life Support Certification for County employees (2nd in 3 years): Mid Georgia Ambulance has donated time to ensure that most of the county employees are certified in AED and Basic Life Support. Commended Mid Georgia for donation of 2 AED's to the Recreation Department and 2 AED's to the county--1 for the Courthouse and the other for the BOC office. Mid Georgia is presenting a training program at the Courthouse for those employees as well.

Update 1.16.10:
C. Commissioners Reports
     District 1 Roosevelt Willis: None.
     District 2 Parrish Swift: Asked about the financials (these were mentioned in the Town Hall portion of the meeting prior to the official meeting starting). Said that he was concerned about the year end financials not being on the website. Consensus of the commissioners for items to be submitted and posted to the county website in a more timely manner. Asked whether the county can mandate what goes onto a cell tower in Pike County? Answer was no. It was noted that the Cell Tower Ordinance is being amended to include Pike County being able to place an item on a cell tower (repeater, etc.) at no cost to the county.
     District 3 Tommy Powers: Commended Public Works Director Todd Goolsby for the job done in the past three months to keep the roads open because of the rain. Todd commended county workers who performed this tough job.
     District 4 Don Collins: Asked about a time table for the budget process. CM Marro advised that he had given a time-line to commissioners in a previous meeting and would get that to the commissioners. Asked for another strategic planning meeting like last year where the commissioners can get together and talk about their goals for the upcoming year. Wants to include Department Heads and the County Manager in a second meeting that afternoon as well. County Attorney Rob Morton advised that this is a public meeting and the public can attend. Right now, the meeting is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 8:45 a.m. at the United Bank Lake House or at the School Media Center. The CM will pull last year's goals for their reference.
     Chairman Doug Mangham: None.

More later.
D. County Attorney Report presentation to Commissioners
     1. Update and status report on the Shawn Shoats re-payment program.

VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
     1. Consider on First Reading, Proposed text amendment to the Code of Pike County, Georgia to amend Chapter 156, Section 156.340 Official Zoning Map, Section 156.341 Identification, Alteration and Replacement of the Official Map, and Section 156.343 Relationship Between Official Map and Pike County Land Use Plan, as appropriate to allow for the re-adoption of the Pike County Official Zoning Map.
     2. Consider on First Reading, adoption of the Pike County, Georgia Official Zoning Map.

XIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
     1. Mr. Saifullah N. Bhamani is requesting a 2010 Beer and Wine Retail License for The Rock Store located at 4131 Highway 19 South, Zebulon GA.
     2. County Manager Marro would like to discuss the RFP for Benefit Providers to Pike County.
     3. Commissioner Swift has requested we address the Fire Fee District and Commercial rates.

IX. NEW BUSINESS
     1. Appoint the Board of Commissioners Vice-Chairman for 2010.
     2. Judge Lynn Brandenburg has requested that the Board of Commissioners set the qualifying fees for commissioners and school board. (3% of base salary)
     3. Commissioner Collins would like to discuss the establishment of the Pike Historic Preservation Board.
     4. Budget Amendment # 2 requesting accepting the funds for a cruiser that was totaled and utilizing that money to purchase another unit for the Sheriff’s office.
     5. Mr. Jack Park has requested a 2010 Beer Pouring License for the Pines Golf Course.
     6. Mr. Jack Park has requested a 2010 Beer Pouring License for the Cedars Golf Course.
     7. The County Manager and Road Department Supervisor would like to propose closing several dirt roads in the area of the Griffin reservoir.
     8. The Three River Regional Commission has requested the appointment of one (1) or two (2) members to the Council on Aging
     9. The County Manager would like to discuss the request received from the City of Griffin for exception from the Pike County Fire Fees.
     10. Consider approval of a Resolution Establishing a Records Management Program and acceptance of a $3000 consultant grant for same.
     11. Consider renewal of annual contracts for services executed by Pike County Board of Commissioners with appropriate authorities and commissions.

X. EXECUTIVE SESSION-None

XI. PUBLIC COMMENT- (Limited to 5 minutes per person)
John Morrison would like to discuss Commercial Lots, Taxes/Fees

XII. ADJOURNMENT

When I was a kid I often heard the saying, “Crime doesn’t pay.” And back then, such was usually the case. Though there were most certainly exceptions, in general, it seemed to me as though most criminals eventually paid for their crimes. And back then, it also seemed to me that most people believed that’s the way it should be. Boy, how things have changed.

Nowadays, there appears to be a growing number of people who believe criminals should not have to pay for certain crimes. By justifying these crimes in their own minds, they dismiss the impact the crimes have on society at large and, in time, come to view the crime as no crime at all. The most obvious modern example of such a crime is illegal immigration.

Proponents of illegal immigration justify their position in several ways. First, they suggest that illegal immigration is a “victimless crime” and, therefore, should not be considered a crime at all. However, this assertion is prima facie or, “on it’s face,” false. Some parts of America are actually being ravaged by crimes committed by illegal immigrants – their crimes ranging from simple assaults and batteries to more serious offenses including burglary, armed robbery, drug-trafficking and murder.

Second, supporters of illegal immigration purport that “illegals” support the economy by performing tasks that American citizens simply won’t do. This assertion, too, is false to a significant degree. The influx of illegal immigrant labor acts to disrupt the normal economic factors affecting certain labor markets. An abundance of cheap labor artificially deflates wages in certain industries – in particular, agriculture, construction, landscaping, and food service. By utilizing illegal immigrant labor, employers, then, manage to get away with paying a lower wage and, therefore, pocket a higher profit. Absent a supply of cheap labor, these employers would be forced to offer higher wages to attract workers with the result being that a greater percentage of American citizens would find the higher wage levels more attractive and therefore seek such employment. In addition, American workers taking these jobs would pay income taxes unlike their illegal immigrant counterparts. Further, income earned by American workers tends to be spent in America which benefits the economy as a whole. On the other hand, a very large percentage of illegal immigrant income is sent out of the United States which serves to deflate the economy much like air leaking from a tire.

Third, those who support illegal immigration rail that America is a land of unlimited resources and, therefore, shouldn’t oppose the influx of millions of illegals. This, too, couldn’t be further from the truth. No doubt the United States is a nation blessed with resources and opportunities. However, there are limits. In many parts of America, the demand placed on the infrastructure by a growing population of legal Americans is already exceeding capacity. The addition of millions of illegal immigrants merely exacerbates this problem. Many sectors of the American economy are being crushed by the weigh of excessive demand placed upon them by illegal immigrants – in particular, the healthcare industry. America’s emergency rooms are filled with illegal immigrants seeking care for which they are seldom able to pay. The cost of this care, then, is shifted onto the backs of productive Americans who are forced to pay more and more for their healthcare as the unpaid costs are spread across the industry.

Despite all the economic problems attributable to illegal immigration in this country, there is an even more damaging side effect – the total disregard for the law by the illegals. As more and more illegal immigrants ignore the law and as less and less is done about it by the proper authorities, respect for the rule of law become less and less in a general sense among both illegals and, most ominously, by some Americans themselves. Diminished respect for the law among both criminals and average citizens serves to embolden criminals to engage in further criminal activity, thus diminishing the quality of life for all Americans.

No one I know personally believes legal immigration should be eliminated (though I do believe America’s immigration policies should be reviewed and revised with reduced allowances). Real Americans, by nature, are accepting and generous. But illegal immigration is something different. It isn’t a benign act by a few downtrodden individuals seeking to better their lot in life. Illegal immigration is a sophisticated social phenomenon engaged in by millions of foreigners who hold American law in complete and utter contempt. Illegal immigration is nothing less than a crime, one that, in America at least, pays very well.

To contact Spencer, read his blog, or review an archive of his columns, please visit www.conservativecommentaries.com.

Williamson Learning Center offers an alternative to large class sizes and impersonal atmosphere. We allow children to excel in subjects they are good in while encouraging them in classes they do not enjoy. Give us a call to discuss how we can help your child.

Williamson Learning Center offers grades 1-12 with a small class size and small teacher student ratio with individualized learning plans in a family-like, low-stress atmosphere. ITBS testing is offered each year. All of this for very reasonable prices.

Tutoring is offered for all grades, all subjects and High School remediation in Math: algebra, geometry and trigonometry; Science: physical science, biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy/physiology, environmental science; Social studies: geography, world history, US history, psychology, economics, civics; and English grammar, composition, literature. Other classes may be available as well.

Williamson Learning Center is accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission.

Call Carol Berry at 770-584-4013 for more details about Williamson Learning Center. Click here for more.

This is a reminder for homeowners to be careful when cleaning out fireplaces, wood burning stoves and heaters.

Please make sure the ashes are cold and that no embers remain before dumping them out. It is a good idea to thoroughly soak them with water or leave them in a metal bucket or container until it is known that there are no embers left.

Most of our cold weather comes with low humidity and some wind. These are favorable conditions for fires to start from discarded ashes.

Fires caused by the dumping of ashes may start days after they were dumped.

This safety tip is brought to you by the Georgia Forestry Commission.

The American Red Cross Metro Atlanta Southern District has had a representative at several of the fires here in Pike County of late. These representatives wear several hats as they help victims of fires in Pike County.

Teri Totten is a member of the Ladies Auxiliary for the Fire Department and passes out water to keep fire fighters hydrated as well as working to help fire victims through the Red Cross. Joni Hellwig is another Pike County American Red Cross representative who is a member of the Ladies Auxiliary for the Fire Department. Joni is also a First Responder out of Station 1 in Concord.

The American Red Cross is available to help with immediate emergency needs such as shelter, clothing, and food. The American Red Cross can also help give referrals to fire victims.

Help is available to victims even if they have insurance since it usually takes a couple of days or even longer for insurance to kick in to help victims of a fire.

Those who would like to make a donation to the district that Pike County is a part of may do so by mailing a check to: The American Red Cross Metro Atlanta Southern District, 3486 Covington Hwy, Decatur, GA 30032.

The October 2009 financial statement is available on Pike County Times. It has been submitted to the Pike County Government website for upload as well.

Please note that the statement of revenues and expenditures of Pike County Government Funds for the month of October 31, 2009 will change when auditors send year end adjustments back to the county.

Click here to download a PDF of this financial statement.

This statement and the update for this statement will be uploaded to the Pike County Government website and can be accessed by clicking here.

BARNESVILLE - The Lamar County Commission voted 3-1 Tuesday night to ask for the resignations of the remaining members of its Board of Assessors.

The decision followed comments and a motion by District 4 Commissioner Nancy Thrash, who noted the continued existence of longstanding and unresolved problems on the board.

The motion excludes newly-appointed member Aaron Brown. Shirley Stickler has already announced her intent to resign for personal reasons and John Peavy's term expired December 31st. The remaining members are Lisa Dziedzic and David Dodd.

“In January of 2009 when I took office, I think that most of the complaints I received – hands down - were on the Board of Assessors,” Thrash offered. “I began to attend as many meetings as I could to observe and then in August, 2008, the Department of Revenue completed an audit on the assessors office and the Board and in that audit the Department of Revenue referred to conflicts with Georgia law and/or inconsistencies more than ten times.”

“The Department of Revenue made strong suggestions for improvements and some of those changes have been made and implemented and some of them remain unaddressed. In my research as far back as 2005, the Board of Assessors has repeatedly stated the need for a countywide reval. The Department of Revenue also strongly suggested that this be done.”

“It’s now 2010 and I think five years is long enough for the taxpayers to have waited for a plan to implemented and acted upon. The taxpayers in this county have only asked for fairness and consistency from that office.”

"Furthermore, the Department of Revenue stated the policies and procedures manuals – if you’d call it that – may be in conflict with Georgia law. The Board of Assessors no longer has the public’s trust. They’ve failed to insure a professional and courteous relationship with taxpayers and the commissioners have attempted to address some of these concerns with the Board but only received perfunctory responses.”

“Mr. Chairman, at this time I’d like to make a motion that we ask for the resignation of the Board of Assessors, with the exception of Aaron Brown, who was just sworn in in January, due to a lack of uniformity as required by law and other reasons cited.”

There was no discussion. The motion by Thrash was seconded by District 3 Commissioner Jimmy Hearn and passed 3-1 with Commissioner George R. Brown opposed.

The remaining members are Lisa Dziedzic, David Dodd and John Peavy, whose term expired December 31st.

County Administrator Wayne Patterson said he expects a letter to Board members will be drafted in the next several days.

The Georgia Forestry Commission has been named the “Customer Service Agency of the Year” by Governor Sonny Perdue. In addition, McDuffie / Warren Chief Ranger Hal Sharpe won in the category of “Individual Excellence” and The Jasper / Jones Unit was a finalist in the “Team of the Year” category, at the Third Annual Governor’s Customer Service Awards ceremony in Atlanta on September 28, 2009.

With 123 state organizations employing some 130,000 public servants, the awards committee (comprised of many executives from leading businesses in the private sector) combed through well over 500 nominations from 42 different agencies across Georgia. Nominees demonstrate "above and beyond" service that is helpful, courteous, and knowledgeable.

In considering the GFC nomination for Agency of the Year, judges learned about GFC’s Moving Forward meetings, which brought employees together to brainstorm ideas about cutting costs and raising revenues while providing outstanding customer service. Several complimentary letters from customers enhanced the GFC nomination package. The nomination for Hal Sharpe’s Individual Customer Service honor highlighted his outstanding service in the areas of fire prevention, community education, process improvements and cost savings. The five-person Jasper/Jones Unit, which includes Howell Crutchfield, Randall Frazier, Tommy Williams, Chris Buchanan, and Joshua Howell, was a finalist for the Team Excellence Customer Service award. The Unit was recognized in nomination documents for its reduction of wildfires and increases in pre-suppression firebreaks and number of customers served.

Pictures are at www.gfc.state.ga.us/AboutUs/GovernorAwards2009.cfm.

THOMASTON - Teresa Burousas, of Concord, who is being held in the Upson County Jail on charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in connection with the July 1, 2009, shooting death of her husband, Jimmie “Buzz” Burousas, inflicted minor injuries upon herself Christmas Eve by scratching her wrists with a pencil, authorities say.

“She scratched herself with a pencil,” Upson County Sheriff Don Peacock said. “There was no bleeding — she didn’t break the skin. She said she did it because she was depressed.”

Peacock said this is the first negative incident that has occurred involving Burousas since she turned herself in to Pike County authorities July 31, and it is considered to be a minor incident.

“She has not given us one iota of trouble since she’s been here,” he said. “That was the first incident we’ve had with her and it really wasn’t that big of a deal.”

The sheriff said following the incident, jail officials placed Burousas under “a temporary watch for three or four hours,” and confirmed that she has not been under a suicide watch since that time.

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GRIFFIN - Based on a decision handed down last week in Spalding County, voters who choose to cast early or absentee ballots now stand the chance of being summoned to court at a later date to answer for and defend their actions.

After hearing hours of testimony Friday from voters in the City of Griffin, Senior Judge Thomas Wilson agreed that more than two dozen absentee ballots in a December 1st runoff election there were cast by voters not qualified to do so under Georgia law.

In that election, Incumbent 6th District Commissioner Rodney McCord won the popular vote on polling day but lost to candidate Shaheer Beyah when the absentee ballots were counted.

McCord challenged those results in court.

Friday's ruling notes that one subsection of the law removed the requirement of providing a reason for voting by absentee ballot, while another still requires voters to meet certain conditions. The Court found that the ballots invalidated last week failed to meet those conditions.

The apparently contradictory terms could spell trouble for elections boards across the state.

"O.C.G.A. 21-2-380 is the controlling statute in this case,” the decision states. “When interpreting O.C.G.A. 21-2-380, subsection (a) and (b) must both be considered.”

“While O.C.G.A. 21-2-380(b) states that electors voting via absentee are not required to provide a reason for voting absentee ballot, the Court finds that O.C.G.A. 21-2-380(a) requires that any elector voting via absentee ballot must fall into one of the following categories: 1) be absent from the precinct during the time of the election; 2) will be performing any of the official acts or duties in the election; 3) because of physical disability or because of giving care to someone who is disabled and is unable to be present at the polls; 4) because of a religious holiday observed by such elector and is unable to be present at the polls; 5) is required to be on duty at his or her place of employment for the protection of health, life or safety of the public during the time the polls are open; or, 6) is 75 years of age or older. Because McCord lost by only 25 votes, Wilson declared the election invalid and ordered a second runoff.

“The Petitioner has met his burden of casting in doubt the result of the entire election," he continues. Therefore, the Court declares the election in dispute invalid and orders a second runoff election among all of the same candidates as the proper remedy under O.C.G.A. 21-2-527(d). “The 6th District seat of the City of Griffin Board of Commissioners is hereby VACATED," it concludes.

ATLANTA – Governor Perdue discussed a range of issues including education, water, transportation and health insurance reform today at the annual Eggs & Issues Breakfast hosted by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce at the Georgia World Congress Center.

At the breakfast, the Governor outlined a proposal to enhance the way Georgia compensates its teachers by adding a performance-based pay option to the existing salary system. The compensation model would award salary bonuses based on classroom observation and student growth, enabling effective teachers to be eligible for much higher salaries much earlier in their careers. Under the current system, teachers only receive salary increases for years spent teaching and for advanced degrees earned.

“Our current system only incentivizes the degree, not the degree to which students learn,” said Governor Perdue. “We must encourage our best and brightest to enter the teaching profession and must reward effective teachers in order to retain them in Georgia classrooms. Student achievement must be our driving force, and our compensation model must reflect that focus.”

The proposed legislation will preserve the current salary structure but will allow current teachers to opt-in to the new performance pay system when it is fully implemented in 2014. New teachers and those opting into the pay system will not be eligible for automatic supplements for advanced degrees, but will be eligible for higher bonuses based on classroom observations and the degree to which their students have grown academically. In a recent survey of 20,000 Georgia educators, 80 percent said these were the components on which teachers should be evaluated. The bill will enable those already enrolled in advanced degree programs to complete their studies and remain in the current pay scale.

This proposal is part of Georgia’s Race to the Top application, a competitive federal grant that offers as much as $400 million for Georgia schools. Twenty-two local school systems have committed to teaming with the state on the application to implement innovative education policies, including a pay-for-performance plan.

The bill requires the State Board of Education to adopt the pay-for-performance system by 2014, using the experience of the Race to the Top systems to develop a plan that will benefit teachers and students statewide.

With the news of Warren County’s loss of accreditation, the Governor also renewed his call for school board governance legislation to ensure that every student has the benefit of responsible leadership at the school system level. The legislation will standardize board ethics policies and board training, clarify the law delineating the roles and responsibilities of superintendents and board members, create minimum qualifications for board candidates, and give the state the ability to find responsible citizens to serve on school boards when existing members fail to serve the interests of their students.

“It is incredibly frustrating to watch the fallout from a dysfunctional school board undermine earnest teachers and jeopardize their students’ potential,” Governor Perdue said. “That’s why we brought this legislation last year, and now we find ourselves in a similar situation with yet another school system facing loss of accreditation.”

In his remarks the Governor also unveiled a health insurance reform proposal that will allow individuals to buy health plans that have been approved for sale in other states. Currently, consumers can only purchase individual plans that have been specifically approved for sale in Georgia, which limits their ability to find the best plan for their specific needs.

“With sweeping insurance mandates from Washington on the horizon, the time has come to open up the individual insurance market and allow consumers to find the plan that best fits their needs,” Governor Perdue said.

The Governor also discussed water and transportation issues facing the state, updating attendees on the progress of the tri-state water negotiations. As negotiations continue, the Governor will introduce legislation to encourage conservation and make more efficient use of Georgia’s natural resources.

Governor Perdue highlighted Georgia’s new statewide strategic transportation plan that will remove the politics of asphalt and concrete planning and focus instead on a comprehensive investment strategy. The plan is a direct result of last year’s sweeping transportation governance reform bill.

GRIFFIN - (4 days ago) Russell and Ashley Johnson are in the midst of every parent’s worst nightmare — the death of a child — but for this family, the grief is doubled as two daughters were lost in a Tuesday morning fire at their home in Ponderosa Mobile Home Park.

“They’re taking it one day at a time,” said Russell Johnson’s stepfather, Jimmy Watts. “It’s probably going to hit them tonight (Friday). It’s going to be really hard for them. The visitation is (Friday night) and it’s probably going to hit them really hard when they have to leave them there at the funeral home.”

Watts said Russell Johnson is “taking it slow” and has found some small measure of comfort in talking to friends.

“He’s telling them that if they have children, they had better be with them as much as they can because you never know what could happen from one day to the next,” he said. “If it’s possible, I hope something good can come out of this. People have to know they need to love their children.”

As for Ashley Johnson, as she is grieving the loss of her daughters, she is also recovering from second-degree burns suffered in the fire.

“She came home (from the Grady Memorial Hospital burn unit) Wednesday afternoon,” Watts said. “She healing, but she’s going to have some scars on her hands and maybe from the big burn on her face.”

When asked how she is coping with her grief, Watts said, “Every time she passes by a picture of them, she goes to pieces, which you can understand. She was their mother.”

As the Johnson family struggles to survive the loss of 4-year-old Aislyn Cinnamon and 2-year-old Claudia Johnson, they also must attempt to overcome the total destruction of all their worldly possessions.

“If you can name it, they need it. Their greatest need right now is a home. They have a place to stay — here with Russell’s mom and me — but I don’t have a lot. My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer in October and all my time has been spent with her since then. She’s had two surgeries and is taking chemo now. When that’s over, she’ll start radiation,” he said. “Like I said, I don’t have a lot. All I’ve got is love, warmth and a home, but it’s theirs until they decide they want to be alone again. I told them they can stay as long as they want. We’ve really been struggling, but we’ve stayed close. We’re staying with one another. We’re a family.”

Those who wish to make donations to the Johnson family to assist with expenses may do so by contacting Conner-Westbury Funeral Home at 770-227-2300.

Click here to see photo courtesy of The Barnesville Dispatch.

“Puppy Love: An Exhibition of Unconditional Love,” an exhibit of dog photography, February 1st - 28th, 2010, in Zebulon, GA.

The annual juried photo exhibit, “Puppy Love” featuring man's best friend, will open at A Novel Experience Bookstore, 426 Thomaston Street, in downtown Zebulon, Georgia, from February 1st through February 28th, 2010.

“ ‘Puppy Love’ is in honor of the unconditional love we receive from our dogs,” says Nancy McCrary of Molena, 2010 curator, a photographer and board member of the nationally-recognized SlowExposures Photography Exhibition.

“There will be fifty-seven attention-grabbing images depicting dogs at work, dogs at play and dogs just being dogs taken by forty-one photographers from eight Georgia cities including Newnan, Peachtree City, Fayetteville, Griffin, Thomaston, Macon, Atlanta and Savannah as well as cities in Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, North Carolina and Florida.

" ‘Puppy Love’ is a fundraiser for non-profit, dog-related charities. This year's beneficiary is the Pike County Friends of Animals, a group that is working valiantly to bring an animal shelter to Pike County.

“Several prizes will be awarded including first, second, and third prizes as well as ‘best of show,’ ” said McCrary.

This year's judges are Malgorzata Florkowska of Griffin and Dean Stevenson of Atlanta, both award-winning photographers and dog lovers.

February, 2010 will mark the third ‘Puppy Love’ show at A Novel Experience, Pike County’s local gallery and independent bookstore on the Square in Zebulon, Georgia. The opening reception, open to the public, is on Saturday evening, February 13th beginning at 6:30PM.

“Please consider visiting the 2010 show --- it can be seen by an appreciative audience throughout the month of February and supports a worthy cause,” says McCrary.

For more information, please contact mccrarynancy@gmail.com or call A Novel Experience at 770-567-1103.

LOS ANGELES — Moving swiftly, U.S. product safety authorities say they are launching an investigation into the presence of the toxic metal cadmium in children's jewelry imported from China after disclosure of lab tests showing that some pieces consisted primarily of the dangerous substance.

The promise to "take action as quickly as possible to protect the safety of children" followed by hours the release Sunday of an Associated Press investigative report that documented how some Chinese manufacturers have been substituting cadmium for lead in cheap charm bracelets and pendants being sold throughout the United States.

Meantime, the head of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the agency that regulates children's jewelry and toys, was set to deliver a speech Tuesday to Asian manufacturers emphasizing that American regulators are still scrutinizing jewelry contents now that they've barred the use of lead.

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There is a picture of Coach Smith, Gipper and Mark interacting before the game on the We Are Pike County page. The Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith got to throw many frisbees to Gipper before the game. Go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT0rDTQ71BI to watch video of the event.

Readers can check out Gipper, Rocket, and Irish by going to their website at: www.georgiairishdiscdogs.com. Videos of the incredible accomplishments of the Georgia Irish Disc Dogs can be seen at: www.youtube.com/user/GeorgiaIrish.

Click here to see the photo provided courtesy of Mark Muir.

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