Dear Editor:

On Saturday night, Oct. 31 Millen Better Hometown and Millen/Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce sponsored the eighth annual Harvest of Fun. Because of construction on Cotton Avenue, the venue was moved to the Jenkins County Recreation Department. In spite of the change, the attendance and community support were great, as usual. It is gratifying to see the community come out in such numbers to enjoy family fun together. The response to our efforts certainly makes the hard work worthwhile.

We want to publicly acknowledge those who made the Harvest of Fun possible. The Jenkins County Recreation Board allowed us to use the facilities. Beth Collins organized the event and recruited participation. Anne Swingle recruited the “Trunk or Treaters,” and Clay Boulineau and the City of Millen helped with set up and clean up.

The following businesses, churches, civic clubs and individuals provided games or made donations to help with expenses: The Millen News, Seth Benson, Queensborough Bank, The Dairy Queen, Eagle Pharmacy, Jenkins County 4-H, Millen Better Hometown, Jenkins County Commissioners, Oak Hill Baptist Church Acteens, Cindy’s Café on Cotton, Zion Baptist Youth Group, Papa’s Pizza, First Baptist Church, Brinson’s Barbecue, Brenda Mathern, Jenkins County High School FFA, Jenkins County Hospital, Jenkins County Family Medicine, Dr. Kyle Gay, the Bethany Home, Dr. Michael Gaines, Jenkins County Emergency Medical Services, United Hospice, Edenfield Feed and Seed, Mechelle and Scott Lanier, Valerie Hall, Stacie Johnson, Jenkins County Elementary School and Horse Feathers the Clown (aka Robert Reeves).

Others who helped were Irene Drummer and Christy Bandy who judged the costume contest; Sheriff Robert Oglesby was Master of Ceremonies for the contest; Planters Electric Membership Corporation had the pictures printed and mailed to the children; F. A. Black provided bales of straw for decoration; Jenkins County High School Interact Club helped with games; and the many faithful Better Hometown volunteers did whatever necessary.

The success of the Festival can be credited to the people of our community working together.
Art Johnson
Manager, Millen Better
Hometown
Paula Herrington
Executive Director, Millen/
Jenkins County Chamber of
Commerce

Dear Editor,

Well, this is a sad commentary. Once again, I am warning everyone who lives by or fishes in Little Buckhead Creek that the pollution of Little Buckhead Creek continues to be a problem. Someone dumped about a half dozen deer carcasses in the creek at the Messex Road crossing, and I saw some tires in there too. Tires are one of the worst pollutants because they contain cancer-causing agents.

We are once again forced to avoid the waters of Little Buckhead Creek because a low down, no good, rotten to the bone person has done this evil deed. I must warn everyone not to swim in, drink of or eat fish from Little Buckhead Creek.

Pollution takes many forms and is not easily cleaned up. Hopefully, we can stop pollution before it starts and education is one of the best methods. Since we recently had an election, this would be a good time to think about the pollution of our government. Government starts here at the city and county level. These are the tributaries and this is where we must start.

We (citizens) have a representative government. These days too many elected representatives either never knew it or have forgotten it or possibly just don’t care about it.

Representative government means that a group of people (district) chooses one person (elect) to represent us—our interests, our desires, our agenda. The representatives are not elected to do what they think is best, but to do what the people that they represent want done. The duty of an elected representative is to do what the people that they represent want for them to do.They are not elected to parent us—we are not children or shepherd us—we are not sheep.

Government of the people, by the people and for the people does not mean of, by and for the people in the government.

Have we the people allowed our government to become polluted because we are not holding our elected representatives accountable? We elect them and they do whatever they want and we do nothing but complain to each other. Hmm… that is childish behavior. Many people watch and listen to political television programs and radio talk and believe whatever they are told. Is that sheepish behavior?

Maybe the modern American citizen doesn’t understand democracy. Is Civics even taught in school anymore?
Wayne Salter
Suburbs of Perkins

Dear Editor:

On Nov. 11 a really special program to honor veterans was held at the Jenkins County High School gym. The JROTC performed, students spoke, sang and recognized veterans (only a few were present). Other than students, teachers and veterans, there might have been 15 people present.

What has happened to America? What has happened in Millen, Georgia? Have we forgotten the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom (which we could lose any minute)? Are we too proud to set aside 30-45 minutes to pay tribute to those who fought and died for the freedoms we enjoy? Have we lost sight of what our servicemen and women suffered and died for?

In America, we can’t do enough to pay tribute to those who fought and died for this country in which we live.

True, in May we had a wonderful Memorial Day program and a good response – thanks to Byron Scogins and the VFW. Where were they on Nov. 11? Where were you? In my mind, it’s not too much to ask that our businesses close down one hour to honor our veterans on both Memorial Day and Veterans Day. No any of us would be where we are today had it not been for our men and women in the Armed Forces. We may not be able to turn our country around, but we can die trying – and most certainly we can pay tribute to our veterans as long as we live.

I am old enough to remember the fear of war and heartaches beginning with World War II. I also remember how devoted to America we were back then – the sacrifices we were willing to make, our support and love of country, the honor and respect we had for our men and women in the service of our country, the memories of those lost in battle, the prisoners of war and our patriotism.

Have we gone too far, America, to remember – to pay tribute – to keep America the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Sincerely,
Evelyn Gunn Young
Millen