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Runners, bikers seek trails on new parkland

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Friday, March 15. 2013

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In a city where virtually all recreational opportunities are aimed at children, could Commerce’s newly-acquired park site open up opportunities for adults?

Groups interested in places to walk, run and ride mountain bikes are all showing interest in the initial development of the 50-plus-acre site located between Smallwood Drive and Waterworks Roads, notes Scott Rodgers, recreation director.

While the park site was originally acquired with the idea of building more fields for the youth team sports, those proposing using the land for walking, biking or running have one thing going for them: developing trails is relatively inexpensive at a time when the city can’t afford to build more ball fields. [Full Story »]

County seeks summary judgment on reservoir suit

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Wednesday, March 13. 2013

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Lawyers for Jackson County filed a motion Tuesday calling for a summary judgment in the county’s ongoing lawsuit against the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority.

“There are no genuine issues of material fact,” the motion states.

The suit was filed by Jackson County after the three other members of the authority refused to have the water yield of the Bear Creek Reservoir recalculated following the 2007 drought. The original 1996 contract between Jackson, Clarke, Barrow and Oconee counties calls for the lake’s yield to be recalculated when there are questions about the lake’s water in a drought.

But Clarke, followed by Barrow and Oconee, have refused to do that. The original estimate of the lake’s yield was said to be around 53 million gallons per day. But following the major 2007 drought, Jackson County had that recalculated and claims the actual yield is less than half that amount. It subsequently claimed that because of the lower yield, Clarke County is able to draw more than its fair share of water, in effect taking water that really is allocated to the other three counties.

Attorney Michael Bowers represents Jackson County in the suit. No court hearing on the motion has yet been set.

Blood drive set Tuesday at First Baptist

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Administrator

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Sunday, March 10. 2013

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The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive Tuesday, March 12, from noon to 6:00 p.m. in the family fellowship center of the First Baptist Church of Commerce.

The church is located at 1345 South Broad Street, Commerce.

The Red Cross provides blood services to local hospitals, including Northridge Medical Center and the Athens, Gainesville and Atlanta area hospitals.

A unit of blood can help treat up to three people. Blood donations are processed into three primary components, red blood cells to treat trauma, platelets for cancer patients and plasma for burn victims. Whole blood is used in surgery.

Participants on Tuesday will receive a coupon for a free Chick fil-A sandwich at the Banks Crossing restaurant.

Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday

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Administrator

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Saturday, March 9. 2013

Daylight Saving Time officially begins Sunday morning at 2:00.

To have the proper time, set all timepieces ahead by one hour before retiring on Saturday night.

The effect of the time change will be to make it appear that the sun rises and sets an hour later than on Eastern Standard Time. It is implemented every year as an energy-saving move.

Meeting to hash out EMS funding issues set March 18

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Thursday, March 7. 2013

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The Jackson County Board of Commissioners will meet on Monday, March 18, to discuss issues related to the new West Jackson EMS station and finances. The discussion will follow the regular 6 p.m. meeting.

The meeting was scheduled at the request of commissioner Chas Hardy to discuss allegations from chairman Tom Crow and others that money tied to a new EMS station has not been handled correctly. The commissioners have been in dispute for several weeks over the matter and a lawsuit that was filed against the board — with backing from Crow — on the issue.

Jackson BOE hearing on consolidation is Thursday

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Mike Buffington

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Wednesday, March 6. 2013

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The Jackson County Board of Education will hold the first of two public hearings Thursday night on plans to relocate South Jackson Elementary School and to mothball the current facility.

The hearings are set for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and again next week on Monday, March 11 in the gymnasium at Jackson County Comprehensive High School.

The public is invited to the hearings and to comment on the plan. A sign-in sheet will be available at the meetings, or one can sign up in advance by emailing the school at communityreply@jackson.k12.ga.us and specifying which date they would like to speak at.
The hearings are required under state law to close a school facility. Superintendent John Green said system leaders will discuss the closing of the SJES with regard to costs, placement of staff and students and other issues directly related to that move.

The SJES change is just one part of a larger plan to consolidate some school facilities in the county to cut costs. Green said that the hearings, however, are not designed to discuss other aspects of the county’s plans and no comments will be taken about items not within the purpose of the hearing on SJES proposed closure.

The BOE is expected to make a final decision in April on the proposed closing and other plans.

For the full story, see the March 6 edition of The Commerce News.

BOC 'clear-the-air' meeting postponed

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Friday, March 1. 2013

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A meeting of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners scheduled for Monday evening, Feb. 25, was postponed due to the death of chairman Tom Crow’s mother.

The meeting was scheduled at the request of commissioner Chas Hardy to discuss allegations from Crow and others that money tied to a new EMS station had not been handled correctly. The commission has been in dispute for several weeks over the matter and over a lawsuit that was filed against the board in the issue.

A new time for the meeting will be announced.

Jackson BOE sets hearings on school consolidation

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Mike Buffington

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Wednesday, February 27. 2013

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Two public hearings are planned by the Jackson County Board of Education on plans to relocate South Jackson Elementary School next year into the current Kings Bridge Middle School facility. The hearings are set for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, and Monday, March 11, in the gymnasium at Jackson County Comprehensive High School.

The public is invited to the hearings and to comment on the plan. A sign-in sheet will be available at the meetings, or one can sign up in advance by emailing the school at communityreply@jackson.k12.ga.us and specifying which date they would like to speak at.
Written comments can also be submitted to the same email address.

For the full story, see the Feb. 27 edition of The Commerce News.

Big bills ahead from regional reservoir

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Mark Beardsley

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Friday, February 22. 2013

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Members of the Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority got a wake-up call last Thursday about major costs over the upcoming years for capital improvements at the Bear Creek Reservoir.

Manager Eric Klerk briefed the authority on the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority’s capital funding plan, which includes a new monthly assessment to cover authority-owned items and projected dates and costs for replacement of equipment owned solely by Jackson County.

[Full Story »]

County schools proceeding toward facilities consolidation

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Mike Buffington

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Wednesday, February 20. 2013

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The Jackson County School System is moving forward with plans to consolidate some school facilities next year in a bid to save money and make better use of school buildings.

In an announcement posted to the system Web site Tuesday, superintendent John Green said the system will proceed with several steps, including:

[Full Story »]

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