Marianna Optimist Club Activities
By Don Jones - January 13th, 2009
"The Day of Protecting Narrow Interest Has Past!"
U.S. President, Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address 20 Jan 2009
Ted Lakey, Jackson County Administrator, when speaking before members of the Marianna Optimist Club, basically spoke the mind of the country’s forty-fourth president, Barack Obama, a full two hours before President Obama spoke these, now famous words, "But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."
As in the past, Americans have proven to have the unusual ability to put aside all vestiges of personal interest, and self interest for the greater cause of what is best for the whole of society. Lakey described the recent coming together of all public agencies, Federal, State, County, and City to do just that. He confessed that there was no agenda to do such, but under the realization of the recent loss of monetary privileges, which were taken for granted for so many years, these agencies came together out of necessity to resolve monetary issues of mutual interest to all jurisdictions.
He mentioned a few examples of the ever shrinking local and state budgets that took place in the 2009 budgets. For example, due to the recent roll-back of county property taxes to pre 2008 levels, the amount of revenues, as well as, state monies for some special projects have been significantly reduced. Before that happened, however, the county managed to implement several improvements, such as construction of the new 8,000sf County Emergency Operation building next to the County Road Department. Also, many of the County’s Parks, Boat Landings, and Roads have seen long needed improvements. He was particularly proud of the new Fine Arts Pavilion at Citizen’s Lodge, to name a few improvements.
All hope for the current year, and near future, lies with the combined success of the areas municipal agencies to put together a comprehensive reconstruction plan acceptable to the state for the promised federally funded stimulus package. Of course paving of roads is a primary concern, as well as, other infrastructure projects that will truly benefit the majority of all county residents, and jurisdictions.
Lakey announced that there now exists a new era of cooperation between municipalities which is so necessary for our area to compete for the impending recovery dollars. Jackson County Commissioners have scheduled several multi jurisdictional meetings to discuss mutual collaborative efforts for future development. He was, also, confident that the new twelve million dollar, County Health Department Building, destined to be built at the Marianna Airport Industrial Park, will take place in 2009 as planned.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Optimist-Outlook
Marianna Optimist Club Activities
By Don Jones - January 13th, 2009
"Haz-Mat Team Gets Wake-Up Call!"
Health Department Head, William Long, and Fire Chief, Byron Bennett, principal member of the area’s, "Hazardous Materials Response Team," explained the recent, "Court House Flag Incident," to members of the Marianna Optimist Club.
William Long congratulated the City’s new Fire Chief, Bryan Bennett, and his Hazardous Materials Response Team for the excellent manner in which they responded to the unusual threat at the County Courthouse involving an American flag, a Holy Bible, and a suspicious powdery substance. Reportedly, some unknown person, or persons placed a U.S. Flag and a Holy Bible on the porch in front of the County Court House entrance for some unknown reason.
The incident began when the sheriff’s deputy, who normally opens the court house doors for business each morning, discovered a flag and bible lying on the floor, in front of the main entrance. The deputy put on a pair of latex gloves, and removed the suspicious articles, then noticed a powdery substance on his nicely pressed, green uniform. Then, recalling a similar incident involving the U.S. Postal Service, he realized the powdery substance could be a biological agent, so he reported it to the Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office quickly contacted the city fire department’s Hazardous Materials Response Team that is trained and prepared for such emergencies.
Chief Bennett and the Hazardous Materials Response Team arrived at the scene and immediately secured the area to prevent further contamination, then began decontamination of the area and personnel. Decontamination is concerned primarily with safety. Therefore, when it comes to personnel decontamination it may seem crude, or even a bit demeaning in certain cases. Without discrimination, all who may have contacted the mysterious powder were asked to dress-up in clean prisoner’s garb while their street clothing was placed in plastic bags for decontamination and testing by the County Health Department.
Chief Bennett spoke next, and expressed his deep appreciation for the exceptional cooperation by all citizens involved in the inconvenient, but vital process of decontamination. Important, also, was the excellent response by the six departments involved: City Police, County Sheriff, City Fire, County Fire and Rescue, Public Health, Emergency Management, and Bay County Hazardous Response Team. Had this powdery substance tested positive as a biological agent, many lives would have been saved. However, the County Health Department Laboratory determined the powder non-hazardous and the incident a wake-up call in which many valuable lessons were learned.
By Don Jones - January 13th, 2009
"Haz-Mat Team Gets Wake-Up Call!"
Health Department Head, William Long, and Fire Chief, Byron Bennett, principal member of the area’s, "Hazardous Materials Response Team," explained the recent, "Court House Flag Incident," to members of the Marianna Optimist Club.
William Long congratulated the City’s new Fire Chief, Bryan Bennett, and his Hazardous Materials Response Team for the excellent manner in which they responded to the unusual threat at the County Courthouse involving an American flag, a Holy Bible, and a suspicious powdery substance. Reportedly, some unknown person, or persons placed a U.S. Flag and a Holy Bible on the porch in front of the County Court House entrance for some unknown reason.
The incident began when the sheriff’s deputy, who normally opens the court house doors for business each morning, discovered a flag and bible lying on the floor, in front of the main entrance. The deputy put on a pair of latex gloves, and removed the suspicious articles, then noticed a powdery substance on his nicely pressed, green uniform. Then, recalling a similar incident involving the U.S. Postal Service, he realized the powdery substance could be a biological agent, so he reported it to the Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office quickly contacted the city fire department’s Hazardous Materials Response Team that is trained and prepared for such emergencies.
Chief Bennett and the Hazardous Materials Response Team arrived at the scene and immediately secured the area to prevent further contamination, then began decontamination of the area and personnel. Decontamination is concerned primarily with safety. Therefore, when it comes to personnel decontamination it may seem crude, or even a bit demeaning in certain cases. Without discrimination, all who may have contacted the mysterious powder were asked to dress-up in clean prisoner’s garb while their street clothing was placed in plastic bags for decontamination and testing by the County Health Department.
Chief Bennett spoke next, and expressed his deep appreciation for the exceptional cooperation by all citizens involved in the inconvenient, but vital process of decontamination. Important, also, was the excellent response by the six departments involved: City Police, County Sheriff, City Fire, County Fire and Rescue, Public Health, Emergency Management, and Bay County Hazardous Response Team. Had this powdery substance tested positive as a biological agent, many lives would have been saved. However, the County Health Department Laboratory determined the powder non-hazardous and the incident a wake-up call in which many valuable lessons were learned.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Optimist-Outlook 1/15/09
Marianna Optimist Club Activities
By Don Jones - Meeting of January 6th, 2009
"You Call, We Haul!"
Stuart Wiggins, Jackson County’s Public Schools, Director of Student Transportation, spoke before the Marianna Optimist, last week. He opened by expressing his appreciation for the Optimist Club’s positive influence in the community. He especially appreciated the things Optimist do for the youth in Jackson County, mentioning the financial support Optimist gives to various student sporting activities, and booster clubs each year. He said he firmly believes in the old adage, "It takes the whole community to raise a child."
After eight years as Director of Jackson County Schools Transportation Department, a very demanding job, Wiggins is looking forward to assuming his new position as Director of Facilities which is to take place in February 2009, when the current Director, James E. (Buddy) Dickson, plans to step-down due to his retirement.
Wiggins wanted to stress the message that riding the County’s School Buses is a privilege, and not a constitutional right. As everyone knows, privileges can be revoked. Students who do not follow the rules, designed primarily for their own safety, are subject to losing that privilege. Violating bus rules jeopardizes the student’s riding privileges and the safety of everyone on the bus. With this in mind, parental reinforcement of these safety rules is very important, and appreciated by the drivers who must keep their eyes on the road.
Putting things in perspective, statistically, Jackson County School buses carry over seventy five hundred students and drive eighty-nine routes twice each day. Also, more than forty percent of these students ride the bus every school day. Of the 1,400 miles of roads in Jackson County, only 491 miles are paved, and three of the eighty-nine routes driven each day are more than two hours long. A total of one million miles is driven by Jackson County School Bus drivers each year.
Jackson County School’s Transportation Department has an Office Staff of five, with a total of approximately one hundred qualified, full time, and part time drivers. The buses are maintained and inspected monthly by a staff of five ASE Certified Mechanics, and all warranty service is performed at the manufacturer’s authorized dealer in Dothan Alabama.
Although, Jackson County Schools employ 100 LDL Licensed Drivers to meet the million mile challenge, additional drivers are needed. A driver can earn as much as $15,000 per year, and work only four hours a day. A qualified and fully licensed bus driver starts at $12.80 per hour. This is considered ideal by some retired individuals, and those needing a second income. If interested, call or apply at the bus barn office during regular business hours. Phone: 482-1323
By Don Jones - Meeting of January 6th, 2009
"You Call, We Haul!"
Stuart Wiggins, Jackson County’s Public Schools, Director of Student Transportation, spoke before the Marianna Optimist, last week. He opened by expressing his appreciation for the Optimist Club’s positive influence in the community. He especially appreciated the things Optimist do for the youth in Jackson County, mentioning the financial support Optimist gives to various student sporting activities, and booster clubs each year. He said he firmly believes in the old adage, "It takes the whole community to raise a child."
After eight years as Director of Jackson County Schools Transportation Department, a very demanding job, Wiggins is looking forward to assuming his new position as Director of Facilities which is to take place in February 2009, when the current Director, James E. (Buddy) Dickson, plans to step-down due to his retirement.
Wiggins wanted to stress the message that riding the County’s School Buses is a privilege, and not a constitutional right. As everyone knows, privileges can be revoked. Students who do not follow the rules, designed primarily for their own safety, are subject to losing that privilege. Violating bus rules jeopardizes the student’s riding privileges and the safety of everyone on the bus. With this in mind, parental reinforcement of these safety rules is very important, and appreciated by the drivers who must keep their eyes on the road.
Putting things in perspective, statistically, Jackson County School buses carry over seventy five hundred students and drive eighty-nine routes twice each day. Also, more than forty percent of these students ride the bus every school day. Of the 1,400 miles of roads in Jackson County, only 491 miles are paved, and three of the eighty-nine routes driven each day are more than two hours long. A total of one million miles is driven by Jackson County School Bus drivers each year.
Jackson County School’s Transportation Department has an Office Staff of five, with a total of approximately one hundred qualified, full time, and part time drivers. The buses are maintained and inspected monthly by a staff of five ASE Certified Mechanics, and all warranty service is performed at the manufacturer’s authorized dealer in Dothan Alabama.
Although, Jackson County Schools employ 100 LDL Licensed Drivers to meet the million mile challenge, additional drivers are needed. A driver can earn as much as $15,000 per year, and work only four hours a day. A qualified and fully licensed bus driver starts at $12.80 per hour. This is considered ideal by some retired individuals, and those needing a second income. If interested, call or apply at the bus barn office during regular business hours. Phone: 482-1323
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Optimist-Outlook 1/8/09
Marianna Optimist Club Activities
By Don Jones - December 30th, 2008
"Can the "M" Robot be trusted?"
James Cowart, a technical representative for Siemens Medical Diagnostics, the world’s largest manufacturer of Medical Analytic Robots, spoke before the Marianna Optimist Club Members again on December 30, 2008. He last spoke before the members on January 22nd, 2008, when he revealed the nuts and bolts of his highly technical vocation.
Cowart literally entered the field of medical diagnostic equipment by accident. Originally his interest was in becoming a race car mechanic. He did briefly become a race car mechanic, however he injured his back while replacing an engine, making it extremely painful to bend over the fender of a race car all day. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending how one looks at the situation, this accident curtailed his race car mechanic career, but because he had the mechanical, vocational training in high school auto mechanics, and a degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University, he was able to transition into the relative, new field of ‘Bio Mechanics, and was eventually hired by Siemens Medical Diagnostics as one of their north Florida technical representatives.
Cowart claims that, due to today’s advancement in robotic technology, analytical equipment is able to out-perform earlier models by as much as three-thousand percent. In the beginning, such equipment could perhaps make one analysis per hour, while today’s models can process three thousand samples per hour. It’s even possible to determine the truthfulness of a witness, today, by simply monitoring the temperature fluctuations in the skin of an individual’s face while under cross examination, or during questioning by police. This same temperature variance can detect a tumor in the breast of a woman without the, sometimes, painful mammogram.
Today’s analytical efficiency makes effective treatment timely and recovery possible. Ultimately, because of anticipated future advancements, critically ill patients may be able to check into a hospital and out, with a good prognosis, on the same day.
Following Cowart’s talk, the audience wanted to know how prominent the use of medical robotics was in the local area. In total, his estimation was twenty to thirty machines were in use today by hospitals and clinics in the Dothan, Marianna, and Panama City area. He, valued the machines at two, to three hundred thousand dollars apiece. Additionally, he mentioned there were newer, more capable machines, valued at twice that amount coming to the area very soon. Ultimately, he finished with the following warning: "No matter how fast or accurate the prescribed medication or course of treatment, in order for it to work, one must have the faith to take it!"
By Don Jones - December 30th, 2008
"Can the "M" Robot be trusted?"
James Cowart, a technical representative for Siemens Medical Diagnostics, the world’s largest manufacturer of Medical Analytic Robots, spoke before the Marianna Optimist Club Members again on December 30, 2008. He last spoke before the members on January 22nd, 2008, when he revealed the nuts and bolts of his highly technical vocation.
Cowart literally entered the field of medical diagnostic equipment by accident. Originally his interest was in becoming a race car mechanic. He did briefly become a race car mechanic, however he injured his back while replacing an engine, making it extremely painful to bend over the fender of a race car all day. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending how one looks at the situation, this accident curtailed his race car mechanic career, but because he had the mechanical, vocational training in high school auto mechanics, and a degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University, he was able to transition into the relative, new field of ‘Bio Mechanics, and was eventually hired by Siemens Medical Diagnostics as one of their north Florida technical representatives.
Cowart claims that, due to today’s advancement in robotic technology, analytical equipment is able to out-perform earlier models by as much as three-thousand percent. In the beginning, such equipment could perhaps make one analysis per hour, while today’s models can process three thousand samples per hour. It’s even possible to determine the truthfulness of a witness, today, by simply monitoring the temperature fluctuations in the skin of an individual’s face while under cross examination, or during questioning by police. This same temperature variance can detect a tumor in the breast of a woman without the, sometimes, painful mammogram.
Today’s analytical efficiency makes effective treatment timely and recovery possible. Ultimately, because of anticipated future advancements, critically ill patients may be able to check into a hospital and out, with a good prognosis, on the same day.
Following Cowart’s talk, the audience wanted to know how prominent the use of medical robotics was in the local area. In total, his estimation was twenty to thirty machines were in use today by hospitals and clinics in the Dothan, Marianna, and Panama City area. He, valued the machines at two, to three hundred thousand dollars apiece. Additionally, he mentioned there were newer, more capable machines, valued at twice that amount coming to the area very soon. Ultimately, he finished with the following warning: "No matter how fast or accurate the prescribed medication or course of treatment, in order for it to work, one must have the faith to take it!"
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