? The Madison County Property Appraiser’s Office will mail renewal applications to approximately 255 homeowners across the county, reminding them to renew their Senior Citizen Exemption for 2009.
The Limited Income Senior Exemption can save seniors hundreds of dollars in property taxes, but Florida law requires that they file a renewal application annually to receive the benefit.
According to Property Appraiser Leigh B. Barfield, a number of seniors benefit from the exemption one year and then fail to reapply.
To qualify a homeowner must:
• Be 65 or older on Jan.
• Have a Homestead Exemption.
• Have an “adjusted gross household income”—i.e. the total income of all the people living in the home—which does not exceed the statutory limit.
This year’s adjusted gross income limit is $25,873. Typically, Social Security benefits are not factored into the calculation of adjusted gross income.
Property owners who continue to meet these criteria must sign, date, check where indicated and return the renewal application to the Property Appraiser’s Office.
Homeowners who recently turned 65, or whose exemptions have lapsed, can download the application form from the Property Appraiser’s Web site at www.madisonpa.com. The form and supporting documentation can be mailed to the Property Appraiser at 229 SW Pinckney St. Room 201 Madison, FL 32340. They can also be delivered to the office.
The deadline for all property tax exemptions is March 2. For information on the Limited Income Senior Property Tax Exemption, call (850) 973-6133 or visit www.madisonpa.com.

Teacher Of The Year Banquet Tickets Available

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Nominees for the Teacher of the Year Banquet have come in, but according to organizers, there is still someone missing - you.
Organizers are urging those that have not yet had an opportunity to get their tickets by Feb. 1. Tickets may be purchased at “The Old Bookstore,” on Pinckney in downtown Madison or at each school office.
The Teacher of the Year banquet is sponsored annually by the Madison County Foundation for Excellence in Education. This year’s gathering will start at 7 p.m., on Feb. 5, in the Madison County High School cafeteria. As in previous years, it promises to overflow with excitement, entertainment, good eating and great company.
Additional questions and directions may be obtained from the district office at (850) 973-5022. See you there!
Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

John Grosskoph Selected As NFCC's Eighth President

? North Florida Community College Acting President John Grosskopf was officially selected as president of the college during the Jan. 20 NFCC District Board of Trustees meeting. The Board’s decision to appoint Grosskopf in a more permanent leadership role comes six months after Grosskopf accepted the position of acting president.
“John Grosskopf is familiar with the college and its mission,” said John Maultsby, Jr., chair of the NFCC District Board of Trustees. “He is totally committed to the success of students and is anxious for NFCC to provide learning experiences for all students of our six-county area.”
Grosskopf has served NFCC since 2001 in the roles of English instructor, director of teaching and learning, vice president of academic affairs and chief academic officer, and since July 2008 as acting president. He now enters into the official role of president at NFCC with much anticipation as well as determination to ensure that NFCC is successful in the years to come. He plans to continue leading NFCC and working with college faculty and staff in efforts to provide the North Florida region and beyond access to high quality educational, cultural and community building opportunities.
“I appreciate the vote of confidence from the Board,” said Grosskopf. “Luckily, I’ve come into a job where I already have excellent tools to turn NFCC into the type of institution that we can continue to be proud of for the next 50 years. Our service district depends on the college to provide all students with access to quality educational opportunities. Providing that access to education is our primary mission. Times are tough, but we will adapt and we will continue to fulfill our mission.” 
Founded in 1958, NFCC specifically serves Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor counties and NFCC Board members are confident in Grosskopf’s ability to move NFCC forward as a vibrant educational institution for this area and beyond.
“He has done a very good job,” said NFCC Board Member Michael R. Williams during the Jan. 20 board meeting. “He certainly has a vision for this school to move beyond where we are to where we need to be. He has been proactive and innovative. I feel he will provide the leadership we need and the stability we need in this time of uncertainty in the economy. He is here because he loves this place; he has a love for this school and a love for these students.” 
The pride Grosskopf carries for NFCC, its students and the local community is evident as North Florida welcomes Grosskopf as its eighth president, Grosskopf welcomes students and the community to explore what NFCC has to offer – “We are your community college,” said Grosskopf.
Grosskopf is a graduate of Florida International University in Miami where he received a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in English; he received a Master of Arts in English from Florida State University in Tallahassee and is currently ABD in English at FSU. He has presented numerous educational presentations throughout the United States and abroad. Grosskopf is a native of Hialeah, Fla. He and his wife Patricia currently reside in Madison, Fla. with their children Jonathon, Karl, Emily, Rebecca and Joseph.
For more information, contact the NFCC College Advancement Office at 850.973.1613 or email news@nfcc.edu.

Window Tint Stop Results In Massive Drug Bust

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Madison County Sheriff’s Deputy Doug Haskell made a routine traffic stop on Interstate 10 early Tuesday morning, Jan. 27 and netted a half kilo of cocaine with an estimated street value of $500,000.
According to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Haskell made the stop because of a window tint violation.
During a search of the car, Haskell, who was assisted by Sheriff’s Sgt. Dennis Pitts and Deputy Joey Knight, found the cocaine and $1.600 in cash.
Arrested were Kamau Powell, 25, and his passenger, Jermaine Hibbert, 25. Both subjects are from South Florida.
Powell and Hibbert also had outstanding warrants from the U.S. Marshal’s Office.

Sheriff's Office Investigating Thefts

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing Inc.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a theft of a four-wheeler and the theft of a utility trailer.
The four-wheeler was stolen off US Highway 221 North. It was discovered missing on Friday, Jan. 23 but was not reported until Sunday, Jan. 25.
The four-wheeler is a Polaris and is green in color and has black boxes on the front and rear.
Deputy Marcus Jones responded to the call about the four-wheeler.
A utility trailer was stolen sometimes between Monday, Jan. 19, and Friday, Ja. 23.
The trailer, which was taken off County Road 150 in the Cherry Lake area is a 6’ x 10’ trailer.
Deputy Josh Harris is investigating the theft of the utility trailer.
If anyone has any information on the thefts, they are asked to call the Madison County Jail at (850) 973-4001.

FCAT Dates Announced

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
For many parents, students and instructors, “FCAT” has become another four-letter word they wish to eliminate from the English language. Each year, districts and students rise and fall by their final ranking and rating. It’s actually a lot like a banker looking at a credit report for a loan. If it’s all good, success and money flow to you. If not…well, in the case of the FCAT, failure isn’t really an option.
School systems throughout Florida place enormous emphasis, and hundreds of hours of preparation, into the FCAT. It is literally woven into the fabric of the department of education as the proof of educational progress. No other official measure means so much to so many.
Starting on Feb. 10 with the Writing Prompt, and then resuming March 3-12 with Reading, Math and Science, grades 3-11 will complete over four hours of total testing. Handouts and flyers will be sent home with students, covering everything from testing dates and times, to reminders that students need good meals and enough sleep for peak performance.
Experts agree that testing is necessary even if disliked by many. It teaches students a valuable lesson, in addition to the obvious scorecard it produces. Students learn that performing and competing under pressure is a basic part of life, and they also learn how much they mean to the future of the community.
“Our students are our purpose,” noted Superintendent Lou Miller. “We want to make sure that we continue the FCAT progress we realized last year. The great success in Greenville, for instance, was exceptional, and we want that to continue throughout the district.”
District staff, like Coordinator of School Improvement Shirley Joseph, are dedicated to the FCAT testing process, gratefully urging parents to connect with their children’s teachers and school administration to ensure this testing season will be as successful as possible.
Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

Babe Ruth League Signups Set For Next Two Saturdays

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Madison County Babe Ruth Baseball League will host sign-ups on Saturday, Jan. 31 and Sat., Feb. 7, from 9 a.m. until 12 noon at the Madison County Courthouse.
The age divisions are boys, ages 4-15, and girls, ages 4-16. The cost is $40 per child, which is the same as last year.
A birth certificate is needed for each player who wishes to participate. This is needed whether or not the child has played before, as well as a copy of an insurance card and a parent or guardian to sign them up.
A meeting for potential coaches will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m. at the Courthouse.
If anyone is interested in coaching, umpiring or just helping with the league, give Billy Tolar a call at (850) 673-7979.