Thursday, September 30, 2010

Sounds good, so long as it is paid for entirely with bed taxes.

http://jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2010-09-30/story/st-marys-tourism-building-closed-move-waterfront-proposed

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

In a regrettable act of appeasement, Mayor Deloughey grants CVB membership on Gilman steering committee.

http://jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2010-09-28/story/gilman-property-committee-gets-another-member

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Sunday Funnies; Volume 134.

More Australian humour.....

WELL .... I SUPPOSE NOTHING'S PERFECT IS IT!!!!!!


An Aussie truckie walks into an outback cafe with a full-grown emu behind him.

The waitress asks them for their orders.

The truckie says, 'A hamburger, chips and a coke,' and turns to the emu, 'What's yours?'

'Sounds great, I'll have the same,' says the emu.

A short time later the waitress returns with the order 'That will be $9.40 please,' and he reaches into his pocket and pulls out the exact change and pays.

The next day, the man and the emu come again and he says, 'A hamburger, chips and a coke.'

The emu says, ' Sounds great, I'll have the same.'

Again the truckie reaches into his pocket and pays with exact change.

This becomes routine until the two enter again. 'The usual?' asks the waitress.

'No, it's Friday night, so I'll have a steak, baked potato and a salad,' says the man..

"Same for me,' says the emu.

Shortly the waitress brings the order and says, 'That will be $32.62.'

Once again the man pulls the exact change out of his pocket and places it on the table.

The waitress cannot hold back her curiosity any longer. 'Excuse me mate, how do you manage to always pull the exact change from your pocket every time?'

'Well, love' says the truckie, 'a few years ago, I was cleaning out the back shed, and found an old lamp. When I cleaned it, a Genie appeared and offered me two wishes. My first wish was that if I ever had to pay for anything, I would just put my hand in my pocket and the right amount of money would always be there.'

"That's brilliant!' says the waitress. 'Most people would ask for a million dollars or something, but you'll always be as rich as you want, for as long as you live!'

'That's right. Whether it's a gallon of milk or a Rolls Royce, the exact money is always there.' says the man.

Still curious the waitress asks, 'What's with the bloody emu?'

The truckie pauses, sighs, and answers, 'My second wish was for a tall bird with a big arse and long legs, who agrees with everything I say.

Friday, September 24, 2010

It's official!

Click twice on to image to enlarge.

Yes, I do know how to rotate it but it would not fit.

Those were the days.

Click on image (perhapsa second time) to enlarge.

Student I.D. from Spring Qtr, 1974, at Armstrong State College.

Great news for Camden County!

ATC Selects Site


For New Campus in Camden County



Trident Coast, Georgia-



Altamaha Technical College ("ATC"), a two year public college and unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, has selected a site for development of a new campus in Camden County, Georgia. The site is located along Interstate 95 at Exit 7 (Harriett's Bluff Road) and enjoys over one-half mile of highway frontage and visibility. Phase one of the campus is expected to house a 60,000 square foot facility. The thirty-one acre site can accommodate future expansions as enrollment and demand for programs increase. Total project value of phase one is estimated to exceed $16 Million.



Currently, ATC is operating in limited and temporary facilities at the Camden Center of the College of Coastal Georgia. The proposed technical college site is located approximately two miles north of the Camden Center. The property for the new campus is being donated by members of the Gross family. The Camden County Joint Development Authority ("JDA") worked with the parties to structure the deal and will be assisting in the extension of an access road and utility infrastructure to the site. The project is subject to state and local approvals and funding. The new campus could be open for student enrollment in late 2013.



According to Lorette Hoover, President of Altamaha Technnical College, "providing Camden County and surrounding areas with a new campus aligns with our mission of supporting the economic empowerment of people, communities, and businesses. The college has more than 90 programs of study available, but is currently limited by space and personnel in Camden. The campus will remedy that situation."



"Last academic year, ATC graduates experienced a 97.51% job placement rate; the college provides the academics, tools, and skills to better themselves, their careers, their families, and ultimately the community. Some programs, like certificates, are as short as six weeks, while other programs, like associate degrees, take two years to complete. Serving 8,000 students last fiscal year and experiencing a phenomenal 78.6% growth rate over previous year, ATC is well poised to stimulate the region's workforce readiness."



According to Chris Daniel, President of the Camden County Chamber of Commerce, "Securing a site for a new campus for ATC has been one of our top priorities for several years and will complete our workforce development infrastructure. We currently have an excellent public school system, the College of Coastal Georgia Camden Campus (a four year state college), and satellite campuses of Valdosta State University and Brenau University. Having a technical college in Camden will fill a void in our workforce development efforts by providing both academic and vocational programs needed to meet the needs of our community and emerging industry. It is very exciting to see the work of many come together to improve the quality of life for Camden County."



Jimmy McCollum, partner in the property being donated and spokesman for the Gross family stated, "the family has always supported education in Camden County. Aunt Mamie Lou Gross was a Superintendent, Principal, and Teacher in the local school system; Uncle Avente Gross was on the Board of Education in Camden County for many years; and several other members of the family have served as teachers. We were fortunate to be able to gift land for the David L. Rainer Elementary School and the Mamie Lou Gross Elementary School, and we hope this additional gift will continue to benefit education in Camden County."



David Keating, Executive Director of the Camden County Joint Development Authority reports, "we are pleased to be working with ATC and the Gross family on this exciting and much needed project. This deal is subject to certain approvals and funding at the state level, and we hope development can commence next year. The college is expected to generate approximately seventy-five jobs, but, more importantly, it will provide the skills and training so that hundreds of our citizens, even thousands over time, will qualify for skilled jobs in the future. I want to thank Lorette Hoover and the College Board for their vision, and the Gross family for their very generous gift that is making this new campus possible. The investment will be a blessing to the citizens of Camden County for generations."

Kudos to JDA Director, David Keating, for putting this together and thanks to Jimmy McCollum and the Gross family for their exceedingly generous donation.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Excellent news. Now all we need is a Republican CIC.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/09/22/russia-abandons-sale-anti-aircraft-missiles-iran/

Snakes, snakes, and more snakes!

Y'all will recall that when I came home Wednesday night, a week ago, there was a large water moccasin at my front door.

Well, this morning, I was out in the front yard with Sarah and Cojack. Sarah was putting in tree spikes for me.

My neighbor, from two doors down, walked up and asked me if I had seen any snakes lately. I told him about the moccasin Wednesday night. The very next day, he had killed a 4 - footer in his back yard around 10:30 AM. He said he noticed it when he looked out the window and saw his dog trailing along behind it sniffing at its tail. He dispatched it with a shovel. The dog was very lucky.

Earlier last week, he had killed a smaller one in his front yard in broad daylight. His house backs directly up to another of the three retention ponds they dug for the apartments.

I'm going to call Brant Creek and ask that they hire a pest control company to come exterminate the PROTECTED population of water moccasins in the sacrosanct "wetlands."

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Sunday Funnies; Volume 133.

Men Are Just Happier People



NICKNAMES

• If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and Sarah.

• If Mike, Dave and John go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, D!ckhead and Sh!t for Brains.



EATING OUT

• When the bill arrives, Mike, Dave and John will each throw in $20, even though it's only for $32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back.

• When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket calculators.



MONEY

• A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.

• A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need but it's on sale.



BATHROOMS

• A man has six items in his bathroom: toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel.

• The average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these items.



ARGUMENTS

• A woman has the last word in any argument.

• Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.



FUTURE

• A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.

• A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.



SUCCESS

• A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.

• A successful woman is one who can find such a man.



MARRIAGE

• A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.

• A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, but she does.



DRESSING UP

• A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the trash, answer the phone, read a book, and get the mail.

• A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.



NATURAL

• Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed.

• Women somehow deteriorate during the night.



OFFSPRING

• Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favorite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams.

• A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.





THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

A married man should forget his mistakes. There's no use in two people remembering the same thing!

Friday, September 17, 2010

How about this for a stimulus?

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/16/los-angeles-official-disappointed-city-used-stimulus-funds/?test=latestnews

Now, it is obvious to me that the Obama administration is just pissing away billions in inefficient "stimuli."

Here's a thought. Maybe the way to create more jobs is to eliminate more jobs.

Suppose that for all of 2011 and 2012, we allow folks to retire with full Social Security benefits a year earlier than they are now able to. So, if your current "normal retirement" age was 65 and you were not turning 65 until sometime in 2012, you could retire a year earlier than you had expected, at 64, in 2011.

The extra cost could be funded with the remaining allocated but as yet unexpended stimulus funds.

If perhaps a few million baby boomers retire a year early, there will be promotions from within the organizations they left and room for new employees at the bottom.

There might well be a real estate impact as retirees downsize and/or move south, etc.

They might also take some of that money and give all current Social Security recipients a one-time, 5% COLA in 2011. That money would almost never be saved, but spent in the economy almost immediately.

What do you think?

St. Marys police dogs get bullet-proof vests.

http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2010-09-17/story/police-dogs-get-bulletproof-vests-st-marys

Perhaps it will now be safe to bring them to city council meetings.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

These damned snakes are getting old!

Well,I came home tonight to yet another large water moccasin in the flower bed just beside my front door.

I saw him when my motion activated flood lights came on. He was stretched across four flagstones that I have in the bed where the water runs off the roof.  I rolled out onto my ramp and watched him for a bout 5 minutes. Not a twitch.

I decided that it was probably another dead one that some ass had placed there. However, as soon as I lowered the ramp down and it hit the cement, I was rudely disabused of that notion when it crawled slightly farther into the flower bed.

In the unlikely event that this was one of those fabled aggressive moccasins, I did not want to be on his turf in a wheelchair. I stayed up of the ground on my raised ramp and called the police.

One of the two responding SMPD officers was one of the ones who responded in the daytime a few weeks ago for the first one. I assured him that this one was very much alive and large.

They looked in the flower bed and around the side of the house. Apparently, it had skedaddled back over to the retention pond and swamp in the middle of Brant Creek Apartments from which it no doubt came.

One of the officers told me that they had had several snake calls to that property in the last couple of weeks.

Let's hear it for the friggin Green eco-weenies. Thanks to them, I now havcea protected water moccasin sanctuary just out my back door!

My biggest concern is for Cojack. I already check the back yard before I let him out. I'll be going to Lowes for some snake repellent tomorrow.

An interesting contrast.

Go to the GTU website and read Gordon Jackson's coverage from yesterday of Monday's St. Marys City Council meeting. Now, compare it to Ellen Robinson's coverage in today's T&G.

It is becoming increasingly clear that my friend Gordon is squarely in the camp of those opposed to the airport relocation.

I particularly appreciated the objectivity of Ellen's report vis-a-vis the T&G's editorial stance today on the same issue.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Sunday Funnies; Volume 132.

Some of the artists of the 60's are revising their hits with new lyrics to accommodate ageing baby boomers ...


New Releases Include:

Herman's Hermits ---

Mrs. Brown, You've Got A Lovely Walker


Ringo Starr ---

I Get By With A Little Help From Depends


The Bee Gees -- -

How Can You Mend A Broken Hip?


Roberta Flack---

The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face


Johnny Nash ---

I CAN'T See Clearly Now.


Paul Simon---

Fifty Ways To Lose Your Liver


The Commodores ---

Once, Twice, 3 Times To The Bathroom


Procol Harum---

A Whiter Shade Of Hair


Leo Sayer ---

You Make Me Feel Like Napping


The Temptations ---

Papa's Got A Kidney Stone


Abba---

Denture Queen


Helen Reddy ---

I Am Woman, Hear Me Snore


Lesley Gore---

It's My Hormones & I'll Cry If I Want To



And Last but NOT least...


Willie Nelson ---

On the Commode Again

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

JDA continues to improve infrastructure in anticipation of economic recovery.

PRESS RELEASE


September 8, 2010

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Camden County

Joint Development Authority




Local Governments Collaborate

To Improve Area Roadways



Camden County, Georgia-

Camden County, the City of Kingsland, and the Camden County Joint Development Authority are collaborating to improve area roadways in the emerging light industrial and education district along Harrietts Bluff Road at Interstate 95. The collaboration will re-route Old Still Road to align with Roberts Path at Harrietts Bluff Road; resulting in a true four-way intersection. This improvement will enhance access and safety to the Mamie Lou Gross Elementary School and the Camden County Industrial Park; owned by the Joint Development Authority. The improvement will also remediate a future impasse that would result when Harrietts Bluff Road is widened and a concrete median is installed within 1,000 feet of Interstate 95 in accordance with Georgia Department of Transportation requirements. The project is being made possible by a land exchange between Camden County and Dick Roberts and Karen Sharpe; which was approved and executed by the County Commission last night.

David Rainer, Chairman of the Camden County Board of County Commissioners reports, "the alignment of Old Still Road and Roberts Path at Harrietts Bluff Road will greatly improve the flow of traffic to and from Mamie Lou Gross Elementary School. This alignment will create a true intersection which should also improve the opportunity for development around the intersection. For some time there has been a need for this improvement. It is now possible with a minimum cost to the County, the City of Kingsland, and the Joint Development Authority. The three agencies have effectively collaborated in making this needed project a reality."

Ken Smith, Mayor of the City of Kingsland, echoed this sentiment and stated,"the alignment of Old Still Road with Roberts Path creates improved and safer access for school busses, parents, and the general public. The improvements also eliminate a major obstacle that could signficantly impede traffic circulation in the future. I'm glad the City is working in collaboration with the County and the Joint Development Authority to improve area infrastructure and help facilitate future growth and development."

According to David Keating, Executive Director of the Joint Development Authority,"this is another example of how our local governments are working together in partnership to make Camden County an even better place to live and do business. The planned improvements will enhance visibility and access to the emerging light industrial and education district in the area. The Joint Development Authority is grateful for the collaboration and support of the Camden Board of County Commissioners and the City of Kingsland on this project. We also want to thank Dick Roberts and Karen Sharpe for their vision and concern for the community, and for partnering with us to make this improvement happen."

Construction on the road project is expected to commence in October and be completed before the end of the calendar year.

COASTAL LIFESTYLE...

METRO ADVANTAGES...

CAMDEN COUNTY, GEORGIA

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

JDA, in conjunction with CCGA, to present results of study of business climate in Camden

Business "Pulse" of Camden


Study results to be presented

September 28, 2010

College of Coastal Georgia, Camden Center

The pulse has been taken and a diagnosis has been made. Please join us for a presentation on the Business "Pulse" of Camden County. This recent study targeted all licensed business owners in Camden County to assess the status, plans, and challenges of the local business community. The study was the result of a partnership between the College of Coastal Georgia School of Business, the Camden County Joint Development Authority, the Camden County Chamber of Commerce, and the Cities of Kingsland, St. Marys and Woodbine.

Businesses need timely and accurate information to make good decisions, and this study aims to help provide such information. Business conditions will continue to be monitored over time to diagnose trends, as well as emerging opportunities and challenges. Study results will also help direct program and outreach efforts to assist the business community. A continental breakfast will be served in the rotunda of the Camden Center at 8:00 a.m., with a one-hour presentation beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

The Camden Center of the College of Coastal Georgia is located at 8001 Lake Boulevard, Kingsland, Georgia.

Coastal Lifestyle...

Metro Advantages...

Camden County, GA

CCGA adds marine science instruction.

http://jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2010-09-06/story/college-coastal-georgia-adds-marine-science-instruction

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Sunday Funnies: Volume 131.

 You know you are from Georgia.....



 1. You can properly pronounce Chickamauga, DeKalb, Dahlonega,
 Smyrna, Buena Vista, Valdosta, Hahira, Houston Co., Milan, Okefenokee, and
 La Fayette.

 P.S.. Atlanta = ADD-LANNA not AT-LANT-A.

 2. You think people who complain about the heat in their states are sissies.

 3. A tornado warning siren is your signal to go out in the yard and
 look for a funnel.

 4. You know that the true value of a parking space is not
 determined by the distance to the door, but by the availability of
 shade.

 5. Stores don't have bags or shopping carts, they have sacks and
 buggies.

 6. You've seen people wear bib overalls at weddings and funerals.

7. You think everyone from a Yankee-state has an accent.

8. You measure distance in minutes.

 9. You go to the lake because you think it is like going to the
 ocean.

 10. You listen to the weather forecast before picking out an
 outfit.

 11. You know cowpies are not made of beef.

 12. Someone you know has used a football schedule to plan their
 wedding date.

 13. You know someone who has a belt buckle bigger than your fist.

 14. Almost everyone you know is either Baptist or Methodist.

 15. A Mercedes Benz isn't a status symbol. A Chevy Silverado
 Extended Bed Crew Cab is.

 16. You know everything goes better with Ranch dressing.

 17. You learned how to shoot a gun before you learned how to
 multiply.

 18. Ironically, you only crave Chik-Fil-A and alcohol on
 Sundays..when neither are sold.

 19. On one side of the road there's Wal-Mart and on the other is a
 cotton field.

 20. The directions to your house include "turn off the paved road."

21. "YALL is a word.

 22. Fried chicken is a major part of your diet

 23. Krispy Kreme dounuts are the only kind of dounuts you eat.

 24. You call it a cold Christmas if you don't break out in a sweat
 in your new sweater.

 25. When a single snowflake falls, the entire state shuts down,
 even if it doesn't stick. The radio and TV news will make snowstorm reports
 every 10 minutes and the grocery store will be completely sold out of bread,
 milk, bottled water, toilet paper, and beer.

26. People actually grow, eat and like okra!

27. You know the difference between a hillbilly, a redneck, and a
 Southerner.

 28. Your dog and your wallet are both on chains.


 30. You understand that at least once a year your car will turn
 yellow with pollen.

 31. You know at least one Bubba, and maybe a few guys named Bo.

 32. You say "tuna fish sandwich." (not tuna sandwich)

 33. You use "Sir" and "Ma'am" if there's a remote possibility that
 person you're talking to is least 30 minutes older than you are.

 34. Braves=good. Yankees=bad. Mets=LOATH

 35.You love sweet tea, mashed potatoes, biscuits, and all Southern
 comfort food...and Southern comfort

 36. You don't appreciate it, You preciate it.

 37. Your last words might be, "Yall watch this."

 38. Herschel Walker, Larry Munson, Sid Bream, Hank Aaron are
 legends

 39. You say and know what "I bet your sittin in tall cotton right
 now" means

 40. You use the heater in the mornin and AC in the afternoon during the "winter" season

 41. You might have heard of people finding their lost boat in a
 lake that has dried up recently

42. You know that Hurricanes are those the really big storms that
 give us lots of rain and a lil wind while at the same times destroys
 Florida!

 43. You know there is more than one type of Pecan

 44. You know the general population in the state will be stocking
 up on ammo and guns due to the new President

 45. You say "mash" instead of "push", for example...buttons

 46. The Redneck Games in Dublin and Smileys Flee Market are kinda a
 big deal

 47. Savannah is The place to go to in the state for St. Patty's Day

48. The Perry Fair (GA National Fair) is on your calendar of events
 every year

 And finally...

 This one is the absolute Gospel truth! I have said this so many
 times!!

 49. You are 100% Georgian if you have ever had this conversation:

 "You wanna coke?"

 "Yeah."

 "What kind?"

 "Dr Pepper

Chatham DA's office has gone to hell.

http://savannahnow.com/news/2010-09-05/chatham-county-district-attorney-larry-chisolm-faces-harassment-bias-complaints

Friday, September 3, 2010

State and local authorities trying to find alternate use for closing Bayer Crop Science site.

PRESS RELEASE


September 3, 2010

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Camden County

Joint Development Authority


State and Local Officials

Meet with Bayer Crop Science



Camden County, GA-

State and Local officials met Tuesday with representatives of Bayer Crop Science ("Bayer") to discuss the future of the Woodbine, Georgia facility; which is expected to cease production of the pesticide Temik at some point during the next few years. The Woodbine facility currently serves as the sole world-wide producer of Temik; which has been used for over forty years to protect a variety of crops, including potatoes, cotton, peanuts, and citrus. The active ingredient in Temik is Aldicarb, which is produced in West Virginia. A recent study of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency determined Aldicarb may pose a health and safety risk to children and wildlife. Though Bayer does not fully agree with the EPA's conclusions, the company has entered into an agreement to phase out production of Temik over the next few years.

Local officials included David Keating, Executive Director of the Camden County Joint Development Authority ("JDA"); Chris Daniel, President and CEO of the Camden County Chamber of Commerce; Mayor Parrott of Woodbine, Georgia; and Michelle Shaw of the State of Georgia Department of Economic Development. Discussions centered on saving the workforce and exploring alternate uses of the property. Bayer has several divisions and business units that may benefit from the strategic assets of the site; which include hundreds of acres fronting the Intracoastal Waterway with maritime access to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Andrews Sound; close proximity to Interstate 95; abundant fresh water resources; a secure setting; and a well trained, capable workforce; among other assets. State and Local officials discussed potential incentives to help transition the facility to an alternate use and save the jobs threatened by the planned closure.

Over the next few months, Bayer Crop Science will be reviewing the full implications of their agreement with the EPA, including its impact on the Woodbine facility. Once a decision has been made, the parties will reconvene to discuss next steps. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Camden County Board of Commissioners and the Mayors of the Cities of Kingsland, St. Marys, and Woodbine have requested a joint meeting with the EPA to discuss the matter, which the JDA is facilitating.

Three commissioners opt to forgo $6.4 million to save $400,000 in school taxes.

At Tuesday's called meeting, newly anointed County Commissioner Jimmy Starline joined forces with Commissioners Zell and Keene to vote down - quite possibly for the first time in history - the Camden County BOE's request for a millage rate increase.

The request was for a meager increase of 0.25 mils. Let's put that into perspective.

Worst case scenario, i.e., for a homeowner with zero exemptions, .25 mils equates to $10.00 in annual taxation per $100,000 of APPRAISED value.

So, the owner of a $200,000 home would pay an additional $20.00 - less than the cost of a couple eating one Sunday dinner at Aunt B's.

Now, if memory serves me, in a previous T&G article, Dr. Hardin said that he increase would need to insure that our school millage rate was equal to at least 95% of the state average. Why? Because that is a requirement to get the federal impact funds.

Again, working from, memory, I think that is about $1.6 million this year.

So, in order to score political points, three commissioners may well have jeopardized the receipt of $1.6 million in order to "save" constituents $10.00 per $100,000 of appraised value.

Does that make any sense to even the most rabid of you?

Whoa, Nellie! It's worse than I thought. Go back tot he Aug. 11 edition of the T&G.

My recollection of $1.6 million turns out not to be the federal impact aid number, but the value of 1 mil in the 2010 digest.

The actual federal impact aid figure for last year was $6.4 million!!!

So, the .25 mil increase the school board is asking for would take an additional $400,000 from the pockets of some 50,000 Camdenians.

To save $400,000, three commissioners are willing to give up $6.4 million in federal aid.

So, to save one dollar, they would gladly give upsixteenr for a net loss of $15.00 for every $1.00 "saved."

Yes, the defenses for this one should be really interesting. Have at it!