Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010 marked a very important date for the county of Jenkins and Camp Lawton at Magnolia Springs State Park. For many years to come, we will continue to benefit from what was revealed at the ceremonies of that Wednesday. I am quite excited about the finds and the fact that this is such a pristine site, and the federal government as well as the state will be working with a great department of an outstanding university to make this happen to the very fullest of all events. It will take time, however, maybe not as long as one may anticipate.

I have heard some discouraging remarks, of which I am not proud of our citizens for those. However, I have heard more exciting remarks, and I commend you for those. I want to thank everyone for the support that was shown by the attendance to the public program. It was much greater than any of our visitors expected. In my Department of Natural Resources (DNR) meeting this week in Atlanta, Commissioner Clark remarked about the multitude of news media that was present and the support of our community. The DNR is quite proud to have made the necessary contacts with Georgia Southern University to begin the study on Camp Lawton. As was stated, no one ever expected to find artifacts of the sort, especially to the multitude of the number found in such a small dig area. The research has only begun.

There is some concern among the citizens as to the display of the artifacts and if they will come back to Millen. They have been in the care of GSU since the find. GSU has the cases necessary to preserve them as well as the security. I would like to assure you, they will be returned to Jenkins County to the Magnolia Springs area. There must be a facility built that will securely house as well as display cases that will preserve the artifacts. At this time, we have neither. Plans are already in the works for this. We will look to the future when we have a place where tourists will come from around the world to see the Camp Lawton that has been reinstated for their enjoyment as well as for the citizens of Jenkins County and for our economic gain. Let us be patient, this find has been right here, under our nose, for 150 years and it will not go away. Let us be thankful to our good Lord that we have had the good fortune during our lifetime to find it in such a way that it will be preserved, and our families for generations will have it in our county and it will not be looted and lost!

I worked on the committee as a DNR representative, not as Jenkins County Development Authority. I was asked to keep the information confidential due to the necessity of the security that had to be in place before the announcement. I trust no one thinks

was doing anything else other than what everyone of us on the committee was required to do.

To address the invitation situation, I have been defamed for some not being invited. I was asked to give the names of elected officials at first, then I continued to request invites for others who were brought to my attention. I made those requests, and if you felt you deserved to be invited and you were not, you did not address the issue with me. For all who came to me with a legitimate request, other than they were a citizen and deserved to be there, I believe I was able to get them invited. The building could only hold 100 due to the fire code. Just before the program began, I asked the door keepers if as many as we could hold that was outside could come in. They were allowed to attend the program. That was as good as I could do. I am sorry if I have offended anyone by leaving you out. It was never my intention.

As chairman of the development authority, I encourage you to appreciate what we have in our county, to keep a positive attitude, and if you want to be negative, do it at home behind closed doors, not to our visitors or each other, for it breeds. More great news on the way shortly, keep praying!