Bridges Magazine, Summer 2023

THE Synergy OF ROME

Rome, Georgia

AS I SEE IT

Synergy is active teamwork. It’s the power harnessed by our city management working in tandem with every department and every employee, who offer their top performance to produce the greater good.

In this issue of Bridges, you will have the opportunity to read about dedicated leadership in public safety with feature articles on Rome Police Chief Denise Downer-McKinney and Rome-Floyd County Fire Chief Troy Brock. Both of them were recently honored by their peers.

You can get an overview of educational opportunities (grades K-12), then find a feature on the 20th anniversary season of our distinguished Rome Braves. History buffs will be happy to take a special look at the newest addition to Ridge Ferry Park, the Myra H houseboat.

Our tourism and convention staff – among the best in the state, I might add – have prepared a list of must-do events and things coming up you may not have known much about, but wouldn’t want to miss.

The city of Rome is pleased to be a new partner with Bridges magazine, and I encourage you to read the articles and learn more about what’s happening in this city we call home. We are fortunate to have a city with a wealth of benefits. From education to entertainment, from rivers to recreation, Rome works because we work together.

Sammy Rich Rome City Manager

FROM THE EDITOR

In these pages, we look forward to bringing you an up close and personal look at the City of Rome. There is so much to see and learn here. Together we will explore individuals and organizations who impact Rome and the surrounding area as we move toward the future. We will also revisit our history to appreciate the foundation for the success we now enjoy.

We would not be able to share this information without the knowledge and assistance of the dedicated and unassuming leaders behind the scenes that help make The Synergy of Rome a reality. We appreciate the invaluable advice and contributions of Lisa Smith, Kristi Kent, Mary Hardin Thornton, Doug Walker, Alison Davis Dillen, Leeta McDougald and Dr. Dawn Tolbert

We hope you will join us on this journey as we cross bridges to focus on our dynamic community.

All the best,

Susan Moore Beyer Managing Editor susan@adigeorgia.com

104 East Sixth Avenue Rome, GA 30161 706.290.0202

ROME CITY MANAGER

SAMMYRich

It is a little-known fact that Rome City Manager Sammy Rich was once voted Most Artistic among the senior superlatives at his native Murray County High School. So, it's no surprise that today one of the things he enjoys the most about his job is seeing things move (even with government speed) from the drawing board to reality.

"It hasn't been that long ago that we had just The Forum with a paved parking lot with 86 spaces," he says. "There was no Town Green, Third Avenue parking deck, or John Ross Pedestrian Bridge. What a difference these projects have made in our community. It has been fun to see projects such as these move from the conceptual level into reality."

His road to Rome would begin after attending the University of West Georgia, where he considered becoming a landscape architect. "In taking classes, I ran into land-use planning and fell in love with that." With an internship necessary to complete his undergraduate degree, Rich finished in Newnan. Taking a job with the Georgia Department of Transportation, he realized how much he enjoyed working at a local government level and with the public. It led him to locate in Carrollton as the county comprehensive planner. While there, he completed his Master of Public Administration degree.

His career path would lead him to northwest Georgia, and in 2002 he applied for the assistant manager position at Floyd County. "I always admired Rome with its shops and restaurants on an occasional visit, but I knew no one here. I interviewed with Kevin Poe, and darned if he didn't hire me." Four years later, he succeeded Jim Dixon as Rome's assistant manager.

Upon the retirement of John Bennett in 2014, Rich was promoted to City Manager. "It feels like it was just last week," he said. The city manager's office maintains services, programs, and facilities that meet the needs of the community in a fiscally responsible manner.

review; it takes time. However, I think some safeguards must be in place to make things right, fair, and just," Rich said, "But on the other hand, I do get frustrated."

Rome's city manager believes the community is at a significant crossroads in time. The costly conversion to a reverse osmosis water filtration system to remove those "forever chemicals" can be transformative and a game changer for industrial recruitment. Likewise, the development of the River Arts District, the North Fifth Avenue, and West Third Street corridors offer unique opportunities for managed growth.

"There will be additional residential units and private investment opportunities. In addition, the streetscape will change how we think about that area and compliment the look and feel of Broad Street."

Rich is confident that the timing of new growth with planned improvements to Second Avenue will “sift itself out,” as he likes to say, at the end of the day. It will make that part of the community a destination for all of Rome and Floyd County.

While Rich enjoys the satisfaction of plans coming to completion, he is often challenged by the speed of government. "In private enterprise, shareholders are demanding a return on their investment and willing to accept a level of risk," Rich said, "In contrast, the government is dealing with taxpayer money, and there is little tolerance for risk." These vastly contrasting philosophical approaches often result in significant differences in delivery time.

"Inevitably, things that we deal with are complicated. When talking about real estate acquisition, you're talking about environmental

Not one to be confined by geopolitical boundaries, Rich said the announcement of the Hyundai EV battery plant in neighboring Bartow County could impact Rome. The probability of attracting spin-off industrial jobs and fulfilling the need for housing for the thousands of workers at the plant between Rome and Cartersville could be in our future. "Since I've lived here, there's always been an assumption that Atlanta grows to Bartow, and eventually, that metro keeps sprawling in our direction. So, it's entirely possible it can affect our growth also."

Fortunately, the city manager has over 18 years of executive-level experience and substantial experience in city management with a record of success in intergovernmental relationships, community and economic development, public-private partnerships, and a focus on building a team culture.

"Working with a large entity such as the City of Rome, it takes everyone working together. As the City Manager, my goal is to energize our potential. By empowering individuals and using their best talents, the team gains strength. The whole is greater than the sum of our parts. Our successes and good fortunes are directly related to the talented team we have built. I have confidence in our employees and their ability to serve our citizens."

HONORS FOR THE CHIEF

DENISE

DOWNER-MCKINNEY

Never in her wildest dreams did Rome native Denise Downer-McKinney never imagine becoming Chief of Police, much less being named Chief of the Year by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.

Downer-McKinney graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in social work. Many of her elective classes emphasized corrections in the field of criminal justice. "Law enforcement was not my career desire, and I hadn't planned on moving back to Rome," she said. However, she did move back to help her father care for her ailing mother. She worked at Sears, she became friends with Rome City Police Officer Travis Goss, who eventually encouraged her to join the police force. She was intrigued by the idea which fit her interest in getting her master’s degree. In 1985 she signed on to an initial two-year contract where her career started with the patrol unit.

Rome's first African American City Commissioner, Napoleon Fielder, implemented a DARE program (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) of which she became the head in 1990. Downer-McKinney worked in the Training Division, the Accreditation office and progressively climbed the ladder. “My career evolved because I was never stagnant," she said.

She had not envisioned herself climbing the ranks to serve as chief. However, the City of Rome had a long history of promotion from within. When former Chief Hubert Smith retired, she began to think of possibly becoming chief. Elaine Snow succeeded Smith, and when Snow retired, Downer-McKinney threw her hat into the ring. In 2016 she was promoted to chief of the department.

Her biggest challenge as chief has been the staffing shortage. "We almost got back into the single digits, but attrition and those who think the grass may be greener elsewhere have pushed that shortage back into double digits. At first, I thought it was just us, but when you go the Chiefs Association, even internationally, everybody is having the same problem," Downer-McKinney said.

Chief Downer-McKinney believes the willingness to listen to her staff is incumbent to the job. The chief said her officers have consistently said they don't mind a little extra work to maintain the department's integrity. "Could I have hired anybody? Yes, but I listen to what the men and women say, those boots on the ground, because I've been there, too."

Throughout her career, she always envisioned her goals as “balloons” hovering over her head. Every time she was able to accomplish a goal, it was like popping a balloon. She was able to attend the FBI Academy and popped that balloon; she went to Israel with the GILEE (Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange) and popped that balloon. I got promoted to sergeant, popped that balloon, and so on," the chief said. She is beginning to see some space between goals, but don't take that for retirement talk.

Being recognized as Chief of the Year was a surprise to DownerMcKinney. There were three nominees at the conference. When presenters started reading the winner's biography, she began to realize who they were honoring. "I said shut up, that's not me, and it was me. It was shocking and humbling."

She credits much of her success to how she was raised by her parents and her relationship with God. "I have never considered myself a role model, but I try to be the kind of person who helps people. To listen." Downer-McKinney is also a graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Executive Development program and received her Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University.

FIRE CHIEF OF THE YEAR

TROYBrock

An old adage claims that it really isn't work if you love your work. If that's the case, Rome-Floyd Fire Chief Troy Brock has been very happy for the past 33 years. However, in taking a little time to sit down with the chief, you realize that he is more than passionate about his profession and even more about the firefighters working under his leadership.

His dedication and relentless efforts to enhance the professionalism of his department, along with his love and compassion for local firefighters, prompted the naming of Troy Brock as the Georgia Fire Chief of the Year by the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs in 2022.

The path to his career began while his father and brothers were in law enforcement, but his dad wanted him to go in a different direction. When Troy expressed interest in a newspaper posting for a firefighter’s job, his dad was very supportive, telling him to ‘go for it.’ "It took me a few tries to make it," Brock said. "Hiring within the fire department was tough back then, and they didn't hire that often."

October 1, 1990, would become his first day on the job. Within five years, he was promoted to sergeant, a rank he held for over three years. He was promoted to captain in 1999 and became battalion chief in 2004. Nine years later, he was named Division Chief of Operations. Brock succeeded Gordon Henderson as chief in April 2015.

Since Chief Brock became a firefighter, technique and training, have changed. Improvements over the years have been welcomed. Although collapse time has been reduced significantly, fires grow under different circumstances; therefore, risks are higher, and the training becomes more rigorous. Changes in building materials have also had an impact on putting out fires. Entering a structure is terrible enough with poor visibility but can be even more dangerous when improperly constructed.

Sighting the last three decades of technology growth, Brock relates that one of the most essential equipment evolutions involves the selfcontained breathing apparatus — the basic air pack. Composite bottles were used to provide air, but the backup was steel. You wanted to make sure you got that fire out quickly because you didn't want to wear that steel on your back," Brock said. All the air packs are now constructed with a relatively lightweight advanced carbon material.

Brock has seen more than his share of unforgettable fire-related incidents. The most difficult ones involve loss of life. Two of which happened while he was serving as a battalion chief. One was the Hillyer House Bed & Breakfast fire on Coral Avenue in the Oakdene community which took a life in 2005. The other was a 2011 van fire near Barron Stadium which claimed the life of a Silver Creek woman. "You never forget them; they stay with you constantly," Brock said. "You just have to learn to cope."

His experience has led to many advances within the department. Some of these include developing a mental health peer support program for his firefighters. This program will include additional professional steps if necessary. The idea is to assure firefighters (and other public safety personnel) that asking for help is okay.

Moving forward, Brock said he's looking toward plans to relocate Station 1 (now located at the downtown station on Riverside Parkway at West First Street), a possible new Station 11 somewhere along the Cartersville Highway designed to help support industrial development on what is known as the old Braden Farm property. And, possibly, a

new Station 12 somewhere in the Lindale area serving the county's south end. "It's a significant cost when you add stations, but with the population increase and what is required for ISO insurance services, we need 12 stations instead of ten," Brock said.

The new self-contained breathing apparatus with improved communications equipment is a high-dollar purchase that will have to happen in the next year. "We've made many improvements to do with health and wellness over the last six or seven years," Brock said. One of the biggest was a change to the dispatch system from the 911 Center, where the call for assistance is only heard by the station that is being dispatched, not all ten stations in the middle of the night. "That has helped reduce stress levels," he said.

"When we build stations now, we have what we call a "clean" area and a "dirty" area, which means no one ever crosses the two," Brock said. “Cancer prevention is huge in the fire service, and we're doing what we can to help protect all our firefighters, ensuring one doesn't inadvertently take anything hazardous home.”

Chief Brock shares that the greatest asset we have in the Rome Floyd Fire Department is the employees and firefighters who work there -- all of whom are willing and ready to serve their community when needed.

Chief Troy Brock received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University and his Master’s in Emergency Management from Columbia Southern University. He has completed numerous training and leadership certifications throughout his tenure.

DO YOU KNOW YOUR COMMISSIONERS?

The City of Rome government functions with a commission-manager form of government initially adopted in 1918. The charter created a seven-member City Commission elected at large to concurrent terms by a plurality vote, with one Commissioner elected from each of the seven residency wards.

Sundai Stevenson, Mayor Ward One, Term Expires December 2023

Elaina Beeman, Commissioner Ward Two, Term Expires December 2025

Jamie Doss, Commissioner Ward Two, Term Expires December 2025

Mark Cochran, Mayor Pro Tem Ward One, Term Expires December 2023

Jim Bojo, Commissioner Ward One, Term Expires December 2023

Craig McDaniel, Commissioner Ward Three, Term Expires December 2023

Bonny Askew, Commissioner Ward Three, Term Expires December 2023

Bill Collins, Commissioner Ward Three, Term Expires December 2023

Randy Quick, Commissioner Ward Two, Term Expires December 2025

In 1966, the Georgia Legislature enacted legislation reducing the number of wards for the Rome City Commission from nine with one member each to three wards with three “numbered posts” in each. In 1983, the City proposed, and the Attorney General precleared, a change from concurrent to staggered terms for City Commission elections. These are conducted non-partisanly, with the top three vote-getters in each ward winning seats during the election years.

Ward One represents North Rome, while Ward Two includes downtown and South Rome. Ward Three represents West Rome. The rivers are major boundary lines for each of the three wards. Wards One and Three will be the focus of elections in November of this year.

Ward One is represented by Sundai Stevenson, Mark Cochran, and Jim Bojo. Ward Two commission members are Elaina Beeman, Randy Quick, and Jamie Doss Bonny Askew, Bill Collins, and Craig McDaniel represent Ward Three.

Bonny Askew is a graduate of West Rome and was appointed to fill a vacancy on the commission in the 1980s. He retired from International Paper and was returned to the commission in the 2019 election.

Elaina Beeman is another Rome native, first elected to the city commission in 2021 after serving two terms on the Rome Board of Education. She is also a graduate of West Rome. She works for the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority, working closely with young students.

City of Rome Wards

Jim Bojo is a native of Ohio. His family moved to Rome in 1968, where he graduated from West Rome High in the Class of ’73. He worked for 21 years with Goodyear in Cartersville and served in marketing and advertising with local radio station WLAQ.

Bill Collins has served on the commission since 1996. A native Roman, Collins is a West Rome High School graduate. He owns multiple businesses, perhaps most notably Collins Auto Clean. Other business interests include pressure washing and sealing.

Mark Cochran also grew up in Rome, graduating from Pepperell High School. He owns an architectural firm and has done historic rehab work and special projects for local businesses and schools. Cochran currently serves as mayor pro tem.

Jamie Doss is the longest-serving member of the current commission, initially elected in 1994. He is a lifelong Roman, a graduate of Darlington School, and a financial advisor by profession. It is not unusual to see Jamie jogging the trails of Rome.

Craig McDaniel is also a native Roman. He received his Bachelor of Science in business management from Carson-Newman College and his doctorate from the University of Georgia. Before taking a seat on the city commission, McDaniel served as President of what was then known as Coosa Valley Technical College, now Georgia Northwestern. In addition, he has become a successful local realtor.

Sundai Stevenson is a graduate of Calhoun High School but has lived in Rome for more than 20 years. She is a Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Rome program graduate, a Rome-Floyd M.L. King Commission leader, active volunteer with One Community United, and a property manager. Her peers elected Stevenson to serve as mayor for 2023.

Randy Quick is a native Roman. He is a graduate of Pepperell High School and in his second term on the commission. Virtually his entire professional career, almost 50 years, has been in local radio, where he is currently General Manager and a partner at Rome Radio Partners.

Much of Rome’s government work occurs through a committee system that includes nearly two dozen standing committees. Most committees include three members of the commission. However, some of the joint committees with members of the Floyd County Commission may consist of fewer city commissioners. In some cases, a committee may be comprised of citizens at large, with a commissioner serving as an adjunct member.

All the committee meetings are open to the public. The commission meets in Rome City Hall, 601 Broad Street, on the second and fourth Monday of each month with a caucus at 5 p.m., followed by the formal meeting at 6:30. All meetings are open to the public. However, anyone who wishes to address the commission is asked to register with the office of City Clerk Joe Smith before the meetings

It seemed like yesterday when the Rome Braves sent Brian McCann, Jeff Francouer, and others out of the dugout to open play in the new State Mutual Stadium, now known as AdventHealth Stadium. When the first pitch was thrown out this spring, the Braves began their 20th season in Rome.

ROMEBraves

Professional baseball arrived in Rome in 2003 thanks to a vote by residents of Floyd County to support a penny sales tax to construct the stadium, which Floyd County owns. A narrow 142-vote margin approved the special purpose tax proposal.

Construction of the stadium lured the Macon Braves to Rome. Ground was broken for the $19 million stadium in the spring of 2002, and the first pitch was thrown out 12 months later.

That first season proved to be double historic as the Rome Braves, under the leadership of Rocket Wheeler, won the second half of the season in the Southern Division of the old South Atlanta League to earn a spot in the playoffs, where they defeated Hickory (N.C) to advance to the championship series against Lake County (Ohio). The Braves won that series three games to one to 1 to claim the SAL championship!

The next 13 years brought mixed results for the franchise until the 2016 season when the likes of pitchers Max Fried, Touki Touissant, and Mike Soroka, aided by the big bats of Ronald Acuna Jr. and Austin Riley which led to another SAL championship with wins in the division series over Charleston (S.C) and another 3-1 championship series win over Lakewood (New Jersey).

The 2020 season was wiped out by the COVID pandemic, which allowed the baseball hierarchy to re-evaluate the structure of the minor league's system. Sweeping changes consolidated play into four levels, Low-A, High-A, AA, and AAA. Rome was placed into the High-A classification, and a new South Atlantic League was created. During that same 2020 lull, the Braves concluded negotiations with Floyd County to renew their lease with the local stadium through 2030.

The 2022 season produced another winning record Vaughn Grissom, destined for a long future in the major leagues, played in 74 games for Rome before ending the season in Atlanta.

Former Rome Mayor Ronnie Wallace has been a season ticket holder since that inaugural season. "The association with the Braves has brought superb athletes to our community and the absolute best franchise in baseball," Wallace said. "It's a huge win for our community and has supplied young and old alike with the personal enjoyment of the greatest sport, not to mention the jobs, superb debt-free facility, and opportunity to bring folks into the greatest city in Georgia."

The Braves welcomed new general manager David Lane over the winter. He is a veteran of more than two decades of professional baseball administrative management but comes to Rome from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, where he oversaw Samford University's Corporate Partnership Program.

Angel Flores is the on the field manager for the Braves, his first opportunity in that role. He was an assistant coach in Rome two years ago. Mike Steed moved up from Low-A Augusta to become the Brave's new pitching coach, Garrett Wilkinson is the new hitting coach, and

Rome realtor Bill Pelfrey has had season tickets for 18 of the 20 seasons and is one of the members of the original K Club, which had seasons behind the Braves dugout down the third baseline. Pelfrey, Ernie Studard, Randy Van Horn, and Adrian Carney would hang K's on the railing every time a Braves pitcher recorded a strikeout. Braves hurler Dan Meyer inspired the K club with his impressive strikeout totals in that inaugural year.

He recorded 158 strikeouts in 160 innings pitched! Pelfrey said the closeness of fans to the action at the stadium is one of the great draws for him, along with the chance to see the stars of tomorrow.

The Braves plan to celebrate their 20th anniversary with special promotions, including season-long Fireworks Friday spectaculars.

Pelfrey and thousands of other long-time fans are eager to see who the next Brian McCann, Ronald Acuna, or Max Fried will be!

Bobby Moore is back for his 13th season with the Rome Braves.

THE STADIUM'S NEWName

The mission of AdventHealth is to Extend the Healing Ministry of Christ beyond the walls of their hospitals and outpatient settings. In 2022, the company committed to the community and its citizens to live out that mission by investing as the naming sponsor of the Rome Braves stadium.

While they had worked many years with the Braves organization, this extended partnership continues to impact the local community and the surrounding region. They host many educational events, sharing vital health information and programs with stadium guests. The response from the guests and AdventHealth team members has been positive. In the informal setting, some people feel more at ease and open to asking questions and gaining knowledge in a friendly atmosphere.

As part of their partnership, kids 12 and under receive a free general admission ticket and food voucher for every Sunday home game when accompanied by an adult with a general admission ticket.

AdventHealth has appreciated the community's support and looks forward to a long partnership with the Braves organization.

Shown Left: AdventHealth Redmond president and CEO Isaac Sendros and Rome Braves General Manager David Lane

SUMMER Ideas for Fun-Loving Families FIRST FRIDAY

Rome, Georgia, is a great family destination for the summer. With our abundance of outdoor activities, rich history, and affordable family activities, there's so much to discover this summer.

Explore the outdoors with the Georgia's Rome Outdoor Pass. It is a mobile passport that will take you to scenic trails and historic sites, including a Civil War earthen fortification system and one of the world's largest overshot waterwheels. You win prizes just by having fun! Once you complete the passport, you'll receive a custom Georgia's Rome T-shirt. Best of all, it's mobile-friendly with no apps to download, and it's completely free.

To stay cool this summer, we recommend the beach at Rocky Mountain Recreation Area. It is a beautiful public fishing area that also offers camping, trails, geocaching, and archery. For a river adventure, check out River Ratz in Downtown Rome or Big Cedar Creek in Cave Spring; both businesses offer tube and kayak rentals for a fun float on the river, complete with return service to your vehicle.

While in Cave Spring, visit the namesake cave, where you'll welcome its constant 57-degree coolness on a hot summer day. The kids will also enjoy chilling in the spring-fed lake shaped like the State of

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CAVE SPRING

Georgia! Then, shop the historic town square and pick up some Martha Jane Fudge; our favorite is Peanut Butter Chocolate.

Rome is home to several museums that are perfect for families. The Rome Area History Center is free and offers exhibits on local history and shares how our local history fits into the larger picture of our American history. The Rome-Floyd ECO Center is a natural resource education center that shares information on the area's wildlife, rivers, and ecology. Entry is free, and kids will love the live animal exhibits. Be sure to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the huge Ridge Ferry Park playground next door.

CRUISING DOWN THE RIVER ECO CENTER

The Rome Area History Center hosts monthly public tours from April to September.  Hop aboard the Roman Chariots for the Downtown History Tours, which uncover a new piece of Rome history with every tour. On the  Rome Clocktower Tours, you can climb to the top of the tower for the best views of Rome. Throughout the summer, the history center partners with the Rome-Floyd ECO Center to offer a unique perspective of our rivers on the  Sulzbacher Roman Holiday Riverboat Tours held on the first Sunday of the month.

Rome has a thriving arts scene, with a variety of theaters. You can see summer movies at the Rome City Auditorium, live theatre at the Historic Desoto, or catch a concert at the Forum River Center. Admire

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ROME BRAVES DOWNTOWN

the work of local artists at the Kingfisher Art Co. Enjoy the area's outdoor murals, including Rome's newest mural of butterfly wings by Kelsey Montague Art.

Stroll through the charming Downtown Rome area that offers a variety of locally owned shops. Find everything from souvenirs to clothes to antiques. The kids will love the RAD Toys shop in the River District. In downtown, there are plenty of treats for every kid's sweet tooth, from cookies to shave ice to ice cream and creamy gelato! Plan a visit on the first Friday of the month, where free concerts are offered at the Town Green from June to September.

Nothing says summer like baseball, and the best place to see tomorrow's stars is at a Rome Braves Game. Families love Fireworks Friday and Family Fun Sunday, where kids can run the bases and play catch after the game. The Rome Braves also offers a full schedule of promotions and giveaways throughout the season.

Any summer family fun list would not be complete without considering our favorite furry family members! Rome is a pet-friendly town where businesses that welcome Fido post a Paws Permitted sticker on their business door. Pets are also welcome to dine alfresco at eateries with outdoor dining, and most outdoor festivals are pet-friendly.

MOMENTS IN TIME

It won’t be long before the city of Rome celebrates its bicentennial. The city received its charter from the state in 1834, but folks have been living on the land where the Oostanaula and Etowah Rivers meet to form the Coosa River for centuries.

The confluence of the rivers has long been a magnet for native Americans before European settlers drifted south from the midAtlantic or north from the Florida peninsula and southeastern Atlantic coastal region.

Evidence of a large native settlement was unearthed in what we now know as Fosters Bend in 1982 when a farmer disced up a sword while preparing his field for planting. The sword was actually found by a trio of artifact hunters. Carbon dating later indicated that the sword was made in Europe between 1520 and 1540. Historians believe it was left at the site during a confrontation between expeditions led either by Hernando DeSoto or Tristan DeLuna in the mid-16th century.

Archaeologists believe that many of the bends of the three rivers were host to settlements centuries ago.

White settlers started to arrive in the Rome area in the latter years of the 18th century. In 1834 a couple of lawyers on their way to the county seat in Livingston, southwest of Rome stopped at a spring near what is now the site of First Presbyterian Church and thought the area was perfect for a major settlement. Col. Daniel R. Mitchell and Col. Zachariah Hargrove ultimately linked up with Major Phillip Walker Hemphill, Col. William Smith and John H. Lumpkin to advocate for the creation of the town. Legend has it that they put five names for the town into a hat, Hillsboro, Pittsburg, Hamburg, Rome, and Warsaw. It was Mitchell’s suggestion, Rome that was chosen.

The rivers served as the early interstate system with steamboats the primary means of commercial and passenger traffic. The lock on the Coosa River was completed in 1913, permitting safe passage from Rome South until 1941.

The development of the first railroad lines through Rome occurred in the 1840s.

Flooding was a frequent issue in Rome long before the Allatoona and Carters Lake dams were constructed. A flood that inundated Rome in 1886 had water close to 8-feet deep on Broad Street. Six years later in 1892, another major flood occurred.

The levee system that protects much of downtown Rome today was not completed until 1939 at a cost of approximately $390,000. While the official flood stage for the Oostanaula River is 25-feet, the levees were constructed to protect the community up to 40feet.

Floods were not the only reason that buildings on Broad Street were ordered to be raised in 1893. It seems that individual buildings were perched at different grades along the street so the

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city decided that it would be important, and easier to maintain both the sidewalks and the street, to have buildings in each block on the same grade level.

Many have assumed that the oldest section of downtown was the Cotton Block, but actually the Cotton Block, the 100 block of Broad Steet was not built until the mid-1870’s.

Rome grew quickly and by the time rumblings of war were being heard had already become the center of commerce between Atlanta and Chattanooga. Federal troops attempted to take the city in in the Spring of 1863 but were held off by a seriously outnumbered force led by General Nathan B. Forrest. A year later, in May of 1864, troops under the direction of General William T. Sherman finally overtook the city.

Reconstruction was generally kind to Rome.

The legacy of top-notch health care in the Rome area started not long after the war. Dr. Wylie Reeder Harbin opened a practice in Calhoun in 1871. Two of his sons, Robert and William decided to open their practices in Rome, the beginnings of the Harbin Clinic.

Less than a decade after the war ended, Shorter College was founded, initially built on a hill overlooking downtown Rome. It was originally known as the Cherokee Baptist Female College. Martha Berry, seeing the need for education for the mountain children, donated 83 acres of inherited land for the Berry Industrial School. A school for girls came along seven years later and by 1926, the school gained collegiate status.

The community enjoyed an industrial boom when General Electric (1952), Georgia Power Plant Hammond (1954), and Georgia Kraft (1954) opened up the West Rome community and led to the development of the Garden Lakes subdivision. Only the Kraft plant, now International Paper, is still in operation.

At one time, Rome’s Broad Street ranked among the widest in Georgia. The downtown district was the center for commerce until urban sprawl became the rage after the Korean War. Many of Rome’s large downtown shops moved to the old Riverbend Mall overlooking the Etowah River, where the new Riverbend shopping center anchored by Kroger now sits.

A Streetscape plan was implemented in the mid-1980’s. and has been a positive factor in the renaissance of downtown Rome.

Rome’s Downtown Development Authority and its efforts to keep the downtown district a vibrant economic engine for the city have been viewed as a model for communities across the state.

Another large wave of industrial activity and job creation occurred two decades ago when F&P Georgia (2001), Neaton Rome (2001), Pirelli (2002), and Suzuki (2002) all opened plants in Rome.

The population in Rome has experienced relatively slow growth over the last 20 years however community leaders believe the city is poised for significant growth over the next decade. The housing market has rebounded (until interest rates took off recently) and the industrial recruitment team is seeing consistently as much activity as they’ve seen over the last several years.

Photos courtesy of the Rome Area History Center

MYRA H HISTORY

To call the effort to restore a one-of-a-kind piece of Rome river history, the Myra H, a 1932 pleasure boat, a labor of love might be one of the year's biggest understatements. Volunteers led by historian Bob Harris, former assistant city manager Jim Dixon, and Pierce Harris descendant Jimmy Lovelace hope to complete the six-year-long project sometime this fall.

The Myra H, a 60-foot long by 16-foot wide riverboat, was built from scratch by Pierce Harris nine decades ago, in 1932. Harris named the boat for his daughter, Myra. It navigated the local rivers for about a decade before a flood floated the boat away from its dock on a farm up the Oostanaula River.

It sat on a hillside as a weekend retreat for the Harris family for nearly forty years before Harris was convinced to donate it to the community as a historical artifact from a bygone era.

The boat was first put behind the Major Ridge Home/ Chieftains Museum. Still, after a few years, folks decided that the Myra H had nothing to do with the Cherokee, so the decision was made to move it to the Lock and Dam Park. Behind the Coosa Trading Post for years, it sat there, exposed to the elements to the point where the decking and roof were crumbling and rotting away.

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"There is nothing like this in Georgia," Harris told Rome City Commissioners in early March. It's just a pleasure boat, but it's the only one left in Georgia."

Top left: Jim Dixon, Bob Harris and Jimmy Lovelace check out the paddle wheel at new home of the Myra H.

Bottom left: Jim Dixon unlocks the new entrance gate to boat, built and donated by Jimmy Birdsong.

Top right: Dixon, Lovelace, and Harris exiting the boat.

Middle Right: Pierce Harris family descendants Lovelace , Linda Studard and Kyle Vasser.

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In 2017, the decision was made to undertake a major restoration and find a permanent home for the boat.

Harris, with the help of a small brigade of volunteers and city officials, was able to connect with management at the old General Electric plant, who allowed the boat to be moved to a vacant storage building on the GE campus 'for a few months' to allow restoration work to proceed and keep the vessel protected from the weather. A few months turned into a few years as the volunteers worked when they could get a work crew together.

The entire exterior deck was replaced with oak decking, not pine. The paddlewheel on the stern was completely rebuilt. Rudders were rebuilt, and a cast iron stove inside the shell was lost at some point and has been replaced.

Volunteers sanded and sanded and sanded the boat. At some point, they realized they were dealing with lead-based paint and had to ensure proper masking to continue the work.

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, and a few months that had turned into a couple of years was stretched into close to four years. The good news is that the delay allowed some time for the crew to work with city

officials and develop a specific plan before a permanent home was located adjacent to the ECO Center at Ridge Ferry Park. A funding plan for the raised concrete cradle and roof structure to protect the Myra H from the elements was developed and completed over the past winter. Some work, primarily on the interior, remains to be completed before the historic vessel becomes an important piece of the river education programming at the Rome Floyd ECO Center. Plans include the installation of a motor that will activate the paddle wheel.

"It is wonderful that they have taken such good care of our grandfather's boat," said Linda Studard, a granddaughter of Pierce Harris. "I know he would be so proud and have been right there supervising them."

Her step-brother Jimmy Lovelace is among those who spent countless hours working on the Myra H virtually every time the work crews got together.

The crew hopes thousands of school children will be able to tour the boat beginning with the 23-24 school terms.

EXPLORING Opportunities

Historically speaking, growth in Rome and Floyd County has followed economic development efforts.

Turn

More recently, though close to 75 years ago, the arrival of Georgia Kraft, General Electric, and Georgia Power’s Plant Hammond resulted in the Garden Lakes community, which at one time was the largest planned subdivision in Georgia.

Today, Rome-Floyd County Development Authority President Missy Kendrick is wondering how the economic development efforts of today will impact the look of the community over the course of the next decade.

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the clock all the way back to the old West Point Pepperell Mill and the Lindale mill village development. The same can be said for Celanese and the Riverside community or the old Klopman mill and Shannon village.

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Three areas come to mind right away, the Highway 411 corridor east, the Georgia 53 corridor north, and the old Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital property in the heart of West Rome.

Kendrick, who has led the industrial recruitment effort since August of 2019, said prospect activity in Rome and Floyd County has been strong and, in fact, increased tremendously over the last three and a half years. “We had the busiest month of my career with prospect activity in March,” Kendrick said. While some economists are talking about, even predicting, an economic slowdown, Kendrick said there is no evidence of such in-prospect activity. Rome and Floyd County hosted more than 90 site visits by prospects during 2022.

What Kendrick cannot say is where companies are in the growth/ expansion process. “The decision to expand or relocate and build a new facility doesn’t happen overnight; there’s a lot that goes into making those decisions, so there is no way for us to know where they are in the process,” Kendrick said.

In fact, more often than not, Kendrick and her team don’t know specifically who a prospect is until discussions are well down the road. Most prospects are brought to the community by leadership at the state level, particularly leadership at the Department of Economic Development or through Utility (electric and gas) project managers.

In recent years, largely through the assistance of Special Purpose Sales Tax funding, the development authority has been able to acquire acres out off US 411 East, known as the Braden Farm.

Kendrick suspects that activity already taking place on US 411 in Bartow County, coupled with interest that her office is seeking from prospects come to fruition, that Romans might not recognize the US 411 corridor in less than a decade.

The authority was also able to purchase the former Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital Property from the state, and Kendrick said she’s continuing to look for additional property. Environmental assessment of the old buildings at the former mental hospital site has essentially been completed. Kendrick’s office has applied for a variety of grant funds to assist with any cleanup and/or demolition work that will have to take place to make the site even more attractive to a potential industry. The fact that it has full water, electric, and natural gas infrastructure, as well as an adjacent rail line, already has drawn interest from prospects.

Economic development recruiting is often likened to fishing. You’ve got to have a lure; then, when the nibbles start to take place, you have to be able to set the hook.

Though many people think the recruitment of new industries and jobs is all there is to economic development, tourism is also an economic development driver, and tourism activity in Rome and Floyd County has remained strong through the pandemic as well.

Two of the leading components of the tourism industry in Rome and Floyd County have been the Rome Tennis Center at Berry College, the

multitude of special events, meetings, and conferences, and the film production industry.

The tennis center has brought thousands of visitors to Rome from all over the country and around the world. The Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau can directly track more than $32 million in economic impact from the tennis center since it opened in late 2016. That’s more than double the capital expenses associated with the construction of the facility. In 2022 alone, the economic impact of tennis events topped the $6 million figure. That’s trackable, direct spending, not some sort of ripple-effect spending figure.

Special events, such as the Wings Over North Georgia Air Show, Rome River Jam, Chiaha Harvest Festival, and Going Caching, contributed more than $5.5 million.

With the city of Rome preparing to assume responsibility for operations at The Forum River Center, Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Lisa Smith expects to put even more emphasis on the meeting and conference sector, specifically trying to get more people into Rome during the week as opposed to solely the weekend. Once the COVID-19-related court activity is fully freed from the Forum, Romans can expect activity in the Forum to take off.

ISLE OF Dreams

It’s been nearly 40 years since Rome developer Robert H. Ledbetter envisioned a residential community at Hog Island on Weiss Lake. Now a new group of developers, Terry Easter, Easter Electrical Construction; Doyle Buffington, developer; Randall Fox, Fox Systems; and Mike Carver, Carver & Carver Plumbing, have come together with a new vision for the island’s prime buildable property.

First things first, you’re probably wondering how the property became known as Hog Island. Simply put, the family who owned the property prior to the damming of the Coosa River operated a hog farm on the land. Fox said it made sense for them to call the island Hog Island.

Plans were originally for a hunting preserve due to the abundance of wildlife. However, the property was so attractive that plans changed to refocus on the idea of a residential community with 54 lots. The island itself is approximately 600 acres. The four partners have purchased 52 acres on the island’s east end with plans to create what will be known as Little River Landing at Hog Island.

It was Terry Easter who rediscovered Hog Island while exploring lakefront investment properties. He was taken by its beauty and its potential. The more he thought about the island, the more he liked the idea of building there. So early in 2021, he acquired the original plans for the first 20 lots from the Ledbetter project. He then contacted friend Doyle Buffington, who, Easter said, “knows the lake.” Since 1966, he has been credited with developing many properties around the lake, including River Shores, Cedar Point Estates, River Run, The Landings at Little River, Savannah Place, and Whitney’s Landing. Most of these are gated communities. Buffington said that decades ago, the banks couldn’t stop loaning him money, and he couldn’t stop buying.

Buffington expressed his interest in coming on board as a partner, and Easter said yes before Buffington could give it a second thought. When Mike Carver and Randall Fox joined as partners, the team was in place to make Little River Landing at Hog Island a reality. Well acquainted with Weiss Lake, all four men own lake property and enjoy lake life.

Fox said he has known each of the three men for years, and they are confident that the unique setting would offer a magnificent opportunity for people looking to build a vacation retreat or primary residence, for that matter.

After the property was acquired, the soil was analyzed and the septic system has been approved by the health department. Power has been run to the island, and Phase One, 20 lots, are ready for future residents. Multiple wells have been drilled to provide potable water. The new pumps and the wells are ready to go.

Of the 52 acres that make up Little River Landing at Hog Island, 49 have spectacular lake vistas. Each waterfront lot has 100-plus feet of water frontage which allows the owner to build the maximum size dock or boat

From Left: Doyle Buffington, Randall Fox, Mike Carver and Terry Easter

Little River Landing at Hog Island

house on Weiss Lake. Construction is underway on a house that the four partners will share as a weekend/vacation retreat and also serve as a model/show house located in Phase Two.

Easter says there has already been lots of interest in the development. Whoever builds on the lots will meet the required covenants and design plans. In addition to the residential lots, there will be approximately five acres of green space to be used by the residents and others. There is also a 250 foot seawall with boardwalk, Easter said, and a helicopter pad which has already been established.

The development is a quick boat ride on year-round deep water, where the fishing opportunities are off the charts. Property owners can access the island from Little River Marina who has partnered with the developers

to offer main land secure vehicle parking, a boat ramp, and wet and dry boat storage.

Nature lovers will fall in love with the island, which is full of wildlife, a lot of deer and turkey. But you can squash rumors of hogs – the legend that gave the island its name. Randall Fox added, “I just want to make sure that everybody that buys out there is happy with their purchase and enjoys their place as much as we have in the development process.” His partners agree.

For more information, contact LakeWeissAlabama.com Real Estate Services, Cathy Griffeth, Broker/Agent at 678-986-6103

Boardwalk and Dock View from Lot 9 where the Coosa, Chatooga, and Little River all meet.

A+Education

Rome and Floyd County score high marks in education, a vital focus for the community which had almost a quarter of its population under the age of 18, according to the latest Census. Two public school systems join with five private schools to serve the area’s school-aged children.

Rome City Schools

In addition to six elementary, one middle and one high school, Rome’s public school system also features a performance learning center, a virtual academy, a transitional academy and a college and career academy. RCS was one of 20 districts in the world to receive Accreditation with Distinction in a recent cycle of the Cognia Accreditation Process. This assessment measures how well the system’s parts work together to meet the needs of students.

Floyd County Schools

Serving more than 9,000 students, Floyd County Schools include two primary, six elementary, three middle and four high schools, a virtual academy and a college and career academy. The district outpaced its peers on the state’s latest College and Career Readiness Performance Index for Content Mastery at each level. FCS high schools scored 5.7 points higher than Georgia’s average, while the middle schools and elementary schools finished 4.6 points and 9.2 points above average, respectively.

Georgia School for the Deaf

Cave Spring is home to the Georgia School for the Deaf, Georgia’s only residential school serving deaf and hardof-hearing students. Established in 1846, GSD has served students for more than 170 years with the exception of a short period during the Civil War when the campus served as a hospital. The school provides its students with access to language and education that fits their unique needs.

Berry College Elementary and Middle School

A private, tuition-based laboratory school, BCEMS serves students from kindergarten through 8th grade. The school partners with Berry College to create a hands-on, challenging learning environment where students build strong academic foundations for future success. BCEMS’ child-centered learning environment encourages students to fully develop their potential through a curriculum designed to mirror Berry’s education of the head, heart and hands.

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Darlington School

A co-educational, independent boarding and day school, Darlington School serves students in pre-K through high school. The school enrolls approximately 750 students from across the globe, who are connected by the common values. Darlington serves as more than a college preparatory school, describing itself as “a place where curiosity can grow into wisdom, where empathy transforms into service and where honesty galvanizes into honor.”

Montessori School

The Montessori School was established to provide the opportunity to learn following the Montessori Method to the children of Rome and surrounding communities. The school serves students from 18 months through 12th grade in an environment of “freedom within limits.” Montessori allows students to develop intelligence alongside physical and psychological abilities by taking advantage of the children’s desire to learn and their unique ability to develop their own capabilities.

Saint Mary’s Catholic School

A school of the Roman Catholic Archdioceses of Atlanta, Saint Mary’s enrolls students from pre-K3 through 8th grade. Firmly rooted in the church, the school embraces families of all faiths as it teaches students the knowledge, skills, and ideals needed to make the world brighter. Through an emphasis on spiritual and character development, good manners, and a positive attitude, students are shown love and acceptance within a caring, family atmosphere.

Unity Christian School

A private, coeducational, college preparatory school, Unity Christian School enrolls more than 360 students in grades pre-K3 through 12. The school partners with Christian parents in preparing children to impact the world for Christ by pursuing their God-given potential in academics, leadership and service. Through this “education guided by faith,” Unity encourages students to see the world as God sees it, building understanding of both the world and God’s character.

City of Rome

Building Inspection ................................................................................................. 706-236-4480

Business Systems Analyst....................................................................................... 706-236-4446

Cemetery Department .............................................................................................706-236-4534

City Clerk's Office .....................................................................................................706-236-4461

City Manager ............................................................................................................ 706-236-4460

Community Development ........................................................................................ 706-236-4477

Downtown Development Authority 706-236-4520

Engineering Services ..............................................................................................706-378-3846

Finance .................................................................................................................... 706-236-4420

Fire Department, Non-emergency .......................................................................... 706-236-4500

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) ................................................................... 706-802-6703

Human Resources & Risk Management .................................................................. 706-236-4450

Information Technology .......................................................................................... 706-236-4445

Municipal Court ....................................................................................................... 706-238-5150

Planning & Zoning ................................................................................................... 706-236-5025

Police, Non-emergency ............................................................................................. 706-238-5111

Public Works Division .............................................................................................. 706-236-4466

Purchasing ...............................................................................................................706-236-4410

Solid Waste Collections ...........................................................................................706-236-4580

Stonebridge Golf ...................................................................................................... 706-236-5046

Streets & Drainage Department .............................................................................706-236-4585

Tourism ................................................................................................................... 706-295-5576

Transit 706-236-4523

Transportation Planning ......................................................................................... 706-236-5025

Urban Forestry ........................................................................................................706-236-4585

Walker Mountain Landfill ........................................................................................... 706-291-4512

NATURE'S BEAUTY Pollinator Gardens GARDENING

A pollinator garden is designed to contain plants to provide food and shelter to animals (bees, birds, butterflies, moths, wasps, bats, and small mammals) that pollinate plants that support the local ecosystem and food web. Pollinator gardens are often made up of native plants, but non-native plants pollinator gardens can still support local wildlife.

As Time Goes By Garden Located on Clock Tower Hill, East Second Street,

This lovely garden celebrates the changing of the seasons throughout Rome. Located on the Clock Tower's eastern flank, John Schulz designed it for visitors to enjoy year-round blooms reflecting the changing time of year. Plants in the garden include camellias, drift and coral drift roses, gold mount spirea, hydrangea, frostproof gardenia, autumn fern, "stained glass" hostas, dogwood trees, tea olive tree, the buddleia butterfly bush, and much more.

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Chieftains Museum Demonstration Garden

501 Riverside Parkway, Rome

Using documents related to the Chieftain Museum/Major Ridge Home, the museum created a garden representing the various orchards that Major Ridge had on the land 200 years ago. Many of the original plantings on what was once a 200-plus acre plantation are in the garden, including plum, fig, peach, cherry apple, quince trees, and ten different types of blueberry bushes.

Meditation Garden at Myrtle Hill

20 Myrtle St SW, Rome

The garden overlooking Myrtle Hill at the river confluence provides a place of beauty and serenity. The landscape plan echoes the allure of Rome's seven hills and three rivers. Seven berms represent the seven hills: Myrtle, Mount Aventine, Old Shorter Hill, Clock Tower, Lumpkin, Blossom, and Jackson. Winding pebbled paths represent the three rivers: Oostanaula, Etowah, and the Coosa. Late landscape artist John Schultz brought over 30+ years of design experience to create this place of meditation and serenity for all to enjoy.

Ridge and Valley Native Plant Garden

393 Riverside Parkway, Rome

This center hosts many educational programs on the area's ecology and Northwest Georgia. Located outside the front of the Rome Floyd Eco Center is a pollinator garden full of plantings native to the area.

Rome Clock Tower Garden

located on Clock Tower Hill, East Second Street, Rome

This garden graces the hill of the clock tower and provides a beautiful, serene setting to enjoy views of the city from the hill.

Each of these gardens is also listed on the Rosalyn Carter Butterfly Trail.

For more information, visit romegeorgia.org.

CITYFacts

In 2017, the City of Rome was honored by Bee City USA. The organization provides a framework for communities to conserve native pollinators by providing healthy habitats, including varieties of native plants, nesting sites, and protection from pesticides. While the initial focus was on preserving native bee species, other pollinators benefit, including butterflies, moths, and non-native bees.

The Rome Area History Center is located in the heart of historic downtown Rome at 305 Broad Street. Built sometime in the 1880's, the building has housed a furniture store, office space for local doctors and lawyers, a department store, an auto parts store and even a casket maker and embalmer. In 1996, the building was converted into a museum by local members of the Institute for Northwest Georgia History.

development of one of cartoon's most famous characters, Popeye. The cartoon sailor was based, in part, on crewmen on the stern-wheeler, "Leota." The boatman on the Leota often inspired some of Popeye's adventures and wisecracks.

The Rome City Clock Tower has been a popular fixture on the city's horizone since 1871. The brick tower on which the clock sits was at one time the city water reservoir. It resides on one of Rome's original seven hills.

Myrtle Hill Cemetery contains the graves of three hundred Civil War soldiers, including eighty-one unknown Confederate and two unknown Union soldiers. All of the eleven states of the Confederacy are represented in this section. Many of the notable early settlers, founders and prominent citizens are also buried at Myrtle Hill, including Ellen Wilson (wife of President Woodrow Wilson), Colonel Alfred Shorter and Martha Berry's parents.

At one time, Rome foundries produced more cast-iron stoves than any other city in the country except Cincinnati, Ohio.

Dr. John Pemberton, a Rome native, created a drink known as Pemberton’s French Wine Coca. This beverage later became known as Coca-Cola. The rights to Coca-Cola were later sold to Asa Candler.

CHUCK

HUFSTETLER

FINANCE CHAIR, GEORGIA STATE SENATE

The past legislative session went faster and seemed busier than usual.

As many of you know, there are 40 days of legislation, but add to that number are days that could be counted because they are designated committee days. There were fewer committee days this year, and we worked quickly to accomplish our goals.

For the second year in a row, the finance committee I chair passed a $500 income tax rebate per family ($250 single and $375 head of household). By the time you read this, many of you may already have received your checks. We are also providing $500 property tax relief for every homeowner, even though the State of Georgia does not collect property tax. That revenue belongs to counties, cities, and schools. So, every family will get up to $1,000 in property tax and income tax relief – unprecedented in Georgia state government. Also, Senate Bill 56, which I sponsored and passed out of my finance committee, increases the standard deductions for Georgians to $ 12,000 for singles and $ 24,000 for married filers. In addition, another first is this eliminates the marriage penalty in Georgia. No two people should pay higher taxes just because they are married. For the first time, it also allows those who itemize at the federal level to either itemize or use the standard deduction at the state level. Other changes are too numerous to mention.

The ability to send back money and increase deductions doesn’t just happen. There must be increased revenue through growth (Georgia was once again listed as the number one state to do business), or revenue freed up from eliminating expenses such as unnecessary tax credits for businesses that don’t work.

On the growth front, in the last year, Georgia has seen the four largest company investments in state history. One is on Highway 411, where we have seen 200 dirt-moving machines working day and night preparing for the SK Battery America plant, which will employ 3500 people. Another investment in my district is QCells North America, which will produce

solar panels in Georgia instead of China. The company already boasts the most significate order for solar panels in its history.

One last item regarding numbers (I could talk numbers all day) is our second major tax study on our tax credits. While we have held the line in recent years and saved taxpayer money, many credits are on the books with no sunset or follow-up analysis. A law passed three years ago allows five tax credits to be studied each year. Unfortunately, the credits we reviewed this year were found to fall short, and the return on investment for taxpayers was not adequate. Therefore, I will co-chair a combined House, Senate, and Governor’s office committee, which is assigned to perform a six-month study to determine which should be increased, decreased, or eliminated.

Some of the tax credits will need modification in order to continue returning monies to taxpayers. Another benefit, the revisions will provide more revenue to help pay our public educators. For the second consecutive year, Georgia has the highest average salary for public teachers from Texas to Virginia.

While this column was primarily about numbers, I look forward to sharing other topics covered in the past session, which are near and dear to me and the constituents I serve.

Thanks again for allowing me the opportunity to represent this 3 County district at the State Senate. It is an honor I never dreamed I would have the chance to do, and I take it proudly and seriously.

State Senate Committee Memberships: Appropiations, Ex-Officio Finance, Chairman Health and Human Services,Member Higher Education,Member Rules, Member