Colquitt seems to be a happening place. By the looks of some key people who were present Friday, October 6, at the Colquitt/Miller County Chamber of Commerce First Friday Breakfast, more things are going to happen.
COC chairman, Dr. Russ Henley, welcomed one of the largest crowds ever and asked the Rev. Carl Marshall to deliver the invocation.
After a delicious breakfast at Tarrer Inn, COC president, Veryl Cockey introduced some distinguished officials from the State of Georgia.
Nancy Cobb, executive director of One Georgia Authority, told the crowd what a wonderful community Colquitt was. She congratulated the people and the leaders for their work and volunteerism. Cobb said, “You make Georgia proud.”
Commissioner Mike Beatty of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs announced that Colquitt was designated as a Signature Community, which is a great accomplishment for Colquitt.
Commissioner Beatty said, “Colquitt is a model for the entire State of Georgia and this nation. I have watched this community grow, and it is exciting.”
The next guest was Stone Workman, executive director of Georgia United States Department of Agriculture.
Director Workman told of his very enjoyable visit to the opening of Swamp Gravy’s play, “Visiting Hours.” He said that not only are the people here great about volunteerism, they will make visitors volunteer.
“Colquitt and Miller County is a success,” Workman stated.
Mr. Workman played the part of an alligator in the play and was said to have played the part well.
State Representative Gerald Greene, and Wallace Sholar, representing U.S. Congressman Sanford Bishop, were on hand.
Cory Thomas, Colquitt city manager, reported on festivities to come at Colquitt/Miller County’s 150th birthday. He stated that flyers were being mailed to invite everyone to help celebrate our birthday. He also stated that there were no property tax increases for 2006.
County commission chairman, Howard Small thanked those who voted for the new sales tax that was recently approved.
Winston Tribely , golf pro and manager at Crooked Oak, reported on the possible sale of the course by March 1, 2007.
Jennifer Trawick, executive director of the Colquitt/Miller Arts Council, reported that Swamp Gravy had started and that there was great attendance.
Several other local leaders reported on their state of affairs.
Veryl G. Cockey thanked the Miller County Liberal for sponsoring this breakfast and program. She then introduced Miller County School Superintendent Robert Phillips to introduce the main speaker for the morning.
Superintendent Phillips then welcomed David Garrett, vice president of SRT Architectural firm in Albany.
Mr. Garrett started by answering a question that is often asked. He stated that he had been out of high school for quite awhile. He is quite youthful to be in such an important position.
Garrett said that he appreciates and is very excited to be doing this project in Colquitt and Miller County. “I love Colquitt,” he stated. “I spent my honeymoon night right here at beautiful Tarrer Inn,” he continued.
Several charts were displayed showing the newly approved preliminary plans for the K-12 school to be built on property joining Phillipsburg Road and the New Albany Road. He told the crowd that this is a unique structure for a school in the state of Georgia. Security is the number one issue since it will house students 5 years to 18 years old.
Garrett told the group, that this plan was chosen because the state will help more with funding. He stated that there is plenty of room for the present and the structure is being constructed so that it can be expanded, if needed in the future.
The architect stated that there will be two complete separate entrances, and plans are being made with the D.O.T. for ease of loading and unloading the students and a traffic plan that will accommodate the administrators, teachers, parents and students traffic as well as normal traffic.
Garrett stated that there was a definite need to update the educational buildings and environment for those who worked there and the students who attended schools in Miller County.
He stated that a new gym that would accommodate up to 950 people was in the plans.
In a question-and-answer segment, the main question was, “When will it get started, and when will it get finished?”
The answers, although not definite were that ground breaking would be in December 2006 to January 2007 for site work. The actual building should start by March 2007 and be completed by the fall of 2008.

Sheriff H.E. (Buddy) Glass spoke at the Sassy Senior Breakfast on Thursday, September 28. He explained to the group that in 1994, the current jail was not in compliance with state and federal regulations. Together, with the county commissioners, plans were made to expand and renovate the facility without having to burden the taxpayers. The new jail became functional in August 2005 and was finally completed in January 2006. The cost to update the jail was $1.8 million. Inmate help was used to help with jail construction, saving the county $500,000.
The capacity of the new jail is 73 inmates. Jail space is rented out to other counties and has brought in over $200, 000 since the jail has been opened. This extra income more than covers the jail payment each year, plus pays for the additional personnel needed to run the jail. The sheriff further explained that the state and federal governments mandate the number of jail personnel needed per inmate population and the number of deputies needed per county population.
Sheriff Glass discussed how the Miller County Hospital helps the jail and in return how the jail helps Miller County Hospital. The Hospital sends a nurse practitioner to the jail twice a week to check inmates having medical problems. This saves the county money by not having to transport these inmates to a physician’s office or the Emergency Room at the Miller County Hospital. The sheriff contracts the meals served at the jail with the Miller County Hospital under the supervision of the hospital's licensed dietitian, which in return, helps the Miller County Hospital revenue. The inmates sentenced to the county jail serve on work details that help maintain all city and county government buildings. This includes the Miller County Hospital.
The inmate work detail has been very beneficial to the taxpayers of Miller County. They keep the grass mowed on the highways and streets, which helps the City and County road departments as well as assisting with other various City and County projects.
Sheriff Glass explained to the group of seniors how law enforcement had changed since his career started 39 years ago. The things that worked then, twenty or thirty years ago, do not work in today's society. There is more demand now than ever for law enforcement.
The Sheriff deals with four budgets. These are E-911, Sheriff's office, jail, and county probation. He saves the county thousands of dollars a year by serving as the E-911 Director. The county has to supervise and collect all fines owed by misdemeanor violators in state and superior court. Approximately 180 people are under supervision that are on county probation at this time. This responsibility was shifted to the Sheriff's office because the state quit supervising anything but felony cases.
After the breakfast, the Sheriff invited the seniors to tour the new jail with a “Get out of Jail Free” cards.
He concluded the tour by telling the group that he would continue to strive to provide the citizens of Colquitt and Miller County with the very best law protection.

During half-time at MCHS Homecoming, our Pirate Pride Marching Band performed under the direction of our new band director, Mr. Richard Horne, and proceeded in formation for the recognition of our 2006 Homecoming representatives.
Freshman representatives were Sukena Diamond and Breche Roberts. Sukena is the daughter of Melanie Diamond and Sunnie Diamond and was being escorted by her step-father. Breche Roberts is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Allen Leonard and was escorted by her father.
Sophomore representatives were Tanelia Douglas and Brooke Widner. Tanelia is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Douglas and was escorted by her father. Brooke Widner is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vince Widner and was escorted by her father.
Junior representatives were Janna Cox and Mindi Merritt. Janna is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Julius Cox and was escorted by her father. Mindi is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Merritt and was escorted by her father.
Senior class representatives were Paige Godfrey, Jessica Henry, and Jontavius Hopson. Paige is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ty Godfrey and was escorted by her father. Jessica Henry is the daughter of Terri and Doug Johnson and Brent and Susan Henry and was escorted by her father. Jontavius is the daughter of Steve Williams and Jonita Hopson and was escorted by her father.
Assisting in the crowning of the homecoming queen were senior football players Jake Hayman, Jeryn Collier, and Preston Golden. Announcer Curt Williams slowly opened the conceal envelope and announced the 2006 Homecoming Queen, Miss Paige Godfrey. Congratulations, Paige!

Atlanta, GA - Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Mike Beatty announced today the seven communities selected to participate in DCA’s Signature Community Program.
The seven, new communities selected were the City of Barnesville, City of Colquitt/Miller County, City of Dublin, City of Flovilla/Butts County, City of Holly Springs, City of Rome and City of Toccoa/Stephens County.
During the 2006 legislative session, Governor Perdue and the Georgia General Assembly approved funding in DCA’s budget to support seven participating communities – an increase from the five participating communities funded for the program’s inaugural year. Current communities participating in DCA’s Signature Community Program are the City of Covington/Newton County, City of Forsyth, City of Snellville, Cities of St. Mary’s, Kingsland, Woodbine/Camden County and the City of Tifton/Tift County.
“Georgia’s communities are DCA’s number one customer. We appreciate Governor Sonny Perdue’s ongoing strong support of this effort which compliments DCA’s holistic approach to bringing useful resources to Georgia’s communities. As the Signature Program grows, we look forward to seeing more Georgia communities provide an even higher quality of life for their residents and businesses, now and in the future,” said Commissioner Mike Beatty.
DCA received nearly 30 applications from communities statewide. Communities were evaluated on nine key “community indicator” criteria, including comprehensive planning, downtown revitalization, economic development, environmental management, infrastructure development, leadership programs, quality growth, safe and affordable housing and service and volunteerism.
“DCA wants to recognize each community that applied for this prestigious program. We also want to extend special congratulations to the leadership of the City of Barnesville, City of Colquitt/Miller County, City of Dublin, City of Flovilla/Butts County, City of Holly Springs, City of Rome and City of Toccoa/Stephens County. Each of these teams worked very hard to develop a high-quality proposal that clearly outlined how participation in the Signature Community program would enhance their community. We look forward to working with them over the next two years to accomplish their goals,” added Beatty.
The program will provide each selected community with a number of benefits, including:
•Two years of customized technical assistance to achieve key initiatives from the local comprehensive

Plans are continually shaping up for Colquitt’s Sesquicentennial for the weekend of November 10th and 11th in Colquitt. “It’s our 150th birthday for Colquitt and Miller County and we want this to be a huge celebration for our town and county,” stated committee members.
The hands of time will be turned back 150 years on the town square. Everyone is getting excited about the events for the big weekend fun, food, friendship and remembering when.
If you’ve noticed, some of the men around town have started growing their beards and mustaches, and most of them are shaping up good. It’s going to be exciting to see which man will be the big winner!
The search is still on for the talent contest that will be held on the square on Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. The winner will receive a $1000 cash prize! Any group or solo may enter with any genre of music: gospel, country, blue-grass, rock-n-roll, soul, you name it! There is a $50 registration fee to enter, but who knows, you might be the lucky one. The judges for this talent contest will be out-of-town judges.
At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, you don’t want to miss the MayHaw show, Colquitt’s own version of Hee-Haw. The show will once again take place at Cotton Hall. Young and old, rich and poor are sure to enjoy this music filled comedy act by our local volunteers. You may call ahead for your tickets at 758-5450. It is sure to be a sellout, so don’t wait too long.
Then on Saturday at 9:00 a.m., the antique car show will cruise into town with antique cars and farm implement. These cars, tractors and equipment will be on display throughout the day.
At 10:00 a.m., on the square, the opening ceremony will take place officially announcing Colquitt and Miller County’s 150th birthday celebration.
Handcrafted arts and craft exhibitors, people who can demonstrate syrup making, soap making, etc. are still being solicited at this time. If you know anyone who has anything they would like to exhibit or that can demonstrate one of these arts, please tell them to contact the Chamber of Commerce at 229-758-2400.
Food vendors will be on hand with some of the best southern cooking you’ll find anywhere. The “down home” cooking will make anyone’s mouth water.
Also taking place will be a country fair at Cotton Hall. There will be canned goods, baked goods, and lots of other goodies for everyone to taste and to purchase.
The vintage costume contest will be a real dressy affair. So ladies get your frocks ready for the big birthday celebration with friends, family and new friends to be made.
Don’t forget, it’s all happening right here in Colqitt November 10th and 11th!

Week of October 8, 2006