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OPINION
Angela Gary
Pets bring smiles and laughter
She suddenly takes off in hot pursuit of a small yellow butterfly.
She jumps and twists in the air in her quest to get the small
colorful thing flying by her.
Shar Porier
A writer afraid to write?
There it sits. My Christmas present from my nephews. I feel bad
I haven't done anything with it yet. They were so happy when
they gave it to me. "We picked it out just for you, Aunt
Shar." And it was a great gift.
SPORTS
Directions to Area Schools
Lady Leopards fall to Washington-Wilkes, to face Elbert
After an area loss to Washington-Wilkes last week, the Banks
County Lady Leopards will look to get back on track this week.
Neighborhood News...
JACKSON COUNTY
Two men from Jackson at WTC during attack
Two men who grew up in Jackson County were in or near the World
Trade Center Tuesday when it was attacked by terrorists flying
commercial airliners into the buildings. Both men are reportedly
safe, said family members.
Waste Management Wins Contract
Starting in January, a new company will provide residential and
light commercial garbage pickup service in Commerce.
Accepting the recommendation of city manager Clarence Bryant,
the city council voted Monday to enter a five-year contract with
Waste Management.
News from
MADISON COUNTY
County reacts to national tragedy
Downtown Danielsville was unusually quiet Tuesday afternoon,
as many stayed home or in their offices, glued to their televisions
and radios as the unprecedented terrorist attacks on the World
Trade Center, the Pentagon and other American government buildings
unfolded.
BOC denies request to reverse work stoppage order
The Madison County commissioners unanimously agreed to stick
to a work stoppage order on a manufactured home on Hwy. 106.
J. Stuart Teague Jr., an attorney for Classic City Homes, asked
commissioners to reverse a work stoppage order issued by the
county on a manufactured home on Hwy. 106 for Brenda Witcher.
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The Banks County News
Homer, Georgia
Telephone: (706) 367-5233
Fax: (706) 367-8056
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SPLOST-FUNDED PROJECT
The new Banks County High School facility was funded in part
by money generated in the SPLOST initiated in 1997. If the next
SPLOST is voted in on Tuesday for Banks County, the funds would
be used for a new middle school, as well as renovations and improvements
at other county schools.
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Voters go to the
polls Tuesday
SPLOST on the ballot.Voters will go to
the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballot on renewing the one-cent
Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) for education.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at voting precincts
across the county.
The SPLOST referendum calls for a maximum collection of $16 million
over the five-year time period.
The SPLOST currently in place for education was initiated in
March 1997 and it produced over $6.25 million. That revenue was
dedicated to pay for construction of the new high school.
In an effort to relieve over-crowding, a new middle school would
be constructed with funds from the next SPLOST, according to
Deborah White, school superintendent. Also planned are additional
elementary school classrooms and renovations and improvements
to existing kindergarten through eighth grade facilities. Completion
of the athletics complex at Banks County High School is also
included in the plans, she said.
"Currently, 14 mobile units are being used for classrooms
and the number will continue to increase with growth in the student
enrollment and with smaller class sizes," White said. "All
available permanent classroom space in grades K through 8 is
being used.
Space designed for other purposes is being used for classrooms,
she added, and some classes with smaller required class sizes
are sharing a room.
"We have two classrooms with two teachers in them,"
she said. "With the addition of a ninth kindergarten teacher
this past week, two Reading Recovery teachers are sharing space
at Banks County Primary School. The only way to relieve the overcrowding
is through addtional classrooms."
New 911 signs arriving
at planning office
The new 911 number signs are arriving and being prepared.
New homeowners will receive a 911 sign with their permits at
the Banks County Planning Office. Current residents in the county
will be able to purchase one by either calling the non-emergency
number at the 911 center (677-1234) or purchasing one at the
Banks County Planning Office.
In addition to the complete sign package, residents may also
purchase the decals only if they may need to display the number
in a second location. This is offered for those residents that
have more than one structure on their driveways and for those
who post their mailbox in another location. This is needed for
everyone to be in compliance with the 911 numbering resolution,
director Deidra Moore said.
The complete sign package is $11.50. Decals for an extra house
number are $2.04 per address. A single decal may be purchased
for 34 cents each if a decal is torn and needs to be replaced.
Moore said that the public needs to post these numbers to aid
units in finding their residence when there is an emergency call
for help.
"Too often, the units have delayed arrival time because
they can't find someone when the number isn't posted or isn't
posted properly," she said. "At night, an emergency
driver's vision is limited and thus the need for reflective numbering
large enough to see. Another problem arises when there is more
than one residence on a driveway and neither home is marked;
it becomes a guessing game.
"In emergencies, there is no time for guessing. The minutes
wasted in attempting to locate someone may mean the difference
between life and death! Please do not wait until an emergency
arises to realize your numbers aren't posted. Let 911 and emergency
officials know where you are so they can quickly and efficiently
get you whatever help you may need. Again, don't wait until it
is too late. Are your numbers posted? Can we find you quickly?
Please help us to help you."
Chamber president
injured in wreck on Hwy. 441
Johnson, another woman injured. Banks County Chamber of Commerce
president Bonnie Couch Johnson was injured in an accident last
Wednesday when she failed to yield right-of-way and was struck
by an oncoming car. The accident occurred in Baldwin.
According to Baldwin police reports, Johnson was traveling across
old Hwy. 441 to enter traffic heading north on new Hwy. 441.
Johnson's 1999 Ford Explorer was struck by a 1997 Chevrolet S-10
pickup truck driven by Sandra Diane Watts, Cleveland. Johnson's
Explorer left skid marks 129 feet long after impact, according
to one report.
Joe Roy, Baldwin fire chief, said the vehicles had collided in
such a way as to cause both drivers' doors to stick. The doors
had to be "popped" to free the occupants for treatment,
he said.
Both women were injured in the accident and transported to Habersham
Medical Center.
Watts suffered chest injuries and is in stable condition at Habersham
Medical Center.
Johnson was transferred to Lanier Park Hospital in Gainesville,
say hospital authorities. She sustained three fractures in her
arm, according to Sherry Ward, chamber executive assistant. Johnson
was released from Lanier Park on Monday, hospital officials said.
Baldwin officer Jonathon Morris said Johnson would be charged
with failing to yield right-of-way.
Country music
concert at BCHS to benefit band booster club
Country music star T. Graham Brown will be in concert this weekend
in Banks County. Joe Olds' Smoking Joe Band will also perform.
The concert is planned for 7 p.m. Saturday, September 15, at
the Banks County High School auditorium. Funds raised will benefit
the band booster club, with proceeds to go toward band uniforms.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. They are available
at the high school, 677-2221, or from Willene and Mike Boyle,
677-4200, or Dennis Shirley, 652-3064.
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Video poker
ban initiated by Sen. Beatty passes state House.
A video poker ban initiated by Sen. Mike
Beatty of Jefferson passed both the Senate and the House of Representatives
last week.
Beatty thanked his fellow legislators for passing the ban that
he has pushed for since last fall. He has been a proponent of
eliminating the machines used for illicit gambling for over a
year. When Beatty took office in January, he offered a series
of bills and worked to eliminate the machines in Georgia. Since
that time, he has been joined in his efforts by a number of senators
and representatives and by the governor.
"This is a great day for Georgia," Beatty said when
the legislation passed. "When good people stand firm for
what is right, mountains will move and justice will prevail.
Today, Georgia won out over special interest groups."
Beatty said that a year ago most legislators were not aware of
the problems presented by illicit video poker gambling and how
it was moving into Georgia.
"But since that time, the people of Georgia raised their
voices to their elected officials," he said. "The families
and people of our state have won a battle against special interests
and we are better for it."
Blood drives
to aid terrorist attack victims
The terrorist attacks reported Tuesday have led to a flood of
calls to area hospitals and medical centers from area residents
about donating blood.
There was already a blood shortage in place before the crisis
and it is expected to get worse, according to Oscar Weinmeister
of BJC Medical Center. Several area blood drives are planned
in coming weeks, including the following:
·Thursday, Sept. 13, 1 to 6 p.m., St. Albon's Church,
Monroe.
·Thursday, Sept. 13, 1 to 6 p.m., Young Harris Memorial
United Methodist Church, 973 Prince Avenue, Athens.
·Thursday, Sept. 13, 1:30 to 7 p.m., St. Gregory the Great
Episcopal Church, 3195 Barnett Shoals Road, Athens.
·Friday, Sept. 14, 2 to 7 p.m., UGA Administration, east
campus, animal sciences building, corner of River Road and College
Station Road.
·Monday, Sept. 17, 1:30 to 6:30 p.m., Emmanuel Episcopal
Church, 498 Prince Avenue, Athens.
·Tuesday, Sept. 18, 1 to 6 p.m., UGA Wesley Foundation,
1196 South Lumpkin Street, Athens.
·Wednesday, Sept. 19, 1 to 5 p.m., Walton Electric Membership
Corporation, 2499 Pannell Road, Monroe.
·Friday, Sept. 21, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., UGA College of Education,
south campus, Aderhold Hall.
·Monday, Sept. 24, noon to 5 p.m., UGA Army ROTC, central
campus, Memorial Hall, Athens.
·Tuesday, Sept. 25, 1 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 25, UGA
Brumby Community, Brumby Hall, Baxter Street, Athens.
·Tuesday, Sept. 25, 1 to 6 p.m., Trus Joist, Colbert,
Hwy. 72, Colbert.
For more information on blood drives, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.
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