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Editorial
The Banks County News
March 22, 2000
Jamieson solves
annexation worries over Banks Crossing
Banks County officials have long wrestled
with how to get rid of the possibility of Commerce annexing Banks
Crossing. The city hasn't made any public move toward doing that,
but the fear of losing all of that revenue has bothered Banks
County leaders and citizens for years.
It wasn't too long ago that Homer and Banks County officials
debated the merits of Homer annexing the property or Banks County
and Homer consolidating. Neither option got the full support
of those involved and the matter remained unsettled.
That is until Banks County's fireball at the capitol took control
of the issue and moved full speed ahead until it was resolved.
Rep. Jeanette Jamieson worked tirelessly on this issue and didn't
back down until she had come up with a method to get rid of this
fear once and for all.
She introduced House Bill 1439, which says first-time cross county
line annexation can not occur without the consent of the county
into which the city wishes to annex. This bill helps not only
Banks County but counties and cities across the state who fear
annexation cutting into their tax base.
Banks County had a lot at stake if Commerce had annexed Banks
Crossing. The action could have caused a loss of revenue to Banks
County estimated as high as $2.5 million a year. A property tax
increase of this magnitude could have created a situation where
the homeowners of Banks County, especially the elderly, would
be required to sell their homes due to the inability to pay the
tax.
Thanks to Rep. Jeanette Jamieson, this is no longer a concern.
She has a reputation for tackling tough issues head on and fighting
until she accomplishes what is best for her constituents. Once
again, she has succeeded and all of Banks County will benefit
from her action.
Thanks, Rep. Jamieson. Keep fighting for Banks County.
Letter
The
Banks County News
March 22, 2000
Thanks Patty Reed
for help with G.E.D process
Dear Editor:
I am writing this because I can. I dropped out of high school
in 1979 and, after all these years, finally found the courage
to go get my G.E.D. I didn't know where to begin but, after my
sister put me in contact with Patty Reed at the Adult Education
Center, everything fell into place. Mrs. Reed was so friendly
and helpful helping me to prepare for taking the G.E.D. test.
She went over every step of the process including signing me
up to take the test. I was able to take the assessment test and
practice tests right here in Banks County.
If anyone is out there trying to make the decision to get your
G.E.D., I encourage you to do so. If you see Mrs. Reed out and
about, stop her and tell her what an incredible thing she is
doing for the residents of Banks County.
Sincerely,
Scott Broome
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Column
By Mary
Ann Robinson
The Banks County News
March 22, 2000
 Finding
a friend
Not long ago, a co-worker, Drew, casually
asked if I knew of anyone who wanted a puppy. I hesitantly replied
that I might. Apparently, Drew's roommate, Carol, had acquired
a puppy that she couldn't keep. She's a cat person and her three
felines weren't real fond of their new friend.
We already had one dog - Chipper, a Dalmatian, who lives outside.
Chipper is a good dog but my daughter Aly had pleaded with us
to get a "little" dog that she could cuddle with. I
talked with my husband Chuck and we made arrangements to pick
up the puppy.
Aly went with me to Carol's house in Athens. We took a box and
a blanket just in case our new addition didn't like riding in
the car. I knew the puppy was a poodle and shit-zu mix, but I
was completely unprepared for the little fur ball that came running
to meet us. He was so little and so cute. Aly was immediately
in love with this tiny creature.
We expressed our thanks to Carol and took "the puppy"
home to meet the rest of the family. On the way home, Aly and
I discussed a name for the puppy. We still had not reached a
decision when we got home, but it didn't take long for our new
friend to be fondly dubbed "Buddy."
Buddy quickly became Aly's shadow. He followed her everywhere.
He got stepped on more than once in his enthusiastic effort to
keep up with her. Aly was flattered at first, but when Buddy
started nipping her ankles, she quickly let him know she wasn't
going to put up with that. A few pops on the nose and he quit.
At night, Buddy would sleep on the foot of Aly's bed or on the
floor in her room. Aly's dream had come true. She had a friend
she could cuddle with.
Well, times have changed. Aly still loves Buddy and he still
follows her around, but now it's to run and play - not so much
to cuddle. His new cuddle partner is Kate.
Kate is 18 months old, and like most toddlers, she is everywhere.
She doesn't want to sit in her high chair to eat a snack anymore,
she wants to get down and go. So we let her, and Buddy is definitely
the beneficiary.
Manners are important at our house, and we start teaching them
to our children at an early age. We have successfully taught
Kate to share, and she will gladly share any food she might have
with the dog. Buddy follows her around hoping for a snack. It
has gotten so bad that we now have to scold the dog to leave
Kate alone or try to explain to Kate that she isn't supposed
to share with Buddy. Either way, we usually lose and they both
win. Kate is happy to share and Buddy is happy to receive.
And just like Aly, Kate loves that dog. She will pull his tail,
grab hands full of fur and generally be rougher than she should
be, but Buddy just stands there. Never growls, never bites, never
even whimpers. He understands that Kate is a baby and doesn't
know that she might be hurting him. She crawls all over him and
gives him hugs. Buddy very calmly and very happily receives these,
too.
I have to admit I was skeptical about having another dog, especially
one that lives in the house. I was concerned about house-training,
but Buddy proved very quickly that he understood what he was
supposed to do. And I worried that the "new" would
wear off and I would be stuck feeding and taking care of the
dog. Wrong again. Aly feeds and waters the dog and is happy to
take him for walks.
Overall, Buddy has been a wonderful addition to our family and,
as for the girls, I know they have found a friend. One they love
who loves them in return.
Mary Ann Robinson is a reporter for MainStreet Newspapers.
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