VISIONS 2023 | A New Newton

2023

“A New Newton” What Newton’s growth means for education, business, health & politics

Community Spirit Award Winner Samantha Fuhrey caps off career as Newton County Schools Superintendent

Unsung Heroes

Read about our other Visions Award Winners inside

A Special Publication of

NEWTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE COMMITMENT. LOYALTY. SACRIFICE. DEDICATION.

The goal of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office is “to be recognized as the kind of professional organization that values, respects, and honors the rights and dignity of the entire community. Through an abundance of collaborative efforts, the NCSO is committed to improving life in every aspect for its citizens, businesses, schools, colleges/universities, and visitors.”

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Table of Contents LEARNING Newton’s Tech Boom Athletics and Academics NCCA New Media Courses Samantha Fuhrey Q&A

7 9 10 11

ENTERPRISE Town Center Showing Promise A Brief History of the JDA Bread and Butter Spotlight

14 16 18

WELLNESS Piedmont & Newton Growth FFA Leads to Career Changes

20 27

COMMUNITY A Word from Mayor Horton Newton Welcomes New Pastors

This magazine is a special publication of

29 31 which is published every Sunday and Wednesday by Newton Newspapers, Inc.

LEADERS

Patrick Graham

Community Spirit Award Samantha Fuhrey

38

Unsung Heroes Destiny Bryant Jason Cripps Latrelle Cawthon

40 42 44

Youth of the Year Kevin Wadsworth

46

Employer of the Year Mayfield Ace Hardware

48

4

VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON

Gabriel Stovall

OWNER pgraham@covnews.com

PUBLISHER gstovall@covnews.com

Cynthia Warren

Tom Spigolon

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR cbwarren@covnews.com

NEWS EDITOR tspigolon@covnews.com

Lee Ann Avery

Phillip B. Hubbard

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR lavery@covnews.com

SPORTS EDITOR phubbard@covnews.com

Alicia Goolsby

Brian C Worton

LEGALS CLERK agoolsby@covnews.com

ADVERTISING bworton@covnews.com

CONTACT US Mail • P.O. Box 1249, Covington, GA 30015 Telephone • 770.787.6397 (NEWS) Online • CovNews.com

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VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON 5

Index of Advertisers 5 June A & J’s Bonding A&A’s Outlet Alcovy CASA Ausband Chapman Insurance Austin Harris - Edward Jones Beasley Drug Co. Berry’s Tree Farm Bradley’s Bar B Que Bullseye Accounting Services Cater 2 U City of Covington City of Oxford City of Porterdale Complete Automotive Tire Center Conyers Jewelers Inc Conyers School of Ballet Covington Dance & More Covington Police Department Dawson’s Rustic Designs Deep South Cattle Company Fletcher’s Jewelry Forever Mis Quinces Georgia Outdoor Decor Georgia Piedmont Techical College Linda Hays Hines Home of Funerals Hometown Realty JC Harwell & Son JerJay Beauty Supply Keep Newton Beautiful Leapin Lizards Pet Shop Leanne P. Cooper Lester Lackey Funeral Home Loganville Christian Academy Mayfield Ace Hardware McKibbens Music Mosquito Joe Natural Path Family Health Food Store Newton County Board of Commissioners Newton County Chamber of Commerce Newton County IDA Newton County School System Newton County Sheriff Office Newton County Water & Sewage Newton Federal Bank Nitro 2 Go Olde Town Awards Oxford College of Emory PC After Dark Piedmont Insurance Assoc.

Piedmont Newton Hospital Plain Nuts Catering Printability Signs Ramsey’s Furniture Ready Rent-All Rotary Club of Covington Shametria Dixon State Farm Shannon D. Sneed Attorney at Law Shear Bliss Snapping Shoals EMC Southern Heartland Art Gallery The Meat House Town House Cafe Town of Newborn Travel Arrangements 4 U Triumph Church of God in Christ United Bank Verescence Westmoreland’s Time Shop 6 VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON

8 33 33 25 12 45 35 21 12 27 33 36 34 43 33 35 35 13 34 33 8 12 35 22 51 37 33 17 19 8 34 33 13 12 5 49 12 22 26 32 16 16 39 3 5 23 50 35 10 47 32 27 14 30 17 28 30 21 33 13 2 12 33 13 28 33 34 52 26 35

A WORD FROM THE PUBLISHER

A New Newton

I

noticed it almost immediately upon arrival back to Covington in July 2022. There was enough familiarity here to know that I was back in Newton County. But there was also more than enough evidence to show me just how much Newton County has changed.

Starting with the traffic, then some of the new restaurants, businesses and hotels littering the area, it was evident that growth hadn’t come to the area — it was already here and had already produced a new Newton County.

From unprecedented upgrades to iconic Sharp Stadium to new schools being built, new opportunities for education coming from the upgrades to Covington Town Center and ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings galore, it’s safe to say that the growth themes of our two previous Visions magazines have given birth to its intended newness. And there’s more on the way.

This is a good thing, Newton County. Because the newness not only invites new opportunities but also new people and new strategies to facilitate and continuously foster growth. But we would be naive to think that these results of growth don’t also present new challenges. Yet, those new challenges present us with new avenues to show once again that ours is a community that’s adaptable, flexible, cosmopolitan and still “old school” enough to not lose some of its small-town charm.

In last year’s Visions, we chronicled how our community was “not only thriving, but surging.” Now that the surge is here and firmly planted, this year’s Visions magazine takes a deep dive into what that surge means in education, in business, in health and wellness, sports and even politics, and how we can find ways to celebrate the “New Newton” that’s formulating around us.

Dig in and enjoy.

Gabriel Stovall

Publisher The Covington News

THE COVINGTON NEWS

Dr. Tavarez Holston (left) pictured with Dr. Sung Jin Kim (right)

Newton County’s tech industry boom not slowing down any time soon LEARNING

By Gabriel Stovall gstovall@covnews.com

When Georgia Piedmont Technical College president Dr. Tavarez Holston heard Absolics Chief Technology Officer Dr. Sung Jin Kim express a direct call for workers for the semiconductor industry-leading company, he knew then that a partnership between the school and the company had to happen.

And on March 9, that’s exactly what took place. That’s when Georgia Piedmont and Absolics officially teamed up together to provide work-ready education and training for residents in and around Metro Atlanta.

The partnership was officially sealed with a signing ceremony at GPTC, but it was a connection that was in the works since Absolics’ plans to build a facility in Newton County that produces a glass substrate for computer processing and memory chips became public knowledge.

Absolics broke ground on the facility, which promises to bring more than 400 jobs to the Newton County area, in November 2022. It was one of several companies that executed groundbreakings and grand openings representing Newton’s booming tech, engineering and manufacturing industry.

For example, two weeks after the Absolics ground breaking, Covington landed a Silicon Valley-based aerospace company called Archer Aviation Inc. which recently began construction on a 500,000 square-foot complex on 96 acres of vacant city land owned by the Covington Municipal Airport. That development is slated to create 1,000 jobs in the city.

Toward the end of March, Ascend Elements, a company that works with electric vehicle manufacturers and battery manufacturers to recycle used batteries, celebrated the grand opening for a plant on Covington’s Industrial Boulevard that will become North America’s largest electric vehicle battery recycling facility.

These are the kinds of rapid-fire developments that led Kim to declare Covington as a national and, perhaps, eventual international hotbed for tech, engineering and manufacturing. It’s also what triggers Holston to become aggressive about positioning Georgia Piedmont Technical College to be front and center for training students to take THE COVINGTON NEWS

on these jobs.

“The key thing that took place is when Dr. Kim said, ‘We need to hire students for us to be successful,’” Holston said.

“So as a technical college, our whole point of existence is helping the workforce be successful, prioritizing workforce development and making sure we get people jobs. So when Dr. Kim said we have jobs for people who qualify, I took it upon myself to make sure that we respond appropriately to fill those jobs with people who have those skills.”

The Absolics facility will be built in two phases with the first phase that broke ground in November being set to open by the end of the 2023 calendar year. To run the facility, Absolics plans to hire approximately 140 employees by 2025 for positions that include office staff, research and development engineers as well as operators and technicians in production, quality and maintenance departments.

Absolics, a subsidiary of materials company SKC Co. Ltd. which has been in Newton County since 1996, is bringing what has been called a game-changing investment into the Covington community — the kind of investment that could even impact K-12 learning in the Newton County Schools System in ways that intentionally educate students about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers.

“The opportunity Georgia Piedmont Technical College and Absolics bring to our community and the entire state of Georgia is revolutionary,” said Serra Hall of the Newton Development Authority. “This particular partnership is special because it’s going to propel our young students and adults into innovative success.”

More good news came for Georgia Piedmont during the first week of April. That’s when the school announced ground floor plans being made to erect a 50,000 square foot building designed to give students even greater hands-on experience to prepare them for “high tech, high-demand and high-paying industries like advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, bioscience technology, computer engineering, cyber security…and more,” according to Holston.

Both Kim and Holston underscored the urgency for the area to produce the kind of workforce that can undergird the industry increase that’s coming to Newton County.

“We cannot do this by ourselves,” Kim said. “Which is why VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON

7

we need to hire people. We need to train them based on our taste, which is the semiconductor industry. And in this area, we already know this environment here is a great place with great potential for this industry to continue to grow.”

Said Holston: “It’s going to take people of all skills. Absolics will be hiring people as early as the end of this year.

So what that means for our college is we’ll need short-term certification programs as long as degree programs, because they’re not going to want to wait for a student to just finish a twoyear degree. (Kim) needs them to work for him soon.”

But, as aforementioned, there is an opportunity through this partnership

for Georgia Piedmont to strengthen its educational pipeline with local students as young as early elementary school grade levels.

“When you talk about even educating small children in this field, it’s a lot about experience,” Holston said.

“You’re not going to be teaching them programming, per se, but we’re going to give them some basic mechanical skills, some five-fingered dexterity skills. We might even start using some of the language they might hear in manufacturing facilities at a young age, so as they grow through our school system and into college levels, we won’t have to reteach them. It’ll just feel like they’re made to work these kinds of careers.”

And, as far Kim is concerned, the need for tech industry-skilled workers in Newton County is only going to increase.

“I’m telling you, in Covington, Georgia, there will be a lot of high tech companies coming in to support Absolics vision,” Kim said. “From Europe, Korea, Japan. They will want to come and set up companies and supporting offices here, and they’ll all need people. In the next five years or so, this area could truly become a global hub for our industry.”

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Athletics serves as ‘academic enhancement’ in Newton County

By Phillip B. Hubbard phubbard@covnews.com

Athletic success is normally on display on a playing field or court. However, the success of athletics has a deeper influence on student-athletes that surpasses the playing surface.

In recent years, all three Newton County high schools — Alcovy, Eastside and Newton — have each experienced their own levels of success.

Principals Dr. Kristopher Williams (Alcovy), Jeff Cher (Eastside) and Dr. Shannon Buff (Newton) explored all the ways athletics can help boost the overall schools performance.

Buff, in fact, described athletics as an “academic enhancement.”

“There’s an ebb and flow there,” Buff said. “You could be a phenomenal athlete, but if you’re failing your classes, No. 1, you’re not gonna get to play. And No. 2, you’re not gonna get to go beyond high school to play. So, they have to work together.”

But athletics have more of an effect outside of the classroom and beyond the field.

Cher shared how athletics — especially athletic teams experiencing great success — helps boost the students’ morale and down each hallway.

For instance, the Eagles have enjoyed their inaugural school year on the new Eastside High School campus. Included on the new campus was a new gymnasium.

That facility has been a hub of school spirit for the Eagles this year.

Eastside enjoyed watching its girls and boys basketball teams produce winning results game in and game out. An energetic cheer squad was on hand for all of the games and, for the first year, the Eagles had a step team alongside a dance team perform throughout each home game.

There were also students who showed up to film and take photos of all the action to promote the athletics scene at Eastside.

Cher highlighted an area of the gym that he was happy to see.

“Beyond that, you had students cheering in the stands,” Cher said. “It really turned into an event where everybody could find a place and everybody could find an opportunity to see what was going on, starting with the athletics.

“Even if the team wasn’t successful, there were successful performances by these different support groups and, and that’s why athletics is so beneficial, because it can really draw people together through a variety of ways to be an audience and a support member.”

Discipline and students’ grades are two other areas where athletics can enhance performance inside the classroom.

Williams said he has seen multiple occasions where athletics have been the vehicle to help students who are struggling in and outside of the classroom get back on track.

“One of the blessings is that we have a position Multi-Tiered System of Support specialist who, that’s her job. She works hands on, extremely close with those borderline kids,” Williams said.

THE COVINGTON NEWS

“‘Hey young man, hey young lady, you want to continue to play this sport or you want to be eligible next semester? This is what needs to take place.’”

All three principals are a constant presence at most sporting events — whether at home or on the road. Overall, their rationale for being there on a consistent basis has to do with showing support for all students no matter what they are involved with.

But Williams’ support, in particular, goes beyond just being an audience member. He is all the time highlighting athletic events throughout the school day in multiple ways.

In his weekly phone call to parents and students, Williams mentions recent sports results as well as upcoming events that next week. During staff meetings, Williams asks the coaches there to stand and share the latest concerning his/her team.

“I’m always not only putting in the different academic performances, but the athletic piece as well,” Williams said. “We make sure we are highlighting that. For example, ‘The soccer team went 2-1 this week and they’ve got a game tonight. Make sure you come out.’ And just making sure that information is out there.”

Recently, the Newton County Schools System has made substantial investments in upgrading athletic facilities, too.

The biggest news item was when the installation of an artificial turf system began at Sharp Stadium — an athletic facility shared by all three high schools. But a new track surface is in the works at Alcovy High School, Clements Middle School is scheduled to get a new softball field constructed this upcoming summer and more.

Cher is excited to see what the future holds for the local athletics scene.

“I want to keep seeing our county work the plan that is in place and continue to examine what we’re doing well and look at areas that we can improve,” Cher said. “The positive thing is that there is an awareness and a plan to meet the needs of all our students and all our competitors at high school and middle school. I think that the long-term aspect is just keep where we’re at and work the plan that we have.”

Overall, all three high school principals see how valuable athletics can be to a school both inside and outside the classroom.

As a result of recognizing that value, each school has assisted numerous student-athletes to play college sports and a few in making it to the professional level.

But, more importantly than that, the principals are proud to see the overall difference they notice in each student-athlete.

“They carry themselves differently, they walk around differently and that rubs off on other kids,” Buff said. “I always tell them, ‘You are leaders, whether you realize it or not.’ So, the character aspect and just trying to make athletes good people, that’s really where the kicker is. It’s not about, ‘You have to make these grades or you won’t get to play.’ You’re in the class, you’re behaving differently and kids want to be around you.

“So, it plays a big role in success.”

VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON 9

Newton College and Career Academy Preparing Students for Jobs in New Media

By Garrett Pitts news@covnews.com

In an ever-changing market, new media jobs are tougher to find and get as the years pass, but the Newton College and Career Academy is taking the necessary steps to prepare students for those jobs.

NCCA is proud of being a top choice for students who want to take a deeper look into curriculum that will help prepare them for postsecondary education and the jobs they want to get after high school and college.

NCCA teachers, Jasmine El-Jourbagy and Verda Watson, are providing students an opportunity to learn new media with classes that provide instruction on web design, animation, digital media, audio, film and video technology.

In El-Jourbagy’s animation courses, she starts the students with the basics of animation as she gradually increases the workload in course two and three.

“Each level class does something different. I have an intro, principles and concepts and advanced animation. When they get to principles I really start to challenge them with open-ended projects so they can use their creativity,” El-Jourbagy said. “In my advanced class, I try to get a client for them, and right now they are working with Georgia Power.”

El-Jourgaby’s students have been working with Georgia Power on creating an animation for elementary students to learn what linemen are and what they do.

“Animation is not offered in every high school in Georgia, we are one of 10 schools that have it.,” El-Jourgaby said. “I think it gives students that creative outlet that they may not always have in a computer science class.”

El-Jourgaby’s student aid, Kayla Archibald, explained how the technology that NCCA provides allows students like herself to be able to take the next steps to learning things that they would not be able to in other schools.

“Using software like Adobe Animate and Adobe Photoshop allows me to see the intricate details of the work that we do because platforms like Canva give it all to you,” Archibald said. “It did really challenge me because I started in the third-level class, and I did not know anything about animation. The pathway and modules that Ms. El-Jourgaby had taught me a lot.”

Through Watson’s courses, students have the chance to learn the fundamentals and advanced work of audio, film, production, editing and directing.

Students are learning these techniques on technology and equipment that they cannot find at many schools in Georgia.

Watson also teaches criteria from the Georgia Film Academy in the coursework for her students.

“Anyone can take the Georgia Film Academy courses, but they would have to pay. We teach it in the school,” Watson said. “They get a head start before they go into the industry because they know what to expect.”

One key part of Watson’s course is the ability for her students to compete with other schools in the state and nationwide in SkillsUSA, which hosts multiple career competitions for students.

10 VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON

“We just did our state competitions, and they did short films, music videos, vlogs, sports highlight reels and PSA’s,” Watson said.

“They learn everything in the class so when they get to [competition] they know what they are doing when they get their prompts.”

One key part for Watson is letting her students expand upon the coursework as they learn how to make music in the studio inside of the classroom. The classroom also provides an editing bay for podcasts and talk shows, as well as a television studio.

Community outreach was one major point for both El-Jourbagy and Watson as they want more students to know the opportunities that NCCA provides for students in Newton County.

As NCCA continues to grow and provide students with opportunities to learn different professions with top-notch technology, the chances for students to learn every aspect of new media continue to grow in Newton County.

“A lot of the community does not know what we do and we want to let them know that if you want to learn animation, film and television, we are here,” Watson said.

This NCCA classroom provides an editing bay for podcasts and talk shows, as well as a television studio.

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STOVALL: When you began as superintendent, what were some of the first things you wanted to do?

FUHREY: “There were a host of things because we experienced a recession when I first came on board here. And unlike many school systems around us, the impact of the recession was long lasting.

So you’re talking about 2008, 2009 when the recession came.

The school system did not generate in terms of ad valorem taxes, the same amount as it did in 2008 until just two years ago (2020). Because of that, we’ve been paddling and paddling.

Looking through that lens, when I started working, we were still patching holes, but as things improved, we needed to restore the calendar, restore the full 190 day work day, we had to buy textbooks, we had to do facilities. The long term vision for me was at the end of my time serving, to make it better than it was when I found it, because it wasn’t horrible. It was in pretty good shape. But given all the challenges, we wanted to make it better in every way, salary, achievement — not just test scores — but competitions, engaging with community. It’s so multifaceted.”

STOVALL: What’s one of the things you’ve done that you’re most proud during your time specifically as superintendent?

FUHREY: “I think one of those things is helping people to more widely acknowledge that we have poverty in our community. We’ve done community outreach to help our community become informed. That was a big reckoning that had to happen where people had to realize poverty isn’t an excuse. It’s a fact.

Kids who are impacted by poverty, families who are impacted by poverty don’t have the same experiences as those who are not. Some are starting on the 50-yard line and some aren’t even on the field. When your school system is 72% impacted by poverty as measured by free and reduced lunch, that’s a challenge and a different way of looking at things. There’s a lot of poverty in Georgia period. But we’ve had some great opportunities to help people understand how that all works in the life of a student and a community. Money is not the answer to everything, but it does help. And, having a community that understands that and recognize that, it helps make all of our kids successful.

The more people who are informed, the better we can be.”

STOVALL: As the county and community continues to grow, and even as you’re making a move away, what do you see as the next frontier of growth for NCSS? FUHREY: “The end point will always be that students are well-rounded and prepared for the future. That’s our vision statement. The world around us is constantly changing. The requirements for being successful are different than they were 20 years ago, five years ago, and because of that, when you’re trying to achieve your vision you have to create experiences to make sure you get there, and those experiences lean heavily on what’s happening in our community, state, vision and world. Leaning hard in providing excellence in all we do and making sure our kids are the best at whatever they want to be. Technology is going to be a large part of that. It’s not going to go away. It’ll always be an integral part, and we’ve got to shift from the paper-pencil world to the electronic world. Making sure that there’s a long term plan in place to continue to replace and improve technology, I think, is so vital to where we’re headed and how we need to help our kids stay on the cutting edge.”

A retrospective Q&A With Superintendent Samantha Fuhrey

By Gabriel Stovall gstovall@covnews.com

In all, Samantha Fuhrey has spent 31 years as a teacher, principal, director of professional learning and superintendent at NCSS, which means she’s done, seen and heard a lot — more than most, in fact — within the confines of Newton County’s educational system. Earlier in the school year, we had a chance to chat with Fuhrey regarding her time and tenure both in and out of the Superintendent’s chair, and how she has seen the district grow over the years.

STOVALL: How would you describe your comprehensive experience here at NCSS, especially as superintendent?

FUHREY: “Let me just start by saying everything that’s been done in our school system has not been me. It’s been the work of the staff, the teachers, the principals, the school board, the parents. Push-pull. It’s been a collective effort, and I just get to be the lucky person to lead us through those efforts. You’re only as good as the people who are working with you, and I’ve been blessed to have a wonderful team that has really mastered doing a lot of great things without a lot of resources. I’ve just been lucky to be the leader of our school system, and to live here and have a daughter go here who started in our Pre-K program and graduated from Newton High School last school year and is now in college at West Georgia, enjoying the fruits of the labor of all the teachers and school administrators she had along the way.

She had a positive experience here in the system, and we’re really grateful for that.”

STOVALL: What’s been one of the most difficult stretches during your tenure?

FUHREY: “I think, definitely the pandemic. You know, over the course of the 10 years as superintendent, we’ve been through some trials and some things happen, but we hadn’t seen anything like the setbacks that came because of the pandemic. Academically speaking, we had made such progress pre-pandemic, and during that time, we had to make some tough calls and determine the best courses of action. I think we, like so many other school systems across the nation, did what we believed was best, but that pandemic time did play out in students’ academic skills suffering. Again, that’s not unlike any school district in the country. But I can say that as we’re moving more into post-pandemic mode, I’m confident we’re doing the right work to help our kids gain some grounds in those areas.”

STOVALL: When you started, what did you want to make sure you did most for your students?

FUHREY: “We’ve just wanted to be committed to making sure our kids could work to choose what they wanted to do after high school. Whether that meant being the best in the workforce, to going into the military, to entering a technical school, to go on to college and get professional degrees. But more than that, to be happy, fulfilled kids and citizens in the community who are civically engaged and have the skillsets to have that kind of engagement and to position themselves to do whatever they wanted to do.”

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VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON 11

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14 VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON

Covington Town Center saw the opening of a supermarket and its first hotel and restaurants this year as its long-sought promise of nationally-known places to eat and shop closer to most Newton County-area residents begins to come to fruition.

A number of regionally and nationally known food chains and retailers also are planning locations in the $300 million, mixed-use development that spans 180 acres between Alcovy and City Pond roads and Georgia Hwy. 142 near I-20 in Covington.

South Carolina-based, The Foxfield Co. is the master developer and anchors for the project are three national chain hotels and a 63,000-square-foot Publix supermarket.

In addition to Residence Inn, which opened earlier this year, other hotels planning locations are Staybridge Suites and Courtyard by Marriott.

A 350-unit apartment complex has opened with an additional 625 townhomes on the drawing boards.

Harry Kitchen of The Foxfield Co. originated the plan for the project. He said Foxfield is developing something others in Metro Atlanta are trying to achieve — a true “live-work-play” development that is filled with “best in class” companies in the lodging, housing and retail industries.

“What makes it unique is the mix of tenants that we THE COVINGTON NEWS

APARTMENTS

have,” Kitchen said. “It is a one of a kind project.”

At buildout, the area around I-20 and Alcovy Road will see more than 34,000 vehicle trips per day to Covington Town Center, Kitchen said.

He estimated about 1,800 jobs will be created amid its final development cost of $350 million.

More than four miles of sidewalks and walking trails are slated to be available for residents and visitors to access shopping and other amenities, he said. About 29 acres of common area will feature natural woodland and lakes.

‘UNDEVELOPABLE’ SITE Years of planning and development of a site formerly deemed “undevelopable” by some preceded the start of construction.

Foxfield bought the site in 2016 and has been actively planning and developing the project for almost six years since mid-2017.

It moved just under 1 million yards of dirt, including 160,000 yards of rock, in completing the grading for the previously vacant site, Kitchen said.

The city of Covington spent more than $1 million on such infrastructure as gas mains and lighting for the project by early 2020. Covington City Council also voted in early 2020 to waive $1 million in permitting costs and water and sewer tap fees along with $456,000 electric infrastructure costs to spur construction of the complex. Kitchen said The company had originally planned office space in the area and considered a movie theater, as well. But Kitchen said he added more residential uses after demand subsided for public movie-going and new office space in the midst of the pandemic.

THE COVINGTON NEWS

Landmark Properties’ The Cove at Covington Town Center apartment community opened in mid-2022. The 350-unit, market-rate property at 12301 Town Center Blvd. helps fill a serious need for more housing for area industrial employees — many of whom commute from as far away as Augusta, according to local industrial recruiters.

Residence Inn by Marriott officially opened its new hotel at 12120 Town Center Blvd. on March 23 with a ribbon cutting.

The hotel, which opened for business in January, includes six floors and encourages weeklong stays. It offers 123 suites for about $185 a night with full kitchens; outdoor swimming pool and patio with grills; and a putting green and fitness center.

General Manager Randy Money said earlier this year, “We look forward to developing long-term relationships with the many businesses in the area and are excited to welcome guests from all over the world who wish to explore Covington’s parks, natural scenery and movie production world.”

Batteries Plus, Metro Brokers real estate office, Avalon Nails and SportsClips are some other service providers and retailers that have opened since the first of this year.

National Chinese fast-food chain Panda Express opened earlier this year as the first restaurant to operate along the half-mile strip of outparcels fronting Alcovy Road.

WNB Factory also recently opened in the 14,000-square-foot retail center adjacent to Publix supermarket. The new location at 12651 Town Center Drive, Suite 113, is the chain’s 64th store in Georgia and 82nd overall, said Robert Bales of WNB Factory.

LOOKING AHEAD A wide variety of dining options are planned along Alcovy Road where eight other restaurant companies have closed deals to open locations, Kitchen said.

The restaurants include Whataburger, which is planning a 24-hour location. The popular chain has caused traffic jams whenever it opens.

Others include Jim ‘N Nick’s Community Bar-B-Q; Zaxby’s; Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers; Dunkin Donuts; Arby’s; Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders; and Amici.

Nationally known convenience store chain QuikTrip plans to open a new store near the corner of Alcovy and City Pond roads by early 2024, said Aisha Jefferson-Smith, QuikTrip’s corporate communications manager.

“QuikTrip is excited to bring our signature commitment to quality and friendly customer service, and 20 new, good-paying jobs, to Covington,” she said.

The complex already has spawned additional nearby development unrelated to Covington Town Center, including a 395-unit apartment complex on City Pond Road. Developer Emory Equity LLC is the developer and said the 39-acre complex would connect via roadways, sidewalks and trails to Covington Town Center.

VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON 15

JDA worked for years before landing companies that will employ thousands

By Tom Spigolon tspigolon@covnews.com

In 1998, Newton County took the unusual step of partnering with three adjacent counties to create a Joint Development Authority (JDA).

It then made a multi-million-dollar investment in land for an industrial park — one that put the counties in a significant amount of debt as they sought to lure the world’s top industries and best available jobs to the area.

Despite a series of financial roadblocks and public criticism of the JDA’s Stanton Springs bioscience technology park for more than a decade, the investment finally began to pay off with the announcement of its first industry — what is now Takeda Pharmaceuticals — in 2012.

The JDA now oversees parks in which two billion-dollar companies operate and a third is planning to open — all creating thousands of jobs.

The board of the Joint Development Authority of Jasper, Morgan, Newton and Walton Counties includes two members each from the four counties — including the chairmen of each county’s board of commissioners and one additional member from each county.

Newton County’s members are County Chairman Marcello Banes and Jerry Silvio, a Covington engineer and development company owner.

Industries in the two parks make — or will make — payments in lieu of property taxes that are shared by the governments of the four counties and the city of Social Circle.

Newton County receives 37.5% of proceeds from Stanton Springs South properties. It will only receive 35.625% from Stanton Springs North properties as part of an agreement to give the Social Circle city government 5%. The North park is partially in the Social Circle city limits.

The 1,500-acre Stanton Springs South park straddling the line between Newton and Walton counties is accessed off U.S. Hwy. 278, just off I-20’s Exit 101 near Social Circle. The state of Georgia’s Bioscience Training Center is also located there.

In 2018, the JDA landed an even bigger national industry when Facebook announced it would build a data center in Stanton Springs.

At the time, Facebook’s Newton Data Center was one of the biggest economic investments in Georgia’s 233-year history after its announcement in 2018. The California-based social media company initially invested $750 million with the creation of its 1 million-square-foot facility and is expected to invest up to $42 billion over the next two decades.

Facebook later began construction on a second data center nearby. A third data center is under construction by an unnamed company, as well.

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16 VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON

THE COVINGTON NEWS

In 2021 JDA industrial recruiter Serra Hall presented a check to Newton commissioners for $2.6 million from the latest data center property sale.

The $2.6 million lifted Newton County out of the red on the Stanton Springs South project — meaning all PILOT payments received from the companies in the technology park would be profit.

The sale was for the last available land it owned within the 1,500-acre Stanton Springs South park to a company only identified publicly as “Baymare” for $38 million.

Around the same time the JDA bought the Stanton Springs North land totaling 665 acres for $23.9 million.

Electric vehicle maker Rivian then announced in December 2021 it would invest $3 billion in a production facility on the North site and adjacent land in Morgan County — far surpassing Facebook’s announced investment in 2018.

State and local incentives totaled $1.5 billion for Rivian’s factory that was planned to employ up to 7,500.

However, the plan almost immediately drew controversy.

Some local residents objected to construction of a large factory on a 2,000-acre site near their now-rural homes and the small town of Rutledge.

Residents also have routinely harshly criticized the JDA at its monthly meetings for a variety of allegations, including potential environmental damage, destruction of their former mostly-rural way of life and more.

The JDA has continued to grade the land for the state, which now owns the Rivian site, in preparation for construction despite some legal impediments that residents created.

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VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON 17

Kelley Johnston (left) pictured with her son, Zac Johnston (right)

As Newton County grows so too does local staple Bread and Butter

By Tom Spigolon tspigolon@covnews.com

Kelley Johnston said she hadn’t planned to open another location of her seven-year-old bakery and coffee shop outside Newton County — until a spot meaningful to her family opened up in downtown Social Circle.

Johnston recently announced she was expanding her Covington-based Bread and Butter Bakery & Cafe concept to a retail space that operated as a general store for the south Walton County town for almost a century.

It will be the third location of Bread and Butter following its original Monticello Street bakery and drive-through location on U.S. Hwy. 278 — both in Covington.

The 2,000-square-foot space is at the corner of South Cherokee Road and West Hightower Trail in Social Circle and operated as the Claude T. Wiley Co. General Store through most of the 20th century and first part of the 21st.

Kelley Johnston is related to Claude T. Wiley and his family. Her father, the late Rev. Wiley Stephens, was named for the Wiley family that operated a 18 VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON

general store in the same location for 95 years.

Claude T. Wiley’s General Store sold the items of daily life to residents of Social Circle and the surrounding communities from 1919 to 2014 — surviving the Great Depression of the 1930s and the numerous changes that came to the American retail industry in the latter part of the 20th century.

Upon its closing in late 2014, the mayor of Social Circle presented a plaque to Elizabeth Wiley, Dorothy Wiley Parker and Fred Wiley “in honor of their standing in the community and the store’s role in the history of the town,” according to a story in The Covington News.

Through the years it was occupied by other businesses, including Sacred Grounds Corner Cafe, but kept the wording in gold lettering on a front window that bore the name of “Claude T. Wiley Co. General Store.”

Kelley Johnston said she planned to keep that lettering on the front window in homage to her family’s place in Social Circle business history.

She said it was “very important” to

her that she continue a family tradition — begun by Claude T. Wiley — of operating a business at the corner of Cherokee and Hightower.

“I’m excited about honoring him,” she said.

Bread and Butter began as a side baking business for Johnston and her husband, Ronnie, in 2013 while they owned and operated the popular Mystic Grill on the north side of the Covington Square.

She later decided to concentrate totally on baking and stopped operating the restaurant before opening Bread and Butter on the Square’s west side in 2016. Johnston later added a drive-through location on U.S. Hwy. 278 featuring an abbreviated version of its menu in early 2021.

The new location will feature the same down-sized version of her original location’s menu and feature such items as breakfast croissants and bagels, a wide variety of sandwiches, salads, desserts, coffees and more.

Amber McKibben, Social Circle’s downtown director, also serves as the staff person for the Social Circle Main THE COVINGTON NEWS

Street Commission and the Social Circle Downtown Development Authority.

She said adding a locally owned business like Bread and Butter helps keep the downtown area vibrant and thriving.

“Businesses are the heart of any downtown, and we are very excited to have Bread and Butter joining in downtown Social Circle,” she said.

“Having established businesses move here is a wonderful thing because they bring the people who are loyal customers to their business and that also helps the other businesses, because the patrons may see a store they have never visited and make an effort to check it out,” McKibben said.

She also said successful businesses and owners willing to be plugged in to the community are a key component of a vibrant and thriving downtown.

In addition, having spaces filled means “there are places to go and things to do” in the downtown area, she noted.

“Social Circle citizens can stay local and shop local without having to go another town over,” she said.

es is key to helping them be successful and stay in those spaces for years.”

McKibben also noted Kelley Johnston and son Zac, a partner in the business, have “jumped right in here in Social Circle” by attending a merchants association meeting and participating in the town’s annual Chocolate Crawl. “(The Johnstons) have been all in from day one and their business isn’t even open yet,” McKibben said. “They are going to be a wonderful addition to Downtown.”

Kelley Johnston said she has never purposely chosen any of her Bread and Butter locations because they were located in a city’s historic downtown area.

“It just worked out that way,” she said.

Rather, Johnston said she has always tried to make the most impact in a community wherever she is located.

“It’s just important to get involved,” she said.

“Supporting local business-

THE COVINGTON NEWS

VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON 19

WELLNESS

Piedmont’s growth reflective of Newton County’s growth

By Gabriel Stovall gstovall@covnews.com

The Piedmont Healthcare footprint has continued to expand over Newton County and adjacent areas in recent years, since its acquisitions of the Covington hospital in 2015, the former Athens Regional Medical Center in 2016 and the former Rockdale Medical Center (Conyers) and the former Clearview Regional Medical Center (Monroe) in 2018.

Zoom the microscope in more snuggly to center just the Newton County area, and you’ll see that the continued growth is mimicking that of the area itself.

With new industry and new jobs comes an influx of new homes — whether apartment style, single family, houses to rent or buy — and, of course, new residents to fill those homes.

Such increases have a trickle-down effect. If more jobs mean more homes and more homes mean more people, then more people means more potential patients to 20 VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON

fill hospital beds in the county’s medical facilities.

It’s the reason why, since March, the county’s Board of Commissioners voted to find funds for an approximately $2.2 million project that would add 10 hospital beds to Piedmont Hospital’s count.

“Really, since the pandemic, we’ve experienced significantly higher volume in our facility which has resulted in overflow into the emergency department and inadequate bedding capacity,” Little said.

“Ten additional beds would ease our congestion and improve our ability to care for the citizens of our community.”

Originally, the request from Dr. Norris Little, M.D., interim CEO of Piedmont Newton Hospital, was to locate American Rescue Plan Act funds to provide the necessary

resources needed to execute the plan. But that would singlehandedly effectively exhaust the county’s remaining available ARPA dollars.

So the Board voted, in an April 18 meeting, to find alternative ways to provide for the hospital’s needs.

That’s not the only sign of Piedmont’s local growth.

Also in April, Piedmont added close to 30,000 square feet of additional medical office space about a mile from Piedmont Newton Hospital. The newly renovated complex, formerly a Walmart, represents a nearly $10 million investment by Piedmont Newton Hospital. That facility opened in mid April, initially providing primary care services only. But it will soon house a full complement of medical services.

Additional plans for the facility also include bringing on physicians that specialize in neurology, endocrinology and rheumatology.

“Our goal with this project was to expand the medical services that we can offer residents of Newton County and surrounding areas close to home to make seeking medical care locally hassle-free,” Little said.

While that new location, nestled in the Eastside Crossing Shopping Center, has emerged, another piece THE COVINGTON NEWS

of expansion and improvement of Piedmont Newton’s medical offerings got a jolt at the end of April with the Concert for a Cause annual, Piedmont Newton Hospital-supporting benefit concert held at Legion Field in Covington.

All ticket sale proceeds for that concert went directly to expanding the services of the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The hospital’s NICU is currently designated as a Level II unit, but the hospital’s goal is to expand it to a Level III NICU. To do that, the hospital will have to purchase additional equipment such as ventilators, incubators, phototherapy lights and a neonatal transporter. Concert proceeds — tickets were $25 — were intended to directly contribute to that.

The theme for this improvement, like the others, is making it possible for a growing Newton County to not have residents who have to leave the county’s confines in order to get higher levels of medical care.

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“If our NICU is able to provide this next level of care, more parents will be able to remain close to home at this difficult time in their lives and focus on what matters: their baby getting stronger and leaving the hospital,” Little said.

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VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON 23

Career Academy’s FFA program a ‘career changer’ for local students

By Gabriel Stovall gstovall@covnews.com

For Dr. Marcus Pollard, it’s music to his ears and a sight for sore eyes to hear and see more high school students expressing interest in the Newton Career Acade my’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) program.

It means that students are beginning to understand, at a younger age, the connection between health, wellness and a strong agricultural presence in a growing community.

For Anna Bailey, her involve ment started out as just a filler class to help her get through her junior year. Now, the 17-year old senior at the NCCA has found a new love in all things agriculture.

Her testimony isn’t unique, though. In fact, Bailey was one of four students in the NCCA’s FFA program who recently shared with the local Kiwanis Club how much of an impact being involved in agricultural studies has had on their lives.

“When I came in as a junior,

I’d never been in an Ag class before, until I got into the Career Academy,” Bailey said.

“They offered it just as sort of a basic class, but my teacher, Dr. Gunner, got me super involved in everything, and I just began to love it.”

So much so that she easily transitioned from regular class member to an active participant who wanted more from the program.

“I actually ended up showing a pig last year with our livestock team, and now I’m also taking veterinarian science as a main path along with animal science and Ag mechanics,” Bailey said.

Andrew Pitchford, 18, is the NCCA’s FFA president. And for him, the program has helped him begin to carve a path for a future career.

“Senior year’s been the best so far,” Pitchford said. “All of it is hands on and you get a lot of opportunities. Like, I’m especially

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looking forward to the electrical wiring competition this January in Jackson and some other CDE opportunities.”

CDE stands for “Career Development Event.” And, according to Pollard, the Career Academy’s FFA leader, such hands-on events, competitions and learning experiences are exactly what makes his program stand out.

“CDEs, those are the kinds of things that, when a kid really gets involved it can become a true career for them or at least a strong hobby,” Pollard said.

All three Newton County high schools, Alcovy, Eastside and Newton, have FFA programs. So does Indian Creek Middle School. But the Career Academy’s program, along with Eastside’s stand out nationally.

“In the national contests, they recognize certain chapters and the programs at the Career Academy and at Eastside are among the top 1% in the nation among agricultural education programs,” Pollard said.

But that isn’t his favorite metric to use when measuring his program’s impact and effectiveness.

“One of the testaments I always look at is at the end of the school year, when I get almost 40 requests every year for people wanting our kids to come and fill job vacancies,” Pollard said.

“When they keep coming back to us and they keep wanting our kids, that’s a credit to the kids.

“I’m pretty proud of our agricultural education program. I feel like it’s an exceptional program which means we’ve got exceptional kids in it.”

One thing that kept Macey Jordan, 17, coming back was the program’s penchant for getting her to stretch beyond her comfort zones.

“One CDE I competed in in the past was bee keeping,” Jordan said. “And, well, the truth is, normally when I see a bee, I run in the other direction. So doing this was definitely a new experience. Stepping outside of my comfort zone is one of the greatest things I’ve accomplished in this program.”

The program also offers Leadership Development Events (LDEs) , and Jordan is excited about using those to expose her to another skill.

“The one I’m really looking forward to is public speaking,” Jordan said. “It teaches you networking and communication skills which are all things I’ll need for my career. I just enjoy every part of it.”

Warner White, the Career Academy chapter’s Vice President, has been enjoying agricultural education so much that he’s been coming back to it since the eighth grade.

THE COVINGTON NEWS

VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON 25

“But the past two years, I’ve re ally gotten involved,” White said.

“Now I’m into wildlife manage ment, metal fabrication, animal science, just so many things.

It’s my senior year, so I’m really wanting to have fun in Ag.” White says the program has made such an impact on him that he’s considering following in Pollard’s footsteps.

“I wanted to do Ag education,” he said. “I want to be an AG teacher, but I’m not sure if I want to do the college part.”

White’s statement drew a hearty laugh from the audience.

But the imprint that agricultural education and, namely, the Career Academy’s FFA program has had on these four, plus dozens of other students, is a serious matter.

“Especially the teachers, they’ve made me think,” White said. “Like, before, I was just saying that this summer, I’m gonna graduate school and join the union and work for the rest

of my life. But now, after volunteering for Ag academy, (veterinarian) camp and wildlife camp, it’s opened my eyes to make me say that, yeah, maybe I do want to work with kids and teach them and help open their eyes to a whole other side of agricultural education.”

And even for those who don’t want to make a career out of it, Bailey says there are still many ways getting involved in agricultural education can benefit a person.

“Even if it doesn’t change your career path, because it’s not for everyone, there are still so many opportunities and things to do through it that can help you impact your community,” she said.

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“It’s energizing to hear these things from our kids,” Pollard said.

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And to put together a quality program, and see they’re just latching on to it, it makes you want to do even more.”

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After a total of 38 years as an elected official and city staff member, Steve Horton announced that he will not seek a second term in this year’s election.

COMMUNITY

Steve Horton wants Covington to keep its ‘charm’ after he leaves office

By Tom Spigolon tspigolon@covnews.com

Mayor Steve Horton says he hopes the city of Covington keeps emphasizing its “Southern charm” and other qualities that make it unique among Georgia cities after he leaves office at the end of this year.

“We need to make sure we keep Covington an attractive place,” he said.

And he said some other cities in Newton County are also unique — giving the entire county a distinctive flare few others in Georgia can boast.

Oxford is a college town that is the current site of a campus of Emory University and the original 1820s location of its main campus before it moved to Atlanta. Porterdale, meanwhile, is one of the best-preserved Southern mill villages around.

“I want them to hold dear to that nostalgic, Southern charm,” Horton said. “I THE COVINGTON NEWS

think it’s fast fading in our nation.”

Horton, 67, recently announced he will not seek a second term in this year’s election, ending a total of 38 years as a city staff member and as an elected official.

He is a Newton County native who began work with the city government in 1978 and worked his way up through the ranks before retiring in 2012.

After beginning his career with the city in February 1978 as a patrol officer in the police department, he was promoted to both sergeant and lieutenant.

“As a young fellow, I can’t think of a time when I did not want to be a police officer,” Horton said.

The job was a valuable learning experience for him because it ex-

posed him to the various groups of residents in Covington “in the best and worst of times” in their lives.

In 1988, he transferred to the electric department to work as a line worker until December 1993 when he was promoted and became the city of Covington’s first Safety/Risk Manager. In June 1996, Horton was named interim police chief and was made permanent chief in September 1996.

Horton led the Covington Police Department when it provided daily assistance with security for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and was in charge of providing security for that portion of the Olympic Torch Run that came through Covington and the associated downtown festival.

The following year, Horton was appointed as the public works director for the city and worked closely with former city manager Frank Turner Sr. — whom Horton replaced upon Turner’s retirement in 2005.

Horton then served as city manager from late 2005 to 2012.

While serving as city manager, the city of Covington received VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON 29

an award for planning funds after being named a recipient of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Livable Centers Initiative Program. Covington also was named one of only three cities in the country to have four departments as nationally accredited agencies while Horton was city manager.

Then, after seven years of retirement — a “happy” time for him — he received an “outpouring” of people wanting him to seek the office of mayor. Horton ran in the 2019 election and defeated incumbent Ronnie Johnston and Eric Threets.

The skills he developed over the decades working in various city departments helped guide him as he led city council meetings during his term as mayor, Horton said.

He said the city has grown in population over the decades in part because of people looking for “what’s lost.”

Horton noted the downtown area in the 1990s and early 2000s was a shadow of what it is today — a bustling area filled with retailers and restaurants.

He said he recalled the meetings he attended in which making a “concerted effort” to use Covington’s “nostalgic charm” to attract business and tourism was a main topic.

The film industry eventually helped make the area more attractive to tourists. As a result, almost 100,000 people visited the city’s welcome center last year, he said.

“Sometimes you just be yourself,” he said.

The Rotary Club of Covington serves Newton County through its Empty Stocking Fund, Top 10 students and Camp Sunshine projects, along with nationwide and international contributions.

The club, formed in 1939, meets for lunch, an informative program and networking every Tuesday at noon at the Covington First United Methodist Church. Visit www.rotarycovington.org for more information about your club.

30 VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON

THE COVINGTON NEWS

Newton County welcomes new pastors to area

By Phillip B. Hubbard phubbard@covnews.com

While newness and growth have taken hold in Newton County’s business sector, the local faith community is also welcoming in fresh vision that comes with new leadership.

In recent months, a wave of new pastors has swept across the Newton County area throughout multiple denominations. Rev. Mark Burgess and Rev. Quintodd Bryant are among that group who have recently moved to the county.

Meanwhile, pastors like the Rev. Willie Davis of Murray CME Church is glad to see new ministerial energy coming into the area as Newton County continues to experience unprecedented growth.

Burgess became the senior pastor of Covington First United Methodist Church in July 2022 while Bryant took the pastorship of Sims Chapel Baptist Church in February 2023.

Davis serves at Murray Memorial CME Church, the church he grew up in as a native of Covington. He’s also the president of the Newton County Ministers Union (NCMU) – a non-denominational group of local pastors and ministers who provide encouragement and cooperation to each other.

For Burgess, moving to Covington in the midst of an economic and industrial boom has been exciting.

“I am just thrilled to be part of this incredible Covington community,” Burgess said. “My wife and I just love living here.”

Meanwhile, Bryant comes from East Albany, Georgia, where he grew up. And he said that, though he had never heard of Covington THE COVINGTON NEWS

prior to his arrival, Bryant has slowly been growing accustomed to the burgeoning Southeast Metro Atlanta suburb.

“Covington is much bigger than where I come from, and being new to the area, it is somewhat hard acclimating to the community because at this point, I am going back and forth to Albany for work,” Bryant said. “But I do feel once I am fully set into town that it wouldn’t be a problem acclimating.”

All three pastors lead churches with rich histories.

Covington First United Methodist Church has been a staple in the community since the early 1820s.

Most recently, the church and its members have been known for its food pantry and community service.

Sims Chapel is a more-than 150year old fixture in Covington that, for the past 22 years, was led by Rev. Cecil Rozier — Rozier is now Pastor Emeritus.

Bryant explained his plan for continuing his church’s mission forward.

Pictured: Mark Burgess (above) and Quintodd Bryant (below)

“I plan on building on the rich history of the church, first by making sure I am God-led,” Bryant said.

“I can do nothing without God on my side. I plan to love the people as Christ loved the church, and I also plan to draw and reach those who are lost and also reach the young.”

Murray Memorial CME Church was founded in 1923. But, in addition to being senior pastor for the past four years, Davis finds energy in his work with NCMU — a union that formed in 1986 and was chartered in 1987.

Davis has been serving over the organization since June 2022.

VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON 31

According to its website, the mission for the NCMU is to “reach, build and strengthen the bond of unity and fellowship among the clergy, churches and other community organizations.”

Davis believes the outreach through his church and the NCMU has been phenomenal.

“It’s a ministry where we all come together as different denominations,” said Davis, a retired officer and former captain of the Covington Police Department.

Davis feels connection with a group like NCMU is vital for any pastor looking to find ways to serve Newton County’s fast-growing, diverse community.

“It allows us to be a spiritual leader and give spiritual guidance to the entire community,” he said.

All three pastors expressed their love for the Newton County area and are eager to continue growing their respective churches in Covington.

Davis has been around the city long enough to see the vast growth, and with it, he knows there will come challenges for Newton County’s faith community. But Davis also says he has full faith that, despite recognizing the different position church has fallen into in current society, Newton County area churches can still remain effective in the area’s bright and booming future.

“Our message is the same, but our methodology and relaying the message to the millennial age and other emerging generations has to be different,” Davis said. “We have to meet people where they are. I believe churches have to do more outreach ministry and still provide that spiritual guidance.”

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last friday of each month april - october, starts @ 6 pm SEPTEMBER 9 - COVINGTON FUZZ RUN downtown square park LIVE AT LEGION CONCERTS

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36 VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON

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THE COVINGTON NEWS

Newton County Superior Court Clerk’s office in conjunction with the Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) is pleased to offer two new services to the citizens of Newton County.

• Filing Activity Notification System (FANS) provides Georgia citizens with tools to monitor activity regarding their property and records • eCertification services provides users the ability to electronically request certified Court and Real Estate Records 24 hours a day, 365 days a year The Clerk of Superior Court is also honored to offer an invaluable service to our veterans by recording and preserving military discharge records, free of charge. Please visit our website, www.alcovycircuit.com, for more information.

Mrs. Linda D. Hays The Clerk of Courts It is my honor to serve the citizens of Newton County THE COVINGTON NEWS

NEWTON COUNTY CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT 1132 USHER STREET, SUITE 338 COVINGTON 770-784-2035 • ALCOVY CIRCUIT.COM VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON 37

LEADERS

Community Spirit Award

SAMANTHA FUHREY Our 2023 Visions Community Spirit Award Winner

By Gabriel Stovall gstovall@covnews.com

Perhaps Samantha Fuhrey’s crowning moment as the Newton County School System’s 10-year superintendent was the day she found herself in the Newton County Jail.

But even then, Fuhrey wasn’t there as an inmate. She was there as the leader of the Newton County Schools.

And according to NCSS board chair Shakila Henderson-Baker, it was one of the moments that defined who Fuhrey was as a leader of the district.

“We had a student who Mrs. Fuhrey was going to the high school to see, and he was a student that

kept getting in trouble and found his way into the Newton County Jail,” Henderson-Baker said. “Mrs. Fuhrey went over there to pay a personal visit to the student. You don’t get superintendents to do that. Nobody told her to do that.”

But that’s just one example. Henderson-Baker went on to share another story about how Fuhrey went above and beyond her job description to show that her desire to impact Newton County students was, indeed, bigger than a job description.

“There’s a current student who was about to drop out was way behind,” she continued. “The family couldn’t support that student like they wanted

to. Mrs. Fuhrey went to this young man’s house. Visited him and encouraged him. This young man is now on track to graduate from NCSS. But not only will he graduate. He’ll graduate with a high school diploma and a welding certification. So he’ll have the opportunity to leave graduate high school and move right into having a good-paying job.”

To be sure, Henderson-Baker could’ve pulled a few more anecdotes out of her arsenal. But there’s only one real reason why she took the time to share those stories.

“Trey Bailey, one of our board members, said ‘People don’t get to see all sides of Samantha Fuhrey,’” Hender-

son-Baker said. “And he’s right. They don’t. But those are the kinds of stories the community doesn’t hear. Those are the parts of who she is that the community doesn’t get to see.”

It’s also the part of her job as superintendent that she enjoyed — and now will miss — the most.

When Fuhrey made the decision back in March to step down from her position as school superintendent, it was a tearful, emotionally-charged scene. And, she acknowledged, that even up until the moment it came out of her mouth, she still wasn’t all the way sure.

“I really did struggle with it up until the moment I said it,” Fuhrey said, referencing that March 15 school board meeting where she publicly announced her retirement. “And even now, I’m still kind of struggling with it.”

That’s because Fuhrey, beyond her 10-year stint in charge of NCSS, has been a staple in the county’s educational scene.

She’s served a total of 31 years in multiple capacities, starting her career as a teacher and literally touching just about every aspect of educational life in NCSS over the years. But these last 10 years, for Henderson-Baker and others on the board, were particularly special.

“From the moment I seconded the nomination to approve you, I don’t regret it,” she said. “I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to have seen and worked with a superintendent like you who truly tries to serve the community and the students.”

Now, as Fuhrey transitions after the 2022-23 school year, she’s going to continue finding ways to serve Newton County students, she says. She’s going to continue stay close to the community and she’s going to keep finding ways to scratch that education itch that she’s sure won’t go away anytime soon.

In fact, even as she’s getting set for her exit, she’s still working on initiatives that will ensure the success of NCSS in cutting edge technologies even after she’s gone.

“Even as I’m preparing to disembark, I am also embarking on another journey with our team,” Fuhrey said. “We’ve assembled an artificial intelligence team led by Dr. Tim Schmidt, and we’re looking at how to see how we can use artificial intelligence to support teachers in the work that they do and how to integrate AI into the programing that we have so that kids who are interested in it will have a great pathway.”

The reason why she’s doing it reflects on her absolute love for the Newton County community.

Born in Virginia to a military family — her father served — Fuhrey has literally traveled and lived all over the nation and world following her father’s military career. She later settled in Pennsylvania for a while with her husband before moving to Georgia due to an interest in a manufacturing business in the metro Atlanta area.

“We came to check out the area and never left,” Fuhrey said. “We started our lives here, and found this area to be a place that’s very different than the hustle and bustle we were accustomed to. It’s shifting a bit now, but that feel is still here. We’ve been here ever since, and it feels great.”

Now, it’s the relationships she’s built over the years here, in addition to just a good-natured feeling the community gives, that keeps her glued to the county.

“I already have people saying, ‘Now that you’re retiring, THE COVINGTON NEWS

why don’t you serve on this and serve on that,’ and I’m saying, ‘Just let me have five minutes to breathe,’” she said with a laugh.

But don’t count on that break being much longer. After she catches a breather, she’s going to be back to doing what she loves — education and the Newton County community.

“I’m not saying I’ll never leave, but my whole life up until moving here was a series of moving,” she said. “So it’s nice to be able to be somewhere and be planted and have so many ties and relationships that keep you going.”

And while she doesn’t have direct say-so on who the district’s next superintendent will be, she does have an idea of what a successful incumbent should look like.

“This school system needs someone who is willing to invest their time, their knowledge, their skills and commitment,” she said. “Continuity in education is incredibly important. This is a place where there are so many opportunities that they have to be a good relationship builder. They’ve got to be trustworthy. They have to show that through actions and deeds. And they’ve got to be dedicated, love kids and love the work.

Even if it takes you to the county jail.

“This has never been a stepping stone job for me,” she said. “I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve our community in the way that I’ve served them over the years. No one on this planet has been perfect. I know I’ve stepped in a pothole or two, but it’s never been intentional.

You learn from it and move forward. But it has been my honor and privilege to serve 10 years as the CEO of this great organization, and I’m grateful to have had the time I’ve had to be able to do the work that I love so much.”

Congratulations Samantha Fuhrey!

q

Community Spirit Award Winner Newton County School System 2109 Newton Drive NE Covington 770-787-1330 www.newtoncountyschools.org

VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON 39

Unsung Hero

DESTINY BRYANT Judge’s work behind the bench spurs passion for behind-the-scenes service

By Gabriel Stovall gstovall@covnews.com

Though Destiny Bryant grew up in Conyers and was familiar with the Covington area she never thought that she’d make Covington her permanent place to live, work and raise a family.

That changed in 2013 when, after graduating from Salem High School, she came back to Covington to work in the Newton County District Attorney’s office after matriculating to Xavier University for college and The College of William & Mary for law school.

Her journey began in Lithonia

before reluctantly moving to Conyers. But it’s in Conyers where she not only found a new network of friends, but also began to get acquainted with the place she would one day call home.

“My mom and dad moved to Covington during the time I went away for college and law school,” Bryant said. “So, whenever I came back from college, I went back to live with my dad in Covington. But I knew about Covington all throughout my high school years. I would always say, ‘Covington is in Conyers’ backyard.’ But I never thought I’d come back to live and work here, though.”

Her path to permanence in Newton County began shortly after getting her law degree at William & Mary. She was initially offered a job with the district attorney’s office in DeKalb County, Georgia.

But when a similar offer came from Newton County’s DA office, it was something that she felt she couldn’t pass up.

“It paid less money, but it was still perfect for me,” Bryant said. “I don’t understand why, but I just saw myself at the time being closer to home. I saw myself living in an area I was familiar with. Working in an area I’m familiar with. Not that I necessarily targeted Covington,

but since it was familiar and convenient, I just found it easier to come back home and get rooted and settled in this community.”

The next 10 years for the 36-yearold associate probate and magistrate court judge has been a whirlwind.

Her work in the courtroom is what she’s most known for. And while it’s gratifying, Bryant is quick to say that she finds an equal amount of satisfaction doing other things in the community that don’t necessarily thrust her into the limelight.

For instance, Bryant serves as president of the Covington Kiwanis Club, she’s a mentor at Newton Mentoring — a group founded by the late Judge Horace Johnson.

It’s there where she spends every Friday spending time with a sixth grade girl. Additionally, she’s active in her church and participates in the NewRock Legal Society which is an African American based bar association, and she’s a member of the Newton Bar Association as well.

“It doesn’t feel like a lot of hats,” she said. “But it all comes together when it needs to. I try not to get into too many abstract things that are all over the place. I try to make sure I can get involved in things I’m already fully vested in.”

It was, in fact, her work on the bench that caused her to want to become a mentor. And her desire to serve behind the scenes in the community prompted her to connect with Kiwanis.

“I try to get involved in things I’m passionate about,” Bryant said.

“I’m passionate about families. I’m passionate about children, which is why Kiwanis is important. I’m pasTHE COVINGTON NEWS

sionate about the justice systems, so I devote time for whatever the bar associations need. I’m passionate about kids. I see kids all the time who don’t have any positive influences, and that’s when I decided to be a mentor. All of this has sort of been birthed out of what I do in the courtroom.”

Actually, a penchant for service to families and children is what coaxed her away from her childhood dreams of being a cardiologist.

“I was that nerdy high school kid who went to medical camps during the summer,” she said. “I remember doing cadaver dissection at Brenau

University. I was all about medicine, and shortly before going to college, I told my parents I didn’t want to do it anymore. When I started college, I still didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I did start doing a lot of service work geared toward children.”

That work has turned into a career that impacts people both in and behind the scenes. And it’s exactly the way she likes it for now. And while still young and with a promising career ahead of her, Bryant is sort of back in that place where she’s not completely sure what the future will hold for her.

But unlike last time, she knows exactly what kind of work she’ll involve herself in.

“I don’t know for sure what the next 10 years will be, but I do imagine myself doing something in politics,” she said.

“My career has showed me that it seems like two different worlds operating. One is operated by the politicians who make the rules and the other by the people who have to live by those rules. And it’s not much middle ground where people understand each other.

Sometimes the people making the political rules don’t really care about the people living out the rules, and the people living the rules don’t care to know why the rule exists.

“I would imagine myself being some sort of role, whether that be Senate or something where I have the ability to create policy and do things that actually impact people.

I never imagined myself as a power hungry person. I don’t care about that. But I do care about doing what’s best for the interests of people I serve.”

VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON 41

Unsung Hero

JASON CRIPPS “I want to leave Porterdale better than I found it”

By Tom Spigolon

J

tspigolon@covnews.com

ason Cripps says he couldn’t have achieved what he’s done both professionally and personally for the past 23 years without one person: his wife.

Cripps has served as chief of the Porterdale Police Department since 2014.

He is credited with being among those city officials who helped change the public view of the

historic mill town from that of a decaying crime den to one that’s encouraging investment in new construction and redevelopment of the decades-old homes and downtown area.

Another way Cripps believes he’s helped improve the town’s quality of life is the variety of events he and wife Holly have founded or fostered primarily for young residents.

He said he has done it for a simple reason.

“There’s nothing here for kids,” he said. “The key to success is to buy into the kids’ future.”

Cripps is a native of England whose family moved to America when his father’s British employer, a copy machine company, was sold to an American firm.

After moving to Rochester, New York, and Clearwater, Florida, the family settled in Cobb County where Cripps graduated from Sprayberry High School.

He began his law enforcement career with the Porterdale Police Department in 2000 and served from 2003 to 2008 with the East Point PD. After returning to the Porterdale PD in 2008, he worked as an officer for six years before being promoted to chief in 2014.

He also worked with a number of K-9 officers, including Beau for which a city dog park is named.

In 2012, Cripps was voted a “Hometown Hero” by The Covington News readers after he rescued a man from the icy waters of the Yellow River despite the man threatening to kill Cripps.

He and his wife have hosted a Halloween festival and helped organize the town’s Christmas parade for more than a decade. Cripps also is a major part of Porterdale’s annual Fourth of July celebration.

If that’s not enough, he organized an annual kickball game and festival in which young attendees play in a game and learn about public safety by seeing police vehicles, fire trucks and EMS ambulances. Free hot dogs were available and live music was featured.

Cripps noted he grew up with such close-by attractions for young people as Six Flags Whitewater in Cobb County. No such amenities are available for young people in Porterdale, he said.

In 2010, Mr. and Mrs. Cripps established the We Ride to Provide nonprofit that raises funds for supplies for the dogs and an annual ceremony event honoring K-9 officers that either died or were injured in the line of duty.

During the ceremony at Porter Memorial Gym in Porterdale, about 100 K-9 officers and their handlers are honored for their duty and service to a multitude of local, state, federal, and foreign law enforcement agencies.

The memorial is the only one of its kind in the U.S. It annually attracts police dog handlers from throughout the U.S. and, this year, from as far away as Switzerland, Jason Cripps said.

He said Mrs. Cripps suggested creation of the nonprofit after seeing that many governments do THE COVINGTON NEWS

not provide basic supplies for their K-9 officers.

“Holly said if we don’t do something for the dogs, people will never know they were here,” he said.

Cripps said he’d like to see more participation in the holiday events he helps organize.

He said he has tried to improve the quality of life in the historic mill town which formerly was the economic engine of Newton County.

“I want to leave Porterdale better than I found it,” he said.

Paddle Your Way to Porterdale, Georgia

Congratulations Chief Jason Cripps & Other Honorees VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON 43

Unsung Hero

LATRELLE CAWTHON Views work with Special Olympics as her ministry

By Phillip B. Hubbard

S

phubbard@covnews.com

ince her days as a Newton High School student, LaTrelle Cawthon has been involved with the Special Olympics in one capacity or another.

While a Ram, Cawthon volunteered then. When she returned home from college to become a teacher, she was a member of the management team.

Now, Cawthon serves as the Spe-

cial Olympics’ coordinator, a position she’s held for 15 years.

It took her a while to realize it, but Cawthon came to a conclusion as to why she’s always been drawn to assisting with such an event.

“I know this is my ministry and this is where God placed me,” Cawthon said. “I realized this was his path.”

Cawthon is a sixth generation member of her family from Covington. She was born and raised in

Newton County and, for the past 25 years, has taught in the Newton County School System.

After graduating from Newton High, Cawthon went to the University of North Georgia. There, she became certified to teach physical education, special education and early childhood education. On top of that, Cawthon earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education coupled with a master’s in kinesiology.

The path back home started for Cawthon before she officially wrapped up her master’s degree.

A position had opened up at West Newton Elementary to be a PE teacher. Cawthon got the position without even having to go in for an interview.

“He had called my mama first and my mama was like, ‘Yeah, she’ll take it.’ I hadn’t even finished graduate school,” Cawthon said. “They told me that on a Wednesday, I turned in a paper on Thursday, I came home for new teacher orientation on Friday, I moved home on Saturday and started pre-planning on Monday.

I was like, “OK, I guess I’m going to work.”

Following her stint at West Newton, Cawthon transferred over to teach at Indian Creek Middle School.

During that time, Cawthon took time off for the birth of her sons after which she started teaching special education.

Cawthon said she “fell in love” at that point.

A meeting with then-Indian Creek principal Samantha Fuhrey reset Cawthon’s course once again.

“I did self contain at Indian Creek for four to five years,” Cawthon said. “Samantha Fuhrey was actually my principal at Indian Creek and she was like, ‘I think that you’ll do a fabulous job,’ and she moved me into self contain. And that was all she wrote.

“Ever since I had a self contain class, my class came to the Special Olympics. It was like my worlds came together.”

Cawthon, along with her management team and committee, does planning for the Special Olympics year round. Around January of each year, though, is when the organization starts coming together and, in the three weeks leading up to the event, Cawthon said it’s “constant” planning.

When asked what makes all of the efforts worth it, Cawthon couldn’t seem to pinpoint one specific reason. A plethora of things came to mind. But, THE COVINGTON NEWS

one thing she was sure of: nothing beats seeing the kids enjoy all of the activities throughout the Special Olympics.

“Seeing the athletes accomplish things that they think they can’t do and then they succeed and do it,” Cawthon said, “that joy is a joy that is unexplainable.”

Watching each student’s reaction is one of the things Cawthon says is why she continues to come back year after year.

In fact, witnessing the students’ enjoyment is something Cawthon believes makes the kids she works with remarkable.

“They don’t see all the negativeness that the rest of the world does. They’re so pure and they just love you,” Cawthon said. “They’re appreciative, they’re humble and they’re kind.”

And, at the end of each event, Cawthon emphasized how grateful she feels that her journey led her back to her hometown to keep influencing kids in a positive way.

“I realized this was his path. Because it was weird that I came back,” Cawthon said. “God just paved that path.

That’s where he needed me and that’s where he put me.”

Austin Harris

Voted Best of Newton for

VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON 45

Youth of the Year

KEVIN WADSWORTH Passion for technology gives people ways to manage mental health

By DJ Moore

K

news@covnews.com

evin Wadsworth’s love for computers and technology not only won him a prestigious statewide award, but it also led to him being named Visions Youth of the Year.

Wadsworth, a senior student at Newton High School and the Newton College and Career Academy is also the creator of The Vent Box app. Through The Vent Box, any-

body can vent their frustrations and receive motivational messages to get back on track in their daily lives.

Wadsworth was 9 years old when he discovered an affinity for computers and technology. But little did he know then that his passion for technology would lead him to birth an award-winning app that provides different resources, information and hotlines that can help users manage mental health issues.

Wadsworth was named the top

winner of the Congressional App Challenge competition in U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson’s 4th Congressional District that includes part of Newton and three other counties.

“So when I got to the Career Academy, I was like, ‘I’m going to look for some different pathways that include technology,’” Wadsworth said. “Since I was 9, I have always loved computers, especially taking apart computers to even playing video games while using different

software.”

Wadsworth wants to keep improving his app on a daily basis. Part of that includes making it downloadable on smart devices.

Students at both schools know that opportunities abound for students to succeed in all facets of life, but in the technology industry especially. The Covington and Newton County area at large is becoming a hotbed for developing tech and engineering talent, even at the high school level, and Wadsworth knew he had to take advantage of those opportunities.

“The school has provided an ample amount of resources and information to me and not just me, but to the entire school in general,” said Wadsworth.

Wadsworth and his classmates participated in the Congressional App Challenge earlier in the school year, where they had to create an app, and Wadsworth was notified weeks later knowing that he would win the challenge.

But more than the technology side of it, Wadsworth says it was extra gratifying to know that he made an app that could provide a service to everyone in this world, including himself.

“I personally go through different emotions,” he said.

“I told myself, ‘OK, I go through different emotions as well, and other people that are in my age range, older or even younger, go through something with their emotions, I thought it would be great for anyone to use.”

At this time of year, high school seniors are coming to a point in their young lives where they have to figure

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out what to do after high school. Wadsworth knows his entrance into the “grown-up world” is coming sooner than later, and he wants to embrace it.

“Everything’s about to change after this last month, actually, and I’m going to be put into the real world, “ Wadsworth said. “I’m kind of excited about it, but at the same time, I’m a bit nervous, but I’m sure I can do great.”

Wadsworth hasn’t made a college decision yet, but his final school choices are Valdosta State and Kennesaw State. He plans to use his college education to prepare him for a career in either computer science, cybersecurity or even software development. No matter which, he’ll be looking to turn his passion into something that can continue to help others.

“I’m very passionate about technology and online as well,” said Wadsworth.

6157 HWY. 278 NW, SUITE 14 COVINGTON, GEORGIA 770.788.7000 WWW.PCAFTERDARK.COM VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON 47

Employer of the Year

MAYFIELD ACE HARDWARE ‘We stood with our community’

By Garrett Pitts news@covnews.com

For decades, Mayfield’s Ace Hardware has been one of the staple hardware stores for generations of Covington residents.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023, the store also celebrates the title “Employer of the Year.”

Specializing in personal service, quality products and creating a convenient shopping experience, Mayfield’s Ace Hardware provides something for almost everyone in Covington as they proudly call themselves “the Helpful Place.”

The owner, Lee Mayfield, has continued to build the brand but also the relationships that the store has been able to create with members of the community. “[Working at Ace] means you have the opportunity to provide for the community,” manager Ryan Norsworthy said. “We had really bad weather a few weeks back, 48 VISIONS 2023: A NEW NEWTON

and we were able to provide assistance immediately. We stood with our community. We try to do different fundraisers with girls and boy scouts and other entities within the city.”

Despite multiple relocations since the grand opening in 1973, the family business has continued to thrive regardless no matter where it’s placed in the city.

Along with keeping the store running, Mayfield also contributes to charitable organizations in Georgia such as assisting with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Mayfield went in-person to the hospital to lend his hand in a Christmas tree farm during the holiday season.

Norsworthy explained how the store would not be where it is today without the team of employees that he considers a family.

“A lot of the people we work alongside are people we know outside of work; we always check up

on each other. But at the same time, it is always comfortable to step in and tell someone when it’s time to step up or where they need to improve,” Norsworthy said. “It is easy to walk up and talk to someone, even the owners. They are always open. It’s an open-door policy.”

Like Norsworthy, many members of the management team started as sales associates, showing the ability to grow and develop within the store.

“There is always room to grow, a couple of us started out in sales and moved up the track to being managers. We have young managers and there is a lot of room to grow and move up.”

As Mayfield’s Ace Hardware continues to grow as a team and company, they always stay focused on the main goal of serving the community.

THE COVINGTON NEWS

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