By Tara DeRock Mahoney
Senior Staff Writer

    United States Senator Saxby Chambliss (R) made a whistle stop in Madison last week, dropping by the home of Wilson and Patricia DuBose to chat with constituents for an hour or so.
    Chambliss is up for re-election in Georgia this fall against an as-yet undetermined Democrat opponent. Chambliss served four terms as a member of the United States House of Representatives (Georgia's 8th Congressional District) before winning his seat as a Senator in 2002.
    Nearly 50 local residents came to hear Chambliss speak.
    “True to it's party reputation, Madison turned out—even at 2:30 on a Thursday afternoon,” said Wilson DuBose in his introduction of Senator Chambliss.
    “Madison must be shut down,” joked Chambliss.
    In remarks over approximately 30 minutes, Chambliss touched on a number of issues important to local voters, first pointing out that history is being made during this election season.
“This is the first time in the history of our great country...that we have three sitting members of Congress running for President,” he said. “We know that one of our [Senate] colleagues is going to be the next President.”
    Chambliss talked about the new Farm Bill (more formally known as the Food, Conservation, and Enegry Act of 2008) which just passed into law in May.
“One out of every six jobs in Georgia is directly related to agriculture,” said Chambliss. “Farm bills—and particularly this one—are vitally important to you.”
    The five-year, $300-billion-plus Farm Bill includes monies for, among many other things, the nation's food stamp program.

by Kathryn Purcell  |  photos by Angelina Bellebuono

By Jessica Blomquist 

photos by Angelina Bellebuono

By Patrick Yost
Editor

    If your searching for America, go to Buckhead Saturday.
    The town is holding a 100 year birthday party for itself and it promises to be a brief glimpse into town events and church socials from years gone by.
    Beginning with a tractor parade at 10 a.m. that will start at the Buckhead Baptist Church and end on Chivers Road near the Buckhead Volunteer Fire Station, the party will last until 1 p.m. and offers a full day of kid–friendly event.
    Buckhead Mayor Ricky Walker and the city council last week agreed to fund the celebration.
    “How often do you have a 100 year celebration,” said council member Gene Porter.
    Following the tractor parade, the council approved a greased pig contest, a greased pole climbing contest, a three–legged race, a sack race and other events.
    The council also approved a motion to provide hamburgers and hot dogs free of charge to celebrants. Drinks will be served for a minimum charge.
    Winners of the age specific contests will be awarded ribbons and other prizes, Porter said.
    A local blue grass band will play during the celebration.
    All events will be held at the Buckhead Volunteer Fire Department.
    Last Saturday members of the Buckhead Volunteer Fire Department and city council placed five new banners around town heralding the town’s 100 year anniversary. 

No local fire fighting equipment for four story buildings

By Tara DeRock Mahoney
Senior Staff Writer

    Members of the Morgan County Planning Commission recommended denial of a plan for a four-story Holiday Inn Express to be built in Madison.
    Sidhvi Hotels, LLC, had requested a variance from the City of Madison to build a hotel with a maximum height of more than 35 feet. But opposition from another Madison hotelier, G.B. Sharma, helped the planning commission come to a decision, as did concerns about the fire safety of the building.
    Madison fire safety equipment is only capable of rescuing persons from a height of 35 feet or less.
    And while the purchase of a hook-and-ladder type truck might be in the city’s future, the city will also need a new fire station to house such a vehicle, and that structure is not imminent.
    The planning commission approved a request for the placement of a double-wide manufactured road to be placed on property at 1569 Price Mill Road.
    The home is a replacement for another home on the property that burned.
    A variance was needed because the replacement home in question is older than permitted by code, but exceptions have been made by the county before in hardship circumstances such as fire.
    Finally, the planning commission recommended approval of a new zoning district for the City of Madison, called the C-5 or heavy commercial district. The Madison city council is expected to discuss and vote on the addition to the city’s zoning maps at its first regular meeting in June.

Local Starbucks-based group to participate in 2008 Atlanta Breast Cancer 3-day

story by Kathryn Purcell
photos by Angelina Bellebuono