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VOLUME 4, ISSUE 9 | THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010 | WWW.GEORGIASENTINEL.COM

Sentin leFannin

P.O. Box 799

Blue Ridge, GA 30513

WednesdayThursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday

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!e Fannin County Public Li-brary will not appear on the spe-cial purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) ballot in the near future, library Board of Trustees Liaison Keith Jones informed members of Friends of the Fannin County Public Library (FOL) during their March 8 meeting.

Jones said that he, Board of Trustees Chairman Mike England, Mountain Regional Library System Director Donna Howell, and Librar-ian Teresa Haymore had recently spoken to Fannin County Commis-sion Chairman Bill Simonds.

"!e chairman said that due to the amount of road work and bridge work and due to...his perception of the budgeting process, as far as he's concerned, neither the library nor recreation were going to be on the SPLOST," Jones said.

Haymore added that Simonds had mentioned the county water system along with road work and bridge work.

"!at does not mean he's not in favor of the library," Jones said. It's essentially just a dead le"er...Our understanding is, basically, there's zero chance the library or recreation will be on the SPLOST."

Jones said that, without the SPLOST, it's likely Fannin County residents will bear the total cost of building a free-standing library. Out-of-county residents also use the library, he commented.

A#er a brief discussion among members, President Anne Seay said that the main objective of FOL is materials and programs, not con-struction.

"We are, in essence, an uno$cial body," Parliamentarian Joe Webb added.

Later during the meeting, Hay-more commented on a meeting re-

A li"le over a year ago Feed Fannin held its %rst meeting. Conceived by founder Barbara Ferer a few months prior to this initial gath-ering, Barbara had only one goal in mind: to eliminate hunger in Fannin County. !e group of volunteers who came together on that cold January morning represented a wide spectrum of people from all segments of the county: a rep-resentative from the Chamber of Commerce, several master gardeners, the county extension o$ce director, farmers from the farmers mar-ket, and a variety of retired professionals who just wanted to help. From that small group of enthusiastic citizens grew a movement infused with community spirit, an embodiment of Margret Mead’s famous quote, “A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”

While this group has not yet changed the world, they have changed Fannin County. In only one year, Feed Fannin provided over a ton of produce to the local food pantry at Family Connections. Meeting once a week from Feb-ruary to October in 2009, they planted or spon-sored four community gardens, harvested fresh produce for the food pantry, canned excess pro-

duce or sold it at the Farmer’s Market, raised money for food when the shelves of the food pantry were low, o&ered education courses, cre-ated a system for collecting donations at local grocery stores, and began a network between churches, medical professionals, organizations, schools and generous individuals.

And that was just the warm-up. With their %rst meeting in 2010, the organization had not only grown but had lessons from the previous year under its belt. While commi"ees were in place in 2009, the 2010 commi"ees were much be"er organized, had wri"en descrip-

Doctors, dentist aim to cure Washington

LIBRARY WON'T BE ON SPLOST BALLOT

Unsigned challenge to library sparking debate

Gubernatorial candidates rally county for congress

Progress made on eliminating hunger in Fannin County Is this still the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Dr. Chris Cates wants to put a li"le heart in the U.S. House of Represen-tatives. And he's ready to put up his own. A nationally recognized cardiol-ogist, Cates has been actively involved in the national debate on health poli-cy for the past 20 years. Now he wants to be one of the deciders on what the federal policy will be by winning elec-tion to a seat in congress.

On Saturday, he spoke at the Rea-gan Day in Blairsville saying what got him all riled up. He said he was in Washington recently talking with legislators about the Health Care Bill when he was told by a Democratic legislator that "You doctors be"er get on board with this bill or we're going to crush you."

Cates says he understands the im-

portance of quality, a&ordable health-care and is already %ghting to protect every American's right to choose their own doctor, access to emergency care and access to the latest technological advancements in medicine. On other issues, he wants lower taxes, smaller government, locally centered educa-tion, traditionally family vaues, 12-year term limits on elected o$cials, and he supports 2nd Amendment rights. Cates is well known in the mountain area since he has held weekly clinics in Hiawassee, Blairs-ville and Dahlonega for the past 21 years.

Bert Lo#man, a retired physician, is also running for congressman on the platform of Fairtax, control of the federal government's spending and

keeping the federal government out of education.

Lee Hawkins, a dentist, is also in the race with a platform of Fairtax, bringing jobs to Georgia and build-ing up small businesses. He called the proposed federal Health Care Bill a "nightmare."

Of the non-doc's running, Bobby Reese has served %ve terms in the Georgia House of Representatives. He said he is for term limits in con-gress and thinks the U.S. representa-tives should have their salaries cut based on the employment rate.

Tom Graves of Ranger, Georgia is running for congress on a pro-gun, pro-life platform. He said he is the author of a zero base budget for Georgia, and that he has traveled ex-tensively across the country speaking to di&erent groups including being

Friends of the Fannin County Public Library (FOL) President Anne Seay addressed issues with "!e News Observer" during the group's meeting March 8.

Seay mentioned an entry in "!e News Observer" Feb. 19 is-sue under the words "TO THE EDITOR" and with the headline "Foster vs. Friends Challenge." It contained a graphic compar-ing donations and donors from local Realtor John Foster and the Friends of the Library. Fos-ter had a dollar amount of $752 and 70 donors wri"en in.

!e Friends of the Library part of the graphic was blank. !e entry was unsigned.

In January, Foster purchased an advertisement in "!e News Observer," requesting readers to donate money for the library. Seay noted at a recent meeting

that Foster had turned over all funds directly to the library.

!e Feb. 19 "News Observer" entry read, "In late January, John Foster challenged the Fannin County Friends of the Library as he began asking for $1 from every Fannin County resident to raise the money needed to build a new library. In the %rst three weeks, Foster raised $752 from 70 persons as shown. When asked to respond and share any results of their e&orts during the same time period, the Friends of the Library refused..."

Seay provided a brief descrip-tion of the piece and said she was uncertain whether it was a le"er, because it was unsigned, or a story. She added that she'd spoken to the publisher, Glenn Harbison, over the phone.

"I didn't refuse, Dub," Seay said to Dub Joiner, a sta& writer for "!e News Observer" who

Republican candidates for Geor-gia's Ninth U.S. Congressional Dis-trict and for state o$ces 'ocked to Blairsville on Saturday to tell local voters why they are the best can-didate for the o$ces they seek in a hotly contested primary to be held in July.

Seven candidates running for the congressional seat vacated by Nathan Deal, now a candidate for governor, spoke at a crowded Civic Center. !e occasion was billed as Union County's First Ronald Reagan Day Dinner with proceeds from the $10 a plate meal going to sponsor two $500 student scholar-ships.

Five gubernatorial candidates spoke along with Sandra Deal, who

explained that Nathan was unable to a"end due to another political event commitment in south Geor-gia.

"He regrets he couldn't be here tonight," she said. "He has served this area 15 years as your congress-man. Now he is taking a big step in running for governor. It's a big state. Nathan is a kind and gentle man. I know because I have lived with him for 40 years. He's a homebody. He loves Georgia. In the entire time he has been in Washington, he has only stayed up there three weekends.

All gubernatorial candidates stressed their commitment to conservatism: right to life, Second Amendment rights, cu"ing taxes and the waste out of government.

Je& Chapman talked of his ex-

By: Lisa Gagnon

Sentinel Writer

By: Lisa Gagnon

Sentinel Writer

By: Frank Bradley

Sentinel WriterBy: Frank Bradley

Sentinel Writer

!at’s what a concerned group of Fannin County citizens discussed !ursday evening at a nonpartisan meeting in Blue Ridge.

!e purpose of the meeting was to see if there was enough interest to form a group of like-minded citizens with no a$liation to any political party, just a determination to save our country and preserve our liberty and freedom for ourselves and other future genera-tions.

Lane Bishop, who organized the meeting led the discussion with inci-dents where elected o$cials were not representing the people in decisions they were making for the country. He said, "By all of us working together we can stop the erosion of all that we hold dear and for what so many have sacri-%ced and died for."

Tommy Ledford added that the tea party movement had national recogni-

tion and stood for what most citizens in Fannin County believed in, that about half the government should be done away with and people should stand up for what is right.

A#er much discussion and some heated exchanges about how elected leaders were pursuing their own in-terests and didn’t remember who put them in o$ce, the general consensus was that the group would determine a name, elect o$cers and set a regular meeting date and location.

Tommy Vannoy said the name should be something recognizable, nationally known and respected so a change could be made in the county.

John Baker asked that in all proceed-ings the power of the Lord and the teachings of Christianity not be le# out.

Rick Moore added that history shows that every government that has "kicked God out, has fallen."

A#er much discussion, the group

By: Elaine Owen

Sentinel Writer

Jane Kmizey/ Contributed PhotoTuly and Bert and Gaye with a chicken, plump and ready to feed Fannin.

See Library, page 3ASee Doctor, page 6ASee Politics, page 8A

See Challenge, page 3A

See Brave, page 3ASee Feed Fannin, page 8A

By: ReLeah Lent

Contributing Writer

Jacob Harris/ Sentinel PhotoDr. Chris Cates is one of several candidates with medical experience seeking to be involved with health care policy.

See Reagan Dinner photos: Facebook.com/NewsSentinel

ONLINE

It was only a ma!er of time be-fore we would be informed of the very possible serious side-e"ects of the drug FOSAMAX. Dr. Richard Besser, senior health and medical editor on ABC News gave an excellent report last week. In short, he stated that Merck took an entire year to respond and that the FDA has also never made an e"ort to inform the public or doctors across the country who prescribe bisphosphonates of the possible side e"ects. Fosamax, one in a class of drugs called bisphospho-nates, is supposed to make bones stronger. But now there’s mount-ing evidence that for some women, taking these drugs for more than #ve years could cause spontaneous fractures.

As we become more senior, our bones get thinner. Few people realize that bone is living tissue that is constantly rebuilding itself. Bone density reaches a peak in ear-ly adulthood and then gradually begins to decline. For women this process starts earlier than for men and accelerates at menopause. When the thinning becomes se-vere, the condition is called osteo-porosis, which greatly increases the risk of fractures. $e bad news is that one-third of women over 65 will have a vertebral fracture not caused by injury. And those who survive to 90, one-third of women and 17% of men will have a hip fracture.

When bone loss is less severe, it is called osteopenia%a “pre-disease” that may lead to osteopo-rosis. Osteopenia is a condition of diminished amount of bone tissue. Such moderate bone loss, which happens to everybody eventually if they live long enough, has only recently been classi#ed as a disor-der. If you are 50 to 65 years of age and have a bone density test%one third will be diagnosed with osteopenia. For those over 65, two-thirds will be told they have osteopenia. $e question is, if you have it, what next? $is has been my own personal dilemma. A few years ago being diagnosed with os-

teopenia and not wanting to take the high-powered new drugs on the market –I doubled up on my intake of calcium and vitamin D. However, being truthful, I wasn’t as conscientious as I should have been and I didn’t participate in weight-bearing exercise along with strength training, for at least 30 minutes #ve times a week. I did stay active and improved my diet.

A recent bone density now shows that I’m just barely into the osteoporosis scale! So now I’m thinking more seriously about tak-ing the “high-powered” medica-tions for osteopenia/osteoporosis. Every time I see Sally Field’s com-mercial and hear all the side ef-fects%I say, “No way, Jose ! I per-sonally don’t think enough testing has been done and I will wait!

In 2008, bisphosphonate sales exceeded $3.5 billion according to data from IMS Health. In 2008, over 37 million prescriptions were wri!en for the osteoporosis medications. $ere are critics that charge that osteopenia is a cre-ation of the pharmaceutical com-panies and manufacturers of test-ing machines, who stand to reap big pro#ts. Certainly, the drug industry funds a great many of the studies, as well as conferences and foundations. A recent article (not funded by industry) in the British Medical Journal said that market-ers had overstated the bene#ts and underplayed the risks of the drugs. $ere are few studies showing that the drugs actually prevent fractures

in women who don’t already have osteoporosis or a previous frac-ture. $e medications are expen-sive and may produce serious side e"ects, and their long-term safety is unknown. (We are between a rock and a hard place!)

Ways to prevent or delay osteo-porosis: (1) Do weight-bearing exercise (such as running or brisk walking), along with strength training, for at least 30 minutes a day. It’s never too late to start%check with your doctor #rst! (2) Make your diet count. Eat low-fat and nonfat dairy products. Leafy greens, fruits and vegetables pro-vide other bone-building nutri-ents. Limit ca"eine and carbon-ated drinks. (3) Take a calcium supplement 1,200 milligrams and vitamin D 600 - 1000 IU daily (ten minutes of midday sun with your arms and legs exposed with no sun block can make enough natural vi-tamin D to avoid de#ciency). (4) Don’t smoke. (5) If you drink al-cohol, do so in moderation. (6) Ask your doctor if any of your medications could be taking a toll on your bones. Without question, anyone taking oral corticosteroids for more than a month, which is used to treat a variety of chronic diseases including asthma, in&am-matory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis, can cause bone loss.

Do your own research and talk with your doctor about your con-cerns.

Claudia Parks, RN is a former doctor’s o'ce and emergency room nurse and retired as an edu-cator from Fulton County(GA) Schools. She writes Your Health Ma!ers as a public service; the in-formation here is designed to help you make informed choices about your health. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your physician. Claudia and her hus-band make their home in the beau-tiful north Georgia Mountains near Blairsville. Claudia can be reached at yhm@windstream.net

Page 2A GEORGIA SENTINEL

CO LU M NS & O P I N I O NSLEANING LEFT

By Jim FitzgeraldSentinel Guest Columnist

Mistakes alienate

readers

EDITOR'S INBOX

YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

PRICE OF CRUDE OIL DECLINES, ALBEIT MINIMALLY

Conservatives are really good at acting like victims. $e latest injustice they are su"ering is the proposed use of reconciliation to pass the health care reform bill. Conservatives are calling this method of covering an additional 30 million people and reducing the national de#cit by 118 million dollars a parliamentary “trick,” an “assault on the democratic pro-cess,” and an a!empt to “cram health care down our throats.”

If you look at Wikipedia.com, you can see that, since 1980, 17 of 23 reconciliation bills were signed into law by Republican Presidents, undermining current claims that the Democrats are doing some-thing underhanded. Under Bush II, reconciliation was used three times to pass tax cuts even a(er the Congressional Budget O'ce predicted they would substantially increase the federal de#cit. Con-servatives signi#cantly violated the original purpose of reconcili-ation to pass their agenda in the face of Democratic opposition and now are crying foul when the tables are turned. How patriotic of them. $ey have been cramming legislation down our throats for several decades.

However, are the Democrats re-ally cramming (or ramming – de-pending on commentator) health care reform down our throats? Shortly a(er Obama was elected, he sponsored a series of confer-ences where he invited all of the health care stakeholders to partici-pate in reforming a broken system. $ese series of meetings included business CEO’s, health insurance companies, providers of health care, politicians, ordinary citizens, and pharmaceutical companies – everybody that would be a"ected by changes to the system. $e stakeholders fully participated in these meetings, progress was being made, and Obama was showing us a new way to deal with thorny issues. He was not only holding

public, transparent meetings, but also, in doing so, undermining the in&uence of lobbyists.

As Republicans watched Obama usher in an intelligent, inclusive form of governing, they starting going ballistic. If Obama was suc-cessful, they would lose power for decades to come and that was more than they could bear. $ough they had been obstructionistic before, they really cranked up the spin machinery and played to every-one’s fear though distortions and outright lies. In the recent past, conservatives had voted to cut Medicare funding, to turn Medi-care into a voucher system, to pay physicians to discuss end-of-life decisions with their elderly pa-tients, socialized pharmaceuticals for the elderly, and the list goes on. Suddenly, everything they had tried to change before the Demo-crats gained control became unac-ceptable.

$ey seized on this excellent opportunity to distract ordinary citizens from their gross misman-agement of the economy and in-creasing the national debt over #ve trillion, with a T, dollars in less than seven years. $ey yelled so loud about death panels, gov-ernment takeover of health care, and socialism that people begin to think the Democrats caused 10% unemployment, fell into bed with Wall Street, and crashed the housing market – all within nine months of assuming power! Now, that is power my friend!

Not only did Obama hold these stakeholder conferences but also he met face-to-face with politi-cians from both parties. More important, some of these meeting were televised and we were able to witness his mastery of the com-plexities involved in changing the health care system. We were able to witness his openness to incor-porating Republican ideas into the reform process. We were able to see #rst-hand that the Republi-cans had no intentions of working with the Democrats to overhaul a

broken system. In spite of total conservative

opposition, Obama folded a num-ber of Republican ideas into the reform process. He accepted the arguments for small business tax breaks and medical malpractice reform, among others. He under-stood that these ideas had merit and would contribute to the suc-cess of health care reform. $e bill is bipartisan even if the votes fail to be. However, the inclusion of these ideas did not stop the relent-less conservative drumbeat that nothing was be!er than some-thing. I have to hand it to them, Republicans are excellent at fear mongering.

We are more than a year down the road since health care reform was introduced. As Obama said the other day, everything that needs to be said about health care has been said. $ere is nothing new to add to the debate. It is time to pass re-form and in the face of continuing Republican opposition, Demo-crats must forget bipartisanship and go it alone.

Polling shows that the primary opposition to reform lies in ig-norance over the details. Overall, people say they do not want the reform bill to pass. However, when informed of the key components (health insurance exchanges, ex-isting coverage unchanged, pro-hibited from denying coverage, close doughnut hole for seniors), they overwhelmingly support it. Space will not allow me to provide all of the details but check the Kai-ser Family Foundation tracking poll of January 2010.

To answer the question I posed about the “cramming/ramming” distortion, I fail to see how a yearlong debate over reform, that included all of the stakeholders, “crams” anything anywhere. Ev-eryone had a say, everyone was heard, and now it is time to pass reform. Let the Republicans take their best shot in November.

By CLAUDIA PARKS RN Columnist

TAMPA, Fla. (March 14, 2010)%A(er two weeks of positive economic reports that bolstered the price of crude oil above $83 a barrel, a report from Reuters/University of Michigan showed the consumer sentiment index dropped to 72.5 when it was expected to increase to 74, reduc-ing the price of crude oil to se!le at $81.24 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange%26 cents less than its $81.50 price last Fri-day.

$e U.S. dollar still plays an im-portant role in the price of crude oil and last week, the dollar weak-ened against other currencies such

as the euro, thus making crude more appealing to foreign inves-tors.

"$e price of crude oil is cur-rently driven by every piece of economic data that is released and the value of the U.S. dollar," said Jessica Brady, manager, Public & Government Relations, AAA Auto Club South. "So, it wasn't shocking to see the price decrease in response to the recent decline in the consumer sentiment index. Retail prices may remain relatively unchanged this week, until we see whether the price of crude oil will continue its decline or increase.

“Consumers in the Southeast

are beginning to worry that retail gas prices will rise to $3 a gallon in the next week or two. While some parts of the nation, like Califor-nia and Hawaii, are already see-ing these high prices, it is unlikely we will see prices rise that high in the next couple of weeks, locally,” added Brady.

$e national average price of unleaded regular gasoline is $2.78 per gallon and re&ects a four-cent increase from last week. Florida’s average price is $2.84, Georgia's average price is 2.71, and Tennes-see’s is $2.54, all of which re&ect an increase of #ve cents, respectively.

CURRENT AND PAST PRICE AVE)GESRegular Unleaded Gasoline Current Week Ago Month Ago Year AgoNational: $2.789 $2.747 $2.628 $1.916Florida: $2.844 $2.797 $2.666 $1.975Georgia: $2.712 $2.667 $2.511 $1.794Tennessee: $2.692 $2.640 $2.511 $1.796

AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report (fuelgaugereport.com) is updated each day and is the most compre-hensive; re&ecting actual prices from credit card transactions within the past 24 hours at two-thirds (100,000 stations) of the gasoline stations in the U.S. Its accuracy is unparalleled.

How much are you paying for gasoline taxes in Florida/Georgia/Tennessee? Use this link: h!p://www.aaasouth.com/acs_news/gas_taxes.asp to #nd out.

GEORGIA SENTINEL Page 3A

N E W S

Although approximately 10 people attended the March 8 meeting of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT), more are needed, said Nick Wimberley, one of the team's co-cap-tains who's been a DAT member for 25 years.

"Red Cross tends to be a transi-tional thing," Wimberley said. Most commonly, he said, membership is lost when volunteers move or their situations change so they are not available when conditions that call for their training occur. And while some positions require more training than others, all are needed.

The DAT provides immediate as-sistance to victims of disaster. They ensure the basic human needs of shel-ter, food, and clothing are met so the recovery process can begin. Although statistics indicate the most common form of disaster in Fannin County is the single-family house fire, volun-teers could also be called upon to help in cases of flood, tornado, chemical spill, or any type of natural or man-made disaster. The team may also deploy in other parts of the U.S. in the event of a large-scale disaster.

"Typically, fires happen when the weather becomes more severe," he said. Most fires occur when inappro-priate heating methods are used or overstressed, as well as at the begin-ning of the season because people have failed to clean their chimneys, he added.

"Until you have the experience of going to a fire where a family is stand-ing outside watching all their posses-sions burn, you don't really fathom the good you can do. There is no or-ganization that does what we do," he said.

In Fannin County, DAT volunteers provide clothing, food and lodging for several days for victims, as well as drinks and refreshments for firefight-ers, Wimberley explained. They also provide comfort kits for both genders with basic toiletries. The children's kit includes a coloring book, crayons and a Red Cross doll or teddy bear.

Team member Rob Posner added that fire victims are very grateful for the help provided by the Red Cross.

"They're almost overcome. They're so taken by the fact we're there for them. Before you even say words, they see that you're there to help," he said.

Providing canteens for firefighters is also part of the team's responsibili-ties.

Although the DAT has most sup-plies at the office, coffee, hot water and cups are provided for firefighters by the local Waffle House. The DAT team captain or designate phones the restaurant upon notification by the fire department that a canteen is needed for firefighters, according to Wimberley. "They're always happy to help us."

Members also plan for major di-sasters by contracting for shelters, of which there are 13 in the county. The newest shelter will be the new county recreation facility.

Some volunteers man booths at health fairs, and others help with blood drives. Some help with coun-seling, office management and techni-cal support. DAT members also raise funds to support the team's activities. Wimberley said that the DAT typi-cally spends $8,000 to $10,000 per year. "We usually try to raise back the money we spend in Fannin County a year," he said.

Training varies according to level of commitment and area of expertise, he said. All DAT volunteers must receive and maintain cardiopulmonary resus-citation (CPR) and First Aid certifica-tion. Volunteers for more specialized services may receive other training, such as canteen, mass care or emer-gency response vehicle training.

Training is free, Wimberley said. Some is available on-line or via DVDs, and some is given at other areas within the Northeast Georgia chapter, which includes Fannin, Dawson, Forsyth, Gilmer, Hall, Habersham, Lumpkin, Pickens, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union and White counties.

For more information about the DAT, call (706) 632-9331 or attend the next meeting April 12 at 10 a.m. at the Red Cross office, 205 Church St., Blue Ridge.

Concerned citizens seek info at forum Red Cross Disaster Team searching for volunteers

decided the name would be Fannin County Tea Party Patriots. It would meet the !rst "ursday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Middle School Cafete-ria if that can be arranged.

O#cers elected were: Chairman Tom Ledford, Vice Chairman Lane Bishop, Secretary-Treasurer Gina Ad-ams.

Future goals to be discussed at next meeting include reassessing the prop-erty tax and to consider a petition ask-ing for reassessment. Joe Webb and Mike Crane will research current laws and how to proceed.

"e Fannin County Tea Party Pa-triots will align with the national Tea Party organization whose stated mis-sion is:

"A nonpartisan grassroots organiza-

tion of individuals united by core val-ues derived from the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States of America and the Bill of Rights. We recognize and support the strength of grassroots organization powered by activism and civic respon-sibility at a local level. We hold that the United States is a republic conceived by its architects as a nation whose people were granted "unalienable rights" by our Creator. Chie$y among these are the rights to "life, liberty and the pur-suit of happiness." "e Tea Party Pa-triots stand with our founders, as heirs to the republic, to claim our rights and duties which preserve their legacy and our own. We hold, as did the founders, that there exists an inherent bene!t to our country when private property and prosperity are secured by natural law and the rights of the individual."

"e next meeting will be at 6 p.m. April 8 at Fannin County Middle School Cafeteria.

Brave:

"e Northwest Georgia Re-gional Commission (NWGRC) assists local governments with im-plementing the Georgia Planning Act of 1989. Local plans address community needs and objectives for economic development, com-munity facilities, natural and his-toric resources, housing, and land use. Plans must be updated every ten years.

An open public forum March 10 organized by David Campbell brought together citizens of Fan-nin County, the three local mem-bers of the Commission, and the NWGRC governing council. "e purpose of the forum was to let citizens know what the NWGRC does and how to contact local members.

Public members Bill Simo-nds, Fannin County Commis-sion Chairman, Donna Whitener, Mayor of Blue Ridge, and non-public member, David Campbell of Campbell and Associates spoke brie$y of their part as part of the Council.

William Steiner, NWGRC ex-ecutive director, gave an overview of how the commission works by encouraging counties and mu-nicipalities to work together to

identify common problems and opportunities and to seek county-wide solutions through joint plans. Local plans were used to develop a joint regional plan that identi!es opportunities for counties and municipalities to work together on a multi-county basis.

NWGRC has prepared a re-gional plan for the 15-county State Service Delivery Region 1, which includes Fannin County. "e NWGRC also assists local governments with preparing solid waste management plans and does administrative paperwork for all agencies. "ese services are imple-mented in partnership with the Georgia Department of Commu-nity A%airs.

Steiner asked Morganton Mayor Barbara Stephens to relate how NWGRC had helped Morganton.

Stephens said when she tried to get help for a water system, other agencies told her Morganton was "too small to qualify." Work-ing with NWGRC and Senators Chambliss and Isaakson, Stephens reported that Morganton now has 100 hydrants and 6-8 and 10" wa-ter lines so when industry wants to locate there, Morganton will have water. Stephens also commended Simonds and Land Development Director Marie Woody for their cooperation and help as they

worked together to bring water to the city of Morganton and the county. Her next project will be to get four streets paved.

Barne& Chitwood, NWGRC Assistant Regional Planning Di-rector distributed a printout of as-sistance given to Fannin County and cities the last 10 years. Most recent was funding in 2010 for sewer system improvements for Fannin-Blue Ridge Industrial Park in the amount of a $300,000 grant award.

NWGRC focuses on four goals: (1) enhancing the character of each community and the region, (2) preparing the character of each community and the region, (3) protection of our natural assets, and (4) cooperating with local and regional neighbors. To do this, the commission works through the Area Agency on Aging, Re-gional Planning, Community and Economic Development and the Workforce Investment Act.

Discussion and questions from the public followed and addressed concerns including the economy, lack of jobs, lack of economic de-velopment, lack of Section 8 hous-ing and agricultural enterprises.

For more information on these programs or for assistance, call 706-272-2300 or visit www.nwgrc.org.

By: Elaine Owen

Sentinel Writer

By: Lisa Gagnon

Sentinel Writer

A group of citizens talk about lack of Section 8 housing.

Nick Wimberley

usually covers FOL meetings.Several members remarked that the article had

hurt the library."People will come in and say, 'I'm sorry the Friends

haven't done anything,' " Librarian Teresa Haymore said. She added that she informs them the group do-nates $5,000 to $10,000 each year to the library.

""ey give me everything I ever ask for," she said.Joiner replied that he hadn't wri&en any part of the

entry.Seay said that the FOL planned to write a re-

sponse."I want the response to be in writing so there is no

doubt about what was said," she said."I will never talk to either of you on the phone,"

she added, referring to the only two members of the media in the room.

"We would like to have a response in writing," Joiner said.

Library Board of Trustees Liaison Keith Jones, who had earlier been approved by the FOL as a vot-ing member, said that he spoke to Harbison, too.

He said Harbison told him the entry didn't have a signature but was listed under le&ers to the editor, because it was partially a le&er, but ""e News Ob-server" had added the graphic and some of the text.

Parliamentarian Joe Webb then requested an ex-ecutive session for the group to compose a response. Joiner asked under what provision the FOL called the session.

Webb explained that the group wanted the public and the media to read the !nal response without hav-ing conversation that preceded the response being made public.

Joiner said public groups were usually only able to call executive sessions for speci!c reasons that included purchase of property and issues regarding employment.

This anonymous letter appeared in the Feb. 19 issue of "The News Observer."

Challenge:

"ese types of laws are called Sunshine Laws or Open Meetings laws. However, they only apply to state and local governmental bodies or agencies or groups that act like governmental bodies. "e FOL is a 501(c)3 and does not meet the criteria of a gov-ernmental body or agency as de!ned in Georgia Code 50-14-1.

However, since no one countered Joiner's state-ment, FOL members discussed other ways to a&ain their goal. "ey were unable to !nd a satisfactory alternative, because, as Seay noted, this was to be a communication from the entire organization, not an individual or group of individuals.

"Under the circumstances, there will be no com-ment," Seay said.

garding United States Department of Agriculture grants that may be suitable for the library. Entities may receive up to $100,000 through the program. During previous meetings, members had discussed using one or more grants to construct a new door and apply to construction of a new building. Although the meet-ing was not well a&ended because of snow, she said, there are plans to reschedule it in Fannin County.

""ere were some matching op-portunities for grants that Donna (Howell) was excited about," she said.

Jones said that, given construc-tion of a free-standing library would not be a short-term goal, other fund-ing options should be considered. "Eventually, what we need...is for the library to become a taxing en-tity, either under the school board or the county. A quarter mill would fund everything the library is doing and more," he said.

""is is not new...It takes you (the library) out of the budget process," Webb said.

Jones added that it would give the library the ability to apply for loans.

"You could plan a lot be&er," re-marked Haymore.

Webb noted that Fannin County is in the bo&om quartile among Georgia's 159 counties in millage.

Members then moved on to other subjects, including the FOL tradi-tional Memorial Day weekend book sale. "e sale takes place May 27-29, and hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fri-day and Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Jones suggested asking authors to donate their signed books for the sale.

Membership Secretary Heidi Rule asked about advertising op-tions.

Various options, including sig-nage, media advertising, $yers, and the Chamber of Commerce's event calendar, were discussed.

Members also discussed a poten-tial membership drive. Rule report-ed that FOL had 45 family member-ships in 2009 and two in 2010.

Jones, who designed a new mem-bership brochure, said that he'd like to design a membership brochure targeting tourists and distribute it at Mercier's Orchards.

Webb added that he was able to get a price of 80 cents for each glossy brochure for Blue Ridge Communi-ty "eater and he'd be happy to give FOL the information.

Seay reported that Linda Rice from Blue Ridge Board Shop will donate a skateboard for a fundrais-ing ra'e.

Haymore reported on plans for the summer reading program for children, teens and adults. It will have a water theme, she said, and for the adults, the library has a book-mark with real seeds. She also said that the library was planning three shows and Simonds had given per-mission to use the jury room at the courthouse.

Linda Foster, the children's ser-vices coordinator at the library is re-tiring, Haymore said. "e regional library has scheduled a reception March 25 at 6 p.m. at Young Har-ris. "ree other part-time employ-ees from nearby libraries will add Fannin library's story times to their duties instead of hiring someone to replace Foster, Haymore said.

She added that, thanks to the purchase of a large screen for mov-ies, the library hopes to increase the number of outdoor movies shown at the Blue Ridge City Park near the courthouse. "I want to have a whole series of movies this summer," she said.

Haymore also said that the quilt drawing will take place at 4 p.m. March 17 at the library and request-ed a FOL board member to choose the winning entry.

"e organization voted to change meeting times to the third Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. "e loca-tion, Blue Ridge United Methodist Church, will remain the same.

Library:

John Foster looks on as Tom Ledford notes time of next meeting.

Have an opinion on any issue? Send us a letter to the editor.... signed, of course.

Page 4A GEORGIA SENTINEL

CALENDAR

Car & Motorcycle Show benefits Relay For LifeThe Relay For Life of Fannin County Car & Motorcycle Show takes place on April 3 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Blue Ridge City Park in front of the Courthouse. The event includes the show, an Easter egg hunt at 1 p.m. and a cakewalk. Awards for the show take place at 4 p.m. Pre-registration fee until April 2 is $15, and day-of-show registration is $20.

The show is sponsored by Century 21 Professional Realty Group and benefits Relay For Life of Fannin County. For more information, contact Vickie Rho-des at (706) 455-5093 or VRhodes_8@hotmail.com or Chris Bradburn at (706) 455-7348.

Children's Theater"James and the Giant Peach," this

season's first Sunny D Children's The-ater play, will open March 26 at 7:30 p.m. Additional performances will be staged March 27 and April 1-3 at 7:30 p.m. and March 27 at 2 p.m. The theater

is located at 2591 East First Street in Blue Ridge. For tickets or more infor-mation, call (706) 632-9223.01.

Byrd family benefits from pancake breakfastA benefit pancake breakfast will be held March 20 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Order of the Eastern Star, Beulah Chapter No. 21, 57 Toccoa Ave. in McCaysville. Cost is $5 per plate. All proceeds benefit the family of Madison Byrd.

Feed FanninFeed Fannin is offering a class on organic gardening on Thursday, March 18, 10:00 a.m. at Family Connections, 101 Industrial Park Blvd. Blue Ridge. For more information, contact Bill Voyles at 404-455-3965.

Superstars of the South WrestlingSuperstars of the South wrestling will be presented by the Fannin County Middle School Chorus March 27 at the middle school gym. The event takes place from 5-10 p.m. and raises funds for the chorus. For more information, call (706) 455-9669.

Special OlympicsfundraiserThe Fannin County Special Olympics School Feud Games will be held from 5:30-9 p.m. at the middle school gym. The game is played like TV's "The Family Feud," and all proceeds go to the Special Olympics.

MOAAThe Blue Ridge Mountains Chapter

America (MOAA) meets the third Monday of each month at various area restaurants. All active duty, National Guard, reserve, retired, former military, Public Health Ser-

surviving spouses are invited to attend.For information please contact one of

the following individuals, in North Caro-lina: Jim Ferrell at 828-335-9203, and in Georgia: John Quinlan at 706-896-2430,

or visit www.moaa.org/chapter/blueridge-mountains.

Surviving in Economic Hard Times

FREE SeminarMarch 25, 2010, 6:00 p.m. - United

Community Bank’s Meeting Room If you would like some guidance in

-

FREE seminar which will be hosted by -

tant, and Susanne Johnson, Regional Vice President of Primerica. The session will be targeted to ages 25 to 50. Topics cov-ered will include budgeting, saving, credit scores, debt elimination, insurance needs and identity theft.

Although the seminar is free, it is nec-essary for you to reserve a seat by calling Sylvia at 706-745-5125 or Susanne at 706-781-1678.

Road to RecoveryAre you a cancer patient? Do you need

a ride to and from your treatment ses-sions? A lack of transportation should not be the reason why cancer patients do not receive the life-saving cancer treatment they need. The American Cancer Society offers their Road to Recovery program to help transport cancer patients to and from their treatment. The Society has a toll-free number that you may call, and an operator will put you in touch with lo-cal volunteers that give cancer patients without personal transportation rides to and from their cancer treatment sessions. Give them a call at 1-800-ACS-2345.

Man to ManProstate Cancer Support Group—3rd

Monday of every month from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at The Cancer Treatment Center Au-ditorium, 750 Deep South Road, Blairs-ville.

Parkinson’s supportOur group meets at 3 p.m. on the 2nd

Wednesday of each month in the confer-ence room of the Union County Public Library. For further information contact Paula Wilde at (706) 745- 6594 or Peter and Helen Schultze at (706) 745-9171.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Blairsville group meets every Monday and Wednesday night at 8 p.m. and Sat-urday mornings at 8 a.m. at the Mountain Presbyterian Church on Hwy. 515. For more information call 706-994-4462.

T.O.P.S.TOPS (Take Pounds Off Sensibly)

support group is moving to a new loca-tion at Zion United Methodist Church, 4812 Young Harris Hwy. Time weigh in 5:00; meeting starts at 5:30. Come join us to learn how to lose weight the sensi-ble way. Membership fee of $24 includes monthly magazine subscription. Monthly awards and contests, weekly programs on nutrition and health. For more infor-mation call Sandy at 706-835-1607.

Morning CoffeeGroup Regency Hospice announces Men’s Morning Coffee Group at Mary Ann’s Restaurant. For men who have a lost spouse, partner, or experienced other losses and would like to share with other men, please join us on Tuesday at 10 a.m. We meet the first and third Tuesday morning of each month.

For more information call Suzanne Repp, Bereavement Counselor at Re-gency Hospice in Hiawassee, Ga., at 800-577-8791.

Cancer SupportGroup

At the United Community Bank in Hayesville, N.C. Patients, families and friends are all welcome to attend. United Community Bank is located at the corner of Hwy. 64 and Hwy. 69. Meeting time is 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The group will meet twice a month (on the 2nd and 4th Mondays). For more information, please call Janet Curns evenings at 828-389-0295.

Narcotics Anonymous WeeklyMeetings List Mondays - 7 p.m. 12-Step meeting at Union County Annex Building located at 71 Hospital Street. This is an open meet-ing. Union County Anti-Drug Coalition

Tuesdays - 4 p.m. Open discussion meeting at Towns County Avita Commu-nity Partners. Meet at 1100 Jack Dayton Circle, Young Harris, Ga.

Tuesdays - 7 p.m. Discussion meeting at Union County Annex Building & New Hope Counseling at 71 Hospital St.

Wednesdays - 6 p.m. Open discussion meeting at Union County Avita Commu-nity Partners. 41 Hospital St., Suite 100, Blairsville.

Fridays - 8 p.m. Open discussion meeting at Union County Annex & New Hope Counseling, 71 Hospital St.

All the meetings are open & anyone can attend. For more information regard-ing any of these meetings, please call 706-897-9775, 706-896-6263 or 706-745-4066.

Bereavement Support GroupMeeting Welcome to a community bereavement support group. A place to share your thoughts and feelings and grow together with others who have experienced the loss of a loved one.

First Thursday of every month at Unit-ed Community Bank, Small Community Room, Blairsville from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

We will only meet once per month. Facilitator: Suzanne Repp, LCSW. The group is presented by Regency Hospice and is free of charge. Please call 1-800-577-8791 or 706-896-1251 for more in-formation.

Young Harris Al AnonThe Young Harris Al Anon Family

Group will meet at 12 Noon every Tues-day in Young Harris, Ga., at Sharp Me-morial United Methodist Church, Room 105. For more information, please call 706-781-3158.

Your Journey from Mourning to Joy

GriefShare is a Biblically-based week-ly support group for people grieving the death of someone close. It’s a place where you can be around people who understand how you feel and the pain of your loss. At GriefShare, you’ll learn valuable information that will help you through this difficult time in your life.

A GriefShare group meets every Tues-day, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. starting Sep-tember 1, at All Saints Lutheran Church in Blairsville. Call 706 745-7777 for more information.

GWRRA meetsChapter J of the Gold Wing Road Rid-

ers Association (GWRRA) meets the fourth Saturday of each month at Daniel’s Steakhouse, Hiawassee, GA. We eat at 11 AM followed by the meeting at 12:00 during which rides and other activities are announced and discussed.

We encourage current members of the GWRRA and anyone interested in becom-ing a member to join us. All motorcyclists are welcome and we look forward to see-ing participants from other chapters. There are great rides coming up and we hope many of you will join us.

For further information, contact Chap-ter Director, June Gottlieb, 706-896-7403

Tri-State BusinessWomen Formerly known as Business Women of Blairsville, the Tri-State Business Women is an organization of entrepre-neurial women in Georgia, North Caro-lina and Tennessee who own and operate their own businesses and are a positive force in the community. Their vision and mission is to support one another in con-tinuing success through networking and marketing.

If you are a woman in business in the area, there is a place for you to receive support, gain leads, and spread the word about your practice or business in the area.

Meetings are held every Tuesday of the month at 8 a.m. at Grinds N Glazes in Blairsville. For more information, please contact Susanne Johnson, President, at 706-781-1678 or Cathy Wheeler at 706-781-1050.

Ga. Mtn. Writers ClubWe meet 10 a.m. to noon the sec-

ond Wednesday of the month at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic church on the Young Harris Highway.

We have no membership dues or elect-

and provide helpful criticism, inspiration, motivation and encouragement to each other. Everyone is welcome. You do not have to be a writer - just visit and enjoy listening to readings and discussion. You will be entertained – and maybe acquire a new interest.

Call for information: Larry Casey at 781-6636 or Ellie Dobson at 745-0678.

Knights of Columbus, North Georgia Council

Knights of Columbus, North Georgia Council, monthly meeting is on the sec-ond Thursday of the month and meets 7:30 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Blairsville. All active mem-bers are invited to attend the meeting and social hour.

Bagpipe InstructionThe Appalachian Saint Andrew’s Pipes

and Drums bagpipe band is offering free instruction to all who want to learn how to play the Great Highland Bagpipe or learn Regimental Drumming. The band meets each Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon in the Parish Hall of Saint Clare’s Episcopal Church for instruction and practice. For further information, please call 706-835-9071 or 706-745-3526.

Mountain HighHiker's Schedule

Mountain High Hikers schedule two hikes each Tuesday, occasionally spe-cialty hike, and regular trail maintaining trips- all in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina and Georgia.

Check the web site: MountainHigh-Hikers.org for schedule and meeting lo-cations or call 828-389-8240 for informa-tion.

Kiwanis ClubThe Kiwanis Club of Blairsville is dedi-cated to serving and supporting young people in the immediate area around Blairsville through numerous projects. The Kiwanis Club meets at the Cobb’s Mill restaurant in Blairsville at 12:00 Noon each Monday. Come join in the fun with us. For more information, con-tact President Charlie Krick at (706)781-6793.

DAVThe Disabled American Veterans meet

monthly on the second Monday of each month at noon in the Old Nursing Home, Room 116, in Blairsville. Please join them.

Club 180 for TeensJoin us on Fridays at 6:30 p.m. for fel-lowship, fun and snacks at Choestoe Bap-tist Church, 4455 Choestoe Church Rd., located south of Blairsville off Hwy. 129 and Hwy. 180. For more information and directions, please call the church at 706-745-6370.

Mountain SoundsWe meet every 2nd & 4th Tuesday

from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30p.m. at the Senior

Center in Blairsville. No matter if you just started playing the dulcimer or if you are experienced, come join us for a good time playing your favorite songs and learning new songs. For more information, please contact LaDale at 706-835-1688 or ray-dale@windstream.net. Hope to see you at our next meeting!

Just 4 HoursJust 4 hours a week can make a big

difference in caring for abandoned and abused animals. Just 4 hours to walk dogs. Just 4 hours to groom dogs or cats. Just 4 house to clean the cattery. Just 4 hours to transport dogs and/or cats to the vet. If you have just 4 hours a week to volunteer your time and energy, please contact Castaway Critters at 706-781-3992 or call Martha at 706-379-2729.

Trout UnlimitedTrout Unlimited meets the 2nd Thurs-

day of each month at Cadence Bank con-ference room in Blairsville at 7:00 p.m. For more information, please call Marcus Tuschel at 706-835-9010.

Experimental Aircraft Association

The Experimental Aircraft Association - local tri-state EAA Chapter #1211 meets the third Thursday, 7 p.m. of each month at Blairsville airport. For more informa-tion, contact Jim Olson at 828-557-2446.

Shooting Creek Basket Weavers The Shooting Creek Basket Weavers Guild meets on the 2nd Wed. of each month from 9:45 until 2:00 at the Shoot-

-tion) in NC. Refreshments are served and a business meeting is held before a weaving project is presented. For more information, contact Joan (Guild presi-dent) at 706-896-1534.

UC Republican PartyThe Union County Republican Party

holds its monthly meetings on the third Saturday of each month at Victoria’s Sweet Shop. Meetings begin at 9am and have an optional breakfast for $6. More information can be found at www.union-gop.org.

Tri-State Business WomenWomen business owners in the tri-state area are welcome to attend and join our weekly meeting every Tuesday at 8am. Meetings are held at the Blairsville Res-taurant with breakfast available to those interested. Come and see how women are making an impact as leaders in our com-munity. For more information visit www.tri-statebusinesswomen.com.

Republican WomenOf Union County

The RWUC meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7pm. Meetings are held in the Brackett Room at the United Com-munity Bank. For more information visit www.RepublicanWomenOfUnion.org.

Mothers ofPreschoolers -ering organization, creates communities and resources to help make "better moms who make a better world." A MOPS group is a place where moms can come-just as they are-to build friendships, re-ceive mothering support, practical help and spiritual hope. Join us - because bet-ter moms, make a better world! Visit us at www.MOPS.org

Mothers of Preschoolers meets on the Third Thursday of each month in the new fellowship hall at First Baptist Church of Blairsville from 6-8pm. Call the church

-tion or email us at mopsofblairsville@gmail.com.

Smokie MountainMelodies

Smokie Mountain Melodies is a ladies barbershop-style chorus whose members

and Western North Carolina. As a chap-ter of Sweet Adelines International, the chorus is committed to a goal of advanc-ing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and perfor-mances.Smokie Mountain Melodies meets every Tuesday night at 6:30 at the First United Methodist of Union County in Blairsville, Georgia located at 859 Highway 515. Any women who have a love of singing are welcome to join. For more informa-tion call the Director, Phyllis Baker at 706-379-3836.

Forming Gourmet Dinner Club dining connoisseurs, must have some gourmet cooking skills and room to host candle light, sit down dinners in your home. Full time and part time residents welcome. Hiawassee and Young Harris. Limited membership. Call Diane 706-835-5007

Amateur RadioAttention HAMs and anyone interested

in Amateur RadioThe North Georgia Tri-State A.R.C.

(Amateur Radio Club) meetings are

7 p.m. at Branan Lodge in Blairsville. All of our meetings are open to the public. Our next meeting is to be held December 1st and will begin with a special techni-cal session on Amatuer Radio Emergency

Tarheel Network in North Carolina. For more information about joining the Club

or becoming a HAM, call Don Deyton at 706-781-6665.

Amateur license testing will be held on December 7th in Blairsville at

310 Welborn Street, Blairsville, GA. Contact Bob Ochs at 706-838-4728 for more information.

DAR MeetingThe December meeting of the Old Uni-

coi Trail Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolu-tion will be held at the Big Springs meet-ing room at The Oaks in Hiawassee, GA, Saturday, December 12th, 2009, at 10:15 AM. OUTDAR members will tell about their memories of celebrating Christmas in other countries. Members will also

club chapter projects. If you are inter-ested in learning more about DAR, an organization for women who have Revo-lutionary War patriots in their family his-tory, contact Eloise Wolfersteig, Regent, 706-379-2533. Old Unicoi Trail Chapter serves Towns, Union, and Fannin Coun-ties. The Old Unicoi Trail homepage is found online at http://oldunicoitrail.geor-giastatedar.org.

Computer ClubThe Mountain Computer User Group Will meets in November on TUESDAY at 7 PM in the Goolsby Center, Young Harris College. Please note this is a change from our normal meeting date. At this time we will be presenting a program on all the new technologies that you can expect to get for Christmas. Come join us as we travel into the land of new technology. You might just get a glimpse of what Santa has in store for you at Christmas this year. Don’t forget we are meeting on Tuesday, November 10th. at 7 PM and not on Monday as we normally do.We will start the evening with our usual Q&A session. Come and join us for a lively session that is bound to increase your computer knowledge. Our Q&A session begins at 6 PM. Bring a friend and join us for the evening, you’ll be glad you did.

Union CountyRepublican PartyThe Republican Party will be holding its monthly meeting on Saturday, Janu-ary 16th at 9:00 am at Victoria’s Sweet Shop at 2386 Young Harris Highway, Blairsville. A buffet breakfast for $6 will be available and is optional. Everyone is invited to attend and meet candidates for

are: Max Wood, running for Attorney

General - By way of Presidential appoint-ment, Max Wood served as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia beginning in 2001. He served as the Chief Prosecutor and law enforce-

70 county Middle District of Georgia. This district includes the cities of Athens, Macon, Columbus, Albany and Valdosta.

Insurance Commissioner - She is a con-servative running to serve Georgia as Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner. Pro Fair Tax, Pro Gun, and Pro Life.

Doug MacGinnitie, candidate for Secretary of State Candidate - Doug be-lieves the key to creating jobs during the current recession is a focus on small business.“More than 75 percent of jobs that are created in this kind of recession are created at the small business level,” he said. “If you care about jobs in the state, then you should care about small business.”.

Melvin Everson, running for Labor Commissioner - Republican Melvin Everson has developed a reputation for strong, conservative leadership as a State Representative from Gwinnett County. Prior to being elected to the State Legis-lature, he was elected City Councilman in Snellville twice. Everson has made a dif-ference for those he has served at both the local and state level. He served 23 years in the military before retiring in 1999.

Additional information may be ob-tained at www.uniongop.org or by calling 706-781-1013.

Patriots of UnionCounty The Patriots of Union County meet on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 P.M. at the Civic Center (next to Steve's Steak House). 185 Wellborn St. This is a non-partisan group and every-one is invited.

The meetings will feature discussions on Constitutional rights, state's rights, right to bear arms, Fair Tax, border secu-rity, energy dependence and more.

A canned and non-perishable food drive will be held in conjunction with the meeting for the 9th District Food Bank

For more information call: 706-745-7201

Auto ClubThe next meeting of the Good Neigh-

bors Auto Club will be on Thursday starting at 7:00 PM. Meeting to be held at Brothers Restaurant in Murphy, NC. All meetings are open to the public and are held on the third Thursday of

each month.

Mountain Community SeniorsThey meets second Thursday each month at Senior Center in Hiawassee at 2:00 P.M.. We invite and welcome all Mountain Seniors from Towns, Union and Clay Counties to join us. We have Music, Informative speakers, picnics

We have Roy Perrin, Principal of Towns County High School who will give us his very entertaining rendition of Elvis. Light refreshments served. Do come join us.

Master GardenerOrganizationalMeetinginterested in supporting projects in Towns and Union counties, please join us at 6PM, March 18th at the Blairsville Civic Center for an organizational meet-ing. We will discuss potential projects, as well as review possible meeting locations and dates and time for monthly meetings. For additional information, please contact Patti Bransford at 706-896-6430, or cell 706-781-4040. email: bransford@brmemc.net The Master Gardener Program in Georgia is a volunteer training program designed to help Extension agents transfer research-based information about gardening and related subjects to the public by training home gardeners. For more information about the Master Gardener program in your area, contact

you.

Mountain Coin Clubmeets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.Early activities begin at 5:30. Meeting follows at 6:30 p.m. The club meets at Cadence Bank in Blairsville. For more information, call YOCS, 706-379-1488.

Un ion : Recur r i ng EventsSUPPORT

Fann in : Upcoming Events

ACTIVITIES

Some look to things to satisfy,To bring euphoria and contentment.

But pursuit of more can lead to miseryAnd the never-satiated desire for greater possessions.

Some hope to have a life without trialsAnd so seek to avoid pitfalls that would bring sorrow.Along the journey the traveler must take heed to self.

Peace and joy are inward traits; the way we think is who we are. -Ethelene Dyer Jones

“I’ve learned from experience that the greater part of happiness or misery

depends on our dispositionsand not on our circumstances.”

-Martha Washington

Worth ConsideringA thought for today

Submit your events to the The Sentinel

Community Calendar!828-389-8338

or news@wncsentinel.net

GEORGIA SENTINEL Page 5A

COMMUNITYTributes

Donald Lee Cox Mr. Donald Lee Cox age 81 of Highland Trace

Blairsville formerly of Palm Springs, FL., passed away on Saturday March 13,2010 in the Union General Hospital following a brief ill-ness. Mr.Cox was born on Nov.13,1928 in Dayton,OH., the son of the late Paul and Clara Cox. He was a veteran of the US Army. He had retired from Bell South Telephone Company. Donald enjoyed surfing ,scuba diving ,racing cars and jumping out of air-planes. He was preceded in death by his par-ents and two sisters,Polly and Helen. Mr.Cox was a member of Antioch Baptist Church.

Surviving Mr.Cox are his loving wife of twenty five years, Vanessa Cox of Blairsville, four children, Debbie and Curtis Bland of R .I., Tracey Cox of

Augusta,GA ., Jeff and Penny Cox of Rex,GA ., Holly Cox of Schertz,TX., several cousins, nieces, nephews,

many other relatives and friends also survive. Funeral services will be held on Wednes-

day, March 17, 2010 at 2:00pm from the An-tioch Baptist Church with the Rev. George Cline officiating. Special music will be presented by Susanne Dowdy. In lieu of flowers if you wish, the family requests that memorials may be made to the Antioch

Baptist Church in memory of Mr.Cox. The family will meet with friends on Wednesday

from 1-2 pm at the Antioch Baptist Church. Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville in

charge of the arrangements. You may sign the fam-ily guest book and send condolences on line at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com

Vernon Hancel Barnes Mr. Vernon Hancel Barnes age 67 of Mt.Pleasant

Church Rd. Blairsville passed away on Monday, March 8, 2010 in the Union General Hospital follow-ing a brief illness. Mr.Barnes was born on March 8, 1942 in Union County, the son of the late Lo-man Barnes and the late Beulah Blue Barnes. He was a native and lifelong resident of Union County. He enjoyed hunting , fish-ing , and spending time with his family. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Nor-ma Jean Barnes and a son, Ronnie Barnes. Mr.Barnes was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving Mr.Barnes are his loving wife of fifty years, Belva Jean Brown Barnes of Blairsville, son and daughter in law, Johnny and Debbie Barnes of Blairsville, daughter, Diane Green of Blairsville, daughter and son in law, Sarah and Nelson Patterson of Blairsville, son, Keith Barnes of Blairsville, one brother, Claude Barnes, four sisters and three brother in laws, Maude and Gene Henson, Sue and Ronnie Ware, Josephine Phillips, Kay and Harold Cook, eight grandchildren, Greg and Andy

Barnes, Avery, Shane and Cody Patterson, Cory and Amy Green and Ashley West, ten great grandchildren, Gage and Kane Barnes, Faith, Mason and Bradley West, Alyssa and Keirra Barnes, Chase Payne, Trenton and Russell Barnes, many other relatives and friends

also survive. Funeral services will be held on Thursday

March 11,2010 at 2:00pm from the Moun-tain View Chapel with the Rev. Ray Potts officiating. Special music will be presented by the Kelley Trio. The following gentleman will serve as pallbearers, Dan Payne, Richard

West, Cory Green, Shane Patterson, Greg Barnes and Adam Payne. Serving as honorary

pallbearers will be, Ronnie Ware, Gene Henson and Leonard Sosebee. Interment will follow in the

Birch Cemetery. The family will meet with friends at the funeral home.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the fam-ily guest book and send condolences on line at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com

Willa Mae Dockery Willa Mae Dockery, age 96, of Blairsville, GA and

formerly of Murphy, NC passed away Monday, March 8, 2010 at the Union General Hospital in Blairsville, GA .

She was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County, NC and the daughter of the late Noah and Dovie Fricks McDonald. Willa Mae was a homemaker. She was a member of the Hia-wassee Baptist Church where she loved go-ing and had taught Sunday school in her younger years. Willa Mae enjoyed quilting and gardening.

In addition to her parents she was pre-ceded in death by her husband, Clyde An-drew Dockery; one son, Mack Alden Dockery; three brothers, Fred McDonald, Olen McDon-ald and Leonard McDonald; three sisters, Bessie Johnson, Beatrice Kephart and Lola Dockery.

She is survived by three sons, Guy Charles Dock-ery and his wife, June King Dockery of Lebanon, TN, Dennis Dockery and his wife, Marie G. Dockery of Murphy, NC and Noah Odis Dockery and his wife, Betty Ellen Hall Dockery of Kingston, TN; one daughter, Eva Beth Decker and her husband, Billy

M. of Blairsville, GA; one brother, J.D. McDonald of Cary, NC; one sister, Nettie Green of Sylva, NC; sev-en grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services were held at 11:00 AM, Thurs-day, March 11, 2010 at the Townson-Rose Funeral

Home Chapel in Murphy, NC. Pastor Jim Beasley and Dr. Eddis Dockery officiated. Burial was be

in the Hiawassee Baptist Church Cemetery. Grandchildren and great grandchildren served as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at the Townson-Rose Funeral

Home in Murphy, NC. In lieu of flowers memorials may be

made to the Hiawassee Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Linda K . Seabolt, 95 Bates Creek Road, Murphy, NC 28906.

You may send tributes to the Dockery family at www.mem.com or view other obits at www.townson-rose.com

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of ar-rangements.

Paula Paris Johnson Paula Paris Johnson, age 70, of Blairsville, Geor-

gia passed away on Thursday, March 11,2010 at Emo-ry University Hospital in Atlanta following complica-tions from MS. Paula was born on June 15, 1939 in Atlanta, the daughter of the late Paul Paris and the late Edith Floyd Paris.

She is survived by her son Paul Stanley of Gainesvillle, Georgia; her sister Mary Carol Adamson, of LaGrange; Commissioner La-mar Paris, the sole commissioner of Union County; two grandchildren, Phillip Stanley and Elizabeth Stanley both of Gainesville; several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Paula never met a stranger, and if she did they were not strangers for very long. She loved Blairsville and everything--and every-one--in it. She was born and raised in Blairsville. She graduated from Young Harris College and went on to graduate from the Great University of Geor-gia with a degree in Home Economics. She later obtained a masters degree in that field. She loved people and spent her career helping others as a Home Extension Agent in Inverness, Florida. After 30 years she returned to Blairsville to retire among friends and family and moved into the home her mother lived in before her. She was a member of Kiwanis--an organi-zation that her father, Paul Paris, help found and was the first president. She liked any group where there were people to listen to her stories and they had some food to eat. It wasn't that she liked to eat, but that the

food drew a bigger crowd to talk to. She was an avid supporter of the Union County Historical Society--an organization that her mother, Ms. Edith, helped or-ganize and presided over. She was part of the reunion committee for the Union County Class of '56--and they got together just about every Tuesday morning for breakfast. Not to mention the Saturday Morning

Breakfast group, the Taco Tuesday group, the Young Harris group, the Monday Night group

(when it did not conflict with Kiwanis), a Wednesday breakfast group, and NARFE... and the list could go on. She loved to make desserts of all kinds. She will be greatly missed by all. Don't forget to keep your

fork . Funeral services were held on Saturday,

March 13, 2010 at First United Methodist Church of Union county in Blairsville with the

Rev. Ben Lewis officiating. Internment was in Union MemoryGardens, next to her late husband Cody Johnson and near her parents.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to any of her favorite causes: The Union County Historical Society, The First United Methodist Church of Union County Building Fund, Blairsville Kiwanis Club or Young Harris College Alumni Association.

Mountain View Funeral Home in Blairsville is co-ordinating the arrangements. You may sign the fam-ily guest book and send condolences online at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com.

Randall "Randy" Evan King Mr.Randall “Randy”Evan King age 47 of Mountain

Cycles Drive Blairsville rode o! into the sunset for the last time on Monday March 8, 2010 from the Union Gen-eral Hospital following an extended illness. Randy was born on May 9,1962 in Union County,the son of Sam King and Geneva Davis King Chastain. He was a native and lifelong resident of Union County and was a 1980 graduate of Union County High School. He owned and operated Mountain Cycles Repair Shop for several years.Randy loved life and lived each day to the fullest. He was a loving son,brother and nephew and was a friend to many. Randy was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving Mr.King are his mother, Geneva Chastain of Blairsville, father, Sam King of Blairsville, one brother and sister in law, Ricky and Jeri King of Blairsville, one sister, Tanya Chastain of Blairsville, niece, Chantell King

of Blairsville, aunts, Beulah Davis, Ellaree Fortenberry, Lu-cille Collins, Hazel Dyer and Irene Seabolt, uncle, Cecil King, many other relatives and friends also survive.

Funeral services will be held on "ursday March 11,2010 at 11:00am from the Mountain

View Chapel with the Rev. Larry Truelove of-#ciating. Special music will be presented by the Kelley Trio. "e following gentleman will serve as pallbearers, Darren Groves, Michael Davis, Mark Mull, Mike Hill, Cal Kindy and Joe Young. Interment will follow in the Burch

Cemetery. "e family will meet with friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from

5-9pm. Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville in charge

of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences on line at www.mountainviewfu-neralhome.com

Wayne H. Ledford Mr. Wayne H. Ledford, age 74, of McDonough, GA

passed away March 10, 2010. He was born in Murphy, NC to the late Olen William and Naomi Elizabeth Coleman Ledford. He was preceded in death by parents, and one sister, Sandra Robinson.

Wayne was a native of Murphy, but lived most of his life in the Atlanta area. He worked 36 years at AT&T, being formerly the Western Electric and Lucent Technologies. In 1969, he was part of a selected group of Western Electric employees sent to Europe when a telephone cable line was laid on the Atlantic Ocean $oor from the eastern U.S. to the coast of Spain. He was of the Baptist Faith and a member of the Liberty Baptist Church in NC. One of Wayne’s biggest passions was playing the electric

guitar. His idol was Chet Atkins, known as “Mister Gui-tar.” Wayne was a long time member of the annual meet-ing of the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society.

Survivors included his wife, of over 50 years, Ka-milla Ledford; sons, Eric Ledford of Porterdale,

GA, Stephen Ledford of McDonough, GA; brothers, Donald Ledford of Plantation, FL, and David Ledford of Huron, TN.

Funeral Services were conducted Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 7:00 P.M. from the Chapel

of the Finch-Cochran Funeral Home. Arrangements were entrusted to the Finch-

Cochran Funeral Home, McCaysville, GA. www.cochranfuneralhomes.com

Frances Louise MilhizerFrances Louise Milhizer of Blue Ridge, Georgia passed

away at her home on Saturday March 6, 2010. Miss Mil-hizer was born in Fannin County to the late Charles and Ki%ie Bell (Anderson) Milhizer. Family members preced-ed Frances in death and she is survived by close friends and her church family.

Frances was a life-long member of the Blue Ridge United Methodist Church and a Certi#ed Lay Speaker. She was an active member of the United Methodist Women, Saints Alive, Missions and the Adminis-trative Church Council.

Active in the local community, Frances was a Charter Member of the Blue Ridge Federated Woman’s Club and served as an o&cer for over 25 years. She was a graduate of the Tallulah Falls Boarding School owned by the Georgia Federa-tion of Woman’s Clubs. She has been an active volunteer with the Good Samaritans of Fannin County helping to coordinate #nancial assistance to Fannin County neighbors in need.

Her professional career included insurance sales, pub-lishing and editing the monthly Mountain Highlights, marketing and sales for an area resort, encyclopedia sales and an employment training counselor with the Depart-ment of Human Resources. Frances also was an employee of the Fannin Sentinel for several years and was well liked and enjoyed by the community as well as her co-workers.

Miss Milhizer obtained a Bachelor in Education in 1956 from the University of Georgia at Athens, a Masters in Education from Western Carolina University in Cul-lowhee in 1964 and an Education Specialist in Adminis-

tration and Supervision in 1971 from the University of Georgia. Her teaching career included Curriculum Direc-tor for Habersham, Pickens and Oconee County School Systems, a'er ten years teaching #rst through eighth grade in Fannin County Schools. University appointments in-cluded Adult Education Director for Morehead State Uni-versity in Kentucky and Adjunct Faculty for Brenau Col-lege. Honors received included Georgia Commissioner’s Award for Outstanding Service, selection to Outstanding

Elementary Teacher of America and to the Who’s Who Among Child Developmental Profession-

als.Funeral services were held "ursday, March

11, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of the Blue Ridge United Methodist Church with Dr. John T. Brantley o&ciating. Interment fol-lowed in the family plot at Harmony Church

Cemetery.Pallbearers were Tom Pa%erson, Tommy Van-

noy, Gary Gray, Randy Brown, Gordon Riddock, Jim Lassiter, John Davis, and Jim Mayhugh. Honorary pall-bearers were members of the Blue Ridge Federated Wom-an’s Club and the Good Samaritans of Fannin County.

Donations in memory of Frances Milhizer may be made to the Memorial Fund of the Blue Ridge United Method-ist Church or to the Good Samaritans of Fannin County, both at Post O&ce Box 85, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513.

Remembrances and memories of Frances can be shared on her guest book pages at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge was in charge of ar-rangements for Frances Louise Milhizer.

Howard Reece Mr. Howard Reece, age 89, of McCaysville,

GA, passed away Friday, March 5, 2010 at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta. Mr. Reece was born in Cherokee County, GA to the late Charles Jefferson and Ber-tha Cochran Reece. Howard was a U.S. Navy Veteran who served in WWII. He was a Dea-con and trustee of The First Baptist Church of McCaysville Copperhill , and a member of the McCaysville Masonic Lodge. He re-tired from the Cities Service Company.

Mr. Reece was preceded in death by sisters, Hattie Pruitt, Ruby Hall, and sister, Frances Larkin, and brother, James Hubert Reece.

Howard is survived by his wife, Dorothy Stanley Reece; daughter, Mary Alice Walker; son, Ronald Ste-phen ( Janine) Reece; son, William H. "Buck" (Don-na) Reece Jr.; sisters, Anna Bell Peterson, and Willa Mae Bilskis, brother, Charles J. Reece Jr., and John B. "Buster" Reece; grandchildren, Brian Walker, Sarah

Walker, Chad Reece, Aaron Reece, Cristy Woody, Emily Reece, and Elizabeth Reece, and great grand-children, Reece Walker, Nathan Walker, C.J. Reece and Cayden Reece.

Funeral services were held Monday March 8, 2010 at 1:00 PM from the First Baptist Church McCa-

ysville/ Copperhill with Rev. Scott Baugh and Rev. Harry Gilbert officiating. Music was pro-vided by The Prime Time Choir. Serving as pallbearers were Brian Walker, Chad Reece, Aaron Reece, Jason Woody, John Barry Re-ece and Randy Reece. Honorary Pallbearers

were Deacons of the First Baptist Church of McCaysville/Copperhill . Burial followed in

the Crestlawn Cemetery with Military Honors provided by The North GA Honor Guard. Arrangements were entrusted to the Finch-Co-

chran Funeral Home of McCaysville. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com

Bernadette Marie Larkin Mrs.Bernadette Marie Larkin age 87 of Lake-

side Drive Blairsville passed away on Monday March 8,2010 in the Fannin Regional Hospital following an extended illness.Mrs.Larkin was born on July 19,1922 in Sioux City,Iowa,the daughter of the late John Mon-roe Savage and the late Alice Clay Savage.She was a loving mother,grandmother and great grandmother.She was preceded in death by her husband,Ralph Lar-kin Jr.in 1971.Mrs.Larkin was of the Methodist faith.

Surviving Mrs.Larkin are two daughter and son in law,Sandra and Dick Sowers of Blairsville,Teresa and Mark Gaechter of Eugene,OR .,four grandchi

ldren,Denise,Stacee,Chad and Nicole,seven great grandchildren,many other relatives and friends also survive.

A memorial service will be held at a later date from Rose Hills Memorial Park in W hittier,CA .with Rev.Dennis Larkin officiating.In lieu of flowers if you wish,the family requests that memorials may be made to the American Lung Association in memory of Mrs.Larkin.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville in charge of the arrangements.You may sign the family guest book and send condolences on line at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com

Major Monroe Payne Mr. Major Monroe Payne, native and lifelong

resident of Blairsville, Georgia, passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2010, in Union County Nursing Home in Blairsville. Mr. Payne was born Wednesday, August 30, 1916, as son of the late Charles Monroe and the late Virginia Ross Payne, in Union County. He was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and was a 50+ year member of Youngcane Masonic Lodge. Mr. Payne was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Grace, in 2009, and an infant daughter, Nettie Virginia Payne.

Surviving family members include: daugh-ter and son-in-law, Blanche and Jimmy Huddleston of Blairsville; grandsons, Daryl Norwood and Curt Norwood, both of Kentucky; step grandaughter, Rhonda Campbell of Virginia and step-granson, Jim

Huddleston III of Kentucky. 6 great grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services were held Friday, March 12, 2010 at 11:00 AM from the Chapel of the Cochran Funeral

Home of Blairsville with Rev. Steve Youngblood officiating. Interment was in Pleasant Hill Bap-

tist Church Cemetery. The family met with friends on Thursday, March 11, 2010, from 5:00 until 8:00 PM, at the funeral home. Serving as pallbearers were the following gentlemen: David Abercrombie, Michael

Abercrombie, Kenny Blevins, Carlton Cham-bers, John Foster, and Richard W heeler. Arrangements entrusted to Cochran Funeral

Home of Blairsville. Please send condolences and sign the guest registry at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

Page 6A GEORGIA SENTINEL

CO M M U N I T Y

Contributed PhotoGreg Mitts from the Gainesville of-!ce of the U.S. Census Bureau, told chamber members how important it is to return census forms.

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County Development Director Stephanie Scearce took the podium during the March 9 county commis-sion meeting to inform the commis-sioners and audience of the progress of plans to a!ract and retain busi-nesses in Fannin County.

"We are really wanting to target the retail sector this year," she said.

At a previous Development Au-thority meeting, Scearce had tar-geted three types of businesses for marketing e"orts--retail, back o#ce and industry. Back o#ce service centers perform an organization's in-ternal operations, such as managing payroll, administering health savings accounts, billing and data entry.

$e authority plans to purchase land for a business park to a!ract more businesses, she said. She add-ed that Fannin County residents are now seeing the result of planning and hard work.

Commissioners voted unani-mously to approve adoption of a resolution for the grant application from the Georgia Department of Transportation for Mountain Area Transportation System (MATS) vans. "$is is just a homework, clean-up type thing," Chairman Bill Simonds said.

$e Local Assistance Road Pro-gram (LARP) contract from the Department of Transportation was also approved. Simonds said the county should receive $82,000 from the grant for road work.

Commissioners approved vari-ances for Ray Godfrey, Ben Harper, Anthony and Judy Konen, and John Rupke. All three commissioners re-marked that they visited or a!empt-ed to %nd each site personally before approving the variances.

David Campbell, who was re-cently appointed to the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission, invited all to a!end a presentation from Executive Director Barne! Chitwood the following day.

Simonds and Post 1 Commission-er Garne! Webb urged the public to visit the new recreation building. Simonds commented that Johnson Paving should begin paving in ap-proximately two weeks.

Webb said that plans for an assist-ed living facility near the RiverStone

Medical Campus should be com-pleted soon. He remarked that his mother had lived in an assisted liv-ing facility, so having one in Fannin County is very important to him.

"I made a commitment a&er that that I would be very supportive of an assisted living facility in Fannin County," he said.

He added that Christian Henning of Christian Companies, LLC in-formed him that work would begin in April or early May, and the project would employ local workers. "It will give us needed new jobs and stretch the money in our county budget," he said.

Later, he became more speci%c, saying that the facility would have an Alzheimer's wing and would em-ploy 32 to 35 part-time and full-time employees.

$e Fannin County Board of Commissioners meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. on the third 'oor of the court house.

Greg Mi!s, assistant manager for recruiting for the U.S. Census Bu-reau, gave members of the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce li!le-known facts about the census during the chamber's March 10 meeting.

Two things most people don't know is that %lling out the census form and being counted puts mon-ey into the county government. Secondly, the number of residents determines the number of seats Georgia has in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Every person counted by the census is worth at least $1,200 to the community annually. In 2000, Fannin County had only a 53 per-cent return rate on census forms, the lowest of the 16 counties in the Gainesville section.

According to Mi!s, the average nationwide return rate is 72 per-cent. He believes the reason so few county residents returned the cen-sus form in 2000 is because of gov-ernment mistrust and the di#culty of reaching some areas.

$e census helps determine how much each community receives from more than $400 billion allo-cated annually. It helps determine locations of and funding for hospi-tals; job training centers; schools; senior centers; bridges; tunnels and other public works projects; and emergency services.

Blue Ridge Mayor Donna Whitener said there were only two bids for paving River Street down to Fain Street in Blue Ridge. Johnson Paving submi!ed a bid for $23,927.85 and TRC Hauling and Paving’s bid was $17, 852. Tim Cook of TRC explained the di"erence in "F Mix" and "E Mix" was that compacted E Mix was used mostly for highways, was smoother, gave a be!er ride and that F Mix was not as durable.

A&er much discussion, council member Rhonda $omas made a motion to accept TRC’s bid and Rodney Kendall seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous.

In other business, the city council:

Voted to allow Fannin County building inspectors to conduct building inspections for the city of Blue Ridge and authorized the city a!orney to draw up new rules and regulations. Blue Ridge’s previous inspector Clyde Fortner passed away earlier this year, prompting the mayor and council to consider using county inspectors Tom Wright and Keith Nicholson for the city’s building inspections.

Approved opening a new bank account for police %ne online payments to make it easier for out-of-towners to pay %nes.

Did a second reading and ap-proved an a&er hours service charge ordinance that would add

$50 for an a&er hours service fee when a reconnection of water service is done a&er normal ser-vice hours, on a weekend or dur-ing a holiday at the request of the customer.

Approved the car and motorcy-cle show in City Park April 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the Easter Egg Hunt at 1 p.m. All proceeds will go to Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society.

Authorized insulating the wa-ter line at Curtis Switch Bridge at a cost of $9,000 to $10,000. Rea-soning for the expenditure was based on three repairs made this winter at costs of approximately $3,000 each.

Approved the Eaton Road wa-ter line, with Michael Eaton ab-staining from vote. $e water line will cost approximately $2,500.

Approved changing o#ce hours to 8:00 to 5:00 with a 'ex-ible schedule as long as o#ce was covered during those hours. Rea-soning was that residents expect o#ce to be open until 5 to pay bills and the hours would corre-spond with county’s o#ce hours.

Authorized Mayor Whitener and clerk April Grizzell to sign all documents related to borrowing from Georgia Environmental Fa-cilities Authority (GEFA).

$e council also voted to rec-ommend the Planning Commis-sion meet to consider changing the membership of the board from three to %ve, deleting the requirement that one member serve on the Zoning Board and

amend to read "one member to a!end Zoning Board (not des-ignating a speci%c member), re-quire that 15 days prior notice of the hearing be placed in the local printed news media and delete the requirement that notice be sent to owners of property abut-ting or across the street from the subject property.

Bill Sowers said amendment to ordinance was not needed to allow 3-way stop sign at Church Street and East Main Street if a regulation sign was installed.

A Valet Service Proposal from Brenda Ba!aglia to provide valet service for the city to the park-ing lot by Brown’s Feed Store was discussed and questions about insurance, liability and cost were raised. Council determined more discussion was necessary and fur-ther action was not taken.

In other ma!ers, Sarah Verner, executive director of Blue Ridge

Mountain Arts Association, asked that council consider clos-ing the street side of the park be-tween First Baptist Church and Ted’s Body Shop to make more room for Arts in the Park ven-dors. She stated that 250 applica-tions had already been received and unless more space was avail-able, that number could not be accommodated. She commented that this would be the same area that is blocked o" for the Labor Day BBQ and that Arts in the Park routinely brings $15,000-$20,000 to the city. While the council was favorable to the re-quest, the church had not been contacted. Mayor Whitener stated that she would consult with the church before acting on request..

Blue Ridge City Council meets the second Tuesday every month at 7 p.m. $e public is invited to a!end.

Complete the census, help your country

TRC Hauling and Paving wins contract with city

Scearce talks development at commissioners meeting

By: Lisa Gagnon

Sentinel Writer

$e census also determines the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.

$is year, all households will re-ceive a short form of only 10 ques-tions. Deadline for returning the form is April 10. It is important that citizens return the form on time so that follow-up visits and calls are not necessary. Also, the government saves $80 million for each additional one percent of mail return.

Mi!s said the long form has been replaced by the American Commu-nity Survey, which goes to approxi-mately 10 percent of homes. Census questions and choices sometimes change as a result of new informa-tion about the country's population. $is year, the census form asks two questions regarding race and ethnic-ity.

Question 8 asks: "Is Person 1 of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish ori-gin?"

Question 9 asks: "What is Person 1's race?"

Mi!s said census workers are still needed. "$ere are 96 people employed (census workers) in Fan-nin County right now. We are still struggling with recruiting," he said. He added that the bureau estimated more than 100 employees are need-ed.

Pay for %eld workers is $11.75 per hour with a 50-cent-per-mile transportation reimbursement. Training takes place twice a week at the chamber o#ce. If there are not enough workers in Fannin County, Mi!s said they will get help from Gilmer and Union counties.

Mi!s said, "$is is the best tem-porary part-time job to come along in ten years." He added that it is 'ex-ible work that includes weekend and evening hours. On average, cen-sus takers work 20 to 40 hours per week.

To apply for a position, appli-cants should call (866) 861-2010. $e Census Bureau is looking for U.S. citizens, 18 years of age or older, with a valid Social Security number.

By: Lisa Gagnon

Sentinel Writer

Contributed Photo Stephanie Scearce, director of the Fannin County Development Authority, revealed plans to attract more business.

By: Elaine Owen

Sentinel Writer

Contributed PhotoMayor with Council (L-R seated) Wayne Hu"man, Mayor Donna Whitener, Rhonda Thomas, (standing) Harold Herndon, Michael Eaton, Rodney Kendall

F!""#"S$"%#"$&PUBLISHER: Frank Bradley

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Debbie WalkerCIRCULATION: Debbie Walker

$e Fannin Sentinel (USPS # 024-582) is published weekly each $ursday by Senti-nel News Group at P.O. Box 799, Blue Ridge, GA 30153. Subscriptions are $25 for 1 year in Fannin County; $45 out of area. Single copy rate is 50¢. Periodical postage is

paid at Blue Ridge, GA. To subscribe: call 706.632.6397.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the address listed below: Fannin Sentinel,

P.O. Box 799, Blue Ridge, GA 30153

828-389-8338CORRECTIONS: If you %nd a mistake of fact in the Fannin Sentinel that is seri-

ous enough to warrant a correction or clari%cation, call or stop in so we can make it right in the next week's edition. Email us at fannin@georgiasentinel.com

one of the keynote speakers at the re-cent National Tea Party gathering in Washington.

Bill Stephens has also served in the Georgia State Senate, including being its leader. He said he was for Fairtax, term limits, and a freeze on federal spending. Stephens traces his family roots to Union and Fannin counties,

and is well known in this region.Jeremy Jones, who is running for

the U.S. Congress, said, he supports Fairtax and ge!ing a handle on illegal immigration. He said he is only run-ning to %ll Nathan Deal's unexpired term and would not be running for the regular two-year term in Novem-ber. $at way you will know that I will devote my full a!ention to serving you during this period he said, and that he would not have to be out cam-paigning.

Doctor:

Place your ad in our classi!eds and reach thousands of North Georgia readers. Cost is only $5 for the !rst 10 words for one

week in Union, Towns and Fannin Counties. Call (828) 389-8338CLASSIFIEDS

Now accepting applications Hiawassee Huddle House 706-970-0631

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Brown Couch, 2 years old, $25.00, Rollaway bed, $65.00 706-896-0565

Gorgeous, soft green, Coun-try French, distressed China Cab-inet. Original Price $1,950.00 will sell for $475.00. I will be happy to e-mail pictures for anyone in-terested. Call 706-897-5728

2008 Jayco Feather for Sale : 19’9” Camper $12,799.00. Ex-cellent condition, only used during travel one time. Have used where it sits 2 times. Have sway tow bar ( worth $400) , electronic brake adjuster, 12 ‘ x 9’ awning, full kitchen, gas stove/oven,microwave, cd/ra-dio, shower ( inside and out) . Please contact ONLY if serious about looking at it, and pos-sibly purchasing. It is located 2 miles south my home, in a rental space, so like I said please be se-rious if wanting to see/purchase it! Located south of Blairsville, just north of Vogel State Park.

Queen bed, sofa folds down to a full sizes bed, Tires like new ( about 200 miles on them)

e-mail me at : scottan59@ya-hoo.com if you would like pho-tos Call 706-781-1748

For Sale Dining Room Table with 4 chair, handmade solid hardwood, asking $200 call 828-735-1328

Happy Jack Mitex For ear mites in rabbits, dogs, or cats, ask for Happy Jack Mitex. Con-tains no IGR’s., Hiawassee Feed

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Eagle Restoration, LLC., Staining and Pressure Cleaning. 706-632-6266 eaglerestoration-llc.com

Cooking with Kara *NEW* The Hiawassee Health Hut, your nat-ural grocer. 3243 Dogwood Lane Hiawassee GA. Open Tuesday-Friday from 8-3 p.m. and Satur-days from 9-4. Saturday morning cooking classes from 11-1. For more information call Kara 828-389-7044. Visit: www.Cooking with Kara.com

A and R Landscape Residen-tial and Commercial Lawn Care. Plant, turf and grassing, lot clean-up, mulching and retain-ing walls. 706-994-2457

Tile installer your tile or mine, 26 years experience have refer-ences and liability insurance. Ask for Don at 828-389-9394

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all types of finishes & textures 100% Quality Driven. Free Es-timates cell: 828-508-5270 of-fice(1): 828-321-2111 office(2): 828-479-4052

Massage Therapy- in the com-fort of your home. Licensed and insured. 18 years experience, call Gerri; 1 hour $40; Half hour $25; 706-896-6108.

Bush hogging, Stump-grind-ing, gardens plowed, gravel-roads/driveways scraped, post-holes dug, sickle mowing. Free estimates, reasonable rates, dependable service. (828) 837-7809 Cell: (828) 361-8738

Housing Crisis hitting home? Payments straining your wallet? Call 877-835-8904 to lower your Mortgage payments.

Walker Storage Corner of Old Highway 64 West and West Cher-ry Road. Convenient to Warne, NC. and Western Clay County.

Variety of sizes. Concrete block Construction 828-389-4926 Hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Will baby sit your child or children: Any age. Reasonable rates.References available. Call 706-299-1614

Moving Sale: 4 piece bedroom set, Dining Table, sofa and love seat, Lamps, Some misc. items. Call 828-389-0859

Paying cash for gold! Rings, necklaces, bracelets, watches, etc.In most cases, paying at least DOUBLE what any pawn shop will pay. Gold tested, weighed and you are paid on the spot! 706-896-1380-

Sell your Boat, RV. We bring the buyer to you. 1-866-417-8291

We buy junk, wrecked, rusted old cars and trucks. Call George 706-455-1129

Have any old Mac/Apple products just sitting around gathering dust? Do-nate old iPods and computers, even if they don’t work anymore, to Harrison by contacting hkeely@gmail.com.

Wanted : Old Pinball Ma-chines , Electro-mechanical, Call 828-389-6459

Black and white Australian Shepherd lost on Gum Log near county line. Bob tail dog, no col-lar, male. Please call 706-897-8150 or 706-781-3974.

House for Sale By Owner 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath, a sunroom, LR, DR, HWF, Many extras, Partially furnished. In beautiful Plantation Villa in Hiawassee, Georgia. Walk to Town, Walk to Lake $175,000.00 Call 706-400-8159

2 Bedroom, 3 Bath Cabin with Mtn. views for rent. $850.00 a month, plus first month security deposit. 3 miles from Blairsville. All appliances,finished basement. 1-770-995-0184

Mobile Home for Rent Two bedroom, one bath Mobile Home for rent in Hiawassee, Ga.,$125 per week or $400 per month, plus $200 Deposit. No Pets. Call 706-835-6561

Apartment for Rent in Hiawassee Specious, light, 1 bedroom, large bathroom. All appliances! Private covered deck! monthly $475.00 plus deposits 706-896-4988 or 706-781-9917

Ridgeline ApartmentsEarly Spring Special! Sit in your

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Located behind Downtown Pizza in Murphy on Church St.

Call (828) 837-6222

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Page 8A GEORGIA SENTINEL

CO M M U N I T Y

Susan Greene of Fannin County was nominated and selected to receive Healthcare Georgia Foundation’s Jo-seph D. Greene Community Service Award for 2010.

This award is given for outstanding service in the area of health. It honors extraordinary individuals and non-profit organizations that are commit-ted to improving the quality of health and health care of those they serve. By recognizing those that inspire and lift others up, it is their hope that Mr. Jo-seph D. Greene’s legacy of community service will continue through the work

of others.Susan Greene is a nurse practitioner

specializing in elder care. Well known in Fannin County for her work with the Alzheimer's Association, Healthy Feet and the Ageless Beauty Pageant, she is also founder of the Kessler Clinic in McCaysville. The Kessler Clinic is a 501(C)(3) non-profit corpora-tion, founded to service the needs of the people in the northwestern part of Fannin County, Georgia, East Polk County, Tennessee (also known as Copper Basin) and the western part of Cherokee County, North Carolina.

Symone McClain, Director of Grants Management at the Healthcare Georgia Foundation, said, "Through-

out Georgia, all communities have extraordinary individuals and organi-zations that are committed to improv-ing the quality of health and health care of those they serve. The hard work and dedication of these heroes makes a difference in the quality of life of all Georgians. Ms. Greene is exceptionally qualified to receive this award and I am gratified to offer my congratulations."

Susan Greene will be honored at an award reception on March 31, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the Westin Buckhead Atlanta hotel. In addition, the Founda-tion will highlight each award recipient in a video produced for the reception. Friends and family are invited to attend the awards ceremony.

Radio host and television com-mentator Martha Zoller was the featured speaker at Union County's !rst Republican Reagan Dinner last Saturday evening at the the Civic Center in Blairsville.

Calling our 40th president our last great le"er writer, she said she thinks he would have liked the Tea Party movement.

"It's go"en a lot of people involved in the political process who have never been involved in a protest be-fore," she said.

Zoller spoke of the joblessness of many Americans, especially the men. She said it is devastating for them. "As a woman, you can take 10 years o# from the workforce and then go back and nobody will think anything of it," she said. "But for men, so much of their life is tied to work that for them being without a job, it is simply devastating."

Zoller said the country may be in for a bad time, but that it is not the worst of times. Nothing like the Civil War, the Great Depression, men lost in World War II. "What we have is a money problem," she said. "And that can be !xed."

She said she thinks it is good to have many candidates running in the primary. "We get strong with strong

competition," she said. "I encourage that. $e important is to get behind the candidate we have (a%er the primary). For the candidates, you should do the things you say you are going to do, and if you decide to change what you said, then you should tell us."

Zoller concluded saying, "$e era of Reagan is not over."

Chuck Honaker, who emceed the event, introduced Zoller and wel-comed guests and all the candidates. Candidates were held to a two-minute time limit to say why they were running and what they stood for. In addition to gubernatorial and congressional candidates, others running for Secretary of State, Insur-ance Commissioner, Agricultural Commissioner, Superintendent of Schools, and A"orney General at-tended and spoke.

District A"orney Stan Gunter, who is running for the State Court of Appeals, was also there. Representa-tive Stephen Allison, who is also Deputy Whip of the State House, a"ended and announced that he will be running again for state represen-tative.

$ere was a silent auction and straw poll taken at the event. $ere was also an opportunity for folks to have their picture taken with Presi-dent Reagan.

tions of their goals and knew from experience what worked and what to tweak. One of the major changes was that the two main commu-nity gardens, Davenport Garden (land donated by Danny Davenport) and Ada Street Garden (land donated by Terri Lane), would be coor-dinated by two separate volunteers. Last year’s master gardener, Skip LaBelle, was the go-to man for everything involving dirt. At the end of the season in 2009, his wife Linda said she had barely seen him during the growing season. “What started out as a volunteer interest turned into a volunteer full-time job!” she said. Others in the group were equally c omi"ed, donating hundreds of hours to this project. As gardening coordinator this year, Skip will look to Reggie Lenoir to coordinate planting and harvesting at Davenport Garden, and Ham Kimzy will be responsible for Ada Street Garden. In addition, Forge Mill Presbyterian Church will once again plant their garden on land donated by Larry Williams. $e newest community garden is Autry Garden on John Autry’s farm o# Hard-scrabble Road.

But community gardening is only part of Feed Fannin’s mission. When Barbara asked for an education coordinator, Bill Voyles, who lives in Atlanta and resides in Blue Ridge part-time, o#ered his services.

He said his commi"ee’s goals include “deliv-ering knowledge and tools to help people meet

the nutritional needs of their family and them-selves.” Already this year, under his commi"ee’s direction, Feed Fannin has co-sponsored, along with community businesses or individuals, classes on raising chickens, raised bed garden-ing, plant propagation, and growing productive fruit trees. $e next class, scheduled for March 18, is on organic gardening to be followed by a class on April 1 on Weed and Pest Control/Mulching.

Information regarding these classes can be found on Feed Fannin’s website, www.feedfan-nin.com, and in their newsle"er, local news-papers, and through &yers available on Feed Fannin’s green boxes in grocery stores. For addi-tional information on any class or on sponsor-ing a class, email Bill at wjvoyles@gmail.com.

$e community outreach that has spawned from these weekly meetings is also uniting vari-ous facets of Fannin County. When Feed Fan-nin volunteer Gaye Whalton, a self-described idea “seed planter,” explained to the Methodist Women’s Group a program she had seen in an-other city called “Snack in a Backpack,” where organizations !ll backpacks with food and de-liver them to schools each Friday for designated children to take home for the weekend, Sandra Malecki, representative from Epworth Meth-odist Church, turned the suggestion into realty. As of this printing, Sandra has found enough sponsors to create 35 backpacks for West Fan-nin and will add 45 for East Fannin as soon as she can get a procedure down with the school. She said, “We have su'cient sponsors for West Fannin but we have needs for Blue Ridge and East Fannin and will have more as we grow to

the middle and high school.”Similarly, Elaine Whitley told Feed Fannin at

its !rst 2010 meeting that she wanted to pres-ent a plan for a community-wide $anksgiving Day Dinner. She, along with Feed Fannin’s dis-tribution commi"ee, coordinated by Tuly Fodo and Jane Kimzey, are now working on plans for just such a feast, one that will accommodate those who need food as well as others who may be spending the holiday alone. It will be a time of sharing and bonding with neighbors and friends; churches and other organizations will be working with Feed Fannin on this project.

Other initiatives include planting raised bed gardens at Family Connection with the help of the master gardener group and painting the in-side of the building, with local business donat-ing supplies.

$e “Feed Fannin Goes to Church” program will work with area churches to help them be-come “gather and grow centers” for their mem-bers and neighbors.

What began as a small group of volunteers commi"ed to making a di#erence has grown into a community-wide network with potential as far as the eye can see. As more individuals, groups, and businesses join together for the greater good in Fannin County, the greater the rewards for everyone.

If you are interested in becoming a Feed Fan-nin sponsor (at levels available for both individ-uals and businesses) or you would like to join this active group, please contact Pat Slaughter, volunteer coordinator, at 706-838-4374.

$e "local food pantry" is run by Americorps, directed by Doug Davenport.

perience in business, as a county commissioner and a state senator. He said he was for an open trans-parent government and that he had never voted for a tax increase.

Karen Handel, currently Geor-gia's Secretary of State and the sole woman Republican candidate for governor, said she was for compre-hensive tax reform and was out to downsize the state government. Calling herself a bold reformer, she said she had already downsized her department by 20 percent.

Austin Sco" said he was the candidate who had walked the state, some 1,068 miles in 64 days talking to Georgians along the way. He said he wanted to get the state's economy back on track, and that he sees be"er days ahead.

Eric Johnson referred to himself as the only candidate who was in-volved in the Reagan Revolution. He has served in the state senate and said he believes in speaking his mind. He was also on a recent mis-sion trip to India and said it made

him realize just what a great coun-try we have here in the U.S. "I'm for building a be"er Georgia," he said.

He added that the state needs to put people to work by improv-ing the state's infrastructure and by cu"ing out unnecessary regula-tions which are sti&ing businesses. He's for zero based budgeting and educational reform by allowing greater parent choice regarding schools.

John Oxendine, who has served 15 years as the state's Insurance Commissioner, said he is the only gubernatorial candidate with su'-cient administrative governmental experience. He said he can hit the ground running on day one.

"Our state has a serious budget crisis," he said. "We have to do more with less. I've already done that with my department. We are still operating with the same bud-get we had 15 years ago, and in that time I've managed to cut my personnel where I have 31 percent fewer employees than I had at the start. Oxendine also stressed the importance in ge"ing the state moving with regard to education. He said Georgia is continuing to fall behind other states. "Right

Radio host Martha Zoller speaks at Reagan dinner

Susan Greene to receive community service award

By: Frank Bradley

Sentinel Writer

By: Elaine Owen

Sentinel Writer

STATESTANDARDSMAY SPEED MEETINGS

One advantage of the Fannin County Board of Education's project to meet state board standards may be shorter meetings, Superintendent Mark Henson said.

Last December, the board re-solved to resolved to meet the Geor-gia School Boards Association's (GSBA) voluntary standards.

A board standards commi"ee, made up of community leaders, school administrators and parents, compared Fannin's board to the GSBA criteria. Members are board members Terry Bramle" and Clar-ence Farmer, Jr., Associate Super-intendent Cynthia Panter, United Community Bank's Bo Chance, Chamber of Commerce President Jan Hacke", West Fannin Elemen-tary Principal Robert Ensley and parent Sonya Lamanac.

"We are very thankful for the commi"ee members. Everyone we asked...was delighted to serve," Panter said.

$e commi"ee reviewed 61 ele-ments that make up eight areas and found four that need improvement. Panter listed the four, as well as pro-posed actions to remedy any issues, during the March 9 work session and March 11 meeting. $e second ele-ment, use of a consent agenda, may lead to shorter meetings, she said.

A consent agenda, she explained, groups together agenda items about which there is no controversy or de-bate. An example would be minute and agenda approval and facilities requests.

"I think it will free up our $ursday

night meetings," Henson said.Another element that needed

improvement is performance evalu-ation. "$e board annually evalu-ates its performance in ful!lling the Board's duties, responsibilities, and the Board's ability to work as a team."

Panter made the suggestion that board members do this each Decem-ber during a work session. She said that it is important to do so before the board reorganizes and new o'-cers are elected each January.

$e third element: "$e board establishes the level of spending be-yond the approved budget which the superintendent must seek board ap-proval."

$e present policy "did not ad-dress the superintendent spend-ing any amount above the budget," Panter said.

She said commi"ee members con-sidered policies from other school districts to ensure that the new pol-icy would be legal. $e new policy would permit the superintendent to approve spending of no more than !ve percent. At the meeting, Henson asked to table it and adopt the policy

during the next meeting.$e !nal element determined to

need improvement regards coopera-tion and communication with and training of school councils.

Panter said the main issue is train-ing and administrative sta# had al-ready developed strategies to remedy the problem and scheduled training by March 31.

All except one part of the Board Standards Review Improvement Plan was approved during the meet-ing. Once all elements are approved, the new plan will be submi"ed to the Georgia School Boards Associa-tion, and, if no problems occur, the Fannin County Board of Education will be certi!ed as meeting the Stan-dards for Local Boards of Education, Panter said.

In other ma"ers, Director of Cur-riculum and School Improvement Karen Walton said the !rst through eighth grades were invited to a"end Saturday school from 8:30-11:30 a.m. March 6. $e sessions were de-signed to help students and teachers make up lost instructional time due to inclement weather, she said. In ad-dition, students were able to prepare

for the Criterion-Referenced Com-petency Tests (CRCT).

"We felt like this was a win-win sit-uation. We had a wonderful 350-plus students, as well as 10 to 15 school personnel per building," she said.

She added that breakfast was avail-able, and the abbreviated summer school bus route was used. Plans are to hold similar sessions March 20 and April 10, she said.

$e board accepted the resigna-tions of Barbara Odom, Kathy Stew-art, Don Cheyne, Russell Bell and William H. Johnston. A%er the meet-ing, board member Clarence Farmer, Jr., said that, traditionally, employees resign during March, because teach-ers to !ll vacancies will be con!rmed during meetings in March.

At the end of the meeting, Henson presented board members Farmer, Lewis DeWeese, Bramle", and Bob-by Bearden with a certi!cate thank-ing them for their service. Emily Dunn was out of town on business.

"I want to thank the board for the opportunity of being superinten-dent. I've never worked with a !ner group of folks...Y'all have never let the children down," Henson said.

By: Lisa Gagnon

Sentinel Writer

Contributed PhotoFrom left, Board of Education members Clarence Farmer, Jr., Lewis DeWeese, Terry Bramlett, Bobby Bearden and Emily Dunn (not pictured) received a certi!cate of thanks from Superintendent Mark Henson.

Contributed PhotoSusan Greene

Politics:Feed Fannin:John Oxedine thrills the throng of Republican onlookers during his speech.

Martha Zoller told local citizens that "the era of Reagan is not over."