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 - April 2011

In This Issue
A Message from the County Administrator
Serving Our Veteran, Armed Forces, and Their Families
National Crime Victims' Rights Week: April 10-16, 2011
Become a Wise Shopper and Get More for Your Money!
Keep Camden Beautiful
Bryan-Lang Foundation Offers Rodney Sheffield Memorial Scholarship
"Kids Safety Day" promotes fun, awareness, and charity!
Showcase Camden County Photo Contest
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 2010 Annual Report - Click to View 
 WorkReady Community 
 Showcase Camden County Photo Contest 
 Click Here for HOPE Charity Committee Initiatives 
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UPCOMING
Board of County Commissioners Meetings 
Regular Meeting

 

April 5th
April 19th
 
6:00 p.m.
Government Services Complex
 200 East 4th Street
Woodbine, GA 31569
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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.  
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A Message from the County Administrator
Steve L. Howard, County Administrator
In March, I had the privilege of accepting the Camera Ready Community designation on behalf of Camden County. Governor Nathan Deal and the Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office, designated Camden and 72 other Georgia Counties as Camera Ready Communities at the State Capitol. With the recent filming of a feature film and two TV pilots in our community, we have entered the film arena and will contine to compete for valuable film dollars that contribute to our local economy. Camera Ready is a designation put in place by the state to offer film and television production companies easier, faster, and better access to local resources and information.
  
Camden County also received the 2010 U.S. Census data in March. I am pleased to announce that Camden County has surpassed 50,000 in population. Please see actual numbers below:
  • Kingsland - 15,946
  • St. Marys - 17,121
  • Woodbine - 1,412
  • Unincorporated - 16,034

Reaching this population milestone positions Camden County for increased exposure at both a State and National level.

 

Additionally, at the end of March I had the pleasure of speaking at an event regarding civility, organized by the Coalition for a Better Community. This was a well attended event. The Coalition for a Better Community is a non-partisan group of citizens committed to the betterment of our community through both the advancement of civility and the building of relationships based on trust and respect. I applaud this group for their efforts in our community.

 

As always, I look forward to working with each of you as we continue to move Camden County forward! 
  
Sincerely,
Steve L. Howard, CPM, CPPO
County Administrator
Serving Our Veterans, Armed Forces, and Their Families

Camden County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is celebrating National County Government Month (NCGM) during April. NCGM is sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo) to raise public awareness and understanding about the roles and responsibilities of county government. The 2011 theme is "Serving Our Veterans, Armed Forces and Their Families." Camden County is home to the Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base and it is important that we express our appreciation & gratitude to our veterans, military personnel and their families every day in Camden County.


The County has several efforts planned to kick off in the month of April. Please join us in recognizing NCGM with an official proclamation dedicated to our veterans, armed forces and their families at the regular Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, April 19th at 6:00 p.m.  

 

Additionally, we are excited to partner with the Greater Area Jacksonville United Service Organization (USO) to host a drive to collect items for our deployed service men and women. Camden County's HOPE Team will be collecting items such as healthy snacks and feminine hygiene products during the months of April and May. All items collected will be donated to the USO to "help offer a touch of home to those who courageously serve our nation."  Items can be dropped off in the designated boxes at any County office or partnering organization. All donations should by submitted by Tuesday, May 31, 2011. [View Flyer]  


Do you have extra cell phones laying around? Cell Phones for Soldiers, and Camden County, are calling on all Americans to support our troops by donating old cell phones. Every cell phone that is donated will help increase the amount of talk time we're able to provide to our troops so they can stay connected with their families! The donated cell phones are sold to a company that recycles them. They money received from recycling the cell phones is used to purchase calling cards that are sent to the troops in need. Local residents can support the collection drive by donating their phones at any County office.

Furthermore, the County will continue to promote NACo's Free Prescription Drug Discount Cards administered by Caremark Rx, Inc. Since the introduction of the FREE prescription drug discount cards in 2008, Camden County residents have filled over 7,300 prescriptions (Rx), averaging a  savings of 29% ($12.77) per Rx, totaling more than $94,000 savings for all Rx's filled, as of the most recent statistics. Cards are available for pickup at all County offices, city halls, heath departments, and libraries. County residents also have the convenient option to print a card from the web. Visit
www.caremark.com/naco to print a personalized ID card and access other program tools.

To learn more about National County Government Month activities, contact the County Administrator's office at (912) 510-0464.
 

National Crime Victims' Rights Week:
April 10-16, 2011

The Camden County District Attorney's Office Victim Assistance Program cordially invites you to attend a ceremony to commemorate National Crime Victims' Rights Week.

 

Friday, April 8, 2011, 6:00 p.m.

Southeast Community Church

790 May Creek Drive, Kingsland, GA

 

The annual presentation of the Crime Victims' Memorial Wall will be on display in the lobby of the Southeast Community Church from Thursday, April 7th through Sunday, April 17th.

 

Contact Jackie L. Johnson, District Attorney - Brunswick Judicial Circuit for questions regarding this event.

Become a Wise Shopper and Get More for Your Money!

The Salvation Army and the Camden County Public Library are offering a FREE class called "Wise Shopping."  Instructors will show you how to make the most of coupons and advertised sales/promotions.

 

Monday, April 18, 2011

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Camden County Public Library

(1410 Hwy 40, Kingsland)

 

Child care will be provided for children 6 months and older at NO COST to participants.

 

To reserve your seat and give the names and ages of your children, please contact The Salvation Army at (912) 882-2200 or via email at [email protected] or [email protected].

Keep Camden Beautiful

Great American CleanupCamden County Government and its Solid Waste Department will be participating in the Keep Camden Beautiful campaign on Saturday, May 14, 2011. All employees, family members, friends, and all members of the community are invited to join us in this event to help pick up litter and trash along Camden County's roadsides.

 

Interested volunteers should meet in Woodbine at the Government Services Complex at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 14. Other locations throughout the county will be Howard Peeples Park in Kingsland and Howard Gilman Waterfront Park in St. Marys.

 

There will be a FREE picnic after the event at Howard Peeples Park. This event is also a great opportunity for students to obtain community service hours.

 

Please contact Donna Woodard at (912) 510-6881 for any questions or more information about this event.

Bryan-Lang Foundation Offers Rodney Sheffield Memorial Scholarship

The Bryan-Lang Foundation, Inc. is offering an academic scholarship to a Camden County student pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in history or a history-related field at a Georgia educational institution.  The Rodney W. Sheffield Memorial Scholarship will be given to a graduating high school senior and to a non-traditional college bound or currently enrolled college student.  The applicant must be a Camden County resident and have a minimum 3.5 or above GPA.

 

Mr. Sheffield, a life-long resident and historian of Camden County, was actively involved in interpreting the history of the area.  His passion was shared with many, and the Bryan-Lang Foundation is honoring his memory by awarding two $500 scholarships in a calendar year. "What better way to honor Rodney Sheffield's memory than with a scholarship," said Eloise Thompson, chair of the Bryan-Lang Historical Archives Board of Directors. "He loved young people, he knew the importance of education, and his enthusiasm for history was limitless."

 

Deadline for the first scholarship awarded to a high school graduate must be postmarked April 23, 2011. The second scholarship deadline will be October 1, 2011. Complete guidelines and applications are available at the Camden County High School Guidance department, as well as online at www.camden.ga.us. At the website, proceed to the "Departments" page, and click on Bryan-Lang Historical Archives.

"Kids Safety Day" promotes fun, awareness, and charity!

Relay for LifeCamden County's HOPE Team would like to extend our thanks to all those who participated in Kid's Safety Day on Saturday, March 26th to promote safety and fun in our community while helping to raise money for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life! The event was a huge success, raising approximately $800 towards the team's goal of $5,000! [Read on...]

 

Be on the lookout for upcoming announcements about fundraisers to learn more about how you can support our team during the month of April. By joining or donating to our team, you will be a part of a life-changing event that gives everyone in the community a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that takes too much. 

 

To donate to our team, please CLICK HERE. Together we can make a difference!

"Showcase Camden County" Photo Contest 2011Showcase Camden County Photo Contest

The "Showcase Camden County" Photo Contest has officially launched for 2011. This contest calls for photographers to submit their best photos of Camden County, Georgia to include its activities, people, attractions and events, as well as historic and scenic locations. Camden County's natural landscapes and unique events provide limitless creative inspiration to individuals that enjoy seeing the world through the lens of a camera. 

 

The 2011 contest calls for photos to be submitted under one of four categories:

  1. Landscapes
  2. Nature/Wildlife
  3. Transportation
  4. Current Events/People 
The deadline to submit photos is Friday, November 4, 2011. Detailed information regarding the photo contest & rules can be found at www.co.camden.ga.us 
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.  

 
By working together Camden County can continue to be "Georgia's Coastal Community of Choice."

Meet Your Commissioners

 

Commissioner Chip Keene, District 1     Commissioner Chuck Clark, District 2     Commissioner Jimmy Starline, District 3     Commissioner Gary Blount, District 4     Commissioner David L. Rainer, District 5

      Willis R. Keene, Jr.       Chuck Clark         Jimmy Starline          Gary Blount        David L. Rainer

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