By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   If the best way to get to know a new job is simply to jump right into the deep end of the pool, then Heather Johnson, the new Madison County 4-H Agent, got familiar fast.  Literally within days of her starting as the new 4-H Agent, perhaps Johnson’s most notable annual assignment was already at hand, that being the 4-H Livestock Show.  From every indication and feedback, this crucial assignment was handled quite well and is one of the many, many accomplishments Johnson will provide as leader of the 4-H.
   Johnson grew up in Jefferson County and joined 4-H as a youngster, benefiting greatly from those experiences.  In one of those experiences, she participated in the Tropicana Speech Contest and was successful all the way to the state level.   Johnson also spent many years working at Camp Cherry Lake; first as a camper, then as a counselor, and later as part of the adult staff.
   Johnson received a BA in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education from Thomas University in Thomasville, GA., later working as a teacher prior to joining 4-H. 
“I started teaching when I got out of school, building on my deep love of youth development, which I know I will be able to continue to do with all the programs here,” Johnson noted. 
   Johnson’s husband James is an instructor at Madison County High School and even their relationship is grounded in 4-H, having met him at the Cherry Lake Camp.
   “We were both in middle school at the time and we became friends, later started dating, and now we have been happily married for three and a half years.  But we might never have met if I hadn't joined 4-H and had that chance to go to camp,” Johnson explained.
   As Johnson reflected on her life and professional accomplishments, she literally sees 4-H touching her life everywhere, so the step to make it her professional focus was a natural and obvious calling.  
   “When I look back on my life, I see that 4-H has helped to mold me into the person I am today.  Everything that I learned in the camps, clubs, and meetings, I used to become successful.  I know what 4-H can help a person do and I want to be that same influence in the lives of those I encounter here,” Johnson went on to say, “that is, after all, what 4-H is really all about.”
   Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

Vision 2020: “We Can’t Keep Losing Our Best”

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   "Everybody knows each other.  That’s comforting growing up," Anita Domore, recent honors graduate from Madison County High School, explains, “but I need to do more.  I cherish and believe what my grandmother taught me about preserving the important things she knew growing up, but those things aren’t available either.  It’s like we’re caught between two worlds." 
   Domore’s professional hopes are lofty.  “I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer like my grandfather who moved back here after he retired.  It’s going to be tough to be a lawyer here.  There’s hardly the demand.  And I definitely don’t know how to grow our area,” she added.
So like so many before her, Domore will likely leave her home in Madison.  And if she is like the others, she won't be back anytime soon.
   The challenge of keeping some of the best at home was one among the central issues discussed during the recent Vision 2020 public forum.  Madison County is struggling with a growing small town evolution known as “brain drain,” which is the loss of quality young people fleeing for better jobs and excitement elsewhere.  In small towns where there are a limited number of good jobs that are already occupied by people holding on to them like a life preserver, its becoming more like a brain hemorrhage. 
   There are double the people from 55 to 64 years old living in rural communities than there are people between the ages of 18 and 24.  Whereas nationwide, it’s just the opposite.  In fact the 18-24 group average well less than ten percent of small town populations.  And the trend is typically getting worse.  Nearly 80 percent of these small communities have fewer residents between 25 and 34 in 2000 than they did in 1990.
   According to feedback among local officials and residents attending the Vision 2020 forum, many think it will even take more than just better paying jobs to change the trend.  “Convincing young adults to stay may require changes in core small town objectives,” one table’s discussion noted. 
   A noted sociologist, Curtis Stofferahn, who specializes in measuring these trends said, "We need to encourage people to think about what they can do differently that hasn't been done before."
   The biggest growth in Madison County continues to be in the 55-plus crowd, both from the natural aging of the population and from the residential transplants.  Economically, current residents rarely oppose the migration of the retired and semi-retired because it initially produces a little bump of economic stimulus as these transplants buy land and put a little money in the bank.  But obviously, unless these newcomers bring a business with them, it does little to keep our kids in Madison.
As mentioned earlier, there is a stated and restated priority among planners to create jobs paying that are sufficiently well paying to keep graduates in the community.  
   “Being able to travel, afford dance lessons, get some cool new gadgets and have enough left over to help others and give at church seems like an impossible dream.  I don’t see it trickling down any time soon,” Domore added. 
“But suppose I was lucky enough to find a good job or start a business and have a family, I still don’t want my kids to go through the grief of seeing things on TV or the Internet that they can never afford to do.  And I’m not talking about the bad stuff.  At least there has to be something interesting and fun to do.” she went on to say.
   One local grandfather who is sixth generation Madison, Ben Herferevr, had an interesting angle on why Madison born kids will return to Madison if they do leave.   
   “Either they’ll run out of money and come home to grandpa, or they’ll get divorced and come home to grandpa.  Seems to be a common thing nowadays, kids not being able to make it.”
   As far as the lack of new business in the community, Herferevr had an opinion as well, “I’m okay on money.  The bankers and government people can worry about all that other stuff.  Besides, sometimes when the businesses fail, we can pick up the property cheap and sell it to the next newcomer who thinks they can make a go of it.  That way at least property owners can make a few bucks for the trouble and the town remains the same.”
   In the end, planners are making it a priority to include and respect the wishes of grandparents and exceptional students alike.  These priorities will then be added to others, ultimately becoming the marching papers for Vision 2020. 
   Anita Domore (A-nit-a Do-More, a.k.a. “I need to do more”) and Ben Herferevr (Ben Her-fer-evr, a.k.a. “Been here forever”) are fictional representations, serving to illustrate the two ends planners are determined to tie together over the next decade.  Again, the Vision 2020 forum is designed to facilitate that discussion and introduce the framework for subsequent solutions.

Clay Huff Awarded NWTF’s Florida Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer Of The Year

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   During the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) Annual Banquet held on March 1 at the Madison County Central School, local Chapter President and State Director Wally Davis presented Clay Huff with a plaque in recognition of Huff’s selection as the NWTF’s Florida Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
   Huff was previously recognized during the NWTF 32nd Annual Convention and Sport Show held February 21 to February 24 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga. 
   “Without the tremendous level of support for wild turkey conservation from wildlife officers such as Mr. Huff, restoration efforts and wildlife management strategies would never have succeeded,” stated NWTF CEO Rob Keck.  “We wanted to ensure that he receives the thanks and recognition he so richly deserve.”
   Huff is an Officer with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.  He has served the area exceptionally well, exhibiting particular support for youth.  Davis also noted that Huff is very active in the NWTF’s JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) program.
   “Clay takes great pride in teaching youth hunters the importance of ethics, doing the right thing and taking responsibility for their actions,” Davis stated.
   Huff was proud to receive the award and gracious about the acknowledgement.  “If we can teach our youth the importance of ethical hunting practices, then we can preserve our wild turkey hunting heritage for future generations,” Huff stated.
   Huff resides in Lee with his wife Jessica.
   Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

Miami Resident Arrested During Traffic Stop

   On Thursday, February 22, at 11:18 P.M., Cpl. Michael D. Maurice with the Madison County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at the 256 mile marker on I-10 east bound.  When Maurice made contact with the occupants, he detected a strong odor of burnt and green marijuana coming from the vehicle. 
   Maurice got the driver, Alan Lemura, 19, of Miami, Florida, out of the vehicle to conduct his enforcement action.  While talking with Lemura, he admitted that he and the other two occupants had smoked marijuana before they departed Tallahassee.
   Maurice completed his enforcement action on Lemura and then made contact with one of the passengers, Christopher Milan, 19, also of Miami, Florida.  Milan also admitted to smoking marijuana before departing Tallahassee but stated that there was no more marijuana in the vehicle.
   Maurice then made contact with the third passenger, Robert Goette, 20, of Miami, Florida, who also admitted to smoking marijuana.  However, he too stated that there was no more marijuana in the vehicle. 
   Maurice conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle, during which he observed a small slit in the carpet directly behind the drivers seat.  He checked around the immediate vicinity of the slit, located nothing initially but did notice a significant bulge in the carpet several inches from the slit.  Digging farther, Maurice located a bag containing a large amount of marijuana. 
   Before concluding the search, almost $3000 dollars in U.S. currency was also confiscated.  The money was in several bundles of $20 bills consistent with the sale and purchase of illegal drugs.  The three subjects were arrested and charged with felony possession of marijuana and the cash was seized for forfeiture.
   Maurice was assisted at the scene by Sgt. Randy Jansch and Deputy Jimmy Fletcher.

Miss Lee Pageant Set For March 8

   The Miss Lee Pageant will be held tomorrow night, Saturday, March 8, at the North Florida Community College Van H. Priest Auditorium. 
Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for school-age children.  Children four and under are admitted free.
   This year’s contestants for Miss Lee are NoraBeth Agner, Unique Gnann and Brittany Hudson. 
   Miss Teen Lee contestants include Elaine Terry, Ashlyn Welch, Molly Williams, Siera Gay and Jessica Phillips.
   Miss Pre-Teen Lee contestants include Nicole Davis, Amanda Miller, Jordyn Gay and Jodi Phillips.
   There will also be a short children’s pageant to open the event. Everyone is urged to attend and support these fine young ladies.

Madison DJJ Launches New Name With New Vision

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Over a decade ago with the reorganization of juvenile justice operations, Florida statutes required the formation of county juvenile justice councils.
   It was intended that the council be comprised of stakeholders throughout the juvenile community, including the Department of Juvenile Justice, local law enforcement, school administration, as well as key supporting partnerships like DISC Village, a private, non-profit organization that provides several juvenile programs within its portfolio of services.  Depending on need, these programs provide a composite of assessment, case management and community-based services for young men and women with delinquency, truancy, and substance abuse issues.
   The group meeting of February 12 was presided by Chair Rick Davis, Madison Chief of Police, who with assistance from Phyllis Law facilitated a roundtable discussion for the construction of new vision and mission statements to go along with the new name, Madison County Youth Council.  Among other functions, the name and new declarations are intended to establish increased community awareness and involvement, as well as a more positive affirmation of the council’s design and range of services.
   There was extensive discussion regarding various funding efforts and a brief progress report regarding a beta project at Madison County Central School designed to improve students with exceptional needs.  In addition, planning for the Youth Summit scheduled for March 4 and Juvenile Justice Week slated for March 24-28 was conducted.  Included among contributions to the latter event is a proclamation that will be delivered to the county commission, town councils and school board prior to the event.
   In the end, it was evident that all in attendance shared a clear vision for supporting the youth of Madison County.  So even as slogans are published and sub-committees are formed, the Madison County Youth Council is already implementing individual and collaborative programs from among its membership.  Staff writer can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

Excessive Speeding Causes Rollover On Old Blue Springs Road

   According to the Florida Highway Patrol report dated March 1 at 10:15 p.m., Renee J. Gilbert of Harwinton, Conn. was driving on Old Blue Springs Road at a high rate of speed when she lost control of her vehicle. 
   First spinning, then careening off the road, Gilbert drove her 2008 Chevrolet over a shrub and then overturned, rolling over once before coming to rest.  Fortunately, Gilbert sustained only minor injuries.
   Madison County Sheriff Sgt. David Harper assisted at the scene, as did Lee Fire Rescue.