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

 

 A Publication from the Office of the County Administrator - June/July 2012

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In This Issue
A Message from the County Administrator
Emergency Management Agency Spotlight and 2012 Hurricane Guide Available Online
Mosquito Control Division Increases Service Efforts
Jeremy Wright named Camden County Government's Employee of the Quarter
Upcoming Annual Employee Awards Ceremony
Public Works Director, Scott Brazell, earns Certificate of Public Works
Camden County Wins 2012 National Achievement Award for Innovative County Criminal Justice Program
Get our and take your best shot for the 2012 Shocase Camden County Photo Contest!
QUICK LINKS
  







COMMUNITY RELATIONS
  
  
  
  
  
  

2011 Annual Report

 WorkReady Community
GA Camera Ready
 Storm Ready
 Code RED
 2012 Photo Contest 
 HOPE logo 
UPCOMING
Board of County Commissioners Meetings & Public Hearings

August 7th

4th Annual Employee Awards Ceremony

4:00pm

 

Regular BOCC Meeting

6:00pm

 

 

 August 21st

Regular BOCC Meeting

6:00pm

 

 

Government Services Complex
 200 East 4th Street
Woodbine, GA 31569
"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.
Free Prescription Discount Cards Available to Camden County Residents

Discount Rx Card

Click on the image above to view more information about this service.

Camden County Fire Rescue Seeking Volunteers

Camden County Fire Rescue is recruiting volunteer firefighters to be a part of the department. The volunteer firefighter program will be used to augment existing peronnel to meet the needs of the community now and in the future.

 

Visit the program website for the most current information.

 

Contact Fire Rescue Headquarters at (912) 729-3911 for questions about this program.

A Message from the County Administrator
Steve L. Howard, County AdministratorThe Fiscal Year 2013 Budget was approved by the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, June 19, 2012. The 2013 budget includes the following strategies for balancing:
  • No millage rate increase
  • Reduces spending to below 2007 levels
  • Reflects reality of current economic condition
  • Adjusts the County's operations to function with lower revenue
  • Use of $1.8 Million fund balance to keep the budget balanced
  • Requires continued strategic realignment and reform in many departments
  • Continued trend towards reduced positions through vacancies and attrition, as well as full-time to part-time positions where appropriate.

FISCAL YEAR 2013 BUDGET

Click to View

 
I would like to extend a special thanks to Camden County Emergency Management Agency, Camden County Fire Rescue, Camden County Sheriff's Office, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Public Works, Facilities Management, Public Health, American Red Cross, Caring Hearts, all county officials and administrative staff, as well as other city or county entities and agencies for your hard work and efforts in keeping Camden County safe during Tropical Storm Debby and the aftermath of extreme flooding of the St. Marys River. Your collaborative efforts and around-the-clock service for our citizens during this event are greatly appreciated.
 
The recent storms are reminders of the damage they can bring to our coastal community. It is important that we treat hurricane season seriously.  Please take steps now to prepare your family and businesses for future events.  Be safe...and be prepared!
 
Click to View

 

I look forward to working with each of you as we continue to move Camden County forward in 2012. 

 

Yours for a better Camden,

Steve L. Howard, CPM, CPPO
Count Administrator

Emergency Management Agency Spotlight and 2012 Hurricane Guide Available Online

June 1st was the official start of the 2012 Hurricane Season. As we have already experienced with Tropical Storms Beryl and Debby, Camden County is particularly at risk for tropical storms and hurricanes that form in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. These two tropical storms that have recently hit our community brought winds and rain, as well as tornadoes, causing debris, flooding, and power outages. As as result these stoms residents have been displaced from their homes due to substantial damage and loss to their poperties.

 

In late May, Tropical Storm Beryl brought strong winds and rain causing debris from uprooted tress, power outages, and flooding in some areas. In early July, Tropical Storm Debby dropped record amounts of rainfall causing extreme flooding in many areas of our community. A historic flood occured along the St. Marys River, displacing an estimated 50 households due to high water levels and the fast flowing river. The areas most affected by the extreme flooding were at the Flea Hill, Kings Ferry, and John's Fish Camp communities along the St. Marys River.

[View photos from the St. Marys River Flood]

 

Unfortunately, the total damages in Camden County caused by Tropical Storm Debby did not qualify for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance. Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) has submitted a a request for a Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster declaration. If approved this would make long term, low interest loans available to the impacted residents. Caring Hearts, Inc. is currently set up at the Emergency Operations Center in Kingsland. This organization is responsible for collecting needs requests and contacting organizations that can provide assistance, and then matching those needs with those that can help. For more information about relief efforts, please contact Eve Gonzales at (912) 996-7601. 

 

The Board of County Commissioners and Emergency Management Agency released the 2012 Hurricane Guide during June. We encourage you to take a look at this publication and share it with your family, friends, and colleagues to use as a tool for emergency telephone numbers, quick links, and pertinent articles about hurricanes, local evacuations routes, CodeRed, and more.

 

Camden County's 2012 Hurricane Guide

Click to View

 

CodeRED

Click to Register

 

Failure to plan is a plan for failure! By planning ahead, you'll ensure that you and your loved ones are safe and secure.

Mosquito Control Division Increases Service Efforts

Camden County's Mosquito Control division of Public Works is increasing its service to our community due to the recent amount of excessive rainfall and standing water which is known to breed mosquitoes. The Mosquito Control division, staffed by three full time employees, typically makes a complete rotation around the county in two weeks. However, the Public Works department has reassigned one employee to assist with the mosquito control efforts over the next several weeks to enhance this service.

 

Since there is now a fourth person helping Mosquito Control (reassigned from Public Works), and also since the staff is working double shifts to enable a shorter turnaround time on spraying, the spray hours have changed and are from 8:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. These working hours, along with the additional staff, enable the amount of time its takes to cover the entire county to be approximately every 5 days to help diminish these unwelcomed pests by actively spraying pesticides and applying larvacide tablets.

 

The Mosquito Control division uses electric sprayers that are eco-friendly, emit no exhaust, and are quiet. The pesticides spray out approximately 300 feet. The staff sprays early in the morning hours between 3:00 and 8:00 a.m. to the pesticides to settle, so you may not see or hear them come through your area.

 

Remember to empty out any standing or stagnant water in your area, no matter how small the amount. Water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Also, try to keep grass cut to a low height. The Public Works department begins its mowing cycle on public right-of-way next week which will help with this effort.

Jeremy Wright named Camden County Government's Employee of the Quarter

On Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at the regular scheduled Board of County Commissioner's meeting, Jeremy Wright was recognized as the Employee of the Quarter for the 4th quarter of Fiscal Year 2012 for Camden County Government. Jeremy has been a dedicated employee of Camden County Fire Rescue (CCFR) since February 2001. His commitment has played an important role in the growth and success of this organization. His overall training and dedication as a Firefighter/Paramedic has greatly benefited Camden County as well as the State of Georgia during the last 11 years. The Board of County Commissioners expresses much gratitude for Jeremy's efforts and commitment. [Read full article]

Upcoming Annual Employee Awards Ceremony

Camden County's 4th Annual Employee Awards Ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, August 7th at 4:00 p.m. in the Commissioners' meeting chambers in Woodbine. This is event is to recognize the significant contributions and service to our citizens by County employees that help make Camden County a more desirable place to live.  This event is open to the public.

Public Works Director, Scott Brazell, earns Certificate of Public Works Management

The University of Georgia announced at the end of May that Scott Brazell, Director of Camden County's Public Works Department, has successfully completed all of the requirements of the Certificate of Public Works Management program. This is a noteworthy accomplishment that brings great credibility to our community and shows commitment to professional standards.

 

The Certificate of Public Works Management 60 hour program is designed to enhance public works officials with the knowledge and skills they need to provide outstanding services to their clients in today's local government setting. This program is jointly sponsored by the Georgia Chapter of American Public Works Association and the University of Georgia, Carl Vinson Institute of Government in partnership with Association County Commissioners of Georgia and Georgia Muncipal Association.

 

A formal presentation of certificates will be held at the July conference during the dinner banquet on Thursday, July 12, 2012. Congratulations Scott!

Camden County Wins 2012 National Achievement Award for Innovative County Criminal Justice Program

During their monthly meeting in June, the Camden Criminal Justice Council (CCJC) proudly posed with their Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo) that recognizes their hard work to identify possible improvements in the local criminal justice system, develop system-wide solutions, propose actions, execute strategies, and generally improve the criminal justice system. 

 

Camden County will be formally recognized at NACo's 16th Annual Awards Ceremony in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania on Sunday, July 15, 2012. 

 

Learn more about the CCJC.

 

Get out and take your best shot for the 2012 Showcase Camden County Photo Contest!

The "Showcase Camden County" Photo 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 2012 contest calls for photos to be submitted under one of four categories:

  • Landscapes
  • Nature/Wildlife
  • Transportation
  • Current Events/People 

One winner per category will be awarded. Each winning category participant will receive a $50 Visa gift card. An overall photograph will be chosen among all of the submitted photos of each category. The overall winner will receive an additional $100 Visa gift card. Gift card prizes are not County funded and are generously donated by sponsors.

 

The deadline to submit photos is Friday, November 9, 2012. Detailed information regarding the photo contest & rules can be found by clicking the link below:

 

 "SHOWCASE CAMDEN COUNTY" Photo Contest 2012
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 the 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