Camden CountyCamden County
Board of Commissioners
Community Outreach Newsletter
  "Working together to make a positive difference in the community."

 

 A Publication from the Office of the County Administrator - December 2010

In This Issue
A Message from the County Administrator
Participants Complete 2010 Citizens Academy
Georgia Florida Renewable Energy Exposition
Seeking Applicants for Planning Commission Member to Serve District 4
Keeping Connected While On the Go
Submit your votes DAILY to help build Justin's Miracle Field
Showcase Camden County Photo Contest
Thanksgiving Food Drive a Success!
Christmas for Camden Kids
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UPCOMING
Board of County Commissioners Meetings 
December 14th
Public Hearing
Animal Control Ordinance
5:30 pm

Public Hearing
Alcohol Ordinace
5:45 pm

Regular Meeting
6:00 pm
Government Services Complex
 200 East 4th Street
Woodbine, GA 31569


*County offices will be CLOSED on December 24, 25, and 27, 2010 in observance of the Christmas Holidays.
"Great Customer Service is the Cornerstone of Every Successful Organization!"
 
Your Opinion Counts
Please click on the link below to complete Camden County's customer service survey.
Report A Concern 
Report A Concern
The Camden County Fix It Form will help us identify a problem in your area -- and fix it fast. Should a problem require urgent attention, please call us immediately. For a police emergency, dial 911. Otherwise, call (912) 576-5601.  
Free Prescription Discounts Cards Available to Camden County Residents
Discount Rx Card
Click on the image above to view more information about this service.
Adopt-A-Highway
 and help remove litter from Camden County's roadsides!
For additional information and to find out how you can adopt a highway, please click on the link below:
 
A Message from the County Administrator
Steve L. Howard, County Administrator
SEASONS GREETINGS! As the familiar song says, "it's the most wonderful time of the year" as we celebrate the holidays and spend time with our family, friends, and loved ones! As we close out 2010, a year filled with many challenges, working together we were able to overcome those challenges.

In January, I look foward to presenting to the Board of County Commissioners the annual performance review of the County's 5-year Strategic Plan, which is currently in its thrid year,
 as well as the 2010 Annual Report to the Citizens. While there are more challenges ahead in 2011, I strongly believe in the ability of our citizens, the Board of County Commissioners and employees, and our partners to work together to meet our future goals.

Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Steve L. Howard, CPM, CPPO
County Administrator
Participants Complete 2010 Citizens' Academy
In the midst of this challenging economic environment, transparency in government is important now than ever before. One of the primary focus areas of Camden County's Strategic Plan is organizational excellence, with a goal of open government.

On Tuesday, November 16th  at  a regular scheduled Board meeting, 11  Citizens' Academy participants  were formally presented with Certificates of Completion for participating in the program throughout the past eight months. This program ties directly to the Strategic Plan, as it familiarizes the general public about the roles, services, and operations that comprise Camden County Government. The institution of a Citizen's Academy was approved by the Board of County Commissioners in February 2009. The program focuses on educating residents, business owners, and interested persons who work in Camden County on how daily County Governemnt operations contribute to building a better community.
Citizens' Academy Graduates 2010
Pictured from left to right: Terry Smith, Lee Decardenas, Jonathan Parker, Patti Ehrhardt, Glenn Marcel, Lissette Williams, Scott Alexander, Barbara Ann Scott, Bradley Eaton, and Michael Gordon  (Graduate(s) Not Pictured: 
Katherine Nisi Zell and Jay Moreno)
First Ever Georgia Florida Renewable Energy Expo to be held January 2011 in Camden County

Camden County's University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Office has partnered with the University of Florida, USDA, Coastal College of Georgia, Camden County Board of Commissioners and Camden County Schools to host the first ever Renewable Energy Expo on January 24, 2011.  The event will be held at the Coastal College of Georgia, Camden Center conveniently located just off of Georgia Exit #6 in Kingsland. The Expo will focus on emerging renewable energies technologies, cost-share programs and practical application of renewables that can be used for increased efficiency and conservation. 

 

Seven (7) workshops, lunch and vendor exhibits are included in the registration fee.  Discounted early bird registration fees are available prior to December 15.  Special rates for students are also available. 

 

If you represent a business that is interested in showcasing your products or services, limited space is still available for exhibitors for a fee of just $50.00.  Seats will be available on a first come-first serve basis. Please call (912) 576-3219 for more information.

Seeking Applicants for Planning Commission Member to Serve District 4

Due to a current vacancy, the Board of County Commissioners is seeking a qualified individual to serve as an appointed member to the Planning Board, representing District 4. The Camden County Planning Commission is an advisory body that makes recommendations on zoning property, land use amendments, and comprehensive plan policy. Qualified Applicants should submit there intent to serve on this Board in writing to Commissioner-Elect Gary Blount at gblount@co.camden.ga.us . 

Additional info & qualifications...
Keeping Connected While On the Go

A mobile friendly version of Camden County Government's website is now available for citizens on the go with the new CivicPlus MuniMobile™ tool. This feature automatically detects a mobile phone browser and displays the mobile version of Camden County's website accordingly. Mobile phone users still have the option to view the full site if they choose to do so.

 

Visit us on your mobile Web at www.co.camden.ga.us!

Submit your votes DAILY to help build Justin's Miracle Field!
The Miracle League of Camden County

The Miracle League of Camden County was accepted into Pepsi's Refresh Everything Grant Program during the month of December! The top 10 recipients in each category will receive a $50,000 grant. Our goal is to get the Miracle League's project of building "Justin's Miracle Field" into the top 10 for the category of Neighborhoods.

 

The Miracle League of Camden County needs YOUR help!! Please visit http://www.refresheverything.com/camdenmiracleleague2 to vote DAILY until the end of November. Online voting can be done once per day per email address or account set up. You can also vote DAILY by texting 103064 to Pepsi (73774) AND by installing the Facebook application on your page.

 

To learn more about The Miracle League of Camden County visit www.camdenmiracleleague.com.

Showcase Camden County Photo Contest
Showcase Camden County Photo Contest

The 2010 Camden County Showcase Camden County Photo Contest has officially closed.  Over one hundred photo submissions were received, making this the most successful photo contest for Camden County yet!  

 

The photos are currently on display upstairs at the Government Services Complex in Woodbine, GA. Please click on the link to view an online album of all photo submissions.

Photo Contest 2010 Gallery

Over the next few weeks the judging process will take place and the winners will be announced at the Board of County Commissioners regular meeting on December 14, 2010. 

Thankgiving Food Drive a Success!
To assist those who struggle with poverty and famine in our community, Camden County Government's HOPE Committee  partnered with CCHS SkillsUSA and Brant Creek Apartments to collect non-perishable food items to benefit those in need during this Thanksgiving holiday season. [Full article...] Together we were able to collect and donate more than 1500 food items to The Salvation Army.

This year, an estimated 400 people received Thanksgiving Food Boxes through The Salvation Army, Kiwanis and other community organizations. Limited food drives are held throughout the year; therefore, any extra food items that are donated during the holidays are used for distribution purposes throughout the other months of the year.

We'd like to sincerely thank all those who supported our food drive efforts during this holiday season!
Christmas for Camden Kids
Camden County's HOPE Committee is partnering with CCKChristmas for Camden Kids (CCK) for a community-wide effort to provide Christmas gifts to children in Camden County, as well as Charlton County.  CCK was able to provide Christmas for over 1500 children in Camden County in 2009. The fundraising goal for 2010 is $25,000, which will help meet the needs of at least as many children as provided for in the past.

The Christmas Tree Gift Tag Program, sponsored by CCK, is established so that those who are able and would like to participate can sponsor a child during the holiday season. If you are interested in sponsoring a child, simply pick up a gift tag from a Christmas tree at area banks, churches, The Salvation Army and other businesses throughout Camden County who are partnering with CCK this year. The tags contain information about each child, including age, gender, clothing sizes, and hobbies.  All items purchased for the child based on the Gift Tags may be dropped off at The Salvation Army, unwrapped with the gift tag in a bag. The gift tags have guidance on them, including the date for when they need to be returned.

To obtain a list of locations that are partnering with CCK and offering the gift tags, please contact Katie Bishop at (912) 576-5651. For additional information on how you can help us meet the needs of the children of Camden County, please contact Nanette Hamilton at (912) 882-2200.
As always, one of our goals is to ensure we are providing the citizens of Camden County information and a better understanding of current issues involving Camden County Government. We hope you enjoyed reading our monthly Community Outreach newsletter and found it informative. We encourage and value your feedback and any input you may have to help us improve it in the future.  

Please let us know what you think by taking our SURVEY! 
By working together Camden County can continue to be "Georgia's Coastal Community of Choice."

Meet Your Commissioners

Willis R. Keene, Jr. - Commissioner, District 1   Katherine Nisi Zell - Commissioner, District 2   Jimmy Starline, Commissioner - District 3   Charlene Sears - Commissioner, District 4   David L. Rainer - Commissioner, District 5
 
Our Commitment to You!
 
VISION
"Helping to make Camden County the best place to be by preserving and enhancing the history and quality of life while promoting smart growth and providing an efficient, effective and responsive government."
 
MISSION
It is the mission of Camden County Government to provide responsive, innovative, and cost effective services, promote smart growth, effectively communicate with the community, improve infrastructure and technology, preserve the health, welfare, safety, and environment while maintaining the outstanding quality of life that makes our county a desirable place to live and work.
 
VALUES
The Board of County Commissioners and employees of Camden County are committed to the following values: Integrity, Respect, Service, Accountability, Teamwork, and Balance.