To the Editor:

We would like to thank all of our local performers who made the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center’s Community Holiday Concert such a wonderful success! From violins to bongo drums to the Ashburn Chorale – each act graced us with the spirit of Christmas.
We would also like to thank United Bank, our sponsor for this free-to-the-public event and to Jack’s Creek Tree Farm for donating a Christmas tree to a lucky audience member, as well as the numerous volunteers backstage who made the entire evening run effortlessly. We are so fortunate to live in a community which embraces the arts and supports local talent... and that talent was rich and plentiful at our Holiday Concert!
Thank you, all.
Sincerely,

Elsie Monk and Sarah Burbach
MMCC Community Holiday Concert Committee
Via e-mail

Printed in the December 6, 2012 edition

To the Editor:

Tourism is one of the largest economic engines for Madison/Morgan County. It seems to me that in this harsh economic environment, we should avidly support a local, licensed business that brings in tourists to shop and dine in our town. These tourists often fall in love with Madison, participate in word-of-mouth marketing, and ultimately return as visitors or even relocate here. I ask the city government to seek a solution that supports creative forms of tourism. Our local economy needs tourists' dollars in order to thrive.
Regards,

Chris Hodges
Madison
Via e-mail

Printed in the December 6, 2012 edition

To the Editor:

On behalf of the State Bar of Georgia, I am writing to congratulate Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Fred Bright, who was elected and is now serving as chairman of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia.
The entire state will benefit from Mr. Bright’s service as chairman of the council, which provides professional training and a number of other important services to the hundreds of elected and appointed prosecutors across Georgia.
Mr. Bright’s acceptance of this post demonstrates his continued commitment to public service, which in turn serves to promote the cause of justice, uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of all citizens. We wish him well in this new position of statewide leadership.

Robin Frazer Clark
President, State Bar of Georgia
Faxed

Printed in the November 29, 2012 edition.

To the Editor:

Thursday evening, Nov. 15 Madison welcomed 20 fabulous dancers who were dancing in the Madison-Morgan County Boys and Girls Club fundraiser, “Dancing with Madison’s Stars.” They were competing for one of two trophies and it just might be said that it was one of the liveliest, most energetic events the Hall at the Cultural Center has witnessed! There was the Judge’s Favorite won by Sarah and David Burbach, and there was the Audience’s favorite won by Anne and Robert Trulock who garnered over 1600 votes at a dollar a vote from a combination of online voting and voting the night of the event. The night was a huge success for the Boys and Girls Club generating a total of $20,000 in contributions!
I extend thanks to the terrific team who put this event together: Ashley Hunt, Rhonda Smith, Nancy Vaughan and Margaret Ligon. Cindy Ferguson and Chris Hilsman hosted the evening with style and grace. Thanks goes to our sponsors and supporters of the Boys and Girls Club, to the folks who bought tickets and who voted, to our wonderful judges, the people who donated food, and all those who volunteered giving their time and effort to making this evening the success that it was. Special thanks goes to Linda and Dan Thomas who turned the Hall into a magical place and to Elizabeth Collins who created the winners’ trophies.

Mary Lawton
Board Member, Madison-Morgan Boys & Girls Club
Madison

Printed in the November 29, 2012 edition.

To the Editor:

Because of an article in last week's paper about the BoomTown Feasibility Study, we have been contacted by a number of people who are alarmed that we are going to sell our building and close The Madison Gift Mart & Cafe.  I hope this letter will clear things up.  While the article is factually correct, it needs careful reading.
First, we were invited by the city to attend this briefing as were the other property owners.  The properties involved are: The McDowell Grocery, Gilbert's Hardware, the parking lot, NBC Realty (the BoomTown Block), and our building (The Madison Gift Mart & Cafe).  Three of the five property owners showed up to hear what the study folks had to say. The old McDowell Grocery building is the building that was referred to in the article as being cost prohibitive for private owners to rehabilitate, and not ours.
Second, it seemed to me that this study was to highlight possibilities for alternative uses of the properties.  The Madison Gift Mart & Cafe used to be a hotel, among other things at various times in its history, and so the building lent itself to consideration for upstairs living and downstairs business.  
Third, we are very much open for business!  Our hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 3:30 or 4 p.m.  Come visit and have some lunch!

Rolly and Sheri Clark
The Madison Gift Mart & Cafe, Madison
Via e-mail

To the Editor:

On Friday night, I attended the football game between Morgan County and Gordon Central in the first round of the AAA state playoffs. Some of this team endured the 2009 season when the school moved up to AAA from AA and they went 1-9.
Those boys who went through that season as freshmen are to be commended for their dedication to the team, their school and their coaches.
I have seen both of Morgan's losses this year against North Oconee and Elbert County, and never did I witness any one of these young men relax or give up.
They are a team and there is no word "I" in the word team. Friday night's performance against Gordon Central was a perfect example of that.
The coaching staff has taught this team to respect the officials and to respect each other. They should be congratulated for their time and dedication to the team, to the school and to the football program.
I believe all of these young men will remember their high school football careers forever, and they will have gratitude for the hard work (and for the coaches chewing them out) that was asked of them. They will be able to lead and be successful in whatever they endeavor to do because of their experiences on this team.
I would like to say to Coach Malone, his staff and the athletes, this is a job well done. It's a pleasure to watch the Morgan County High School Bulldogs.

Ben Bellebuono
Madison
Via e-mail

Printed in the November 22, 2012 edition