| Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce |
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Your support is needed!
As a parent, taxpayer, or concerned citizen, supporting our local schools is very important! On November 8, 2011, Emanuel County voters will head to the polls to vote on a special one percent local option sale tax for education. This is NOT a new tax but a continuation of a present tax.
Referred to as ESPLOST, Emanuel County taxpayers have selected this method to help fund facilities and capital outlay expenditures. Voters have seen fit to vote in favor of this special tax in three succeeding elections. Since 1977, this tax has added up to millions of dollars to support badly needed projects with the school system that would have been dropped, discontinued, or paid through an increase in property taxes.
Through diligent and careful expenditures of this tax money, Emanuel County citizens have seen many improvements in our school system. Every student has benefited from this one cent tax with new buildings, new buses, text books, instructional & administrative technology, safety and security equipment, music and athletic equipment.
We believe the continuation of the tax is in the best interest of all Emanuel County citizens. Why? Passage of this continued one percent sale tax will allow the millage rate to remain low. This special education tax will pay off current bonded indebtedness and provide important updates including new text books, technology, renovation and improvement to facilities, and much more. Finally, all citizens pay their fair share, not just property owners.
The Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors urges you to once again support this important one percent sales tax for education. We believe it makes good "cents" for our students, teachers, taxpayers and citizens. Vote "Yes" on November 8, 2011.
The Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
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The 11th edition of the "Turkey 100" is approaching
The $20,000-to-Win Crate Late Model Event presented by Aaron's Rentals, Daniels Chevrolet and Coca-Cola will headline this year's "Turkey 100" at Paul and Debra Purvis' Swainsboro Raceway/Mud Bog in Swainsboro, on Thanksgiving weekend.
Over $51,000 in Crate Late Model prize money will be put up over the course of the three-day event. This year Mud Bogging Dixie Style will be added to the weekend's program.
This event will be the largest event weekend of the season for Swainsboro Raceway as the GM Performance Aaron's sponsored Crate Late Models will take to the track on November 24th, 25th, and 26th.
On Thursday evening, (Thanksgiving Day) November 24th, the "Turkey 100" kicks off with an open practice session for all divisions from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
On Friday afternoon the Pit Gates will open at 12:00 p.m. with a drivers' meeting slated for 5:00 p.m. Hot Laps will roll out at 5:30 p.m. Friday's action will see Hot Laps for all divisions, Aaron's Crate Late Model Time Trials (2 laps) and Heat Races (10 laps) plus heat races for all supporting divisions. Also on Friday afternoon the newly constructed Swainsboro Mud Bog will rev up at 4:00 p.m. with "mud-slinging" action to thrill the crowd.
On Saturday the Pit Gates will open at 12:00 p.m. with a drivers' meeting at 4:00 p.m. and Hot Laps slated for 4:30 p.m. Saturday's action will see Aaron's Crate Late Models (12 laps) and feature racing for all divisions including the 50-lap $20,000 to win "Turkey 100" for the Aaron's Crate Late Models. Also Saturday, there will be a 20-lap $750 to win Non-Qualifier's event for the Crate Late Models.
Further information on the Swainsboro Raceway/Mud Bog and the 11th Annual "Turkey 100" weekend by contacting Swainsboro Raceway at (478) 252-1300 or (478) 494-5005 or visit www.swainsbororaceway.com or swainsbororaceway@yahoo.com . |
Georgia Sports Arena to host "Lonestar"
Swainsboro's Georgia Sports Arena will host a major concert event on Saturday, November 5th. The concert will feature "Lonestar." The Nashville sensations with ten top hits will perform on stage at 7 p.m. Gates will open at 5 p.m. Concession stands will be open early.
Also performing will be Nashville artist Weston Burt and Emanuel County's own Rhett Blount.
Tickets are available at local outlets, at the door, and online at www.georgiasportsarena.us. |
Car & Truck Show to be held
"Get Ready for Winter Car and Truck Show" will be held in downtown Swainsboro on Saturday, November 12th. The event will take place on Roger Shaw Street from 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to Michael Bright, show coordinator.
The show will feature classic cars and trucks on display and awards will be presented to show favorites. The event is free to the public. |
Job Fair & Career EXPO is held
The Swainsboro-Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce and Joint Development Authorities co-sponsored a "Job Fair & Career EXPO" on Tuesday, October 18th. The event was held at the Swainsboro-Emanuel County Parks and Recreation Center Gymnasium.
Over 125 people visited with EXPO participants which included Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission; Job Training Unlimited, Inc.; Georgia Department of Labor; Nordson Corporation, Georgia Power Company, East Georgia College, Southeastern Technical College and other organizations. The event also focused on training available for job seekers.
"We were delighted to see the large number of folks who attended our job fair. We hope by putting this event together we can help address this area's high unemployment numbers," stated Bill Rogers, Jr., Chamber president. |
Industry Appreciation event held in Twin City
Chamber and Joint Development Authorities co-sponsored an "industry appreciation" day on Thursday, October 13th. The employees of Twin City Precision were served a hot-dog lunch with all the trimmings in appreciation for their work and contribution to the local economy.
Recognition of local manufacturing and industrial employees in Emanuel County is an ongoing project for both organizations. |
Mark your calendar for the Ultimate Yard Sale
The Downtown Development Authority of Swainsboro has scheduled the Ultimate Yard Sale for Saturday, November 5th.
Vendors will fill the Boneyard, Patriots' Square, and Roger Shaw Street with items ranging from home decor and jewelry to sports equipment and electronics. All spaces at Patriots' Square and Roger Shaw Street have been reserved for the event; however, spaces at the Boneyard (with the exception of the shelter and pavilion) will be available on a" first come, first serve" basis on the day of the event.
The community-wide yard sale is scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m. and will conclude at 11:00 a.m. |
Christmas Parade draws near; your organization could win $600!
The 4th Annual Swainsboro Christmas Parade & Festivities has been announced for Thursday, December 1, 2011. The event, which includes the parade, the Swainsboro-Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce's "Carols on the Square", Relay For Life Chili Cook-Off, and more will start at 5:30 p.m. with the Christmas parade,
The parade will begin near BB&T on South Main Street, proceeding north until turning onto West Pine Street, then turning south onto Green Street and ending at the Boneyard. Prizes totaling $600 will be awarded for the best floats in the parade.
Those interested in participating in the parade should obtain an entry form from City Hall or visit the City of Swainsboro's Web site (www.CityOfSwainsboro.org). Forms need to be returned no later than November 22nd.
Following the parade, the Chamber of Commerce will host "Carols on the Square," featuring live local entertainment. The Pilot Club of Emanuel County will light the community Christmas tree, and Relay For Life will hold its 3rd Annual Chili Cook-Off.
An artists' market will be held in the Main Street Market at the Boneyard with an antique auction following at 7:30 p.m.
Those interested in participating in the Chili Cook-Off should contact Jill Harvey at (478) 237-6363 and vendors interested in participating in the artists' market may contact Joan Dunn at (478) 237-0936.
For more information about the 4th Annual Swainsboro Christmas Parade & Festivities, contact Lynn Brinson at (478) 237-7025. |
Social Security meeting yields no change
On Friday, October 14th, a local delegation met with Social Security Administration officials in an effort to change a decision to close the Swainsboro office effective December 31st.
Speaking for the Social Security Administration, Kenneth Chaney, Georgia Area Director, listed the economy and the size of the Swainsboro office as the primary reasons the office has been designated for closing.
The local group offered several alternatives to Social Security officials but to no avail.
Attending the meeting were Mayor Charles Schwabe, County Commissioner James Canady, County Commissioner Hugh Foskey, Congressman John Barrow's District Director Lynthia Owens, Chamber President Bill Rogers, and JDA interim President Jack Bareford. |
Community leaders welcome joint training session.
The Georgia Municipal Association and Association of County Commissioners of Georgia held a joint training session on Georgia's Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act (House Bill 87) on October 26, at East Georgia College's Luck F. Gambrell Auditorium.
The session provided an overview of mandated local government immigration verification requirements. While E-Verify and SAVE compliance has been required of Georgia's counties and cities for three years, the passage of HB 87 during the 2011 legislative session imposes new various reporting mandates and penalties for noncompliance, ranging from loss of qualified local government status, fines and possible jail time, and removal from office for elected and appointed officials.
Over seventy local governments from this region of the state attended the session which was sponsored locally by Emanuel County Commissioners, City Of Swainsboro, Chamber of Commerce, and Joint Development Authorities.
East Georgia College President John Black and Commissioner James Canady welcomed the group. Also attending were Jack Bareford, Joint Development Authorities Interim President, and Bill Rogers Jr., Chamber President. |
Disability Coverage for Employees -A Low Cost Solution
Many employees have some form of life insurance. Unfortunately, they are much more likely to need disability insurance in their lifetimes. For the average 30-40 year old, roughly one out of three people will endure a disability of 90 days or more.
When these events occur not only is their family put in a devastating position, but their employer will be impacted as well. The employer is left with one less employee for a prolonged period of time. In addition, employers with close relationships to their employees feel empathetic for them, wishing that they could somehow help compensate them in one of their greatest times of need.
The solution: disability income products or, as we say, paycheck replacement products! Group short term and long term disability products are inexpensive solutions that make employees feel more secure and allow employers to obtain high quality employees that are engaged and productive.
Group short term disability products can be based upon a person's income or be purchased in flat amounts, like $300 per week. These policies can be set up to begin one day, or several weeks after an illness or injury and can replace a portion of the employee's paycheck for up to 1 year depending on the product chosen.
Group long term disability products are typically based on a percentage of a person's income, such as 60%, and typically do not begin paying until 90 or 180 days after the disability has occurred.
As a Chamber of Commerce member you can receive discounts on these products! The Swainsboro-Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce helps small businesses offer more affordable employee benefits through its participation in MemberCare AllianceSM, a statewide network of more than 130 Chambers of Commerce.
The MemberCare Alliance of Emanuel program includes a variety of other discounted insurance products, such as: group health insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, long term care and term life insurance. All these products are available through participating Chamber-member insurance agents. For more information on any of these insurance offerings, please call the Chamber, one of your participating Chamber-member insurance agents, or Purchasing Alliance Solutions, Inc., (the company that developed the MemberCare Alliance program) at [770-579-1214 or 1-800-782-8254 ext.]. -- Article submitted by Purchasing Alliance Solution. |
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Farm-City Lunch is planned for November 17th
The Emanuel County Farm Bureau and the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce will once again highlight the importance of city and farm. A lunch is slated for 12 noon on Thursday, November 17th, at the Earl Varner 4-H Clubhouse.
The "Farm Family of the Year" and "City Person of Year" will be announced. Tickets are available at the Farm Bureau Office, located at 320 Lambs Bridge Road in Swainsboro. Call 237-8848 or 2367-6426 for more information. |
| October 2011 Chamber Member Renewals |
Moore Electrical Company
Walgreens |
Tuesday, November 1st, 6:00pm - Leadership Emanuel Class
Thursday, November 3rd, 12:30pm - "Diabetes" Meeting, Emanuel Medical Center
Saturday, November 5th, 7:00-11:00am - Ultimate Yard Sale, Downtown Swainsboro
Saturday, November 5th, 9:00am - Jr. Pine Tree Festival Golf Tournament, Swainsboro Golf & Country Club
Saturday, November 5th, 7:00pm - Lonestar in concert, Georgia Sports Arena
Tuesday, November 8th - Remember to Vote
Tuesday, November 8th, 6:00pm - Leadership Emanuel Class
Saturday, November 12th, 9:00-3:00pm - "Get Ready for Winter-Car & Truck Show," Downtown Swainsboro
Saturday, November 12th, 5:00-8:00 and Sunday, November 13th, 1:00-5:00 - Southern Tradition Christmas Open House
Monday & Tuesday, November 14th & 15th - GACCE Conference
Wednesday, November 16th, 9:30am - Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce Executive board meeting, Chamber building
Wednesday, November 16th, 12:00 noon - Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce Regular board meeting, Chamber building
Thursday, November 17th, 12:00 noon - Farm City Lunch
Thursday, November 17th, 6:00pm - Swainsboro/Emanuel County Joint Development Authorities Planning Meeting, Flat Creek Lodge
Thursday & Friday, November 24th & 25th - Chamber Closed in observance of Thanksgiving Holidays
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