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 - August 2016



eNews



In This Issue




 

 

 

GA Camera Ready

 

 

 

Connect With Us!
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 Keep up with what's going on in YOUR local government!

 

 

Look for Camden County's Free App at the Apple Store or click  Here

      

"Showcase Camden County" 

Photo Contest

Click HERE for Guidelines

 

 

Camden County
 Hurricane Guide

Provided by the Camden County Board of Commissioners
With the Atlantic hurricane season starting on June 1st, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) urges residents to take the time now to prepare, plan and stay informed about hurricanes.
TIP 'N TOSS to help 
Control Mosquitoes


Summer is here and as more people make their way outside for activities, Coastal Health District officials want to remind residents to take precautions to avoid mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are annoying but can also carry diseases such as West Nile Virus, chikungunya, or Zika Virus.
The best way to protect ourselves from mosquitoes is to prevent them from breeding. One of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of mosquito-borne viruses is controlling the mosquito population by eliminating standing water around the home and in the yard. Mosquitoes lay eggs in water; just a bottle cap of water is all they need.
After every rainfall - or at least once a week -  tip out water in flowerpots, planters, children's toys, wading pools, buckets and anything else around your yard that can hold water. If it holds water and you don't need it (old tires, bottles, cans), toss it out.
For more information on the zika virus, please click on this link.
UPCOMING
 
Board of County Commissioners 
Meetings Public Hearings


August 27th
Public Hearing on Millage Rate
Government Services Complex
2nd Floor
Hearing at 6:00PM
September 5th County
 Offices will be closed in observance of Labor Day




September 6th
Regular BOCC
Meeting at 6:00PM




September 20th
Regular BOCC 
Meeting at 6:00PM




October 4th
Regular BOCC
Meeting at 6:00PM






Government 
Services Complex
 200 E. 4th St.
Woodbine, GA 31569


 

 

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month


 


September is also known as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month which helps promote resources and awareness around the issues of suicide prevention. 
Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or background. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among young people and is often the result of mental health conditions that affect people when they are most vulnerable.  
For more information and ways you can help, please click HERE.

 

Free Prescription Discount Cards Available to Camden County Residents

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

 

 

 

 

 Storm Ready

 

 

 



One of our goals for the County is to ensure that we are providing our citizens with the right information and a better understanding of current local issues as related to Camden County Government. It is our hope that you have enjoyed reading the monthly Community Outreach Newsletter and have found it to be informative and helpful. 
We encourage your feedback and value any input you may be able to offer as we strive to improve our services for the future good of Camden County.  




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


 

 

Click Here to Visit  

 

 

 
"Great Customer Service is the Cornerstone of Every Successful Organization!"

 

Please click

 on the link below to complete Camden County's customer service survey.

 

 

 

 

 

 Code RED

 

 

 

 IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS

 

Main Switchboard

576-5601

 
Administrator's Office

510-0464

 

 Animal Control

576-7395

 

Bryan Lang 

Historical Archives

576-5841

 

Camden Fire Rescue 

Main Office

729-3911

  

Camden Library

729-3741

 

Camden Sheriff's Office

510-5100

 

Clerk of Superior Court

576-5631

 

Code Enforcement

510-5865

 

County Clerk

576-5651

  

Curbside Collections

510-6881

 

Erosion & Sedimentation

510-4320

 

Juvenile Court

576-3226

 

Magistrate Court

576-5658

 

Mosquito Control

729-4823

 

Planning & Development

729-5603

 

Probate Court

576-3785

 

Public Works/

Road Department

576-3028

 

 Solid Waste

729-4099

 
Tax Commissioner/

Tag Office

576-3248

 

Tax Assessors

576-3241

 

UGA Extension Office

576-3219

 

Voters Registrar 

576-3245

 

A Message from the 
County Administrator
I am excited to represent Spaceport Camden as a judge for Startup NASA's SPACE RACE. These students are our future and the technologies they commercialize and the companies they found will propel humanity forward beyond the edge of what's currently possible. That's the vision of Spaceport Camden and we are thrilled to support the SPACE RACE challenge. I am honored to judge business plans and live pitches for 33 remaining teams between October 3rd and 7th. For more information, please click HERE.
I want to congratulate Georgia Tech as they prepare for the lift-off of tiny satellites. Georgia Tech is turning their attention to the micro level and getting ready to launch the first of six nano-satellites, also known as "CubeSats," into space later this year. Did you know that this industry segment has shown an average annual growth rate of 40% since 2012? The range mission is set to launch by the end of 2016 and Prox-1 will be ready for lift-off on Space-X Falcon Heavy rocket carrying a dozen other small satellites in March 2017. To see more about this program, please click HERE.
I recently read a great article written by the Washington Post on August 19, 2016, The Inside Story of How Billionaires are Racing to Take You to Outer Space.  Three leaders in commercial spaceflight, Elon Musk of SpaceX, Jeff Bezos of Blue Origin, and Richard Branson of Virgin Galactic, discuss the path to making commercial spaceflight a reality.  Please click HERE for the article and video with them speaking about their passion for the future of space.
I'd like to give a special welcome to our newest Citizens' Academy class and thank them for choosing to participate in this County program.  Since 2009, the class has graduated more than 75 Camden County residents. All of the citizens who take part in the class gain the opportunity for advanced learning about the community they work and reside in.  We are proud to offer this free service as a tool for our residents to learn more about what goes on in their County Government.
Finally, there has been some misinformation regarding the recently passed resolution by Camden County concerning the bond agreement that we would like to correct. The resolution is a legal step, advised by the county's bond attorney, to ensure that the county has the ability to get reimbursed for the expenses of purchasing the land for the Spaceport Camden project. Voting on this resolution does not mean that the county has entered into a bond agreement, but merely that it could do so in the future.
Ensuring that the county can get reimbursed is recommended practice and common for large projects like this. The resolution now allows the county to receive timely reimbursement for the future expenses via proceeds of tax-exempt financing and it will also spread out the debt over 20 years. $5 million is the maximum amount under this resolution but that does not mean that the county intends to spend that sum. 
Yours for a better Camden, 
 
Steve L. Howard, ICMA-CM, CPM, CPPO
County Administrator
Help Us Find You 
When an Emergency 
Happens
In an attempt to better serve the citizens of Camden County, E-911 is requesting all residents in the unincorporated areas of Camden County to properly display their Property Address (physical address). All property addresses should be visible from the Street/Road. If your dwelling can not be seen from the Street/Road, you are asked to post reflective numbers at the driveway/property entrance so that Emergency Services are able to locate you in an emergency. 
If you are unsure of the physical address of your property, please complete the form below and mail it to P.O. Box 99, Woodbine, GA  31569, Attn: Angie Eaton, fax it to 912-576-5647 or email
aeaton@co.camden.ga.us. If you have any questions, please call  Angie at 912-510-4314. To print the form, please click HERE
Employee Earns Associates in Science in Business Administration
The Board of Commissioners would like to recognize Theresa Miller for receiving her Associates Degree in Business Administration this past June from Valdosta State University on the Kings Bay campus.  
Theresa worked at White Oak Plantation for most of her career as a purchasing and accounting agent. In 2013 she came to work for the County as an accountant in the Finance & Budget department. 
Theresa began Valdosta State University in 2014, where she has taken all her classes while working full-time for the County. Her effort and dedication for a higher education is to be commended.
Assistant Finance Director Nancy Gonzalez said, "Theresa has demonstrated a great deal of determination and motivation. Both the finance director and I know firsthand the hard work and sacrifices needed to reach educational goals while working full-time. We both commend her and are very proud of her."
ARE YOU CONNECTED?
Never miss out on the latest news and updates with Camden County.


To interact with our outreach flyer, please click HERE


GET CONNECTED.  STAY CONNECTED.  BE
 CONNECTED.
Free Prescription Discount Card Program
ARE YOU READY TO SAVE MONEY? IF SO, THEN THIS CARD IS FOR YOU! Cardholders save on both brand name and generic drugs. All members of a family can use the card. It is always FREE and the card can be used immediately. There are no age, income or other exclusions. There are no forms to fill out. Simply take the card to one of the 59,000+ participating pharmacies to start saving today. Cardholders and their entire family can use the same card for savings on Dental, Vision, Hearing, Veterinary Services for your pets, Diabetic supplies, Lab work, and imaging.
The program is designed to assist uninsured and the under-insured and those whose prescriptions may not be covered under their existing insurance policy. It may also assist those with high deductibles or Healthcare Savings Accounts. Medicare Part D participants without supplemental coverage, when they reach their "donut hole," should save money using the card.
For your free card click HERE and start saving today! No enrollment form, no membership fee, just present your card at the pharmacy.  
Cards can be used at the following pharmacies:
  • CVS
  • KINGSBAY
  • KMART
  • PUBLIX
  • SOUTHEAST SPINE
  • WALGREENS
  • WAL-MART
  • WINN DIXIE
  • WOODBINE
National Preparedness Month
September is recognized as National Preparedness Month (NPM), which serves as a reminder that we all must take action to prepare, now and throughout the year, for the types of emergencies that could affect us where we live, work, and also where we visit.  
For more information go to www.ready.gov/september. To watch a video, click HERE.
Residents with Medical or Functional Needs are Urged to Register with the Local Health Department
There are two words that no one in coastal Georgia likes to hear: hurricane season. As much as we would like to ignore it, hurricane season rears its ugly head every June and doesn't go away until the end of November. For some, making an evacuation plan is fairly simple. But for others who may have functional or medical needs and no transportation, that's not the case. That's why the health departments along coastal Georgia maintain a list of people with functional and medical needs who may need help getting out of town when a hurricane is heading to our area.
The Functional and Medical Needs Registry is made up of residents who may require transportation and medical assistance during a hurricane evacuation and have no other resources such as family, friends, neighbors, or church members to help them if they need to evacuate. Residents must apply to be on the registry and if they meet the criteria, someone from the health department will explain to them, in detail, how and when the Registry will be activated should a storm threaten our area.
Those on the Registry will be evacuated to an American Red Cross shelter in an inland county that will likely be in a gymnasium or similar setting and could be several hours away. The Registry is truly a last resort, but if a hurricane is threatening our area, it is important that health department officials know where the most vulnerable residents are located so that evacuation assistance can be provided to them. People living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and personal care homes are not eligible for the Functional and Medical Needs Registry and must follow their facility's emergency plan.
For information click HERE or To apply, residents should call the local health department or go on line to print an application and health information authorization form.


Camden County Health Department

912-576-3040 (Woodbine) or 882-8515 (St. Marys)

 
34th Annual Catfish Festival
The City of Kingsland will host their 34th Annual Catfish Festival on Saturday, September 3, 2016 beginning at 9:00 AM. with arts and craft vendors, food booths, collectible exhibits, and of course farm-raised Southern Fried Catfish dinners. The Festival ends Saturday night with a parade through historic downtown Kingsland.  
Come join the fun, enjoy beautiful southeast Georgia, and enjoy receiving the Royal Treatment.
Click HERE to view Event Schedule
Veterans Affairs Clinic Relocating
The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SGVHS) St. Marys Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) is relocating to better serve our patients in South Georgia. Due to the increase in patients being served, the St. Marys VA Clinic will soon be located at Kings Bay Village. This new facility will provide 24% more space to accommodate the growth and is expected to be completed in the Spring 2017. Providing care that each Veteran has earned, deserves, and is entitled to, is the number one priority of the clinic.  
For more information, please contact Cynthia Snook at 386-754-6302.
Janice Beckham Named Employee 
of the 4th Quarter
Camden County Government's Employee Recognition Committee is pleased to announce Janice Beckham of the Camden County Finance & Budget Department as our Employee of the 4th Quarter for fiscal year 2016. Janice was formally recognized with this award at the Board of Commissioners meeting held Tuesday, August 16, 2016.
Employed with the county for only a year, Janice has embraced her position with open arms and an open mind. In the year since she began, Janice had to learn a new payroll system using the existing financial software, covert that payroll to an outside vendor, and then turn around again and bring it back in house. She has done an outstanding job in making the whole process successful with her attention to detail, a positive attitude, and her understanding of the job.
Always willing to help others and do whatever it takes to get the job done, Janice is a true team player. Her motto is "Give it to me, I can do that." She is prepared to take on new tasks and is always professional, pleasant, and focused on the goal, no matter how stressful. Finance Director Mike Fender appreciates Janice's work ethic, saying "Janice thinks outside the box and goes above and beyond her daily duties without complaint when faced with a problem." "There is no doubt she sets the bar high for being efficient and accurate. And she does it all with a smile," said Nancy Gonzalez, Assistant Finance Director. Janice is truly an asset, not only to the finance department but Camden County as well. Congratulations Janice! 
What you Should know 
about the Zika Virus
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Zika virus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The Georgia Department of Public Health cautions travelers, especially women who are pregnant, to protect themselves against mosquito bites when heading to countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. 
There are urgent concerns about Zika virus infection and the risk to pregnant women. Zika virus infections have been confirmed in infants with microcephaly, and in the current outbreak in Brazil, a marked increase in the number of infants born with microcephaly has been reported. Pregnant women or women trying to get pregnant should not travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.
For more detailed information and ways to prevent infection please click HERE
Business After Hours (BAH) will be held September 15, 2016, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Amelia Medical Urgent Care located at 1481 HWY 40 East, in Kingsland across from Lowes.   
BAH is a great way to meet others while networking and making contacts that can help with referrals for your business.
There is always great food, drinks, and door prizes. There is no charge for Chamber members and future members are $10.00
 
Georgia Tech Prepares for Liftoff 
Aerospace Engineering Professor David Spencer leads the Prox-1 satellite  mission. At Georgia Tech's Engineering, Science and Mechanics building, Professor Spencer is working on a micro-satellite that will be the school's first complete spacecraft: Prox-1.  To view the full article please click HERE.
Camden County Board of Commissioners Citizens' Academy is off to a Great Start
The Camden County Citizens' Academy had its first class session on August 11, 2016 in the Historic Courtroom in Woodbine. More than 40 people were in attendance on opening night. The Board of Commissioners would like to give a special thank you to TDS Telecom for sponsoring the class so that no tax dollars are used.
The evening was spent introducing future presenters/County Staff, and listening to presentations from Judy Buchanan, Director of the Bryan-Lang Historical Archives, James Coughlin, Executive Director of the Joint Development Authority, County Administrator Steve Howard, and County Attorney John Myers. Special guest Commissioner Jimmy Starline, Chairman, welcomed everyone and encouraged all participants to tell a friend about the program. 


2016 Walk to End Alzheimer's of 
Camden County
Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's is the world's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to reclaim the future for millions.
Please join us in taking the first step to a world without Alzheimer's on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at Howard Gilman Waterfront Park. Registration is at 9:00 AM, the Ceremony begins at 10:00 AM, and the Walk begins at 10:30 AM. 
For more information or to Register, Volunteer or Donate please click HERE.
What is the Space Race?
 is launching "Startup NASA",
a new initiative to encourage the use of federally funded technologies by start-up companies. 
Startup NASA includes the opportunity for new companies to license NASA technologies with no up-front payment and kicks off an effort with the Center for Advancing Innovation (CAI) to encourage more space technology spin-offs by entrepreneurs. Startup NASA helps address two of the biggest challenges faced by start-up companies: raising capital and securing intellectual property rights. By eliminating up-front licensing fees, NASA is letting new companies hold onto their cash while securing the intellectual property rights needed to secure their competitive market space. This benefit is available to companies formed to commercialize NASA technology.  In addition, to foster the creation of new start-up companies and encourage adoption of NASA technologies, NASA will work with the CAI to run a multi-phase business plan competition in 2016. CAI will review NASA's portfolio of technologies and identify those that have near-term commercialization potential.  CAI will conduct outreach teams to explore the market potential of the technologies and write business plans.  The winners of the competition will be awarded a cash prize, provided by third-party venture capital investors, and will be encouraged to incorporate and pursue licensing the technologies from NASA, using their winnings as seed funding for the new business.
The Center for Advancing Innovation (CAI) is a global public-private partnership non-profit focused on creating a virtuous circle of innovation and driving growth breakthroughs through novel, creative paradigms and models. CAI's mission is to accelerate and increase the volume of technology transfer, translational research, commercialization and entrepreneurship in various fields of research, including biomedical research, to make more research available to the world for educational and innovation purposes, improve the economy and positively impact world health. For more information about CAI, please visit 

Meet Your Commissioners

 
  Chip Keene

District 1



Chuck Clark
District 2

 
  Jimmy Starline

District 3

Commissioner Gary Blount  
  Gary Blount

District 4



Tony Sheppard

District 5

Our Commitment to You!
 
MISSION
Our mission is to deliver defined county services with exceptional customer service and to do so in a financially sustainable and transparent manner.


VISION 
Camden County 2030 is the premier coastal community of Georgia- beautiful and safe.  
Camden County 2030 has a strong regional economy and diverse job opportunities with four major pillars:
  • An active Naval Submarine Base;
  • A successful World Class Spaceport;
  • Space tourism; and,
  • a Technology Corridor. 

Camden County 2030 has relaxed living with quality residential developments, and abundant leisure choices for all.

 

VALUES

The Board of County Commissioners and employees of Camden County are committed to the following values: Integrity, Respect, Service, Accountability, Teamwork and Balance.





Board of County Commissioners | 200 East 4th Street | P.O. Box 99 | Woodbine | GA | 31569