3.25.10 Fannin Sentinel

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VOLUME 4, ISSUE 10 | THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2010 | WWW.GEORGIASENTINEL.COM

Breakfast benefits family of H1N1 virus victim Pancakes do more than fill stomachs

By: Elaine Owen Sentinel Writer

By: Elaine Owen Sentinel Writer

The Order of Eastern Star in McCaysville served a pancake breakfast Saturday to benefit the family of Madison Byrd, who passed away last month due to complications of the H1N1 virus.

The exact amount made from the breakfast was not available but the crowd was steady from 8 to 1 and a family spokesperson said, "Whatever it is, we appreciate it. I don’t know what we’d do without the help of this community."

Worthy Matron Ann Jones lamented, "The mother and the little boy just left...they are really struggling with this tragedy."

Worthy Patron Ron Wallace said, "We have had a good crowd.

Contributed Photo The food was excellent and every- Serving breakfast Saturday (L-R) Ron Wallace, Heather Turner, Emily Martin, Ann Jones, Cennie Pittman, Letty Quertermous, Judi Abernathy, Pat Groundstaff one who came in seemed to want to help this family."

Continued contributions to help the Byrd family may be sent to Beulah #21 OES, 330 Colton Road, McCaysville, GA 30555.

Hotel, motel tax collection doubles from last January

High school to get new roofing By: Lisa Gagnon Sentinel Writer

Two Fannin banks shut down Friday

By: Lisa Gagnon Sentinel Writer Fannin County Chamber of Commerce President Jan Hackett announced that January 2010's hotel/motel tax collection amount of $25,528.52 is significantly higher than January 2009's amount of $11,097.22. She said that she believes the increase is due to the county "putting effort into collecting."

Paul Gribble of Georgia Mountain Cabin Rentals said that he saw evidence that the economy is leading people to vacation closer to home, and the county is benefiting from that. "I think it's growth," he said.

Cost savings and efficient management of funds from the Fannin County school district's second Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST II) leaves sufficient funds to perform additional projects, including re-roofing the high school, according to Assistant Superintendent Art Hubbard.

Hubbard said that during a recent rain, 26 leaks were reported in the district, and 22 of them were at the high school building.

The new roof, he said, would have a 25-year warranty.

Hubbard presented board members with a list of additional projects to encumber monies from By: Lisa Gagnon SPLOST II. Along with the new Sentinel Writer roof, projects included replacing During the Fannin County Planwall-hung heating and air condining Commission's March 18 meeting, tioning units and adding roof top members agreed to add a requirement gas pack heaters at West Fannin that residences post a sign with the Elementary; re-roofing the Career, physical address near residential driveSee Roofing, page 6A ways.

The commission is in the process of revising the county's Land Development Ordinance. The revisions will then be presented to the county Board of Commissioners for approval.

As the group inspected Article VII, which deals with utilities and driveways, member Jerry Whitehead said the address sign should be purchased when the developer gets the driveway permit.

With little comment, members agreed to add the appropriate wording to the preliminary updated ordinance.

Upon member Gina Adams' suggestion, members also agreed to change Contributed Photo S3.704 so it reads "The Fannin County Assistant Superintendent Art HubLand Development Office shall inspect bard informed Board of Education all driveways for conformity within sixmembers about how savings from ty (60) days from the date of the writstadium construction gives the

Treasurer Renee Bidez, CPA, said that for the month ending Feb. 28, the chamber experienced a net loss of $7,336.96. The two months ending Feb. 28 had net income of $1,546.92, he said. He reminded chamber members that it was operating at a loss the same time last year.

"For this time of year, we're doing well. We usually operate at a deficit for the first four to five months (of each year)," he said.

In other matters, Hackett announced that Trout Unlimited is considering naming Fannin County the Trout Capital of Georgia.

"We hope the designation of 'The Trout Capital of Georgia' will help focus our community's pride in this resource and its desire to preserve

and protect it, both as an economic resource and as one of the ecological crown jewels of our Blue Ridge Mountains," wrote Mike Holloway, president of the Blue Ridge Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited, after the meeting.

Holloway wrote that Blue Ridge Mountain chapter members initiated the idea, and it has been supported by county Chairman Bill Simonds, city mayors and the Chamber of Commerce.

The Blue Ridge Mountain chapter also sent a letter to Rep. David Ralston, proposing that the Georgia legislature designate Fannin County the state's trout capital.

After the announcement, Hackett continued with other business of the chamber. She said that the

chamber is planning for the April 10 Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race.

The event offers a surprise start.

For the first time, the event will end at Horseshoe Bend Park in McCaysville.

Beginning at 1 p.m., the event will feature music, activities for kids and adults and music by the Natti Lovejoys.

New February chamber members are Bill Stephens, Bootleg Cycles, Randall C. Brown & Associates, Song Bird Cottage and XLEMR. Future events include a Business After Hours from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

March 23 at Kevin Panter Insurance and a member/board luncheon April 21 at Appalachian Community Bank Community Room.

News gets around quickly in Fannin County and it didn’t take long to spread the word that Appalachian Community Bank had been closed by regulators on Friday. Soon after, news was that the same thing had happened to First Bank of Blue Ridge (Bank of Hiawassee).

The news was correct—and it happened at 6 p.m. Friday, March 19.

There was no announcement on Appalachian Bank's marquee--no offical notification to the public until after the event. Those who do online banking were notified with this message: "FDIC Information for Appalachian Community Bank, Ellijay, GA "On Friday, March 19, 2010, Appalachian Community Bank, Ellijay, GA, including the locations that operated under the trade name of Gilmer County Bank, was closed by the Georgia Department of Banking And Finance. Subsequently, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was named Receiver. No advance notice is given to the public when a financial institution is closed.

"AffiliatedThrift Institution - Business as Usual - Appalachian Bancshares, Inc., Ellijay, GA wholly owns Appalachian Community Bank F.S.B., McCaysville, GA, which has branch offices located in Murphy, NC and Ducktown, TN. The thrift institution is not subject to this transaction and, therefore, will continue to operate as usual.

"All deposit accounts have been transferred to Community & Southern Bank, Carrollton, GA. For more information on Community & Southern Bank, visit us at http://ww.thecsbank.com/.

"The FDIC has assembled useful information regarding your relationship with Appalachian Community Bank.

Besides a checking account, you may have Certificates of Deposit, a business checking account, a Social Security direct deposit, and other relationships with the institution."

Calls to Appalachian Community Bank (Community & Southern Bank) and the Bank of Blue Ridge (Citizens See Banks, page 8A

Commission Animal control determined to neuter public misconceptions By: Lisa Gagnon supports 911 address

district the opportunity to do new projects.

Fannin

Sentin el P.O. Box 799 Blue Ridge, GA 30513

See Address, page 6A

Sentinel Writer

Misconceptions by new residents, by residents accustomed to a previous administration, and by pet owners in general continue to plague Fannin County Animal Control.

However, since 2006, when Manager John Drullinger started working there, Animal Control has changed significantly, he said. "I can't tell you how it was run before we came. It's been almost 100 percent different."

He said one misconception is that animals are euthanized after a set number of days. Dogs captured by Fannin County Animal Control are kept as long as there is space at the 18-run facility.

"As long as we have space available, we'll keep an animal. As long as there's life, there's hope," Drullinger said.

"We do have a finite amount of space," he added. He said the facility can only house one dog per run unless they are littermates or a mother with pups.

The Blue Ridge Humane Society does have a rented facility for cats.

He remarked that officers do everything they can to ensure animals are adopted.

To prevent euthanization, Animal

Control works actively with the Blue Ridge Humane Society, Jan Eaton's Fannin Animal Medical Account, local veterinarians and www.petfinder. com to have animals adopted.

"We've always been working with the rescue groups to transfer the animals. We're willing to work with any licensed rescue groups that work with animals," he said. Drullinger explained that also includes rescue groups for specific breeds, such as boxers or huskies.

In order to help residents adopt dogs, the animal control facility at Animal Control is open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday through Tuesday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Adoption is free. If an animal that has been adopted is not spayed or neutered and does not have its immunizations, the new owner can make an appointment at a veterinary clinic and animal control officers will deliver the animal to the facility.

The public can help prevent strays by spaying or neutering pets.

"We really stress to people to spay or neuter animals or at least not to freely let them breed. It's compounding the problem exponentially," he observed.

Contributed Photo Another misconception, he said, is Animal control officer "Pat" Patterson petted just one of the many dogs availSee Control, page 6A

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

63/48

62/38

60/41

53/43

51/38

able for adoption at Fannin County Animal Control.

Tuesday

54/37

Wednesday

60/40

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GEORGIA SENTINEL ‡ 7KXUVGD\ 0DUFK

CO LU MNS & O P I N I O NS

By Jim Fitzgerald Sentinel Guest Columnist

LEANING LEFT

Six Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidates addressed a crowd in Blairsville last week.

Each stressed their commitment to cutting taxes and cutting the waste out of government. This is great conservative talk, especially since Georgia, like most states, is in a financial bind. Revenues have been falling for two years, financial reserves are exhausted, budgets have been trimmed, federal stimulus aid has been spent, and some fees and fines have been increased. Now, facing another billion dollar shortage, legislators in Atlanta are trying to figure out the where, when, how, and what to squeeze out of the state budget.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, as the case may be, small government, fiscal conservatives, already govern our state. State Senator Chip Pearson (R – Woodstock) is telling us that lean times call for a lean budget. Personally, I thought that is what conservatives stood for even in fat times. However, I suspect that our fiscal conservatives are not seeing this fiscal crisis as the excellent opportunity it presents for them. They have the opportunity to implement their small government philosophy and give the citizens of Georgia a significant tax cut – permanently.

I am not going to hold my breath but I have always wanted to know how small, small government would be. I have always wanted to know whether tax cuts would actually lead to increased state revenue. I have always wanted to know if conservatives actually believed their ideas about how small government would work if implemented, and now we have – no, make that they have, the opportunity to place their principles in practice. They have the opportunity to downsize govern-

ment and let us see firsthand their true priorities.

Now is the time that the proverbial tire hits the road because conservatives have to make the hard decisions of how limited government should be and how much revenue a limited and small government will require. How are they going to respond to this situation, particularly since they have been asking for just such a situation for decades? Interestingly, I hear no talk of permanently downsizing government, one of their stated goals. Conservatives are talking as if this is an aberration and as soon as the economy recovers, we can put the fat back in the budget.

According to Republican fiscal doctrine, a tax cut now would put more money into everyone’s pocket, people will go out and spend it, corporations will have an incentive for investments, and the increased growth would produce more jobs and tax revenue than before the tax cut. This, then, is the perfect time for a tax cut in the State of Georgia. This is the perfect climate to test Republican economic policies.

I am not sure we would like their priorities. Georgia Republicans are cutting significant monies from education, but that is not new. Since Governor Perdue took office, the Republicans have cut billions of dollars from education. For some reason, Republicans do not appear to value public education. Maybe that is why Georgia ranks among the lowest states in term of literacy, high school dropout rates, and test scores. In fact, we are 48th in the country in terms of our high school graduation rate. It was estimated that almost 25%, 1 in 4, of Georgia’s citizens are illiterate. These figures are from 2000 to 2003, suggesting an already dismal base rate at the very time Republicans started slashing the

educational budget. What do they have against an educated citizenry?

The cuts in education are not the result of low taxes. Georgia has the 16th highest taxes in the nation and among the worst school systems. If you look at the Business Tax Climate, of the states surrounding Georgia, only North Carolina has a worst tax climate. Georgia ranks 29th in the nation, not good for a Republican state with pro-business rhetoric. Maybe now we know why so many new automobile manufacturing plants went to neighboring states.

How are Georgia’s citizens going to respond when they get a taste of small government? How will Georgia’s citizens adjust to the decrease in services, the shortened hours of public offices, and the compromise in public safety? Consider the fact that Georgia State Troopers are likely to lose 10% of their yearly pay because of imposed furloughs over the next 12 months.

Their furloughs come on top of last year’s budget cut for Public Safety. Georgia has as few as eight Troopers covering 12 to 15 counties while 20 of the 48 patrol posts are closed anywhere from 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. and do not reopen until 7 a.m.

Now is the time for Georgia’s Republican legislators to step up to the plate and demonstrate, in detail, exactly what small and limited government looks like. Now is the time for Georgia citizens to learn whether tax cuts in an economic downturn will actually generate more state and county revenue. This financial crisis has been tailor-made for the Republicans to demonstrate their political beliefs in action. I hope they step up to the plate because I, for one, would like to see what the Republicans have had in mind all these years.

fully placed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 18, 1980. Today, persons who want to research family history, examine displays of the county’s past, or enjoy the many cultural and artistic programs offered in the old courtroom have but to visit the old courthouse on the square.

Thanks are due the citizens of the seventies and eighties and others since who have worked so unselfishly to maintain and perpetuate this portion of the county’s lofty past. C. R. Collins served as the first president of the Historical Society, and on the board then, during our country’s centennial year, 1976, were Edith Paris, Ronald Davenport, Herbert Dyer, Mary Smith, Ben F. Carr, Jan Devereaux, Bryan Webb, and Harold Nichols.

Now back to the year 1934 and that “in memoryâ€? visual trip around the town square and the old courthouse: Entering from the south, on the Gainesville Highway (recall that the Neal Gap Highway (now 129/19) was opened in 1925), a dwelling was on the right, and on the left a garage and another dwelling—this latter one once being the home of Judge Tom S. Candler. Proceeding around the square in 1934, visitors to the town would see a general store and a hotel building, with the jail a short distance behind the hotel. Next would be another dwelling, and on the corner, a general store. Next was a small cafĂŠ or lunchroom, a garage with a service station attached, and on the corner of the road leading to Young Harris, a drug store. Beyond that street, continuing around the square, another general store building, with an office building behind it commanded that space.

I must mention that the Methodist Church was located just beyond this office building on the road leading to Young Harris. In later years, the location of the Methodist Church was moved just south of the square, and in the twentieth century, to its current Appalachian Development Highway location west of town.

Then continuing around the square, next came the Blairsville post office, an office building and a printing shop. A “lunch stand� was in the corner, and attached to it was a barber shop (Ben Wilson was proprietor and barber in the 1930’s). Next came a hotel (Akins), and then the street leading out of town and toward Murphy and Blue Ridge at the junction farther beyond town. On the southwest corner was a hotel building (Christopher) with another filling station attached, and a general store next door. Maybe someone in the readership can fill in names of people who owned these businesses and dwellings.

The year 1934 was far too long ago, and I was too young to remember how the town square looked on some of my first visits to Blairsville from Choestoe to the south. But one thing I know and remember: A fondness for the place, its people and its history grew with each passing year. Here in 2010 I could wish for a time-machine so that I could return to those quieter days of yore when everyone knew his neighbor and all worked together, even to pay taxes that seemed impossible at the time. With a will the stately courthouse on the town square was erected, a substantial building that would be a monument to good government and a solid citizenry.

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county commissioner. Serving on the board with him were J. A. Butt, W. W. Ervin, and ordinary, John T. Colwell. Evidently then, commissioner and ordinary were two separate offices. These men put their heads together to try to come up with ways to finance the construction of the courthouse.

They proposed bonds, but when the referendum was presented to the voters, it failed miserably.

They even considered a new site, rather than in the middle of the town square, on which to build the new building. After all, the older courthouse which had stood in the same spot, burned. It might be reasonable to find another location. They proposed buying lots diagonally to the courthouse square for $800, but that did not meet the public’s approval. Mr. Stephen Major of Coosa District was generous and offered free land for the courthouse location if the citizens would but accept it. But again the offer of land, though with no cost attached, was defeated. So the commissioners decided to levy taxes to build a courthouse at the cost of $12,000. What a low price that seems to us in this twenty-first century. But then, the tax burden was heavy and many citizens had to sacrifice needed farm animals and other goods in order to keep their land and pay the accelerated taxes. To say the least, it wasn’t easy, building that grand edifice.

But the glorious old courthouse was built and it has stood, with modifications, for all these years since 1899. The center of court was moved to its new location in the new courthouse northwest of the square and the Historical Society undertook major restoration of the old courthouse. It was success-

The Green Column

CLIMATEGATE -A huge controversy about the questionable methods used by some to prove global warming. Added to this the coldest winter in many years, and there is an underwater tremor that is threatening the climate change movement with a tsunami.

Is global warming a fact? Honestly, most of us don't really know.

Have we scientifically examined the evidence to be able to answer that question? Do we have access to the data in order to verify it? Are we really different from the scientists on both sides who twisted the data to prove their beliefs? It is human nature to remember the facts that support our beliefs while we ignore evidence that proves otherwise. We jump to conclusions.

But we cannot afford to leave this to human nature. The fact is there are many other reasons to be green. Fact: We are damaging our planet. Fact: We cannot keep building energy hog buildings because of rising energy costs. Our economy cannot afford this. Fact: We need sources of energy and materials that cost less, are closer to us, and cause less damage to the planet. Honestly, that is what the

By Richard C. MacCrea Andrews Valley Initiative

green movement is about.

Are you spending a lot of money to heat and cool your building(s)?

Then fix that, not because you want to prevent global warming, but because you want to save money, and help our community keep the power company from raising its rates as fast, and reduce the amount of coal smoke that pollutes our mountains. Fix it to get a tax credit and because you are using the tax credit to give your local contractor a needed job.

Are you selling a green product or service? Don't sell it based on global warming. Use reasons that appeal to many more people. Show your customers how your product can save them money, help them be healthier, or preserve our beautiful mountains.

Yes, some of the leaders in the global warming movement are guilty of operating it like a corrupt religion, lying, bullying, even threatening to burn opposers at the

stake of public opinion. So have some of the opposers. Shame. As with the banking industry meltdown, the innocent will all pay for this -this time with much higher energy costs.

But we have many good reasons to change the way we live. We can leave climategate to the media while we make green changes in our own lives that save us money, improve our standard of living, and preserve our beautiful mountains.

Where to start: Local states are using the stimulus money to offer rebates on Energy Star appliances.

Georgia is offering rebates while funds last. (They estimate until June 1). North Carolina is offering 15% rebates during Earthweek, April 22-25. You might also qualify for tax credits and other rebates.

Go to energystar.gov and click on “rebate finder.� Fill in your zip code and check which type of appliance you are considering. Click the button to locate rebates. You will see a list of government and manufacturer rebates offered to your area.

Why not go down to your local appliance dealer and spend some of this stimulus and corporate money? Keep your neighborhood business going and reduce your electric bill. Now that's green!

Richard C. MacCrea is the director of The Greening of Andrews Valley, a program of Andrews Valley Initiative. He works in the field of energy efficient, green building. rmaccrea@verizon.net

YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

“What is that awful pain you get in your side when you walk fast, run real hard or play soccer?�

This is the question that I’m often asked, especially by young people.

(Probably because older folks don’t “run around� as much as the younger crowd.)

While running or walking briskly, nearly everyone has experienced the sharp pain in the side known as a stitch. A stitch or catch in the side-- a sharp, sometimes an incapacitating, but temporary pain. No one knows what causes a stitch, though there’s no shortage of educated guesses. One theory is that the diaphragm (the large muscle that separates the chest from the abdominal cavity) sometimes fails to receive enough blood, (which has the oxygen it needs) during its contractions, and much like a leg cramp, these results in spasm and pain. Another theory is that trapped gas pockets brought on by exercising immediately after a meal cause a stitch. “Sometimes running can block the flow of blood to the diaphragm,� explains Gabe Mirkin, MD, a private practitioner at the Sports medicine Institute in Silver Spring, Maryland. “Every time you raise your knee you contract your belly muscles, which increase the pressure inside your belly. When you breathe deeply, your lungs expand to a much larger size than during normal shallow breathing. The dual pressure from the contracted belly muscles below and the expanded lungs above can shut off the flow of blood to the diaphragm.� Unable to get all the oxygen it needs, your diaphragm will go into a cramp and hurt. If you don’t breathe evenly, you can get side stitches when you’re running or walking or even laughing.

To prevent side stitches: 1. If stitches seem to hit you after a

By Claudia Parks RN Columnist

meal, wait thirty to ninety minutes after eating before exercising. Be careful what and when you eat before you exercise. Eat plenty of fiber. Try to have a bowel movement before you begin any exercise if you are prone to side stitches.

2. Warm up before exercising; a good policy in any case.

3. Work out at lower intensity for longer periods, rather than suddenly increasing the intensity of the workout. If you are going to increase intensity, do so gradually.

4. Well-conditioned runners and walkers don’t seem to get stitches as often, so work at increasing your aerobic capacity.

5. Learn to be a belly breather.

Look down at your chest and take in a big breath. What moved? If only your chest moved, you’re breathing with your chest cavity and that’s not enough. To fight side stitches, you want your diaphragm involved in the breathing exercise.

One way to tell if you are using that muscle is to get your chest and belly to move when you breathe.

6. Keep an eye on your belly.

Inhale. Exhale. It should move in and out.

If you get a stitch: First stop or slow down, then bend forward and push your fin-

gers into the painful area until the pain stops. Or, gently massage the painful area.

--Exhale deeply. As you begin to knead the cramp out of your diaphragm, take a breath, then purse your lips and blow it out as hard as you can. Take another breath and exhale again. Continue to massage your aching side and work to slow your breathing to a regular pace.

--Stretch the abdominal muscles by raising your arms and reaching above your head.

--Stop to go. Even though a pinched diaphragm may be the cause of side stitches, some walkers and runners will get a similar feeling from trapped intestinal gas.

The American Medical Association Encyclopedia of Medicine gives this brief definition of stitch: “A temporary, sudden, sharp pain in the abdomen or side that occurs during severe or unaccustomed exercise, usually running. The cause of a stitch is unknown. Stitch is also commonly used to refer to a suture used to close a wound (see Suturing)�.

It is obvious that what is known, as a stitch is not high up in the pecking order of concerns for the AMA. I’ve told you all that I know about a stitch--always check with your doctor with a pain that concerns you.

Claudia Parks, RN, is a former doctor’s office and emergency room nurse and retired as an educator from Fulton County (GA) Schools.

She writes Your Health Matters as a public service; the information 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 husband make their home in the beautiful north Georgia Mountains near Blairsville. You may contact Claudia at yhm@windstream.net

Editor's Inbox To the Editor: I want to commend you and thank you for publishing the columns of Jim Fitzgerald. While I do not know Mr. Fitzgerald, it is a pleasure to read the words of someone who can articulate a rational argument rebutting and debunking the ravings and misinformation of those who seem brainwashed by Fox "news." It is important that the voice of reason and truth be heard. I look forward to reading more of his columns.

Roger W. Dixon

Snack in a Backpack Come join us for the Snack In A Backpack meeting. This program is designed to feed children on the weekends who would normally have little or nothing to eat on the weekends. A sponsor fills the backpacks with food for the children to take home on the weekend, they return the pack to school and the process is repeated. If you as an individual, church or business would like to be a part of this program, we are looking for sponsors and ideas on how to continue this program throughout the summer months. We will meet on Monday, March 29, 12:00 at the Appalachian Bank Community Center in Blue Ridge next to CVS. Bring your lunch, and if you would like, bring a backpack to donate to the program. For more information 706-258-4090.

Homecoming Celebration Cherry Log Christian Church will celebrate its 13th Anniversary Homecoming on Palm Sunday, March 28, 2010 following the morning worship service. The celebration will honor all of the Moderators of the church, past and present, including Bruce King, Frank Osborne, Bill Hild, Lynn Chapman, Lynn Doss, Byron Wyndham, and Ronald Midkiff. A slide show of memorable moments in the lives of each of these individuals will be shown following a potluck dinner.

For additional information contact the church office at 706-6321048 or visit www.clccdoc.org.

Republicans choose board

At its regular monthly meeting, March 15, the Fannin County Republican Party voted to certify Sonia Smith (left) and Wanda Collins as Election Board members. Smith has served on the Board two years and Collins for four years.

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Candidates speak to Fannin County Republicans Standing room only greeted candidates Monday, March 15 at the Senior Center at the monthly meeting of the Fannin County Republican Party (FCRP).

FCRP Chairman Ron Bolin stated, "This is probably the most people we have had for a regular meeting--it tells you how desperate people are about what’s happening in our country."

First speaker was Herman Clark , an attorney from Ellijay running for the non-partisan position of Superior Court Judge.

After background information about his career as a surveyor, his family and his ideals, Clark said he went to law school after retiring from the Air Force.

Clark is a lawyer who established his practice in 1995. It consists of four lawyers and provides a broad range of legal services. Their goal is to offer quality services and exceed clients’ expectations in a caring, convenient, cost effective and accessible manner.

He is a litigator, a mediator and an arbitrator. He said he is really just "an old country lawyer" who would give representation to all people and make judgeship his priority. He emphasized that his experience as a mediator would probably be his "most used" qualification as a judge.

Clark said due to the resignation of Judge Harry Doss, the governor would probably appoint an interim judge for this circuit but the position would be on the ballot in November.

Clark and his wife, Charlotte have five children and nine grandchildren. They live in Ellijay.

Next speaker was Bobby Reese, a candidate for the ninth district congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Nathan Deal.

He said he supports the Fair Tax, states rights, term limits, and strict immigration laws.

Reese has represented House District 98 since 1998. His current legislative duties include membership on the Banks and Banking, Education, and Appropriations committees. Reese also serves as Vice Chairman of the Industrial Relations Committee and the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Over-

Tea party patriots meet Holy Week The newly formed Fannin County TEA Party Patriots will meet at 6 p.m. April 1 at the Fannin County Middle School cafeteria. The Patriots urge all who want to take an active role in their citiy, county, state and nation to attend. The middle school is located on Old Hwy. 76 east of Ace Hardware. The organization plans to meet the first Thursday of each month at the same time and location.

Alzheimer's news

The North Georgia Regional Office of the Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter presents an education symposium, "Working Together"on Tuesday, April 13 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Calhoun Seventh Day Adventist Church. The keynote speaker is Melanie Bunn, RN, MS, GNP, who is nationally recognized as a leader, trainer and educator in dementia care.

Ms. Bunns’ topics will include "Working Together: Partnering with the Person with Dementia", "Making Your "Helping" Helpful: Stragegies for improving Care", and "Thriving as a Caregiver: You Can’t Sprint a Marathon!". Renae Gentry, Programs Director, said "This conference is designed to provide caregivers with practical information they can use in their day to day caregiving. This benefits both the caregiver and the person with dementia."

Family and professional caregivers, volunteers, clergy, students, community providers, law enforcement and EMS are invited to attend. Those attending will gain an enhanced understanding of dementia, its symptoms and progression and expand skills in providing assistance to optimize caregiving.

To register for the conference, contact the Alzheimer’s Association at 800-272-3900 or 706-275-0819.

7KXUVGD\ 0DUFK ‡ GEORGIA SENTINEL Page 3A

Holy Week is the final week of Lent.

Holy Week observances began in the earliest days of the Church when devout people traveled to Jerusalem at Passover to reenact the events of the week leading up to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The purpose of Holy Week is to relive and participate in the passion of Christ.

Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) is March 28th and relives the day of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem when crowds waved palm branches before him. Cherry Log Christian Church will also celebrate its 13th Anniversary Homecoming that Sunday with lunch following the worship service.

Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) is April 1st and commemorates the institution of Communion by Jesus through what is now known as The Last Supper. At 7:00 p.m. the Chancel Choir will perform Bradley Ellingboe’s "Requiem," the choir’s third such annual performance of a requiem mass by a noted composer.

Communion will be offered to all who are present.

Good Friday is April 2nd when we remember the arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus Christ. Beginning at 12:00 noon, an informal service in the fellowship hall will focus on a time of remembering the Last Words of Christ.

Easter Sunday is April 4th, when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. We will offer two Easter Services at 9:15 a.m. and 10:55 a.m., with music by the Chancel Choir at both services.

Cherry Log Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is located at 1149 Cherry Log Street off Hwy 515N between mileposts 19 and 20.You are warmly invited to share Holy Week with us. For additional information, contact the church office at 706-6321048 or visit www.clccdoc.org.

Contributed Photo

(L-R): John Delves, Bobby Reese, Ron Bolin, Herman Clark, Kevin Harris

sight Committee.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Reese has an educational background in Electronics Technology and Criminal Justice. Prior to his legislative service, he spent six years in the United States Army. He is presently in the Real Estate business.

On the issues, Reese said his priorities include the economy and jobs, abolishing the federal income tax and IRS, stop runaway federal spending, health care reform with free market solutions and adopting the Fair Tax. He said, "I believe in decreased government spending, decreasing taxes, and structuring a budget that makes sense."

He is pro life and will work to preserve America’s religious heritage and liberty. He wants to protect our 2nd Amendment rights, Lake Lanier and Georgia’s water

Department of Corrections, Georgia Correctional Industries and the Probation department.

"Georgia Correctional Industries is a private industry that is self sustaining through product development and market segments. It was my responsibility to make it work with a budget and personnel," he said.

Stanford related his work with the Boy Scouts, "I believe that scouting provides leadership that will help young men grow into responsible adults. I am an Eagle Scout and I will always be involved in the scouting program."

In closing, Stanford said if elected, his priorities will be water, roads and public safety. "We need to be concerned about public safety and we need to keep our people safe... that will be my priority."

Other speakers were David Campbell, who explained why he is not running for office; Steve Stanley, who is running for Board of Education; David Haight, running for Post Two Commissioner and Larry Sosebee, running for Post Two Commissioner.

Qualifying for all position is April 26-30 at the court house from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., except Friday hours are 9 to noon. For more information, call Chairman Ron Bolin at 706-492-7724.

The Fannin County Republican Party meets at 7 p.m. every third Monday at the Senior Center in Blue Ridge. Steve Tarvin, candidate for U.S. Congress, will be speaker at the April 19 meeting.

resources.

On immigration, Reese says it is a responsibility to secure our borders and stop illegal immigration.

He said he believes in increasing states’ rights and having local communities regulate themselves and that Federal involvement should be limited in state and local affairs.

Answering questions, Reese said if elected he will serve out his term and would not back out of a commitment he made; believes in term limits and the Fair Tax. Reese and his wife, Marjorie, have two daughters and four grandchildren and currently reside in Sugar Hill, Georgia. They attend church at First Baptist Sugar Hill.

John Delves spoke for Sam Olens, a candidate for attorney general.

Delves said that Olens had practiced law for 28 years and has proven experience in lowering the crime

rate in the metro Atlanta area.

"Sam Olens will make Georgia a better, safer place," said Delves..."he will lead the charge for water and redistricting, strengthen ethics reform, actively support law enforcement and protect Georgia’s consumers."

Delves concluded, "Sam is most qualified and has proven experience. He will bring conservatism to the Georgia Attorney General’s office. Look at the other candidates... and then vote for Sam Olens for Attorney General."

Brian Stanford, Candidate for Post Two Commissioner was the first local candidate to speak.

After introducing himself, his family, his dogs, and telling how he ended up in Coopers Creek in Fannin County, Stanford had the audience’s attention as he related his experience in the criminal justice system and his work at the Georgia

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C A L E NDA R will meet April 9th @ 11 : 3 0 a . m . at Daniels' Steakhouse in Hiawassee, Ga., in their small private dinning room, known as the " L i b r a r y " . We l o o k f o r w a r d to meeting you there. For questions, please call Suzanne Repp, Bereavement Counselor with Regency Hospice at 706-896-1251 or 1-800-597-8791.

Union: Upcoming Events Ca s t aw ay C r i t t e r s Pe t R e s cue Castaway Critters Pet Rescue is seeking a Fundraisi n g C o r d i n a t o r. I n d i v i d u a l will plan and coordinate various fund-raisers for the financial needs of the animals, transport of dogs, and upkeep of dog and cat shelters. Please call June Yo u n g a t 7 0 6 - 4 0 0 - 8 6 1 2 , o r

Martha Rollison at 706379-2729.

Blue Ridge. For tickets or more information, call (706) 632-9223.01.

C h i l d r e n' s Th e April "Dining ater "James and the Giant w i t h Peach," this season's first Fr i e n d s " Sunny D Children's Thea t e r p l a y, w i l l o p e n M a r c h 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

For those who have experienced the loss of a loved o n e o r f a m i l y m e m b e r, friend or other loss, and would enjoy a meal with others with the same loss, p l e a s e c o m e a n d j o i n u s . We

Po s t m a s t e r s Co nve n t i o n

SUPPORT Road to Recovery

Are you a cancer patient? Do you need a ride to and from your treatment sessions?

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 local 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 Man

Prostate Cancer Support Group—3rd Monday of every month from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at The Cancer Treatment Center Auditorium, 750 Deep South Road, Blairsville.

Parkinson’s support

Our group meets at 3 p.m. on the 2nd Wednesday of each month in the conference 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 Saturday 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 location 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 sensible way. Membership fee of $24 includes monthly magazine subscription. Monthly awards and contests, weekly programs on nutrition and health. For more information call Sandy at 706-835-1607.

Morning Coffee Group

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 Regency Hospice in Hiawassee, Ga., at 800-577-8791.

Cancer Support Group

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 828-3890295.

Narcotics Anonymous Weekly Meetings List

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

Tuesdays - 4 p.m. Open discussion meeting at Towns County Avita Community 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 Community 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 regarding any of these meetings, please call 706897-9775, 706-896-6263 or 706-7454066.

Bereavement Support Group Meeting

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 United 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 information.

Young Harris Al Anon

The Young Harris Al Anon Family Group will meet at 12 Noon every Tuesday in Young Harris, Ga., at Sharp Memorial United Methodist Church, Room 105.

For more information, please call 706781-3158.

Your Journey From Mourning to Joy

GriefShare is a Biblically-based weekly 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 Tuesday, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. starting September 1, at All Saints Lutheran Church in Blairsville. Call 706 745-7777 for more information.

ACTIVITIES GWRRA meets

Chapter J of the Gold Wing Road Riders 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 becoming a member to join us. All motorcyclists are welcome and we look forward to seeing participants from other chapters.

There are great rides coming up and we hope many of you will join us.

For further information, contact Chapter Director, June Gottlieb, 706-8967403

Tri-State Business Women

Formerly known as Business Women of Blairsville, the Tri-State Business Women is an organization of entrepreneurial women in Georgia, North Carolina 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 continuing 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 706781-1050.

Ga. Mtn. Writers Club

We meet 10 a.m. to noon the second Wednesday of the month at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic church on the Young Harris Highway. We have no PHPEHUVKLS GXHV RU HOHFWHG RIÀFHUV DQG meet to share our writings 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 second Thursday of the month and meets 7:30 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Blairsville. All active members are invited to attend the meeting and social hour.

Bagpipe Instruction

The 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 High Hiker's Schedule

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

Check the web site: MountainHighHikers. org for schedule and meeting locations or call 828-389-8240 for information.

Kiwanis Club

The Kiwanis Club of Blairsville is dedicated 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, contact President Charlie Krick at (706)7816793.

DAV

The 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 Teens

Join us on Fridays at 6:30 p.m. for fellowship, fun and snacks at Choestoe Baptist 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 706745-6370.

Mountain Sounds

We 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 raydale@windstream.net. Hope to see you at our next meeting!

Just 4 Hours

Just 4 hours a week can make a big differ-

ence 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 Unlimited

Trout Unlimited meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at Cadence Bank conference 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 information, 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 ShootLQJ &UHHN &RPPXQLW\ &HQWHU ÀUH VWDtion) in NC. Refreshments are served and a business meeting is held before a weaving project is presented. For more information, contact Joan (Guild president) at 706-896-1534.

UC Republican Party

The 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.uniongop.org.

Tri-State Business Women

Women 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 Restaurant with breakfast available to those interested. Come and see how women are making an impact as leaders in our community. For more information visit www. tri-statebusinesswomen.com.

Republican Women Of Union County

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

Mothers of Preschoolers

0236 ,QWHUQDWLRQDO D QRQ SURĂ€W PRWKering organization, creates communities and resources to help make "better moms who make a better world." A MOPS group is a place where moms can comejust as they are-to build friendships, receive mothering support, practical help and spiritual hope. Join us - because better 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 RIĂ€FH DW IRU PRUH LQIRUPDtion or email us at mopsofblairsville@ gmail.com.

Smokie Mountain Melodies

Smokie Mountain Melodies is a ladies barbershop-style chorus whose members FRPH IURP ÀYH FRXQWLHV LQ 1RUWK *HRUJLD and Western North Carolina. As a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, the chorus is committed to a goal of advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performances.

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 information call the Director, Phyllis Baker at 706-379-3836.

Forming Gourmet Dinner Club

6KDUH VXSHUE GLQQHUV ZLWK RWKHU ÀQH 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 706835-5007

Amateur Radio

Attention HAMs and anyone interested in Amateur Radio. The North Georgia Tri-State A.R.C. (Amateur Radio Club) PHHWLQJV DUH KHOG RQ WKH ÀUVW 7XHVGD\ RI each month at 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 technical session on Amatuer Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and PRUH VSHFLÀFDOO\ WKH 7DUKHHO 1HWZRUN 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 Meeting

The December meeting of the Old Unicoi Trail Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolu-

Superstars of the South Wr e s t l i n g

Superstars 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.

Wr i t e r s C i r l ce

A new writing program begun by Glenda Beall, will hold the first writ-

The Postmasters will be having their state conven-

Union: Recurring Events

t i o n a t t h e B r a s s t o w n Va l l e y R e s o r t o n A p r i l 9 - 11 .

tion will be held at the Big Springs meeting 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 KROG D &UDIWV DQG %DNH 6DOH WR EHQHĂ€W club chapter projects. If you are interested in learning more about DAR, an organization for women who have Revolutionary War patriots in their family history, contact Eloise Wolfersteig, Regent, 706-379-2533. Old Unicoi Trail Chapter serves Towns, Union, and Fannin Counties. The Old Unicoi Trail homepage is found online at http://oldunicoitrail.georgiastatedar.org.

Computer Club

The 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.

Auto Club

The next meeting of the Good Neighbors 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 Seniors

They 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 DQG ÀHOG WULSV 2Q 7KXUVGD\ )HE WK 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 Gardener Organizational Meeting

,I \RX DUH D &HUWLĂ€HG 0DVWHU *DUGHQHU interested in supporting projects in Towns and Union counties, please join us at 6PM, March 18th at the Blairsville Civic Center for an organizational meeting. 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 706896-6430, 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 WKH &RRSHUDWLYH ([WHQVLRQ RIĂ€FH QHDUHVW you.

Mountain Coin Club

meets 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.

MOAA

The Blue Ridge Mountains Chapter of the 0LOLWDU\ 2IĂ€FHUV $VVRFLDWLRQ RI $PHULFD (MOAA) meets the third Monday of each month at various area restaurants. All active duty, National Guard, reserve, retired, former military, Public Health Service, NOAA RIĂ€FHUV ZDUUDQW RIĂ€FHUV DQG VXUYLYLQJ spouses are invited to attend. For information please contact one of the following individuals, in North Carolina: Jim Ferrell at 828-335-9203, and in Georgia: John Quinlan at 706-896-2430, or visit www.moaa. org/chapter/blueridgemountains.

CHURCH Cornerstone Community Church

Special Easter Sunday Service 11:00am April 4 at Cornerstone Community Church Andrews 191 Robinson Road. Free gift for DOO ÀUVW WLPH YLVLWRUV DQG FDQG\ IRU DOO RI WKH children. We will be having special music selections by Adults, Teens and Children.

We will also be showing a special 4 minute video called "Sunday's Comin'" Everyone is welcome. For more info call 321-3777 www.cornerstoneandrews.org

Christian Faith and Reincarnation at Unity

Sunday March 28, Gene Curry will explore New Testament references to reincarnation. He will explain how Edgar Cayce, a devout Christian and Sunday school teacher who read the Bible from Cover to Cover every year of his life, faced this subject head on and how it made his faith stronger.

Mr. Curry has a BS degree from Florida Atlantic University in General Management and is retired from the U.S. Navy. He has been published in several magazines and has written dozens of computer hardware and software technical manuals. He is well known in the community as a storyteller and artist, and is a member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Storytellers and the

i n g c l a s s , W h o a r e Yo u a n d W h y D o Yo u Wr i t e ? Tu e s d a y, A p r i l 6 , 1 0 : 0 0 a . m . 1:00 p.m. at her studio on Chatuge Lane, Hayesville, NC. Class fee is $35.00 except for those who have d i s c o u n t c o u p o n s . To r e g i s ter or learn more about this class and upcoming classes throughout the spring and s u m m e r, contact Glenda Beall, writerlady21@yahoo.com or call 828-3894 4 4 1 . A t 1 : 0 0 p . m . Wa y n e Drumheller will hold a free class on creating your own digital books with Creative Memories software. Those who come in the morning and wish to stay for the afternoon class should bring a b a g l u n c h . C o ff e e , w a t e r a n d snacks will be provided.

Southern Appalachian Artists Guild. Unity Church of the Mountains is located at the 19/129 Plaza, 226 Gainesville Highway, Suite F, Blairsville, GA. Sunday service starts at 10:30 AM. The Course of Miracles Class starts at 11:00 AM every Tuesday.

You can visit our web-site at www.unitychurchofthemountains.com

Easter Vigil at Meeks Park

Begin your Celebration of our Lord's Resurrection with an Easter Vigil at Meeks Park in Blairsville. Surrounded by the beauty of Creation, the service will begin in the dark at 7 a.m. As the dawn of light appears, Readings from Scripture and Holy Communion will take

Surviving in Economic Hard Times

FREE Seminar March 25, 2010, 6:00 p.m. - United Community Bank’s Meeting Room If you would like some guidance in GHDOLQJ ZLWK ÀQDQFLDO PDWWHUV LQ WKHVH GLIÀFXOW HFRQRPLF WLPHV SODQ WR DWWHQG this FREE seminar which will be hosted E\ 6\OYLD 7XUQDJH &HUWLÀHG 3XEOLF $Fcountant, and Susanne Johnson, Regional Vice President of Primerica. The session will be targeted to ages 25 to 50.

Topics covered will include budgeting, saving, credit scores, debt elimination, insurance needs and identity theft.

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

place. Imagine hearing the Creation Account in Genesis read as the mist rises off of the Nottely River and the birds begin to chirp. The Service is sponsored by and Mountain Presbyterian (USA) and Mountain of Life, a Mission Development of the Evangelical Lutheran Church In America (ELCA). Questions or more LQIRUPDWLRQ HPDLO DW PRXQWDLQRĂ LIH# gmail.com. The service will take place where Butternut Creek meets the Nottely River. Directions: Park in lower parking lot of Meeks Park, walk path to the right along Butternut Creek until it meets Nottely river. In case of inclement weather the service will be held under shelter #2 near the parking lot. Bring your own lawn chair if you wish to sit. Coffee and fellowship will follow.

Union County Arrest Report March 15- March 22, 1010 March 16, 2010 Johnathan Ryan Elrod, 20 of Brunswick, GA arrested for simple battery Trevor Jennings Dyer, 24, of Blairsville, GA arrested for simple battery Joshua Lewis Berger, 19, of Blairsville, GA arrested for criminal trespass (city); disorderly conduct (city) March 17, 2010 Jonathan Andrew Mashburn, 17, of Blairsville, GA arrested for reckless drivng (city) Nathan Allen Lemay, 37, of Hayesville, NC arrested for failure to maintain lane; driving w/lic suspended or revoked 2nd (city) Eric Joe Francis, 31, of Murphy, NC arrested for driving w/lic suspended or revoked 2nd (city); headlight requirements March 18, 2010 Sandor Korfonai, 59, of Blairsville,GA arrested serving time Rickey Lamar Lindsey, 46, of Douglasville, GA arrested for driving w/lic suspended or revoked 2nd (city); tail light requirement March 19, 2010 David Anthony Lowe, 29, of Blairsville, GA arrested for no proof of insurance; driving on suspended registration 1st offense; safety restraint 18 and over Seth Samuel Aldridge, 25, of Blairsville, GA arrested for bench warrant James Adam Dwinnell, 31, of Hiawassee, GA arrested for probation violation (2 counts) Denns Bryan Loggins, 59 of Griffin, GA arrested for possession of marijuana; failure to maintain lane Veronca Lynn Byrd, 44, of Blairsville, GA arrested for probation violation March 20, 2010 Kenneth Edward White, 38, of Blairsville, GA arrested for disorderly house; obstruction of officer Deborah Key Duke, 52, of Blairsville, GA arrested for obstruction of officer (2 counts) Frank Anthony Colangelo, 33, of Hayesville, NC arrested for taillight requirement; DUI 1st offense Tonia Renee Prysock, 36, of Hayesville, NC arrested for driving w/lic suspended or revoked 1st; giving false info to LE Mary Tatham Jackson, 34, of Chattanooga, TN arrested for hold for other agency Mary Jane King, 36, of Blairsville, GA arrested for driving w/lic suspended or revoked 1st (city) March 21, 2010 Amanda Jo Shubert, 23 of Blairsville, GA arrested for hold for other agency

Submit your events to the The Sentinel Community Calendar!

828-389-8338 or news@wncsentinel.net

7KXUVGD\ 0DUFK ‡ GEORGIA SENTINEL Page 5A

CO M MUN I T Y Tributes Robert Dee Ball

MS., and Ann Mayo of MS., one grand daughter, Megan Black of MS., many other relatives and friends also sur v ive.

Funeral ser v ices were held on Saturday March 20,2010 at 11:00am from the Coosa United Methodist Church w ith the Rev.Earl Bishop and Rev. Dr.Steve Midkif f of f iciating. Special music w ill be presented by Rev.Earl and Ida Lou Bishop. Interment followed in the church cemeter y w ith the North G A .

Honor Guard conducting Militar y Honors. The family met w ith friends at the f uneral home on Friday evening from 6-8pm.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsv ille in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences online at w w w.mountainv iew f uneralhome.com

Rebecca Ruth Stevenson

Jim Hall of Spring Borough,OH., Peggy and Everett Riffey of Lafayette,IN., two brothers and one sister in law, Alex and Tonya Stevenson of Seattle,WA., Mike Stevenson of Hamilton,OH., eleven grandchildren, Joey, Destiny, Owen, Faith, Madison, Chloe, Aaron Cole, Jayden, McKenna, Emma and Andrew, many other relatives and friends also survive.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Cincinnati,OH. In lieu of flowers if you wish, the family requests that memorials may be made to the March of Dimes Foundation in memory of Mrs.Stevenson.

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

Marjorie Irene Dyer

Su r v i v i ng M r s . D y e r a re o n e d au g h te r a n d s o n i n l aw, Pat r i c i a a n d Ste p h e n Pow e r s o f L e e s b u rg , F L . , o n e s i ste r, Fl o re n c e P. B o u d reau o f Eu st i s , F L . , f i v e g ra n d c h i l d re n , L au ra , B o b, Sc o tt , Su z i a n d Vi c k i , ma ny o t h e r re l at i v e s a n d f r i e n d s a l s o su rv i v e.

A memorial ser vice will be held at a l ate r d ate . In l i e u o f f l ow e r s i f y o u w i s h ,t h e f a m i l y re q u e st s t hat m e m o r i a l s may b e mad e to R e g e n c y Ho sp i c e o f Hi aw ass e e i n m e m o r y o f M r s . D y e r.

Mo u n ta i n Vi e w Fu n e ra l Ho m e o f Bl a i r s v i l l e i n c ha rg e o f t h e a r ra ng e m e n t s .

Yo u may s i g n t h e f a m i l y g u e st b o o k a n d s e n d c o n d o l e n c e s o n l i n e at w w w. m o u n ta i nv i e w f u n e ra l h o m e.c o m

Joel Kevin Mashburn

Funeral services were conducted Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. from the Akins of Blue Ridge Chapel with Min. Butch Jones officiating. Honorary pallbearers were Cary Wilkins, Chuck Jones, Mike Eller, Steve Greene, Chris Hollifield, Kerry Lockaby, Jeff Kirkpatrick, Beau Thrasher, Espy Smith, and Jim Lawhon. Donations in memory of Joel and in honor of Sara Ashley Ledford may be made to T.C. Thompson’s Children’s Hospital Foundation 975 East Third Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com.

Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge was in charge of arrangements.

Thank You The family of U.E. Sampson wishes to express its appreciation to all friends who showed support during his sickness and death.

The prayers, food, cards, calls, flowers, visits, gifts to Old Union Cemetery, and those willing to stand in line during visitation on Thursday night.

The outpouring of your love and respect for him and his family will always be in our memories. We

will never be able to let you know how much it means to us and made us feel his life had touched so many people. Again, thank you and may God Bless.

Mr.Robert Dee Ball age 81 of R aburn Rd. Blairsv ille passed away on Wednesday March 17,2010 in the Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgev ille, GA .follow ing an ex tended illness.Mr.Ball was born on Dec.13,1928 in Louisv ille,MS.,the son of the late William D.Ball and the late Hester Prisock Ball.He was a veteran of the US Army of the Korean War.He was preceded in death by a daughter,Penny Black . Mr.Ball was a member of Coosa United Methodist Church.

Sur v iv ing Mr.Ball are his lov ing w ife of twenty two years, Mar y Ann Payne Ball of Blairsv ille, one son, Mike Ball of WA ., one brother and sister in law, Marion and Frances Ball of Louisv ille,MS., two sisters, Delores Glazer of Mrs. Mar jor ie Irene D yer age 95 of Wesle y Mt n. D r i ve Bla i r s v i l le passe d aw ay o n Sunday March 14,2010 in the Union General Hospi ta l fo l l ow i ng an e x tend e d i l lne ss .

Mr s . D yer w as b or n on Dec.14,1914 in Su m mer v i l le, M A ., the daughter of t h e late Aug ustus B oudreau and the late Flo rence Tur ner B o ud reau . Marj o r i e l oved ant i q ues,she and her hus ban d ow ned D yers A nt iques for over f o r t y f i ve years.She w as al w ays know n f or her ho me baked c o ok ie s.She w as pre c e d e d i n d eat h by her husband ,Fre dr ic k Douglas D yer in 1990 and by a si ster,Carol B othf ield i n 1998. She l eaves b e hind many dear f r iend s.

Mr s . D yer w as o f th e Epi s c o pal f aith.

Teresa Ann Gibson

Mrs. Teresa Ann Gibson age 52 of Garrett Rd. Blairsv ille passed away on Tuesday March 16,2010 in the Union General Hospital follow ing a brief illness. Mrs.Gibson was born on May 27,1957 in Towns County, the daughter of Edith Zimmerman Ingram and the late J.M.Ingram Jr.She was a lifelong resident of Union and Towns Counties. Teresa was a person who was f ull of life and never met a stranger.She was preceded in death by her father, J.M.Ingram Jr., step father, Rev. Willis Garrett and a brother, Jef frey R ay Ingram. Mrs.Gibson was a member of Gum Log Baptist Church.

Sur v iv ing Mrs.Gibson are her lov ing husband of twenty f ive years,Donny Gibson of Blairsv ille, one son, Marshall Gibson of Blairsv ille, one daughter, Shaye Gibson of Blairsv ille, one brother and sister in law, Tim and Sherr y Ingram of Young Harris, two sisters and one brother in law, Shela Owens of Brasstown, NC., Shirley and Johnny Smith of Blairsv ille,step brothers

and sister in laws, Alv in and Elizabeth Garrett, Larr y and Bonnie Garrett of Blairsv ille, three step sisters and one brother in law, Ila Mae and Dorsey Docker y of Blairsv ille, Rose Garrett of Cartersv ille, Arlene Garrett of Blairsv ille, several nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends also sur v ive.

Funeral ser v ices were held on Friday March 19,2010 at 2:00pm from the Mountain View Chapel w ith the Rev. Jimmy Rogers of Rev. Ronnie Abernathy of f iciating.Special music was presented

by L.D. and The Happy Pilgrims. The follow ing gentleman ser ved as pallbearers, Dean, Doug , Darrell and Dale Gibson,Terr y Kirby, Mitchell Ingram, Brandon Smith and Shawn Owens. Interment followed in the Many Forks Baptist Church Cemeter y. The family met w ith friends at the f uneral home on Thursday evening after 6:00pm.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsv ille in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences on line at w w w.mountainv iew f uneralhome.com

Jerry Eugene Gilliam

of Dahlonega, GA; step-mother, Mary Lee Gilliam of Springfield, MO; sisters, Lorraine and husband, Orville Hampton of Harlem, GA and Mary Helen and husband Jim Mitchell of Springfield, MO; ten grandchildren and one great grandchild also survive.

Funeral services were conducted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. from the Salem #2 Baptist Church with Rev. Kenneth Mann officiating. Music was

by Staci Ross. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Lionel Johnson, Chris Johnson, Justin Johnson, Matthew Ingle, Tyler Abbott, and Dwayne Ingle. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Glen Gooch

of Dahlonega, Claramae Kidd of Gainesv i l le, Inez Crook of Jack son,G A ., Mar y Ann and Jessie May f ield of Buckhead ,G A ., Sandra and Jerr y Bai ley of McDonough, Blondine Br yan of Dahlonega, four grandchi ldren, Jef f , Stephen, Br ittany and Jake Gooch, f ive great grandchi ldren, many other relatives and f riends also sur v ive.

Funeral ser v ices were held on Tuesday March 23,2010 at 1:00pm f rom the First Baptist Church of Blairsv i l le w ith the Rev.Danny Parr is, Rev.B. A .Buchanan. A eulog y w i l l be g iven by Rev.Stac y D yer and Doug Gooch. The fol low ing gentleman ser ved as pal l bearers, Chand ler, Patr ick and Jake Gooch, Terr y Jones, Kenneth Jenkins and Cur tis Colwel l .

Ser v ing as honorar y pal l bearers were Jack Lance, J.W.Pay ne, Al len Conley, Carlton Colwel l , Charles Hi l l , Charles Jenkins, Dr.George Gowder and Loyd P.Gooch. Interment w i l l follow in the Union Memor y Gardens Cemeter y w ith the Nor th G A .Honor Guard conducting mi litar y honors. In lieu of f lowers i f you w ish,the fami ly requests that memor ials may be made to the Glenda Gooch House. The fami ly met w ith f r iends at the f uneral home on Monday evening f rom 1-3pm and 5-8pm.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsv i l le in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the fami ly g uest book and send condolences on line at w w w.mountainv iew f uneral home.com

Mr. Jerry Eugene Gilliam, Sr. age 67 of Mineral Bluff, GA, passed away on Saturday, March 13, 2010 in the Kindred Hospital in Chattanooga, TN. He was born on February 4, 1943 in Polk County, TN to the late Hershel Carmen and Ollie Goode Gilliam. Jerry was a miner with Cities Services and a member of Salem #2 Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Juanita R .

Gilliam of Mineral Bluff, GA; son, Jerry "Corky " Gilliam of Copperhill, TN; daughters, Angela R . Gilliam of McCaysville, GA and Deborah Vanessa and husband, Troy Johnson of Morganton, GA; stepdaughters, Stephanie and husband, Dwayne Ingle of Ellijay, GA and April and husband Jamey Chapman

Mr.Glenn Gooch age 85 of Wren Drive Blairsv i l le passed away on Saturday March 20,2010 in the Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta fol low ing a brief i l lness. Mr. Gooch was born on June 15,1924 in Suches,G A ., the son of the late Homer W. Gooch and the late Maebel le Wi l kins Gooch. Glenn was a veteran of the US Army of W WII, w ith the 4th Infantr y Div ision and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He received the Purple Hear t and Bronze Star.He was a li fe member of of the VF W Post 7394.

Glenn had ser ved on the Board of Education for t welve years, Clerk of Cour t for t welve years and was the Commissioner of Union Count y for t welve years.

Glenn was a lov ing father,brother,grandfather and great grandfather. He was preceded in death by his f irst w ife, Leota Elizabeth Gooch, and w ife Bett y Gooch, a grand daughter, Glenda Gooch and a brother Tom Gooch. Mr. Gooch was a member of the First Baptist Church of Blairsv i l le.

Sur v iv ing Mr.Gooch are t wo sons and one daughter in law, Doug and Nanc y Gooch of Blairsv i l le, Glendon Gooch of Blairsv i l le, three brothers and sister in laws, Bi l l and Minnie Gooch of Smy rna, Er v in and Barbara Gooch of Suches, Ned and Carol Gooch of Suches, si x sisters t wo brother in laws, K athleen Fitts

Mrs.Rebecca Ruth Stevenson age 56 of Mountain Wood Rd. Blairsville passed away on Tuesday March 16, 2010 at her home following a brief illness. Mrs.Stevenson was born on June 23,1953 in Hamilton,OH., the daughter of the late Robert Stevenson and the late Barbara Durbin Stevenson. She was preceded in death by a son, Christopher Turner. Rebecca was a loving wife, mother sister and grandmother. Mrs.Stevenson was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving Mrs.Stevenson are her loving husband Robert (Bob) Honken of Blairsville, two daughters, Carmen Turner of Jefferson,TN., Regan Turner of Cape Coral,FL., one son, Aaron Turner of Tampa,FL., two sisters and brother in laws, Amy and

Joel Kevin Mashburn, age 46, of Ellijay, GA passed away Monday, March 8, 2010. He was born in Hinesville, GA on January 26, 1964. He worked as a builder and was preceded in death by his brother, Terry Joseph Mashburn, grandparents, Lloyd and Ruth Mashburn, and Tom and Helen Mosley.

He is survived by his parents, Tommy Jo Mashburn and Kennon Mashburn of Ellijay; special friend, Malinda M. Geers of Ellijay; sister and brother-inlaw, Amy and Rusty Hellen of Roswell, GA; niece, Chloe Hellen; nephew, Avery Hellen; and a number of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In loving memory, Dorothy, Philip, Teresa, Brittany, Melvin, Claire, Chloe, Sydney

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that Fannin County has a leash law.

That is inaccurate in the county, although various municipalities may have leash laws.

"People's biggest misconception in the county is believing there is a "per se" leash law in the county. We try to explain to people that your dog can be free if it's on your property, if it's under supervision and if it stays on your property," he said.

Drullinger advised residents and visitors to read the animal control ordinance, available online at www.fannincountyga.org/departments/county-departments/46-animal-control.

Another misconception is that it's better for an animal to be abandoned than to be taken to the shelter.

Drullinger said that strays are one of the biggest problems in the county. "There is quite a lot of it. I don't know if it's the turn of the economy, the ignorance of the people, the lack of compassion of the people. There's always an alternative to just turning the animal out," he said.

Some animals identified as strays may be owned by neighbors, so it's important to identify pets.

Drullinger advised that animals wear a tag and be microchipped.

It's important to identify pets with a tag, so a neighbor who finds the pet can return it without calling animal control. And although rabies tags are helpful in some ways, they do not help anyone identify an animal, Drullinger said. Instead, it's possible to personalize a dog tag at Wal-Mart for only $4, he said.

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ten notice or application to determine if the installation, sloping or angle of the driveway is such that it forms an extension of the slope of the public or private road in a manner so as to prevent run off onto the public or private road." The previous verbiage gave the Land Development Office the option of inspecting driveways.

The Commission also agreed to change S3.701 to read "The developer shall contact the electric co-op and telephone company during the design phase of the subdivision to work out the details of where the service lines will be run." Previously, the paragraph encouraged the developer to contact utilities.

Also in that section, members agreed to reduce the number of lots to be approved by the Department of Natural Resources for a private water system from "in excess of fourteen" to "in excess of nine."

Earlier in the meeting, members had continued their discussion regarding sight distance for intersections.

Chairman Lane Bishop suggested sight distance for a two-foot object at eye level of 3.5 feet. At up to 25 miles per hour, sight distance was 150 feet; at 35 to 45 miles per hour, 325 feet; and at 45 to 50 miles per hour, 450 feet.

He remarked that most paved county roads have a speed limit of 45 miles per hour. After some discussion, member John Foster suggested deleting the first category of 25 miles per hour and simply listing sight distance of up to 45 miles per hour as being 325 feet.

Member Chris Chastain also suggested that verification regarding sight distance appear on preliminary plats.

Members agreed to the change.

Under Article VIII, Foster asked

information inserted under the skin costs as little as $18 for a dog, he said.

"We all know collars come off. We strongly recommend microchipping.

It's such a small price for a guaranteed dog recovery," he said.

Drullinger said vaccinations for pets, especially rabies vaccinations, are essential. "There is a rabies problem here. However, it doesn't have to be a problem," he said.

He explained that a pet can be a vector, or carrier, of diseases if not vaccinated. Local veterinarians offer reduced-price rabies vaccinations at various times throughout the year.

"Even at full price, it's as low as $10...It's the simplest thing to do to not make rabies a part of your life.

It protects your pet. It protects you...

There's just no excuse not to have it," he said.

Drullinger said that even though there are only three animal control officers for the county, they consider informing and helping the public part of their jobs. The other officers are Jeff Ferguson and Luther "Pat" Patterson.

He advised residents and visitors to call animal control at (706) 632-3845 if they see a stray or have a problem with an animal.

Officers investigate all complaints.

Even if the problem is not as critical or one-sided as the complainant may portray, animal control officers welcome the opportunity to ensure that animals are "well cared for and people educated on the laws or ordinances," Drullinger said.

"It's never a waste of time. People have legitimate complaints or concerns," he said.

Fannin County Animal Control is located at 1001 Fannin Industrial Park Road in Blue Ridge.

whether 10 days was sufficient notice for a developer to correct any deficiency leading to failure of the improvements dedicated to the county. After a brief discussion, commission members followed Foster's suggestion to extend the time of notice to 30 days.

Moving on, members next turned their attention to land-disturbing activity. They focused on the permit condition that presently reads "Hazardous sediment basins and floodwater retention structures shall be fenced and posted to avoid danger to life or property."

Bishop voiced his concern that the term hazardous is subjective.

Member Rick LaRosa suggested that if the pond is deeper than six feet, it should be fenced. Bishop requested that LaRosa find the correct wording for the commission's next meeting.

Commission members then briefly discussed access control for "all commercial and industrial establishments and residential complexes of four or more dwelling units."

Foster suggested that the above sites should have an extra lane, such as a deceleration lane.

Bishop also noted that he considered an access control plan for "the desired point of access in relation to property lines, and any existing access points within five hundred (500) feet in both directions of the desired access point on both sides of the road" to be impractical.

However, no suggestions resulted from those comments.

Bishop, once again, cautioned that the commission's suggestions are preliminary and are likely to be revisited.

Commission recommendations must be approved by the Board of Commissioners before becoming law.

The Fannin County Planning Commission meets the first and third Thursdays of each month at 6 p.m. at the Fannin County Senior Center.

Fannin

Sentinel

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Deal: I will continue the fight for Georgia

Democrats made dream come true By: Jane Kidd

By: Elaine Owen

Democratic Party of Georgia

Sentinel Writer Nathan Deal, a leading Republican candidate for governor, told members of the U.S. House of Representatives on Sunday that he would continue the fight against the health care bill as the next governor of Georgia.

In his final floor speech in Congress, Deal vowed to challenge the bill, if it becomes law.

The following is the text of his remarks: "Madam Speaker, tonight, as I cast what might be the last votes of my congressional career, I am pleased to say as I pursue my full-time activities to become the governor of the great state of Georgia - that I will cast my vote in opposition to this bill.

If this bill becomes law, and I am successful in my undertakings, I will devote my efforts to making sure the people of my state are not subjected to the unconstitutional individual mandate, and that my state is not subject to the unconstitutional mandate to expand our Medicaid rolls.

I know that I am not alone. Yesterday, 38 states indicated they would join in suing to challenge the constitutionality of this statute.

And it is not only Republicans who are taking a stand. Governor Phil Bredesen the Democratic Governor of the State of Tennessee has famously called this bill the "mother of all unfunded mandates," and I look forward to working with all of our neighboring states to help fight against this unconstitutional intrusion."

5RRĂ€QJ t $POUJOVFE GSPN QBHF " Technical and Agricultural Education Building; paving the back walkway and renovating the old cafeteria into a computer lab and art/music classroom at Blue Ridge Elementary; and building a new maintenance facility.

Hubbard listed a total of 20 additional projects. He said he was "guardedly optimistic" about getting all 20 done, and if so, the district would have managed to fund 65 projects.

"Most of the extra money came from the fact that we redid the stadium," Hubbard said.

He explained that, initially, budgeting for the project was based on a quote of $6.6 million dollars. That amount was considered too high, so the project was redesigned and rebid, coming in at approximately $4.9 million, he said.

Another savings occurred when Hubbard found a $6,600 discrepancy in billing for rock, leading to a partial refund, he said.

One reason the board was requested to encumber monies now is that several of the projects involve heating and air conditioning units, which must be in place before the next school year, Superintendent Mark Henson said.

"Every minute's going to count between now and summer time," Henson added.

Governor issues Writ of Election for seat

Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that he has issued a writ of special election to fill the vacancy of 9th Congressional District due to the resignation of Congressman Nathan Deal. Deal submitted his resignation letter last night, effective immediately.

The special election to fill the vacancy will be held April 27, 2010.

Qualifying dates will be set by the Secretary of State’s office. Below is the writ of election:

Three in Fannin get Black Belt

A vacancy now exists in the United States House of Representatives due to the resignation of the official elected to represent Georgia’s Ninth District.

Therefore, pursuant to Section 21-2-543 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, a writ of election is hereby issued to the Secretary of State for a special election to be held on Tuesday, April 27, 2010, to fill the vacancy in Georgia ’s Ninth District of the United States House of Representatives.

Three from Fannin promoted to Black Belt United Karate Studios in Blue Ridge Chief Instructor Dan Haymore had high praise for three students who earned their black belt Friday.

Said Haymore, "I guess the most gratifying thing about teaching the martial arts is seeing my students achieve and grow physically, mentally and spiritually. I don’t know when I’ve been more proud than of these three students."

From left: Shelly Bishop, DJ Haymore, Jodie Sheffer

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After nearly a century of attempts by both political parties to reform the American healthcare system, a Democratic President and a Democratic Congress made this dream come true.

No longer will pre-existing conditions prevent someone from obtaining health insurance. No longer must a person forego job opportunities with higher wages in order to remain on their health plan.

Insurance providers will not be able to drop your coverage should you get sick.

Insurance coverage will expand to cover an additional 32 million Americans.

It is the largest deficit reduction in more than a decade, as the non-partisan CBO expects it to cut the deficit by more than $100 billion over the next 10 years and by more than $1 trillion in the next twenty.

Let’s enjoy this victory. It is good policy that empowers all Americans, lowers our budget deficit, and more importantly- gives life and health to those who have the least among us.

We’ve won another important battle for the American people.

Let’s savor this moment and continue fighting for all Americans.

It’s a triumph of the most important magnitude.

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PUBLISHER: Frank Bradley EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Debbie Walker CIRCULATION: Debbie Walker

The Fannin Sentinel (USPS # 024-582) is published weekly each Thursday by Sentinel 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.

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Banks: t $POUJOVFE GSPN QBHF " South) were answered with, "We will not talk to the media." Numbers to the Bank of Hiawassee and the FDIC were provided.

Local banks were a little more helpful when informed that this reporter was also a customer and would like some assurance as to the viability of the banks. At that point, this information was given: At Community & Southern Bank (formerly Appalachian Community Bank), current personnel will keep their jobs and stay in their positions.

All deposit accounts have been transferred to Community & Southern Bank, Carrollton, GA and are available immediately. The former Appalachian Community Bank locations will reopen as branches of Community & Southern Bank during regular business hours.

Checks that were drawn on Appalachian Community Bank that did not clear before closure will be honored as long as sufficient funds are in the account.

The Automated Teller Machines (ATM), debit cards and online service will stay the same. The same checking account numbers, checks and debit cards can be used.

Checks will be processed as usual. All outstanding checks will be paid against the available balance(s) as if no change had occurred.

Customers with loans with Appalachian Community Bank should continue to make payments as usual.The terms of the loan will not change.

Depositors of Appalachian Community Bank will automatically become depositors of Community & Southern Bank. Deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC. Public records show that as of December 31, 2009, Appalachian Community Bank had approximately $1.01 billion in total assets and $917.6 million in total deposits. Community & Southern Bank will pay the FDIC a premium of one percent to assume all of the deposits of Appalachian Community Bank. In addition to assuming all of the deposits of the failed bank, Community & Southern Bank agreed to purchase all of the assets.

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $419.3 million. Community & Southern Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s acquisition of all the deposits was the "least costly" resolution for the FDICâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DIF compared to all alternatives. Appalachian Community Bank is the 34th FDIC-insured institution to fail in the nation this year, and the fourth in Georgia. The last FDIC-insured institution closed in the state was Century Security Bank, Duluth, earlier Friday.

On Saturday, the morning after the takeover, employees at Community & Southern Bank were upbeat and positive.

One said, "We get to keep our jobs...and the bank is really better than it ever was."

Another said, "The bank is much stronger now and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m glad I still have a job."

Customers outside the bank seemed to be of one mind: they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care about the name of the bank. "Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the people on the inside that made me come to this bank and I plan to stay here," said a customer from Morganton, adding, "Ruth Jordan (president) is the reason I came here and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the reason Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll stay."

Others echoed the same sentiment, using different names of current employees, "Autumn, Sandy, Wilda..." making it clear that the change would only affect them if the current people were no longer with the bank. Several customers wanted to talk about how the individual employees helped them in particular situations. None of these Saturday customers planned to change their bank or withdraw their money, being emphatic that "the name doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter...the people do."

At the Bank of Blue Ridge (now Citizens South), employees and customers reactions were similar to those of Community & Southern. A "Welcome Letter" from Citizens South stated that every customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deposits and bank information is "absolutely safe and secure."

Most customers leaving Citizens South bank Saturday said they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even know there had been a change...and didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care as long as they could deal with the same people (employees).

Citizens South is a community bank based in Gastonia, NC that has been in business more that 100 years and operates 16 branches in and around Charlotte, NC.

CO M MUN I T Y Healthy Woman features diabetes By: Lisa Gagnon Sentinel Writer Prevention and care of diabetes were the topics of the March 18 Healthy Woman program. Dr. Crystal Comeau, Nurse Linda Carroll and Dietitian Lynn Hall spoke to approximately 150 people each time during two sessions at the Appalachian Community Bank's Community Room.

Carroll explained that there are four diabetes-type diseases that people should try to prevent.

Type I usually occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly control blood sugar levels. It was previously called juvenile diabetes, because it's usually diagnosed in children and young adults.

Type II is considered more of a lifestyle disease and is the most common type of diabetes. In Type II, the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Weight is a factor in Type II diabetes.

Gestational diabetes only occurs in pregnant women.

Prediabetes occurs when blood sugar is only slightly above normal. Carroll explained that a normal fasting blood sugar is 80 to 110, and prediabetes is 111-125.

Over 125 is considered diabetic.

People with diabetes need to consider education, exercise, meal planning, monitoring and medication to treat the disease, she noted.

Carroll said that one of the most important factors in preventing and treating diabetes is exercise. "Exercise is one of the most amazing and most underutilized tools," she said.

She said it's important for those concerned about diabetes to pick a form of exercise or exercises that they'll do. She listed some of the choices--yoga, videos, Silver Sneakers, Internet or simply parking at the end of the lot and walking farther.

For diabetics, monitoring is essential, she emphasized.

"Monitoring is the best way to figure out what you can get away with," she said.

She explained that she advises diabetics to check their blood sugar after eating a favorite dish. If it's too high, they can simply try cutting the portions in half and monitoring blood sugar again until they find a way to keep their levels down.

Presently, checking the blood is the most common way to monitor blood sugar, but a new test, A1C, is also being used, Carroll said. The A1C test gives a picture of the average amount of glucose in the blood over the previous few months. She added that an A1C level of 5.6 or less is normal, 5.7 to 6.4 is prediabetes, and 6.5 and up is diabetic.

Diet provides pitfalls for most diabetics, in part because of some misconceptions. She said that, frequently, when diabetics come to her with high blood sugar levels, she finds that they claim to be eating healthy fruits and vegetables.

"If you've got diabetes, the first thing you want to look at is the carbohydrates. Fruit is good for us...but it's also carbohydrate. If you don't hear anything else I say tonight, listen up: It's the carbohydrates, not just the sugars, that affect your blood sugar," she said.

Food plans must be individualized, she remarked.

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Glenda Page asked Dr. Crystal Comeau whether a complete blood count (CBC) would show if she had diabetes during the March 18 Healthy Woman seminar.

They must consider height, weight, age, medication, health and other factors. Determining which foods fall into which food groups can be difficult, she said, because many foods, such as peanut butter, which has protein and fat, fall into two or more groups.

Carroll held up a foam plate sectioned into three.The larger section is for vegetables, one of the smaller ones is for meat, the other small one is for grains and starchy vegetables, she explained. On the side is milk and fruit.

"You go buy these plates and use them for about a month," she suggested.

For chocoholics, she said, chocolate pudding and hot chocolate are alternatives to chocolate.

Carroll offered other suggestions for diet, emphasizing that reading labels critically is essential to managing health. She cautioned not to trust claims on packaging.

She said the words "organic" and "sugar-free" have legal definitions, but others, such as "natural," mean nothing.

"Natural doesn't mean anything. Poison ivy is natural," she noted.

Few people look at portion sizes, she said. Just because the food is packaged individually doesn't mean it's only one portion.

"We've been super sized into...obesity," Carroll remarked.

Medication for diabetics is either injected or oral insulin. Insulin is necessary for proper digestion, and if the body doesn't make enough, additional insulin is necessary.

Oral medication can work on the body in several different ways, Carroll stated. It can increase insulin production, act on cell resistance, work on the liver, work on glucose uptake or block carbohydrates, she said.

Carroll offered several ways to prevent diabetes.

The first is to have blood sugar checked annually, even though some recommend to have it checked every three years, she said.

"The sooner we find it, the better we can manage it," she commented.

Additional advice is to maintain healthy eating habits and a healthy weight and to not smoke or quit smoking.

She added that diabetics should have eye examinations annually.

Carroll urged all in the room to attend the Diabetes Expo March 27 at the World Congress Center in Atlanta.

Hall then took the podium and introduced herself as the dietitian at Fannin Regional Hospital. She explained her services were available to anyone with an order from a physician.

"Diabetes is a very individual disease," she said.

Medication reaction, diet, lifestyle and other factors affect different people differently, so diabetics should disregard well-meaning advice from anyone but their physicians, she said.

"Diabetes is a disease of hope because we have a lot of control over how it progresses," she remarked.The same factors that make diabetes an individual disease can be used to control it, she said.

Two factors, however, will positively impact any and all diabetics. "Losing five to seven percent of your body weight helps insulin work better. Even 10 minutes of exercise every day (produces positive results)," Hall stated.

The next Healthy Woman event, a spring fashion show, takes place April 15 at the Performing Arts Center at the high school. All Healthy Woman events are free, but reservations are required. For more information, call 706-632-3711.

Requiem on Maunday Thursday

A Requiem on Maundy Thursday, April 1, at 7 pm Centuries ago Christians throughout the world established the Thursday before Easter as Maundy Thursday to be a time to commemorate the beginning of Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dark journey toward the cross and His death. Within a three-day time frame, the Lord Jesus Christ was betrayed, tried, exonerated, then unjustly crucified. He was placed in a tomb from which He emerged victorious.

The first of the three-day journey leading to His death, after sunset on Thursday (actually the early hours of Friday on the Jewish calendar) Jesus gathered His disciples at a table for supperâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;the last meal they would share together, and initiated the event Christians practice as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Supperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Communionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the Eucharistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

The observance of Maundy Thursday allows us to experience His agony in order to fully experience the joy of His resurrection on Easter. Many traditions have developed for this observance such as giving to the poor and ceremonially washing feet as Jesus washed His disciplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; feet. The word Maundy is derived from the Latin mandatum (mandate), the first word of Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s command to the disciples after He washed their feet, "A new commandment I give youâ&#x20AC;Ś love one another as I have loved you".

For the third consecutive year, the 50-member Cherry Log Christian Church Chancel Choir will present a choral Requiem in observance of Maundy Thursday. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Requiem is composed by Bradley Ellingboe, a Professor of Music at the University of New Mexico and Director of Music at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Albuquerque. He is a graduate of Saint Olaf College and the Eastman School of Music, with further study at the Aspen Music Festival, the Bach Aria Festival, the University of Oslo, and the Vatican. Ellingboe has more than 90 compositions of choral music currently in print.

Ellingboeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Requiem is sung in a combination of English and Latin and will be directed by Richard Lumpkin, Director of Music at Cherry Log Christian Church, and accompanied by Birdie Towle, church accompanist, and guest instrumentalists. Dr. David Griffin, Minister of Cherry Log Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will lead the service. Communion will be offered to all who are present.

Fannin County Republican Women host candidates By: Elaine Owen and Lisa Gagnon Sentinel Writers Local, state and national candidates for public office spoke at the March 17 meeting of the Fannin County Republican Women (FCRW)--and more than 35 voters were there to listen.

Addressing the group, FCRW president Elaine Owen said, "I welcome each and every one of you. You people here are just as important as the speakers; you are going to take their messages and you're going to spread it."

Owen recognized former and present officeholders and candidates, including school board member Bobby Bearden, Post 2 Commissioner candidates David Haight and Faron Barton, former Post 2 Commissioner candidate Lane Bishop, Commission Chairman Bill Simonds, Blue Ridge City Council member Rhonda Thomas, Congressional candidates Chris Cates, M.D., Bert Loftman, M.D., a representative from Georgia Attorney General candidate Sam Olens and a representative from gubernatorial candidate Austin Scott.

Bearden, who's served more than seven years on the Fannin County Board of Education, was introduced first.

"It's a blessing and an honor to serve the citizens and children of Fannin County," he said, " I would be pleased if you would vote for me again for school board member."

Haight announced that he is a lifelong resident of Fannin County and is running for Post 2 Commissioner "to make a good county even better."

Cates, who is running for the Ninth District seat being vacated by Nathan Deal, is a well-known cardiologist.

Bert Loftman "I'm not a career politician. I'm a heart doctor and a business man," he said. "I think the last thing we need in Washington today is a career politician."

Cates mentioned his efforts to stop the present health care bill. "It's not about healthy care. It's not about patients. It's about control," he said.

After being questioned about how the bill treats senior citizens, he responded that Sarah Palin was "not far off" in her reference to death panels. He said that the bill permitted denial of coverage for different procedures based on age and risk factors.

He said he was concerned that the bill's cuts of $500 million to Medicare would result in denial of care, rationing of care and restriction of access, as well as more people losing jobs.

"You have to get in line waiting for bypass surgery, and if you die, death is costeffective," he said.

Cates stated that changes do need to be made to health care,including increasing competition, permitting insurance to

Chris Cates go across state lines, making it portable, banning pre-existing condition clauses, and making people partners in healthcare decisions.

Loftman, another doctor and candidate for the Ninth District seat, said he supports Club For Growth, a national organization that supports candidates who advocate limited government and lower taxes.

The Vietnam veteran said that his candidacy is based on replacing the income tax with the Fair Tax, reining in the Federal Reserve Bank, and honoring the Constitution. Doing so would result in job creation, better education, health-care reform, lower taxes and less government.

"The income tax is anti-savings," Loftman said. He then remarked that if people had had savings, Roosevelt's New Deal, which included the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Federal Housing Authority, and the Social Security Act, and which Loftman called unConstitutional, would not have been necessary.

He said that health-care reform

Faron Barton would occur if the U.S. no longer had an income tax, which he called a "European" tax. He added that the free market would curb such issues as excessive advertising by drug companies.

"The reason we have the best health care is because you get to choose your doctor, your treatment, your hospital.

That's why it's so important we don't lose our choice," he said.

The Fair Tax, he explained, resembles a sales tax at the point of sale. "The Fair Tax doesn't tax the poor at all. It taxes the rich," he said.

Loftman said that it would be possible to knock as much as 40 percent off the federal budget by reductions in government departments. He said the Department of Agriculture is not Constitutional, and Homeland Security does not require a separate department.

He also maintained that states should be able to take over many functions of the national government, except for air and water purity, wars, and the Centers for Disease Control.

John Wallace spoke for Sam Olens, who is running for Attorney General of Georgia. Olens is currently chairman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, chairman of the Atlanta Regional Commission and a former Cobb County Commissioner.

After dealing with a $700 million budget, not laying anyone off and balancing the budget each year, the position of attorney general "will be a walk in the park for Sam," Wallace said.

"He's a very committed conservative. We need a Republican attorney general, and Sam is the one we need," he said.

Jay Birnbaum spoke for Austin Scott, who is running for governor.

Scott, from Tifton, is chairman of the House Governmental Affairs Committee and on the Ways & Means and Appropriations committees. He walked more than 1,000 miles around the state to draw attention to transportation issues and to listen to the needs of Georgians throughout the state, Birnbaum said.

"If you want a good, ethical candidate, please take a look at Austin Scott," he said.

Blue Ridge City Council member Rhonda Thomas said that Mayor Donna Whitener planned to hold a town hall meeting in April. "We want to show how the city and the county can work together," she said.

Fannin County Republican Women meet at 11:30 a.m. the third Wednesday of each month at Harvest on Main in Blue Ridge. Speakers for the April 21 meeting will be Insurance Commissioner candidate Harold Logsdon and county Commission Chairman Bill Simonds. For more information, visit www.fannincountyrepublicanwomen.com.