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Letter to
the Editor
The
Banks County News
October 25, 2000
Encourage 'yes'
vote for Referendum A
Dear Editor:
On November 7, please vote yes for Referendum A. A vote for Referendum
A will eliminate an unfair property tax currently being levied
on farm equipment. We believe family farmers in Georgia should
be able to compete equally with other southern states, such as
Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee,
Texas and Virginia, which are exempt from this unfair tax. One
in six Georgians are employed in agriculture and agribusiness.
Agriculture is the state's largest industry, with a $56 billion
economic impact.
In both rural and urban sectors of the state, farm land represents
a significant portion of a county land base. If Referendum A
is approved, farmers will continue to meet their fair share of
the local tax burden through land-assessed property taxes. By
exempting farm equipment, we can ensure that Georgia will continue
to provide some of the world's safest food and fiber products
at the lowest possible price for the consumer.
Sincerely,
Bill Sears
Billy Thomas
Editorial
The Banks County News
October 25, 2000
Have a safe and
happy Halloween
Hundreds of Banks County children will be heading out next week
in search of treats. Halloween will be observed on Tuesday, Oct.
31, when costumed youngsters visit family and friends to trick
or treat.
Everyone is encouraged to have a safe holiday season by observing
some guidelines this holiday season, including the following:
·Parents, be sure to accompany children when trick-or-treating.
·Only go to family and friends' houses. Avoid going to
strangers' homes.
·Throw out any candy that is not in its original container.
·Parents, check all of the candy before children eat it.
·Go to special Halloween trick-or-treating at area malls
or nearby towns.
·Parents, make sure costumes are safe and appropriate.
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Column
By Shar
Porier
The Banks County News
October 25, 2000
Going squirrelly
It seemed so picturesque. A barn converted to a home with a tin
roof nestled between two hills and under a blanket made of the
spreading branches of a giant oak tree.
Shade in summer. Sun in the winter.
Beautiful fall colors only an arm's length away. The smell of
dry leaves on the ground. I can rake the leaves into a big pile.
And roll and play with the dogs in them.
Such fun on a wonderful autumn day. The colors of fall against
a deep azure sky. The invigorating scent of crushed leaves.
The rain would patter on the tin roof. Such a pleasant, relaxing
sound.
In the tree were a squirrel nest and a few bird nests. How special,
I thought. I can watch the babies grow.
The upstairs (former loft) was left with its heavy, rough-cut
beams exposed.
So nice to have that "openness" of a high ceiling.
Insulation and a nice acoustic ceiling was installed.
Well, all was just fine .until just a few weeks ago.
The tree was indeed beautiful this year, as it had been in the
past. In spite of the drought, it had managed just fine.
And it was a bumper year for acorns. Yes, acorns... that attract
squirrels,chipmunks and flying squirrels. To the big oak. Above
the house with the tin roof and the high ceiling.
Early one morning (and I do mean early, like 3 a.m.) not too
long ago, I awoke to what sounded like a hailstorm, a very loud
hail storm. But, wait.
Sounded like a burst of machine gun fire. Then like someone was
hurtling rocks at the roof. What?!?
As the brain-fog lifted and sleepy eyes opened, what the heck?!?
The noise was awful. I went outside. And promptly was the victim
of a few stray acorns. Oww!
A flying squirrel came sailing across in front of me. An aerial
attack? No, I had just startled him from his feeding roost.
Against the moonlit sky, I could see some scurrying going on
in the upper branches. Acorns were falling here and there. The
acorns would hit the roof, b-b-bounce a few times, and r-r-o-o-oll
on down the slope. Funny didn't sound as loud out here.
Then I heard a branch crack and saw a shadow making a strange
"eee-e-e-e" as it plummeted to the roof. Snap, splat,
POW-POW-POW-POW! There was my "gunfire" all right.
So these little rascals were the ones making all the racket,
huh. Well, it's only for a little while, I told myself. I can
handle it. Besides, flying squirrels are so cute. Used to have
one that I raised from a baby. Had a baby squirrel, too, that
I released to the wild. Have a soft spot for the little critters.
I'll just have to put up with it till the season's over. I can
do that. After all, they go to bed at dawn. (Sure....)
Back to bed. Grumblin' a bit, but determined not to let it get
to me. Around an hour later, things got quiet again. "Ahh",
I thought, "back to sleep now for a few hours, anyway.
But, it wasn't long before the barrage started anew. As the sun
peeked over the horizon, the squirrels must have awakened and
converged on the tree, I thought as I lay there.
Like it's the only oak tree around! There must be 50 on the property.
Why this one?!?
Back outside. I look up and the tree was now a dining hall for
the nine local squirrels and several of their kin.
But the locals weren't in the mood for sharing. They were chasing
the invaders. And as they did, trails of ripe acorns pelted the
roof.
I hear this sound - "E-E-eeeeeee", a bit louder than
the 3 a.m. shadow. Snap, splat, POW-POW-POW-POW-POW!
So. They were chasing each other through the tree and limbs were
breaking off along with several acorns and one of the fur balls!!!
(Yes, I had gone beyond the point of cute critter - I had reached
a more descriptive state of irritation.)
So, this is the way it's going to be! Ok. Hmmm.....(By the way,
that's me
thinkin' to myself.) What to do. Cut down the tree. Cut down
the tree?!? Nawww, WON'T do that! Shoot the squirrels! Shoot
the squirrels?!? Nawww, DEFINITELY won't do that! Re-roof the
house. Re-roof the house?!? Nawww, don't WANT to do THAT!!!!!
Well, I have a year to figure out what to do. Any suggestions???
Shar Porier is a reporter for MainStreet Newspapers.
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