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OPINIONS
Frank Gillispie
Robert E. Lee was a great man
Last week I described for you the characteristics of a Southern
Gentleman. This week I want to introduce you to the man who most
clearly deserved the title.
Ben Munro
My three years at the Journal
"Look at that young buck," I've said to myself lately
when I look at that baby-faced mug shot at the top of this column.
"That can't be me."
SPORTS
Lady Raiders set for rivalry-filled weekend
Call it rivalry weekend.
Though the Lady Raiders have gotten back on track from their
Jan. 5 loss to top-ranked Hart County with four straight wins,
a tough pair of battles with traditional foes-Franklin and Oconee-
threatens the winning ways of the 14-3 outfit this weekend.
Neighborhood News...
BANKS COUNTY
Citizen complaints aired at BOC meeting
A Banks County man appeared before the Banks County Board of
Commissioners Friday morning to discuss their concerns with trash
on the roads and debris left in the road after brush was cleared.
Banks County to receive ARC grant for $300,000
Banks County will receive an Appalachian Regional Commission
(ARC) grant for $300,000 to expand water and wastewater services
to Banks Crossing.
News
from...
JACKSON COUNTY
Tax digest tops $1 billion
For the first time ever, the net tax digest for Jackson County
has topped the $1 billion mark. Jackson County's tax digest is
$1.076 billion, up 35 percent from the year before.
Sanders named recreation director
Ricky Sanders is once again heading the Jackson County recreation
department.
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The Madison County Journal
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Well water non-existent
for some Madison Countians
The milk jugs brought in with water from Athens are evidence
of a hard fact for James Hardman and his family - the well is
dry.
It's been nearly four months since their well on Eugene Hardman
Road has produced water.
Hardman refers to the situation as an "act of God,"
a "natural disaster," a "health hazard."
He's contacted every agency he can think of, every government
official he thinks could help, as well as media organizations.
"I'm not doing this just for me," said Hardman. "There's
a lot of people now running dry with the drought."
He's right. Months of drought conditions have also meant lasting
water concerns for Madison Countians.
According to the Palmer Drought Severity Index, northeast Georgia
is in a moderate drought, which has led to poor soil moisture
levels in the area. The Jan. 6 index showed that it will take
6.53 inches of rain to end the area drought.
But ending the groundwater shortage and the hardship on some
well owners may not come with a mere six inches of rain.
Bob Pulfrey, a geologist with Fortson's Well Drilling, said it
may take several years before the county replenishes its groundwater
supply.
"It will take a number of correct conditions to replenish
the water table aquifer," said Pulfrey. "I suspect
it will take several years, unless we have some very unusual
conditions."
Pulfrey said that downpours are not the answer. What the county
needs are soaking rains over long periods. Pulfrey said that
recent rains have brought moisture to the top several feet of
soil, but that it will likely take considerable time to "work
its way down."
County extension agent Carl Varnadoe said Madison County has
long posed problems for those owning bored wells. Bored wells
are shallow wells that tap into groundwater beneath the soil.
Drilled wells are deeper and more expensive. These wells may
run several hundred feet beneath the surface, beneath granite.
Drilled wells don't go dry as quickly as bored wells.
Varnadoe said he often gets calls from citizens who have dug
new wells to replace old, dried out ones.
He said his best advice to those with water concerns is to work
for "year-round water conservation" by doing the little
things that add up, such as turning off the water while lathering
hands with soap.
"You don't make new water," he said, noting that people
often ignore water conservation until it's too late.
Varnadoe said another concern with low groundwater levels is
possible contamination of wells. He said that people should have
their wells tested every three years.
The extension office conducts mineral testing for $11. The health
department will test new wells for harmful bacteria for $25.
While a dried-out well is a major inconvenience, it's also a
financial nightmare for many.
Varnadoe said that he does not know of any financial aid for
homeowners facing a dry well crisis. But there is assistance
available for farmers who need help with wells for agricultural
purposes. Farmers needing assistance may contact Jay Jackson
of the Farm Service Agency at 335-8111.
Hardman sighed when asked what he will do about his well.
He said he feels there must be some assistance available somewhere
for his family and for others he knows suffer with the same ordeal.
And he vows to continue looking.
In the meantime, Hardman said he will continue working two jobs,
hoping that the rains will bring a merciful end to the problem.
Because he doesn't have the money to pay for a new well.
"I don't think I can work a third job," he added.
Regaining financial
footing
The Madison County school system's cash
flow crisis is over - at least for now.
The new year and the receipt of anticipated tax money has relieved
some of the financial strain endured by the school system in
recent months.
Interim superintendent Allen McCannon told the school board Tuesday
that the schools received $319,000 this month in state property
tax refunds due to the Georgia Property Tax Relief Act, which
required the state to return some local property tax money to
counties. This money, coupled with $259,000 received in property
taxes so far this month, means that the school board will not
need to use a recently approved loan of $1.2 million.
The BOE approved a loan of $895,000 in September after the board
discovered that it had a $369 cash balance to enter that month.
The board later approved a $500,000 loan.
The board will pay off half of the $895,000 loan this week.
In other matters at Tuesday's BOE meeting, Robert Haggard will
serve as chairman of the Madison County Board of Education for
2001. Elaine Belfield was reappointed to the position of vice
chairman. All meetings of the board will continue to be held
in the Madison County High School library, with regularly scheduled
monthly meetings set for the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30
p.m.
The board approved the 2001-2002 school calendar by a vote of
4-1 with Elaine Belfield objecting. She argued that the early
starting date would interfere with planned vacations and travel
by members of the staff. She asked to delay the early starting
date until next year.
Jim Patton explained that members of the Senior Class wanted
to
complete the first semester before Christmas, allowing them to
apply early for college. Early application gives them a greater
chance of being admitted to the school of their choice. Another
argument in favor of the early start is the completion of testing
before Christmas eliminating, the three-week delay. That would
lead to higher test results.
Pre-planning will begin on Aug. 6 with the first day of school
set for August 10. Christmas break will be from Dec. 19 to Jan.
4. Spring break will be March 29 to April 5 and school will close
on April 29.
McCannon told the board that the current proposal from the Governor's
office includes a pay increase for teachers of 4.5 percent for
lunchroom workers and bus drivers of 3.5 percent. Any pay increase
for other school employees will have to come from local funds.
A committee consisting of members of the board and employees
is discussing improvements in pay and benefits for non-certified
employees.
For the rest of this story, see this week's Madison County
Journal.
Businessman focus
of GBI investigation
A prominent Madison County businessman was arrested last week
by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of
the Madison County Sheriff's office, on six counts of theft by
receiving.
Thomas (Tommy) William James, 48, of Hull, was arrested on the
charges on Tuesday, Jan. 9. James is the owner of Tommy James
Wrecker Service.
The GBI also arrested an employee of the business, Calvin Daniel
Loggins, 40, of Athens on two counts of theft by receiving.
According to Jim Fullington of the Athens GBI, approximately
$150,000 to $200,000 worth of stolen equipment was found on James'
property. Stolen items recovered included a 1999 International
Rollback wrecker, a Case backhoe, a John Deere gator, a Long
tractor and a small piece of equipment for moving dirt.
Fullington said the arrests were made after the GBI received
a tip about a piece of stolen equipment on the property.
"This led to us looking at other pieces of equipment,"
said Fullington.
James, who serves as a bail bondsman, is out on bond.
Fullington said the investigation is ongoing.
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Planners approve
rezoning
Madison County planners recommended approval of a controversial
rezoning request by a vote of four to two at a public hearing
on the matter Tuesday night.
Commission members Roy Gandy and newcomer Jeep Gaskin provided
the "no" votes.
The commission started the year off with only one rezoning request
to consider - a petition by Ben Rhodes for his brother Timothy
Rhodes to rezone a 4.3-acre parcel on Parham Town Road from A-2
(agricultural, five-acre minimum) to R-R (rural residential).
B. Rhodes, who currently resides in a farm house located on the
property, said his brother wants to subdivide the parcel into
two tracts but has no definite plans for future use of it.
He added that his brother felt the property could be better used
and have greater value if it were rezoned so it could be divided.
(The property is currently a non-conforming parcel, as it does
not meet the five-acre minimum requirement for A-2.)
T. Rhodes also owns rental property across the road from this
parcel but does not currently live in the county.
Carolyn McGee, whose mother lives on adjacent property, said
she objected to the rezoning on behalf of her mother. McGee said
she didn't want to see the property cut up and possibly used
as rental property with a mobile home on it. Another neighbor,
Bobbie Parker, said she also objected, and wants to know more
about what the property will be used for.
Gandy said he was concerned that there were no "definite
plans" for the property and that no permanent resident resides
there.
"I'm inclined not to support it....it could possibly end
up as three rental units in this small area," he said.
But board of commissioners District 5 commissioner Bruce Scogin
objected to that argument, saying the commission was "getting
into parameters that are none of your business... the guy just
asked for a simple rezone."
Planning chairman Pat Mahoney agreed, saying she felt that making
a decision based on whether or not the property might be used
as rental property "amounts to discrimination."
"It's totally improper to consider the rental issue,"
she said.
But Gandy maintained that the issue of rental property did fall
within the commission's concerns because "changes could
take place that change the character of the neighborhood."
The board of commissioners will have the final say on the request
during their regular business meeting next Monday night.
For the rest of this story, see this week's Madison County
Journal.
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