A Look Back at 2013

Happy New Year to Jasper County and the world!

2014 has arrived and for those reading this so have we, in a sense. We’ve stared down another year of whatever life has thrown at us and survived to conquer another. Welcoming the new year tends to cause many to reflect on the years past particularly the past year.

2013 will be one to be remembered, guaranteed. If not locally definitely nationally, for many reasons but mostly for political ones. Americans will long remember the 16-day government shutdown that began October 1 when the idea of bi-partisanship failed our nation.

President Barack Obama and fellow Democrats and Republicans went into a stalemate over the 2010 Affordable Care Act also referred to as Obamacare.

The shutdown came to a halt with a temporary bandage that could be ripped off as January 15 approaches, the deadline for next round of federal spending authorizations. We’ll see what happens in a few weeks.

And after all the fuss to protect Obamacare, its November online enrollment debut was less than stellar when it met with many technical problems.

Religion took center stage internationally when Pope Benedict XVI stepped away from the papacy after just eight years of service—an very rare act from a sitting pope.

I know many like myself who give any thought, no matter how minor, to the Catholic practice believe once the pope always the pope—until death do the papacy and pope part. The last pope to step down was in 1415. Whatever led Pope Benedict to his decision in February is now an afterthought.

The new papal pontiff, Pope Francis, named in March has all the world watching as he revolutionizes Catholic doctrine and revamps the Vatican. An outgoing personality, his life prior to the papacy never changed much even as he rose through the ranks of the Catholic church—a simple man living a simple life caring for the needs of others.

Did you know that he once worked as a bouncer in a South American nightclub or that he forewent his cardinal allowance and stately apartment while serving in Argentina.

He’s likeable and he likes the masses and the masses seem to like him. Time Magazine has named him “Person of the Year” and Esquire Magazine just days ago named him the “Best Dressed Man of 2013.”

Go figure, for a guy who wears a white robe 365 days a year, mind you the that same white robe his 265 predecessors wore. Goes to show it’s not what you wear but how you wear it.

Well enough of national and international headlines, let’s review 2013 in Jasper County—the news that matters most to those who reside here. The pages of this publication showed us in black and white, sometimes in color, what got people talking, crying, and celebrating.

Let’s start with our pope, Donnie Pope that is. Jasper County’s latest sheriff who was sworn in to protect and serve in January after being elected in November 2012.

As John Wayne might say, “there’s a new sheriff in town.” Born, bred, and raised in Jasper County, ascending to the ranks of sheriff seemed natural since he has served in law enforcement all his life.

With a new sheriff comes new staff or rather increased staff and Jasper apparently needed it. According to a September 2013 report from the 911 Center and Jasper County Sheriff Office (JCSO), the crime rate increased dramatically from 2012 to 2013 during the first half of the year.

Driving under the influence arrests more than doubled and stopping suspicious person/vehicle almost quadrupled.

Though the official numbers are not tabulated for the latter half of the year, crime and suspicious behavior didn’t seem to slow down. Burglaries and drug seizures were rampant.

Guns seemed a popular target for thieves, and drug traffickers were a target for law enforcement. Budding traffickers were targeted as the JCSO conducted Operation Sellers at the high school to weed out, no pun intended, young drug law violators.

In an effort to prevent and fight crime, the JSCO has added some new additions to its arsenal including not a humvee and a C.H.A.M.P.S. vehicle.

While crime may be up and efforts to stamp it out strengthened, there were good people doing good deeds. Take current citizen of the Year Juanita Thompson, for example. She and husband, Andrew, have lived here for more than 60 years. Of those years she educated students for 34, and has managed to spend great deal more time volunteering on various county boards.

Remember Emmi Wade, the young Girl Scout who earned a nine day trip to Italy as part of the Georgia Global Green Team. Then there was her girl scouting counterpart Lena Boyd who earned the Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting which takes years of dedication.

Also, Alex Jordan enlisted in the Peace Corps and resides in Africa currently while Cody Batchelor is ecstatic to be teaching English in China.. Former Jasper County Community Food Bank Director Juanita Davis was named a Daily Point of Light honoree.

Good things happened for some local veterans. Kendra Coleman returned home to Jasper County to build a home as a amputee after losing her right leg while serving on a tour of duty in the Middle East.

Wounded Warrior Marty Brownlee was granted a mortgage free home as a Purple Heart veteran having served many tours of duty. Not long ago, Sergeant Major William Connelly was conducted into the Georgia Military Veteran’s Hall of Fame.

The past year hasn’t been all roses, it has come with thorns and some notable losses. Who can forget the tragic death of Jasper residents and Brewton-Parker College freshmen Johnathan Bell and Kevin Camp who were gone too soon when a tree fell and struck their vehicle.

Then, just days ago Richie Steele died following a tragic accident in Palmetto.

And, there was the apparent murder/suicide of elderly couple Margaret and Joe Lawson just months ago.

Vehicular crashes were responsible for many other deaths as well; let us remember Herschel Richard, David Bassett, and Gail Godwin.

Death in itself can be tragic, but sometimes when it comes after longevity we as survivors don’t quibble so much. After all, birth will be followed by death one day.

Take world leader Mandela for example, he lived to the ripe age of 95. Much of the world didn’t take notice of him until he was into his 70s after serving 27 years, wrongly, in a South African prison cell. His release didn’t leave him bitter; it propelled him toward peace and unity for his nation which led to his rise of world leadership.

This year Jasper County lost many that lived long and served well. Remember Grace Blackwell and Charles “Speedy” Campbell among a long, long, list of loved ones lost.

Jasper County welcomed some new businesses this year. Residents can now add Kenny D’s Bar and Grill and Subway to the list of places to dine, with a few more on the horizon.

The opening of Norton Packaging in the local Industrial Park is a prospect for local job seekers as well as Baxter International when it opens in the Stanton Springs as part of the Four-County Development recruitment project of which Jasper is part.

Also, some current businesses got facelifts. The 911 Center received upgrades, Circle K was renovated, the former Civic Center/Community Center reopened as Thomas Persons Hall, and Susie Q’s became a Village Post Office.

Yet other familiar structures just plainly went away like the building across from The News office, the corner of Washington and Forsyth is now an empty spot.

One can’t review a community’s happenings without reviewing its government. It was a calmer and more unified year for the Jasper County Commission with a new board.

Most of the votes taken were unanimous instead of 3-2. As far as issues, LOST funds were again approved and more action to improve the landfill situation are underway.

Big news for the Monticello City Council included recent raises for employees and the council will welcome a new face in the coming days as David Wease defeated Randy Strozier in a November election.

This year brought new faces to old positions around the county.

Lorri Smith was named County Manager in February but resigned two months later to take another position elsewhere. Karen Degges now occupies the county management position.

Andrea Benton became Chamber of Commerce Executive Director in February. James Gregory of Eatonton assumed the duties of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Director and Sean Brown was named Shady Dale Fire Chief.

Some familiar faces left some familiar positions in our community. Doctors Leigh Ann Thompson and William Blake went onto other pursuits while we welcomed Dr. Jamison Estes and Derrick Lane.

Dorothy McElheney retired from the Hamilton State Bank, formerly McIntosh State Bank, following 44 years of service. I bet she remembers when it was Farmers National Bank.

One can’t talk about a community without talking about it schools. Education is a vital function of every community.

Shiloh Christian Academy entered its fourth year but had many firsts in 2013 including offering a Pre-K program, forming a school board, and adding teachers instead of utilizing video classes.

Washington Park School added a computer lab while Jasper County High School is in the process of building a agricultural barn.

Academic and athletic programs at all schools flourished throughout the year. The Piedmont Literary Team won state and Mat Cougar Mills Smith won a region title in wrestling while Mat Cane Oscar Sandoval was a runner-up at state competition.

The JCHS FCCLA organization earned a Silver Chapter Award and had three individuals to compete in nationals.

The Lady Canes basketball team were Region 4-AA runner ups. Meanwhile, the Lady Canes track team won a region title with Janee Chapman being awarded the High Point Award.

It was a good fiscal year for the JCHS athletic program as grant funds came rolling in. The program received $12,000 from the Muscle Milk and CytoSport Nutrition organizations and later they garnered a $5,000 grant from Hooters.

The Jasper County School Board saw some changes following the election that replaced longtime member Phyllis Norwood with Erin Lynch. Having served as chairman for several years, Mrs. Norwood was replaced at the helm by Dr. Shannon Barton.

Another big change in the public school system came in August when students headed back to school with transportation changes. Primary and elementary students in select areas of the county are being transported to and from school via separate buses than that of their high school counterparts.

All and all 2013 was a year of renewal and growth, locally and nationally. To that end, it must be mentioned that in June when more than 50 plus young women converge on Las Vegas for the Miss USA competition, Jasper County’s very own Tiana Griggs will be representing Georgia.

See you in the New Year!