Archive for January 2012

Remembrance Of Things Past: Vicki Howerton

January 26, 2012 History Comments Off

By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.

To say that Vicki Howerton loves Madison County would be an understatement. She moved here in 1971 after she married her husband, Colin Howerton, a longtime Madison resident. Prior to moving to Madison, Howerton graduated from Waycross High School, then attended Ga. Southern College for two years. “I then graduated from Valdosta State University with a BS degree in Elementary Education,” she said.

“I loved the gorgeous yellow brick Court house and especially our yellow brick First United Methodist Church. The Four Freedoms Monument was something that I loved   with the beautiful stately angels standing guard over this pretty town. The Country Club was beautiful, and College was very special too —along with Cherry Lake where we all loved to go skiing,” Howerton said, when asked about her favorite parts of Madison County after first moving here.

Over the years many stores have came and gone through Madison. Some of Howerton’s most cherished memories included those stores. “I remember Lucille’s Dress Shop with the beautiful slippers, robes, etc.. The Eagles Store was a favorite. Madison Dress Shop was always fun to go in-a shop where you could find pretty outfits and jewelry and also visit with all the friends who stopped by to shop and to chat,” she said.

She also said, “The K & M Restaurant was open, as well as the Madison Restaurant owned and operated by Jack and Toy Stewart; that was where we all went after Church on Sundays for a delicious lunch. I miss Smith’s Drug store that was an amazing gathering spot with great coffee and Louise Bland’s fabulous pimento and chicken salad sandwiches. I also miss Comer’s Drugs (and Norris Pharmacy/Ladybug cafe along Jenny Week’s Madison Hotel and the One Eleven Restaurant that were all here more recently.) In the ‘70s, The College Inn was a favorite, and the Hillcrest Dairy Bar was totally amazing with their Slaw burgers, Slaw dogs, and was a part of everyone’s daily life almost!!  It was a special gathering place! We all loved seeing John and Wanda. We enjoyed our daughter, Memy, along with all their children and all our local youth growing up together and spending much time at the Dairy Bar with friends and families.”

When asked what she and her husband would do for fun, Howerton responded, “We played a lot of golf and went to a lot of dinners and golfing events at the Madison Country Club. It was very active back then—especially the annual Pot Williams Golf Tournament. Every Thursday night dinner was served at the MCC for many years. We all served on committees to make it happen. During the summers, all the moms and children gathered at the pool to let the children swim in the afternoons while the moms chatted; many times the dads would often be playing golf. Tennis was also a huge part of the MCC for many residents. Wednesday Bridge Club was a way of life for the ladies, and the men would play couples bridge with us on weekends and have dinner at each of our homes as we would rotate hosting the Bridge parties-luncheons and dinners.

Also we went to Valdosta with friends and family to restaurants, shopping, movies, and also golf tournaments/events. We went to Tallahassee and Gainvesville sometimes to shop- or football games and restaurants—but mostly Valdosta. We went there weekly for one reason or another….still do!”

Howerton also shared the best part of living in a small town, “For me, the best is the wonderful relationships that we all enjoy as residents of Madison. We are all one big family and that is such a blessing to all. The worst is knowing that there are great needs that are common to every  town today and not being able to change and meet these needs immediately to make it even more outstanding/excellent in every way. However, these needs are constantly being forcefully addressed, and we do know that we have committed people and many prayers to see things turn around especially for children and families, as more jobs will be coming to Madison; spiritual revival as well is continuing to happen in our county.”

Anyone interested in being interviewed for this article can call 973-4141 and make an appointment with Kristin Finney, or may drop by Greene Publishing, Inc. any day before noon. Those interviewed must have lived in Madison for a large portion of their life, and be able to recall a few things that have changed since that time.

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Happenings At Madison First Baptist Church

January 26, 2012 Church Comments Off

By Nell Dobbs
Guest Columnist

How blessed indeed we are for Sunday School and church, and being able to gather, study His word, sing praises to Him, bring the tithes and offerings, hear touching offertory prayer by Justin Davis, and to see the beautiful flowers placed by Mark and Jennifer Browning, and the worship choir special, “My Life Is In Your Hands.”

Our guest speaker was Dr. Mike Miller, who is our Director of Missions of the Middle Florida Baptist Association. The title of his message was, “Winter Is Coming,” which brought to my mind the Easter message, “Friday Is Coming.” Paul was writing to Timothy about the most important things in life..living a pleasing life to God; praying for the lost; praying for the young (because 80 percent of the people who are saved accepts Christ by the age of 13); praying for our families; and praying not to miss an opportunity to tell about Jesus’ love and forgiveness.

In the Spring of 1952, I interned in sixth grade with Louise Watson here in Madison, and then began teaching sixth grade in Raiford. Daddy’s sister, Aunt Edith Summers of Providence, told me of the opening and Shep Thomas, Superintendent hired me. The strange thing is almost 60 years have gone by and I was writing Marjell’s neice, Barbara Yarbrough Roberts, who was in that sixth grade class. I did not meet Marjell for a good while. The saying was girls went to teach in Raiford and found husbands and Carlena Grambling found Lacy Cason, Myrtle Lee Leslie Grambling found Drew Sweat, Dorothy Horne wanted to marry Marjell, but I did. I believe there were others.

The same afternoon Kathleen Pinkard Kinsey called me. She was going through a box of treasures and found a picture of her class in 1952 with Louise Watson and a letter I had wrote her on September 19 telling her I was teaching sixth grade in Raiford with 19 students. She’s going to sendme the pictures to have it enlarged so we can tell who was in that class.

Not long ago I’d written about Daddy’s youngest sister, Aunt Helen Fligh, writing Thinking Better Of God. Then I found it strange to read in Madison County, Florida Volume I, edited by Elmer Spear, about her husband Uncle Moses Aaron Fligh, born in Homs, Syria, October 3, 1938, who married Aunt Helen Oct. 6, 1937, and lived in Jacksonville and owned and operated a grocery store. They had children. He died February 13, 1955 and was loved by all us nieces and nephews.

There are so very many ill ones: Willa Branham’s dad, Mr. Johnson in South Georgia Medical Center; Terry Rykard’s mother, Rosie Leggett; Tommy Greene; Ruby Moyer; Sara Dene’s mother-in-law, Lillian Gwin; Marjell’s nephew, E.R. Crumps; Charlie Wynn; and Iduma Smith; W.C. Copeland; and Sue Downing.

I Timothy 2:15, “Study to show thyself approvedunto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of God.”
Amen!

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National Security: Stray Vectors

January 24, 2012 Editorials 2 comments

By Joe Boyles
Guest Columnist

Editor’s note: “Stray Vectors” is the author’s byline for random thoughts on the passing scene.

Here is the dirty little secret that Obamacare’s individual mandate rests upon. Thirty million will be added to Medicaid with the new law in 2014. Who pays for this new glut of healthcare consumers? Answer: the healthy, young people who don’t access healthcare but will be forced to buy an insurance policy under the individual mandate. Just a little political sleight of hand!

One of the things I see missing on the debate over alternate energy is concentration. Traditional forms of energy like oil, gas, and coal are very concentrated in their inherent stored energy. Nuclear fuel is extremely concentrated. But solar and wind are not. It takes a lot of space (land use) to provide solar and wind powered energy in any appreciable amount.

The president makes what seems to be a reasonable point about a “balanced approach” to deficit reduction, but there’s one thing that nags at me. All of the tax increases are upfront while the spending reductions are delayed to the out-years … so they can be undone by future congresses. I smell a rat!

It’s hard to criticize a blue-chip college athlete leaving for professional sports early. You have to weigh the injury bug. But college is pretty special too. I’ve heard more than one ex-Gator saying the greatest thrill in sports is entering the Swamp through the south tunnel.

I wonder how much money the politically elite have wasted on the subject of anti-bullying in schools? I bet that Taylor Swift’s song and video “Mean” has had a larger impact on the subject than any government effort. Never underestimate the impact of popular culture when you’re trying to reach and reason with young people.

Why are so much of the climate change/global warming data suspect? Because the “scientists” providing the analysis were on the payroll of grants and foundations to provide data that fit the narrative. If the data didn’t fit, it was either ignored or manipulated. With accounting fraud, this is known as “cooking the books.”

The modern western welfare state will collapse. It isn’t a matter of if but rather when. The state of the economy and demographics will not support a house built with flimsy cards.

It appears that the government suppressed warning and danger information to Chevy Volt owners that delayed fires may result from overheated lithium-ion batteries following a crash. Isn’t this the same government that we want to put in charge of all of our health-care decisions when Obamacare if fully implemented? Com’on people!!!!!

Businesses aren’t expanding and unemployment is stubbornly high. Want to know a way to turn this mess around? Stabilize the tax policy. Cut out this tax holiday and millionaire surcharge garbage and set tax policy for a set period, then leave it alone. Give business something they can count on.

With all the government subsidies and rebates, the Chevy Volt is costing nearly $250,000 per copy. And the sales are bolstered by government fleet buys. It’s early, but maybe we should rename the Volt to the “boondoggle.”

Media Matters, a liberal news organization, got caught with their hand in the cookie jar by directing young Girl Scouts to their website. It shouldn’t be a surprise that liberal groups have infiltrated the Girl Scouts. The pro-abortion crowd did it years ago. They will come “like a thief in the night.”

I have some advice for everyone, regardless of your political stripes. When you put your faith in politicians, you are bound to be disappointed.

Paul Krugman of the New York Times says that we don’t understand debt. I think we do. Remember the bumper sticker that read, “I owe, I owe, It’s off to work I go?” Debt is economic slavery.

More on solar — the reason why companies like First Solar are falling faster then water over the falls is that it is a bad business concept. Solar power costs 21 cents/kilowatt hour, nearly twice the national average. The greenies bemoan: we simply must make electrical power more expensive. Huh?

You might think that I’d be the first out of the box to criticize President Obama for taking an axe to the military, but I’m holding my fire to understand the strategy and resulting force structure. Stand by.

Legend has it that Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Maybe the modern metaphor is that Obama golfed while America burned.

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Obit: Martha Carolyn Driggers Daugharty

January 24, 2012 Obituaries Comments Off

Martha Carolyn Driggers Daugharty, age 64, died Sunday, January 15, 2012, at Big Bend Hospice House in Tallahassee.

She was born in Hamilton County on December 27, 1947. She was the daughter of James and Dimple Driggers.  She worked as a LPN at various nursing homes around the area.  She was a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church.

She is survived by two daughters, Missy Horn and family of Texas; Kathy Allen and family of Breman, Ga.; two sons,  Thomas Daugharty and family of Roswell, Ga., and Terry Daugharty and family; two brothers, Louis and Dale Driggers; and three sisters, Doris Harris, Barbara Odom, and Leta Farrier.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Dimple Driggers, and a son, Jamie Daugharty.

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Spotlight: Charlie Barfield

January 24, 2012 Around Madison One comment

By Bryant Thigpen
Greene Publishing, Inc.

Many know him as coach; others know him as pastor. He has spent his life serving the people of this County through the Madison County Education System and as pastor of Pineland Missionary Baptist Church. While he’s given of himself sacrificially to this community for many years, it is this writer’s privilege to spotlight the life of Coach and Pastor Charlie Barfield.

In 1949, Barfield was born in Madison to his parents, Charlie and Samuel Barfield on December 28. Raised in Madison, Barfield came from a large family consisting of four sisters and two brothers. Growing up in a Christian home, the example was set before him by Godly parents, and he learned which pathway to walk in. At the early age of 12, followed the footsteps of his parents and gave his life to Christ at St. James Missionary Baptist Church.

Barfield began kindergarten at the Madison County Training School, and graduated from there in May of 1967 with a high school diploma. He began playing basketball in Junior High and played until his senior year, and would earn a scholarship to play basketball at Edwards Waters College in Jacksonville.

After taking an extended break and taking selected classes at North Florida Junior College, Barfield graduated from Edwards Waters in 1976 in with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education.

The next thing on the list of things to do was to send a resume to schools in the state of Florida. Of approximately 30 resumes sent, Madison Middle School was the only door that opened. “It was a God thing,” Barfield explains.

Barfield accepted the offer and began teaching Physical Education in February of 1977 at MMS, while also coaching the Wildcats in football, softball, baseball and basketball.

The year 1977 proved to be life changing for Barfield as he would walk down the isle and marry Shirley, his high school sweet heart.

“One thing that attracted me to him was that he was always well dressed. In fact, even in high school he was awarded best dressed,” she laughs.

It was just a few years later that Barfield would accept the call into ministry under the influence of Rev. David Delaughter and Rev. J.C. Miller. In 1984, Barfield began his preaching ministry and preached as an evangelist until receiving his first call to pastor at Friendship Baptist Church in Metcalf, Ga. During the same year, he also accepted the position as senior pastor at Pineland Missionary Baptist Church in Madison. For 10 years, Barfield preached at Friendship on the first and third Sunday of each month and would handle services at Pineland on the second and fourth Sundays.

While at Friendship, the church was able to build brand new facilities under the leadership of Barfield, who ultimately resigned in 1994 to preach at Pineland on a full-time basis.

Looking back, Barfield has enjoyed many years of success in education and ministry. He coached the MMS Wildcats to approximately 12 championships and the Madison County Central School Broncos to three championships. “I had to learn how to love sports,” his wife laughed. When Barfield isn’t on the sideline coaching, he enjoys going to sporting events and fishing.

“You know, I watch football games and cheer for the Florida State Seminoles and the FAMU Rattlers. But sometimes, I even cheer for the gators,” he laughs.

After 35 years of teaching and 33 years of coaching, Barfield will say good-bye to the court as he coaches his last basketball game at Madison County Central School. “Even with longevity, you have to love what you do. I love teaching and ministry, so they went well together,” he said.

When asked what his plans after retirement will be, he laughed, “I’ll probably sleep in.” Barfield will continue full-time in the ministry and spend his time visiting with people who can’t get out. Barfield will continue to serve as the president of the Ministers, Deacons and Laymen Training Union and second vice moderator of the Bethlehem Baptist Association.

This year marks 26 years of ministry at Pineland Missionary Baptist Church. Over the many years of preaching, Barfield has witnessed many changes and experienced many funny moments. “I remember this one time,” his wife said. “Charlie was preaching his heart out, and at the climax of his message, his dentures came flying out and fell straight to the floor. But he swooped down, picked them up and put them back in, and kept on preaching! Thankfully, nobody else noticed what happened, but it made for a good laugh.”

To the public he is known as coach and pastor, but at home he is known as a loving dad to three kids: Carneze, Jarrod and Charlene; and grandpa to three grandchildren: J’Myrial, E’Myria, and Ke’niya.

“He’s my love, my companion, my pastor and the apple of my eyes,” Shirley said. “And he’s been my best friend since 1965.”

If there’s one message that he has left with his students down through the years, it is to learn how to love people. “It doesn’t cost you a thing,” he explained. “If you love God, you will love people. Be joyful, smile a lot, and be lovable.”

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Additional Ranking Dates Set for Major Conservation Initiatives

January 20, 2012 Outdoors Comments Off

Madison, FL., January 18, 2012 – Florida agricultural producers have extra chances this year to be approved for cost share funding for the Organic, On-Farm Energy and Seasonal High Tunnel initiatives this year.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced three ranking periods for Fiscal Year 2012 for these funding opportunities; in the past there was one per year. All three initiatives offer technical and financial assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

“Moving to multiple ranking dates for each initiative is going to make it easier for more producers to apply and help them get started with implementing the practices they need to benefit the natural resources on their operations,” said Carlos Suarez, NRCS state conservationist for Florida. “We hope producers will visit their local USDA Service Center for more details on how NRCS can help them conserve Florida’s natural resources.”

 

NRCS accepts applications for financial assistance on a continuous basis throughout the year but there will be three ranking periods for the Organic, On-Farm Energy and Seasonal High Tunnel initiatives, all ending on February 3, March 30 and June 1, 2012. At the end of a ranking period, NRCS ranks all submitted proposals for funding consideration. NRCS will notify all applicants of the results of the rankings and begin developing contracts with selected applicants.

 

Initiative Overviews

On-Farm Energy Initiative:  NRCS and producers develop Agricultural Energy Management Plans (AgEMP) or farm energy audits that assess energy consumption on an operation. NRCS then uses audit data to develop energy conservation recommendations. Each AgEMP has a landscape component that assesses equipment and farming processes and a farm headquarters component that assesses power usage and efficiencies in livestock buildings, grain handling operations, and similar facilities to support the farm operation.

 

Organic Initiative:  NRCS helps certified organic growers and producers working to achieve organic certification install conservation practices for organic production. New for fiscal year 2012, applicants will be evaluated continuously during the ranking periods. Applications meeting or exceeding a threshold score may be approved for an EQIP contract before the end of the ranking period. Applications rating below the threshold score will be deferred to the next period. A new threshold score will be established at the beginning of each ranking period. This new scoring process allows organic producers to implement conservation practices in a timelier manner.

 

Seasonal High Tunnel Pilot Initiative:  NRCS helps producers plan and implement high tunnels‒ steel-framed, polyethylene-covered structures that extend growing seasons in an environmentally safe manner. High tunnel benefits include better plant and soil quality, fewer nutrients and pesticides in the environment, and better air quality due to fewer vehicles being needed to transport crops. More than 4,000 high tunnels have been planned and implemented nationwide through this initiative over the past two years.

 

For additional information please contact the NRCS Office in Madison County at (850) 973-6595, Ext.3 or visit the NRCS National Web site for more information on how to apply for these initiatives.

 

 

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write:
USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410
or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

 

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Suwannee River Regional Library System Now Offers Digital Audiobooks and eBooks

January 20, 2012 Around Madison, Front Page Comments Off

(Live Oak, FL) – January 2012 – The Suwannee River Regional Library System has expanded its services with digital audiobooks and eBooks available to download from the library’s website. Library card holders can check out and download digital media anytime, anywhere by visiting the library’s online catalog @ www.neflin.org/srrl.

 

Users may browse the library’s website, check out with a valid library card, and download to PC, Mac®, and many other ereaders and mobile devices. Users will need to install free software. For audiobooks: OverDrive® Media Console™. To read eBooks, users will need Adobe® Digital Editions. Titles can be enjoyed immediately or transferred to a variety of devices, including iPod®, Sony® Reader™, and many others. Some audio titles can also be burned to CD to listen on-the-go. Titles will automatically expire at the end of the lending period. There are no late fees!

 

This new service, powered by OverDrive, is free for patrons with their library card. To get started downloading audiobooks and eBooks, visit the library’s online catalog @ www.neflin.org/srrl.

 

 

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Jacob’s Ladder: Late Night Conversation

January 19, 2012 Editorials Comments Off

A conversation in the middle of the night between two lonely people inspired these lyrics. She and I were discussing how we both knew so many people but there was something missing. I told her I was going to write about the loneliness. She asked me not to write about it unless I included the answer to the loneliness. The answer I found is prayer and I hope the prayer shows through in the following lyrics:

Bought Out

So many times I have sought out
Someone whose heart has been bought out
By the Blood of the Lamb and the Great I Am
I’ve endured many long and lonely nights
Searching for someone whose heart ‘s made right
By the Blood of the Lamb and the Great I Am.
Send me the one who will love me,
The one whose heart’s pure not ugly,
So they can heal this broken heart.
There are millions of people I know,
And millions of places I could go,
But I don’t want to do anything unpleasing to you,
So send me that person I have sought out
The one whose heart has been bought out
By the Blood of the Lamb and the Great I Am.
The seasons come and the seasons go
And the winds of change may blow
But I need someone who will be
True to You and true to me
So send the one who I’ve sought out
The one whose heart has been bought out
By the Blood of the Lamb and the Great I Am.

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Super Track Your Way To Health This Year

January 19, 2012 Editorials Comments Off

By Diann Douglas
Guest Columnist

Just in time to help with New Year’s resolutions to eat healthy and be more physically active, the USDA just launched a new online program called SuperTracker.

This state-of-the art resource is available at ChooseMyPlate.gov; it is designed to assist individuals working on health changes in their lives.

The Myplate website is an updated version of the old MyPryamid. It provides practical information to individuals, health professionals, nutrition educators and the food industry to help consumers build healthier diets with resources and tools for dietary assessment, nutrition education and other user-friendly nutrition information. Since Americans are experiencing epidemic rates of overweight and obesity, the online resources and tools can empower people to make healthier food choices for themselves, their families and children.

A recent task force on childhood obesity reported simple actionable advice for consumers was needed. The US Department of Agriculture’s response was to launch MyPlate and this new computer tool; all part of the effort to provide easy to understand information to help consumers adopt healthy eating habits consistent with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

SuperTracker, the new tool on the website, is designed to assist Americans at all stages of life improve their overall health and well-being as they input dietary and physical activity choices into the tool. Individuals can set up an account to log in daily food choices and physical activity. The program will personalize how much food to eat according to your weight and activity. Other features that are helpful are goal setting, virtual coaching, weight tracking and journaling. Once a consumer sets up a personal account, it can be accessed any time of the day to track progress.

So many people start out the New Year with great intentions, only to slip by the time February arrives. SuperTracker is a great tool to help keep you on target with New Year’s resolutions to improve your food choice, stay physically active and maintain a healthy weight.

For more information on food and nutrition, contact the Madison County Extension Service.

The University of Florida Extension/IFAS Madison County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap or national origin.

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INFLATION REMAINS LOW: IRS RELEASES TAX NUMBERS FOR 2012

January 19, 2012 Editorials Comments Off

By Mark Mark Buescher, C.P.A.
Guest Columnist

Last week in this column, I indicated that 2012 could be a year of optimism relative to North Florida economic conditions. I addressed various segments of the economy including favorable Florida employment numbers recently released by the governor.

One area that I did not address was that of inflation. Fortunately, our current rate of inflation remains at historically low averages and has been a ray of sunshine as well. Through November, 2011, the average inflation rate for the year was 3.4%, based on the most recent figures produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. December figures will be available in the next few days, but are expected to be comparable.

When inflation is low, consumers and businesses are better able to make long-range plans because they know that the purchasing power of their money will hold and will not be steadily eroded year after year.

Low inflation also means lower nominal and real interest rates. Lower interest rates reduce the cost of borrowing and, in turn, encourages households to buy durable goods, such as automobiles and refrigerators. By keeping inflation under wraps, our economy will eventually gain a stronger foothold and we will eventually return to prosperity.

But we, as consumers and taxpayers, are not the only ones that keep a watchful eye on inflation. The IRS closely monitors the rate as well. Our tax laws require that certain tax numbers be adjusted for inflation each year. Most of these numbers are unchanged or change slightly for 2012 since inflation was minimal for 2011. However, there are a few worth noting as we consider tax planning this year.

For example, the standard mileage rate for business driving remains at 55.5 cents for 2012. For 2011, it was 55.5 cents for miles driven after June 30 and 51 cents for miles driven before July 1. This rate is important since employees use the rate for reimbursement purposes from their employers and business owners use it in computing their deductions.

The rate for medical and moving mileage decreases from 23.5 cents per mile to 23 cents per mile. The general rate for charitable driving remains at 14 cents per mile.

Unfortunately, the maximum earnings subject to social security tax increases slightly. Employees “max out” on social security tax withheld from their paychecks once their earnings reach $110,000, up by $3,300. The earnings limit for those under full retirement age is $14,640. For those at full retirement age, there is no earnings limit.

The “nanny tax” threshold increases to $1,800 for 2012, up from $1,700 in 2011. If you pay household workers more than this amount during the year, you are responsible for payroll taxes. Included are workers such as gardeners, baby sitters, nurses, or those that perform general household chores.

The “kiddie tax” on the other hand is unchanged for 2012. If your child under age 19 (under age 24 for students) has more than $1,900 of unearned income, such as dividends and interest income, the excess could be taxed at the parents top rate.

On the downside, certain limits that we would like increased, however, remain unchanged due to low inflation. The maximum individual retirement account (IRA) contribution you can make for 2012 remains unchanged at $5,000 if you are under age 50 and $6,000 if you are 50 or older.

The maximum amount of wages employees can put in a 401(k) plan for 2012 increases to $17,000. If you are 50 or older, you can contribute up to $22,500 to a 401(k) and $14,000 to a SIMPLE plan.

Tax legislation could change these and other important tax numbers at any time. Also, keep a watchful eye on inflation. If the economy tends to warm up a bit more, inflation could begin to raise its ugly head higher. After all, inflation affects our finances from many different prospective, including that of taxation.

Mark Buescher, CPA is owner and principal of Buescher and Ruff, LLC, a local full service accounting firm in Madison, specializing in tax preparation, business consulting and tax planning. Tax laws contain varying effective dates and numerous limitations and exemptions that cannot be summarized easily. For details and guidance for your specific situation, contact your tax advisor.

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Jimmie’s Firestone Wins the Madison Chamber’s Spotlight for January

January 19, 2012 Around Madison Comments Off

By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.

The very first winner of the Madison Chamber of Commerce’s “Business of the Month Spotlight” for the year 2012 is Jimmie’s Firestone Service Center, located at the junction of I-10 Exit 258 and State Road 53, south of Madison.

Cindy Vees, Director of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, presented the owners of Jimmie’s Firestone with a congratulatory green plant and balloon arrangement, compliments of Madison Florist, a certificate from the Chamber and a sign they can display outside the business for the month of January.

The crew at Jimmie’s Firestone wishes everyone “Happy Holidays and best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2012,” as they start their own new year on a celebratory note with their “Business of the Month Spotlight” award.

In the words of Greg Vickers, employee of Jimmie’s Firestone:

“Jimmie’s Firestone Service Center is celebrating the Business of the Month Spotlight for the outstanding efforts from our service technicians and emergency service providers, for helping our customers smile when they have needed it the most. The compassionate strength we all share is to brighten our customers’ day or night.

“Emergency service is offered 24/7 to those in need for Madison, Jefferson, Taylor, Suwannee, Hamilton and Hamilton Counties. Jimmie’s firestone Service is also offered for out of state or out of region service.

“Many occasions, we meet people traveling through Madison County in need of service to get to their destination. After our services are rendered, sometimes weeks later, we will receive thank you cards and letters where the customer will congratulate us and show appreciation for the respect and support they are given. One customer in particular, an astronaut, mailed a signed picture of himself dressed in his space gear, writing on the photogragh, ‘Thanks for the excellent service!’

“In every situation at hand, the service providers will look to be aware, and observe the situation at hand to best extend the courtesy needed while assisting the customer in the best way possible.

“On September 11, 1984, Jimmie’s Firestone Service center opened their doors for service to Madison County with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Jimmy and Latrelle Ragans, the owners of the emergency roadside and shop service had already been operating the business for six years before the ribbon cutting, out of their Independent Gas and Diesel fueling station, known as Jimmie’s Truck Stop, at Interstate 10 – which was exit 37 at the time – but is presently known today as Exit 258 and State Road 53 South of Madison.

“Jimmie’s Firestone has been associated with AAA for 34 years ; Madison County and the surrounding counties are served through this auto club. However, we can also handle most other auto club emergency service members as well.

“Services we provided 34 years ago are still provided today in 2012. We offer heavy, medium and light duty mechanical, emergency towing and recovery service. The equipment and license requirement have become more advanced, and Jimmie’s Firestone continues to grow, offering great service by trained and certified personnel. We thank everyone for allowing us to provide services that are appreciated and recognized today as the “Business of the Month in Madison, and invite everyone to celebrate with us for a successful 34 years of excellence in emergency service and repair. If you are in need of towing, lock-out service, tire change mechanical repair and service…remember Jimmie’s Firestone ‘We Can Handle it!’

“Also, find us on Facebook and become a friend.

“Happy New Year! 24 Hour Service! (850) 973-8546!” – Greg Vickers

Jimmie’s Firestone has grown over the years to a three truck operation that employs 16 other people besides Jimmie and Latrelle, including Donnie Ragans, Lisa Ragans, Robin Bell, Cindy Abbott, Sandy Nichols, Steve Schultz, Greg Vickers, Von Thompkins, Chad Neihanke, Donals Voss (AKA “Gramps” – parts man), Donald Gibson (paint and body), Frank Premorel, Jason Law, Arthur Brown, Derrick Pullens and Jimmy Monson.

They also employ one dog, a weimaraner named Julie. As Greg Vickers explains, “fire departments have a fire dog, and we have a wrecker dog!”

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Happenings At Madison First Baptist Church

January 19, 2012 Church Comments Off

By Nell Dobbs

May God help us do the things we should by telling oh His love, mercy, grace, and truth everywhere we go and doing what we can.

Beautiful flowers were place in church Sunday by Preacher Jake and Judy Phillips in honor of their twelfth wedding anniversary and we pray for their health and give thanks for the blessings they are to all of us in church and in the community.

The Worship Choir special was “Through it All” (on of my favorites) with a solo part by Lynne Hicks. Preacher Hicks again gave us much food for through in his message.

There are so many ill ones with a virus-Alex Agner, Carl Rushing, Jr., both in Madison Hospital. Charlie Wynn, very ill. Many with broken ankles-our niece Melissa Agner in Kingaport, Tenn. She slipped on the ice. Hettie Selman in Consulate Health with a broken ankle and broken wrist and not good at all.

Happy 93rd birthday to Gordon on the 18th also at Consulate. Eduma Smith with a broken ankle, Ruth Herndon and Norma Jean Hendry. Al and Gail Spurlock as both of them have been very ill.

Marjell often said when you lose your mother you lose your best friend. His died at 62 in 1963. We have two families in our church who have just lost theirs and we pray for them. The family of Faye Browning and Suzanne Peavy and all of their families. What precious memories they have, and we have. Marjell wrote this poem April 18, the night his mother died.

Soft rain in our life has
Now fallen and left our home
So lonely and dreary.
A gentle choice in Heaven was
Calling, “Welcome Home.”
Sad was your leaving, Mama.
A link in the family chain
Is now broken.
We’ll think not of soft words
And sweet phrases left
forever unspoken.
Please, burn a beacon or
Light a candle for me in
A window of your cabin built
By the Carpenter from Galilee.

Amen! And may we all so live that our family circle will be unbroken in Heaven.
Amen!

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Looking For Leap Year Babies

January 19, 2012 Around Madison, Front Page Comments Off

Are you a grownup but still only seven years old because your birthday only comes around every four years? Will you have to wait until you can almost draw Social Security to celebrate your Sweet 16 party. We want to hear about it.

This newspaper is interested in doing stories on leap year babies. Is your birthday on Feb. 29? If it is, then give us a call at (850) 973-4141. We are looking forward to those leap year youngsters from 0 to 25 (0-100).

We would like to feature your story in a special Leap Year section in our Feb. 29 issue of The Madison Enterprise-Recorder. We are looking forward to those leap year youngsters from 0 to 25 (0-100).

 

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MCCS Bronco Girls End Season Undefeated: Hosting District Playoffs Jan. 19 at MCCS

January 19, 2012 Around Madison, Front Page, Sports Comments Off

By Bryant Thigpen

Greene Publishing, Inc.

The girl’s basketball team at Madison County Central School turned the page in history when they ended the season with an undefeated record of 14-0. Coach Tawanna Christian and her assistant coach Megan Dickey led the team to compile not only the best school record, but the first perfect season.

“They communicate,” Coach Christian stated be the simple strength of the team. “This is a great group of girls. They communicate on and off the court. That makes a big difference.”

“My favorite part of being on this team is we get to work together,” stated seventh grader Cindy Brown. “We communicate on the court. If one messes up, we all mess up.” Josie Long, who is also a seventh grade student at MCCS agreed, “We stick together in everything we do.”

While the coaches have placed a major emphasis on unity as a team, sportsmanship has also been a valuable lesson learned by the girls this year. “Even though we’re undefeated, they have the best sportsmanship mentality,” Christian said. “If the girls see one of the team members fall down, girls from our team will be the first there to help them up and pat them on the back.”

The reason the team is number one is because the coaches and players know the ingredients to success. “We’re number one not because of me, but because everyone does their part,” Christian said. “The girls love Coach Dickey, and having the support of parents and administrators makes our job successful.”

She continues, “We have the best supporters. You can always depend on the parents to be there to back them up; school janitors Freddie Williams and Curtis Akins are always offering words of encouragement; the administration, score keepers and managers are the best around.”

“This team is like my family and these girls are like my sisters,” said Long. Christian believes that the parental support is a strong attribute in creating the close family atmosphere. “I believe parental support is essential in the school system nationwide, not just Madison County. The parent support we have received this season has been phenomenal. It makes the kids do better on the court and in the classroom,” Christian explained.

While the team unites on the court as one, there are many different reasons that drive each member to the team. “The reason I wanted to join the team because I wanted to follow in my dad’s steps. I watched him practice and saw how athletic he was. That really inspired me.”

The team is led by inspiration, but it is fueled by competition. The team has played many great teams this year, but one game stuck out in particular to teammate Jameica Cobb who said, “My favorite game this year would have to be versus Hamilton County. They seemed to be more challenging than other opponents.”

The MCCS girl’s basketball team is asking everyone to pack the gym for the regional championship game versus number two Baker County. The game will be held in the MCCS gym on Thursday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m.

“There’s power in numbers,” Coach Christian stated. “The girls have worked hard and we want everyone to come out and support the girls and pack the gym. This will help us reach our goal.”

MCCS Girl’s Basketball team completes the 2011-2012 season undefeated. Bottom Row (left to right): Coach Tawanna Christian, Adrianna Kinsey, Cheyenne Sheffield, Jakayla West, Kay Scurry, Jamieca Cobb, Cindy Brown, Alexis Livingston, Courtney Fox, Coach Megan Dickey. Top Row (left to right): Tatayana Barfield, Tatiana Carter, Travecia Fead, Josie Long, Nacoya Williams, Sequoia Williams, Darresha White, Crystal Moore, Lizzie Frakes. (Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo by Bryant Thigpen, January 10, 2012)

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Inaugural Pistol Match Slated

January 19, 2012 Around Madison Comments Off

The inaugural Pistol Match will be sponsored by Greenville Lodge No. 28 on Saturday, January 21.

The Pistol Match will be held at the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Firing Range, located at 1243 NE Palmetto Street in Pinetta (Cherry Lake).

Fees to enter will be $20 for men; $15 for women; $10 for youth: and $15 for multi-divisions (rim and centerfire).

There will be very reasonably priced concession sales available.

Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place in all divisions. For more information, please contact Bert Waldrep (850) 464-0809 or Greg Wynot at (850) 766-7861.

 

 

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Man Arrested And Charged With Aggravated Assault And VOP in Allegedly Racially Motivated Crime

January 17, 2012 Crime, Front Page 2 comments

Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart reports that On Saturday the 7th day of January 2012 at approximately 10:20 PM, Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 210 SE Centerwood Lane in Lee Florida in reference to an aggravated assault with a firearm. Upon arrival, Deputies spoke to the victims and obtained written statements regarding the incident. The victims disclosed that while visiting family at the aforementioned address the suspects, Shannon McCurdy accompanied by several other men, confronted the victims and threatened to hang him. McCurdy alluded to the fact that the victim was involved in an interracial relationship with the suspect’s girlfriend’s daughter and he didn’t like it.

The victims immediately left the residence on foot and while walking away Shannon McCurdy shot at the victims several times with a hand gun. The victims ran and hid in the woods as the suspect and other men continued to look for them. The suspect and other men were not able to find the victims. The victims waited until they believed it was safe to exit the woods and left the area to call 911.

Deputies located the suspect, Shannon McCurdy but the other men involved were not present. The investigation continues pending the exact identity of the other men involved and the potential for any criminal enhanced charges for hate Crimes.

Shannon Dale McCurdy, W/M, DOB: 06/22/1974 of Lee Florida was arrested and charged with the following:

1.            Aggravated assault with a firearm

2.            Violation of Probation

 

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Citizens Debate Presence Of Children’s Home

January 17, 2012 Front Page 4 comments

 

By Ginger Jarvis
Greene Publishing, Inc.

The divisive topic of a children’s home drew about 60 Madison County residents to the United Methodist Coop- erative Ministries Center on Jan. 12. The session, sometimes contentious, allowed questions and comments about the possibility of a United Methodist Children’s Home being located in Madison County.

Rev. Bob Laidlaw, pastor of Madison First United Methodist Church, served as emcee for the event. Laidlaw is a member of the 35-person Board of Trustees for the UM Children’s Home in Enterprise, Assisting Laidlaw with answering questions were Mike Cummings, Director of Family Philanthropy for the UMCH; Rev. John Gill, Community Development Coordinator; Mark Nelson, Development Officer; and Dr. Steve Batson of Albany, Ga., whose company carried out a feasibility study in the area in 2011.

The board had been considering adding a facility in North Florida, and the chance to do so came in the form of a land gift from Billy and Diane Sullivan and their daughter, Beth. The Sullivans offered a 120-acre site bounded by Daylily and Dogwood roads off Dusty Miller Road in the northeast section of the county. Another family offered the funds to construct the first building on the site.

Some residents of that area, however, were strongly opposed to the home in their neighborhood. Several of them (including a person from Jacksonville and another from central Florida) cited points such as these: (1) the possibility of widening the road into the area; (2) unsupervised children running rampant in the area and damaging property; (3) the presence of the children curtailing burns and aerial spraying; (4) property owners were not notified of the plan until surveyors came to the area; (5) increased traffic and noise; (6) taxpayer burden placed on schools; and (7) taxpayer burden for infrastructure to serve the home. One resident said, “This will impact our lives and our children’s lives.“ Another stated, “We don’t want no (sic) change.”

Preston Mathews of Lee stated that he and his wife were houseparents at the Enterprise campus for four years. “The children are constantly supervised. The footprint of the children does not make a big difference,” he said.
Cummings assured the group that the UMCH des not yet own any property in Madison County. He added, “I have spent the day at the Barksdale Farm with the idea that we might use that location. If you know of any other property available, please let me know.”

Laidlaw assured the group that the proposed home is not a juvenile-detention facility with barbed wire and guards.

Batson said that the feasibility study by Cargill Associates centered around funding sources for the home. He interviewed people from Madison County, Tallahassee, and Jacksonville; the home would serve Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor counties.

Andy Barnes, Chief Financial Officer of the Madison County School District, explained that the children would have little impact on school funding due to state funding rules. Cummings added, “Most of these children are enrolled in Madison County schools. We will be serving children who are already here.”

Questioned about the numbers of children involved, Cummings said that the first two houses would have space for 20 children and their houseparents. Daily employees would include office personnel, therapists, and a chaplain to serve the chapel. “Our children go to church every Sunday,” he explained.

Gill said that he will install a foster-parent office in Madison, where children can be placed with Christian families.

Regarding infrastructure costs, Cumming explained that the United Methodist Church pays all those costs, as any other non-profit would do. He said, “No taxpayer money is involved.”

He closed by asking, “What does God want us to do to start this ministry? Remember that the King of Kings is in charge.”

Even though many opposed the project and many approved it, the session ended with friends and neighbors agreeing to communicate more effectively.

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National Security: Straiht Of Hormuz

January 17, 2012 Editorials Comments Off

By Joe Boyles
Guest Columnist

The Straiht of Hormuz is a narrow shipping lane the empties the Persian Gulf into the Gulf of Oman and then, the Indian Ocean. At its narrowest point, the straiht is only 34 miles wide and separates the United Arab Emirates and Oman in the south from Iran to the north. Strategically, that 34 mile gap of water is probably the most important straiht in the world: last year, 20 percent of the world’s oil supplies moved by tanker through Hormuz. International shipping follows the rules laid out by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Oil tankers regularly transit the Straiht, carrying petroleum from the Persian Gulf ports of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iran and the UAE to refineries in Europe and Asia. Each of these tankers is backed by high premium shipping insurance for the vessel and its precious cargo.

As the world’s protector of sea lanes, the United States has a strategic interest in keeping the Straiht of Hormuz open to worldwide maritime traffic. To do this, the Navy’s Fifth Fleet is stationed in Oman. Before the current Iranian crisis, the fleet consisted of twenty warships anchored by the USS Stennis (CVN-74), a Nimitz-class nuclear powered aircraft carrier. The Stennis has about 85 aircraft in its air wing, consisting of F-18 Hornet attack and fighter aircraft, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters and electronic warfare aircraft. Around the Stennis is an array of warships including guided missile cruisers and submarines to protect the CVN. It is an impressive armada.

Ever since the Iranian Navy began military exercises and saber-rattling, our Navy has deployed two additional carrier battle groups centered about the USS Vinson (CVN-70) and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) to the region. The Vinson will likely replace the Stennis since their cruise is scheduled to end. Each of these battle groups carry just as much capability as the Stennis.

Meanwhile as Iranian gunboats speed around the Straiht, their tin-hat admiral has announced that they might close the Straiht and warned the Stennis not to return to its port in Oman. Presumably, the Obama Administration will not succumb to this threat against international maritime law.

How might the Iranians close the straiht if they’re so inclined? They could do so either with anti-ship missiles or mines. The no-brainer approach is to mine the straight which is a passive means until a ship hits them. Missiles, on the other hand, require targeting and launch, a much more overt act of war. Regardless, we’ll allow the Iranians to make the first move, if they’re so inclined, so that our response is just that. We have to call their bluff and be prepared in case it isn’t.

My guess is that it is bluster and not much more. The Iranian radical Islamic government is known for saber-rattling. In the meantime, they are facing an internal crisis as someone is targeting their nuclear brain trust. Last week a speeding motorcycle attached a magnetic car bomb to the auto of one such scientist who quickly died in the resulting explosion. He’s the fourth nuclear scientist to die under violent and mysterious circumstances over the past year. The Iranians are sure this action and other similar to it are the work of Israeli/American intelligence, but who knows?

If the Iranians should decide to mine the Straiht, we have a secret weapon — dolphins. It seems as if the US Navy has been training bottle-nose dolphins for years to detect mines with their sonar and photograph them. It seems that the dolphins can detect mines from hundreds of yards away. Whether or not the dolphins are trained to actually detonate the mines is not known. Of course, this revelation has animal rights groups in a tizzy.

A more reliable, long-term approach would be to build sufficient oil pipelines across Saudi Arabia to a southern port which would give oil shippers an alternative and safer route. This would give the insurance companies much needed relief as well.

It is at times like this that we’re reminded that, although the Straiht of Hormuz is a small body of water, more than three-quarters of the earth’s surface is covered by water. Our Navy, the greatest in the world by far, is on patrol to ensure that sea lanes remain free and unimpeded. The world’s economy is dependent on this capability.

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Tax Pro Cuts Ribbon As Newest Business Downtown

January 17, 2012 Around Madison Comments Off

By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.

Tax season is right around the corner and Tax Pro, the new small business that just opened its doors at 119 E Base Street, Suite A, has cut the ribbon just in time to be of help.

Donnell Davis, president of Tax Pro, originally from Madison, attended Texas Southern University and soon started working at Tax Break in Texas.

He became interested in doing tax work after wondering how so many rich people ended up paying so little in taxes. Now he is back in Madison, working to help moderate and low-income families and individuals – people who can least afford to overpay their taxes – helping them make the most of whatever credits or deductions they are eligible for.

“I like to try to help someone out,” he said. “Not just at tax time, but by helping you and your family decide what’s best for you during the whole tax year.”

He provides help for folks who really don’t understand the tax business that well, and admits that at one time, that included himself. He also points out that the tax law is constantly changing and evolving; each year, Congress makes more changes to the tax code. This year, they still haven’t quite finished updating the codes with all the changes they passed in the last session.

At the ribbon-cutting Thursday, Jan, 12, Cindy Vees of the Madison Chamber of Commerce was on hand with the ceremonial ribbon and giant scissors to mark the occasion and welcome Tax Pro into the business community. Davis, along with family and friends, including his pastor, Rev. Joseph Andrews of Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church, celebrated with refreshments and a sheet cake decorated with the Tax Pro logo.

Tax Pro is located in the Madison Glass Doctor Building on Base Street, almost directly across from the Mansion; the office occupies one of the suites facing Base Street.

Davis invites anyone who needs sound tax advice to drop by the office, or contact him at (850) 253-2191 or (850) 673-6333. The doors are open and ready for business.

As he puts it: “You’ve tried the rest, now trust the best – Tax Pro.”

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Two MCHS Students Awarded Dell Laptops

January 17, 2012 Around Madison, Education Comments Off

By Bryant Thigpen
Greene Publishing, Inc.

Two students at Madison County High School were awarded two new Dell laptop computers on Friday, January 6, for their efforts in a student essay contest. Students across the state of Florida who are members of the High School High Tech program were encouraged to submit an essay about how they could benefit from a computer with their education and future careers. In a joint effort by the Able Trust and the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology, MCHS students Chaddrick Johnson and Jamarian Robinson were each selected as a recipient of a new Dell laptop computer.

“Chad is very dedicated to his studies and commits his energy to his education, career goals, and the MCHS High Tech Program,” stated Mary Coody, director of the Madison High School/High Tech program. Johnson, who will graduate from MCHS in 2012, plans to attend Mortuary College and one day become a funeral home director. In his essay, Johnson states that having a laptop will allow him to excel in class work, do research on colleges and learn more about the career he has chosen.

Robinson, who is also venturing into mortuary college, states that his interest in having a laptop is based on the needs of gaining training for his selected career, researching vital information about funeral directing, and to improve his current study habits.

“I have had the privilege of working with Jamarian for a few months now and find this young man to be a dedicated hard working individual,” Coody said. “He is so excited about his choice of career.”

Allison Chase, the state director for the High School/High Tech program, was on hand for the presentation to the students. “By giving the laptops to the students, the Able Trust and FAAST are helping to make the technology link between their education and career goals,” Chase stated. “We want them to use the laptops in their studies, to explore the world of work, and of course, have fun in the process.”

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