Saying Good-Bye to Christmas

By Tyrra B Meserve
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   When does being politically correct go too far? When does being polite border on censorship? Does crossing those borders mean going from watching steps to stepping on toes? When is Joe Public allowed to stand up for his rights to free speech and when is the majority no longer allowed to voice belief for fear of offending the minority?
   As every season passes, a little bit of faith slips away as well. First the school plays, then the start of the school day. Once upon just our flag, now to anyplace the public meets. No longer does prayer start the day. If not in God, whom may we trust?
   Now, not only is He not allowed to be called by name, He is no longer to be referenced. Though not exactly an order, merely a suggestion, Madison County Public Library will no longer be wishing its patrons a “Merry Christmas.” Instead, they will simply respond with a respectful “ Thank you.” In this Year of Our Lord, 2007, they are in fear of losing their jobs with a misplaced “Happy Holidays.” As a public facility, they are required to remain neutral.
   Gone are the days when the church doubled as the place of education. Also gone are the days when we worshipped, praised and celebrated together. Instead of America being a melting pot of society, now so leery of insulting one another, citizens are divisible by their convictions.           
   Can Danny Hales, Director of the Suwannee River Regional Library System, be blamed for his concerns? Can he alone be held accountable for kicking Christ out of Christmas tidings? His worries are not unfounded when everywhere those tides are turning against him. Apprehension has found a home in the heart of America, and lawsuits have become its bread and butter. One wrong word falling on the wrong ear can lose a man his job faster then those Christmas bells are rung.
   It is therefore the responsibility of Joe Public to stand up for himself. He must come out of hiding and shout out loud and clear that it has gone far enough. When good tidings are given it is only proper to respond in kind and it is of the least importance how it is phrased. The importance is that it is phrased at all and to lose that means losing the right to be heard.
    Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanza, Feliz Navidad, Happy Hanukah, they all mean the same. Wishing nothing but the best, joy and happiness to you and yours during this, the most joyous of all seasons. Is that so offensive? Do we really want to take that out of our right to speech?

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   When this series began there were a few objectives.  The final goal, but the one with the greatest priority, was simply to offer a central “help” directory, and a person or persons, willing to step into the standard set by late President Harry Truman who said, “The buck stops here.”  This level of accountability is awesome, especially when there are so many with unaddressed needs.
   Madison County has dozens of agencies, organizations, charities and churches that are fully or partially devoted to assisting the homeless, hungry, drug and alcohol addicted, elderly, as well as dealing with the issues of teen pregnancy, jobs, education and of course medical services.  This list, too, is awesome. 
---Fortunately for all of us, the passion and determination of the leadership in these groups is also awesome, currently coming together to deliver a Madison County “HELP-MART.”
   Through programs like Healthy Families, Healthy Start and Whole Child, and its coordination with the Madison County Department of Health, through the Senior Citizens Council and 55 Plus Club, through the United Way and Second Harvest, through the Health Disparity Task Force and the Drug and Alcohol Coalition, through the Department of Children and Families and WIC, through the Economic Development Council, Workforce, Employment Connections and 4H, through Shared Services and the Madison County Health Council, through these and more, many more, plus every church in the county; residents in need, regardless of how one defines need, can reach out.
   But this vast array of service organizations begs the question.  “Who does what?” “Can it be done better?”  “Can services be delivered more efficiently and effectively, perhaps completely, with a cooperative effort?”  The answer to that last question is a resounding, “Yes!”  And the coordinated effort is well underway.  The who’s, where’s and why’s will be forthcoming, complete with directories, websites and centralized, easy-to-use information materials.
   In the interim however, there is an immediate outcry for someone who could serve as the county “Information Czar,” so those with a need right now, again, however they define it, could pick up the phone and be directed to the various alternatives available.  And keeping in mind that this central party can only refer to programs that allow public access, it is urged that all providers reading this article call to update and/or assist Wilson in his task.
   Craig Jordan, Program Manager and coordinator for Healthy Families and Healthy Start, in cooperation with and under the authority of the Madison County Department of Health, has graciously agreed to serve as this first stop.  Jordan was very humble and excited to assist, hoping that providers will contact him to review and outline the resources, staff and volunteers involved in his or her particular program.
   In an additional effort to support this 2008 launch, realizing of course that a good start will likely result in permanent solutions, at least up to available resources, it is recommended that everyone give a unique community stocking-stuffer this Christmas.
---Simply put, qualified residents “donate a day,” even a few hours, instead of money, to this awesome undertaking.  So as requests come in for help, donators may provide a ride, or perhaps just give a few moments helping with an online application, whatever is the quickest way to ensure the success of the launch.  A few hours isn’t much, but it may make all the difference with one family, in fact to that family, it may be all the difference in the world.
   So here it is:  if you are in need in Madison County, please call Craig Wilson at 973-0354 or email him at craig_wilson@doh.state.fl.us.  Do not think twice about it.  Call and help those who have devoted their lives to helping, help others.  Providers, church services and anyone able to donate an hour, also call today to make sure your resources reach those in need.

Truck Driver Arrested For Resisting With Violence

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Madison County Sheriff's deputies arrested a man for resisting with violence and the Department of Agriculture added fleeing and attempting to elude and failure to stop for inspection to the charges on Wednesday, December 12.
   According to a press release from Cpl. Mike Maurice, deputies had been given a BOLO (Be on the Lookout) for a semi truck and trailer headed into Madison that had bypassed the inspection station at the Suwannee River in Ellaville. The semi fled from the agriculture officer at a high rate of speed.
   Deputy Jimmy Fletcher spotted the vehicle on US 90, just east of the City of Madison. Fletcher saw the semi commit a traffic violation and turned around to stop it.
   Maurice's K-9 team was in the area and got behind the semi at the city limits.
   Maurice and Fletcher decided to wait until the semi got through town before trying to initiate a stop.
   The semi traveled west and on 90 through town.
   Maurice and Fletcher were able to stop the vehicle at the Tri-County Electric building on US 90 West.
   Sergey V. Nikulin, 48, of Philadelphia, Pa. turned over his paperwork to Maurice. While Maurice was checking the papers, Nikulin continually placed the truck in gear with deputies in front of and standing on the steps of the truck.
   Maurice ordered Nikulin out of the driver's door at Taser point.
   Nikulin got out of the truck and was ordered to turn around.
   As Fletcher went to place cuffs on him, Nikulin snatched away and tried to get back in the truck.
   Maurice deploying his Taser, striking Nikulin in the chest.
   Nikulin pulled the darts out and tried to get back in the truck.
   Fletcher struck Nikulin in the back with a Taser.
   Nikulin ran around to the front of the truck and stumbled to the ground.
   Fletcher and Maurice struggled with Nikulin and finally got him in custody.
   Nikulin was taken to the Madison County Jail.

Madison City Commissioners Agrees to Sell Carson Ealy Park

By Ginger Jarvis
   Long the site of baseball and softball excitement, the Carson Ealy Recreation Park south of Madison is slated to see homes and families in its future. On December 12 at their regular meeting, the Madison City Commissioners voted to sell the park property to Edwin Browning and Roy Floyd for development.
   Browning and Floyd initially offered $7,000 per acre for the 22.78-acre site, however, the land was appraised at $7,405 per acre. The city and the buyers compromised at $7,250 per acre. The buyers also agreed to waive any right to protest if the city should decide to annex the property at a future time.
   In discussing the proposal, City Manager Harold Emrich pointed out that the property has lain unused for many years, "The city has no restrictions or any authority to place restrictions at this time," he said,
   Commissioner Judy Townsend asked, "Will the homes you build be affordable housing?" Floyd replied, "Yes, that is our plan."
   Townsend also commented about the possibility of sale back to the city. "We do not want them to come back in a couple of years and try to sell it back to us at more than they paid for it," she said. Emrich replied, "I would not come back to you with that."
   After some other discussion, the board voted unanimously to sell the property to Browning and Floyd at the agreed-upon price.
   In other business, Justin Davis appeared before the board asking for reconsideration of a decision from the November meeting. The board voted at that time to allow no waivers to the new impact-fee ordinance Davis based his plea for waivers on the fact that he had started construction and had received permits for Madison Commons on Base and Duval prior to the enactment of the ordinance. "We started this project before the Impact fees were in existence," he stated. "In any future project, we would plan those fees into our budget."
   The board had split on the vote In November, with Commissioners Sumpter James, Myra Valentine, and Townsend voting against the waivers, James and Commissioner Jim Stanley moved to reconsider the vote, and Mayor Jim Catron joined them in approving reconsiderations. Valentine and Townsend voted against reconsideration.
   Prior to looking at the idea again, the city must advertise another public hearing on the matter. Townsend asked, "Who will foot the bill for that? How much will it cost?" City Clerk Lee Anne Hall advised that the advertisement will cost the city about $75.
   The board will reconsider the waivers at the regular January meeting.
   In other business, the board decided to name the entire board as the hearing officer for an appeal by an employee who was suspended, then terminated. At the request of the employee's attorney, Emrich agreed to change the employee's status to "suspended with pay" for 30 days so that the employee will have a paycheck for the upcoming holidays. The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, December 18.