Camden County
Camden County 
Board of Commissioners
Community Outreach eNewsletter
"Working together to make a positive  difference in the community."

A publication from the office of the County Administrator - Fall 2016
Get ready for cooler weather
A Message from the County Administrator
September and October have been very busy months. On September 13th, I had the pleasure of presenting in front of the House Science & Technology Commercial Space Subcommittee here in Camden County at the College of Coastal Georgia. Community presentations were made and Camden County provided an overview and status of the Spaceport Camden project. Following the meeting, the legislators concluded with a site visit. Ensuring a thorough review of all factors related to the Spaceport Camden project has always been the County's top priority.  The Camden County Board of Commissioners, along with the Spaceport Camden team, are committed to transparency and ensuring a thorough review of all aspects of the project.
 
I'm pleased to announce that Georgia Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle has selected members, including two Camden County Commissioners, to serve on the Senate Camden County Spaceport Study Committee effective immediately and serving until December 1st, 2016. We were fortunate to have several of these members visit us on October 20th for a locally held Senate Camden County Spaceport Study Committee meeting here in Woodbine. Approximately 70 area residents were in attendance to learn more about the Spaceport from various speakers. We appreciate the support of everyone that attended the meeting.
 
An exciting event occurred on the night of October 13th when, after nine weeks of dedicated attendance and involvement, we graduated another Citizens' Academy class. These citizens learned about various County Government operations and how they can contribute to building a better community for us all. Congratulations Graduates! We will continue to offer this beneficial Academy to interested residents so look for more information about our next class in an upcoming newsletter.
 
And most recently, I am excited to let you know that Camden County is now accepting electronic payments for several services we provide. As part of our commitment to provide customers with more efficient and convenient service, you can now pay for curbside collections services, business licenses, and building permits online and from your mobile devices.
 
Camden County was brushed by Hurricane Matthew in October, bringing heavy rains, flooding and extremely strong winds. Hurricane Matthew was a very powerful, long-lived and deadly tropical cyclone, becoming the first category 5 Atlantic hurricane since Hurricane Felix in 2007. Over 1,600 estimated deaths have been attributed to the storm. By Friday night October 7th, Matthew was downgraded to a Category 2 storm but left a million people without power. We were fortunate to escape serious devastation. Along with the Board of County Commissioners, I'd like to express my immense gratitude to all those who assisted during Hurricane Matthew. 
 
Response to this hurricane took a team effort between many, many people and was handled head on, managing whatever needs and problems arose. But, as with any emergency, there were lessons to be learned and this was no exception. We will evaluate our resources and responses over the coming months and will better prepare our Emergency Management Agency and staff for future disasters and emergencies, should they arise. For now though, a warm and heartfelt thanks again to all those who contributed during the storm, and to all of you working in the aftermath. 
 
Wishing everyone an enjoyable and cool fall season.
 

Y ours for a better Camden,


Steve L. Howard, ICMA-CM, CPM, CPPO
County Administrator
Ride-Along-Pups
 
Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at the Board of Commissioners meeting, sisters Shelby and Aubrey Trevathan along with help and support from the Kingsland Volunteer Fire Rescue, donated 500 Ride Along Pups to Camden County Fire Rescue.

These special pups will be given to every child who is going through a scary situation and rides in an ambulance. The pup will be there to comfort them throughout their ambulance ride and beyond.  The Trevathan sisters want every child to feel safe and know that their community cares about them.  

If you would like to help and contribute to the Ride-Along-Pup Program, please call 912-729-8270 or go to www.facebook.com/FireRescueKingsland.

Camden Mobile Canteen

The Camden Mobile Canteen (CMC) Committee is seeking interested individuals, organizations, businesses and churches to sponsor monthly meals as well as sign-up to prepare and serve the meals. The CMC is also seeking volunteers to help with the Mobile Canteen. There are some restrictions and training requirements for volunteers. 
On August 30th, the CMC handed out over 100 meals in the Kingsland area to those in need. If you would like to donate or volunteer please contact Charlene Sears at 912-882-2200. 
Your Vote Counts
 
Early voting for the November 8th, 2016 General/Special Election is currently taking place in the Board of Registrars' Office in Woodbine at 200 E. 4th Street, in the Historic Courthouse on the first floor.
Early voting hours will continue from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, until November 4, 2016. 
The Department of Driver Services located at 333 S. Ashley Street in Kingsland and the Salvation Army at 1915 Osborne Road in St. Marys will offer early voting at their sites the week of October 31 - November 4, 2016 from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
The deadline to register to vote in the General/Special Election was October 11, 2016. Persons who are age 17 ½ can register up to 6 months prior to their 18th birthday.
Voters can now register to vote and/or make changes to their voting registration by going to www.mvp.sos.ga.gov  or by texting "GA" or "Georgia" to "2VOTE" (28683). There is also a free app for mobile devices: GA VOTES. An absentee ballot request and sample ballot may also be obtained on this website. 
Special Thanks to those Who Assisted 
During Hurricane Matthew
The Board of County Commissioners, along with the Mayors and City Council members of St. Marys, Kingsland, and Woodbine, would like to express their immense gratitude to all those who assisted during Hurricane Matthew. 
It was truly a team effort between all of the volunteers, the emergency response personnel, fire, police and public works employees, all of the power companies' linemen, Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the Public Service Authority, Salvation Army, Red Cross and assistance from the National Guard.  Each person faced the situation head on, handling whatever needs and problems developed. Many worked around-the-clock with little to no sleep, being away from their families, while offering their time and skills to others in need. 
But, as with any emergency, there are lessons to be learned and this one was no exception.  We will be evaluating both our resources and our responses over the coming months and, rest assured, we will be even better prepared the next time. 
For now, a warm and heartfelt thanks to all those who contributed during the storm, and to all of you working in the aftermath.
Get Help Evacuating for a Hurricane
Hurricane Matthew has brought much attention to our coastal communities. We have been fairly lucky so far when it comes to hurricanes. O fficials are encouraging those with functional or medical needs to apply to the Functional and Medical Needs Registry. Residents should plan ahead and apply to be on the Registry before a storm is threatening our area.
The Camden County Health Department maintains the Registry which is made up of residents who may require transport and medical assistance during a hurricane evacuation and have no other resources such as family, friends, neighbors, or church members to help them if they need to evacuate. Residents must apply to be on the registry. To apply, residents should call the Camden County Health Department at 912-576-3040 (Woodbine) or 912-882-8515 (St. Marys) or print the forms below and mail both forms to:
Camden County Health Department
ATTN:  Mallory Chappell, R.N.
905 Dilworth Street
St. Marys, GA  31558
Applicant Forms to Complete:
Camden Co. Functional & Medical Needs Form
 
Those on the Registry will be evacuated to an American Red Cross shelter in an inland county that will likely be in a gymnasium or similar setting and could be several hours away. The Registry is truly a last resort, but if a hurricane is threatening our area, it is important that Health Department officials know where the most vulnerable residents are located so that evacuation assistance can be provided to them. It is important to note that people living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and personal care homes are not eligible for the Functional and Medical Needs Registry and must follow their facility's emergency plan.

Functional needs registrants/clients are defined as those individuals who may need services to maintain their independence in a shelter. This includes children and adults with physical, sensory, mental health, and cognitive and/or intellectual disabilities affecting their ability to function independently without assistance. Others may include women in late stages of pregnancy, elders, and people needing bariatric equipment.
Medical needs registrants/clients are defined as those individuals who require support of trained medical professionals. This includes those individuals who may need assistance with managing unstable, terminal, or contagious conditions that require observation and ongoing treatment.
Kingsland Catfish Festival
 
The 34th Annual Catfish Festival, along with the 2016 Runabout in the Royal District Auto Show and Kingsland Lions Club Pancake Breakfast event has been rescheduled for Saturday,  November 19th, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. We hope to see everyone there.

Food Assistance Phone Line
 
The Camden Hunger Hotline is a volunteer managed and operated food assistance information and referral service. As displayed in the attached business card, the food insecure in Camden County may call 912-409-6920 between 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM to receive information about food assistance available in Camden County. This service is for those individuals and families that are struggling to avoid hunger and are not familiar with local food assistance resources; locations; services provided; and access procedures.  
This is a test program for our community in Camden County. During the next several months, this program will be monitored and evaluated. If it is determined that this "hotline" provides value throughout the community, it will continue and develop based on lessons learned and public feedback. Please call today if you need assistance.
Spaceport Camden Receives Support from Commercial
 Spaceflight Federation

We are thrilled to report that the Commercial Spaceflight Federation sent a letter of support to Georgia Representative Jason Spencer, Chair of the Commercial Spaceport Subcommittee. In this support letter, Eric E. Stallmer, President of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, said, "With the FAA-led Environmental Impact Statement wrapping up in the next few months, having the Georgia House and Senate firmly behind the industry will be a critical signal to industry that Georgia wants the jobs, innovation economy, and inspirational aspirations that come with the commercial space industry."
Appointments to Camden County
Spaceport Study Committee
Announced
 
The office of Georgia's Lieutenant Governor announced September 19, 2016 that pursuant to Senate Resolution 1159, the following members will serve on the
"Senate Camden County Spaceport Study Committee" effective immediately and shall serve until December 1, 2016.
Senator Bruce Thompson, Chair; Senator Valencia Seay; Senator William Ligon; Senator John Kennedy; Commissioner Jimmy Starline; Commissioner Chuck Clark; Aaron Hawkins, ViaSat; Colin Ake, GA Tech; and Glenn Lightsey, Ph. D., GA Tech.
Georgia Senate Spaceport Camden Study Committee Hears Presentations
 
Georgia Senator and Study Committee Chair Bruce Thompson invited the Senate Spaceport Camden Study Committee to Camden County to hear view points from local agencies who may be impacted by the Spaceport Camden project. In addition, an update from Spaceport Camden Project Leader Steve Howard and Project Consultant Andrew Nelson was also given. The event took place on Thursday, October 20, 2016 in the Board of Commissioners Chambers in Woodbine. Those that presented were Mr. Dick Parker and Kevin Lang, Little Cumberland Island Home Association; Dr. Clay Montague, Chair of the Spaceport Camden Environmental Sub Committee; Steven Sainz, Alliance for Spaceport; and Megan Derosiers, One Hundred Miles. As with the House Science & Technology Study Committee, Camden County will continue to make this an open and transparent process so that all sides of the issue are heard.
Showcase Camden County Photo Contest

Calling all photographers! The deadline is coming up soon, so please get those photos of Camden County turned in.  Deadline is Friday, November 18, 2016.

One winner per category will be awarded. Each winning category and overall winner participant will receive a Certificate and be recognized at the Board of Commissioners Meeting.
 
The categories are as follows:
 
* Landscapes-(Seascapes, Outdoor Scenes, Farms, Sunsets,Sunrises, Docks & Rivers)
 
* Nature/Wildlife-(Flowers, Trees, Animals, Insects, and Birds)
 
* Transportation-(St. Marys Airport/Planes, Railroad/Trains,Vehicles/Classic Cars, Boating, Roadways/Dirt Roads, Interstate 95)
 
* People/Current Events-(Festivals, Sporting Events, Other Events or Celebrations, Groups of People/Candid's, Holidays) *Please NO self/group portraits.
 
How to Enter:
Each entry must include an 8x10 print AND an electronic copy via disk or email. Digital images must be at least 300 dpi. A completed entry form must be submitted with EACH photograph submitted, along with a completed consent form. If submitting multiple entries, please name and number each print to match a corresponding entry form. Prints and disks will not be returned. Entries must be postmarked by Friday, November 18, 2016 .
 
PLEASE MAIL ENTRIES TO:
Camden County Board of County Commissioners
C/o Katie Bishop
P.O. Box 99
Woodbine , Georgia 31569
Email electronic copies to: kberry@co.camden.ga.us  
 
Entries may also be dropped off at the Board of County Commissioners' Government Services Complex located at 200 East 4th Street in Woodbine, or at the Planning & Development office located in the County Annex Building in Kingsland.

Get out there and take your best shot! 
Entries will be judged on the basis of creativity, photographic quality, and effectiveness in conveying the beauty and unique character of Camden County, Georgia.

For more information and to get an entry form please click HERE.

New Appointment to Spaceport Camden Steering Committee
 
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at the regular scheduled Board of Commissioners meeting, the Board unanimously approved the appointment of Stephen Fleming to the Spaceport Camden Steering Committee upon the recommendation of County Administrator Steve Howard. 
Stephen Fleming is a highly successful senior executive with leadership experience in startups, multinationals, private equity, and university-based economic development. He is recognized as a leader for innovation and entrepreneurship, including selection as one of the first principal investigators for the NSF I-Corps program. He also led economic development and entrepreneurship initiatives at Georgia Institute of Technology. Fleming is a former general partner of a $260 million early-stage venture capital firm; responsible for 18 investments, 16 board seats, and thirteen successful exits. He previously led the introduction of residential broadband products (ADSL and cable modems) at Nortel Networks and was Vice President of Product Management and Marketing at LICOM (venture-funded startup).
Fleming is currently a founding investor and director with Agile Aero; a founding investor of Ansible SCA; a founding member of the Seraph Group; and a founding member and investor with Space Angels Network. Fleming is an active angel investor, community leader and mentor to local entrepreneurs. He is a graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology (GA Tech) with a Bachelor of Science in Physics.
"We are thrilled to welcome Stephen Fleming to the Spaceport Camden Steering Committee," said Steve Howard. "His leadership experience and expertise in entrepreneurship and economic development will greatly benefit the project as we are moving ahead in our FAA Licensing process and our efforts to bring the commercial space industry to Camden County."
The Spaceport Steering Committee was formed in September 2015 along with the appointment of Allen Burns, Executive Director of the Coastal Regional Commission, to serve as Chairman. On January 22, 2016 Dr. Robert D. Braun, Dr. Ann Proctor, and Mercedes A. Thompson, as well as Dr. Dennis K. McBride (in February) were appointed as members to the Spaceport Steering Committee.
Columbus State University Partnership Awarded $1.25M NASA Grant
Columbus State University's Coca-Cola Space Science Center is one of four sites in a partnership that has been awarded a $1.25 million NASA Museum Alliance Grant to teach high school students how to design and manufacture vehicles that could explore Mars. 
 
The other sites partnering with NASA's Kennedy Space Center in the Innovation Mars Exploration Education and Technology program (IMEET) are the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, the Museum of Aviation Education Center in Warner Robins and the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach. The Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex in Titusville, Florida, will lead the IMEET project, and Georgia Tech will develop the curriculum, CSU announced in a news release.
 
Through the IMEET program, high school students from Muscogee County and across the nation will spend two weeks during the next three summers learning to be aerospace engineers as they use 3D printing technology to create Mars rovers and helicopters, CSU said in the release.
 
IMEET is part of the effort to land on Mars, which SpaceX chief executive officer Elon Musk predicted will happen by 2025, said Shawn Cruaen, director of the Coca-Cola Space Science Center.
 
To view full article please click  HERE. 
UGA Receives $4 Million NSF Grant
The University of Georgia receives $4 million in a National Science Foundation Grant to continue broadening participation in STEM. The program has helped triple minority enrollment in STEM fields.

The University of Georgia (UGA) initially received funding to implement the Peach State Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation a decade ago, and the program will continue for another five years thanks to a new $4 million NSF grant. The program, led by UGA's Office of Institutional Diversity, funds undergraduates in STEM majors at UGA, as well as at Fort Valley State University, Georgia State University, Perimeter College, Georgia Institute of Technology, Kennesaw State University and Savannah State University.
For the full article and more information please click  HERE.
Woodbine River Cleanup Rescheduled
Saturday, November 5, 2016

Camden County Extension is pleased to announce the rescheduled date of the 3rd Annual Woodbine River Clean-Up. The Clean-Up which was originally scheduled to take place in mid-October was postponed to until Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 9:00 AM due to Hurricane Matthew. Volunteers are asked to come out to help clean litter from along the water way and to assist in removing trash from the fishing areas.
Volunteers are not required to pre-register they are just asked to come out and meet at the Satilla River Waterfront Park in Woodbine. It is recommended that volunteers wear boots because the river bank and adjacent wetlands are especially muddy from recent rains. Trash bags will be provided and some gloves will be available. Rivers Alive will also provide t-shirts for participants at the clean-up, while supplies last. In addition, the City of Woodbine will be providing hot dogs for lunch for participants as a thank you. Sunscreen and bug repellent are recommended but not required. Volunteers are encouraged to wear clothing suitable for outside work that they do not mind getting dirty.
Since 2014, 183 volunteers have removed 2551 pounds of trash and debris from local waterways through Rivers Alive clean-ups sponsored by Camden County Extension. Pipes, fishing line, a camping chair, tires, a truck toolbox, an artificial flower, plastic bottles, an anchor, crab floats, and a boat holding tank were among the debris collected from the shoreline. This not only improves the aesthetics and safety of our local natural areas, but also the health of our local estuaries and marine ecosystem. The Rivers Alive program, a program of The Georgia Environmental Protection Division, selected Camden County Extension as the winner of the 2014 Coastal Cleanup Award.
"My hope every year is to get more of our citizens involved in our cleanups, fostering involvement and stewardship in the special ecosystems and resources that Camden County has to offer," said Jessica Warren, Camden County Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent.   
For more information please contact Jessica Warren at 912-576-3219.
Meet Your Commissioners

Chip Keene
District 1

Chuck Clark
District 2

Jimmy Starline
District 3

Commissioner Gary Blount
Gary Blount
District 4

Tony Sheppard
District 5

Our Commitment to You!
M ISSION: 
Our mission is to deliver defined county services with exceptional customer service and to do so in a financially sustainable and transparent manner.
VISION: 
Camden County 2030 is the premier coastal community of Georgia- beautiful and safe. 
Camden County 2030 has a strong regional economy and diverse job opportunities with four major pillars:
  • An active Naval Submarine Base;
  • A successful World Class Spaceport;
  • Space tourism; and,
  • a Technology Corridor. 
Camden County 2030 has relaxed living with quality residential developments, and abundant leisure choices for all.
 
VALUES:
The Board of County Commissioners and employees of Camden County are committed to the following values: Integrity, Respect, Service, Accountability, Teamwork and Balance.