The HC Citizen Newsletter Edition 430-A August 21, 2013 Qualifying for Municipal Elections Begin Next Week Beginning next week, those wishing to run for public office will be able to file a notice of candidacy for the Nov. 5 election. Citizens wishing to qualify for any city council seat or run for mayor will be able to register for the general election ballot Aug. 26 to 30. The city of Stockbridge will elect a mayor and two City Council members, the city of McDonough will elect a mayor and three council members, the city of Hampton will elect a mayor and four council members and the city of Locust Grove will elect three council members. However, Elections Director Janet Shelnutt said there will also be at least one public official resigning from his or her position in order to run for another position, but it hasn’t been formally announced. She said the county has an intergovernmental agreement in place that allows each city to handle the qualifications, but the county elections and registration office will take over closer to election time. The cities of Stockbridge, McDonough and Hampton will charge a $324 qualifying fee for mayoral candidates and all four cities will charge a $252 fee for council members candidates. Shelnutt said each city is required to charge a qualifying fee and “it’s a percentage of their salary. The county’s is 3 percent.” The last day to file and publish a notice of intention to be a write-in candidate in the November Municipal General Election is Sept. 3, and the last day to file an affidavit stating the notice of intention to be a write-in candidate is Sept. 9. The last day a person may register and be eligible to vote in the Municipal General Election and runoff is Oct. 7. Early voting will take place from Oct. 14 to Nov. 1 and Election Day is Nov. 5. A runoff election is scheduled for Dec. 3, if necessary. “Municipalities in the past don’t have a large turn out. They just don’t,” Shelnutt said, adding that usually approximately 10 percent of registered voters turn to the polls for city and county elections. Citizens will also be voting on a new county SPLOST referendum asking voters to approve a 1-cent sales tax to fund capital projects. The current sales tax rate is 7 cents, but with the SPLOST III tax expiring, the rate would be reduced to 6 cents if the SPLOST IV referendum fails. Good luck to everyone who is running for office. …………………………………………………………………………………………….. Please Be Careful of Our Children According to an article in the Henry Herald this week there is a great deal of illegal passing of school buses going on across the area including Henry County. When the bus is stopped and the stop sign is out this means that there are children nearby either crossing the road or going along side the road. There is no excuse for a driver to run by a school bus that is letting off children. I remember something that happened back in 1965 in Rome, GA. I watched a young boy get hit after getting off the bus and he was knocked at least 50 feet down the road like a rag doll losing parts. The driver drove on. The bus driver and my Dad were the first to the boy who was already dead. Please be careful because this is a horrific thing to witness. …………………………………………………………………………………………… School Bus Battery Thieves on the Lose There are two white men who appear to be in their thirties who have been stealing school bus batteries. So far they have stolen 38 batteries valued at some $5,000. This is not a good thing for the school system that is already looking for pennies here and there. If you know any information about these two thieves please call the Henry County Police Department or the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. Also, those who buy scrap metals across the southern crescent please be on the lookout for these two. …………………………………………………………………………………………… A Big Milestone For Mr. Alfred Britt Alfred Britt of “Alfred’s Thoughts Blog Page” about Henry County Politics would like to thank everyone that have been viewing and commenting on the blog. He would like to thank everyone who have been sending him things to post on the blog. Sometimes they are crude and controversial, but that is part of the first amendment and free speech. This is something that is sorely needed in the Henry County area. The blog has become a success by giving you a voice that has helped to drive the blog to over 10,000 views as of August 21, 2013 at 6:18PM the blog has 10,080 views. Thank you so much! Alfred Britt, III the owner of Alfred’s Thoughts Blog ……………………………………………………………………………………………… Big Golf Tournament A Success The rain held off, but the dollars poured in for the Rotary Club of Henry County 2013 Charity Golf Classic on Monday. President David Curry told participants that monies raised as part of the annual fundraising event at Cotton Fields Golf Club go to fund local programs supported by Rotary. Some of the organizations that will benefit include A Friend’s House, Haven House and Shining Light Ministries. While the South Point team won the first place prize, the real winners were the local charities, Rotary members said. Money was raised through registration fees, chances on prize drawings, mulligan packs and sponsorships. ……………………………………………………………………………………………. Congratulations to Rhonda Blackmon Stockbridge City Clerk Rhonda Blackmon has completed all of the educational requirements of the Georgia Certification Program for City and County Clerks. City officials said this is a noteworthy accomplishment that brings great credit to the city of Stockbridge and shows her commitment to professional standards. According to a press release, Blackmon will be recognized as a Georgia Certified City Clerk on Sept. 9 at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education on the University of Georgia’s campus. Very good on a job well done. ……………………………………………………………………………………………… Be Prepared For A C.M.E. Yesterday a massive coronal mass ejection left the surface of the sun and was directed at the Earth. This mass is moving at 2 million miles per hour and is expected to reach Earth beginning late on August 22 and full force on August 23rd. This could cause some disruptions in radio, television and satellite communications. If you can protect computer files it would be wise to. The upper latitudes should see some great auroras from this event. Here is an interest note: a small comet had been moving in an orbit around the sun when the explosion occurred yesterday. The comet was totally vaporized by the C.M.E. If it were not for the Van Allen Radiation Belts around the Earth it would be worse here. If this event hits just right and the clouds are not around, and you live out in the country you might get to see a northern light. My mom who was from the mountains of northwest Georgia remembered seeing the northern lights back in the 1940’s which tracing back would have been a time of the solar maximum. ……………………………………………………………………………………………. A Bit of News For Pastor Mike Moon Pastor Mike Moon of the Cottage Ministries of Henry County, GA—An Independent Baptist Ministry received a Certificate of Training Completion in the My Hope America With Billy Graham Training for Pastors on August 21, 2013 from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. This coming November will begin a movement to have more Cottage Ministry style church meetings so more people can be involved. The Rev. Franklin Graham will be in the push for this to happen across America. Pray that all who are involved with this great event will be in the Word. “Always be prepared; to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15 NIV. …………………………………………………………………………………………….. Congratulations to Reid and Janice Bowman We would like to extend our sincerest congratualtions to Reid and Janice Bowman on their 47th Wedding Anniversay on August 20th. They were married in 1966 and we were neighbors at the time. It is good to see them flourish and it has been with the help of God whom Reid and Janice both give back to. May they have many more years to come. ……………………………………………………………………………………………… Advertisements: Ellenwood Oaks Community Church at 1234 Panola Road in Ellenwood is Pastored by the Rev. Dan Holley. Go on Sunday and feel the Lords presence. Panola Mountain State Park offers a great place to see natures beauty and a time to relax with the family and its right here at home on Hwy 155N. Historical Military Museum at Heritage Park is a great place to go and learn about the sacrifices our veterans have given for all of us here in our great nation. Now for some really good Barbeque go to Shane’s Rib Shack on Hwy 155 at East Lake Road and enjoy the original. They give you plenty for the money. For a good biscuit with country ham, eggs and cheese go over to M&M Biscuits on Hwy 19&41 at Talmadge Lake. It is worth the drive. Need a tuxedo for an event or some other formal wear then drop by the Formal Wear shop on N. Henry Blvd. Across from the Auto Zone. Want to learn to shoot a gun. Then go to the Army-Navy Store on Hwy 42 N above Stockbridge on the right. They have an indoor firing range with several qualified people to let you shoot and learn your weapon. Remember be safe and carry. For all your grocery needs go to the Food Depot. They have 3 locations in Henry County to serve you. One the original at the bridge in Stockbridge; two the one at Hwy 138 & Hwy 155; and Hwy 42 S in McDonough across from the Briggs & Stratton or Snapper Plant. If you want to learn more about the history of Henry County then look at the Cemetery Research Group of Henry County Website. You will be interested in knowing about where you live. Go to crghenry.org. If you want some great books and meet the author of “In Atlanta or Hell” by Jeff Wells then go to Dawg Eared Books in the old Clay Plaza on the Square in McDonough. And while you are there take in the other shoppes because McDonough has a lot to offer. For all your feed and needs for your farm go to the Tractor Supply on Hwy 81 E in McDonough. It is a great place to shop. Have a pray request go to the Cottage Ministry site on Face Book and send in the request. ……………………………………………………………………………………………… Remember Labor Day is coming September 2nd. Enjoy some relaxing time with the family and have a cook-out with them and just have a great time. ……………………………………………………………………………………………. The HC Citizen Newsletter Created by Larry Stanley
Posted on: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 02:58:13 +0000