Dear Editor, I have enjoyed The Jones County News since we moved here in 2017.
I particularly appreciated the issue from the last week of August 2024. The articles that were relevant included the first page article, “BOC cuts tax rate to balance higher property valuations.” It filled in some blanks I had in my understanding the latest in tax assessments here in Jones County. I moved here from a small town in Florida, so I could appreciate the richness of “Miss Joyce reflects on family, business.” I’m sure she is a livingbreathing Google-type source for local history. What a treasure! Thanks for sharing Miss Joyce’s story! My husband and I always vie for the paper first to see what sarcasm, humor, and insights Mr. Dick Yarbrough has to share.
Mr. Yarbrough frequently stirs stimulating conversations in our house. The article from DA Barksdale’s explanation of costs of prosecutions and his insights into where improvements need to be made was quite informative and timely. In the Community Section, I enjoyed reading “Antique Archaeology.” Such articles always stir my curiosity in the history of Jones County and the general area.
Thank you for the informative and entertaining newspaper!
Sincerely, Mary Kay Warner
Commissioners
Dear Editor, In The Jones County News last week, Commissioner Kitchens seem to be ranting and raving pretty hard about the performance of JC Tax Appraisers especially his statement about this board is reactive and not proactive. I can certainly agree with him on this statement.
I am reminded of a few years back when we had a JC Blight Committee of which there were several of us in accordance with the Middle Georgia Regional Commission went all over this county reporting blighted areas such as junk vehicles, dilapidated structures, abandoned homes etc.
We used our own vehicles, fuel and time for weeks compiling all of this info with the hope and understanding that the commissioners would help to alleviate this problem. After years of meeting after meeting and getting nowhere we finally just threw the towel in and said yall win we lose.
Commissioner Kitchens, I personally sent you two emails asking you to ride over the county with several of us on the committee at your convenience and at our expense to show you firsthand some of the horrendous mess that the so-called code enforcement officer we have has allowed to be put up as her answer to blighted areas.
Needless to say, you never answered my two emails. So, this really shows us as to where you are truly correct when you say you are Reactive!
Sincerely, George Scoville
Touch-a-Truck event
Dear Editor,
The Pilot Club of Jones County would like to invite everyone to the seventh annual Touch-a-Truck event Saturday, Sept. 21 at the Jones County Sheriff’s Office.
This event has gotten better with every year having more participation and variety in vehicles and equipment. You will be amazed with the sights, sounds and the smell of delicious barbecue, burgers and hot dogs. Make sure those phones and cameras are ready because you will be taking lots of pictures. This is a fundraiser for our club and proceeds help us accomplish Pilot International’s mission “focusing on encouraging brain safety and health and supporting those who care for others.”
We thank Sheriff Butch Reece, Chief Earl Humphries and Capt. Shane Moody without whom this event could not take place. Thank you for the many hours you give to this event. We appreciate the support that you always provide our club.
Last year’s proceeds helped pay for 272 helmets presented to four-year-old’s at Jones County Pre-K and Jones County Head Start after the groups attended our “Brainminders, Protect your Brian for Life” puppet shows. Puppet shows were also presented to the four elementary schools, grades K-2 after which we handed out coloring books to a total of 1,018 students. There are other brain related projects, but this is our biggest.
Our other focus is “caring for caregivers” and we do projects throughout the year to recognize this special group of people who do so much for our county.
The hours for the Sept. 21 Touch-a-Truck are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Jones County Sheriff’s Office is located at 123 Holmes Drive in Gray. Admission is $5.
Sincerely, Fay Mathews Pilot Club
