By Charles Shiver The Adel City Council voted unanimously last week to approve rezoning for a new daycare center on South Mar- tin Luther King Jr. Drive. During the Monday, May 2, meeting, Councilman Chan- dler Hill made a motion, fol- lowed by a second from Councilman Michael Purvis, to enter into a public hearing. The hearing was to gain input on the rezoning applica- tion filed by George Horne for property located at 404 S. MLK Jr. Drive, to change the zoning from R8M (Residen- tial) to GB (General Business). All members voted in favor to enter the public hearing. The applicants intend to move a modular classroom on the lot and have a commercial daycare. According to the plan- ning staff’s recommendation, the property is surrounded by residential homes. There is no other commercial zoning in the area. There is some property north of this lot zoned neigh- borhood shopping, in which a person could use their home for business. The planning staff’s opinion was that the request was for spot zoning, which has not been approved in the past. Based on past actions of the Council, the planning staff rec- ommended denial of the re- quest. The Greater Cook Planning Advisory Commis- sion voted 3-2 in favor to ap- prove the request. The board also included in their motion for approval the restriction that only a daycare could be lo- cated on the property. Christopher Horne spoke in favor of the application. He said “there is nothing positive” about the street, but added that the Council has the opportu- nity to change this by approval of the daycare. His father owns three pieces of property in this area that he has remodeled and rebuilt. Andrel Durden also owns property up the street that he is in the process of remod- eling, trying to beautify this area, Horne said. “I ask that we can continue with this trend.” Others who spoke in favor of the application included Jes- sica Wilson, Shateria Walton, Marion Jones, Chenelle Hawk, Cassandra Sims and Andrel Durden. They all described the positive effect the daycare cen- ter would have on young chil- dren. Shamika Turner also sent a letter of support. In total, 24 people who were in favor of the zoning change were present at the meeting. There was no one present to speak against the application, and the public hearing was then declared closed. Ordinance #16-01, amend- ing the zoning map and rezon- ing property located at 404 S. MLK Jr. Drive from R8M to GB, was presented to the Council. City Attorney Tim Tanner read Section 12-2.8(2) of the zoning ordinance. He said that although tradi- tionally the Council reads an ordinance twice before a vote is taken, the zoning ordinance allows a vote to be taken after the conclusion of the public hearing. Councilman Hill made a motion to approve the ordinance. Councilman Purvis seconded. All were in favor with the exception of Council- man Greg Paige who ab- stained. cluding heroin, with and for defendant Shauntay Craig. “…On or about Sept. 12, 2013, defendants Jeremiah Covington and Mangwiro Sadiki-Yisrael caused at least one fraudulent transaction to occur that resulted in excess of $19,000 being deposited into at least one account controlled by Covington.” “…On or about Sept. 10, 2014, defendant Jeremiah Cov- ington and two other Gangster Disciples members traveled with two firearms from Val- dosta to Atlanta to protect a heroin transaction.” The indictment does not connect Covington with mur- ders, but does allege his in- volvement in drug transactions. According to re- ports, federal authorities have arrested Covington and he has made an appearance in federal court. According to a news story by WXIA in Atlanta, “investi- gators say accused gang mem- bers ran a violent operation in Georgia while allegedly posing as charity groups,” while gang suspects say the charity work was legitimate. DeKalb County District At- torney Robert James said the gang had a division known as “Growth and Development” that put on charity events, WXIA states. “YouTube fea- tures several videos of the group doing community cleanup projects and feeding the homeless. But authorities say the good deeds were not as they seemed; the deeds were done to impress potential young recruits and their par- ents.” Horn said one recruit was killed for refusing to attend a community clean-up. A group that calls itself “Growth and Development” has been active in Cook, Berrien, and other counties of the Alapaha Judi- cial Circuit. Covington has faced prior drug trafficking, cocaine pos- session and related state charges. Page 2-A – Adel News Tribune – May 11, 2016 Fantastic Family Fun in DOWNTOWN ADEL! Vendors • Entertainers • Civic Groups • Organizations Call Adel-Cook Chamber at 229-896-2281 Daylily Street Stomp 8-10 PM Adel Daylily Festival THURSDAY, MAY 19 TH - 12:30 PM FRIDAY, MAY 20 TH - 6-10 PM SATURDAY, MAY 21 ST - 8 AM Fun, Food, and a LIVE DJ! Downtown Adel Over 100 Vendors - 8 AM - 4 PM LIVE ENTERTAINMENT!!! KidsZone! International Food Court! Live from the Adel Daylily Festival WALB-TV News at Noon WALB-TV News at Noon THURSDAY, JUNE 3 RD & FRIDAY, JUNE 4 TH - 7:30 PM Carolyn Harris Performing Arts Center, Hwy 37 East Brought to you by Cook County Council for the Arts & Adel Daylily Festival. Daylily Theatre Presents: “Into The Woods” Daylily City 5K Daylily City 5K Starts and ends at City Park located at 8th Street and Parrish Avenue Daylily Show & Sale - Daylily Show & Sale - 9 AM - 2 PM 9 AM - 2 PM Located at the Cook County Historical Society, 115 E. 4th St., Adel SATURDAY, MAY 14 TH - 7 PM Michelle’s Formal Wear, 229-896-2748 Miss Adelily Pagent Miss Adelily Pagent 2016 Adel Daylily Festivals Sponsors: CROWN Adel-Cook County Tourism Authority, BLOOMS Cook Medical Center, SOGA Graphics, LEAVES BASF Corporation, Cook County Sheriff's Office, Cook Community Bank, Adel Dental Associates, Quick Consulting & Business Services, Peripheral Mowers STEMS JM Eagle, Watson's Pools & Patios, Grimsley Properties, Rep.Penny Houston, Cook County Ford, Senator Ellis Black, 1st Franklin Financial, Horse Creek Winery, BULBS Credit Card Processing Queen, Cook County Farm Bureau, C&M Parking Lot Sweepers, Pike Creek Turf, Inc., Hardee's, The Citizens Bank, Renasant Bank, Pebblewood Development, State Farm Insurance, Retirement Consultants Network, All Day Sun, South GA Strong ROOTS Action Pawn, Boone Funeral Home, Cook High School, Adel Trading Company, Michelle's Formal Wear, Sister's Florist & Bakery, Adel Outfitters, Hilliard's Home Furniture, Adel Beverage Outlet, Purvis Funeral Home “We Believe.” 1st Assembly of God Pastor Eric Gordon gave the welcome. Seven speakers then each discussed devotional/prayer topics: • “Military” by Ike Jef- ferson, pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church. Jefferson thanked his father, a World War II veteran, and other military service members for protecting such essential American freedoms that we may take for granted as being able to read the Bible, and vote and elect good people to public office. “We need to lift them up in prayer daily,” Jefferson said. “I thank my dad, who was my hero. More than that, I thank my dad because he was a Chris- tian. That is what matters most.” • “Business” by Em- manuel Brown, pastor of Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Brown said there are three characteristics that distinguish Christian businesses: (1) In- tegrity; (2) Commitment to Ex- cellence; and (3) Committed to People. “When businesses provide spiritual-minded programs, the employees feel more calm and relaxed, and more productive,” Brown said. While an employee’s dedi- cation to the job is important, Brown said, the employers also have responsibilities to their staff, such as fair compensa- tion, recognition for good job performance, and providing growth opportunities. • “Family” by Brian Gay, pastor of Greggs Baptist Church. “God needs to be fixture in your home,” Gay said, urging husbands and fathers to be spir- itual leaders in their homes. “Your kids are going to be the same Christians you are.” He advised parents to follow the “E’s” in their homes: Exalt God; Example Christ; Encour- age faithfulness; Educate fam- ily in the ways of the Lord; and Establish God’s values. • “Church” by Jim Vaughan, pastor of LivingWay Baptist Church. Vaughan said offensive situ- ations are going on in the world, like the recent Target controversy, but it is up to Jesus to reach those people because they can’t change on their own. He urged church members to trust Christ to handle those mat- ters. “We don’t have to worry about beating them in to Jesus,” he said. He noted that he was 40 years old when he was saved: “(Jesus) had to beat on me a long time (to get me to the cross) because I’m a knuckle- head, and so are they.” • “Media” by Chris Rivers, assistant pastor at the First Bap- tist Church of Adel. Rivers called on church members to utilize interactive social media to spread the Gospel. “Brothers and sisters, nobody has come to Jesus be- cause you won a Facebook de- bate,” he said. Instead, he explained, “The media gives people the opportunity to broadcast the Gospel to a lost and dying world, to share what we are for. … It is a platform where we can share who God is and what He can do for our lives.” • “Education” by Eric Gor- don, pastor of Adel 1st Assem- bly of God. Gordon recalled that when he was young child in school, prayer was offered every morn- ing. There has been a concerted effort to take the Christian reli- gion out of the schools and re- place it completely with human knowledge, in an attempt to break down the country’s moral fiber, Gordon said. Christians need to pay more attention to schools because they are “the biggest mission field in the world,” he said. He called on prayer for all the schools, the Board of Educa- tion, students, teachers, staff, and administrators. • “Government” by Gary James, pastor of Open Door Baptist Church. James said we need leaders in our country who are not afraid to stand for what is right and who do not accept political correctness. He spoke about the example of Daniel in the Bible. Daniel teaches us that we should obey the laws of the land as long they don’t conflict with the com- mands of God, James said. “Daniel was safer in dens of lions than in the government.” The next President should ap- point a new Supreme Court jus- tice who will do what is right and follow the will of God, James added. The event concluded with the First Assembly of God Praise and Worship Team’s song “Good Good Father.” Steve Meders then led the gath- ering with the song, “Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb.” Organizers gave special thanks for the event to Sharon Harnage and the church mem- bers of 1st Assembly and Pastor Gordon. Early Tabulation of Absentee Ballots Pursuant to O.C.G.A 21-2-386(a)(3), this is to notify the citizens of Cook County that the Cook County Board of Elections will begin the early tabulation of absentee ballots cast in the May 24, 2016 General Primary and Nonpartisan Election at 6:30 PM on May 24, 2016 at the Cook County Administration Building at 1200 S Hutchinson Ave, Adel, GA 31620. Notice of Computation and Canvassing of Election Returns Pursuant to O.C.G.A 21-2-492, notice is hereby given that the computation and canvassing of the returns of votes cast in the May 24, 2016 General Primary and Nonpartisan Election will take place in the office of the Cook County Board of Elections located at the Cook County Adminis- tration Building, at 1200 S Hutchinson Ave, Adel, GA 31620, on May 25, 2016 beginning at 8:30 AM. Dawn Davis Cook County Supervisor of Elections & Registration PRAYER From Front CHARGES From Front 2007 Ford Crown Victoria, pur- chased from them for $750, and all the equipment they donated to help get the constable up and running. “The items donated by the City saved us a lot of money and for that we are grateful,” Simmons said. Judge Simmons also wanted to thank the Board of Commis- sioners for all their support and the Sheriff’s Office for allow- ing him to use Sgt. Joel Red- dick to serve his papers until he could get the constable. Lowndes, Tift, and Berrien Counties also have constables serving their Magistrate Courts. CONSTABLE From Front Adel approves rezoning for daycare on South MLK