---I am respectfully announcing my candidacy for the office of County Commissioner, District One.  It is my sincere belief that my 32 years of governmental service with The Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (DHRS), and The Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) coupled with 5 years as a professional Realtor in Madison County qualify me to serve as your County Commissioner from District One.
---I have been a resident of Madison County since 1971, having moved here with my wife Kay shortly after college.  I served as juvenile probation officer for two years here in Madison and 18 years as unit supervisor of the child abuse investigation and juvenile probation for Madison, Taylor and Jefferson counties.
---We have two children Brian and Angela, who were both educated in the in the Madison public school system.  My wife, Kay has taught in the school system for 36 years.
My family has been members of the First United Methodist Church since moving to Madison.  I have been very active in church work, teaching Sunday school and serving on many committees.
---I have devoted my life to helping others and providing community service.  I was a member of The Madison County Jaycees, where I was selected as the Outstanding Local President in 1980, for the State of Florida.  I was a member of the Madison County Sheriff’s Reserve unit for 15 years.  I served for four years on the Big Bend United Cerebral Palsy Board of Directors.  I was appointed by Governor Bush in 2000 to the Madison County Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, where I served for four years.
---I have served on the Board of Directors for the Madison County Chamber of Commerce where I was Chairman of The Four Freedoms Festival in 2007.  I am an active member of The Gideon’s International, serving as camp President.  I am a member of the Madison Rotary Club, where I will proudly serve as Club President 2008-09.
---I look forward to serving as your County Commissioner as we enter an exciting and challenging time in our county’s future.  We need to work together toward finding new positive industries for Madison County.  I also look forward to helping ensure that Madison County develops sound responsible growth as we enter the 21st century.
---Paid political advertisement, paid for and approved by Alston Kelley (Dem) County Commissioner District one.

Ten-Month Investigation Takes Down Cocaine Trafficking Ring

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   The Madison County Sheriff’s Department, teaming with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, is concluding a ten-month investigation with numerous arrests for charges ranging from “Trafficking Cocaine within 1000 ft. of a Church” to “Sale of Crack Cocaine” to “Trafficking in Controlled Substance.”
   The bust was launched the morning of March 18.  By the end of the day, seven suspects had been skillfully apprehended and more arrests are anticipated.  All subjects were booked into the Madison County Jail without bond.
Name, age and the charges named in the arrest warrants are as follow:

James Clarence Hills, Sr., 48, Possession of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Sell - 2 counts; Sell Crack Cocaine within 1000’ of a Church; Sell Crack Cocaine within 1000’ of Public Housing; Possess, Manufacture or Sell 28 grams or more of Crack Cocaine but less than 200 grams (Trafficking).

James Clarence Hills, Jr. 24, Possession of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Sell - 6 counts; Sell Crack Cocaine within 1000’of a Church - 6 counts

Arfayvan Tinarus Hills, 28, Aid in Possession, Manufacture or Sell 28 grams or more of Crack Cocaine but less than 200 grams of Crack Cocaine within 1000’ of Public Housing; Aid in Possession of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Sell; aid in the Sell of Crack Cocaine within 1000’ of Public Housing. (Trafficking)

Joe Nathan Chandler, 38, Possession of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Sell - 5 counts; Sell Crack Cocaine - 5 counts; Possess, Manufacture or Sell 28 grams or more of Crack Cocaine but less than 200 grams - 2 counts (Trafficking).

Keith Antonio Bellamy, 30, Possession of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Sell; Sell Crack Cocaine within 1000’ of a Church.

Roger Wendell Monlyn Jr., 43, Possession of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Sell - 3 counts; Sell of Crack Cocaine within 1000’ of a Church - 3 counts; Possess, Manufacture, or Sell 28 grams or more of Crack Cocaine but less than 200 grams; Violation of Probation. (Trafficking)

Reginald Mario Davis, 31, Possession of Marijuana more than 20 grams; Sell Marijuana in an amount more than 20 grams within 1000’ of a Recreation Park.

Vision 2020 ToConclude March 27

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   As the community moves to the conclusion of the Vision 2020 process next week, there will be conclusions that may require residents to “agree to disagree.”   For instance, debate regarding the manner in which county resources, both human and financial, should be allocated will continue beyond this formal planning. 
   Decades before this planning process, the psychology behind the different ways people look at the same situation was studied.  One of the more famous studies, the classic “Optimist Versus Pessimist Test,” asked people whether they saw a half-filled glass of water as being “half-full” or “half-empty.”  In the end, a simple discovery surfaced.  Regardless of what people are labeled, even the most intelligent, well-rounded people can and will view the same situation very differently.
   Whatever the comparison, the idea is simple; neighbors will be divided on issues.  Put another way, county residents will express different priorities regarding the same set of facts and resources, simply having a different preferences for its future.
   So when the visioning process reconvenes on March 27 at the NFCC Student Center at 5:00, perceptions will still vary, but at least everyone will leave as part owner of the ten-year plan. 
   Residents are strongly urged to attend this final of four and new visitors are especially wanted to hear a summary of results and the action plans that have emerged.  Most people consistently speak out against government making decisions for them, but ironically that is exactly what occurs by default without community participation.  Organizers want all to come and be heard! 
   Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

BOCC Meeting Includes Resolution Commending Cowboys Championship Team

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   During the regular meeting of March 5, the Madison Board of County Commissioners issued a Resolution, “Recognizing and Commending the Members and Coaches of the 2007 Madison County High School Varsity Football Team.”  Coach Frankie Carroll and several seniors; Freddie Bolden, Dennis Green, Logan Brennan and Skilor Deming, accepted the award on behalf of the team.
   Clerk of the Court Tim Sanders read the entire Resolution, taking care to mention each player and coach for the official record.  All in attendance applauded the achievement.  
   A second item of business that received an emotional response was discussion regarding modification of the domicile restrictions for Sexual Predators and Offenders choosing to reside in Madison County.  Although law requires that this group have a means to acquire lodging, the BOCC isn’t looking to make it comfortable or easy, instead looking to slow the flow as much as possible.
   Madison County Sheriff’s Department Investigator Sharon Shadrick supervises this process.  She explained a few details of the state regulations and then commended Greene Publishing, Inc., and Editor Jacob Bembry in particular, for the consistent effort in publicizing the movement of all categories of sexual offenders.
   “We need to do as much as we can to keep these people from coming to Madison County and we need to make sure our ordinances are as strict as possible,” Commissioner Ricky Henderson noted.  All agreed.
   Perhaps the most moving item of new business however was a request introduced by Retired Sheriff Joe Peavy on behalf of the Steve Agner family.  Agner was killed in 1999 while a Deputy in the Madison County Sheriff’s Department.  The group was requesting permission to place a small monument on the courthouse lawn in remembrance of Agner, which the board set in motion.  There is no cost to the county.
   Additional business included approval of the Madison County Debris Management Plan that was presented by Emergency Management Director Jim Stanley.
“This plan is mandatory to receive the maximum resource support from FEMA and an essential component for the county’s emergency planning,” Stanley noted.
The board also accepted the Madison County Development Council’s recommendation for Colliers Dickinson of Jacksonville to list the 48 remaining acres that comprise the Madison County Development/Industrial Complex located on Dale Leslie Drive near the Lee interchange.  The firm cited their expertise at bringing suitable commercial interest to the site.
   Lastly, Elmer Spear of Elmer’s Genealogy announced his intention to solicit voters to change Madison County’s alcohol status from “dry” to “wet.”  According to an initial review, approximately 3000 signatures would be required to bring it to ballot. 
   Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.