WGAA 1340AM Cedartown

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14) issued the following statement ahead of Memorial Day 2013:

“The heroism of our service members plays a defining role in our history, especially through the last dozen years of war. So many of our sons and daughters have given all. Because of their sacrifice, all the hopes and dreams of a free society are able to live on. As we pause to preserve the fallen in our memories and in our hearts, we must also express gratitude to their families, to whom we owe a debt that cannot be repaid.

“This day of remembrance comes at a time when many thousands veterans have survived war, only to be forgotten at home. We can further honor the fallen by treating those they served beside—our veterans—with the dignity and respect they deserve. I again call on the Department of Veterans Affairs to vastly improve veterans services above and beyond their current standards and goals.”

On May 27, 2013, Americans across the nation will pause to remember the countless men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice to defend our nation. To many, Memorial Day only represents a day off work and is celebrated as the official start of summer. But it is important to remember that Memorial Day has a meaning much deeper than barbeque cookouts and spending time at the pool.

Memorial Day celebrates our American heritage by remembering those who sacrificed their very lives to preserve the freedoms that we enjoy today. On this final Monday in May, Americans will gather together to honor America’s fallen heroes at cemeteries around the country where buglers can be heard playing taps, a solemn song of remembrance for those who died serving our country. Others will participate in parades and lay wreaths against the graves of their loved ones. However you choose to celebrate this day of remembrance that dates back to the American Civil War, keep in mind the importance of honoring those who bravely died in combat.

We must remember that freedom is not free; it has come at a high cost. Many have sacrificed precious time with family, are unable to enjoy the everyday conveniences of civilian life and live in foreign lands far away from home. This is no small price to pay, but it is necessary to ensure domestic tranquility for generations to come.

President Ronald Reagan, whose way with words earned him the title, “The Great Communicator,” experienced great difficulty in expressing the boundless depths of appreciation owed to our nation’s military. In a May 31, 1982 speech given at Arlington National Cemetery, Reagan noted Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address as he stood among the graves of the fallen. He said, “Lincoln’s remarks commemorating those who gave their ‘last full measure of devotion’ were long remembered. But since that moment at Gettysburg, few other such addresses have become part of our national heritage — not because of the inadequacy of the speakers, but because of the inadequacy of words.”

There simply are no words to adequately convey our deep gratitude for the men and women who don the uniform of the United States Military and put their lives on the line for their fellow countrymen. As nations rise against nations and conflicts threaten our peace, we must remain vigilant never to forget those who willingly gave their lives to secure democracy and freedom. The hope of freedom that America embodies would not be possible without the code of honor, duty and respect that our soldiers exhibit on a daily basis.

In the words of Charles M. Province (U.S. Army Veteran and founder and president of the George S. Patton, Jr. Historical Society):

“It is the soldier, not the reporter,

Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the solider, not the poet,

Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,

Who has given us freedom to demonstate.

It is the soldier, not the lawyer,

Who has given us the right to a fair trial;

And it is the soldier – who salutes the flag,

Who serves the flag, and

Whose coffin is draped by the flag…..”

This Memorial Day, let’s remember to pause and pay tribute to the countless men and women who have given their lives in defense of the red, white and blue. Old Glory waves freely today as a symbol of hope and a ray of light for all nations. While celebrating with family and friends, take a moment to explain the significance of this holiday and share stories of American patriotism. We are forever indebted to our nation’s active and former military members for preserving the rich legacy of freedom for future generations.

To our nation’s military serving at home and abroad and those who battled for freedom on the beaches of Normandy to the desert sands of Afghanistan and all other wars in between – we salute you.

Georgia Northwestern Technical College is proud to announce the students on the President’s and Dean’s Lists for the 2013 spring semester. To be eligible for the President’s List, the student must maintain a quarterly GPA of 3.8 or higher with a course load of at least 12 credit hours. To be eligible for the Dean’s List the student must maintain a quarterly GPA of 3.5 to 3.79 with a course load of at least 12 credit hours.

President’s List students for:

Polk County: Emilee Atkins, Shacari Beard, Jessica Benefield, Juana Clark, Morgan Clark, Melinda Folsom, Gwendolyn Hannah, Britni Harris, Eva Hensley, Jasmine Hughes, Deborah Jones, Monica King, Paul Nails, Taylor Patterson, Kerianna Pettett, Jordan Pledger, Michael Plemons, Emily Robinson, Jennie Summer, Sarah Vandegrift, Adlynn Watson, Sherry Wells, Rebecca Williams, Diana Wright.

PublishAmerica Presents Echo of Deceit by Phillip David Lindsey

Frederick, MD May 22, 2013 — PublishAmerica is proud to present Echo of Deceit by Phillip David Lindsey from Cedartown, Georgia.

In this dramatic book, Derek Lancy is a forty-six-year-old husband and father of three, who happens to be a retired police officer, turned private investigator that was finally able to go back and finish law school. Echo of Deceit is a look at Derek Lancy’s first case as a lawyer. This mystery-novel is based in the fictional town of Elmsville, Georgia.

Phillip David Lindsey has twenty-six years with the U.S.P.S. He has an Associate’s Degree from GHC; and Bachelor’s Degree from UWGA in Criminal Justice. He and his wife, Linda, have been married for thirty-four years and have three grown children and a grandson. David is a life-long resident of Cedartown Georgia.

PublishAmerica is the home of almost 50,000 talented authors.  PublishAmerica is a traditional publishing company whose primary goal is to encourage and promote the works of new, previously undiscovered writers.  Like more mainstream publishers, PublishAmerica pays its authors advances and royalties and makes its books available through all bookstores.  PublishAmerica offers a distinctly personal, supportive alternative to vanity presses and less accessible publishers.

Visit us online at http://www.facebook.com/publishamerica.publisher and www.publishamerica.com

By: Sen. Bill Heath (R-Bremen)

Last July, in compliance with federal law, the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) enacted a Secure ID program to enhance the integrity and security of your Georgia driver’s license or identification card. In order to ensure that your renewal or application process runs smoothly, I would like to discuss how these changes will affect you, the constituents of the 31^st Senate District.

Some of you may have seen news stories about how these changes have caused long waits at Georgia Department of Driver Services offices over the past year. It is important to remember that any new process requires some initial time to implement; however, you can ensure a dramatic improvement in wait time if you prepare ahead of time by securing the necessary documents before your visit.

Those wishing to secure/renew a Georgia driver’s license or ID card will now need to bring the following documents:

• At least one (1) original or certified document to prove primary identity
• At least one (1) document to prove social security number
• At least two (2) documents to prove Residential Address
• Appropriate name change documents, if needed
• Non-citizens will also need to bring a document to prove legal presence in Georgia

The implementation of the Georgia Department of Driver Services’ Secure ID program was necessary in order for Georgia to be in compliance with the Federal Real ID Act of 2005. The Federal Real ID Act established new federal standards for state driver’s licenses and identification cards. In addition, it also set forth new requirements on what the federal government will and will not accept as identification for “official purposes” including:

• Boarding official aircrafts
• Entering federal buildings and nuclear plants

There are a few important things to remember with these new guidelines.  First of all, this is a phased process. Your current ID or license is valid until its expiration date; you do not need to go out and immediately renew your license or ID. However, the Federal REAL ID Act of 2005 states that anyone born before December 1, 1964, will have until December 1, 2017, to obtain the new ID card or license-. Therefore, you will need to renew at expiration or before December 1, 2017 to be compliant with federal standards – whichever comes first. Your current license will be accepted as a valid form of federal identification for the aforementioned “official purposes,” as long as that ID or license has not expired.

With identity theft becoming a growing concern for Georgians, the Secure ID program serves to protect Georgia drivers against license fraud and identity theft. With that in mind, the new documents are designed to be more difficult to counterfeit, alter or replicate. For example, the new cards have several added security features, including ghost photos, a laser-engraved signature over the primary photo to minimize alterations and a tamper-resistant coating placed over the card.

If you have questions about documentation or the process, please don’t hesitate to call the Georgia DDS office close to you – they are there to assist you through the process. For more information on the types of documents you can bring and to create a custom checklist, visit the Georgia Department of Driver Services website at http://www.dds.ga.gov/SecureID/index.aspx

Ten people face criminal charges after a drug raid in Rockmart last Thursday ended with police seizing methamphetamine.

According to a press release, agents from the Polk County Drug Task Force raided a residence at 410 Vinson Mountain Road in Rockmart on May 9 after a lengthy investigation.

The release said “a quantity of methamphetamine” was recovered.

Those arrested include April Clayton, of 816 Forest Ave., Rockmart; Michelle Drummond, 508 Goodyear St., Rockmart; Alissa Garrett, of 91 Formby Trail, Aragon; Robert Hayes, of 816 4th Ave., Rockmart; Stephanie Johnson, of an unknown address; Rhonda Mayfield of an unknown address; Rachel Padgett, of 816 Forest Ave., Rockmart; Stephen Pence, of 85 Formby Trail, Rockmart; James Pennington, of 367 Atlanta Highway, Rockmart; and Amanda Sinard, of 463 Dallas Highway, Cartersville.

Those arrested were charged with a variety of drug charges including methamphetamine possession, criminal attempt to purchase methamphetamine, conspiracy to purchase methamphetamine and party to a crime, according to the press release.

The Polk County Drug Task Force encourages anyone with drug-related information to please contact the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 678-901-4630. All information is confidential.

Gov. Nathan Deal today instructed the state Department of Natural Resources to return Bibles to cabins and lodge rooms at state parks

“Out of an abundance of caution to avoid potential litigation, the commissioner removed the Bibles from rooms – though they were still available on site – after a complaint from a visitor. The attorney general and I agree that the state is on firm legal footing as we move to return the Bibles to the rooms. These Bibles are donated by outside groups, not paid for by the state, and I do not believe that a Bible in a bedside table drawer constitutes a state establishment of religion. In fact, any religious group is free to donate literature.”

The following meetings have been scheduled  and will meet at the designated times in the commissioners meeting room located at 73 Cline Ingram Jackson Road in Cedartown.
( Polk County Police Dept Building)

Board of Commissioners will meet Friday May 17 at 10:30am. They will be discussing Proposed FY 2014 General Fund Budget

Finance Committee will meet Friday May 17 following the work session. They will be discussing Recreation Funding Request from City of Aragon.

New BUI limit in effect May 15, Gov Nathan Deal to join “.08 where the rudder meets the road” tour on Lake Lanier.

Officials from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Georgia Department of Public Safety and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety will tour the state next week to remind boaters of new alcohol- consumption limits that go info effect May 15. The three agencies have teamed up to make sure no driver – in a boat or a car- gets behind the wheel with a 0.08 BAC or higher.

Who: Col. Eddie Henderson, Chief of Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, Col. Mark McDonough, commissioner of Georgia’s Department of Public Safety, and Harris Blackwood, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. Gov. Nathan Deal and Mark Williams, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, are also scheduled to speak at the 2pm event.

The Department of Natural Resources will have boats ready at each location to take reporters out for B-roll footage and photographs.

The Schedule is as follows:
May 15
10:00am Kings Ferry boat ramp, Hwy 17 S. Savannah GA
11:30am Augusta Riverwalk Marina, 1 5^th, Augusta GA
2:00pm Laurel Park boat ramp, 3100 old Cleveland Highway Gainesville GA

Gov. Nathan Deal and Mark Williams, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, are scheduled to speak at this event.

The  city Fire Department would like to let the community know they will be Conducting a city wide emergency siren test this Thursday, May 16th at 10:00 am. This test will include a new emergency siren located at GEO Chemicals. Do not be alarm when you hear the sirens go off it is only a test.