The Board elects the Chair and Vice-Chair of the County Commission each year and tonight, current Chairman of the Board, Commissioner Jimmy Starline, and Vice-Chair of the Board, Commissioner Chuck Clark, were both re-elected by their peers to serve another one-year term. 

GEORGIA RADIO MUSEUM PRESENTS TEDI THURMAN DISPLAY

New 1st Quarter "Feature Display" offers a look at "Miss Monitor"

ST. MARYS, GA -Dorothy Ruth Thurman, known as "Tedi" was born in Midville, Georgia in Burke County. She attended the University of Georgia, studied art at the High Museum School of Art in Atlanta, and also attended the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, D.C. While in Washington, Tedi modeled for art students and was inspired to move to New York to pursue a career in modeling. She soon landed a contract under The Ford Agency. Tedi also appeared on several TV network shows including "The Today Show." Her experience with Today turned out to be her ticket to NBC Radio's "Monitor," where she gave weather forecasts for cities in a way that they'd never been given before -- in an alluring voice with lush music playing in the background.

 After serving as "Miss Monitor," Thurman moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. She passed away in 2012 and was buried in her hometown of Midville, Georgia. Tedi is a 2014 Legacy Inductee into The Georgia Radio Hall of Fame and is featured in the special quarterly exhibit at the Georgia Radio Museum, both located in the St. Marys Welcome Center, 400 Osborne Street.  The welcome center and the museum are each open 9am-5pm Monday through Saturday and 12pm-5pm on Sunday. Tedi's feature display here in Camden County ends March 31, 2015.

For more information about the Georgia Radio Museum & Hall of Fame go to grhof.com, visitstmarys.com or call 912-882-4000.

Camden County Government's Employee Recognition Committee announced Barbara Ann Hinkle of the Camden County Tax Commissioners Office as Employee of the 2nd Quarter for fiscal year 2015.  Barbara was recognized by the Board of County Commissioners at their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, for her dedication and commitment to the citizens of Camden County.

Barbara Ann has a glow about her that is contagious. It is not easy to work in the county tax office, but Barbara Ann sends citizens off with a smile and a "God Bless You." No one desires to pay taxes, but she can make someone almost happy about it, just by being herself. Barbara Ann is friendly, outgoing, caring and understanding. Citizens are often moved enough by her kindness and spirit to fill out a comment card recognizing her for her actions. Barbara Ann is the perfect person you want on the front lines to serve the citizens of this county.

Always going above and beyond for her customers, Barbara Ann strives to make each person feel as if she is there to wait on them and no one else. She understands that her attitude and her customer service skills are a direct reflection on that of Tax Commissioner Beth Soles, her office and the county. She always does what she can to make sure the customer leaves with a good impression about the tag office. She often worries about her teammates and wants to ease the workload for everyone. Barbara Ann never complains about the amount of work to be done and is always just glad to have work to do.

Barbara Ann suffered a stroke within the last 2 years, yet still came to work when the doctor allowed.  She worked behind the scenes, not only to keep a pay check coming in but also to help ease the load on her co-workers.  Recently, when a co-worker faced hard times, Barbara Ann was a wonderful friend to lean on. Barbara Ann rocks and her attitude is nothing less than admirable. She has been faced with many personal challenges, yet still comes to work and gives her best to the citizens of Camden County every day.

In her role of dealing with the public, Barbara Ann's constant attention to customer service and genuine compassion for others is not just quarter-specific.  She delivers service excellence on a daily basis.  While facing her own struggles, she has stayed positive, lifted spirits and made others feel better about their situations. Barbara Ann doesn't want pity, but only to provide peace and love to friends, co-workers and complete strangers.  She is an inspiration to many people and a true asset to the Camden County Tax Commissioners Office.  

It is an issue that faces nearly every community. How to properly dispose of solid waste? Fortunately, it is not an issue that Camden County will have to face anytime soon.

Solid Waste Authority Director Lannie Brant began his tenure at the Solid Waste Authority in November 1987. The current landfill on Highway 110 opened in September 1992 and under Brant's guidance, it has become a state of the art operation that meets all federal requirements and is the envy of many communities.

Currently, the landfill takes in approximately 350 tons per day of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and about the same amount of Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste daily. That comes out to about 80 truckloads daily of both CSW and C&D. At that rate, Brant said the current landfill on Highway 110 has enough capacity for the next twelve years of MSW and a whopping 300 years of capacity for C&D waste. Currently only 202 acres of the 1,387 acres available for the landfill are in use. 
  

Not all the waste going into the landfill is generated in Camden County. Several surrounding counties make use of the Camden County facility. County Administrator Steve Howard said it is a win-win situation for everyone. "We have the facility and the capacity while they need a place to dispose of their waste. We provide that place and generate revenue for the county."

Nearly any item can be brought to the landfill, but hazardous waste, liquids and tires are prohibited. For Camden County citizens, the disposal fee for CSW is $22.55 per ton. That's a little over a penny a pound. For C&D, the rate is $14.75 per ton.

Several of our local parks are currently in the process of receiving upgrades. The County is excited to offer new pavilions and upgraded playground equipment, along with some new recreational space to benefit the community.  See below for a complete list of the new additions. 

Browntown Wilderness Park: A new pavilion is currently being

painted and features a screened in common area and a full kitchen. The new restrooms are located at the end of the pavilion and have a separate entrance.  New playground equipment has also been installed and features a double swing set.

Maple Ford Park, Spring Bluff: New playground equipment has been installed, along with a new walking trail. A new pavilion is currently in the process of being built.

Satilla Waterfront Park:Restroom and pavilion upgrades are in progress at this park.

St. Marys Civic Park: A new picnic shelter is currently being built beside the basketball courts at the St. Marys Civic Park.

Phase II(Behind Rec Center): New batting cages and storage area at Phase II are in the final stages of completion.

The January 20th, 2015 Board of County Commissioners regularly scheduled meeting provided an opportunity for a presentation on the County's recently conducted financial audit. Mark Hardison, CPA and Partner with Clifton, Lipford, Hardison & Parker, LLC (Auditor) reported on the findings of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2014.  Mr. Hardison and his firm are responsible for expressing an opinion on the financial statements based on the audit. He reported to the Board that there were no material findings and the financials are in accordance

with generally accepted

accounting principles (GAAP). While it is the Auditor's responsibility to express an opinion on the financial statements, it is management's responsibility to provide an accurate accounting and financial report that demonstrates a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story.

Camden County's previous thirteen consecutive CAFR's have been awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United Stated and Canada (GFOA). The Certificate of Achievement is a prestigious national award recognizing conformance with the highest standards for preparation of state and local government financial reports. Mr. Hardison reports that "less than 1% of all governments receive this award and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management." 

The individual department designated by Camden County as primarily responsible for preparing the CAFR is Michael J. Fender, Director of Finance and Budget, and his staff. Mr. Fender has been the Director of Finance and Budget since August 1997. The preparation of this report and completion of the audit could not have been accomplished without the professional, efficient, and dedicated services of the entire staff in the Finance Department.  Fender stated that "the Camden County Board of Commissioners, along with County Administrator Steve Howard, have played a vital role in establishing and updating policies that guide us in our quest to have the most efficient operations for the taxpayers of Camden County." 

Steve Howard commented that he is "remarkably proud of the accomplishments of the Finance Department under Mike Fender's leadership and guidance. His unrelenting attempt for excellence is to be applauded."