AS I SEE IT
Welcome to the third quarter edition of Bridges magazine. This issue has something for everyone. In its pages you will find features on residents, businesses and dedicated Rome City Employees.
I know you will enjoy stories about Romans Robert Hortman, Bill Kelly, and Roger Sheppard, who went through the famous TOPGUN Navy flight weapons training during three different decades. Imagine a city the size of Rome having three aviators participate in that ‘best of the best’ military training.
One of Rome’s oldest real estate firms, Dempsey Auction, is also featured in this issue. You'll read how online auctioneering is expanding the market worldwide. Sit in a tree stand on a deer hunt in Texas while buying a farm in South Georgia!
You will also meet local professionals, Dr. Justin Tanner and Elizabeth Wellesley. Discover why they decided to return to their hometown for their careers and family life.
Learn about the Rome City Street Department, which does much more than just patch potholes and resurface streets. They’re among the most diverse groups in the Public Works Division of city employees, and I often refer to them as our ‘universal soldiers.’
Travel along with Rome Police Captain Danny Story through a day of ensuring the safety of our students and community.
Enjoy! Sammy Rich Rome City Manager
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706.236.4400
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BRIDGES ADMINISTRATION
Leeta McDougald, CEO
Susan Moore Beyer, Editor
Doug Walker
Jim Bojo
Dana Clark
Andrea Burley
Bruno
ADVISORY/CONTRIBUTORY
Sammy Rich
Chuck Hufstetler
Lisa Smith
Kristi Kent
Graycen Nudd
Craig McDaniel
Bridges Rome magazine is created, written, and published by Advertising Dynamics, Inc. in collaboration with the City of Rome. Bridges Rome magazine reserves the right to edit all materials for clarity and/or space availability in determining the suitability of all materials submitted for publication. Reproduction of printed materials is prohibited without the prior consent of the publisher. ©Copyright 2024. All rights reserved.
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FROM THE EDITOR
Our staff enjoys sharing information about the individuals and organizations that make Rome truly special.
Learn more about community advocate Mary Hardin Thornton who currently serves as Project Manager for the City of Rome where she manages administrative projects and programs related to SPLOST, ARPA and grants within the Finance Department. In January, Thornton will be sworn in as the new Clerk of Superior Court.
Nelson Mandela once said, “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” As Rome City Schools kicked off the new academic year, you will find that our students are capable hands. Under the leadership of Dr. Eric Holland and RCS educators, the school system will focus on their ability to influence students in all aspects of their lives.
One of the highlights at this time of year is the opening of a new season of the Rome Symphony Orchestra. Recognized as the oldest symphony in the South, The orchestra continues to bring the highest quality of musicianship and entertainment to our community. Learn more about the organization under the leadership of Maestro Dokken in this issue of Bridges. Be sure to check out their schedule and make plans to attend upcoming performances.
All the best,
Susan Moore Beyer Managing Editor susan@adigeorgia.com
The City of Rome is experiencing growth opportunities I have not seen in my adult life. We are witnessing the most significant increase in single- and multi-family housing in over fifty years. Additionally, a trail system that was once only a dream of community leaders dating back to 1970 is now becoming a reality.
The leaders who brainstormed ideas decades ago would be amazed at the transformation of our community. It's exciting to see similar talent and vision in our young leaders today, and I look forward to witnessing the development of our community 30, 40, or even 50 years from now.
Elected officials from across the state, as expressed in Georgia Municipal Association meetings, have mentioned their desire for their communities to emulate Rome. I take great pride in this recognition. Rome is truly a special place.
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR CRAIG MCDANIEL
CITY OF ROME MARY HARDIN
THORNTON
Her story is that of a true Roman, born and bred. To know her is to understand that Mary Hardin Thornton enjoys working on behalf of her hometown. Either in her work life or as a community activist, she is sought after for a wide range of good reasons, most of which are because she is a prime resource for advancing projects and advocating the city's essential needs.
Mary Hardin, as she is called by her friends and colleagues, is the important go-to name in your contact file.
Mary Hardin graduated from West Rome High School in 1987 and attended Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in English, Religion, and Philosophy. In 1993, she completed the ABA-certified paralegal program in Atlanta and received her certification in general studies from the National Center for Paralegal Training.
Her attraction to the legal world led her back home to work with the law firm of Brinson, Askew & Berry. As a paralegal, she gained valuable experience working with a national franchise development company, assisting with patent maintenance for a local chemical company, and assisting with estate and probate work for individual clients. Additionally, she assisted with case management for a Trustee in United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
In 2001, Mary Hardin was offered a position with Zartic Foods, Inc., which was one of the most successful “further” processing companies in Georgia. She worked as the assistant to the president and council for the president. She oversaw intellectual property maintenance, processed liability claims, and helped manage a $1 million line of credit for internal brokerage purposes.
In 2005, she switched gears and became the Director of Keep Rome Floyd Beautiful, serving as the third local affiliate director for the National Keep America Beautiful network in Rome after Mary Louise Payne and Mickie Dobbs. She successfully obtained grants to assist the financing of special municipal projects and neighborhood sustainability, resulting in improved community environments. Many such programs, such as Tree City USA and Bee City USA, continue to prove beneficial.
Mary Hardin would later become the Special Services Manager for Parks and Recreation and during her tenure oversaw improvements at the Lock and Dam, managed the Ridge Ferry Farmer’s Market, and supervised the recreational gymnastics program – during Covid!
Currently, Mary Hardin holds the position of Project Manager for the City of Rome, where she is responsible for managing and coordinating administrative projects, programs and activities related to SPLOST, ARPA and grants within the Finance Department. It is her job to conduct research, provide data, make recommendations and implement solutions to achieve goals and objectives. Much depends on good decisions and proper resourcing, and her goal, as in everything she takes on, is to bring the best course of action to the forefront. Outside of work responsibilities, it is not surprising she has been recognized for her many accomplishments and served or chaired over twenty board of directors and civic organizations.
In a few months, Mary Hardin Thornton will take on a new role as the newly elected Superior Clerk of Court for Floyd County, assuming office
in January 2025. She says her father, the late Martin Hardin “Buddy” Mitchell, would be pleased. He too made an impact on Rome and is remembered as a popular and bright Rome City Commissioner. Mitchell Plaza and fountain located downtown on Third Avenue commemorates his stewardship.
In her office hangs a clue as to how she has managed to be successful in the jobs and duties she has undertaken. It reads “Get the facts, Involve the people, Plan systematically, Focus on results, Provide feedback and Positive reinforcement.”
“Everything builds on your experience,” she says. “I have been fortunate to not only have had opportunities to grow in my expertise, but have had the luxury of working for, and with, some of the finest and most dedicated employers and staff members in local government and the private sector. When you see how dedicated these people are, you feel good knowing our community is in such good hands. It continues to be my privilege to serve Rome and Floyd County.”
Utlizing video conferencing, Thornton updates the status of a project.
CITY OF ROME POLICE
DANNY STORY
A DAY ON THE BEAT
Captain Danny Story celebrated his 30th anniversary with the Rome Police Department in August.
He’s worked his way through the ranks to the point where he is the head of the Special Operations Unit, formerly known as the Selective Enforcement Unit. It’s a job he loves, and with 30 years on the books, he plans to continue working until it’s not fun anymore.
Captain Story’s shift starts at 6 am, but he generally gets to the new police headquarters in West Rome around 5:15 each morning. “I like to have some flexibility in case somebody is sick and calls in,” Story said. “A phone call can change what you do every day. And we must be very functional.” Following his cup of coffee, Captain Story sits down with the night shift patrol supervisor.
We talked with Captain Story on the first day of school. He made it clear that it was essentially all hands-on deck to enhance safety for children and motorists as well. After the kids were safe at their desks in school, he ran a little traffic and focused on an area that had been the subject of numerous complaints regarding speed. One gentleman who had lived in that area for more than 30 years ran a stop sign and told Story he never even thought about running the stop sign. “It’s the little things that people often get mad about, but it’s the little things that turn into big things,” said Story. By the way, he gave the motorist a warning instead of a ticket, pointing out that sometimes education works wonders. He’s passionate about speed enforcement because people don’t understand the “catastrophic ramifications.” He said speeding laws are not suggestions. “If you can get people to slow down, you’ll decrease accidents and fatalities by at least 50%, that’s proven by statistics, by mathematics, it’s just been proven,” Captain Story said.
One of those phone calls that changed the course of the day came in at mid-morning. A new side-by-side all-terrain vehicle the department had ordered arrived, so Story and several officers had to make arrangements to get radios installed at Coosa Valley Communications and then have the vehicle wrapped to identify it as a police vehicle. Of course, Asst. Chief Rodney Bailey and Chief Denise Downer-McKinney had to take a short ride to check it out before the vehicle was taken over to the various shops.
Right before lunch, Story took some time to review his calendar and realized it was early August and that it was almost time to start planning for the Rome Christmas Parade. “That and the Fourth of July fireworks are two of the biggest special events we do,” Captain Story said.
By then, it was time for lunch, so Captain Story met with a couple of his officers for lunch. “We talked about how their day was going, I just want to be there for them. That’s part of being a supervisor,” he said.
After lunch, it was time to go back to check some of the schools and crossing guards to make sure the first day of school ended as well as it started.
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Technology and equipment updates are a must for public safety and efficiency.
LEADERSHIP
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After school was out, it was back to the station for more paperwork, including reviewing any incident reports from the day. Story said he will work the accident if he is near a wreck call. “I feel like you lead from the front and if they (his officers) see if, as a Captain, he’s out there doing the job, it motivates them,” Story said.
Before he headed home for the day, he took a few minutes to check the schedule for the next week and see if there were any special details needed. Since school just started, things like the Bike Ride to School or the Walk to School program need to be monitored. These are little things to most folks, but they are very important to Story and the rest of the Rome Police Department from a community relations standpoint.
He stressed that the Special Operation Unit is just that; there are many little things that people don’t see in the background, but they need to be done right. One of those programs is the Car Seat Safety program that Captain Chris Dehart initiated. “That program has really grown. We take applications, we teach the class, that program has been wonderful,” Captain Story said.
“We want our citizens to be safe 100% of the time and that’s what we strive for,” Captain Story said. “I enjoy my job every day.”
Brian Bojo
Jordan Knight
Jule Peek
Andrew Garner
Michael McRae
Carey Pilgrim
Christopher Jackson
Trey Newton
Scott Smith
Virginia Harman
Robert Monroe
Jason Sanker
Lint Johnson
Lee Niedrach
Benjamin Stell
PUBLIC WORKS MAINTAINING 234 MILES
Few city government units have as diverse responsibilities as the Street Department.
Rome Public Works Director Chris Jenkins jokingly refers to the unit as the streets, drainage, and recreation department. In recent years, the street department has taken on the responsibility for maintaining Rome’s growing trail network and the Town Green in front of the Forum River center.
What the Rome Street Department doesn’t do is maintain state routes that traverse the city, whether it’s Dean Avenue (GA 101), Turner McCall Boulevard, and Martha Berry Boulevard (GA 1) to Shorter Avenue and the Alabama Highway (GA 20). The state is responsible for maintaining those roads. City crews frequently mow grass and pick up litter along some of the state routes because the state has so many miles of roads to cover. Inmate crews are often used to assist with litter pick up.
That still leaves some 234 miles of streets that city crews maintain daily. In addition to the streets themselves, the crews are responsible for mowing and weed-eating the rights of way that border the city streets and maintaining drainage basins to keep them free and clear of debris. Most of the time, streets experience flash flooding due to clogged drainage, which can result when garbage or yard debris is piled up in the streets, and a severe thunderstorm occurs.
The street department is also charged with repairing and maintaining sidewalks throughout the city. To the average citizen, the condition of roads is their chief concern.
The city and Floyd County have an agreement for road resurfacing work. The city uses its machinery to mill roads while the county is responsible for repaving. That resulted from negotiations after legislation was passed several years ago to help make sure that city residents are getting a fair share of county services for the county taxes they pay in addition to their city taxes.
Jenkins has typically budgeted between $175,000 and $200,000 a year for resurfacing, but that only covers about two miles of work. Current asphalt prices are close to $100,000 a mile. If a private contractor, not the county, were used, the asphalt cost would be closer to $150,000 a mile.
Fortunately, the city received Local Maintenance Improvement Grant funds from the state to extend the resurfacing program which is generally between $500,000 and $550,000 a year. In 2024, the LMIG money totaled $523,000.
Rome received a bonus allocation of $647,000 from the state Local Road Assistance Program in the summer of 2024 and will have up to three years to spend those funds on road projects. Jenkins assures Romans that the timing factor will not be an issue. It will get another close to six miles of road resurfaced.
The city uses a rating formula to prioritize which streets are to be paved. That formula considers not only the condition of the roads but also the amount of traffic that travels on those roads. If a poorly graded road gets 1020 cars a day, it’s not as likely to move up the list as fast as a similarly graded road with 200 cars a day.
Weather conditions can also affect the determination of annual priorities, primarily in the winter. This fall, a road with a C grade could become an F with a particularly hard winter.
While crops and lawns love rain, water is not always a friend of roads. Surface water that occasionally bubbles up can cause subsurface conditions to fail, leading to potholes. Cracks in the pavement or concrete can get filled with water that freezes during the winter, causing the pavement to deteriorate.
Speaking of winter, Rome has four trucks that it uses to spread brine when freezing rain or snow is predicted. Major bridges, even on state routes, along with areas around the two hospitals and nursing homes, get special attention first, then neighborhood streets. The brine mixture is used both before and after winter precipitation since the city has limited equipment to clear snow from the roads.
Something for Romans to keep an eye on is a new Freight Plan, which the Georgia Department of Transportation has mandated. The plan recommends eliminating as many at-grade railroad crossings as possible, limiting trucks in downtown Rome, the expansion of freight routing through Richard B. Russell Airport, and addressing freight limiting bridges. Rome-Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood points out that if a lot of freight trucks go to electric models, the increased weight factor will have a huge impact on the condition of local bridges.
ROME CITY SCHOOLS INFLUENCING THE FUTURE
The theme for this school year is Educators as Influencers... educators have a chance to make a huge impact on students.
Music and cheering reverberated through the Rome City Auditorium. A marching band played, a show choir sang, cheerleaders performed, and Willie the Wolf, Rome High's mascot, danced and helped lead cheers.
If you closed your eyes for a moment, you would think you had been transported to Barron Stadium for a pivotal region football game. Instead, the auditorium was packed to the brim with Rome City Schools teachers all sporting a black t-shirt with the word influencer emblazoned across the front. Those teachers and staff cheered, danced, and helped welcome the new school year.
Several speakers took the stage, including the Georgia Teacher of the Year Christy Todd, who marveled at the spectacle, the crowd, and the energy Rome City School staff brought to the event.
Superintendent Dr. Eric L. Holland was all smiles when he took the stage and led with the district's one-two punch. "Our two big initiatives are literacy and safety," he said. He also touched on the theme for this school year of Educators as Influencers, noting that educators have a chance to make a huge impact on students. "I realized long ago that I may not be able to change the world directly, but I am fortunate to possess the means to inspire the minds that can. Everyone in this room has the opportunity to spark the minds of students. That spark may lead to that student to go change the world," Dr. Holland said. "We can be the ones to be that spark plug for them. We can be their influencers."
The same energy was on display on Friday, August 2, for the first day of school. Every Rome City School celebrated the day in some way. Some rolled out a red carpet, literally, to welcome students back. Others had props, signs, and photo opportunities for parents and kids to celebrate the return to school. Some even had massive pep rallies that allowed the students to get loud and celebrate being back in class.
As kids went back to class, many were welcomed with a new ELA curriculum to help work on one of the key district initiatives—literacy. Rome City Schools embarked on a year-long campaign last year, bringing in community members, educators, and more to help roll out a Literacy Compass to help lead the district and the community on a path to enforce Literacy for Life Before Life. The new curriculum is one part of the program that will continue to help students become more proficient at reading. It also aims to ensure younger children get benefits, allowing them to become better readers at a younger age while bringing in not only teachers but parents, grandparents, and others to help.
The district doesn't just talk about initiatives; it sets pathways and guidelines for them. Dr. Holland often speaks about the district's
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Dr. Eric L. Holland
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four pillars, which include student achievement, staff development, stakeholder engagement, and safety and operations. Each pillar plays a crucial role in every decision Rome City Schools makes.
The district has a multi-tiered safety pyramid from Tier 1 which outlines foundational safety and establishing protocols to Tier 2 which focuses on visible safety measures and enhanced safety training to Tier 3 which includes threat assessment protocols, collaborative planning, and more.
Dr. Holland stresses many things, including the importance of teachers and staff caring for themselves. "We can't elevate experiences for our students if we don't also elevate experiences for our staff," he said. Teachers and staff have four self-care days this school year, during which they are encouraged to take time away from the classroom and take care of themselves. Several Rome City Schools partners offer discounts to teachers and staff on those days. The pyramid, the road map for literacy, and the four pillars mean little if the staff and students don't embrace them, and it's evident at events and in the schools that they do just that.
A couple of days after the start of the new year, Rome High seniors and their parents filed into the gymnasium for a new celebration. Each senior got a pin and then sat in the bleachers with their parents. Rome High School principal Parke Wilkinson addressed the crowd. "Think about the challenges you have overcome to get to this point. I tell you to look toward the future but enjoy the present. To the seniors, make good decisions, work hard, and know we are always proud of you," Wilkinson said. "You're going to be singing the alma mater a lot this year. I tell you right now that I can't wait for a beautiful Saturday morning in late May when all of us will come together at Barron Stadium and sing it to end graduation."
The seniors then recited a pledge led by teacher Amanda Howell that included these words, "I will finish what I started, and I will promise to try my best. I will never give up. I will see each day and every situation
as an opportunity to learn. I will be responsible, respectful, and a role model. Go Wolves."
Parents then took a moment to fasten the pin to their kids. There were lots of smiles, a few tears, and a lot of people taking photos as Rome High's Class of 2025 began their next step in reaching Barron Stadium for graduation in May.
Dr. Holland was present then, too, just like he was on the first day, helping to welcome students and cheer on teachers. A couple of years ago, he served as principal at Rome High for many of the students present in the gym. He beamed with pride as he looked out at them and offered them advice.
"Seniors, 13 years ago you started this journey. Come May 24, 2025, you will get 13 seconds to stand by the steps, hear your name called, enter the stage, get your diploma cover, provide Mr. Wilkinson with the most powerful handshake in the world, stand for a photo, then exit the stage," he said. "You work your entire life for those 13 seconds. Your loved ones have supported you during this journey. Please don't take those 13 seconds for granted."
He reminded all the seniors to remember the three rules of life: Listen to learn, always do your best, and never give up. He also left everyone in the gym with one final inspirational message.
"Don't ever let anyone tell you the sky's the limit, when we have footprints on the moon," he said.
Yes. Rome City Schools' key tenets are safety and literacy, and you see that every day. However, the other intangibles that you also get to see are teachers' big smiles and how they encourage their students to be their best. Rome City Schools believes those small things from influential teachers may indeed be the first step into helping change the world.
RETURNING HOME
The magic of Rome extends far beyond the city limits, leaving an impact that continues to captivate individuals who have grown up in the area, ventured elsewhere, and felt compelled to return. From the charming and quaint ambiance of the town to the incredibly tight-knit and supportive community spirit, Rome treasures not only its local businesses and historical artifacts, but also, its people.
Dr. Justin Tanner, an interventional cardiologist at AdventHealth Medical Group in Rome, grew up in nearby Adairsville and graduated from Shorter University before attending Mercer University School of Medicine. In 2021, he and his wife, Janna, returned to his roots in Rome to raise their daughters, Olivia and Lila. "We love the feel and the warmth of the community here," said Tanner. "You have it when you're growing up and now with our kids growing up in this area, it makes it even better. It's a dream come true."
Tanner and his family enjoy attending many of the festivals around Rome, specifically the Chiaha Harvest Fair - Art festival that occurs annually in early autumn. They also enjoy visiting the park, strolling downtown, and watching the occasional parades. "We enjoy the opportunities here. There's a small-town feel, but we have these big festivals and events that we can participate in and still be close to home. We don't have to travel to Atlanta or Chattanooga for the events," Dr. Tanner said.
As a physician, Tanner loves serving in the community where he grew up. "The people here are so appreciative. It's rewarding to care for and give back to the same community that cared for me when I was at Shorter and growing up." With board certifications in cardiovascular disease and internal medicine, Dr. Tanner's career allows him to engage with the medical community, which he said "is amazing and friendly. Our patients are happy to have good people taking care of them," Tanner said. "Coming into the office is very rewarding."
After all the schooling and training, the Tanners strongly felt moving back home to Northwest Georgia was important. "We wanted to grow our family and raise our kids in the same house and with that welcoming hometown feel," Tanner said.
Dr. Justin Tanner
Beth Wellesley, the senior director of eB2B Operations at the Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, recalls countless family gatherings, riding bikes with friends around neighborhoods, and sporting events that were highlights of her time growing up in Rome. "I can't look back without mentioning the best of times with friends (we are all still close today) and memories of Schroeder's dinners - the soft pretzel and ranch should be a standout for all Romans - and high school football games," she said.
Wellesley attended the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech Scheller School of Business. She enjoyed living in Atlanta with her husband, Skye, and two children, Jack and Elizabeth. The big city gave her opportunities to advance her career. Still, when deciding where her daughter should attend kindergarten, Rome called her name. The family returned to Rome in 2021. "Becoming a mother coupled with some serious reassessment of priorities during the pandemic really gave me absolute clarity that I wanted to raise my children in a town where we had a strong community and could be a closer family - and my mom and aunts are here too, and my dad is close by - so it's a huge plus," she said.
While Wellesley still works in Atlanta, Georgia, her home and social life lie within Rome. "There is so much to love about raising a family in Rome. Community and family are first," said Wellesley. She also appreciates Rome's generous spirit when it comes to supporting and contributing to non-profits. The family enjoys riding bikes and scooters on the TRED trails, gatherings with close family and friends and their church community at St. Peters, and supporting local businesses.
These young professionals are a testament to the compelling nature of Rome, a place that continues to give to all who come across it. Dr. Justin Tanner and Beth Wellesley are just two examples among many who grew up and were nurtured
in
Rome, and have returned to raise their own families, while giving back and ensuring the community continues to provide the same opportunities for future generations.
About the author: Graycen Nudd is a sophomore at Vanderbilt University, studying Human & Organizational Development and English, from Calhoun, Georgia.
Beth Wellesley
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
ROME SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
One hundred three years later, the Rome Symphony remains an integral part of the arts community of Rome and Northwest Georgia.
Corporate mergers are the way of the business world nowadays, but a different kind of merger resulted in the creation of the Rome Symphony Orchestra more than a century ago. In 1921, Edith Lester Harbin's Junior Orchestra in Georgia combined efforts with Paul Nixon's Orchestral Band of Lindale, and the Rome Symphony Orchestra was born. As the orchestra began to take firm root in the community, members of the Shorter College music faculty and students joined the group.
One hundred three years later, the Rome Symphony remains an integral part of the arts community of Rome and Northwest Georgia.
Retired Rome City Schools Superintendent Dr. Gayland Cooper is currently president of the Symphony Board of Directors. The goal is for the symphony to bring six performances to the community during each program year. "People think they have to go to Atlanta or Chattanooga or New York to hear wonderful, refined music," Cooper said. "Rome has got a beautiful program with professional musicians, we just need for folks to come out."
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Photo Credit: Mills Fitzner
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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The symphony averages between 400 and 450 attendees at any event. The symphonic circus this past summer on the campus at Georgia Highlands College drew a significantly larger crowd. Maestro Jeffrey Dokken said he hopes to increase average attendance by 50 to 100 people a year and believes it is not out of the question to get to the point where the lower bowl of the City Auditorium is sold out for concerts. That would be between 700 and 800 people.
The symphony has been under Maestro Dokken's baton since 2017. Dokken, who lives in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. community, also serves as conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia. As a vocalist, Dokken is in high demand across the country and around the world.
He was performing a Magic of Music series with a magician friend when he was initially approached about serving as a guest conductor for the Rome Symphony. That soon led to an expanded role in conducting the orchestra before he agreed to become the full-time conductor. "The opportunity to get to work with a symphony that has such a history as Rome has it not lost on me," Dokken said. "It has got such a wonderful reputation both regionally and nationally as the oldest professional symphony in the South."
The conductor must continually push the envelope, trying to be creative and ensuring the audience wants to be at every concert. "Even losing 100 audience members can hurt us financially and artistically." Choosing the music for each series is one of Dokken's primary responsibilities. He tries to include at least one strictly classical and a holiday concert each season. "From there I think, what do I want to achieve with the music this year,” Dokken said. "Am I trying to broaden our audience's musical horizons? Am I trying to bring in more audience members? Am I trying to appeal to classical music lovers? I never do it on a concert-by-concert basis." His
main objective is to try to get more people in the door. "If you can get them in the door once, they will come back," Dokken said.
The orchestra consists of between 30 and 60 musicians, depending on the nature of the performance. Maestro Dokken said the most prominent variation is in the string section. The professional musicians are from Northwest Georgia, Northeast Alabama, and Southeast Tennessee—a good number of them hail from the local colleges. Not only are the musicians paid wages for rehearsals and shows, but they also receive travel pay. Any time there are vacancies, blind auditions are held to fill the needed positions.
Cooper underscored the opportunity to purchase season passes for the Rome Symphony at a fraction of what it might cost to hear similar concerts in major metropolitan markets. He also encourages people to take advantage of a tax deduction for contributions to the symphony.
The orchestra's Play On! campaign hopes to enhance the Rome Symphony Youth Orchestra and provide funding for the symphony's annual Young Artists Competition. It's all part of a concerted (pun intended) effort to introduce younger Romans to classical music.
The Rome Symphony 2024-2025 season opens October 12 with Natural Woman: A Tribute to Carole King followed by The Magic of Mozart on November 16; The Strings of Christmas on December 1; An Evening on Broadway, February 15; Pirates of Penzance with the Rome Shakespeare Festival, April 18 & 19; concluding with Bridgerton: Music in the Garden on the Darlington campus June 7, 2025.
For ticket information call 706-291-7967. Additional information about the symphony is available at www.romesymphony.org.
Photo Credit: Mills Fitzner
THE ROME INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The Rome International Film Festival promotes the magic of film throughout Northwest Georgia and the world
The red carpet opening for the 2024 Rome International Film Festival will feature a spooktacular double feature on October 31 with 'It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown' at 5 pm. Kids who will be out on Broad Street for the annual Trick or Treat event will be able to slide right into the show for free. Kids will have a chance to get their selfies on the red carpet.
Following The Great Pumpkin, the festival will show Gremlins, featuring Zach Galligan, who will be on hand for the show.
Executive Director Leanne Cook explains that planning for the annual festival usually begins in January. "We try to take the months of November and December after the festivals off so we can all recover because it's all hands-on deck for about two months before the festival, "Cook said.
In January, the festival leadership gets together to determine what they learned from the recently completed festival, what needs to be done better, and how to expand the festival to become more of a film and entertainment event.
At some point during the first quarter of the year, RIFF will use FilmFreeway to call for submissions to the festival. This year, 588 submissions were received from producers and directors around the globe. "A little over half of them were from the US," Cook said. We do have a lot of international submissions, and many times those
are documentaries or shots, so we can put a bunch of them together and have a film block."
According to creative director Seth Ingram, planning for the festival ramps up about two months before the event. He became involved with the festival in 2015 and believes it has grown exponentially and has even more room to grow. "We have distributors now who are contacting us and wanting to play their films with us. That's new," Ingram said. Credibility within the industry has also grown tremendously, leading to higher-quality films.
The festival organizers are highly committed to promoting filmmakers from Georgia and work to feature Georgian films.
Once the entry deadline has passed, a group of film-loving volunteers is brought together to review the submissions and reduce the number of pictures to a manageable level for the festival. "We have a huge list of people who help us," Cook said. Typically, the volunteers wind up reviewing a similar series of submissions, whether documentaries, horror films, environmental films, or romantic comedies.
There is an internal system where the films are rated on criteria ranging from their fit with the festival to whether or not they have a special story to tell.
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Rome, Georgia
Executive Director, Leanne Cook
ENTERTAINMENT
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The festival likes to attract directors and actors whenever possible. "We won't do a terrible film just because somebody wants to come, it has to be the right quality film and if there is any way that a filmmaker can come, then we might lean into that film because we do like to have the filmmakers come," Cook said. "When they do the Q and A afterwards, it’s definitely interesting to the audience to get that peek for the audience into how the film was made."
Many of the films have yet to be rated, so moviegoers should read the synopsis to determine whether the content is appropriate for a specific viewer.
One aspect of the festival that started a couple of years ago with the 40th anniversary of Smoky and the Bandit, which brought the late Burt Reynolds to Rome, is to find a film celebrating an anniversary and find a way to highlight it. This year, that's 'Oh Brother Where Art Thou,' which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The movie will be featured on the festival's final day. It will be followed by a performance of soundtrack music from the picture by the Rome Music Collective.
This year's festival will also feature a couple of podcast panels and a voice-acting panel, aiming to reach out to others in the entertainment industry.
The festival runs from October 31 to November 3. Passes are on sale through the website www.riffga.com.
& INDUSTRY
DEMPSEY AUCTION COMPANY
Has been an integral component of the real estate market in the Rome area for almost 60 years.
There has always been magic in the rhythmical chant of an auctioneer. Still, occasionally, it takes a little something extra from the sales crew working the crowd at an auction to seal a deal. Such was the beginning of the Dempsey Auction Company, which has been an integral component of the real estate market in the Rome area for almost 60 years. Now a fourth-generation auction house, Dempsey can trace its origin back to the 1940s when Sproull Dempsey decided to sell the family farm at auction.
Sproull wasn’t happy with the way bidding was going, so he jumped into the crowd to start hawking the farm himself! Following the sale, the auctioneer offered him a job and the rest, as they say, is history. It took well over a decade for Dempsey to decide to go into business for himself. It was 1965 when Sproull, his sons, Sproull Jr. and Ray, formed Dempsey and Sons Auction.
Ray Dempsey currently serves as the CEO, and his son, Lou Dempsey, is President of the auction business, managing day-to-day operations.
Over the years, the company has grown to the point where it is licensed to conduct auctions in Alabama, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Florida, in addition to its home base in Georgia.
But times are changing. Computers and the Internet are close to the point where live, on-site auctions are rapidly becoming a thing of the past. Every auction conducted by Dempsey now has an online aspect. Lou’s son Chase Tolbert has taken online sales to the next level. Dempsey Auction is part of the MarkNet Alliance, which includes more than 60 of the top-tier auction companies in the United States that share information, buyers, and sellers. He said less than 10% of the companies that are part of the alliance offer live on-site under-the-tent auctions.
Here are some recent examples of how the auction business has changed. Dempsey had a 300+ acre farm on the block. “A man bought it, and he was in a deer stand in San Antonio, Texas. Chase had him on the phone and online.” Dempsey said. “They communicated through text, we sent him a DocuSign agreement, and we had a signed contract back before we left the property.”
A second sale occurred in Tennessee in April of 2024. “We sold every bit of it online, never met the first buyer,” Dempsey said. “$7.9 million worth of real estate, and we never met the first buyer. I talked to them on the phone and did business with the lawyers without ever going into their office.”
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“A lot of people sit in our office; they won’t bid publicly, but they’ll bid online. They don’t want people to see them bidding,” Dempsey said.
Online bidding has increased participation in auctions and, in many cases, increased prices for sellers. Dempsey said a farm in Dothan, Alabama, recently sold to a buyer in Virginia who valued the land at $25,000 an acre. The local folks valued it at closer to $10,000 an acre.
He said buyers on the West Coast are likely to be able to sell their property out there for $1.5 million and then move to a comparable home in the Rome area or elsewhere in the Southeast for a third of that.
Dempsey said that live on-site auctions will still be viable when people are selling what might be considered an emotionally charged piece of property, a lake or resort property. “I want you to see the jet skis going by. I want you to see kids catching fish or the sun setting over the mountain,” Dempsey said. The ground sales agent can
often nudge the bidder into raising the price by another couple thousand dollars.
The company has 11 employees and contract personnel who do everything from drone photography to internet marketing.
The company is currently housed in redecorated offices at Glenn Milner Blvd. A highlight of the new facility is a large events room, where people can watch an auction on a large-screen television set and do their bidding in comfort and privacy. Community organizations can also rent the room.
The company has long been a significant supporter of nonprofit organizations that help meet a cross-section of community needs. Over the years, Dempsey has conducted fund-raising auctions for St. Mary’s Catholic School, Cancer Navigators, the Exchange Club Family Resource Center, Habitat for Humanity, Darlington School, and many others.
Lou Dempey calls a live auction while Chase Tolbert monitors online bids.
HISTORY
BARRON Stadium
Rome's historic Barron Stadium, built in 1924, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this fall. One of the oldest stadiums still in use in Georgia, the landmark located at the corner of Second Avenue and West Third Street has held the dreams of generations of Romans.
Whether as an athlete competing in football or track and field, as a marching band member, cheering on from the stands, or as a graduate accepting your diploma on the lush green field – Barron has a place in all our memories.
Before it was Barron Stadium, it was known as Hamilton Field, which was named after the family that owned the property. William F. Barron, a member of the Board of Education in the 1920s, signed the note to help acquire the property. His support prompted the community to name the field in his honor. The Chattanooga Times reported on March 23, 1925, that "part of the purchase price will be paid for by the city, the city board of education, and the balance by public subscription."
The first football game played in the stadium was on October 2, 1925, between Rome High and Ft. Payne High. The following month, the University of Georgia and the University of Alabama freshman teams played a game in the stadium in a highly publicized matchup.
The stadium was initially laid out in a triangle with Second Avenue and West Third Street. Its orientation was changed to its current configuration in the late 1960s.
"A lot of athletic directors love on-campus venues, but the historic nature of Barron, its location, and aura are very, very special," said Chris Boden, athletic director at Rome High, which now manages the stadium for the city. "The character of it means a lot. You can feel the history - and that's a really cool thing."
Boden said the partnership has benefited both the school and the city. The school system pays for any projects that cost less than $7,500 at the stadium, while the city will make capital improvement expenditures over that amount. The Special-Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds have helped with upgrades, including the artificial surface and improvements to the stadium's entrance.
Over the years, eleven state championship games have been played at Barron. Several local teams faced off in those games, including Model in 1953, Rockmart in 1954, and Adairsville three times in the early 1970s. Both East Rome and West Rome competed in championship games in the 1970s and 80s: East Rome in 1977 and 1986 and West Rome in 1974, 1983, and 1985. Both Coosa and Pepperell High Schools utilized Barron for home games before building on-campus stadiums.
In addition to high school football, many collegiate competitions have been held at the stadium. Berry and Shorter played games there when the sport was added to both
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schools. Also, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics played national championship games at Barron from 2008 to 2013, and the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association held national championship games here in 2013 and 2014.
During Rome High's gridiron action this fall, a highlight video featuring the history of Barron will be shown, and public address announcer John McClellan will conduct trivia contests related to the stadium's history. The press box at Barron Stadium was named the Mowry-McClellan Press Box in 2023, honoring the late Lee Mowry and John McClellan, who were the voices of Rome High School football for over two decades.
In addition to being the home field for the Rome Wolves football team, the stadium also serves as the home track for the Rome Middle and High Schools Track and Field competitions and regional, state, and even collegiate
tournaments. The John Maddox Track is named after local track star John Maddox.
One large draw for the community is the annual Peach State Marching Band Festival, which has called Barron Stadium home since 1974. This festival brings hundreds of band boosters from Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee to town each fall.
Among the numerous renovations is a digital Jumbotron scoreboard, which stays on 24-7, allowing the schools to generate advertising revenue even when there isn't action on the field.
As the area around Barron Stadium has grown, Boden says that the school system works to ensure fans and visitors have a great visit to the venue. One challenge is implementing systems to inform visitors regarding parking availability.
SPANNING ROME
Launched in August, Spanning Rome, is a digital media production of Bridges magazine. The name reflects the magazine's connection and the intent to cover a broad range of issues that connect our community.
Early features include a visit with longtime Rome City Manager John Bennett, now retired, who came to Rome as a transportation planner and knows the intricacies of getting around Rome.
A second program covered ground-breaking ceremonies for the completion of the Mount Berry Trail and the formal inauguration of the AdventHealth Redmond ECO Greenway, which is how Rome's trail network is now branded.
The fall program lineup includes a look at Rome-Floyd Fire Department Training efforts, the Downtown Development Authority's efforts to make Rotary Plaza, between the Forum River Center and Floyd County Courthouse, a true destination for downtown district activities, and a feature on the Shanklin-Attaway American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard, which serves the families of veterans who have passed away.
The show will feature in-studio interviews with newsmakers in studios at the Bridges offices on Sixth Avenue as well as the studio in the Public Information Office inside City Hall. Doug Walker will serve as the host for the program.
Each program will be approximately 15 minutes long and will be aired on the Sarah Hightower Regional Library Channel on the Comcast system in Rome. Spanning Rome will air on Monday nights at 8:00 and be replayed on the SHRL-TV system periodically throughout the week. For those who don't have the Comcast cable network, SHRL-TV is also available to stream on Roku, AppleTV, and FireTV.
If you have ideas for future programs, contact Susan Beyer at susan@ adigeorgia.com, or Doug Walker at DWalker@romega.us.
HISTORY
TOPGUN Rome Aviators
When Darlington graduates, Bill Kelly (Class of 71) and Robert Hortman (Class of 99) have the occasion to get together, and an aura of mutual respect and admiration permeates the room. There's a good reason. Both are graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy, both were U.S. Navy fighter pilots, and each went through the Navy's elite Flights Weapons School, better known as TOPGUN.
A third Darlington graduate, Roger Sheppard (Class of 72), attended the unique Adversary School. In this TOPGUN course, he learned to simulate an enemy combatant who helps train pilots like Kelly and Hortman. Sheppard was also a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and a member of the same F-14 Squadron as Kelly for one day.
There are few cities the size of Rome that can claim to be home to such a trio of distinguished pilots. It is probably even more remarkable that they hail from the same hometown as Admiral John Henry Towers, the father of naval aviation.
Kelly and Hortman have become close over the years, but their experiences came at different times and places. Kelly attended TOPGUN in 1979 when the program was based at Naval Air Station Miramar near San Diego. Hortman's experience came three decades after TOPGUN relocated to Naval Air Station Fallon, outside Reno, Nevada. Sheppard did his stint at TOPGUN in the late 1980s.
Kelly credits his interest in being a pilot to his father, who worked on airplanes in the South Pacific during World War II. Hortman said that, as he was growing up, becoming a pilot always seemed interesting. "When I was in middle school, Bill moved to town, and I realized that it was a possibility, and I thought landing on aircraft carriers sounded like the most fun thing you could ever possibly do," Hortman said.
Back in the 70s, Kelly said each squadron sought to send one pilot to TOPGUN with the idea that they would be a pilot training officer when
they returned to the squadron. He attended the school in September 1979 and had only been flying F-14s for a few months. "It was a fiveweek course back then but it's a lot longer now," Kelly said.
Hortman explained that the school was restructured extensively around 1996 during the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. "Now what they do is wait until you're finished with your first tour," Hortman detailed. Usually, one person from each class is asked to stay on as an instructor. That was the case for Hortman, who stayed on at Fallon for three years, 2010-2013. "That's the primo job in the Navy, to be an instructor at TOPGUN," Kelly said.
"Once you get on staff, it's a pretty hard training syllabus to be able to teach students," Hortman said. "You start out being an Adversary Instructor and work your way up to finally be a BFM and Dog Fight Instructor." Hortman said the goal was not to prove that a pilot was the best of the best but to teach the students to the level where they could return to the fleet and be teachers.
He explained that from the instructor's standpoint, he was taking aviators who probably had never failed at any point in their careers and failed them. "It was a very humbling experience for very successful people to be able to improve," Hortman said.
Kelly recalled an old Navy training video explaining that no secondplace points were given. "These guys are trying to teach people that
(Continued on page
HISTORY
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if you're second in combat, that's not good. You need to win - the stakes are too high."
"It's a knife fight in a phone booth," Hortman said. "Nobody's walking out finishing second."
One of the primary objectives at TOPGUN is to train decision-makers. The pilots are put in different scenarios and must think quickly in very chaotic situations. Hortman said that skill came in very handy when he was deployed in Afghanistan and put into situations he had never seen in training.
Kelly trained on F-14s, largely air-to-air combat against Soviet MiG aircraft. He was fortunate not to have been required to put his knowledge to the test during combat situations but recalled being deployed in waters off the coast of the Middle East for eight months with contingency plans related to the Iranian Hostage Crisis in 1980. While deployed to the Middle East, Kelly was facing the possibility of facing American-made aircraft that had been sold to Iran before the overthrow of the Shah.
Sheppard said the MiG-21, 23, and 25 aircraft were "nowhere near as good as the F-14 was at that time." Sheppard also said there was a learning curve to pick up the way the Soviet-era pilots flew their aircraft so that the F-14 pilots would be able to recognize that.
How did we learn to fly like the Russians? In 1976, elite Russian pilot Viktor Belenko defected to Japan in a MiG25 Foxbat, a high-altitude interceptor. Sheppard also said that the experiences of Navy pilots in Vietnam were a huge part of the ability to fly like a Russian.
Regarding technology changes, Hortman said a big challenge over the course of a deployment today is that it would not be unusual to face a scenario that the pilot had never seen before. Missions could change with the snap of a finger.
TOPGUN training, particularly tactics-related training, is based on current techniques. Still, everyone on staff is charged with looking for what might be needed in five, ten, or even 20 years. "We're constantly changing, testing, and evolving to determine if this is successful now. Our tactics absolutely evolve a lot."
Hortman explained that after TOPGUN moved to Nevada, the Navy started developing many of the air-to-ground systems with pinpoint munitions that people see on the news today.
"The quality of professionalism of him (Hortman and other instructors) is second to none," Kelly said. "Better than any instructor that I ever had in the Naval Academy, better than anyone I've ever seen give a talk, from preachers to whatever."
It would be nearly impossible to talk about TOPGUN for half an hour without references to the movies. "Being on staff there is very different from how the movies portrayed it," Hortman said. "Being on staff was the most family-oriented work environment I think I've ever been around. The wives were involved in a lot of stuff, the security guards knew the names of my wife and kid. It was very much a humble, quiet family-oriented place was the experience I had." Definitely not what was portrayed in the movies!
As the weather cools and the leaves change to various shades of yellow and gold, October and November of full of opportunitiesto explore Rome at festivals and events. Here are several of our favorites. For a complete list of upcoming events visit romegeorgia.org/visit-rome/calendar
Haunted Trolley Tours
October 18, 19, 25, and 26
Location: Front of the Rome Area History Center
Take a Trolley Ride Back in Time For a Spine-Tingling Look into Rome’s Haunted Past. The stories you’ll hear come from years of research, personal accounts, and real-life experiences. It’s the perfect combination of history mixed with haunted tales. Cost: $25 Romegeorgia.org/visit-rome/calendar
RODNEY CARRINGTON - Live at Forum River Center
October 18
Rome, GA
Forum River Center
https://www.freshtix.com/events/rodney-carrington-rome
Roman Holiday Haunted River Tours
October 20
Heritage Park
Climb on board the Roman Holiday for a spine-tingling look into Rome's haunted nautical past.
Two trips:
2pm and returns at 4pm
5pm and returns at 7pm
Pure Prairie League - Bringing It Back Home
October 25
Rome City Hall & Auditorium
Pure Prairie League’s sound combines sweet memories with edgy, contemporary muscle. Their vocals are as strong as Kentucky moonshine and the musicianship and performance skills are as sharp as a straight razor. For tickets go to www.romeauditorium.com or call 706-749-7002.
Schnauzerfest Rome 2024
October 25-26
Rome, GA
Various Locations
Bring your Schnauzer for this fun filled weekend of social activities, and competitions and come watch the always popular Schnauzer parade down Broad Street!
https://schnauzerfestrome.com/
Sunbelt Conference Fall Tennis Championships
October 25-27
Rome, Ga
Rome Tennis Center at Berry College
Chiaha Harvest Fair
October 26-27
Rome, GA
Coosa Valley Fairgrounds
https://www.chiaha.org/
Rome International Film Festival
October 31-November 3
Rome, GA
Downtown Rome
https://www.riffga.com/
2024 Chili-Fest Cook Off presented by Georgia Power
November 2
Ridge Ferry Park
The time is near to break out your best chili recipe for a chance to win bragging rights, cash prizes and the coveted championship belt at the 2024 Chili-Fest Cook Off presented by Georgia Power.
Chili-Fest is open to the public on Saturday, November 2 from 10am to 3pm. Festival goers will have the opportunity to sample some of the best chili in Rome, enjoy a large variety of arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, inflatables for kids, a car show and more.
Parking is $5 per car and chili-sampling bracelets are $5, one per person and card only. Make sure to come early, because sample bracelets will sell out fast and teams will run out of chili. Bracelets for the inflatables zone are $5, also card only.
To register a team, go to rfpra.com/chilifest and download the application or visit our main office at 1 Shorter Ave. For all questions or information regarding Chili-Fest, contact Tyler Stinson at tyler. stinson@floydcountyga.org.
Cave Spring Haunted History Trolley Tour
November 2
Cave Spring, GA
Several tours offered where storytellers share local stories ending with a reenactment from the 3rd Georgia Sharpshooters. https://www.cityofcavespring.com/events/cave-spring-hauntedhistory-trolley-tour
Beer, Bags, & BBQ
November 9
AdventHealth Stadium
Join us at AdventHealth Stadium for a fun, flavorful, family event! Shop the arts and crafts area, watch or play cornhole, listen to the live tunes, and sample some of the best BBQ in Rome. Admission is free!
The Magic of Mozart, The Brilliance of Brahms - RSO
November 16
Rome City Hall & Auditorium
Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, featuring Alex Wasserman and Mozart's Symphony No. 40 in G minor. Dr. Alex Wasserman will perform one of the most incredible piano compositions ever written, Brahms' magnificent Piano Concerto No. 2. This is a piece that must be experienced in person to truly appreciate its majesty and genius. Also on the program is Mozart's deeply powerful Symphony No. 40 in G minor. This concert will also feature the 2024 Young Artist competition winners. For more information visit romesymphony.org.
The Rink at Ridge Ferry Park
Mid Nov - Mid Jan
Ridge Ferry Park
Covered outdoor ice skating
Rome Turkey Trot
Nov 28
AdventHealth Stadium
Thanksgiving Day 5K and 3K
Winter Wonderland 2024
Nov 29 - Dec 24
AdventHealth Stadium
Real snow, nightly movies, and inflatables
Jessie Murph
Nov 22
Forum River Center
Up-and-coming country pop artist concert
Holiday Lights of Rome
Nov 29 - Dec 30
Coosa Valley Fairgrounds
Drive-thru light show
Magnolia Magic
Holiday Market
Nov 30 - Dec 1
Forum River Center
Indoor Christmas market and activities
Rome Christmas Parade
Dec 3
Downtown Rome
Largest Christmas parade in the state
Small Town Christmas in the Country
Dec 7, 10 am - 3 pm
Downtown Cave Spring Arts and crafts festival
Winter Art Market
Dec 7 - 8, 10 am - 4 pm
Rome Civic Center
Indoor/outdoor holiday market
Lindale Christmas Trolley Ride with Santa Dec 10
Lindale Train Viewing Platform
Enjoy a trolley ride and carols with Santa
Victorian Christmas Trolley Tour
Dec 13
Rome Area History Center
Learn and explore local holiday history
Rome for the Holidays
Dec 19, 4 pm - 8 pm
Downtown Rome
Shop last minute gifts with stores open late
The Forum’s Hometown
Throwdown
Dec 28
Forum River Center
Artists Hunter Chastain, Will Terry, and more
Live Holiday Performances
The Strings of Christmas Dec 1
Rome Symphony String Orchestra
Rome City Auditorium
RLT’s Mary Poppins
Dec 6 - 8, 13 - 15
Historic DeSoto Theatre
Christmas Back Home Concert
Dec 13 - 14
Rockin’ Christmas band with Scott Thompson and friends
Rome City Auditorium
Nashville Noel: A Country
Christmas Spectacular
Nov 29
Rome City Auditorium
Christmas Tree Farm
Opens Nov 29
Silver Creek Christmas Tree Farm
Pick out your own perfect tree
Victorian Trolley Tours
Lindale Christmas Trolley Ride
Ice Skating
Winter Wonderland
Holiday Lights
WELCOME To Rome CITY DIRECTORY
New to Rome? Or need city services? We are here to assist the citizens of Rome. This City Directory conveniently lists our department contact numbers.
CITY DIRECTORY
& Drainage Department .............................................................................706-236-4585
SENATE REVIEW
CHUCK HUFSTETLER
FINANCE CHAIR, GEORGIA STATE SENATE
Politically, we have spent time with all eyes focused on the national elections and not as much on us at the state level. Our goal was to increase voter participation, which evidently was accomplished. Every vote does count, and I hope people will continue to use this privilege.
A few months ago, we all were shocked and saddened by a senseless and tragic school shooting, this time in Georgia. There is still plenty to learn, but it is distressing to see that a parent would allow a 14-year-old access to an AR-15, a gun which he cannot by law buy, nor can he by law buy the ammunition for the gun. It seems that many red flags were ignored, but I'll leave that to the investigators at this point.
We passed a bill from my finance committee this year that would allow a tax credit for those who buy a safe to secure their guns. It did not make it out on the final day, but I hope to reintroduce it. We know that there is not one single solution to the gun problem, but I am hopeful the legislature will join in reasonable discussion in our effort to help prevent such tragedies in the future.
On another note, the State of Georgia continues to do well financially. We ended the fiscal year July 1st with a surplus of funds despite a tax cut. And the new fiscal year is ahead by 3% as the first quarter closes. This is despite a tax cut of about 8% of our income tax—even with a lower tax rate, we are bringing in more revenue. It is good to know that Georgia is well-positioned to weather economic uncertainties that will certainly come at some point in the future.
The constitutional amendment on the ballot in November (on the state level), which I was the Senate sponsor of, offers to cap future homeowner property tax assessment increases at no more than 3% a year. It also allows for changes to the sales tax code that, if implemented by local jurisdictions, will cut property taxes overall by about 30%. I hope everyone will support this measure.
Be assured that regardless of what may happen on the federal level, we will work to balance our budget, cut our tax rates, keep our teachers at the highest pay rate in the southeast, and promote new industry, which is key to continuing lower taxes.
As always, I appreciate the opportunity and privilege to represent our district in the Georgia Senate. Thank you for your continued support.
Chuck Hufstetler
State Senate Committee Memberships: Appropiations, Ex-Officio Finance, Chairman Health and Human Services,Member Higher Education,Member Rules, Member
