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OPINIONS
Frank Gillespie
They have to be carefully taught
Hatred is not natural to the human race. It has to be taught.
How can someone so hate the United States of America enough to
destroy themselves along with thousands of other innocent men,
women and children?
Margie Richards
Who are we, really?
By the time most of you read this, you'll probably already have
read many, many editorials about the events of Tuesday, Sept.
11.
SPORTS
Directions to Area Schools
Neighborhood News...
BANKS COUNTY
SPLOST approved
Low voter turnout reported; referendum passes 729-43
Banks County voters who went to the polls on Tuesday overwhelmingly
approved renewing the one-cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales
Tax (SPLOST) for education.
County couple's trip to Washington, D.C., cut short last
week by terrorist attack
Fred and Judy Wendt had planned a few days of sight-seeing in
Washington, D.C. before attending the United Methodist Women's
Conference set to begin on Thursday, September 13. The terrorist
attack on the Pentagon last week cut their visit short.
News from...
JACKSON COUNTY
Flags flying in county to show patriotic spirit, support
As the news unfolded Tuesday morning of terrorist attacks against
the United States, employees at Seydel International gathered
around a television, much like Americans everywhere, to watch
in horror, disbelief and outrage as news footage showed commercial
jets crashing like fireballs into the two World Trade Center
towers and into the Pentagon.
3 To Challenge Incumbents In City Elections
Three challengers qualified late last Friday to take on three
incumbents in the Nov. 6 Commerce elections. Two of the challengers
are former city council members.
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The Madison County Journal
Danielsville, Georgia
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A TIME FOR PRAYER
Chasity House and Brandi Bridges (pictured center) embrace
during a prayer at Madison County High School for the victims
of last Tuesday's terrorist attacks.
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County mourns
for victims of terrorist attacks
Their faces solemn, their heads bowed, many Madison County students
joined hands in front of the high school Friday morning to pray
for the victims of last Tuesday's terrorist attacks in Washington
and New York.
Students spoke of being "hurt," "sad" and
"depressed" after last week's attack. And Friday's
brief service included shows of emotion and resolve. There were
tears, embraces and vows to stand up for this country's freedom.
Ninth grader Timothy Meadow said he felt disbelief over what
happened.
"I was shocked when I heard," said Meadow, a member
of Meadow Baptist Church. "I thought people were joking.
I feel sorry for the people who died and their family members.
I pray for them."
Jessica Frank prayed for help from God.
"I just hope God will watch over us and help us through
this time," said Frank.
Another MCHS student, Roberta Carey, said her cousin nearly got
on Flight 11 from Boston which crashed into the north tower of
the World Trade Center. She didn't board the flight because of
a luggage mixup.
"We didn't hear from her for 48 hours," said Carey.
"It was really scary. We were all worried."
Kalan Mason said he felt for those who might be trapped alive
in the rubble.
"It hurts me to know there may be a bunch of people still
alive and we can't get to them," said Mason, wearing his
#77 Raider football jersey. "We need to go in and help dig
them out."
He also said he was bothered that "we are the most powerful
country in the world, but we can't stop people with box cutters
on a plane."
Ninth grader Jennifer Griffeth said she was very saddened by
the death and destruction caused by terrorists. She said America
must punish those with a hand in the attacks.
"I just think it's so tragic," said Griffeth. "I
cried when I first heard. We need to catch anybody and everybody
who did this. All we have to do is pray and we need to have faith
that the Lord will keep us safe and give the president the knowledge
of what to do."
Expect increase
in county taxes
Expect an increase in property tax rates for the Madison County
government this year.
This is in addition to an anticipated tax hike for county schools.
Projected general fund expenses for the county government in
2002 are approximately $9.5 million, while anticipated revenues
are around $8.5 million, leaving about $1 million in needed funds.
The commissioners have already whittled away much of the requests
from county department heads, but the shortfall remains.
"You can only tighten the belt so much before you run out
of notches," said Bruce Scogin, District 5 commissioner.
With one mill worth approximately $440,000 this year, the county
can expect to raise taxes by at least two mills to balance revenues
with expenditures in the 2002 budget. The county government has
not raised its tax rate in the past five years, though increased
property assessments have led to higher tax bills for property
owners.
Leaders say there are a number of reasons property taxes must
be increased, the primary cause being the establishment of a
new jail, which, according to current budget projections, will
include a $200,000 increase in next year's budget. The BOC is
also considering more funding for the sheriff's department for
more officers and patrol cars.
Other new expenditures budgeted for 2002 include an additional
$69,000 for county fire departments, approximately $80,000 in
additional county library expenses since the county school board
is no longer providing library funding, approximately $77,000
for a new animal shelter, approximately $64,000 in increased
election costs, a 12 percent rise in health insurance expenses,
an approximate $60,000 increase in pension expenses and a state-mandated
increase in salaries for elected officials. The salary increases
total about $50,000 for Madison County.
While the county faces a number of new expenditures, county revenues
are also down. County clerk Morris Fortson said the approval
of the statewide referendum exempting farm equipment from taxation
has cost the county approximately $100,000 in revenue.
Fortson also said revenues from court fees are lower than projected
this year. Through July (or 58 percent through the year) the
probate office had brought in 36 percent of projected revenue,
the sheriff's office, 35 percent; the magistrate's office, 43
percent; and the clerk of court's office, 45 percent. Revenues
from courts, of course, may vary according to caseloads.
The transfer station, however, was up, raising 61 percent of
projected 2001 revenues through July.
The board is considering possible fee increases for county services
in the planning and zoning office, transfer station and recreation
department. Projected revenues may increase if fees for services
provided by these offices go up.
For related stories see this weeks Madison County Journal.
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5-year-old critically
injured in wreck
An Ila Elementary kindergartner was critically injured in a Hart
County wreck last Saturday afternoon.
Cody Potts, 5, was taken to Greenville Memorial Hospital in Greenville,
S.C., with severe head injuries and was in the intensive care
unit as of Tuesday afternoon.
Cody is the son of Kathy Gable, 40, of Ila.
The accident happened about 3:30 p.m. on Hwy. 29 North when Gable's
1985 Mercury Marquis was struck by a vehicle driven by 76-year-old
Mildred Loehe of Hartwell.
According to a report by the Toccoa Post of the Georgia State
Patrol, Loehe failed to stop as she was attempting to make a
left turn at the intersection of Liberty Hill Church Road and
Hwy. 29, striking Gable's car on the passenger side.
Gable was treated and released.
Coile Defoor, 34, of Hull was also a passenger in Gable's car.
His condition is unknown.
A Cody Potts Fund has been set up at all branches of Century
South Bank to assist with medical and other expenses.
Madison County
Fair opens next week
The 53rd Annual Madison County Agricultural Fair will get under
way next week on the Comer Lions Club fairgrounds located on
Hwy. 22 just outside Comer.
The fair will run Tuesday through Saturday, with gates opening
at 6 p.m. each evening. Gates will also be open from noon to
4 p.m. for a Saturday afternoon matinee.
The James Gang rides and entertainment will again be featured
on the midway.
Gate admission is $4 for ages 6 and over. Ages 5 and under will
be admitted free.
Fifty cents off admission price will be awarded for each pair
of eyeglasses donated to the Comer Lions Club. Unlimited midway
rides can be purchased for $10 each.
Saturday matinee admission is $1 with free admission under age
16. Unlimited rides on the midway will be featured during the
matinee at a cost of $8 each.
Free parking will be provided.
Cattle shows will be held on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday
and a rabbit show will be held Saturday at 1 p.m.
Nightly entertainment will include: Tuesday - The Lewis Family
with Little Roy; Wednesday - Karaoke Night; Thursday - The Songsters
and Destiny Calls; Friday - Mike Dekle and the Tony Pritchett
Band; Saturday - The Mighty Rack of Spam.
To read more about the local events in
Madison County, including births, weddings, sports news and school
news, see this week's Madison County Journal.
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