The unofficial results of the primary elections held in Miller County on July 18, 2006 are as follows. These results include the absentee ballots.
In the Republican Party Primary election, the results are as follows:
For Governor- Ray McBerry-23; Sonny Perdue-59
For Lieutenant Governor- Casey Cagle-36; Ralph Reed-33
For Secretary of State- Charlie Bailey-15; Karen Handel-21; Eric Martin-16; Bell Stephens-14
For Attorney General-Perry McGuire-57
For Commissioner of Agricultre- Gary Black-31; Robert Hampton"Bob" Greer-13; Brian Kemp-12; Benna Strickland-13
For Commissioner of Insurance- John W. Oxedine-00
For State School Superintendent- Danny J. Carter-00; Kathy Cox-00
For Commissioner of Labor- Brent Brown-00; Chuck Scheid-00
For Public Service Commissioner- Chuck Eaton-38; Mark Parkman-25
For Public Service Commissioner- Newt Nickell-22; Stan Wise-45
For U.S Representative in 110th Congress- Bradley C. Hughes-60
For State Senator from the 11th District - John Bullock-67
In the Democratic Party Primary election, the results are as follows:
For Governor- Bill Bolton-5; Cathy Cox-526;Mac McCarley-6; Mark Taylor-149
For Lieutenant Governor- Greg K Hecht-225; Griffin Lotson-40; Jim Martin-217; Steen "Newlady" Miles-27; Rufus O. Terrill-12
For Secretary of State- Gail Buckner-123; Darryl Hicks-81; Scott Holcomb-119; Angela Moore-60; Walter Ray-41; Shyam Reddy-51
For Attorney General-Thurbert Baker-435
For Commissioner of Agricultre- Tommy Irvin-503
For Commissioner of Insurance- Guy Drexinger-385
For State School Superintendent- Carlotta Harrell-265; Denise Majette-198
For Commissioner of Michael "Mike" Thurmond-426
For Public Service Commissioner- David L. Burgess-404
For Public Service Commissioner- Dawn Randolph-372
For U.S Representative in 110th Congress- Sanford Bishop-494
For State Senator from the 11th District - Marjean Boyd-424
For State Representative in the General Assembly from 149th District- Gerald E. Greene - 514
For County Commissioner- District 2 - Max Bryan Wells-99; Barbie Womble-127
For County Board of Education- District 2 - Vicki Merritt-154
For County Commissioner- District 4 - G. C. Jinks, Jr.-101
For County Board of Education- District 4 - Shela P. Freeman -87
The winners of these primary elections will face opposition, if they have any, in the General Election on November 7.
If there are any races who do not win a clear majority statewide of the vote, the top two candadates will face each other in a run-off primary on August 8.

After the regular Miller County Board of Education meeting and discussion with Superintendent Robert Phillips, this information was given:
Although no dirt has been turned yet, the BOE has been diligently jumping through all the hoops necessary to complete the process of building a state-funded structure. With the funding now in place, the architectural firm and the construction management team on board, the BOE is now in the arduous process of nailing down details. For example, at the last BOE meeting, a preliminary architectural design was presented for consideration by the BOE.
Much has been speculated about what the BOE should and should not include in the actual design plan. To help the BOE and the community better understand exactly the state’s position in relation to our construction, Lynn Jackson, state director of facilities, came to this meeting.
Jackson stated that Miller County has been funded for 58 units for our K-12 school. That number is based on the estimated amount of students that our system will have in 2008 when the school will be completed. Jackson also made it clear that the state will not fund any more units than their projections call for in a system. Any additional units added to the basic state plan will result in the BOE having to provide additional local money to pay for the units. In other words, the most financially responsible decision is to build what has been funded by the state.
The state funding for our K-12 school is $10,700,000. Even with that funding, other expenses such as our local percentage contribution as required by the state, construction cost increases, land purchase, and other necessary costs, made the total construction cost over $19,000,000. This debt obligation will be totally met by the BOE’s acceptance of the state funding combined with the funding from our local bond that was passed.
The BOE must concern itself with two objectives in the building of our new school: (1) the design that will be most beneficial for the students and (2) the financial responsibility of getting the best facility using the money already appropriated for this project, without adding any additional local burden.
Jackson emphasized that any changes to the preliminary architectural design presented to the BOE at this meeting would result in the need for more local money. In order not to incur any further expenses that would require more local funding, the BOE unanimously agreed to accept this preliminary design. With that vote, the BOE’s next step will be to finalize the design. After that, construction bids should go out by the end of the calendar year.

On July 11, at approximately 11:30 a. m., the Miller County Sheriffs Office was advised that someone had broken into J and J Millwright. The business is located on SR Hwy 45 south of Colquitt.
Chief Investigator Ben Nix and Chief Deputy Terry Williams went to the scene. A work truck was also missing, which was full of welding tools and a welder.
The two sheriff's deputies saw a truck that was parked across from J and J Millwright that belonged to Joseph Roaten. A bo-lo was put out on the missing work truck and equipment by the 911 operator.
Sheriff Buddy Glass and several other deputies, along with Colquittt Police Department officers searched the county and city and was able to locate the truck. At 11:30 p.m. this same night Sheriff Glass, Sgt.. Dale Glover, and Investigator Ben Nix were sitting watching the suspects truck when we received a call from GSP Trooper Dukes who advised he had the truck stopped on Faceville Highway in Decatur County. He also stated the driver was a Joseph Roaten and there was no welder or tools.
Sheriff Glass went to go to Decatur County the next day and interview Mr. Roaten.
On July 12, Investigator Nix met with James McMullen, the owner of J and J Millwright, at Gerald's Paint and Body and checked the stolen truck for missing items. A list of the missing items was received and photo of the truck and turned it over to Mr. McMullen.
Mr. Roaten was then interviewed and he stated to Investigator Nix that he had gone into J and J Millwright through a side door and took the keys to the pick-up. He also told officer that he went to Cottondale, FL and sold the items that were missing.
The investigator was advised by Sheriff Glass that Mr. Roaten had also been known to break into drink machines and that there was one broken into at Damascus Peanut in Calhoun County on the night that the truck was taken. When asked by the investigator if he did it, Mr. Roaten stated no, then changed his story and stated he did, and took 50 or 60 dollars in change from the drink box.
After the interview Investigator Nix drove to Cottondale, FL where all the property that had been stolen and sold was recovered and returned to the owner. The officer took warrants on Joseph Roaten and he was arrested for burglaries and theft.
Sheriff Glass stated that with the cooperation of other law enforcement departments of the cities, counties and state, we have much more success in solving crime in this area.

A couple of weeks ago the Miller County Hospital page shared with folks the request from Sgt. George Dixon, regarding the need for personal items and snacks for his platoon.
Well, here it goes, almost 250 pounds of things that the soldiers asked for plus a few more, such as personal items that they can’t buy, if they are not on duty when they come in! Items needed such as deodorant, T-shirts, toothpaste, soap, foot powder, candy (that won’t melt), mouthwash, shampoo, chewing gum, nuts, cookies and greeting cards can be purchased, but they don’t last long when they come into the PX.
Special thanks goes to Mr. Junior Eidson of Junior Pest Control who sent a $100.00 donation toward shipping costs. Thanks also to Dr. Devin McCowan and Representative Gerald Greene for paying the balance of shipping cost.
Others who contributed items for shipment were IGA, Miller County Liberal, Grow Drug, and many individuals at the hospital and nursing home.
The goods have been shipped and are well on their way to our troops overseas. They really do enjoy getting them.

Looks like someone has gotten a better taste of blood. The price of gas is going up, again, and according to some of the station owners it will be $3.00-$4.00 per gallon before the summer is over.
In a effort to give our readers information on what to expect when they get on the road, we have found a web site that will give the prices of gas in the area you are traveling. The web site is if you know the ZIP. Every night this web site receives pricing data from over 90,000 gas stations across the nation. Please note that gas prices in your area may change more frequently than they can obtain them.
The prices are changed each day and are current. We try to get the area prices nearest to publication date on Monday mornings.
These are the area ZIPs that we check each week. If you are traveling to almost anywhere, get the ZIP and find the price and station locations for the best prices.
Albany 31707
Arlington 39813
Bainbridge 39817
Blakely 39823
Camilla 31730
Colquitt 39837
Donalsonville 39845
Dothan, AL 36301
Tallahassee,FL 32308
Tifton 31793
The best listed price in this area is on the US Hwy 84, in Seminole County. It was $2.59.9 per gallon. The lowest in the nation was in VA at $2.239 per gallon. The national average is $2.95.9 per gallon and the highest was $4.059 in Kailu Kona, HI.
As one station owner was asked, "Why is the difference in price on gas bought from the same distributor?"
The station owner explained, "I make more on mine than the other station. It's called supply and demand."
Another station owner said, "I guess they buy from a cheaper source, or don't make as much."
It gets down to the same pricing structure as most products, supply and demand.
Americans seem to have an unifiable desire to purchase gas at whatever price that is asked. It seems that the folks who sell it are seeing what we will pay.
So as you can see, the price of regular gasoline can vary as much as 10¢ to 12¢ per gallon in the same city or in less than 20 miles apart a station owner will be selling the same gas in different towns as much as 36¢ per gallon difference.
The price of fuel affects almost everything that is purchased from food, clothing, auto and trucks, computers to building material or medical costs because all are dependent on moving products with fuel.
The more everything costs the higher the taxes, so don't think our/you governments are going to do anything about the price but raise the tax, after the election.

The following resolution sponsored by Representative Gerald Green was passed in the Georgia House of Representatives in the past session. The resolution was presented to Chief Tully and The Colquitt-Miller County Volunteer Fire Department for their great work and dedication to the people in this city and county.
A resolution commending Fire Chief Craig Tully and the Colquitt-Miller County Volunteer Fire Department; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the residents of Miller County are very fortunate to have the services of one of Georgia’s most outstanding fire chiefs, Craig Tully of the Colquitt-Miller County Volunteer Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, it was Chief Tully’s passion and dedication to his community that made the formation of the fire department possible, after the other concerned citizens diligently campaigned for adequate funding; and
WHEREAS, today, the Colquitt-Miller County Volunteer Fire Department is one of the best volunteer fire departments in Georgia, and an upcoming Swamp Gravy production, Nuthin’ But a Will, will recount the moving story of its founding; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his duties as the head of the department, Chief Tully currently serves as the Sergeant at Arms for the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs; and
WHEREAS, under the able guidance of Chief Tully, the courageous volunteers of the Colquitt-Miller County Volunteer Fire Department contribute immensely to the safety and well-being of their neighbors and are a shining example to all who seek to give back to their community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body join to commend Fire Chief Craig Tully and the Colquitt-Miller County Volunteer Fire Department for their valiant service to their community and thank all the department’s members for their invaluable contributions to public safety in Georgia.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Fire Chief Craig Tully and the Colquitt-Miller County Volunteer Fire Department.
Congratulations to the best of the best.

Business is booming in Colquitt and Miller County. Another grand re-opening and ribbon cutting was held Wednesday, July 12, 2006.
A large crowd of family, friends, businesses and financial institutions gathered for the grand re-opening of The Wear House Etc., located at 408 West Crawford Street in Colquitt.
Veryl Garland Cockey, president of the Colquitt/Miller County Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the large crowd and thanked the owners, Scott and Cecilia Messer, for expanding their business. Mr. Messer told the crowd that he was glad to be a full-time employee of the business now, after having been in the grocery market for over 20 years. Scott asked everyone to patronize their business and pray that it be a successful one.
The Rev. Carl Marshall, pastor of First Baptist Church, was asked to bless the refreshments that the owners had prepared for the crowd. Everyone enjoyed hotdogs and drinks.
Throughout the day, door prizes were given away, including the grand prize of a Motorola E815 cell phone which was won by Wanda Griffin. "Live 101.9 Bainbridge" was there with a live remote broadcasting the event on three different radio stations.
The Wear House Etc. first opened its doors five years ago. It has now expanded and is specializing in monogramming and screen printing. Your personal or business logo can be placed on shirts, caps, purses, etc. or the staff can design and digitize a logo for you.
The Wear House Etc. is also an authorized Verizon agent with many cell phones and accessories to offer plus home phone services. The business is complete with a sales floor full of great gifts for any occasion, including baby gifts, bags, purses, towels, candles, and your favorite collegiate gifts.
Along with state of the art tanning beds in the back, the Wear House Etc. provides a one-stop shopping convenience.
"Come by the Wear House Etc. and check out our competitive prices and friendly home town service," say the owners.

Week of July 16, 2006