Archive for January 2012

Madison Selects Tim Bennett As New City Manager

January 12, 2012 Front Page 2 comments

By Ginger Jarvis
Greene Publishing, Inc.

In a brief meeting on January 11, Madison’s city commissioners chose Tim Bennett of Allendale, South Carolina, as the new city manager. Bennett was selected on the second ballot from a field of four candidates.

Following the vote, Mayor Jim Catron contacted Bennett by phone to relay the news. Bennett agreed to accept the position and said that he will give three weeks notice to leave his post as county manager in Allendale County. City Attorney Clay Schnitker made arrangements to meet with Bennett to set up negations for his contract.

The commissioners spent some time reviewing details of the new contract. Some stipulations include provision of a car and cell phone, pursuing a professional certificate, retirement compensation, outside employment, and beginning salary negotiations at $71,000. Bennett is expected to be present for the next regular commission meeting on February 14.

During his interview on January 10, Bennett said that his reason for seeking the post was that he and his wife are both Florida natives and want to be closer to relatives in the area. He showed an extensive knowledge of Madison’s budget, policies, and city practices. A Marine of 20 years, he spent several years in the South Carolina Department of Social Services, then worked as City Manager in Hilton Head and Bluffton during a period of growth. Responding to a question from Commissioner Rayne Cooks, he said, “At the end of my first year, I want to be known as someone who produces.”

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Madison Interviews Manager Candidates

January 12, 2012 Front Page Comments Off

By Ginger Jarvis
Greene Publishing, Inc.

Madison residents crammed into City Hall on January 10, eager to meet the candidates for the job of city manager. By four p.m., the room was packed with people introducing themselves to the candidates and discussing attitudes and qualifications.

Mayor Jim Catron presented the four candidates: Bailey Barefoot of Madison; Tim Bennett of Allendale, South Carolina; Oel Wingo of Holly Hills; and Jerome Wyche of Madison. Catron stressed that once the interviews began, the audience would have to refrain from comment. Then he allowed about 45 minutes for people to interact with the four.

The commissioners held a brief regular meeting at about 5 p.m., then started the interviews. The five commissioners each asked questions of the individual candidates separately, closing at about 9 p.m.

All the candidates told of solid experience in managerial and financial fields plus education and interpersonal skills. In response to Commissioner Judy Townsend’s question about their leisure activities, Barefoot said that he enjoys spending time with his wife, yard work, and golf; Bennett said that he enjoys going out with his wife and reading; Wingo replied that she rides a motorcycle; and Wyche said that he spends time with his family and enjoys golf, fishing, and watching Western movies.

Commissioner Rayne Cooks asked about the first steps the new manager would take. Barefoot said that he would meet the staff and employees and get information from them; Bennett replied, “Day One I will hit the ground running.” Wingo said that she would keep her ears open to learn about the community, and Wyche offered a list of 25 areas which he said would need work immediately.

Catron asked them to describe a time when they had used an innovative approach and about their experience with economic development, growth, and green power. Each offered sound examples of their work in those areas and with intergovernmental agencies.

Commissioner Jim Stanley asked about times when officials did not follow the manager’s recommendation; each said that he would follow the directives of the board, even if he did not agree with them.

Commissioner Myra Valentine asked them to name an area that would attract newcomers and visitors. Barefoot recommended financial enticements; Bennett said,”Keep doing what you are doing,” and recommended parks and recreation improvements and recruiting industry; Wingo said, “The whole downtown area is appealing.” Wyche said that handing out brochures and knocking on doors in other communities and using the media would attract growth.

The candidates responded in depth to queries about their management style, handling disgruntled employees, and their vision for Madison.

Following the interviews, Catron announced that the board will make a decision on Wednesday, January 11, at 5:30 p.m.

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2012: A YEAR FOR OPTIMISIM

January 12, 2012 Editorials Comments Off

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

The year 2011 has officially ended. Downtown Madison’s Christmas decorations have been stored away for another year, party hats and horns bringing in the new year have been tossed, and New Year’s resolutions are in full swing.

Although 2012 has arrived and we are all looking forward to a fresh new start, the news media reminds us daily that we are facing major problems in this country. Our national debt is an alarming $15 trillion and climbing. Our economy is still struggling to produce jobs and get healthy again. Our politicians seem unable to grapple with even the smallest issue without partisan bickering that leads nowhere.

However, glimmers of hope are on the horizon. According to economic estimates ahead of the official Commerce Department figures coming out next week, December 2011 retail sales were up 5.5 percent over the previous year. This is especially good news since consumer spending accounts for about 70 percent of our economy.

In the employment area, the unemployment rate and job numbers have shown continued improvement as well. Although still at high levels, the unemployment rate in the state of Florida has dropped two percentage points since January of 2011. According to Governor Scott’s office a total of 8,500 new jobs were added in November, 2011 (the most recent numbers available), making the total net new jobs for the year more than 120,000 in the state of Florida. Madison County statistics have shown comparable improvements as well.

The Florida unemployment rate, although still higher than the national rate, is at the lowest level in 31 months. The good news for Floridians can not come soon enough. The state of Florida has already borrowed over $1.7 billion from the federal government to pay unemployment compensation benefits. Florida businesses will continue to see higher unemployment tax rates for 2012 paid on behalf of their employees. However, with improved employment numbers, this figure will eventually begin to shrink, which in turn will benefit employment taxes for all businesses.

Another glimmer of hope: consumer confidence. Retailers and other businesses seem to be benefiting from a rise in consumer confidence. The Thomson Reuters/ University of Michigan preliminary sentiment index rose this month to the highest level since June, according to the survey median before the official report due out this weekend. Of course, stock market gains have played a significant role in the optimism, along with the President’s deal with Republican leaders to keep social security tax rates from rising.

Investors in retail stocks are driving up share prices as consumer spending picks up. The Standard and Poor’s Supercomposite Retailing Index has gained more than 30 percent since June 30, 2010, compared with a 23 percent advance for the broader S&P 500 stock index. Even auto sales in December reached a 12.53 million annual pace, the highest since the government’s so-called cash-for-clunkers incentive program in August 2009.

On another front, the Federal Reserve is continuing their efforts to keep borrowing costs low, benefiting the business sector and indirectly the sluggish Florida real estate market. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke last week reiterated the central bank will buy an additional $600 billion of Treasuries through June in an effort to trim joblessness further and avert deflation, or an extended drop in prices. With the Federal Funds rate (the interest rate on overnight loans between banks) already close to zero, the Fed is buying securities in an effort to keep borrowing costs low.

All in all, there are continued areas of improvement in our economy and glimmers of hope at every turn. Without a doubt, 2012 is an important year. The presidential election coming up in November, the Supreme Court’s ruling on the new health care law expected this summer, and the expiration of the current Federal tax rates on December 31, 2012, are major coming events on the national level. On a local level, Madison County will start ground-breaking on a new hospital facility and several new employers will continue to fill the employee ranks. All of these events will have an impact on every one of us.

Keep a watchful eye. With continued prayers and the right amount of luck, 2012 could be the year that we make the big turn in our economy.

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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Pay Off Those Holiday Debts

January 12, 2012 Editorials Comments Off

By Diann Douglas
Guest Columnist

Now that the holidays have come and gone, the bills will soon begin to arrive. You may be shocked at the total amount on your credit cards. Didn’t realize all the fun you had during the holiday season had such a price tag? You may have overspent like many other Americans. It can be difficult to avoid the traps of sophisticated marketing techniques utilized by retailers. Whatever the reason, overspending can leave us with a holiday spending problem – a large debt. Dr. Michael Gutter, Financial Management Specialist with the University of Florida highlights several strategies that may be helpful for you to do.

Now that January is here, you may need to give your credit cards a holiday. While you are planning out your repayment plan, you should put the cards away. Do not take them with you unless you need them for refunds or exchanges. Operate on a cash only basis for the next few months while you are paying off debts. One thing you want to avoid is the post holiday spending. We all know you can get some great deals, but you can go broke practicing this money strategy – you are still spending money. By not making purchases, you will be able to engage in real savings!

Determine the total amount of money you spent over the holiday season. Believe it or not, most people avoid looking at the total. Take time to sort out your bills and add up exactly how much money you spent. While this may not be a fun task, it will give you a clear picture of the money you now owe. A word of warning, you may be shocked at the total! Don’t be overwhelmed, you can pay off your debts with steady, consistent payments.

The next step is to set up a debt repayment plan and stick to it. This need not involve a third party, just an honest discussion and different choices on your part. Create a timeline to pay off your debts. One great tool for this is PowerPay. It is a free online program developed by Utah Extension to help you organize your debts, create a calendar for repayment, and show you how to most efficiently use extra money to pay down your debt more efficiently. A great tool to keep you on track with paying monthly bills is our Extension 2012 Money Management Calendar. For your free copy, stop by the Extension office.

There is always the question of what to do as a substitute for those shopping trips that occupied your time over the last 6 to 8 weeks. It is now a great time to work on those projects you have been postponing because of the holiday season. Get busy and organize your filing cabinet, clean out those closets and cupboards, transplant plants in your yard. You may want to start that daily walking program you’ve been meaning to do for the past 6 month. When you tackle these home and self improvements, you’ll find yourself productive and not tempted to go out and add to your debt load.

Part of your holiday repayment plan needs to include a way to start saving now for 2012. It becomes difficult to meet your expectations for the holidays year after year without planning ahead. By knowing what you spent this past year, you can set up a goal to have a certain amount in a savings account to use for the next holiday season. Some banks have special holiday accounts which allow you to put money into savings on a regular basis. If you aren’t a good saver, this type of account may be helpful.

For more information on money management or assistance with developing a debt repayment plan, 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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Jacob’s Ladder: God Defends Me

January 12, 2012 Editorials Comments Off

By Jacob Bembry

God has been with me so many times that I cannot begin to tell you. He has even been there during the stupid times and the stupid things I have done.

I’m not sure if it was stupid what I did that night in 1986 but I’m not sure it was the wisest decision I had ever made. All I know is that God took care of me that night. If He had not done it, I would at least have been left with a black eye, a broken nose and a handful of teeth for the tooth fairy to come pick up and leave me a quarter a piece for.

I was a student at Florida State University at the time and lived in a dorm called Smith Hall. On several of the floors was a TV room. One evening, while I was coming back from dinner or maybe the library (yeah, let’s say it was the library anyway), I saw an encounter. Now, let me preface this by saying that I have been taught to be chivalrous. Even though the encounter was the girl’s fault, I felt I had to stand up for her.

There was a group of 10 or 11 fellows who were watching a show on television when a blue-haired girl (yes, she had blue hair; it was the 80s and many college students were into punk and new wave) went in and decided to turn the channel. As you can probably guess, tempers flared. Not only did the guys get mad, they threatened this girl who I didn’t even really know but I believe whose name was Lisa.

The major threat came from a guy who was a walk-on football player at FSU. He said that he was going to kill her. I heard enough and ran and got in between the two of them.

“No, you’re not,” I said.

Shoving me, he said, “Get out of the way or I’ll kill you too.”

Somehow I kept my voice from shaking, “You may do that but you won’t touch her.” The football player was much shorter than me but he was built like a Sherman tank. He was a running back and you could tell this guy spent hours in the gym.

Somewhere in the middle of my confrontation with the guy, who had the support of 10 other guys in the room, Lisa ran out. “Whew! Maybe she’s gone from help,” I thought. Of course, I didn’t see her until weeks later.

The football player pushed me again. I didn’t move. Again and I didn’t move. Again and my glasses flew across the room but I didn’t move. No matter how many times he shoved, I stood my ground. Finally, he said. “Aw. Forget it.” One of his buddies handed me my glasses and I went to my dorm room with relief washing over me.

The next time I saw Lisa, she was with a girl with half of her blonde hair shaved off. She grabbed me and hugged me and said I was her knight in shining armor. I am sorry to say that since she did not go get help, I was thinking some things about her that were not in line with my Christian character.

The next time I saw the football player was when he showed up to borrow money that my roommate had left with me. I’d had warning that he was coming but I guess that he didn’t expect to see me there. He couldn’t have been a nicer guy that day.

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Obit: Sara Juanita Collins Burnett

January 12, 2012 Obituaries One comment

Sara Juanita Collins Burnett died Tuesday, January 10, at South Georgia Medical Center. Born October 27, 1928 in Jacksonville, she was the daughter of the late John and Gracia Collins.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, George Forest Burnett Jr.; and sisters, Miriam Whitlock and Johnnie Grace Bland.

She was an active member and dearly loved attending Pinetta First Baptist Church. Only missing a service when she was truly unable to attend, she sincerely adored her church family. Her very special Pastor, Brother Tommy Bussey, will lead the congregation in celebrating her beautiful life.

Other survivors include three children, Suzanne Peavy (Joe), George “Bubba” Burnett III (Kay), and Jenny Hendry (Troy), all of Madison; Seven grandchildren, Kimberly Pridgeon, Betsy Craven (Cole) of Valdosta, Ga., Stacy Burnett of Quitman, Ga., Jennifer Copeland (Walter) of Madison, George “Chip” Burnett IV (Nicole) of Gray, Ga., Sara Whitaker (Kyle) of Madison and Andrew Hendry of Valdosta, Ga.; Six great-grandchildren, Caden and BetsyAnna Craven, Parker and Collin Copeland and George and Preston Burnett.

Affectionately known as Mimi, she left behind a legacy of teaching and demonstrating to all of us the importance of a strong faith in the Lord. She lived a life exemplary of what every Christian aspires to attain.

Family will receive friends on Friday, January 13 at Pinetta First Baptist Church from 1-3 p.m. with services immediately following. Burial will follow at the Cherry Lake First Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kitchen Renovations Fund for the Pinetta First Baptist Church.

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Remembrance of Things Past: Mosley Lee Barfield

January 12, 2012 Around Madison, History Comments Off

By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.

The common belief is that a person might leave their hometown, but in the end, they almost always come back. Mosley Lee Barfield is a living example of that belief. She was born and raised in Madison. She attended school at Madison County High School, MCTS back then, and graduated from there in 1957.

Growing up, some of Mosley’s hobbies included sewing, fishing, playing basketball and hopscotch, jumping rope, playing springboard and playing baseball. She grew up working in the tobacco and cotton fields, and that was how she made her money. Any extra money that she had went to buying fabric, needles and thread. She was taught from an early age how to make her own clothes.

Following her high school graduation, she married Frank A. Barfield. In 1957 they moved to Orlando, but returned to Madison in 1964 to open their own restaurant. They then divorced and Mosley began working at ITT. She stayed with ITT for 23 and a half years. After ITT closed she went to work for Levi Strauss Co. making jeans. She stayed there for five years before she retired.

After retiring, Mosley began volunteering at the Madison Senior Citizens Center. She helps with arts and crafts, sewing and she is also a van driver for them. Sewing has always been one of her favorite hobbies. She continues to sew today, collecting patterns, sewing for people and making alterations from home. She also enjoys quilting.

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 A Madison First Bapist Church

January 12, 2012 Church Comments Off

By Sara Dobbs Gwin
Guest Columnist

Mom, the regular writer of this column (aka Nell Dobbs to her readers) asked me to fill in for her this week as she’s been in bed with the flu for the past several days. Please keep her in your prayers and give her a call. You know Mom – she won’t want to miss any news of her friends, relatives or church family simply because she’s sick! Plus, she’ll want to put the news in this column next week when she returns. When I’m home, many of you always tell me how much you enjoy reading the news about people in her column.

Saturday, December 31, 2011 was a special day for Hilda and Jimmy Dixon, my aunt and uncle and Mom’s second youngest sister. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a county-wide buffet lunch at their home on Maplewood Drive off Dusty Miller Road. You know you’re from a small community when you open up the “Madison County Carrier” from your home in Mobile, Alabama and find an invitation from your aunt and uncle extended to every reader of the paper to attend the celebration. And many did come to celebrate their 50 years of wedded bliss.

I jokingly said to Mom when I learned Aunt Hilda had invited everybody to come, “You know, Aunt Hilda. She won’t stress out if she runs out of food at her party. She’ll just open up jars of pickled okra and boiled peanuts to feed them or maybe a bag of blueberries.” I hope that many of you – like her family members – have been blessed throughout the years to receive canned goods from Aunt Hilda. She has an extra-generous spirit (so does Uncle Jimmy) and is always sharing bounty from her garden with others.

Aunt Hilda and Uncle Jimmy were tickled pink to have relatives from Aunt Hilda’s side come, the Agners, family from Uncle Jimmy’s side, the Dixons and the Blairs, and a host of friends from their church, First United Methodist, and community friends. Their three children were all present: daughter Gina and her husband Eugene and their eight children, Grace, Faith, Noah, Hope, Joy, Glory, Isaiah, and 11-week old little Daniel from King George, VA; son Devin and his wife Libby from Cumming, GA, and three of their four children, Jessica and husband Robby, Jarod, and Melissa, daughter Emily and husband Kevin and little Evelyn from Albuquerque, New Mexico, were unable to come, but they wished their grandparents well via Skype; and son Marlin from the Atlanta area.

Both the newspaper editor Jacob (who I’m glad to hear is back at work many mornings after his recent health scare) and Mrs. Mary Ellen have promised to run pictures from the anniversary celebration as soon as (my cousin) Devin can get some to them. Thanks.

Though I’m still from Florida at heart, I have lived in Alabama for the past 23 years, so let me take a few brief sentences to commend the Crimson Tide for their January 9 win of the National Championship. According to my hubby Bobby, a real avid, rabid football fan, this is the Tide’s 14th championship – not that I’m bragging or anything. So all you Gator and Seminole fans, let me say Roll Tide. When my good friend from Madison, Debbie Parrish Nicolle, met Bobby a few months after our engagement in 1988, they just happened to strike up a conversation about football. Afterwards, she said to me, “Do you have any idea of how much he really loves football?” Now this is from a woman who planned her own wedding on an open FSU date, October 6, 1985, so she wouldn’t have to miss a ‘Nole’s game! Can she say anything about Bobby? Smile! Debbie and her son, Thomas, Nina Reeves Watts and hubby Bill, Caron Holton and her family, and Robin and Lee Peavy and children regularly tailgate in Tallahassee for FSU games and I know they have a blast.

Nina and Bill are thrilled to report that their daughter Samanatha, an English Education major at FSU, made the honor roll and the symphony orchestra her freshman year.

And to give the University of Florida equal billing, I’ll mention that another high school classmate of mine from 1977, Mike Norfleet and his family are big Gator fans. In fact, he missed the class reunion we had last October at The Lunch Box Restaurant to attend a Florida football game. We missed him and Nida and sure hope they’ll make the 35th class reunion we plan to have this year! Hint, hint, Madison classmates, Judy Townsend, Angela Culpepper, Terry “Badcock” Olive, Larry Smith, Cindy Coody, and Terry Martin, we better get going on the planning meetings for it.

As I wrap up this column, Mom wanted me to make mention of many needed prayers for a number of sick friends and family throughout the community. Right after the anniversary celebration, Uncle Jimmy was hospitalized for pneumonia, though he is home now. John Troyer, our special friend, didn’t get to come to the celebration because he was sick with the flu. And I’m sure you all know of many others.

Though football is a lot of fun and brings many good memories, let’s make sure we keep our eyes on the Lord this year, stay in touch with family and friends, and do all we can to help those in need.

And as Mom would say, “May you be blessed.”

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