By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Two apartments were destroyed and all residents of Building E in the Madison Heights Apartments were forced to evacuate to alternative accommodations until investigations are conducted and utilities can be restored.  The initial alarm went out at 11:13 a.m. on January 26.
   “The electricity and gas for the building came in through the two upstairs units that were destroyed, so all residents of the building were forced to leave until the utilities can be safely restored,” Madison City Fire Inspector, Archie Strickland, stated. 
   Firefighting units from Cherry Lake and Lee joined Madison in combating the blaze, which is still under investigation.  “The volunteer firefighters of Cherry Lake and Lee are absolutely the best around and play a key role in tackling fires around the county,” Chief Alfred Martin noted.
Investigators from the State Fire Marshall Office in Tallahassee are currently onsite to determine the exact cause of the fire.
   There are eight apartments in Building E, which is located at on SR 360A at 328 Southwest Bumgardener Drive, Madison.  Two apartments in the building were vacant at the time of the fire and the residents of two other units were relocated to vacant apartments in other buildings in the complex.  The remaining four families are in temporary housing, pending relocation until repairs can be completed.  Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached by email at michael@greenepublishing.com.

Regional Council Plans and Promotes Future Florida

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   The North Central Florida Regional Planning Council is composed of specialized staff, elected local and county officials, and government appointments from 11 adjoining counties, including Madison.  The area contains 33 incorporated municipalities, although the Alachua/Gainesville portion accounts for half the population of the region. 
   Board and committee executives consist of member representatives from these counties, where Madison County has the honor of having County Commissioner Roy Ellis serve as Chairman of the Executive Board.  In addition, Myra Valentine, representing the City of Madison, serves as Secretary-Treasurer.
   To appreciate the level of contribution and scope of influence between the council and its member counties, an understanding of the council’s role in state governmental oversight is necessary.  The Florida Department of Community Affairs, through governance provided by its Division of Community Planning, oversees and executes The Local Government Comprehensive Planning And Land Development Regulation Act, which was adopted in 1985. 
   Also known as Florida’s Growth Management Act, it requires all of Florida’s 67 counties and 410 municipalities to adopt Local Government Comprehensive Plans that guide future growth and development.  An overall State Comprehensive Plan was launched with the original legislation, which also created the Regional Planning Councils.  These councils were empowered to prepare and adopt Regional Policy Plans consistent with the state plan.  Chapters address elements such as future land use, housing and capital improvements.
   During its meeting of January 24, the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council saw a presentation that focused on a summary of projections for Florida in the year 2060.  In the end, a point clearly emerged: careful planning now is essential to meet growth objectives, even in longer timeframes, especially in the face of depleting natural resources, economic complexities and social uncertainties.
   1000 Friends Of Florida, a not-for-profit membership organization that was founded in 1986 to serve as Florida's growth management "watchdog," provided the presentation titled Florida In 2060: Not A Pretty Picture.  With assistance from the University of Florida’s GeoPlan Center, graphics were produced illustrating the adverse effects “urban sprawl” will have on the region and state at current growth trends. 
   A few notable elements of the executive summary were that the population is projected to double and that seven million acres of additional land will be converted from rural to urban, including 2.7 million acres of existing agricultural and 2.7 million of native habitat.  The research project essentially shows Florida at the “tipping point” related to land consumption for urban development. 
   “Soon, the ultimate footprint and pattern of development will be set,” the report, states.  “Without immediate proactive initiatives, the result will be sprawling disconnected subdivisions spread from coast to coast that surround a few isolated wetlands.  The opportunity to build great communities and forever protect natural lands, open space, and farmland, will be lost.  Our actions today, or our lack of action, will determine the legacy we leave to future generations of Floridians forever,” it goes on to say.
   An alternative scenario was also presented that included several potential solutions regarding critical issues such as transportation and land conservation.  Astoundingly, the alternative plan improvements came with a price tag projected to be only a fraction of the current trend, $174 billion compared to $700 billion.  However, even in the broad-brush, these positive outcomes would require substantial social and governmental cooperation. 
   On a local note, and as an exception to the population density trends elsewhere in the state; if current growth and development patterns continue, Madison County is projected to retain significant areas of open space.
   Politically speaking, there is a subtle professional seniority that occurs between the council and smaller rural counties.  However, this air of seniority should not be confused with an air of superiority, quite the contrary.  On numerous occasions, Executive Director Scott Koons was observed giving full attention to questions large and small, regardless of the size of the county or rank of the issue. 
   Both Ellis and Valentine strongly agree.  “When I first arrived, Scott made sure I was informed and received access to all the tools and resources available,” Valentine noted.  “We work hard to get the most for our community while supporting the needs of all the counties in our council,” she added
   As Chairman of the Executive Board, Ellis sees firsthand the enormity of the benefits the council provides.  “Rural counties can’t afford to keep a fulltime staff performing these functions and the Comprehensive Plan ensures we’re all moving in the same direction,” he explained.
   The North Central Florida Regional Planning Council is located in Gainesville.  Their mission statement, “To improve the quality of life of the Region’s citizens by coordinating growth management, protecting regional resources, promoting economic development and providing technical services to local governments,” sets a high bar in order to facilitate a future Florida all can enjoy forever.  Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached by email at michael@greenepublishing.com.

JAKES Annual Event Set For February 2

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   The JAKES division of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is holding its very popular annual get-together on February 2 at the home of Wally and Vonnie Davis.  JAKES stands for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship.  The program is designed “to give kids the chance to explore their outdoor world through hundreds of fun events held across North America.  During these events, JAKES members get to learn cool skills that they can take to the field to stay safe and have fun.”
   Local NWTF member and state executive, Wally Davis, is hosting the event, which will include demonstrations, food and fun for everyone.  “If you are 17 years old or younger and you like hunting, fishing, hiking, camping or just being outside with your family, JAKES is the program for you.”
   There is no charge for the event and lunch will be provided.  Solo Archery of Valdosta, Ga. will be giving an awesome demonstration.  There will be BB guns, rifles and shotguns available for target practice, including clay pigeons, also at no charge. 
   One of the highlights from previous JAKES events, the incredible tracking dogs of the Gaming Commission, are scheduled to perform as well.  JAKES day will be located at 5757 Rocky Ford Road, approximately six miles north of Madison, and will run from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  Please call Wally Davis at (850) 973-6260 or (850) 673-6630 for additional details, although no reservation is required.  Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached by email at michael@greenepublishing.com.

Sending A Crystal Methage
By Tyrra B Meserve
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   A collaborative effort is needed throughout society to halt an epidemic that is wasting lives, killing children and increasing violent crime at an astounding rate. Still, it has remained undiscussed and underestimated by polite company. Perhaps thought to be an isolated problem, this plague has engulfed the community, from big city to rural America, leaving emaciated, blistered shells of what was once human in its wake. The cries of a child as their parents are taken from them, choosing to dance with the Devil instead, cannot be silenced any longer. With crystal meth’s highly stimulative effects, all too often this is a dance to the death. Do not be fooled by Crystal’s alluring face when she offers an innocent her candy. It is, in fact a highly toxic, extremely addictive, caustic
poison that is eating civilization alive. A crystal methage that leads to the grave.
   Crystal meth has proved to be the most potent form of speed available, hiding in the bathrooms of trailers in rural America and slinking through dark alleys and dimly lit dance clubs of big city lights. Addicting its users at a shocking rate, Meth, which also goes by the names crystal, glass, crank, ice, tweak, chalk, zip and numerous other street aliases, can have a body in its clutches by the second time it is used. With its average age of first time users being between the ages of 14 to 44, ranging in both social as well as economic classes, Meth has become an across the board killer. Easy to make and hard to track, crystal meth could quite possibly be humanity’s apocalypse. According to authorities, Madison County is now added to the growing list of rural communities feeling the effects of crystal meth addiction.
   A Central Nervous System stimulant, crystal meth is both powerful as well as highly addictive. Also coined the “poor man’s cocaine”, meth initially addicts mentally, sending messages to the pleasure center of the brain via dopamine. Many users do not realize the damage being done as they repetitively wish to return to the feeling of “just feeling great.” As the intense rush that is felt almost immediately after the user’s body metabolizes the drug, the addiction quickly becomes physical as well as mental. Many first time users report not even knowing that they were high, they just felt intensely good. Even more alarming is the fact that many addicts do not wish to help themselves once they do realize the grip that crystal meth has on them, preferring to continue with the addiction.
   The sense of euphoria that meth supplies its beginning users is quickly replaced by the deadly long-term effects of the hidden demon. A decreased appetite lures many dieters with the promise of weight loss and boosted energy, ultimately, only to erode both the user’s health and appearance. Striving to shed a few pounds to appear more attractive soon leaves the user emaciated as the need for nourishment is replaced by will only to maintain the high. When the inability to sleep is combined with the decreased desire for food, the addict then is gripped by hallucinations, paranoia, and mood disturbances that often include violent behavior. The surge of dopamine that the user first experienced at the onset is now depleted as meth destroys the receptors, making it impossible to feel pleasure. Though these pleasure centers may heal over time, available research suggests that the damage to an addict’s cognitive abilities may be permanent, leaving behind severe impairment in judgment, motor coordination and memory, all symptoms similar to those seen in individuals suffering from Parkinson’s Disease.
   Meth also causes the brain to release high doses of adrenaline, which induces anxiety. Combined with the effects of sleep depravation during meth binges, the user often displays obsessive behavior along with intensely focused attention, paranoia and hyperactivity. As meth robs the user of the cognitive abilities, their behavior becomes erratic, unpredictable and often aggressive or dangerous. Binges on crystal meth, unlike crack cocaine which normally only last a couple of days, can last weeks until the high wears off leaving the user in a highly depressive state called “tweaking”. Many times users will try to avoid this period by continuing the binge, supporting the habit by any number of crimes to obtain the money for the drug.
   Common physical effects of crystal meth are often seen in even short-term usage. Meth causes blood vessels to constrict, cutting off the steady flow of blood to all parts of the body. Usage of crystal meth weakens and destroys these vessels, causing the tissues to become even more prone to damage with the inability to repair themselves. The corrosive chemicals found in the drug such as anhydrous ammonia, found in fertilizer, lithium, found in batteries, and red phosphorus, found in matchboxes, swiftly take their toll on fragile human cells. While the meth high that users feel makes them believe they are more confident, smart and attractive, the drug actually destroys their bodies causing them to look older, diseased and gaunt. The gums of the mouth recede, teeth become fragile, breaking off and falling out. Acne appears, skin loses its luster and small sores develop. Often meth users are plagued with the hallucination that bugs are crawling beneath their skin and will obsessively pick at the sores leaving open festering patches that are unable to regenerate.
   Many meth dealers will tell a first timer how fun it is to use. Praying on novices, the young and the innocent, suppliers tell them they will get a tremendous rush, be able to stay up for hours to work, study or party. What they don’t tell them is that in high dosages, or coupled with long term use, low tolerance, or a weakened immune system, it can cause strokes, respitory failure, heart attacks and death. It can leave a first time user addicted, sometimes with severe symptoms left behind even years after sobriety, sometimes they never heal at all. Sometimes it just kills.
   Readers may call the Florida Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Program and Addiction Treatment Center at 1-800-559-9503. Please make the call for the little ones whose tiny voices cannot be heard.
   Staff writer Tyrra B Meserve can be reached at tyrra@greenepublishing.com