By Kathryn McBroom 
Staff Writer 

    Madison is known for its breathtaking scenery, some might call it traffic-stopping. On Friday, Aug. 27, downtown Madison did stop traffic, for a little while at least.  Downtown Madison had its own photo shoot, courtesy of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. 
    As part of the state of Georgia’s tourism ad campaign, the photographs shot last Friday will be showcased on a national level. 
    “We’re going to run in all the glossy publications on a national scale. We’ve been picked as one for a historic homes shot, a visitors’ center scene, shopping scenes, and a farmer’s market scene,” said Madison’s Convention and Visitors’ Bureau Project Coordinator Andy Williams. 
    The city was notified about two weeks prior to the photo shoot, which included locals like Lacie Smith, Megan Morris and Morris’ two young sons, Leyton and Kaden. 
    Madison will be one of the most prominently featured cities in the ad campaign.
    But, as Williams noted, other parts of Morgan County will also be featured, including Rutledge’s Hard Labor Creek State Park. 
    “These are basically going to be 'hero images,' which means we’re the primary picture in the ad,” said Williams. 
    Daniel Skahen, marketing service manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, said Madison’s historic courthouse was the initial reason for choosing Madison.         
    “It’s always good to work with the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

By James Faucett
Staff Writer

    Morgan Memorial Hospital's revenues came in about $26,000 under budget for the first month of its fiscal year (FY).
    The hospital also showed a loss when funds received from the county aren't included in the hospital's revenue.
    Hospital finance officials reported $2,252,488 million in gross patient revenue for July, down from the $2,278,589 budgeted for the month.
    The revenue was also down from the $2.6 million reported in June, which officials had said was the highest revenue in the hospital's history. CFO Courtney Moore identified lower than average swing bed days and surgical procedures as major contributing factors in the revenue decrease.
    "Those were the two big swings for us as far as our gross patient revenue is concerned," Moore said
    Swing bed days totaled 275 for July, compared to the monthly FY 2010 average of 312.3. Surgical procedures came in at 2, compared to the FY 2010 average of 18.
    Moore noted that gross patient revenue was "only about a percent below" the prior year average.
    "For July, it's pretty good," she said. "It's a pretty decent month given that we're right dead in the middle of summer. We don't expect there to be as many sick patients as in the winter." The hosptial had been budgeted to make $46,000 in net income for the month, but reported $28,000. When county funding for the month is not included, the hospital shows a loss of about $45,000.
    The hospital also reported $1,114,856 in total operating expenses, up from a budgeted $1,066,165.

By Kathryn McBroom
Staff Writer

Filming of Paramount Pictures’ remake of “Footloose” has begun in the metro-Atlanta area, with several sightings of the cast and crew in Covington.

On Aug. 26, casting directors held an open casting call in Atlanta, seeking extras to play high school students and various townspeople. The main requirement for all attendees at that casting call is that applicants must be over the age of 18.

Casting directors were looking for a wide variety of people, including “real cheerleaders and high school jocks” and “persons with interesting facial features, hairstyles, aged 'weather worn' looks.”

As the crew prepares to shoot in Morgan County later in the fall, many are speculating that casting directors will be on the lookout for more extras.

A blog has been set up with information and directions on the Aug. 26 open call, and should be updated regularly as new extras are needed.

“I would imagine as they get around this area, they’re going to update that with information regarding casting,” said Andy Williams, Madison’s Convention and Visitors Bureau project coordinator.

It’s projected that “Footloose” will begin shooting in Bostwick in September or October, but no permanent dates had been set at press time. Bostwick’s old cotton gin and downtown area will be the main settings used during filming.
For more information on casting opportunities, log on to http://www.bigfootatl.blogspot.com.

By James Faucett
Staff Writer

The Morgan County Hospital Authority has offered Morgan Memorial Hospital (MMH) interim CFO Courtney Moore the position of CFO.

Megan Morris, MMH's director of development and community relations, said "the details of the agreement have not been ironed out yet, but an offer was made."

The agreement is expected to be finalized at the authority's Aug. 26 board meeting.
MMH's former CFO Darlena Kinnett resigned on May 20.

By Patrick Yost
Editor

Taxes, taxes, taxes.
It is the bane of property’s owner existence once a year and the economic engine that drives, in part, municipal governments and the education of our children.

Property can be a mysterious calculation. While values change yearly, or should, the method to determine your tax liability does not.

Simply put, to determine your property tax bill take 40 percent of the property’s value and multiply that times the millage rate. If you live in Madison, you’ll need to take 40 percent of the value and multiply that number times the millage rates for Morgan County, the city of Madison and the Morgan County Board of Education.

Same for residents of Bostwick, Buckhead and Rutledge, the other three taxing municipalities in Morgan County. If you live in Morgan County but not in an incorporated city, simply multiply the millage rates of Morgan County and the Morgan County Board of Education times the 40 percent value of your property.
As an aside the same formula holds true for car tags.

By Kathryn McBroom
Staff Writer

Friends of the Library, a local non-profit, held their annual book sale at the Morgan County Library. In preparation for their upcoming move to the old county jail, the library put older books up for sale.

Most books were priced around 25 cents to 50 cents. Friends of the Library chairman Patsy Harris said the sale raised $220. Harris noted the generosity of many of the book sale’s patrons.

“A lot of people gave extra. Their total would be $2 but they’d give a five dollar bill and tell us to keep the change.”
All of the money raised by the sale will go directly to the Morgan County Library for the purchase of new books and other materials. Harris estimates that the Friends of the Library have helped raise money for several hundred new books over the past few years through donations, grants and fundraisers.

“We’re just so thankful for the continued community support,” said Harris.

Harris also mentioned the upcoming party the Friends of the Library will hold, once the move to the new jail is complete. At the party, attendees will be able to donate or sign up to become a member if they’re not already.
To become a member of Friends of the Library, contact the Morgan County Library.