By Jessica Higginbotham
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Three new students signed contracts for the Take Stock In Children scholarship program on Monday, October 22.  Celestia Andrews and Matthew Bendl, both fifth graders at Pinetta Elementary School, were more than happy to commit to the program, which provides scholarships over 60 children in Madison County.
   Celestia is the daughter of Teresa Andrews.  Matthew is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ehmann and Bruce Bendl.  Jo Willis, program coordinator for Take Stock In Children congratulated both students on their academic accomplishments and the opportunity that they’ve been given to continue their education beyond high school. 
   William Terry, Jr., a student at Lee Elementary School signed his contract for a two-year Take Stock In Children scholarship on October 31.  He is the third student in a string of contract signings for TSIC to be awarded a scholarship.
   His parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Terry, Sr. in marking the momentous occasion, joined William at LES.  Participants in TSIC sign the contract and make a promise to have good behavior, remain drug and crime free, and have good attendance.  Upon William’s graduation, he’ll be given the two-year scholarship. 
   For more information on Take Stock In Children or how to become a mentor, contact Jo Willis, program coordinator, at (850) 973 – 8583.

County Commission Working To Keep Uninterrupted Growth

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   The challenge in effectively reporting the Madison County Commission meeting of November 7, is deciding where to begin.  There are numerous projects underway, each making its own contribution for a better Madison County.  One point for sure though, the Madison County Commissioners, along with the Madison County staff, are committed to solving problems and growing the county with all residents in mind.
   Following a few minor issues concerning property lines and rezoning for commercial purposes, several larger issues were discussed, starting with Rosa Richardson, Director of the Madison County Senior Citizens Center.  According to a grant proposal currently in motion, the guideline for the newly proposed one million dollar senior center requires a 25 percent match.  The 25 percent match can be “like kind” however, meaning that services and property can be included at market value. 
   “The City of Madison has given us five acres valued at $92,000.  Corrections is looking to contribute, and we would ask the County to cover land prep,” Richardson told the Commission.  Due to a critical deadline in the grant, the Commission agreed to hold a special session for detailed discussion.
   Another key piece of business is the planned construction of a $700,000 county library adjacent to Lee Elementary School.  Utilizing a long-term lease with three intervals of 30 years each, the county voted on provisions to select an architect and to purchase title insurance.  County Attorney Tom Reeves disclosed that his firm would be receiving the approximate $4000 charge for the policy.  A second policy will cover the Emergency Operations Center.
   Jerome Wyche, Madison County Solid Waste Director, came before the Commission to announce the bids for a new Solid Waste Cable Roll-off Hoist System and Heavy Duty Chassis Vehicle.  The low bid was waived however, because of a trade-in feature on the next lowest bid. 
---“The Mack truck we’re wanting is a little more, but when you consider the trade-in allowance, which states that we can get a new truck next year for only $8500 dollars, and then considering the wear and tear, the demands on our current equipment, and how that equipment becomes obsolete, this is a much better deal,” Wyche explained.  The Commission agreed, and Reeves explained the procedures for waiving the lowest bid when extra value comes from contract options.
---There were other points of interest that will be detailed later, including proposals to improve county annual leave accumulation accounting, and re-acquiring membership in the National Association Of Counties.  Also, look for the upcoming announcement regarding the Property Surplus sale.
   There are many ways to observe the Commission’s commitment to being prepared for the future.  Certainly every Commissioner is anxiously anticipating the effects of the new state tax changes and the impact it will have on residents of Madison County.  But there was also a consistent indicator at this meeting that we’re all moving forward as a team. 
As votes were conducted, Chairman Alfred Martin announced the final vote count.  Each issue, dozens in total, received a unanimous vote, which Martin quickly declared as “5-0.”  Because of the popularity of the crime drama “Hawaii 5-0,” after hearing it several times, this reporter began to think of the Commission’s evident team collaboration as deserving the description “Madison 5-0.”

Thelma Thompson Resigns From Lee Town Council

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   There were several important issues discussed during the Lee Town Council meeting of November 6, but certainly none more moving than the resignation of Councilwoman Thelma Thompson, effective December 31 of this year.  After almost twenty years of working closely with Lee officials, thirteen of that on the council, Thompson can no longer keep up the pace and high standards she places on herself.
   “I have to leave for health reasons.  I just don’t feel I can get around like I would need to be on the Lee Town Council,” Thompson explained.  “I have enjoyed serving very much with such fine people.  Mayor Ernestine Kinsey, the previous Mayor Louis DeMotsis, Town Manager Cheryl Archambault and all my fellow council are the best people,” she added.  “I would encourage all the residents of Lee to take a active role in their local government,” she went on to say.
   Thompson has walked what she talked.  Prior to joining the council, she worked hard to launch the Lee Homecoming celebration, which has continued for 19 years since.  Thompson also led the charge for the Lee Library, and has contributed to the “Lee Limelight” section of this newspaper.
   The main order of business for the council was a proposal to purchase a feasibility study to determine Lee’s potential role and benefit to bring natural gas to the county.  “Grant funding is available to cover the costs of the feasibility study, it’s just that we need to put things in motion.  With your approval we can see if this opportunity can benefit us, like the water infrastructure,” Town Manager Cheryl Archambault presented.  There was a unanimous vote to move forward.
   Additional business included a vote to accept voluntary annexation of the Norman and Dangque Haynes property.  The only formal requirement is that the property be “contiguous,” which may sound like some kind of disease, but actually means simply that the property must have at least one border on the Town of Lee’s current property line.
   I closing, Madison County Commissioner, Roy Ellis, who represents the Lee area, expressed his sentiments regarding the wrap-up of this year’s United Way Campaign.  Ellis has taken an executive role in the county fund drive, urging everyone to do what he or she can to support the essential services provided locally.  “All Madison dollars stay in Madison,” Ellis noted.

Veterans Day Observance Set For Saturday

   The Madison County Veterans Service Office will be having a Veterans Day Observance Program, on Saturday, November 10, at 11 a.m. at the Gazebo, in the City Park in downtown Madison. The program will consist of patriotic music, pledge to the flag and the reading of the Veterans Day Proclamation.
   Special recognition and honor will be given to all veterans and their families.
   The families of the young men and women who are currently serving in the armed forces will be recognized.
   The observance of Veterans Day helps preserve in the heart and lives of all American citizens the spirit of patriotism, the love of country and the willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good of our great nation.
   The community is invited and encouraged to come and honor those men and women who have served in the Armed Forces of our United States.
   For more information, please contact Oliver Bradley at the Veterans Service Office, 229 SE Pinckney Street, Room 215, 973-3208 or 464-1191.

Sex Offender Registers With Madison Address

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Gregory Wayne Freeman registered as a sex offender in Madison County on November 5.
   Freeman is a white male, who stands 5'6" tall and weighs 180 pounds. He has brown hair and hazel eyes.
   Freeman registered his address as 1170 East U.S. 90, Madison.
   No further information was available at press time.