Republican Chuck Eaton has won a seat on the Public Service Commission, the state board that regulates utilities in Georgia. With the win, the PSC is all Republican, as incumbent Dave Burgess, the lone Democrat, lost the race.
Burgess championed funding for senior citizens and low-income consumers and said, “There will always be a category of people, our seniors and our people in need, and I hope our commission doesn’t turn their back on them.” (From Savannah Morning News)
This was not only Miller County's poorest supported election, it was possibly the poorest in state history.
Miller County had 30 electors place their ballots at the polling area on December 5, and 22 absentee ballots cast for a total of 52 ballots cast. This is out of a possible number of 3578 registered voters, or 1.45 percent of the voters that could have voted.
It was a very important election, for the winner will be voting to raise or lower our utlitiy bills for years to come.
It has been suggested that the candidate with the most votes is the first election be confirmed without a runoff to help save taxes spent on election very few voters seem to care anything about.

The Miller County schools are indeed fortunate to have instructors who attain doctorate degrees, like that of “Miss Harriet.”
On November 3, 2006, Harriet Lane received her doctor of education degree from Argosy University in Atlanta. Dr. Lane’s doctoral thesis was entitled: “Determining predictors of student performance on the science portion of the Georgia High School Graduation Test.”
The primary purpose of her thesis was to determine effective predictors of student performance defined in terms of student scores on the science portion of the Georgia High School Graduation Test from a set of chosen independent variables. The study utilized the independent variables of ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, grade point average in physical science, grade point average in biology, End-of-Course test score for physical science, End-of-Course test score for biology, and test score on the science portion of the University of Georgia Test Scoring and Reporting Services Test.
Because all of the anecdotal data utilized in the study is available or should be available to every school system, the use of the model formulated by Dr. Lane could be an economical way for school administrators to identify students at risk of poor performance on the science portion of the graduation test as quickly as possible. The predictability percentage of the model was very high, and the standard error level was low. Therefore, the model could be utilized as an accurate predictor of student performance on the science portion of the graduation test, even before the student takes the test for the first time. Early intervention would then be possible, and early intervention is the only way to improve the high failure rate. Allocations of resources for obtaining, compiling, and analyzing the data would have to be made, but Dr. Lane’s model offers a method which costs much less than other methods requiring additional testing.
Dr. Lane is not only one of two teachers with a doctorate in the Miller County School System, it is agreed upon by most of her students, fellow teachers and administrators that she is one of the finest teachers in the system, and is a great asset to those who go on to higher learning institutions.
Dr. Lane, who prefers her students to call her “Miss Harriet,” teaches physical science and physics at Miller County High School.
Harriet graduated from Miller County High School, received her bachelor’s degree from Auburn University, and her master’s degree from the University of Georgia. She is the daughter of Joyce Williams and the late Julian H. (Chappy) Williams.
Harriet is married to Superior Court Judge Ronnie Joe Lane. The Lanes have two daughters: Kayln, who is a medical doctor in Lexington, Kentucky, and Megan, who is completing the final year of her juris doctorate degree at the University of Georgia School of Law in Athens.
Congratulations, Dr. “Miss Harriet,” for being a great teacher and an even greater role model for your students and your fellow teachers.

Colquitt/Miller Co. Fire and Rescue Department, Miller County Ambulance Service and Colquitt Police Department were called to an accident with injuries in a near head-on accident occurring Wednesday, November 29, between an auto and a truck pulling a load of peanuts.
The accident occurred on North Milford Street at the intersection of Ruth Street at approximately 5:15 p.m.
Tyisha Nichole Graham, 21, of 19382 E. South Blvd., Blakely, was driving her 1994 Mazda Protege north on Milford Street. She had stopped in the northbound lane to turn left onto Ruth Street and, according to the incident report, pulled into the southbound lane.
Leland Jerome Alday, 37, of 929 McLendon Dr., was driving a 1990 Ford F350 pick-up truck pulling a loaded peanut trailer south on Milford Street.
The front bumper of the pick-up truck struck the passenger side front bumper of the auto, rotating the car counter clockwise with the auto coming to rest facing southwest in the middle of the south and northbound lanes of Milford Street.
The pick-up truck and loaded peanut trailer veered into the southbound ditch off Milford Road, damaging the truck and dumping the damaged peanut trailer. The truck was registered to Birdsong Peanut, Fudge Buying Point.
The driver and two other passengers of the auto were treated at the scene and transported by ambulance to the Miller County Hospital. The driver of the auto and Ozzie Gramham, 64, of Blakley were listed as injured with complaints. Andrew Williams, 46, of Blakley was listed as seriously injured.
The only occupant of the pick-up truck, the driver, was injured, but was not transported to the hospital by ambulance.
The air bags were not deployed on either vehicle. It was not known if any of the wreck victims were wearing safety equipment.
According to Colquitt Police officer, Kenny Knowles, the contributing factor that caused the accident was failure to yield while attempting to turn left.
The point of impact of the crash was shown to be in the southbound lane.
A citation was issued against the driver of the vehicle for failure to yield.
The damage to the truck, auto and peanut trailer was listed as extensive. All vehicles were removed by wreckers.
According to the report, the accident occurred at dusk, and the pavement was wet due to rain.

How many of us have wished to have a story published—or, better still, to see that story brought to life in a stage performance? That is exactly what happened to Ureika Causey, a ninth grade student at Seminole Middle/High School, on Tuesday, November 28, 2006.
Ureika, her classmates, and her computer application teacher, Mrs. Sara Ann Keaton, traveled to Cotton Hall in Colquitt to see Ureika’s traditional family Christmas story—“Black Sandy”—adapted and performed live on stage in Georgia’s Folk Life Play: Cotton Hall Christmas.
How did “Black Sandy” move from a computer application class to become a major scene in Cotton Hall Christmas? Last August, Ureika’s class was given a computer writing assignment which was to key a story about their favorite Christmas. The stories could be the happiest Christmas, the saddest, or the most joyous; but, above all, the stories had to be keyed in a “stream of consciousness” (normal spoken story telling) method. The students excitedly keyed and shared their stories with each other.
After sharing their stories, Mrs. Keaton explained that Jules Corriere, playwright for Swamp Gravy, was writing a new Christmas play entitled: Cotton Hall Christmas. The students gave permission for Mrs. Keaton to deliver their stories to Ms. Corriere. A few weeks later the playwright informed the class that “Black Sandy” had been accepted, adapted for the stage, and included in the play: Cotton Hall Christmas.
It was a terrific experience for students to see the process by which a traditional family story can be written in its original form and then adapted for presentation on stage for audiences to enjoy. The play, including the scene, “Black Sandy,” by Ureika Causby, will be shown to untold numbers of students and adults for Christmases in the years to come. Congratulations, Ureika!
Tickets for Cotton Hall Christmas are available by calling 758-5450.

The Miller County Unit of the American Cancer Society’s annual “Love Lights a Tree’ service will be held Monday, December 11, at 6:00 p.m. on the courthouse square.
The Rev. Benjamin Miller, pastor of New Home Free Will Baptist Church, will bring the devotion.
The Miller County Elementary School Chorus under the direction of Mrs. Holly Thomas and the Miller County High School Band under the direction of Mr. Richard Horn will perform several Christmas carols.
Mrs.Linda Dozier, a local cancer survivor, will turn the lights on. Beth Zotyka, community income manager for the American Cancer Society, will tell the American Cancer story and recognize the survivors in attendance. Rev. Miller will give the benediction.
Contributions are still being accepted for this year’s “Love Lights a Tree” and can be made in honor or in memory of a friend, family member or any special person.
Everyone is invited to come and enjoy and be a part of our “Love Lights a Tree” program this year.

The Miller County Commissioners held a special meeting on Thursday, November 30, concerning the Spring Creek Clean-up Project and the work stoppage and fine imposed by the Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division (EPD).
The EPD was not at this meeting, nor was it invited. Tom Fischer represented the U.S. Corp of Engineers, and Cindy Abbott, represented the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The meeting was delayed because there was not a quorum of commissioners to have a legal meeting due to illness on the part of two commissioners.
Vice-Chairman Allen Worsley opened the meeting for discussion. Later commissioners Howard Small and Kreg Freeman came in to make a legal quorum.
Everyone agreed that the county was trying to keep its end of the Spring Creek clean-up program going. A landowner with the help of a representative of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife reported the county for doing work without a permit that no one seemed to know anything about until EPD issued a work stoppage and fine.
Officer Fischer with the Corp of Engineers stated that they were brought into the case by EPD, and all they required was to remove the sand and silt from the bank area so that it would not get back into the creek bed.
Ms. Abbott with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife asked that before any more clean-up was performed by the county that her agency be informed so that it can guide the county in the clean-up procedure. She indicated that her agency wanted to work with the county.
Both federal agencies noted that it was not their agencies that imposed the fines, and that it would be up to EPD, who wrote the consent order against the county to carry out the disposition, clean-up and restoration project on Spring Creek.
Engineers recommended by EPD were present at the special meeting and informed the commissioners that their initial fee would start at $4500.00 for a plan to attempt to satisfy the order by EPD.
The commissioners agreed that this order and fine by EPD would stop the county from any participation in Spring Creek clean-up. It was noted that although grants had been given to implement the removal of logs and debris due to flooding of the county and city of Colquitt, that it would attempt to place logs back into Spring Creek, plant trees and install sedimentation controls for county owned roads in Ole Mill Acres Subdivision. If all conditions of the order are met, the fine would be reduced from $12,500.00 to $6,250.00 for the county to pay.
It was noted that implementing the order could cost the county over $100,000.00 or more having to hire “experts” to satisfy EPD.
The special meeting was opened for public comment, and those present were shocked that the Department of Natural Resources (EPD) did not want to help, but penalize the people in Miller County for attempting to clean up the mess that these agencies have allowed over the years.
It was noted that the floods of 1998 resulted in log jams that created a dam flooding roads, highways and many homes and properties in Miller County.
It was also noted by a citizen that until the basin of Spring Creek was so dammed with logs, debris and sand that it dried completely up. It did this twice in the past two years, killing all fish and snails that had been in the creek. This is the first time this has happened in the past 100 years or more.
Photos of the logs that were marked by EPD to be placed back into Spring Creek were shown to the two federal agencies. The first marked logs to be put back into the creek were under water with just a two or three inch rain.
It was recommended by citizens to contact the representatives and senators who funded these agencies to determine if they were working for mussels or the people who pay the taxes that fund these agencies.

Friday, December 1, at 11:00 A.M., Dr. Lamar Brand, MD and Beth Sykes, CFNP, held the ribbon cutting for their new business, Southern Traditions. The new business is located at 106 West Main Street on the square in Colquitt.
Later in the afternoon, beginning at 6:00 p.m., they held their grand opening. Everyone was invited to tour their beautiful facility as well as enjoy refreshments offered by the owners.
They are proud to offer Miller County and surrounding counties a weight loss program, prescription only skin care products, skin rejuvenation, and permanent hair reduction.
The weight loss program is medically supervised with a variety of weight loss options. Such options include vitamins, medications, and counseling.
A full line of skin care products to restore, banish skin imperfections and signs of aging are also available.
The new business stocks treatments for aging and soft tissue fillers to enhance your natural beauty. Botox® can erase years in minutes. Restylane® redefines beauty by restoring volume and fullness to the skin. Microdermabrasion is a nonsurgical way to repair and restore your skin to its youthful appearance. Facial peels which revitalize and visibly improves your skin. Each appointment includes an assessment by a certified skin care specialist.
Photopneumatic therapy (PPx) is an FDA approved treatment for permanent hair reduction and acne. The PPx also rejuvenates skin.
“We would like to invite everyone to stop by and learn more about our products. Call 758-9780 to make an appointment. Our schedule can meet your needs,” said the owners.

Week of December 3, 2006