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2 Friday, October 4, 2019VIEWPOINTS & OPINIONSPassing Parade: #WalkAwayNelson A. Pryor: Guest ColumnistWhat does Brandon Straka have to say topersuade people to abandon the Democratic Party infavor of the GOP?Straka was in Atlanta on Tuesday, Sept. 17, forhis town hall meeting to persuade Atlantans to backPresident Donald Trump and the Republican Party.The New Yorker has emerged as the face of the#WalkAway movement, which started as a hash tag. Itnow has hundreds of thousands of online outlets andeven Trump embraces it.Straka has a 35-minute film of clips fromDemocrat voters who have re-registered asRepublicans. Attending the Atlanta event was JanelleJones, the newest panelist on the television programThe Georgia Gang, YG Nyghtstorm, a motivationalspeaker, with a YouTube channel, and ChandlerCrump, a 15-year-old Atlantan who has become aconservative darling.Something is HappeningRobert Bezick, of Cherry Lake, Chairman of theMadison County Republican Executive Committee,indicated last week that 58 Republicans have beenadded to the county voter rolls, most being the resultof the #WalkAway movement.As of Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, there were 3,639registered Republicans, compared to 6,436 registeredDemocrats, in Madison County, according to theSupervisor of Elections, Tommy Hardee.For PresidentAs America gears up for the 2020 election, itFrom the sunny side.Rick PatrickColumnistGritDisclaimer: Thepurpose of thiscolumn is forhumor andparody. It doesnot necessarilyreflect theattitudes oropinions ofGreenePublishing,Inc., the writeror anyone else,for that matter.Some of you may remember fromseveral months back, when I spoke of myexperience with Sea Monkeys, that I am abig fan of old comic books. Like mostthings that are old, they don't make them any more. Istill have my stack of old comic books in the closet ofmy old room in the house I lived in during most of myyouth. I was always more of a fan of the humorouscomics, such as Casper, Richie Rich, Beetle Bailey andthe like. I would read an occasional Batman,Spiderman, or Aquaman, but when I rode my bike tothe convenience store, I was more likely to come outwith a Sad Sack comic book than Superman.One thing that all these comic books seemed tohave in common, regardless of what kind of comicbook, is the array of advertisements that could be foundin the back pages. One of those commonadvertisements encouraged boys to sell "Grit"newspapers. Any enterprising young man, 12 or older,The Madison Enterprise-Recorderwould do us well to see just how Madison Countyhas changed, electorally speaking. Not to long ago,anyone wishing to vote here was told, by theSupervisor of Elections, "to register as a Democrat,"if you wanted your vote to amount to anything.That's all changed. Take the election forPresident of 2016. Donald J. Trump carried MadisonCounty, 4,855 to Hillary R. Clinton's 3,528. Thatnumber was pretty much the tally for the rest of theticket. For the U. S. Senate, Marco Rubio received4,588 county votes, with Patrick Murphy getting3,566.Still Some ResistanceFor Congress, the Republican, Glo Smithreceived 4,059 votes to incumbent Al Lawson's4,155, in Madison County.For the 2018 election, the Republican nominee forFor State Senator, the Republican Nancy MillerCongress, Virginia Fuller of Tallahassee, with U. S. Senaearned 3,678 votes to that of Bill Montford's 4,595.tor, Rick Scott. [Nelson A. Pryor/Courtesy]Past Numbers-2018Out of Madison County’s 11 precincts, two haveThese were exciting numbers for MadisonCounty. For Governor, the Republican received 4,345 more Republicans registered to vote than Democrats.Precinct three, Lee, which has 920 registeredvotes, to the Democrat who settled for 3,235. For theRepublicans to 773 Democrats, is one of them. TheU. S. Senate, the Republican got 4,184, with theother is Sirmans, precinct four, with 200 registeredDemocrat getting 3,425. And for Congress, theRepublicans as opposed to 182 Democrats.Republican, Virginia Fuller, getting 4,101 overHamburg, precinct number six, is an interestingincumbent Al Lawson, 3,456.story. They have 113 Democrats that are registered to2012-NowIn 2012, there were 2,371 Republicans registered vote, with the Republicans trailing at 112. A oneregistrant difference.to vote. In 2016, there were 2,863 RepublicansChangeregistered to vote. Now, we have 3,639 registeredIt is showtime in Madison County. The primariesRepublicans.willsoon begin. Are you ready?Another Telling Numbercould be introduced to the wonderful universe ofentrepreneurship by selling Grit newspapers. You couldeasily make a whopping five cents profit for every copyyou managed to sell. According to the enticements ofthe ads, a boy could easily make a dollar or, if he wereparticularly enterprising, a whole five dollars. Not onlythat, he could win "dandy" prizes such as a bike, orcamping supplies, or a catcher's mitt, or a basketball, orother "nifty" prizes like that.I was telling one of my dear co-workers, whohappens to be of the female persuasion, about selling"Grit" newspaper (I must say, as tempting as the Gritads were, I never tried my luck at selling Gritnewspapers). Her immediate response was, "Girlsweren't invited to sell Grit newspapers?" My answerwas, "Well, no. It specifically said 'boys.'" I explained tomy well-meaning co-worker that the prizes offeredwere things like baseball bats, baseballs, footballs, etc.Wait a Minute: What was so wrong with the 3 R's?Grit simply did not offer prizes like dolls, make-up,sewing kits, etc. Hey, I didn't make the rules, that's justthe way it was. There was a statement in one of the adsthat said boys could "receive valuabletraining operating your own business whichwill be helpful to you through the years tocome." I further explained to my wonderfulco-worker that Grit did not offer experiencein laundry, cooking, doing dishes or thingslike that. Again, I didn't make the rules, that'sjust the way it was.Thinking about Grit newspapersprompted my nostalgic mind to investigatewhether Grit was still in publication. Idiscovered that it is, indeed, still in print,although with several changes. I don't knowif Grit still recruits salespeople in the backsof comic books any more. I'm sure that ifthey do, they have progressed along with therest of the world and have openedopportunities for girls to sell Grit as well just so longas the dishes are done.Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation(Requester Publications Only)1. Publication Title2. Publication NumberMadison Enterprise-Recorder177 43. Filing Date009/27/194. Issue Frequency5. Number of Issues Published AnnuallyWeekly526. Annual Subscription Price(if any) 60/ 70/ 90/ 357. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication (Not printer) (Street, city, county, state, and ZIP 4 )Contact PersonMadison Enterprise-RecorderP.O. Drawer 772Madison, FL 32341Telephone (Include area code)Emerald Greene Parsons(850) 973-41418. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher (Not printer)Greene Publishing, Inc.P.O. Drawer 772Madison, FL 323419. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor (Do not leave blank)Publisher (Name and complete mailing address)Emerald Greene ParsonsP.O. Drawer 772Madison, FL 32341Editor (Name and complete mailing address)Managing Editor (Name and complete mailing address)Emerald Greene ParsonsP.O. Drawer 772Madison, FL 3234110. Owner (Do not leave blank. If the publication is owned by a corporation, give the name and address of the corporation immediately followed by thenames and addresses of all stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or more of the total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, give thenames and addresses of the individual owners. If owned by a partnership or other unincorporated firm, give its name and address as well as those ofeach individual owner. If the publication is published by a nonprofit organization, give its name and address.)Complete Mailing AddressFull NameGreene Publishing, Inc.P.O. Drawer 772Madison, FL 32341Emerald Greene Parsonssame11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, orOther Securities. If none, check box.NoneEducation has been under scrutiny. It alwaysseems like it is going through a constant state of revision – Common Core, FCAT, FSA and the list goeson. If we are in a constant state of improvement, whyaren't our nation's academicscores up to par with other countries? Education has been lagging behind for many years nowin the essential tools our youthneed to compete in the "globaljob market." How is it that wewent from being a world leaderin innovation, technology andbusiness to simply being okay?Bob BezickAccording to Drew DeSilver,Guest Columnist author FactTank's Feb. 15, 2017article, the U.S. was "an unimpressive 38th out 71 countries in math and 24th in science." How could we have fallen so far?I believe a part of the blame goes to the "No ChildLeft Behind" Bill. In theory, it sounds good, ethical,and virtuous bringing everyone up to a higher level ofthinking. In reality, it has brought our higher-level students (college prep in my day) down to ordinarythinkers. We are left with many students under-performing in academic requirements, but still being promoted to the next grade level. Somewhere, we haveforgotten the importance of teaching the fundamentalsnecessary for future years of learning to use as a foundation. I'm not saying that teachers are not meetingtheir standards, I am saying that we have taken out thenecessity for students to show proficiency or masteringof the basics before we advance them. We are teachingthem that being retained is equal to failure, instead ofthe reintroduction of material in order to learn and understand it. We have removed the "want" of the student to pass on merits earned because they know theywill most likely be promoted anyway.As a student, I learned by bringing home booksand actually studying to achieve not only basics, butmore. We learned time management and priorities,simply by knowing we had to get our homework donebefore we could go out and play. Reading and comprehension skills were established early in elementaryschool. You had to know the parts of speech, punctuation and diagraming of sentences before you made it tojunior high (seventh and eighth grade). Writing skillswere practiced in every subject. Book reports, writtenin a five-paragraph format, were a staple of all Englishclasses. We had to do a book report every two weeks.We not only developed stronger writing skills, butmost importantly, stronger reading skills. This was notoptional and there were no rewards when we finished,only our grade.Reading, writing and arithmetic; the 3 Rs, werethe building blocks and the teachers drilled the factshome by memorization, daily recitation and, at times,retention until the skills were mastered. My middleschool wake up call came in sixth grade. The first dayof school we were met with the introduction, "Hello, Ihope your summer was well spent and you're ready forschool. You have 25 pages of math problems due bytomorrow. You need to show me you can move forward toward modern mathematics." Sounds harsh, butI learned to quickly calculate in my head without aslide rule, never mind a calculator.Full NameComplete Mailing Address12. Tax Status (For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at nonprofit rates) (Check one)The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes:Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 MonthsHas Changed During Preceding 12 Months (Publisher must submit explanation of change with this statement.)PS Form 3526-R, July 2014 [Page 1 of 4 (See instructions page 4)] PSN: 7530-09-000-8855PRIVACY NOTICE: See our privacy policy on www.usps.com.13. Publication Title14. Issue Date for Circulation Data BelowMadison Enterprise-Recorder9/27/1915. Extent and Nature of CirculationAverage No. CopiesNo. Copies of SingleEach Issue DuringIssue PublishedPreceding 12 Months Nearest to Filing Datea. Total Number of Copies (Net press run)Outside County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions stated on PS Form 3541.(Include direct written request from recipient, telemarketing, and Internet(1) requests from recipient, paid subscriptions including nominal rate subscriptions,employer requests, advertiser’s proof copies, and exchange copies.)b. LegitimatePaid and/orIn-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions stated on PS Form 3541.Requested(Include direct written request from recipient, telemarketing, and InternetDistribution (2) requests from recipient, paid subscriptions including nominal rate subscriptions,(By mailemployer requests, advertiser’s proof copies, and exchange copies.)andoutsideSales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counterthe mail)(3) Sales, and Other Paid or Requested Distribution Outside USPS (4)Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail Classes Through the USPS(e.g., First-Class Mail )d. Nonrequested(2)Distribution(By mailandoutsidethe de County Nonrequested Copies Stated on PS Form 3541 (includesample copies, requests over 3 years old, requests induced by a premium,bulk sales and requests including association requests, names obtainedfrom business directories, lists, and other sources)66In-County Nonrequested Copies Stated on PS Form 3541 (include samplecopies, requests over 3 years old, requests induced by a premium, bulksales and requests including association requests, names obtained frombusiness directories, lists, and other sources)66Nonrequested Copies Distributed Through the USPS by Other Classes ofMail (e.g., First-Class Mail, nonrequestor copies mailed in excess of 10%limit mailed at Standard Mail or Package Services rates)00Nonrequested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail (Include pickup stands,trade shows, showrooms, and other sources)425400c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation (Sum of 15b (1), (2), (3), and (4))(1)3000e.Total Nonrequested Distribution [Sum of 15d (1), (2), (3) and (4)]f.Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and e)g.Copies not Distributed (See Instructions to Publishers #4, (page #3))400400h.Total (Sum of 15f and g)30003000i.Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation(15c divided by 15f times 100)85.2384.0043741226002600* If you are claiming electronic copies, go to line 16 on page 3. If you are not claiming electronic copies, skip to line 17 on page 3.Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation(Requester Publications Only)16. Electronic Copy Circulationa. Requested and Paid Electronic Copiesb. Total Requested and Paid Print Copies (Line 15c) Requested/Paid Electronic Copies(Line 16a)Average No. CopiesEach Issue DuringPrevious 12 MonthsNo. Copies of SingleIssue PublishedNearest to Filing Date12112522842313c. Total Requested Copy Distribution (Line 15f) Requested/Paid Electronic Copies(Line 16a)27212725d. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (Both Print & Electronic Copies)(16b divided by 16c 100)83.9485.00XI certify that 50% of all my distributed copies (electronic and print) are legitimate requests or paid copies.17. Publication of Statement of Ownership for a Requester Publication is required and will be printed in theissue of this publication.18. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner10/4/19DateI certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this formor who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions(including civil penalties).

FROM PAGE ONEThe Madison Enterprise-RecorderFriday, October 4, 2019 3One parent of an MCCS student has expressedtheir disappointment with the lack of notificationthat an investigation was on-going into the issue.Cont. from page 1The concerned parent stated, "Why weren't wenotified? We have a right to know. My child camehome and said, 'I don't want to die, Mommy.' There should be a policy inplace that parents should be notified in instances like this via email, phoneWeaponcall or text."According to the concerned parent, the school uses ClassDojo, a toolthat allows teachers to communicate with parents, however, it was notutilized either. It is unclear if the MCSD has a policy in place that notifiesparents of a related situation, however, attempts were made to reach BenKillingsworth, MCSD Threat Assessment Director. As of press time, thoseattempts were unsuccessful.in the driver's path.As the sedan passed in front of Trooper Cabe,he noticed that the rear side window tint appearedCont. from page 1to be below what was allowed by Florida law.Trooper Cabe began to overtake the sedan andpulled directly next to the sedan. Trooper Cabe was unable to see in theback passenger area and proceeded to initiate a traffic stop near milemarker 259.Upon making contact with the 26-year-old driver identified as JustinOwens, of Garland, Texas, Trooper Cabe utilized his department-issued tintmeter, which showed a four percent tint for the rear side windows.The report states that while asking Owens for documents needed tocomplete the traffic stop, Trooper Cabe could smell the "clear and distinctodor of marijuana emitting from within the passenger compartment of thevehicle."Trooper Cabe asked Owens if he smoked marijuana, to which Owensanswered in the affirmative. Owens, upon being asked, informed TrooperCabe that he did not smoke medical marijuana as the state of Texas doesnot have it. Owens also informed Trooper Cabe that he did not smoke hempeither.Owens proceeded to inform Trooper Cabe that marijuana was present inthe center console of the vehicle, and showed the FHP trooper. He also saidthere was more marijuana in the trunk of the sedan inside of a white book39.2 gramsbag.Trooper Cabe and his partner detained Owens and his unnamedpassenger while a probable cause search of the vehicle was beingconducted. During the search, the troopers discovered four foil cigar packsin the center console. Inside the foil packs were pre-rolled marijuana bluntsand one vape-style pin with a full THC cartridge attached.The report also states that during the search, troopers found a large,sealed black cylinder-style container, which held a black back with a largegallon-size bag with marijuana that had been ground and ready to roll intoblunts. A small orange cylinder-style container was also found with moreloose green, ground marijuana ready to be rolled into blunts, according toTrooper Cabe.The search found no other contraband in the sedan. Owens informedTrooper Cabe that the marijuana was his and that he and the unnamedpassenger were making their way from Texas to Ocala, Fla.According to the report, the marijuana found was weighed atapproximately 39.2 grams, which as valued to be worth approximately 780.Owens was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substancewithout a prescription, possession of marijuana over 20 grams, marijuanasmuggling and two counts of possession of drug equipment. Owens wastransported to the Madison County Jail and was released on bond onSaturday, Sept. 21.County. According to alleged victims, Jowers, whoworked under multiple business names, makesverbal agreements to do yard work. Jowers thenCont. from page 1does only partial work but requires full or partialpayment on the first day after letting the client knowthat he or his crew will be back at a specific time in the following days. Thereal scam is when he never shows back up and the client's money is gone.MCSO's Lt. Bobby Boatwright stated in a 2018 interview that Jowershad attacked Madison County twice. Lt. Boatwright also stated that Jowershad been arrested in Clay County for attempted exploitation of the elderly,though the State Attorney's Office did not support the charge, calling thesituation a civil case. In Clay County, according to the victim, Jowers wascharged with petit theft and was made to pay back the amount the client wasdefrauded. The victim stated they settled out of court for approximately 630 and has yet to see the money.Lt. Boatwright informed Greene Publishing, Inc. that Jowers called himprior to the 2018 interview with the MCSO Lieutenant, stating that he[Jowers] had done nothing wrong. Lt. Boatwright invited him to come toMCSO to provide a sworn statement, however, Jowers did not appear.According to a Madison County resident who has had first-handexperience with Jowers, at the end of April of 2018, he was traveling homewhen the truck ahead of him was a slow-traveling vehicle he had not seen inWarrantthe area before. The resident stated Jowers pulled over and waved him by.The resident pulled into his driveway and got out to check the mail to scoutout who the person was in the truck. He then stated that Jowers pulled inbehind him and got out of his vehicle.Jowers stated that he was in the area looking for business ahead of hiscrew and was not trying to cause any harm. Jowers also stated that his fatherpassed away and he was trying to pay bills. An estimate of approximately 1,600 was given to the resident and the resident agreed to the work.The resident stated that he was suspicious of Jowers and called MCSOto have a deputy run his information. He then stated that "Jowers wentbezerk." Around 2 p.m., about 45 minutes after Jowers began his work,Jowers informed the resident that he had to go pick his child up from schoolin Live Oak. Jowers stated that he needed half of the money that day andwould have his crew return the following morning to complete the work.The resident wrote the check, but did not see Jowers the following day.The resident was able to reach Jowers once in the following days, whenJowers stated that he had been so busy and was surely going to arrive backin Madison County the following Monday to complete the work. However,Jowers did not return as he assured the resident.The complaints in Hamilton, Suwannee and Clay counties were similarto those of the complaints in Madison County.After applying for and receiving funds fromthe Florida Department of Economic Opportunityto undertake such a project, KellermanCont. from page 1Construction was found to be the most qualified,and only firm, to bid on the project. CouncilmanMalone made a motion to authorize Mayor Brittni Brown to execute acontract with the firm. The second was made by councilman Burnett andthe contract execution was approved unanimously, with an extra 'yes' votefrom president and owner of the firm, Brahm Kellerman, who was sittingin the audience.The next meeting for the Greenville Town Council will come onTuesday, Oct. 15, after being rescheduled from it's originally-scheduleddate of Monday, Oct. 14. The meeting will take place at Town Hall,located at 154 SW Old Mission Ave., in Greenville, beginning at 6 p.m.GreenvilleDIY sexual assault kits now availableFlorida Attorney General's OfficeContributorAttorney General Ashley Moody, the FloridaDepartment of Law Enforcement and victimadvocates are warning Floridians about at-homesexual assault kits. The DIY sexual assault kits aremarketed as a safe and anonymous option forvictims; however, the evidence collected throughthis process would most likely not be admissible in acriminal case.Attorney General Ashley Moody said, "Asa former judge and prosecutor, I have seriousconcerns about the emergence of at-homesexual assault kits. Victims of sexual assaultneed to know they have the right to beexamined by caring medical professionals andremain anonymous as a non-reporting victim.The evidence collected is safely stored, andchain-of-custody maintained in case the victimchooses to pursue criminal action at a later date.At-home kits raise all sorts of chain-of-custodyand evidence integrity questions and I cannotthink of a scenario where a judge would allowthese kits to be admissible in a criminal case."FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen said,"An assault victim may feel reluctant to reach outfor help, but trusting in these do-it-yourself kits doesnot offer victims the health treatment services theydeserve. In addition, the use of these kits wouldcompromise vital evidence necessary to ensurerapists can be identified and arrested. By pr

percent. Councilman Calvin Malone made the motion to adopt the tentative millage rate. After the motion passed unanimously. Next, ordinance 2019-25 was brought before the board, detailing the upcoming budget of Fiscal Year 2019-2020. Appropriations and revenue estimates for the upcoming budget year were in the amount of 7,470,513. Broken