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Ellijay teen hikes the Appalachian Trail

Sixth State Title within Bobcats’ reach

Ellijay postal carriers uphold the oath

See Gilmer Living 1B

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See Around Town 1D

Times-Courier Your Hometown Newspaper Devoted To The Progress Of Gilmer County February 18, 2010

VOL. 135 • NO. 7 • U.S.P.S. NO. 630-280

Boardtown bridge work delayed

EST. 1875 • CONSOLIDATED 1916 • 50 CENTS

Runaway car injures 27 by Al Summers alsummers@timescourier.com

A runaway automobile at a local auto auction injured 27 people, at least two of them critically, Tuesday night Feb. 16. According to Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson and Gilmer County Fire Chief Tony Pritchett, the accident happened at the Blue Ridge Auto Auction at the corner of Hwy. 515 and Whitepath Road when the accelerator on a 1995 Volvo stuck and caused the car to careen through a crowd of bidders and spectators. The car was being brought into the bidding area. Both public safety chiefs reported 13 people who received minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene. A total of eight people were transported to area hospitals including North Georgia Medical Center and Fannin Regional Hospital. These people had fractures, some of

County road crews install a section of concrete culvert under Boardtown Road at Old Flat Branch Road. The work was done while Boardtown was closed last Monday. Photo by Ryan R Rees

by Ryan R Rees rrees@timescourier.com

Mother Nature didn’t cooperate with the county’s plan to move a section of the road on Boardtown Road over a new bridge at Kell’s Creek last Monday. Boardtown Road was closed to through traffic Feb. 15 to allow the work to be completed. Because of the weather, the north side of the road was not able to be finished to allow movement of traffic to the new bridge as scheduled. However, while the announced road closure was in place, county crews replaced a culvert on Boardtown at Old Flat Branch Road, which was to be done during the closure. According to County

Commission Chairman Mark Chastain, the county will complete the north end of the new road as quickly as possible, weather permitting, and then divert traffic one lane at a time between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. to avoid interrupting normal traffic and school buses. Chastain said the work should be accomplished by next week, if the weather cooperates. Box culverts to replace a collapsed bridge on Roy Road are scheduled to be delivered by March 1 so that road can be reopened once the bridge is completed. An abutment supporting the bridge just north of Holt Bridge Road gave way Feb. 2, causing the road closure.

The 1995 Volvo rests among debris after its accelerator stuck, striking bidders and spectators at the Blue Ridge Auto Auction Tuesday evening. Contributed photo

them multiple, and lacerations. Six people were flown to hospitals with trauma centers via air ambulance helicopters, which landed and took off one after the other. Deputies from

the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Dept. closed down both the north and south bound lanes of Hwy. 515 for nearly an hour. State troopers from the Georgia State Patrol are leading the investigation

into the incident. Information was still being delivered at press deadline Tuesday night. The Times-Courier will carry a full story in next week’s edition.

BOE reviews plan for spending SPLOST funds by Whitney Crouch wcrouch@timescourier.com

During the January meeting, the Gilmer Board of Education approved a $9 million bond resolution that will allow the school system to access a percentage of anticipated SPLOST funds. At a BOE work session Feb.4, facilities director Wes Clampitt presented a list of priority projects that need to be addressed as soon as the bond money becomes available. These projects include upgrading fire alarm systems, bringing kitchen hood units up to new building codes and addressing drainage problems. Several of the proposed projects, such as replacing obsolete lighting systems with newer fixtures that will operate at half the cost, will save money and help the schools to become more energy efficient. As Clampitt stated, “Every dollar we save on energy will be better on the new budget” for the next school year. Before adjourning the work

session, the BOE also considered the possibility of renovating the baseball field at Gilmer High School after the end of the spring season. After a detailed discussion, however, the board members felt like they were being too hasty and decided to postpone the project. Board member Michael Bramlett suggested that the BOE earmark the funds for the baseball field in the bond money but hold off on the renovation until they can agree on just what needs to be done. The other board members agreed and selected Michael Parks and Ronald Watkins to examine the possibilities for upgrading the baseball field. After researching the situation, they will advise the full board about how to proceed with the project. The BOE reconvened for a regular meeting at 6 p.m.,Tuesday, Feb. 9. Finance director Julie Swindle reported that everyone in the school system is doing “a

good job conserving and holding back on things that are not absolutely necessary.” As a result of frugal spending, the system’s expenditures are currently about six percent under budget. In an effort to keep the BOE informed about plans for next school year, gifted coordinator Greg Wingo delivered a report on changes in literacy instruction in grades six through 12. While Gilmer’s elementary

school students achieve excellent test scores on ITBS and CRCT, Wingo explained that a disturbing number of students in the higher grades are exhibiting a “deficit in literacy understanding and a gap in vocabulary and comprehension.” Wingo attributed this problem to the shift in curriculum that occurs as students move into middle school. As the See Funds page 4A

EMTs commended for weekend rescue by Whitney Crouch wcrouch@timescourier.com

Tom Fowler, 78, was returning to his home on Walnut Mountain the evening of Friday, Feb. 12, when slick roads forced him to abandon his car. Earlier that day, Fowler had

undergone a minor surgery on his ear, and the doctor advised him to avoid exerting himself. Needing to get to a warm shelter, however, he carefully continued on foot along an isolated road that was covered by at least two inches of snow. About a hundred yards

In this issue... National/State Roundup ......2A Editorial................................3A Gilmer Co. Boy Scouts ..........5A TV Guide ...............................7A Obituaries.............................8A Chairman’s Report................9A Religion/People ...........10–12A Car Couple .........................13A Dixie Divas..........................14A Gilmer Living ........................1B

Movie Review........................3B Legals...............................4–7B Grizzle Honored ....................7B Sports...............................1–3C Focus on Education ..........4–5C Health & Fitness ............6–11C Arrests................................13C Around Town .........................1D Movies/Calendar..................2D Classifieds........................4–8D

from his house, Fowler fell on a slick patch of ice, and because of pre-existing nerve damage, he was unable to stand up. “I honestly believe I would have died,” Fowler said. “I would have frozen to death out there.” Thankfully tragedy was averted because Fowler had his cell phone with him and was able to call 911. As a result of the icy roads, the ambulance had to park about half-a-mile away. The EMTs walked the rest of the way and found Fowler lying in the snow on the side of the road. His teeth were chattering so much that he could barely talk. The EMTs tried to help him stand up, but his legs were unable to support his weight.

Instead, they used a blanket litter to help transport him across the steep, icy terrain. Upon reaching the house, they transferred Fowler to a deck chair and carried him up the porch stairs and into the living room. Once inside, the EMTs helped the incoherent Fowler into some dry clothes and built a huge fire. He had been lying in the snow for over an hour, and although it took a long time for him to stop shivering, he sustained no injuries from his frightening ordeal. Fowler would like to thank his rescuers Captain Brian Scudder, Gigi Freedman, Jack Squire, Jerry Knowles and Adam James for “going above and beyond” the call of duty to make sure that he made it home safely.

Gilmer Countyʼs latest snow brought out this snowman loverboy, complete with a box of candy.

Photo by Alice Davis

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2010

TIMES-COURIER • ELLIJAY, GEORGIA

Indiana’s Sen. Bayh won’t seek re-election, opens door for Republicans

Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh announced he will not seek re-election this fall, citing frustration with how Congress is conducting itself. The two-term moderate Democrat’s exit opens the door for Republicans to erode President Obama’s current Senate majority of 59-41. Five die in copter crash The owner of one of the nation’s largest foodservice distributors was among five people killed when a helicopter crashed just north of Phoenix. The other four were not identified but an official said his wife and 5year-old daughter were aboard. Red, White, Snow U.S. Forty-nine states reported some snow cover last Friday, Feb. 12, one of the few times that has ever been reported. Hawaii was the lone holdout. Usually, the island state’s Mauna Loa has snow at its 13,000-foot peak but not this week. More than two-thirds of the nation’s land mass had snow on the ground, including the Florida panhandle. Jockey-author dies Dick Francis, who went from being a jockey to novelist, died Sunday in London at age 89. He won more than 350 races before retiring

Times-Courier (USPS 630-280) The official organ of Gilmer County is published weekly by Times-Courier Publishing Company, Inc. 47 River Street, P. O. Box 1076 Ellijay, GA 30540 Telephone: 706-635-4313 Fax: 706-635-7006 www.timescourier.com CONTACT US: Letters to the Editor: editor@timescourier.com News and Announcements: april@timescourier.com Classifieds: tcclassifieds@timescourier.com Subscriptions: subscription@timescourier.com

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from the track in 1957. He wrote 42 novels, most with a horse racing theme. Honda recall expands Honda is adding 437,000 vehicles to a 15-month worldwide recall because of faulty air bags. The recall now includes nearly one million various vehicles including 2001 and 2002 Accord sedans, civic compacts, minivans, CR-V SUVs and some 2002 Acura TL sedans. Tacoma trucks recalled Toyota is recalling some 8,000 Tacoma 2010 pickups to fix a problem with the front drive shaft that could cause control problems. The recall affects four-wheel drive trucks built from December through February. The latest Toyota recall joins earlier recalls of 8.5 million vehicles worldwide for faulty gas pedals and brake problems. Many of the 2010 Tacomas are still on dealer lots. Ax attack kills infant A Las Vegas man is accused of killing a 4month-old boy with a medieval-style battle ax and critically injuring the infant’s mother. The suspect claims he didn’t know the woman or baby boy after the attack in a residential neighborhood about a mile from the Las Vegas strip. The man also is accused of stabbing his mentally disable sister-in-law more than 20 times before attacking the woman and baby. Man tattoos baby An Ohio man is accused of

National and state roundup tattoing the letter “A” on the rear of a 1-year-old girl visiting his home. Teacher wounds two A Knoxville elementary teacher has been charged after shooting and wounding the principal and assistant principal at the school an hour after children were dismissed because of snow. Neither victim was critically injured in the attack. Now, that’s cold New Yorkers are accused of being cold, but an unknown thief stole the coat off a dog tied outside a Brooklyn store. The woman said she left the dog outside while she dashed into the store for milk but when she came out, the dog’s coat was gone from her terrier. D.C. snow jinks While the nation’s capital was blanketed by snow last week, some people took light of the situation. The family of an Oklahoma Republican senator built a six-foot high igloo and placed a sign “Al Gore’s New Home” atop the structure. Matt Drudge, whose popular “Drude Report” Web site is followed by millions, noted on his site that a Senate hearing last week on global warming was cancelled because of the weather. Burping beating A Virginia man claims sheriff’s deputies beat him in jail because of his burping. The man, being held on

a drunken driving charge, said deputies were annoyed by his burping, which he claimed was due to acid reflux and beat him. The claims were filed in a federal lawsuit after his arrest in 2008. Loaded ambulance stolen Madison, Wis., police said a drunken man stole an ambulance from a Wisconsin ski area and drove away with a patient and paramedics inside. The man was arrested in the parking lot of the ski area. Unemployment drops The number of newly laidoff workers filing for unemployment benefits fell by 43,000 last week to 440,000. Economists had predicted a 15,000 decline. 3 killed on UA campus A female member of the University of AlabamaHuntsville staff shot and killed three co-workers last Friday. The woman learned she would not receive tenure at a meeting and pulled out a gun and started shooting. Authorities learned later she has previous criminal charges for violence but was never charged, amid criticism she was hired in the first place. 911 operator saves son An Olympia, Wash., 911 dispatcher helped save his own son’s life when he took a call from his wife. The man’s 6-month-old son was unconscious and not breath-

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McMurray wins 500 Jamie McMurray won the Daytona 500 last Sunday. Dale Earnhardt Jr. raced from 10th to second on the final lap. Greg Biffle finished third. The race was delayed more than two hours for repairs to the track, which broke up twothirds of the way into the race. The race also featured 19 different race leaders. The NASCAR circuit moves to Fontana, Calif., this Sunday at 3 p.m. on FOX. Olympics tragedy A luge competitor, Nodar Kumaritashvili of the Republic of Georgia, careened off the track and was killed during a practice run before the Vancouver Olympics opened last Friday. The man flew off course and slammed into an unprotected metal post. Efforts to revive him failed. Ohno ties medal mark Speed skater Apolo Ohno tied an Olympics record after finishing second in the 1,500-meter event to open the Vancouver Olympics. He has six medals, tying distant skater Bonnie Blair’s previous mark in the Winter Olympics. American, Jr. Celski claimed bronze after two Korean skaters collided on the final turn and crashed. Ohno has three more events to break the record. First American gold Hannah Kearney won America’s first gold medal in the Vancouver Games after winning the women’s mogul event. She edged out Canada’s Jenn Heil with America’s Shannon Bahrke third. Compiled by Ryan R Rees

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Dawson clerk thief The county clerk of the Dawson County Superior Court has been accused of stealing more than $100,000 from the county. The woman apparently siphoned off funds from passport fees. The clerk was entitled to more than $77,000 but from 2004 through 2009, she paid herself more than $205,000. A deputy clerk of the court also is accused of taking $80,000 from the account. Hay bale kills man A Waleska man died after being pinned under a hay bale when the bale slipped and pinned him against his tractor. Boiling mad A man was arrested in downtown Atlanta after he poured boiling water on his girlfriend’s chest and groin area. Flat screens smashed A man walked into a Lilburn Walmart and smashed 29 flat-screen TVs with a baseball bat he had taken from the sporting goods section. Obama OKs nuke plant President Barack Obama is expected to announce the first loan guarantee for a nuclear plant in Burke, Ga. It would be the first new nuclear plant in nearly three decades and would finance construction and operation of two reactors at the Georgia facility. Wrong-way driver crash A man caused a four-car wreck that injured nine people last Sunday when he drove the wrong way on I-85

between Chamblee-Tucker and Shallowford roads in DeKalb County. Police say alcohol might have been a factor.

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ing when his wife called 911 for assistance. The dispatcher recognized his wife’s voice but calmly helped her clear the infant’s airway. The man is a former Marine recently returned from Iraq.

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Editorial / Opinion

TIMES-COURIER • ELLIJAY, GEORGIA

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY, 18, 2010

Out on a Limb

Happy 100th Birthday to the Boy Scouts of America The Boy Scout Slogan: “Do a good turn daily” might seem a bit trite these days but scouts worldwide have been turning a good deed daily for a century now. The Boy Scouts of America turned 100 years old Feb. 8. Locally, the Scouts are probably best known for the work by Troop 402 during the annual Georgia Apple Festival where they have a highly-structured program to help visitors with parking at the Lions Club grounds. Scouting has been active in northwest Georgia, including the Ellijay area, the past 75 years. The scouting movement started in England but was brought to the U.S. in 1910 by Chicago publisher W.D. Boyce, who visited England a year earlier and encountered the forerunner of the scouting program that was established there a couple of years earlier. More than four million young men currently are involved in scouting and an estimated 110 million have been in the program during

the past century. Eleven of the 12 men to walk on the moon have been Scouts, including Eagle Scouts Neil Armstrong and Charlie Duke. President Gerald Ford was a Boy Scout and said, “I can say without hesita-

Maybe Congress needs to adopt the Scout Oath

tion, because of scouting principles, I know I was a better athlete, I was a better naval officer, I was a better congressman and I was a better prepared president.” The Boy Scouts program provides a positive influence on young boys from an early age through their teens. The Scout Law best sums up what a true Scout is: “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,

cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.” Those are a lot of adjectives but they all carry a lot of meaning. In this day of backward ball caps, baggy jeans and tattoos, it’s refreshing to know some of our youth still have more important values. Every Scout knows and accepts the Scout Oath: On my honor, I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country To obey the Scout Law To help other people at all times To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight. While we are celebrating the Boy Scouts’ century mark, we might want to send a copy of the Scout Oath to our representatives in Congress. If they would take some of those values to heart and put them to daily use, maybe things would run a lot smoother in Washington and our country would be better for it. Please see 5A for more information.

Letters to the Editor

‘Put down the landing gear, and put it on the ballot’ My resident marsupial, Percy the ‘possum, breezed in for a visit the other day. He had me meet him at the airport. He had flown in by helicopter. When I arrived, I found him wandering around outside looking bewildered. I asked him for what he was looking, and he promptly answered, “The lounge, the Crown Room, you imbecile. For what do you think I was looking?” “Me?” I asked. “Not right at this time. I was looking for all of the new amenities at the new Gilmer County Airport,” he said with a wink. I knew where he was headed. “I was expecting after six plus years of working on this airport, and the money that has been spent on it, we would have a little more than a hangar, a fuel station and a beacon. By the way, remember that time a bunch of my buddies and I climbed that thing and put the bat symbol over the light trying to contact Batman? I’ll bet if the caped crusader saw it, he got dizzy trying to follow it going around in the sky,” he said before he chuckled. I could not help but chuckle myself. “On a serious note, where are the businesses this place was supposed to draw? Where is the industrial park? Where is the infrastructure?” he asked. “I am not sure what happened to all of that. The latest study by a consulting company said all of that stuff was not a viable

Send letters to: E-mail: editor@timescourier.com. Mail: P.O. Box 1076, Ellijay, GA 30540. Fax: 706-635-7006. Letters must be under 300 words, signed, with a phone number. All letters will be edited. Due 5 p.m. Monday. The phone call The phone rang at 3 a.m., it was a conference call from the Founding Fathers. They were upset at what has been happening to their country in the last couple of centuries. “It is not why we wrote the Constitution. It looks like no one has read it” one voice said. “The party system has really screwed up the process,” said another. They suggested some solutions. SENATE: Two senators should be elected from each state, one Republican and one Democrat. They serve one six -year term and cannot be re-elected. HOUSE: Eight members from each state are elected, four Republicans and four Democrats. They serve one four-year term and cannot be reelected. No one can change parties while in

office. All committees must be comprised of an equal number of Democrats and Republicans. Only bills with a two-thirds Congressional vote can be sent to the president. Campaign ads will be restricted, a candidate cannot list any negativity of another candidate, only what he or she will do for the country. Members of Congress will be paid on an hourly basis, but only for hours actually worked in Washington, D.C., and their elected home state. PRESIDENT: Continue the process of an election every four years with a two term limit. However, candidates must run as Independents with no party affiliation. The candidate receiving the second highest number of votes shall become the vice president. “This should cut out the party bickering and childish behavior of people who should be called obstructionists

instead of politicians,” a voice stated. They said I should expect another call next month regarding the pork barrel situation. Dick Martin Ellijay Cheers from ‘Down Under’ Just wanted to give you all a very deserving pat on the back for the good work you all do. I have long since left Ellijay, but love to keep up with the news each week. I enjoy reading all that you write and just wanted to say thank you. So keep up the good work and I look forward to reading your next edition via Internet. Thank you from the land of the long white cloud. Rickie Gravely Christchurch, New Zealand

10 Questions: 1

with Sandy Ott

How long have you lived in Gilmer County?

I have lived in Ellijay all my life except for about seven years. I grew up on North Avenue downtown. We moved back in 1995.

Who do you admire most?

My mother, Bernice Davis Branch, she is a remarkable woman.

Favorite food?

Birthday cake — the really rich ones with lots of icing! Extended Campus Director - Dalton State College, Gilmer County Center

Family - husband, Roger, children Carter, Clay and Caroline

Favorite music?

My favorite is country, but I’m a big fan of 80s music. Hobbies?

Keeping up with three children is one of my most rewarding hobby. I also enjoy reading, gardening and time with friends and family.

6 7

What people don’t know about me.

I’m a huge fan of reality TV shows.

If I won the lottery?

I’m sure my children would have a long list of things we could do with the money. What’s great about Ellijay?

There are so many wonderful things about Ellijay, but one of my favorite is the wonderful outdoor adventures we have in our county.

What does Ellijay need most?

Maintain the current jobs that we have while promoting opportunities for new and existing businesses for job growth. I would like to be remembered for ... Being a good wife, mother, daughter and friend.

Al Summers, News Editor

option,” I told him. “Didn’t you say that six or so years ago, when the county voted to accept grant money for the airport?” he asked. “As a matter of fact, I did, little buddy. And I did not even get a consulting fee,” I said. “Isn’t the Obama administration pushing rail upgrades? Shouldn’t we look for an industrial site closer to rail and Hwy. 515, where infrastructure somewhat already exists?” he asked as his little furry face started turning pink. “Calm down, Percy, before your blood pressure goes any higher,” I pleaded. After a moment or two, he looked me in the eye and said, “It is time to put down the landing gear on the airport and move on to projects that will benefit more than just a few. Better yet, put it on the ballot in November and see how many people want an expansion of the airport.” Well said, Percy. Well said.

Sound Off! Welcome to SOUND OFF!, a weekly column in which Gilmer citizens can speak out on almost any topic. Readers are invited to voice their opinions with a limit of 35 words per entry. Entries may be e-mailed to april@timescourier.com and will be subject to editing. Entries degrading specific names of individuals or businesses, with vulgar language or including other libelous or slanderous material will not be considered for publication.

Last week’s Soundoff said Target was Frenchowned and a contributor to gay programs. Target is an American company based in Minneapolis that contributes 5 percent of its profits for art/social programs (gay, straight or otherwise) to communities. The author of this Soundoff appears to be a homophobe that has a problem with his facts. God bless America. Why should God bless America? Since for over 100 years America has taken God’s blessing for granted! Maybe we need to stop asking and start thanking God for blessings already received! I don’t understand why so many people are excited about NASCAR. Why pay good money to watch a bunch of rednecks drive around in a circle when you can see it for free at Walmart on any Friday night? Please check your facts before recommending a boycott. Target is a U.S. company headquartered in Minnesota. Your ignorance is showing.

“

Based upon the growth of our county fire stations recently, our commissioners could probably build us the next Harsfield/Jackson Airport in the near future! I saw where a man had a sex change operation and deducted it as a medical expense. The IRS correctly denied it but then the U.S. Tax Court incorrectly ruled that he could deduct it. They said taxpayers must subsidize such surgery. What a bunch of mularky! The recent Pentagon report on the Ft. Hood massacre by Maj. Nidal Hasan did not mention that he had radical Muslim beliefs. It did mention other possible reasons of domestic terrorism. The government’s so-called “Politically Correct” manners are a slap in the face of Americans. Get real! A big “THANK YOU” to Georgia Members of the House for passing a bill that will FINALLY ticket drivers who are in the passing lane and holding up traffic or driving too slow. So, once again, move it on over!

in other words

”

“The most important object in Boy Scout training is to educate, not instruct.” Sir Robert Baden-Powell “If you’re a Boy Scout on Mars with a compass, you’re lost.” Jack Connerney

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2010

TIMES-COURIER • ELLIJAY, GEORGIA

Learning from our defeats Presidents Day was originally implemented to honor the leaders of our country. In today’s Whitney world, howCrouch ever, the intent of the wcrouch@ holiday is timescourier.com often overshadowed by storewide sales and commercials advertising phenomenally low prices on new cars. Few people actually use the day to commemorate the leaders of our nation. Last year, I had the opportunity to work as a park guide in the National Park Service. Although I worked at a small park in Maryland, I lived at George Washington’s Birthplace National Monument in Virginia. Living where the founding president began his life was quite an experience. In the evenings, I enjoyed the opportunity to walk in his toddling footsteps — knowing just how great his strides would become. Born Feb. 22, 1732, George Washington spent the first three years of his life in a small house near the shores of the Potomac River. Today only the foundation of the home remains, but a working colonial-style farm has been built on the site for visitors to explore. As a young man, Washington became a surveyor and later earned his spurs as a commander in the British army during the French and Indian War. The real source of his fame came later, when he served as commander-inchief of the Continental

Army. Looking back, we often assume that the Americans were shoo-ins for winning the Revolutionary War, but the more I read about that turbulent period, the more amazed I am that the colonists prevailed. The truth is that our nation was born out of more defeats than victories. Washington was constantly struggling to hold the dwindling Continental Army together and could barely remain one step ahead of the British. Speaking of Washington’s troops, General Nathanael Greene said, “We fight, get beat, rise and fight again.” In early 1776, Washington left Boston and moved his army to defend New York City. The British followed and began landing thousands of troops on Staten Island. The date was July 2. That same day, the Second Continental Congress convened nearly 100 miles away and voted in favor of independence from Britain. The British were not impressed and attacked New York City a few days later. Washington was forced to withdraw and lost his strongholds on both Long Island and Manhattan. Coming on the heels of the Declaration of Independence, this crushing defeat was a difficult blow for the Continental troops, but Washington put aside his discouragement. He wrote, “I trust the experience of error will enable us to act better in the future.” That’s a pretty optimistic outlook considering the magnitude of his recent failure. But then again, Wash-

ington firmly believed that the colonies could succeed. “His faith was in the future,” observed Alan Axelrod in his book “Blooding at Great Meadows: Young George Washington and the Battle that Shaped the Man.” He continued, “It was a uniquely American faith, a belief that it is not only possible to rise from the ashes of loss but that those ashes are, in fact, indispensable to the rise.” Americans today could learn a lot from that statement. Our world is filled with many discouraging situations and sometimes it is difficult to believe that forces like the economy will ever improve. No matter how dismal the current situation may appear, however, I encourage you to never loose sight of your hope for the future. Difficult and trying situations are often the things that define us and help us to discover who we are. Just as Washington refused to dwell on his past failures and viewed his losses as lessons for doing better in the future, I encourage you to view short-term setbacks as learning opportunities. As Axelrod went on to observe, difficult and demanding circumstances form “the foundation of a character capable of enduring without despair all manner of disappointment and defeat.” History has proven that Americans are a resilient group and that perseverance pays off, so hang in there. We, as a people and as individuals, can learn a lot from this experience of rising from the ashes.

Ellijay Council holds brief February meeting by Al Summers alsummers@timescourier.com

Time wise, it was not the shortest meeting of the Ellijay City Council, but business wise it was the briefest meeting in the past few years at Monday nights meeting at Ellijay City Hall. Council members addressed two items on the agenda, both being first readings of an ordinance and an amendment to an ordinance. Members of the council briefly discussed the Soil Erosion, Sedimentation and Pollution Control Ordinance that will have to be adopted per the Environmental Protection Division. It will be adopted at the March meeting. Council members did discuss unclear language in the city’s sprinkler ordinance. Ellijay Mayor Al Hoyle and council members focused on the

language that would require sprinklers in older buildings if they changed occupancy. All were concerned that this clause may cause a building not to sell if it were on the market, and with empty buildings downtown, they did not want a vague city ordinance to stand in the way. City attorney David Lindsey was asked to look over the amendment and suggest changes. During staff reports, Better Hometown director Candy Day said a group had decided on the design for the next downtown Christmas ornament. It will be of the Pinson barn located on McCutchen Street. Proceeds from the sale of the ornament will go toward a new city park in that area. Ellijay Police Chief Larry Callahan reported officers in his department answered 458 calls in January which result-

Funds intense focus on reading drops off and is applied to other areas of study, some students stall and need extra help getting back on track.Since most teachers at the secondary level have not received training in literacy, it is sometimes difficult for them to meet the needs of those students who have fallen behind. In order to address this growing problem, the system will be implementing a new approach to literacy in the higher grades. Starting in the fall, the literacy coaches from the county’s elementary schools will begin working half-a-day in the middle schools and high school. These coaches will work directly with students and will help secondary education teachers learn how to identify and assist students who require literacy intervention. With the renewed emphasis on literacy comprehension, Wingo hopes that Gilmer students will begin making better strides in English literature and composition. In addition to the changes in literacy instruction, Gilmer High School will be implementing a new schedule next year. GHS Principal Erick Hofstetter presented a proposal for a seven-period day instead of the current four-period block schedule. This new system meets all funding and accreditation regulations and has many features that will enhance students’

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from 1A learning experience. Superintendent Randy Parsons described this new calendar as “fairly progressive” and said that it is a much more efficient and economical plan for the high school. The BOE unanimously approved the adoption of the new schedule. An in-depth look at the seven-period schedule can be found on page 4C in this issue of the Times Courier. School food and nutrition director Linda Waters reported that the food service department sold meals to an average of 262 fewer students during each of the 14 serving days in December. These unusually low numbers were caused by several early dismissal days, a large number of high school students leaving early during finals week and individual classroom Christmas parties. Waters warned board members that the January report will not look much better since there were only 13 serving days in the month and the school lunch program was negatively affected by several late start days. She does not believe, however, that this deficit will continue. On a more positive note, Waters also reported that meals will soon be offered at the Mountain Education Center high school.The students at the night school have never before had access to the food service program but soon will be able to buy sub sandwiches and chef salads. Free and reduced price meals will be available for qualified students. Last month, the governor declared that teachers had to take three additional furlough days before June. Parsons announced that the snow days on Jan. 8, 11 and 12 will count as those furlough days for Gilmer County. In addition to these reports,

ed in 94 arrests and 210 warnings. Ellijay Fire Chief Sam West reported city firefighters responded to 20 motor vehicle accidents, three automatic aid calls, three fire alarms, one situation to assist emergency medical services, three structure fires, two gas leaks, two good intent calls, two service calls and 12 landing zones for the month of January. This totaled 48 calls for the month. In addition to Hoyle, attending the meeting were mayor pro tem David Westmoreland and council members Charles Barclay, Ruth Caudell, Al Fuller and Katie Lancey. The Ellijay City Council meets on the third Monday of every month at 6 p.m. in the council chamber of Ellijay City Hall. The next monthly meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 15.

the BOE approved a number of retirements and new staffing positions, as well as contract renewals for system level and building level administrators and central office personnel. At the end of the meeting, the BOE addressed several budget recommendations. The first dealt with 49 percent employees.These individuals are semiretired and only work half-a-day. The school system pays 49 percent of their salary and the rest is paid for by the individual’s retirement plan. According to Parsons, using 49 percent employees saves the schools about $30,000 per person, but he will not recommend using a part-time employee if it costs a full-time person their job. The BOE approved that any new 49 percent employees will not receive the local supplement and current ones will only get it for the remainder of this contract year. This new regulation will provide a consistent way for paying 49 percent employees. Board members also placed a cap on the number of days that apply to extended year contracts. For administrators, the new limit is 240 days and for other employees it is 230 days. This change does not affect many people and mainly provides consistency for drawing up contracts and accounting purposes. In closing, board member Ronald Watkins apologized to the teachers of Gilmer County for the sacrifices that they have had to make during this difficult economic period. He stated that making decisions that damaged teachers’ salaries was the “roughest part” of his job and promised that when the economy improves the BOE will “make it up” to them. The next BOE work session will be held at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, March 4.The regular meeting will be at 6 p.m., Tuesday, March 9.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2010

Gilmer County Boy Scouts February is Scout Month! We celebrate Scout month in February for two reasons. The first is that Feb. 8 is the birthday of the Boy Scouts of America and this year marks the Centennial celebration for the BSA. The second reason is that the founder of the Scouting movement, Lord Robert S. S. BadenPowell, was born Feb. 22. Baden-Powell and his wife, Olave Baden-Powell, were also very instrumental in starting the “Girl Guides” in Great Britain, the forerunners to the Girl Scouts of America. Troop 402 has once again finished off a wonderful year of Scouting in Gilmer County. The troop started off 2009 in typical high-adventure fashion with two simultaneous winter backpacking trips. The less experienced Scouts in the troop began backpacking careers by hiking in the Amadahy Trail to the camping area off Woodring Branch. The older and more experienced backpackers in the troop traveled to Standing Indian, N.C., for a more challenging experience in the Southern Nantahala Wilderness Area. Both groups experienced backpacking in cold weather. Frozen waterfalls and 14 degree temperatures met the Scouts on the Kimsey Creek Trail. February brought a new type of experience for the Scouts as they traveled to Atlanta to experience the “Dialog in the Dark” exhibit at Atlantic Station. Scouts were given red and white walking canes and led into a small room where the light was gradually reduced to total darkness. They were then introduced to their blind guide for the evening. Leaning heavily upon the experience of their guide, Scouts used their canes and senses to walk through total darkness and explore the exhibit which included replicas of a city park, grocery store, city streets, a marina complete with boat ride, and a diner where they could purchase sodas (which posed a problem when counting out money and change). All of these experiences were counted toward the completion of the Disabilities Awareness Merit Badge for the Scouts. In March of 2009 it was time for leadership training and advancement concentration. Following the annual troop elections and investiture of new leaders at the Spring Court of Honor, the troop traveled to Scoutland in Gainesville and encamped for a very wet weekend which included map reading and orienteering courses. April brought service and leadership into practice as the Scouts assisted local Cub Scouts in their annual crossover weekend. Ceremonies are a significant part in marking important advancement opportunities in Scouting.

Arrow of light ceremony – L to R Nick Roth, Tommy Calhoun, Mac Lacey, Justin Easley. Annually, the Cubs celebrate “crossing over” from one level of Scouting to the next, be it from Tigers to Cubs, Cubs to WEBELOS or WEBELOS to Boy Scouts. Troop 402 built a tworope bridge across a creek at Camp Mountaintown to symbolize the Scouts crossing over from one level to the next. In May the troop traveled to Hiawassee to experience the Mountain District Spring Rendezvous. This event is a “camporee” where all Boy Scout troops from Gilmer, Fannin, Union and Towns counties gather for one large encampment. Scouts learned and practiced Scoutcraft such as making fire by friction and knot tying.A cooking competition using dutch ovens was also a highlight of the weekend. Over 100 Scouts from the area were in attendance. July 4th brought celebration of the Nation’s independence and the troop participated by marching in the Ellijay Independence Day parade and holding their annual flag retirement ceremonies. Ninety-four flags were retired, making for a very memorable and moving experience. Anyone with a flag in disrepair can donate their used flag to the troop at any time. The troop stores these flags in a respectable fashion to be retired annually on Independence Day. In June the troop went to Camp Rainey Mountain for the 2009 summer camp experience. Forty-five boys and six adults encamped at the Northeast Georgia Council camp in Clayton for a week of fun, fellowship, and hard work on merit badges. Just a few of the opportunities that boys took advantage of were classes in swimming, lifesaving, emergency preparedness, orienteering, pioneering, environmental science, citizenship, leatherwork, climbing, canoeing, kayaking, small

boat sailing and more. Combined, all the boys earned 177 merit badges. Many of the Scouts from Gilmer County are employed by the Northeast Georgia Council for seven weeks as staff members who deliver the summer camp program to troops from all around the nation. In August many of the boys from Troop 402 traveled to Indiana State University for the National Order of the Arrow Conference. NOAC is the National gathering of Scouting’s National Honor Society and fraternal organization, the Order of the Arrow. Boys from the troop participated on a national scale in competitions and evaluations, some of which brought home medals for their efforts. Caring for our environment and service to public lands have always been subjects near and dear to the hearts of Boy Scouts. Just one opportunity the boys took advantage of this year was participating in Public Lands Day at Carters Lake. The boys showed their resilience and hard work by participating in trail maintenance and restoration in and around the campgrounds of Carters Lake. October always brings about a fun event ... the Apple Festival! The boys use this as their annual fundraising project to help fund their wonderful and very large troop. It is also a learning experience to test the concepts of incident command, service and public relations. They see themselves as the ambassadors of Gilmer County to the numerous visitors attending the festival. To many

visitors, the Scouts are the first people from Ellijay they will experience and the last as they leave. Because some isolated visitors are not as cordial as boys are used to, they get to put in practice many of the portions of the Scout Oath and Scout Law which they are required to repeat from memory (especially the parts about being courteous, kind and helping people at all times). Just because the festival is over doesn’t mean the work is over. If you’ve ever seen the trashed parking areas immediately after the event and wondered who cleans up all that trash, just thank a Scout the next time you see one. Many of our Gilmer residents who are regulars to the Apple Festival make donations to the Scouts to help grow our program and we would like to just take a moment to thank you. If it were not for you, many boys would not be able to get a Scout uniform, much less participate in the wonderful Scouting program. November brought about another Mountain Rendezvous at Camp Hosanna in Hiawassee. The theme of this camporee was “Ultimate Showdown.” Boys were schooled in practical knot tying and participated in games such as dodge ball, “save the child” and Ultimate Frisbee. If you have never heard of the game “Ultimate” you should look it up. Boys thrive on the “spirit of the game” which means that there is no need for referees because the boys take great pride in calling the game from the field. It is truly a display of sportsmanship. Over 120 Scouts were in attendance for the event. In addition to the traditional outdoor experiences, boys also participated in extra-curricular camping and service opportunities. Four local Order of the Arrow events were held in which boys from Troop 402 participated. Two of these events are service opportunities where boys travel to Camp Rainey Mountain and join Scouts from the entire Northeast Georgia Council to volunteer hundreds of hours of service in the maintenance of our Council Camp. The last two events are social in nature – the first being a Native American Pow Wow weekend and the second being a Christ-

Standing Indian, N.C., backpacking trip.

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shadow of Huff. To add a final punctuation mark to the above statement, one only needs to look at the number of Eagle Scouts produced in Troop 402 since the organization’s founding. The most Eagles produced in any single year of the troop’s history has been four, and this has occurred three times.This number was broken in 2009 when Davis Lacey, Justin Easley, Joseph Gudger, Harrison Smith and Michael Sheahan all earned Scouting’s most coveted Eagle rank. Looking forward to celebrating 100 years of Scouting in America, and 75 years of Scouting in the Northeast Georgia Council, many events are in store for the boys in addition to their normal year of Scouting. Our Scouts joined wellknown author Alvin Townley and the immediate past national chairman of the Order of the Arrow, Brad Haddock, at a Centennial Celebration in Blairsville on Feb. 14, 2010. In March, boys will be participating in a service project for the National Forest Service. Over 600 Scouts and volunteers will descend on the Jake Bull Trail system and perform trail maintenance and other types of service. Adventure Base 100 is a traveling 10,000 square foot handson adventure base of fun and activity touring the nation. It will stop at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival April 16–18 and everyone – even if you are not a Scout – is invited. Always in the mind of the leaders and the Scouts who enjoy Scouting in Gilmer County are the numerous people who make this character building opportunity possible. The numerous parents, clergy, businessmen, philanthropists and civic leaders that invest themselves in the boys of our community are truly appreciated and it should be noted that the troop recognizes that Scouting would not be possible without their support.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2010

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