DEC 19, 2013 - JAN 9, 2014 VOL. 03 NO.

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www.the-grip.net ::: free Bears win State AAAA Championship after 15-0 season Preliminary SPLOST project list set; met with some opposition Community
rallies around players, coaches and school
ALEXANDER CAIN :::
[email protected]

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Editor;

Vfirst glimpse of the first

oters now have their

Staff writer; [email protected]

There were cheers loud enough to shake the stands at the Georgia Dome December 14 after the Griffin High School Bears defeated the Carrolton Trojans 56-35 to win the AAAA State Championship. In less than three hours, the win, which gave Griffin its first state title since 1978 when the Bears shared a co-victory with Valdosta, led to the highest scoring state championship game in Georgia high school football history. It also added to an undefeated streak of 15-0 by the team for the 2013 season. Griffins last solo state title win happened in 1942. Every kid in this town grows up wanting to be a Griffin Bear. The Griffin Bears are always doing well year-in and year-out and to finally put that final touch on a perfect 15-0 year ending in a state championship, it was a team effort, Griffin High School Coach Steve DeVoursney stated. The City of Griffin and Spalding County welcomed the Bears home that Saturday night, but waited until the following Wednesday to hold a community-wide class AAAA Championship Celebration rally at Memorial Stadium where
cont, BEARs, P. 3

potential project list for the upcoming 2014 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) referendum that local officials have approved for the Nov. 4 General Primary ballot. Discussed at the Dec. 16 Spalding County Board of Commissioners meeting, the countys preliminary list includes debt service reduction, 911 Center Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), soccer field lighting, 60 miles of road resurfacing, a little money for bridges

and the remainder designated for the paving of dirt roads, said County Manager William Wilson, who added that it is his understanding the city of Griffin is prepared to move forward with its project list, as are the cities of Orchard Hill and Sunnyside. County officials will move forward with scheduling meetings with officials of all three municipalities to discuss each citys SPLOST project lists. From this process, officials will comprise the final project list to be presented to Spalding County voters.
cont, SPLOST, P. 7

ALEXANDER CAIN/THE GRIP

Spalding County P&R prepares for possible transition away from Little League affiliation
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Editor; [email protected]
Spalding County children may soon have additional recreational opportunities if a proposal to move from the current Little League (LL) ball program to the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) is approved by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. They are proposing to go from the Little League affiliation to a USSSA affiliation. Initially, they were looking at that (USSSA) for the girls softball program because many girls are going out of Spalding County to play USSSA softball, Recreation Superintendent Kelly Leger said. There are very few neighboring communities that are playing Little League softball, so there werent opportunities for interleague play. They were very challenged. She said there were so few girls still playing Little League softball in Spalding County that it was difficult to even schedule games within the Recreation League. Leger said the current Little League board was initially considering this limited change, but that has grown in scope. Theyre (the LL board) also looking at baseball now, she said. USSSA has a recreation program where every child can play, regardless of their skill level without the
cont, lIttlE lEAGUE, P. 7

The community gathered in Memorial Stadium on Wednesday, Dec. 18 to celebrate the Griffin Bears' victory in the Championship game against the Carrolton Trojans in the Georgia Dome on Dec 14. Bears football players entered Memorial Stadium one at a time through a large blow-up helmet as cheerleaders, coaches and community members cheered them on.

A road to recovery paved with thankfulness and forgiveness

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Editor; [email protected]
I honestly thought I was going to die, said Nichole Davis about the wreck she was in on Sept. 8. Davis sustained critical injuries including severe head trauma, a broken pelvis, hip and femur when an SUV failed to yield the right-of-way to the motorcycle she was riding on Memorial Drive. After being transported by helicopter to Atlanta Medical Center, she spent 29 days hospitalized, 15 in the Intensive Care Unit, where she fought to survive injuries that left her with 13 metal plates in her face. Although still struggling to recover from her injuries and suffering from daily pain, Davis refuses to allow that to be the focus of her life. Instead, she has chosen a spirit of thanksgiving and forgiveness. I didnt lose consciousness; I was awake during the whole thing, she said. I dont know how high I went, but I was above the awning at Griffiths Drive-In. I cant even explain it, but I didnt think I was going to make it. Without hesitation, Davis credits her survival to the many good Samaritans who cared enough to stop and render aid to her. She recalls one man who ripped off his shirt and cont, RECoVERY, P. 6

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Singleton & Singleton announces merger with Thomaston law firm

JESSICA W. GREGORY :::
Publisher; [email protected]

ne of Griffin's most law firms, Singleton & Singleton, has announced a merger with Thomaston-based Pasley and Nuce, LLC. The newlycreated Singleton, Pasley & Nuce will be the largest law firm in the area, serving Spalding, Pike, and Lamar

Oprominent

counties. "This expansion is a further demonstration of a shared commitment to our clients and our strategic plan to provide an ever-increasing array of quality legal services to the communities in which we live and serve. We are the only law firm with offices to serve clients in Griffin,

cont, MERGER, P. 6

The Grip finds actual savings of Police Department restructuring plan, which will eliminate three high rank positions, negligible

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Projected savings of Police Department restructuring examined County BoC gives conditional approval for SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: final 2008 SPLOST project T
Editor; [email protected]

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

Editor; [email protected]

he final project to be by the 2008 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) will soon be underway, as city and county officials have approved action on intersection projects for three locations North Hill Strett/6th Street; North Hill Street/Northside Drive/Tuskegee Avenue; and North Hill Street/East McIntosh Road. The Griffin Board of Commissioners previously approved full funding for the North Hill Street/6th Street improvement, which will create a T-intersection, as well as half the funding, projected at $714,681, for the North Hill Street/ Northside Drive/Tuskegee Avenue intersection, which will become a round-about. That intersection is a joint city-county project, as the right side of the intersection is within the city limits while the left side is in the county. Spalding County commissioners at the Monday, Dec. 16 meeting first heard from Cynthia Reid-Ward, who serves as a Griffin commissioner. Reid-Ward stated that she had understood and relayed to her constituents that the city and county would work together to improve this specific intersection. "There were a lot of other items on the agenda that I led my residents in that area to believe that we would wait, that we would support the other SPLOST items. Since that time, weve spent millions of dollars in the industrial park; weve spent tens of millions on UGA campus; weve spent millions everywhere else, Reid-Ward said. It was my understanding until two weeks ago that we would jointly share the costs of the intersection that is known as The Flats. But at the public hearing, I kind of got the feeling that that was not so. If Im wrong, I would hope I would find it out tonight. She then said she was

Tfunded

addressing the BoC not as a Griffin commissioner, but as a constituent. Weve waited, I know for 12 years, weve not complained, but weve been promised we would get assistance in that area. The area that were talking about is probably the worst area in the city as far as crime in the scenic route into the city from Sun City, she said, reminding the commissioners that the city has approved funding for its half of the round-about. What Im asking you guys to do tonight, is basically for the residents in that area, is to just do the right thing. Weve been promised some things and I feel like weve waited patient. Reid-Ward said the city has spent tens of thousands of dollars to tear down houses in the area to improve the corridor, with plans for future blight abatement. Someone will probably be happy to come in to redevelop, but right now no one will, she said, adding that it is a dangerous area for children to walk past en route to school. We would like to see more park and play areas. Im just asking you guys to give us what you promised us. Spalding County Commissioner Gwen Flowers-Taylor also spoke at length about this project, saying that it would benefit not only area residents and business owners, but also Sun City residents, who she said were promised The Flats would be cleaned up and decriminalized. She referred the N. Hill St., Northside Dr. and Tuskegee Ave. intersection as a dangerous gauntlet of drug dealers, drunks and prostitutes they must walk through on their way to school. The County BoCs first related vote, which carried 3-1, named the North Hill Street/Northside Drive/ Tuskegee Avenue intersection as the top priority, and the North Hill Street/McIntosh Road intersection as second priority. Commissioner
cont, HILL ST, P. 7

he Griffin Police Department restructuring plan proposed by City Manager Kenny Smith as a costsaving measure has been approved by the Board of Commissioners. The plan, which calls for the elimination of several high-ranking officers' positions, has sparked citizen outrage and outspoken commentary, with many wondering whether the savings justify the cuts. In his presentation to the BoC, Smith said he projected his plan would result in annual savings of $140,000. Altogether, Smiths plan called for the elimination of two majors and two captains positions; the creation of a separate director of Public Safety position that will be filled by now GPD Chief Frank Strickland; the creation of a Code Enforcement officers position; the hiring of a new police chief; and the reassignment of the Solid Waste Departments Environmental Compliance officer to Code Enforcement. According to Smith, the savings are derived from the combined salary eliminations after offsetting the costs of the new organizational chart. Stricklands new position, described by Smith as a true Public Safety director, will not alter the budget, as his salary, including other costs of employment, will remain unchanged at $133,641. The employment costs of the two majors and two captains, which are cited as budget reductions, totals $371,985. Meanwhile, employment costs for the new police chief and Code Enforcement officer have been calculated at $95,000 and $43,000 respectively, and the reassignment of the Environmental Compliance officer will result in a $5,000 pay increase. Additionally, Maj. Homer Daniel, who leads the PDs Uniform Patrol Division, will remain in his current position, reassigned as a captain with a corresponding five percent pay cut. Smith said the reduction in Daniels costs of employment from $96,915 to $88,964 will result in savings of $7,951. Altogether, Smith projects the annual savings will be $140,021. However, The Grip has learned that one of the positions included in Smiths restructuring plan that previously held by Capt. Keith Daniel would have been eliminated whether or not the proposal was approved. Prior to any public notification of the restructuring plan, Daniel in early November announced he would be voluntarily retiring at the end of that month. Over the past several years, Griffin officials have eliminated several Police Department positions through attrition, and according to one commissioner, that step would have been taken in

regard to Daniels position, as well. Due to the fact he retired, that position was going to be eliminated, anyway, Commissioner Cynthia Reid-Ward said one day prior to Smiths BoC presentation and its subsequent vote. At the time the restructuring vote took place, Daniel was 10 days into his retirement. I dont see what that has to do with anything, though, Reid-Ward stated one day prior to casting her vote in favor of the PD restructuring. Asked after the vote if Daniels salary should have been excluded from the projected restructuring savings, Commissioner Dick Morrow said, I dont know. You can debate that, I guess. If Keith Daniels employment costs of $90,366 is excluded from the projected savings, the amount decreases to $49,655, or .56 percent of the Police Departments current $8,940,523 budget. He went on to say that it was all part of the same restructuring, whether believed to be part of the savings or not. I cant debate that. We passed one ordinance that took care of everything, including his position being eliminated. It was part of the same overall plan, Morrow said. He later gave the indication that Keith Daniels position had not been eliminated upon his retirement, saying, Well, there was nothing said that there wasnt going to be someone promoted into that position. Quite likely, there was going to be someone promoted into it, so I dont know that you can say Keith (Daniel) wouldnt be replaced. I think it really fit into this package. Morrow added that the portion of the plan that added the Code Enforcement officers position originated at the Police Department. Or at least with Capt. Keith Daniel he saw that as a high priority item, he said. Keith Daniel led the Code Enforcement Task Force in operation throughout the summer and into the fall. That was their (the Task Force) number one recommendation more Code Enforcement officers in the city one per police district, Morrow said. The present two (Code Enforcement) couldnt keep up with the need. He said he is optimistic that increased Code Enforcement efforts will be productive and result in a positive outcome for the city. My personal view is with the new Code Enforcement officer and emphasis on Code Enforcement, it will lead us where we need to go, Morrow said.

Landlord asks city BoC for help reducing neighborhood crime

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::
Editor; [email protected]

CTask

ity of Griffin Code Enforcement Force has been lauded by officials for its intensive efforts made towards eliminating blight and substandard housing. Formed in Feb. and disbanded Nov. 1, the Task Force was the result of a Board of Commissioners directive given to City Manager Kenny Smith during the 2013 goal setting workshop to clean up the city. Smith selected Capt. Keith Daniel, of the Griffin Police Department, to head up the team that also included GPD Lt. Morris Pike, Griffin Fire-Rescue Fire Marshal Mitch Cardell, Code Enforcement Officer Carol Rainwater, Code Enforcement Officer David Lovett and Building Inspector Barry

Morris. Efforts began in the Spring Hill community and worked its way across the city. Over its eight-month operation, the Task Force issued 1,729 property maintenance warnings for issues ranging from tall grass to illegal dumping to the presence of inoperable vehicles. Compliance was gained on all but 77 of those warnings. Over the course of the operation, the city also demolished 58 substandard properties. Upon completion of the Task Forces operation, Daniel made recommendations to the BoC including increasing collaboration, communication and cooperation between city departments; doubling the number of Code Enforcement officers from two to four, with each being assigned one of the citys Police

Departments Zones 1 through 4; the installation of surveillance cameras in areas where illegal dumping presents a problem; continuing to maintain the current Code Enforcement database for tracking existing code violations within the city; and informing the public and property owners how they can help by maintaining regular maintenance on their property. Weve made a lot of gains and the city looks beautiful, Daniel said. We have to maintain what we have done and keep trying to improve. We cant just let all this work go to waste because the Task Force is done. While the Code Enforcement Task Force made gains in the citys efforts to alleviate blight, the same evening Daniels final report was presented
cont, CODE ENFORCEMENT, P. 7

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Bears, cont.
the local community could come and express support for the newlycrowned champions. We truly appreciate your support for this season, and you coming together as a community, showing all that is good and well in Griffin and Spalding County. This was 35 years in the waiting, 35 years in the making, and on behalf of Griffin High School, I thank you, GHS principal Keith Simmons stated to those in attendance. Devontae Freeman, safety for the Bears and one of two players who stepped in for running back Malik Miller after Miller received a leg injury prior to the championship game, was among the team members in attendance for the rally, where temperatures in the mid 50s quickly warmed up through the cheers and applause of the fans sitting in the stands. I love it. It was a great experience, once in a lifetime. Theres a lot of love with this team, Freeman said. happened. But something very positive has come out of this. For the first time in a long time, this community as a whole has rallied together in support of our students and children. Not once, but twice. It speaks volumes about the type of community Griffin really is, and should continue to be, Facebook user Bob Rice stated in a Spalding County discussion forum. extracurricular activities do not fall underneath that category, Jones said. Fundraisers are fine if they receive enough support. I hope that the community will continue to support our team and our programs. I think that from what I saw at the AAAA Championship Celebration rally that this community is definitely supportive of our programs and our players.

Warm wishes for a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

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ALEXANDER CAIN/THE GRIP At Wednesday's celebration of the Bears' championship victory, McDonalds presented the Griffin High Touch Down Club with a $5,000 check, which will in turn be given to Parks and his family, whose home was burglarized during the game. "It was donated to Mr. Parks to his family. They donated it to us to give to him. Well just give him the check," said Doug White, Griffin Football Booster Club president. Through social media, community donations and donations from local businesses, by the time the team stepped onto the field for the community celebration four days later, Parks had already received duplicates of many of the stolen items. Its been good. People have been really supportive, and I just wanted to say thank you to those who have helped myself and my family, Parks said. The community just wants to be behind all of us as a football team and support us through everything that we do. Coach DeVoursney echoed those same feelings as he recalled the strength of Parks, the Parks family and all the members past and present of the Griffin High football team. I told the family that the community would rally behind them and they did. We have had great support rom the whole community to help replace what he had stolen and I think that he will have a great Christmas. Even though the players know that the rings are not available as of yet, it has been the motivation of achieving them that has been part of what has kept the team going, White said. I knew that they could do it. They are all jumping for joy that they won. It will take a week or two for them to come down off of the high. The boys have wanted those rings like crazy all year long. Its like a Super Bowl ring to them. When asked how he felt about a championship ring, safety Devontae Freeman just smiled and looked at his hand. I cant wait to get the ring, Freeman said. The hope is to have funds raised for purchase by February. That would be around the same time that the team would start to gather to prepare for the next season, according to Griffin High offensive coordinator Justin Rogers. This has been a fun group to coach this year. This group won the state championship back in February. Every morning starting in February we came in at 6:45 a.m. to watch film. That was way before the season even started. They sacrificed their weekends. This wasnt anything that they worked at overnight, Rogers said. If the smiles, pats on the back and hugs between the players and their fans at the community rally were any indication, there will be even more work taking place in 2014. It is in the character of our kids. I think we believed in each other. We all felt like this was going to be a magical year and now its a reality, DeVoursney said. Possibly one of the most difficult parts was playing Sandy Creek, since they had won the last three out of four state championships. The team is doing great they are excited and humbled about everything. Theres been a lot of support from our community and our kids wrote the history books. It took 30 years to do this, and I dont know if we can do it back-to-back but we are going to try. We take it one week at a time and one game at a time. Anyone interested in donating to the Griffin High School Touchdown Club to help with championship ring purchases or for general support may visit the clubs fundraiser website at https://squareup.com/market/griffinhigh-school-touchdown-club or may go by the Griffin High School Main Office and donate to the Touchdown Club. Please make checks payable to the Griffin High School Touchdown Club.

'ACADEMICS IS WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT'

After the community cheered for the entrance of the team and coaches through a giant inflatable Griffin Bears helmet and the Griffin High School Band had performed a half-time show for the crowd, the coaches and school administrators stepped onto the stage, speaking to players and fans while giving credit to the strong season for the support of the community, the drive and determination of the players and the performance of the players off the field and in the classroom. Academics is what its all about. This was one of the highest-achieving teams coming into this season, Griffin-Spalding County Schools Superintendent Curtis Jones said. Hours before taking the field for the community celebration, DeVoursney noted in a phone interview that without the dedication and drive in the classroom and within the players own homes, that the team could have faced the possibility of not showing its best while on the field. We started this process with our programs at the school, and building character and building up our team and our students mentally, physically and spiritually. Our kids believed in our coaches and we believed in our players, DeVoursney said. This is what you prepare for when you have a program like what we have at Griffin High. You always think that you have a chance, but you have to have miracles and love and have God on your side and everything line up right.

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Everything may have lined up right for the team while at the Georgia Dome, but back in Griffin things were taking a negative turn as several homes, including that of of Bears Senior Quarterback Jaquez Parks, were burglarized even as Parks and his fellow players were celebrating their victory on the field and during the bus ride home. An incident report filed by the Griffin Police Department stated an unknown number of suspects used an axe to break into the Parks home, resulting in the theft of electronics, clothing item, money and even the textbooks Parks needed to study for finals once returning to school. Three wooden doors and several dresser drawers were also damaged during the burglary. When word began to cycle within the Griffin-Spalding County community of the thefts, individuals, groups and businesses immediately stepped up to support the high school senior whose efforts on the field and in the classroom have led to scholarship offers from educational institutions such as Harvard University and Yale University. Yes, something bad and negative

As the year 2013 begins to come to a close and the Griffin High School Bears begin preparing for next season, there are still a few things missing the symbolic championship rings that would normally be provided to players after a championship win. The problem is the cost of purchasing rings for everyone involved in the historic win. Around 80 rings are needed, according to Griffin High School Touchdown Club President Douglas White. We are looking at a cost of $30,000 - $40,000 for all of the rings. We have just started a fundraising effort to help with the cost of purchases. Anybody that is willing to help us is welcome. The GHS Touchdown Club is a nonprofit organization composed of a small group of volunteers that does whatever it can to provide support to the football team, according to White. Money earned is used for the players and the needs of the team only. Our booster club is a small club. We only have seven members. We assist the team throughout the year with needs such as food and Gatorade. We sell T-shirts as part of our fundraising efforts and make sure that their player fees get paid. A lot of the boys couldnt even afford the player fees, which can run as high as several hundred dollars, White said. One difficulty in finding funds for the championship rings is that the school system can not use taxpayer money to help pay for them, according to Superintendent Jones. Our money has to be used for educational purposes, and

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THE GRIP

DEC 19 2013 - JAN 9, 2014

LIFESTYLES

Bypass the online employment process ecently several of my clients were so Rfrustrated at sending their resumes
into cyberspace that they decided to do things the old-fashioned way. They just showed up at a company where they wanted to work with a folder full of resumes. One even got hold of the HR Manager by checking out her name in advance on the companys website. She googled the website and got the names of the management team and found the HR Directors name. She called the company in advance and was told the usual, Go online and fill out an application there. So she decided to just pop in at the company and ask for that HR Director by name. Three times she heard the same old story. But on her fourth try, she hit paydirt. Persistence pays. She was asked to fill out a job application on the spot. If that happened to you, would you be ready? Make sure that you are by having a sample job application already completed to save time. Heres what you will need: Your neatly printed resume, of course, is a key. Have your current contact information, phone number and email address. Make sure you have all the correct contact info for your former employers including your dates of employ, who you worked for, his or her contact info, the exact name and address of these companies and your starting and ending salary. You will also want to detail your educational background, dates and major course of study. In some cases, you might be asked for your GPA. Lastly, have a prepared resume list with all

Emmanuel God is with you

21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. 22All of this occurred to fulfill the Lords message through the prophet: 23Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel, which means God is with us. Matthew 1:21-23

GALE BROWN SANDLER

GRIFFIN RESUME SERVICE

DUSTY TAKLE
EAGLE'S WAY ASSOCIATE PASTOR

CAREER & RESUME

names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and perhaps even how you are connected to that person, i.e. colleague, boss, client, friend, and how long you have known them. Be prepared for a brief on-the-spot interview by telling the interviewer the hours, days and dates when you are available to work. Have a calendar and good writing pen on you and dress for success as though you knew you were going to be interviewed. Be sure and get the business card of the person who talks with you and then follow up this interview with a phone call about a week later. You might waste some time and gasoline but wouldnt it be nice to actually put a name with a face? Its certainly better than sending out 100 resumes into cyberspace. Gale Brown Sandler is the founder of Griffin Resume Service and can be reached at [email protected].

cannot remember a time in my life that God has not been with me. There have certainly been moments when I questioned His presence during difficult times. But, looking back, I am always able to see there wasnt a second where He wasnt walking this journey with me. Ive never walked it alone. Neither have you. God is in your past. He is in your present. And, because, He has always been with you, you can rest in knowing He is in your future. He is Emmanuel. He is with you. And, nothing can separate you from His presence. There is nothing you can do or not do. There is nothing that can make Him not be

RELIGION/RELATIONSHIPS
with you. Psalms 139 says that we can never escape from His presence. That if we go up into heaven, He is there, and if we go down to the grave, He is there. There has never been a moment in your life that He has not been with you. Once this truth becomes a reality to us, it changes us. We become more aware of Him in everything we do. Every place we go. We become aware of His presence in every single part of our life. And, Im learning that the more aware I become of Him, moment by moment, the more my life changes. I

think differently. I respond differently. I see people differently. The more aware I become of His presence in my life, the more I grow to depend on Him. On His strength. On His faithfulness. Emmanuel has never not been with you. Emmanuel is with you at this very moment. And, He will be with you tomorrow. He loves you. And, nothing can separate Emmanuel from you. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from Gods love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow not even the powers of hell can separate us from Gods love. 39No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:3839
38

Financial resolutions for the New Year

AAmericans
bout 45 percent of usually make New Years resolutions, according to a survey from the University of Scranton. But the same survey shows that only 8% of us actually keep our resolutions. Perhaps this low success rate isnt such a tragedy when our resolutions involve things like losing a little weight or learning a foreign language. But when we make financial resolutions resolutions that, if achieved, could significantly help us in our pursuit of our important long-term goals its clearly worthwhile to make every effort to follow through. So, what sorts of financial resolutions might you consider? Here are a few possibilities: Boost your contributions to your retirement plans. Each year, try to put in a little more to your IRA and your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plans. Reduce your debts. Its not always of principal. Without such a fund, you might be forced to dip into your long-term investments to pay for emergencies, such as a new furnace, a major car repair, and so on. You might not be able to finish creating your emergency fund in one year, but contribute as much as you can afford. Plan for your protection needs. If you dont already have the proper amounts of life and disability insurance in place, put it on your To Do list for 2014. Also, if you havent taken steps to protect yourself from the considerable costs of long-term care, such as an extended nursing home stay, consult with your financial professional, who can suggest the appropriate protection or investment vehicles. You may never need such care, but thats a chance you may not want to take and the longer you wait, the more expensive your protection options may become. Dont overreact to market volatility. Too many people head to the investment sidelines during market downturns. But if youre not invested, then you miss any potential market gains and the biggest gains are often realized at the early stages of the rally. Focus on the long term. You can probably check your investment balance online, which means you can do it every day, or even several times a day but should you? If youre following a strategy thats appropriate for your needs, goals, risk tolerance and time horizon, youre already doing what you should be doing in the long run. So theres no need to stress yourself over the shortterm movements that show up in your investment statements. Do whatever you can to turn these New Years resolutions into realities. Your efforts could pay off well beyond 2014.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

The columnists on these pages are local business owners and church leaders. These columns reflect their opinions, which are not necessarily those of The Grip or Grip staff. We welcome responses to these columns, or any Grip article. Please send responses in writing as a signed letter to the editor to [email protected] or post to PO Box 2251, Griffin, GA 30224.

Spalding Humane Society adoptable pet of the week usie is one of S10 puppies

AMY DUNHAM

EDWARD JONES

FINANCIAL ADVISOR
easy to reduce your debts, but make it a goal to finish 2014 with a smaller debt load than you had going into the new year. The lower your monthly debt payments, the more money youll have to invest for retirement, college for your children (or grandchildren) and other important objectives. Build your emergency fund. Work on building an emergency fund containing six to 12 months worth of living expenses, with the money held in a liquid account that offers a high degree of preservation

born of a momma lab mix who showed up after the Tornados in Griffin.She will be a great watch dog. She is just about full grown at 40lbs. Adoption fee is $125 and includes all shots and spay/neuter. If you would like to meet Susie, email dyelv@ bellsouth.net or call 678-878-8338

SPALDING COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER ADOPTIONS

There are also many "last chance pets" available for adoption at the Spalding County Animal Shelter located at 208 Justice Boulevard in Griffin. Adoption fees are $30 for Spalding County residents and $35 for nonresidents. This does not include spay/neuter or shots. To view those animals, visit www.spaldingcountyanimalshelter.com.

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DEC 19 2013 - JAN 9, 2014

THE GRIP

SHOP DOWNTOWN THIS CHRISTMAS Join our sewing classes Surviving seasonal Well make it oh-sew-easy! Ages 10+ shopping stress
LIFESTYLES 5
technique: pause, and remember. Here is what I mean. The fire crackles and snaps as I write this. I like to sit here in my chair with the tree lit, casting its festive, white lights and shadows on the walls, and quietly think and reflect on the season. I may enjoy some reinforced egg nog after a long day at work. Sometimes I turn off the television and just sit. I pause to remember Christmases when my parents were living, when life was simpler, when the wonder of Christmas was somehow more magical, when there was anticipation of something supernatural and exciting. I remember friends and events long gone. My mind goes to a night two millennia ago that was planned and predicted before creation. On that wondrous night, a star announced a birth of a baby that would otherwise have gone unnoticed. He was, after all, just a baby born to pilgrims on their way to pay taxes. He was nothing special to the world around Him that anyone would be aware of Him. But He was at once the Son of Man and Son of God. He would grow up, studying, learning, and playing with children for whom He would ultimately give his own life. Who would have thought that this little boy was the One of whom angels sang and the prophets wrote? And so it was that on that night the central figure of all of history was born. The world would change forever as a result. People did not know what to do with Him, and many still do not. What each individual believes about this little child might make all the difference in this world and the next. Because I spend much of my time laying hands on people with healing intent in obedience to the will of that very child, I like to think of Christmas as a house call from the Great Physician Himself, the one who healed by His stripes, as Isaiah foretold. He still heals, for indeed all healing comes through Him. Christmas is still a stressful time for me, too, filled with too much rushing and shopping and overeating. Amidst the chaos of the season, the man-made commercial rat race we have made of His birth, it helps me to pause and remember. It helps relieve stress. In fact, it is how I can find peace.

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hristmas is almost In fact, retail stores began the season by displaying Christmas products before Halloween, to the dismay of many. It is coming fast, and with it comes stress in physical, social, spiritual, relational, and psychological forms. How can we cope with all of this? How can we stay fully functional and get all the shopping done? Consider treating your shopping like an athletic event. In fact, as you contend with crowds, it may become just that, but I digress. When preparing for a 5K run, for example, there are things you would do. For example, stay hydrated. Increase your water intake. It will keep you from overeating and help combat the diuretic effects of caffeine, soft drinks, alcohol, and salty foods. Youll feel better. Remember that when you are stressed, your muscles may be tight and relatively inflexible. You are more prone to injury, especially when tired, so pace yourself. Be more careful than usual about what you lift and how. If you hurt something, call me. You may be walking more than usual on hard concrete floors. Wear sensible shoes. Recent studies suggest that 60% of women wear shoes that are uncomfortable for the fashion statement they make. My experience suggests that this figure is significantly underestimated. Remember that we are in Georgia, where the weather is hard to predict. This mornings low temperature was around 29 degrees, but I was able to drive my convertible this afternoon with the top down comfortably. Wear clothes that are layered so you have the option of being warm as well as the option to remove layers and stay cooler. Leave the purse at home, as it is just something else to carry, and it may make you a target for thugs. Use your pockets or a fanny pack. This also means you are lighter and lifting less. Take breaks. Sit down with a friend and a snack every hour or two. Plan some fun and enjoy the sights, smells, and tastes of the season. And, as unorthodox or politically incorrect as it may be, I would suggest another holiday stress reduction

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DEC 19 2013 - JAN 9, 2014

recovery, cont.
placed it on her face in an attempt to stop the blood flow. Others held her and gave her comfort. They all saved my life. They all kept me calm and kept me awake. I know I had to have asked a hundred times if I was going to die, but not one person made me feel uncomfortable, she recounted. I asked them to please tell my boyfriend and kids that I love them, but they all told me I was going to be okay. That reassurance continued with the arrival of emergency services personnel, including one EMT named Diana Ledford. When Davis asked her if she was going to die, she said Ledford told her, Nope. Not today. Not on my watch. Ledford demonstrated the heart so many public safety personnel have by visiting
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Davis at Atlanta Medical Center. That was the beginning of Daviss time of thanksgiving. Since being discharged from the hospital, Davis has made an effort to visit every person who provided the care that she credits with saving her life. She has visited Fire Stations, the Police Department, Emergency Medical Services and the emergency room of Spalding Regional Hospital, where she received treatment prior to being airlifted to Atlanta. However, Davis has been unable to thank many of the unknown people who, in the midst of their everyday lives, stopped to help in her time of great need. I just want to tell them thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving my life. I just know if it wasnt for those people doing everything they did, exactly

when they did it, I wouldnt have survived, she said. The people around here are just awesome. Theyre really angels to me. In addition to expressing her thanks to those who came to her rescue, Davis has also reached out to another unlikely person the 18-year-old girl who caused the wreck that nearly took her life. Despite the severe injuries that have forever altered her life, Davis chose not only to live her life to the fullest, but to allow the young woman to also begin to heal. I was leaving church one day when I realized I had to go see her, she said. We found her address on the wreck report and went to her house. She was so afraid, but I told her I needed her to know I wasnt angry with her. I had forgiven her and I cared about her.

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little league, cont.

extreme competitiveness attached to it, but it also has the travel and tournament component attached to it for the more competitive level. Leger said this will benefit not only baseball and softball players of all skill levels, but also the overall community. When there are no rec games scheduled, theyll have the ability to host tournaments at our parks. As long as they were under Little League contracts, they couldnt host tournaments other than Little League tournaments, she said. For the players who enjoy that, theyll be able to play some at home. They wont always have to travel out of town to play tournaments. This will bring revenue into Spalding County, as teams will pay fees for the tournaments themselves as well as shop locally. In addition, the local baseball and softball associations will benefit financially. The associations will be able to raise money to keep programs affordable for players, Leger said. There are people in place who have a true passion for recreation ball, so that it can continue to be fun for all players. With that as the primary goal, Leger said she anticipates a smooth transition between the two programs. The fields will change very little, and theyre still going to continue to draft and do many of the same things they already are. In fact, parents arent going to see much of a change, she said. Our focus is to ensure Spalding County citizens will continue to have a fun, healthy and safe recreation program for all. Leger said the support for this change in affiliation has thus far been overwhelming. The current Little League board first voted on the change, followed by all members of the Little League Association. Leger said both votes were unanimously in favor of the transition. An informational meeting for all interested parties was held Dec. 18, and only one final step remains a Jan. 9 vote by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. If approved as anticipated, Leger said it USSSA play will be in place in spring 2014.

770-412-0727
merger, cont.
Thomaston, and Barnesville, with more lawyers dedicated to these objectives than other local firms. These multiple locations make it as easier for clients to meet with their attorney and for attorneys to really invest in and be a part of the community they serve," said Dwayne Singleton. Chad Nuce echos Singleton's sentiments, saying, "the merger is a natural progression in the growth of both firms. It allows us to combine our resources and use the strengths of both firms to provide the best possible service and results for our clients." The merger will be official on Jan. 1, with Singleton closing his current location. Singleton, Pasley and Nuce will have three offices, one in Griffin, Barnesville and Thomaston. "We will have seven full-time attorneys and a large support staff ready to tackle our clients legal needs. Having a local presence in these locations gives our clients convenient access to a firm with the skill and resources to handle their needs, no matter how large or small they may be," said Nuce. The firm will continue to help clients in a wide array of legal matters. "The merger will allow us to handle nearly any type of legal matter our clients may have. We specialize in personal injury, tractor trailer wrecks, Workers Compensation, Social Security, wrongful death, medical malpractice, criminal law, divorces and domestic matters as well as wills and estates," said Nuce. "Litigation is one of my strategic areas of focus, and Chad Nuce and Al Pasley, along with their associates, complement our team of amazing attorneys and fit culturally with our firm. This combination would not only deliver on this value proposition but would also add to each of our existing strengths to solve important problems for clients. I am excited to begin our firm with a group of high quality and well-known attorneys who share a commitment to client service and excellent legal services. We all look forward to winning cases for our clients," said Singleton. "I have an unwavering commitment to help my clients succeed and win their cases, and so do my colleagues. This has been a mantra since first practicing law, and that will not change."

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Spalding County Ferst Foundation thanks contributors

Spalding County Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy has much to be grateful for as 2013 comes to a close. Thanks to the many magnanimous donors, 625 Spalding County children age 5 and below currently receive a book per month in their mail. Of those donors, some are local civic clubs, businesses, and the like, but most are individuals who understand the importance of reading especially of reading aloud to children. In this county, 4,500 children are of the targeted age, and the Ferst Foundation hopes that eventually every single preschooler will be registered. At this point, however, funds are not available to give the gift of literacy to 100% of the qualified children. Still, the current 13% is a start. The foundations goal for 2014 is to reach a total of 1125 children, which is of the preschool population. Research has shown that the most success happens when counties can serve 50% or more of the little ones. Some of the counties whose local Ferst Foundation chapters have been in existence for over five years are close to 70%. We focus on supporting the 600+ who are already receiving books, says co-founder Louisa Melton, but we are eager to increase the number of children who get those monthly books. Literacy is a major factor not only in the kids homes but also in our entire community. Imagine how much stronger and healthier our community will be when every single child here can benefit from Robin Fersts dream. Ferst Foundations community action team member Sandra Sanders concurs. Having been an elementary school teacher in Griffin before I retired, I know firsthand that the children who have books in their own homes do better in school in virtually every subject. Theyre also more self-confident and more willing to challenge themselves academically. Ferst Foundation is a wonderful vehicle to promote literacy. At $28 per child, the donation of twelve books a year represents a relatively minor amount to contribute, but what the child gains from those books is immeasurable, adds Joyce Oetting, another community action team member. Had the foundation been in existence when my own boys were little, I definitely would have registered them. My husband and I have always valued books and made sure our kids had plenty of their own, but I know it would have been fun for them to get a book each month in the mail. Residents who would like to enrich the life of a child can mail a donation to Spalding County Ferst Foundation, P. O. Box 2092, Griffin, 30224. That donation is 100% tax deductible.

DEC 19 2013 - JAN 9, 2014

THE GRIP

GET A GRIP AND GET THE GOOD STUFF

GOVERNMENT 7
code enforcement, cont.
to commissioners, a different perspective was also brought to light. During the public comment portion of the meeting, Cherry Thomas, of Concord, addressed the Commission, imploring officials to assist in her efforts to decriminalize the West College Street Extension area, which is the location of one of her rental properties. Im not here to complain. I want you to understand that, she said, as she began explaining the challenges facing her as a local property owner. Thomas said she purchased her home for $20,000 in 1997 and has since spent an additional $27,000 improving the property with a new roof, siding, central heat and air conditioning, carpet, vinyl, paint and kitchen cabinetry. I have done my part of the bargain by keeping this house up, she said before describing serious ongoing issues. I have had repeated problems with the thugs and dope heads and everything in that neighborhood and on that street. The people who live there Im speaking for them because I wouldnt want to live there and I dont think they do, either. Thomas said her property has been repeatedly burglarized and vandalized with thefts. I have found clothes and condoms at the back door, she said. They drink up and down the street and on the front porch if no one is home. She said despite the ongoing damage and losses, she stays committed to maintaining her property. Ive gone and fixed the house again, she said. She now has a tenant who has also been a burglary victim. Thomas praised GPD Chief Frank Strickland and Rainwater, who she said have made themselves completely available and offered to help with assistance establishing a neighborhood watch program and ongoing code enforcement efforts. These people are breaking the law every way you turn and you can see them in the street doing it, she said. Commission Chairman Joanne Todd asked why she believes shes being targeted and Thomas said, I dont think they target my house. I think its up and down the whole street. Commissioner Doug Hollberg said, I feel your pain and understand your frustration, and other than declare war Thomas interrupted and said, Im ready. Hollberg continued on, saying, I am, too until we finally decide as a community that enough is enough, and if you dont want to meet a standard in this community, you need to go away. Commissioner Dick Morrow responded to Thomass plea by stating, Obviously, the Task Force didnt get to this street in this neighborhood. Thomas replied, They did, because they cited me. Commissioner Shaheer Beyah said he had held a meeting with residents of that area and Regency Apartments in June as the Code Enforcement Task Force was in operation throughout the city and was under the impression conditions had improved for a couple of months. I think it did better for a couple of months or so, and then it...did you notice any change after June? Beyah asked. I haven't really noticed any change at all, she replied. Its just a bottleneck of mayhem Hollberg responded. Thomas agreed, but remained resolute. Theyre not going to run me out of my home. Im afraid of these people, but Im determined now to see if I can turn it around, she said, later adding, Im asking for guidance and help. We dont even need this element in Griffin, and if we tighten up on what we expect in the neighborhoods and what we dont tolerate any more, they will go away because its not what they want to do."

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SPLOST, cont.
Wilsons initial recommendation was that commissioners approve the SPLOST referendum to be placed on the May primary ballot, but that was met with opposition. Im just not comfortable with that. I think were rushing it. I havent seen a list of the projects that you guys are recommending, Flowers-Taylor said. She then cited the most recent regional Transportation SPLOST, which was soundly defeated by Spalding voters. I know that lots of people didnt vote for it because they had a gazillion different pieces of information, most of which was incorrect, and basically they felt like it was crammed down their throats, Flowers-Taylor said. I think educating people, getting peoples input about what theyd like to see happen, is very important, and I dont believe that can happen for us in five months. She also expressed concern about the proposal to use SPLOST funds to reduce the countys debt.

Part of the suggestion I see is that we try to pay off some of our debt the countys debt you know, buildings that we have and stuff like that. From where were sitting up here, thats fine, she said. But if I were sitting at home sitting in my living room, Id be saying, like, so yall couldnt do what youre supposed to do with the budget, so now you want me to vote for a SPLOST so you can pay the bills off, but you dont want to give me anything to enrich my life. Flowers-Taylor said she does not necessarily oppose such a use for SPLOST revenue, but believes voters may not be supportive. Commissioner Raymond Ray responded by explaining the purpose of the debt reduction would be to reduce overhead costs such as debt related to county-owned property. Improving the countys cash flow would mean that we would be able to turn back some of the money we had to increase in this years taxes. That was one of the primary objectives. So, were cleaning up something that we need to clean up, and thats cash flow. It makes it easier for the county it comes back

as a reward for our citizens to say thank you, being number one and then we move their projects, and we talked about all kinds of projects. Roads, Public Works, Parks and Rec, you name it, we pretty much covered it, Ray said. But then it came back down to what was needed, what the priority was and thats where the final list came up. Weve identified by project; weve identified pretty much by cost. That way weve got it all ironed out. Dont think were trying to push anything. I think now its just a question of educating the public, informing the public I think we just need to look at the overall list. And you werent available last week you were out of town so I dont want to shoot it down before we even have a chance to talk about it. Flowers-Taylor countered by stating she was unaware of why certain individuals had already gathered to compose a county project list. Wilson explained that historically, the Commissioner chairman now Flowers-Taylor has designated two or more commissioners for a subcommittee to work on the SPLOST. Flowers-

Taylor said she did not oppose that plan, but wanted representatives of Orchard Hill and Sunnyside as members of the subcommittee, which would give the cities an opportunity to promote their respective projects. Subsequently Ray and Gardner were appointed to this subcommittee. Im having a lapse on that. I dont know if anybody else is, but I am, Flowers-Taylor said. She told her fellow commissioners to do what they wanted to do, but maintained her opposition to the proposed SPLOST projects, stating her belief that it would be difficult to garner voter support. I cant see that, so yeah, were going to need some real discussion about that because I dont see that flying one bit, she said. Im going to be frank with you. If we think for one second that were going to get people to spend another penny or another six years because were going to pave some roads and pay off some bills, I dont know where yall are shopping, but yall better go back and look because that aint going to work.

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Hill Street, cont.

Chipper Gardner opposed the measure, citing his constituents more often express concern about the McIntosh Road intersection. Ray recused himself from the vote because of a business interest at the first location. Commissioners then took three votes in an attempt to approve a final design concept. In the first, a motion and second by Flowers-Taylor and Commissioner Rita Johnson called for a roundabout for the North Hill Street/Northside Drive/Tuskegee Avenue intersection. The cost of $750,000 would have been designated for that project and property acquisition and improvements at the North Hill Street/ East McIntosh Road intersection. The motion was denied by a 2-2 vote, with Gardner and Commissioner Bart Miller

opposing. Ray again recused himself from the vote. The second vote involved a motion and second by Miller and Gardner, respectively, and called for a T intersections at both locations. The motion was again denied 2-2, with Flowers-Taylor and Johnson opposing, and Ray recusing himself from the vote. The final motion was made by Flowers-Taylor and seconded by Johnson. It called for commissioners to approve the funding for the design and engineering of a round-about at the North Hill Street/Northside Drive/ Tuskegee Avenue intersection, and the T design for the North Hill Street/ East McIntosh intersection. FlowersTaylor said this would allow the county to obtain firmer cost projections prior to beginning construction. The vote carried 4-0, with Ray again recusing himself. This allows funding for only the design and engineering process,

but not construction. Flowers-Taylor said once the costs are more closely known, county officials should meet with city officials to let them know how broke we are. One additional issue that stirred dissention was the North Hill Street bridge in The Flats that crosses Cabin Creek. It is currently rated for eight tons, which means school buses and fire trucks may not cross. It is located in the county, but there was concern that funding would be insufficient to undertake the necessary repairs along with the intersections improvements. Flowers-Taylor repeatedly said she is uncertain if that bridge is the number one priority bridge in the county, and that it was not part of the original agreement between the city and county. Ray expressed more serious concern, saying if the bridge fails, there is no North Hill Street corridor, as it would be impassible.

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