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The Paper | Thursday, March 29, 2012
Dean Foods, Mayfield Dairies talking with town officials about visitors center’s future From staff reports As promised, officials from Dean Foods have been talking with Braselton Town Manager Jennifer Dees about the possible reopening of the Mayfield Dairies’ visitors center. When the center closed the center with its tours, gift shop and ice cream parlor last October, Jamaison Schuler, senior manager of corporate communications for Dean Foods Co., which purchased Mayfield Dairy in 1990, said the company would be considering input and suggestions made by town officials and others in the local community. Schuler flew in from Texas for the visitor center’s final day of tours. He heard requests to consider reopening the center and saw the large crowds that visited in the center’s final days. “The center is an important asset for the community and for the Mayfield brand and we realize that,” said Schuler. While Dean Foods has a number of brands, with Mayfield is one of the largest of the Dean Foods brands and is the only one with a visitor center. The Athens, Tenn., visitors’ center remains open and Schuler
Importance of the center to tourism, to education stressed said one of the operational adjustments made there could be replicated in Braselton if this center reopens. Dees said she is hopeful the town’s efforts to secure an energy audit and continue Braselton Visitors Bureau advertising will be a factor in the company’s consideration of reopening the center. Dees stressed the educational opportunity the center offered for public and private school children and homeschoolers to take field trips. The center opened in 1997. The company announced at the end of September that it was closing the center and ending tours for the foreseeable future due to the slow economy. An increase in the price of raw milk, a decline in milk sales and the higher price of diesel fuel were cited by Schuler as factors in the decision to shutter the center.
FURLOUGH from page 1A
Counties across Georgia waiting to determine impact of state tax reform some across the state are saying the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia should have provided better communication with counties. “There wasn’t adequate time for feedback and address concerns that local governments might have,” said Poe. “I think ACCG did a good job with the little bit of time they had to respond.” “I know this committee was working on this the past two years and a lot of the proposed legislation was discussed at some level but it would still have been better to have more time to review and provide feedback on the final product,” said Poe. “Tax reform and tax relief are what a lot of taxpayers are after these days and we will have to live with what the state legisla-
tors feel are the ways to address these issues,” said Poe. Initial numbers show that Jackson County will be losing revenue with the proposed changes. “We will definitely have to look at the impact it will have on our budget and try to accurately project the decrease in revenue,” said Poe, who expects the reform measures to be a topic of discussion at a conference he is attending this week. Planning for the Fiscal Year 2013 budget will get the focus of Finance Director John Hulsey in May. Plans will also be forthcoming in the next month on renegotiation of the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) distribution between the county and its municipalities.
LeAnne Akin The Paper
On Doctors’ Day, the Crawford W. Long Museum in downtown Jefferson opens its newest exhibit featuring country doctors. It is open through Sept. 29.
Doctors’ Day brings new exhibit at Long Museum From staff reports In recognition of National Doctors’ Day, ride along for the journey of medical advancements as seen through the practices of Jefferson’s own physicians. From 1830 to 1957, doctors in a rural practice continued to treat basic illnesses while adapting to changing medical theories. These doctors not only treated friends, but family members as well, forcing them to deal firsthand with the shortcomings of their professions. On Friday, the Crawford Long Museum will open “The Country Doctors of Jefferson” exhibition, a temporary exhibit showcasing George R. Grant, Crawford Long, John David Long, J.B. Pendergrass, Charles Brock, Sumner Smith, C.B Lord and James Stovall. The exhibit runs through Sept. 29. In honor of Doctors’ Day, red carnations will be delivered to local doctors by the museum staff and Jefferson Girl Scout troops 11936 and
11980. The red carnation has become the symbol of Doctor’s Day for the qualities of love, charity, sacrifice, bravery and courage. A memorial wreath com-
memorating the 170th anniversary of Dr. Long’s discovery of anesthesia will be placed on Long’s monument by Fred and Ryan Gurley of Crawford Long Pharmacy.
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