CMYK features
The Paper | Thursday, May 23, 2013
5B
Citizen of Year Jim Scott working to grow JCCO By KATIE GRIFFIN
the Rev. Barnes. Scott said he feels that the churches have a role that he hopes to see fulfilled in uniting citizens in this comJim Scott, the Jackson County Area munity. Scott is a Deacon at St. Paul First Chamber of Commerce 2012 Citizen of the Baptist Church in Jefferson and firmly beYear Award winner, is President of the lieves in the power of prayer in his home Jackson County Community Outreach, a and community. non-profit organization that gives the most The Jackson County Community Outscholarships to high school seniors in this reach gives three annual scholarships to county. students at each high school in Jackson Scott retired from the County, and will donate United States Air Force in $14,000 in scholarships this Franklin, Ky., and moved to year. upstate New York to work The non-profit, 501(c)(3) in logistics. He was quickly tax exempt organization promoted and moved to Nihosts an annual achieveagara Falls, N.Y., where he ment award banquet. would soon learn of a posi“All proceeds from the tion at TenCate Nicolon in banquet are given toward Pendergrass. He and his scholarships so we have to wife, Betty J., and his middle have fundraisers throughout son, Daryl, moved to Comthe year to pay for the cost merce in 1996. He worked of the banquet as well as the there for three and a half cost to run the organization” years before retiring. His Jim Scott was honored ear- said Scott. He said he was oldest son, Derrick, lives in lier this year when he was very pleased with the outBuffalo, N.Y., and his young- named Citizen of the Year come of last year’s banquet est son, James III, lives in by the Jackson County Area and is looking forward to this Las Vegas, Nev. year’s banquet. Upon moving to Com- Chamber of Commerce. Since 1998, 107 scholarmerce, Scott immediately ships have been awarded, felt that Jackson County would be his new totaling $107,500. They also host a countyhome and loved the convenience of coun- wide Essay Contest which has given out try living that was so close to the city. He $5,675 in awards since the year 2000. The was the Secretary of JCCO the year it was organization welcomes regular and assofounded, 1998, and was chosen President ciate members and meetings are held the of the organization in the year 2000. From first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the very beginning, Scott and the JCCO’s the Commerce Northridge Medical Center focus has been enriching the lives of young Conference Room. people by encouraging higher education, The Jackson County Community Outeconomic growth and citizen community reach is always in need of volunteers. They involvement. need judges who can read and edit the esScott has always had a passion for volun- says for the essay contest; they need help teering and giving back to his community. in interviewing scholarship applicants; and “I believe in community service, and they always need help setting up and cleanI think we should do all we can while we ing up for the award banquet. can,” said Scott. Being a very hard worker, This year’s award banquet is Dec. 14 at he says that he does not expect others to the Jefferson Civic Center. The cost to rework as hard as he does, but he appreciates serve a table for eight is $300. Individual all the help he and JCCO can get. seats cost $30 and walk-ins are welcome. The organization is currently accepting For more information about the banquet new members to the organization and have or if you wish to volunteer or support JCCO, several exciting things they are planning contact Jim Scott by phone at 706-335-3367 for 2014; one of which is a faith-based ini- or by email at jbs11@windstream.net. tiative that includes JCCO partnering with For The Paper
Farah Bohannon The Paper
Candles were lit by Pendergrass Chief Robert Larocque, Braselton Assistant Chief Lou Solis and Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum in memory of fallen Jackson County law enforcement officers Chris Ruse, Todd Helcher, Sheriff Clifford Barber and Eddie Roe Evans. Jefferson Police Chief Joe Wirthman, far right, has lost a number of friends and law enforcement officers whom he worked alongside during his career.
Fallen peace officers are remembered at service By FARAH BOHANNON
For The Paper
Law enforcement officers, friends, family and loved ones gathered at Living Word Church in Jefferson for a very special program on May 14. This is a program that Jefferson Police Chief Wirthman holds near and dear to his heart. It is a time to reflect — to remember fallen officers. It is a time to remember that these men and women were not just officers of the law, but fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, friends, husbands and wives. They risked and lost their own lives while protecting others. As Pastor Mark Mobley, who also serves as a member of the Jefferson City Council, said during the sermon, “This is not just a job. This is not about the paychecks.” It is a job that makes these brave men and women become different people than they used to be — people who are willing to protect others no matter what. Chief Wirthman stated this is the sixth annual Jackson County Law Enforcement Memorial Service and he is pleased to see that attendance grows each year. This year, the service was moving and allowed attendants to really remember the ones who lost their lives. The service began with Tammy Babb singing the National Anthem, followed by the Presentation of Colors by the Jefferson High School Junior ROTC. The Folding of the Flag was performed by the Jefferson Police Memorial Honor Guard. Jefferson Mayor Jim Joiner warmly welcomed everyone to the service, which was followed by readings from the New and Old Testament by Pastor/Chaplain Brian Stowe, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Pastor Wade Lott and Jefferson Police Officer and preacher Fred Wilson. This geared up the audience for the moving speech by Chief Wirthman and sermon by Pastor Mobley. Both discussed how truly important law enforcement officers are and how grateful they are for the sacrifice. Mobley discussed typical behavior and reactions of human beings when faced with a frightening situation, such as loud noises. It is human nature to duck and cover when faced with
Farah Bohannon The Paper
Alex Irving played “Amazing Grace.” something like this, but Mobley states that these trained officers’ new instinct is to protect — just like the man who tried to block the bullets shot during the Ronald Reagan assassination attempt. After the sermon, candles were lit by Jackson County Sheriff Janice Mangum, Braselton Assistant Chief Lou Solis and Pendergrass Police Chief Robert Larocque in honor of the fallen officers. Jackson County law enforcement officers who made the supreme sacrifice when they were killed in the line of duty were Sheriff Clifford Barber, Deputy Eddie Roe Evans, Braselton Police Officer Todd Helcher and Pendergrass Police Officer Chris Ruse. Forty law enforcement officers have already lost their lives in the line of duty this year. “One is too many,” said Mobley. Alex Irving played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes. The service concluded with the Jefferson Police Memorial Honor Guard’s TwentyOne Gun Salute, the Sounding of Taps by Thomas Clark, the Retiring of the Colors by the Jefferson High School JROTC and lastly, the benediction. It was a beautiful and moving service that Chief Wirthman is proud to have. He hopes to fill up Living Word Church completely within the next few years.
Pre-disaster mitigation plans being updated A public hearing will be held for the Jackson County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan Update on at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, at the Jackson County Fire Training Center, located at 64 Fowler Drive in Jefferson. The purpose of this hearing will be to present a draft for the Plan Update to citizens and to obtain feedback prior to submission to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA). The draft is available for download by visiting the Jackson County government website. Comments
Sheriff Mangum speaks to Braselton Woman’s Club By KATIE JUSTICE
kjustice@clickthepaper.com
With four months on the job, Sheriff Janis Mangum has been one busy woman, but she made time last week to visit with citizens helping them to understand exactly what her job entails. The Braselton Women’s Club featured Mangum as a guest speaker at its May 1 meeting. Mangum, the only current female sheriff in the state, spoke about the value of the community impacting her role as sheriff. Mangum has worked in law enforcement for 2 7 years, the last 24 of which have been with Jackson County. “I worked for Sheriff [Stan] Evans for the whole 24 years,” she said. “He had confidence in me and allowed me to work every
in every division,” said Mangum, who notes it was never truly her plan to run for sheriff. “I was so concerned that somebody would get the office of sheriff and they wouldn’t care about the needs of the people,” she said of her reason for running for office. Her concern for the citizens of Jackson County is not only what led her into office, but it is also much of what has kept her busy during her four months on the job. Thus far, Mangum has started several programs and efforts to ensure the safety and awareness of the general public. She has initiated a Facebook page and e-mail system to help alert citizens of what’s going on, both good and bad. “We’re reaching out to
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the community. I want to be more community oriented,” she said. She has also started an ACE, Aggressive Criminal Enforcement, team, which is a small group of special officers who help patrol problem areas to prevent crime. Mangum is also hoping to start a program to help older citizens avoid fraud. SALT, or Seniors and Law Enforcement Together, will host meetings to educate older citizens about scams and frauds that aimed at swindling old people out of their money. Mangum encourages citi-
zens to reach out to the sheriff’s office with any questions or concerns. She also encourages citizens to consider visiting the sheriff’s office and jail. “It’s your sheriff’s office and jail. We pay for it as taxpayers, so I invite you to come out and see it,” she said, although she does ask citizens call or e-mail first to schedule a time to visit. In her role as sheriff, Mangum is responsible for 171 county employees that include 47 deputies and 69 fulltime jailers. She is also accountable for inmates and conditions within the jail.
on the draft Plan Update will be accepted through Monday, June 10. Questions concerning the Jackson County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan Update should be directed to Dave Van De Weghe, Principal Planner, by calling 706369-5650 or by emailing dvandeweghe@negrc.org. The Gwinnett County Office of Emergency Management held its public meeting Monday to discuss its hazard mitigation plan.
The meeting provided an overview of the hazard mitigation planning process and be given the opportunity to provide feedback and recommendations. The Gwinnett County Office of Emergency Management is responsible for “planning for emergencies and disasters, responding to incidents as a coordinating agency, directing mitigation against hazards and assisting ... in recovery after an incident.”
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