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LeConte could still use help
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Editor, Hello, local LeConte-Woodmanston supporters.
You should have received or will be receiving a hard copy of our July newsletter. I also will be sending an image of the newsletter so that you may pass it on at your discretion.
The board has decided to close the gardens through the end of the year as we devote our attention to fundraising and using the volunteers we have to make the gardens as maintenance-free as possible. When we are able to hire a grounds and nursery person and necessary administrative staff, we will reopen a more impressive botanical gardens.
If you find some time to help out, here is a list of the scheduled work days through the rest of July. There is always weeding, mulching and burning debris if you’d like to come and work in peace.
We have closed the office at the site to save utility expenses and it is now a “volunteer center.” Volunteers can find water, ice, a microwave and a refrigerator. “Regulars” will know where to find the key.
It is sad that we need to close the gardens for now, but it is not necessarily a bad thing, either. We’ve been in construction mode for the past two years and have not been able to show the gardens at their best.
The Bulltown Swamp nature trails will remain open daily from dawn to dusk at no charge, and tours can be arranged of the site (including the gardens) for groups of six or more at the cost of $5 per person. The pavilion and facilities can be rented for events. All phone numbers are still active.
If you can help, just show up on a Saturday morning or contact me for access and instructions for another day.
• Saturday, July 17: Volunteers will be “sticking” nearly 1,000 Waycross and other camellia cuttings. They will also inventory and map existing camellias.
• Saturday, July 24: Volunteers will build a bridge over a canal at the rice field, build short foot bridges on the new west trail leading from the office to the main trails, repair existing bridges, install signage for trails and garden area closure.

— Mary Beth Evans
LeConte-Woodmanston
Foundation executive vice president
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Showing gratitude for service
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Dear editor: Another election cycle is finally over and the voters of Bryan County have spoken. We will have three new county commissioners in January 2011.
My congratulations go out to Jimmy Henderson of District 5, Carter Infinger of District 4 and Wade Price of District 2. I look forward to working with them as we continue to take care of the business of the county.
All three races were contested, which gave the voters a choice of who they wanted as their commissioner. Those who did not prevail in this election are to be applauded for offering themselves as candidates.
Our county owes a debt of gratitude to retiring commissioners Rick Gardner with eight years of service, Blondean Newman with eight years of service as a commissioner and 30 years as tax commissioner, and Toby Roberts with 18 years on the county commission.
These three spent many hours establishing policies and procedures for our county government and many meetings with state and local officials to achieve the best possible outcomes regarding our county on numerous issues. Their many years of experience will be sorely missed.
I well remember the first time I ran for public office and lost. Sometimes those who are not elected are the winners because they don’t have to go to all the meetings – that is said with tongue in cheek, of course.
After my loss, someone sent me the following quotation from President Theodore Roosevelt, which I keep on the wall in my office:
“It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
And my wish for all the citizens of Bryan County is to have a truly blessed Christmas and a prosperous and happy New Year’s.

Jimmy Burnsed
Chairman
Board of commissioners

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