The Chatter Box
By Deborah Bennett

It recent weeks negative comments about Jenkins County and our local school system have run rampant throughout our community. However, everything is not negative. I could offer some positive aspects, but I don't think it would make a difference in anyone's view given the current atmosphere.

I do believe, however, that a "house divided cannot stand" and we must all work together for the betterment of Jenkins County. If change is needed, then it should be brought about in a "positive" manner. I hope we can soon move past the turmoil and begin to concentrate instead on developing solutions to our problems.

I believe a step in this direction is to keep the lines of communication open between our citizens and local governments. It has been made abundantly clear in past weeks that our citizens have questions, suggestions and comments they wish to make public.

Along those lines, beginning next week, I will publish within this column, readers' anonymous responses to a Question of the Week. Keep your comments brief, 30 words or less, anything longer will not be used. Comments will be published solely at my discretion and as space is available.

I will also accept suggestions for the Question of the Week. Please remember that your questions should require the "opinion" of the public. A "Letter to the Editor" is more appropriate if you are seeking factual answers.

You can e-mail your responses and questions to themillennews@yahoo.com, put them in the drop box on the door of our office, fax them to 982-1785 or mail them to P.O. Box 909, Millen, GA 30442.

The first Question of the Week: Why do you think so many parents are choosing private schools over public?

I look forward to reading and publishing your responses.

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Happy birthday to: Jerry L. Messex, Loreal Becton, John T. Herrington Sr., Andy Dudley, Ray Miller, John Herrington III, Jonathan Hall, Brandon Hooks, Rosalie Dwelle and Trey Black.

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Celebrating wedding anniversaries are: Mr. and Mrs. Jim Waters.

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Military Active Duty List: Lance Cpl. Lee Ogden, U.S. Marines, Radio and Communications, Bahria, Iraq; Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric B. Kelsey, U.S. Navy, NSA Bahrain; PV2 Ashley Clifton, U.S. Army, Yongsan, Korea; Airman First Class Charles F. Woods, Moody Air Force Base, Valdosta, GA; Capt. Andrew P. Thomas, U.S. Marines, F.A.S.T. Company, Yorktown, VA; Stuart Burrus, U.S. Air Force, Bossier AFB, Bossier, LA; SPC 4 Travis D. Motes, 1st Calvary Division, T. Hood, Texas; Capt. Donald Slade Burke, Travis Air Force Base, Fairfield, Calif.; Staff Sgt. Gilbert C. Sheppard III, 48th Brigade, 118th Field Artillery, Iraq; Petty Officer 3rd Class Jamie A. Yager, U.S. Navy, Marine Corps Base Hawaii; Petty Chief Officer Andy D. Crosby, U.S. Navy, Elroy Destroyer, Norfolk, Va.; Stephanie Crosby, R.N., U.S. Navy, Lafayette Destroyer; Jimmy Cooper, U.S. Army National Guard, 878th Engineering Battalion-Augusta, Persian Gulf ; 1st Lt. J.R. Taylor, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Iraq; SPC. Daniel Stuart, 18th MEDCOM, 121 General Hospital, Seoul, Korea; Jeffrey Sweat, U.S. Navy, USS Kauffman, MM3 59/E-Division, A-Gang, Norfolk, Va.; Cpl. Larry Lamont Clark, U.S. Marine Corp, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Bagdad, Iraq; Khan Young, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Kitty Hawk, Persian Gulf; Robert Milton Jr., E-3, U.S. Army, Ft. Stewart, Hinesville, Ga., Mission Kuwait; Arnold R. Mosley, 2nd Lt., U.S. Air Force, Randolph AFB, Texas; and Debra A. Mosley, Tech. Sgt., U.S. Air Force, Randolph AFB, Texas.