AUG 2 - 16 , 2012

VOL. 02 NO. 15

WHEN YOU GET A GRIP, YOU GET THE GOOD STUFF

PRINTED BI-WEEKLY | WWW.THE-GRIP.NET

2 emergency powers 3 gypsy gourmet 4 viewpoints 7 krms PRINCIPAL

FORD RETIRES

organic market & gourmet popsicles

on hill street
jessica@the-grip.net

JESSICA W. GREGORY :::

Though the soonto-open Hill Street Market and Gourmet Pops still has little decoration, one item already in place has become the focal point of both the physical location and principle of the business: large metal letters that spell the word local. Co-owner couples Ben and Ashley Trotter and Dustin and Meredith Graves want to provide the Griffin area with fresh and organic products sourced from farms and companies as
CONT, markeT, p. 3

T SPLO ST
SHEILA A. MARSHALL
sheila@the-grip.net

voted down
Spalding County voters turned out at the polls Tuesday, speaking loudly, with a resounding 6,473, or 69.7 percent, voting no on the regional Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST). The final outcome of the TSPLOST was determined by the total vote across the 10-county region, which included Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup and Upson counties. With all 10 counties reporting, the unofficial result was 57,013 votes or 69.28 percent opposed to the referendum, and 25,275 or 30.72 percent in favor of the one cent sales tax. City of Griffin Commissioner Joanne Todd, an outspoken proponent of the TSPLOST, said the referendum was an uphill battle from inception. The TSPLOST was an imperfect bill from the beginning the way the legislators wrote it,
CONT, TSplOST, p.7

Ashley and Ben Trotter (adults to the left) and Dustin and Meredith Graves (to the right) are opening a market in downtown Griffin, inspired by providing organic food options for their children (Harris and Emma Grace Trotter and Zadee Graves , l to r) and local families.

production company fi lm s in many downtown griffin locations

RYAN ROSS :::
ryan@the-grip.net

and supportive, and has much to offer cinematically, said Kurt.

Around town signs have been popping up and traffic averted for the filming of the new Sundance channel mini-series, Rectify. Jared Kurt, location manager for the show, explains why Griffin was perfect for filming the show and how the experience has been so far. "[Rectify is a] character driven story, with very specific location requirements. [Griffin] fit the fictional town of Polly; old elements of downtown surrounded by big business, typical small town America. Some scenes have been filmed in the surrounding areas, but the majority of the filming takes place within the city limits. Griffin has been very helpful

The series follows the character Daniel Holden, (Aden Young), who has spent the last 19 years of his life on death row for a crime he did not commit. New DNA evidence exonerates him , leaving him to pick up the pieces of his old life. Young starred in The Killer Elite and is in the upcoming I, Frankenstein set to air next year. The show also features Abigail Spencer (Cowboys and Aliens, This Means War) and Adelaide Clemens (Xmen origins: Wolverine, Silent Hill 3D). All of the actors are working, but none are yet super stars. We wanted the show to have a very indie feel to it. It is a very location [and] character oriented show. We wanted to use good actors but not super well-known, said Kurt.
CONT, filming, p.6

Jared Kurt sits in front of his computer and collage of location photographs, including many from the Griffin area.

school officials suspect 206 krms grades were changed

SHEILA A. MARSHALL :::
sheila@the-grip.net

Jessica Williamson Gregory, Publisher jessica@the-grip.net

Display advertising: ryan@the-grip.net | 770.584.7677 Story ideas/submissions: sheila@the-grip.net
770-229-3559 | PO Box 2251 Griffin GA 30224 www.the-grip.net Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Grip strives for accuracy in all its editorial content. If you have a question, comment, or concern about articles or photos published in The Grip, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail us.

Officials of the GriffinSpalding County School System have completed a cross analysis involving select Kennedy Road Middle School students' grades and CRCT scores. This action was taken when an investigation in early

2012 determined that Dr. Brenda Ford, then principal of the school, had coerced or intimidated teachers to change the grades of some failing students. According to Superintendent Curtis Jones, Ford had an unwritten policy that was never approved by any school system official that

required teachers to make contact three times with the parents of failing students. If the teacher was unable to document having made those three contacts, Jones said Ford required the teacher to give the student a grade of 73 the lowest possible C. Jones said after identifying students who were

suspected of having had their grades changed, the cross analysis was conducted to determine if they had passed or failed the CRCT. The final tally indicated that a suspected 206 grades were changed 54 in math; 11 in English/language arts;
CONT, graDeS, p. 7

Aug 2 - 16, 2012

top stories
sheila@the-grip.net been removed. That particular item was put in there by mistake, apparently. effort of GEMA, the GMA and the ACCG, and was based on various professional organizations from across the country. That came from model ordinances from probably around the country, and that (firearms restrictions) was put together for Georgia by mistake, he said. It's being removed from Georgia's model ordinance and local authorities are being made aware of the situation, if they aren't already. In response to additional concerns residents have expressed regarding the ordinance granting local governing bodies the authority to commandeer private property for its use, Davis initially said he was unaware the ordinance addressed private property. However, upon having both Griffin and Spalding County's ordinance quoted to him, he stated, The model ordinances are just recommendations. Whether a jurisdiction adopts it or not is their call. I'm sure the entire emergency management document is being reviewed."

County emergency management ordinance was ordinance draft violates state law SHEILA MARSHALL ::: not presented to public prior to approval
SHEILA MARSHALL :::
sheila@the-grip.net Spalding County officials are responding to residents concerned with what some view as the sweeping nature of its emergency management ordinance. County Manager William Wilson said the Board of Commissioners approved the measure in the days following the April 27, 2011, tornado that resulted in widespread local destruction. It was because of the tornado, he said. Like all proposed ordinances, the emergency management ordinance had to be presented for a first and second reading. However, rather than that taking place on two separate dates, both readings occurred on May 4, 2011, with the first during an organizational retreat in the morning and the second at a public hearing later that afternoon. Wilson said there is no requirement that the readings take place on separate days. We can do that for an emergency and that's why we did it because of April 27, Wilson added. Both were Board of Commissioners meetings. According to the minutes for both May 4 meetings, the ordinance was not originally on either agenda, but was added as a revision. I know this looks bad it looks bad, Wilson acknowledged. But as I said, this was in an emergency time. It had been recommended by ACCG (the Association County Commissioners of Georgia), who said it would help us get our money (reimbursements for tornado recovery expenses) faster. We had a natural disaster, and we needed mutual aid. We needed to be reimbursed. He said that the current ordinance updated the previous, which dated back to Sept. 23, 1981, and that it, too, contained broad powers such as, the power to seize, take for temporary use or condemn any private property for the protection of the public. However, Wilson said he is aware of some residents' concerns, which may result in review of the ordinance, particularly in light of revelations that at least one portion is in violation of state law. Any changes that need to be made based on the recommendation of GEMA, GMA (the Georgia Municipal Association) or ACCG (the Association County Commissioners of Georgia), we would put those on the agenda for future consideration, he said. Wilson also said portions of the ordinance may be overly broad, particularly with regard to the granting of authority. As it currently reads, in part, In the event of an actual or threatened occurrence of a disaster or emergency that may result in the large-scale loss of life, injury, property damage or destruction or in the major disruption of routine community affairs, business or governmental operations in the county... the chair of the Board of Commissioners or his/her designee may declare a local emergency for Spalding County. The way it's written, it (the BOC chair's designee) could be anyone from the county manager to the chair's daughter, Wilson said. Perhaps we do need to go in and narrow that down. The Emergency Management ordinances that have been adopted by the city of Griffin and Spalding County, while not identical, are both based upon a draft ordinance jointly crafted by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) and the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG). Another similarity is that each ordinance grants local officials certain authority that GEMA now says violates existing state law. Ken Davis, public affairs director for GEMA and the Georgia Office of Homeland Security, says at least one section has been revised. Both the city of Griffin and Spalding County ordinances provide local officials with the authority to suspend or limit the sale, dispensing or transportation of alcoholic beverages, firearms, explosives and flammable liquids or substances, which Davis conceded is in violation of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. That has been revised the firearms restrictions based on further review of the statute, he said. That has The specific code section Davis was questioned about 16-11-173 states in part, No county or municipal corporation, by zoning or by ordinance, resolution, or other enactment, shall regulate in any manner gun shows; the possession, ownership, transport, carrying, transfer, sale, purchase, licensing or registration of firearms or components of firearms; firearms dealers; or dealers in firearms components. When questioned about the draft ordinance reference to explosives, as it specifically pertains to ammunition, Davis first said he was unaware of any review of that aspect of the draft ordinance. However, when pressed on ammunition being a firearm component, as well as potentially explosive, he stated, It's being, or will be, brought to their attention, as well. That whole item will probably be removed. I'm not sure, but anything that's not in compliance with Georgia code 16-11-173 will be removed. Davis explained that the draft ordinance was a combined

LINKS TO BOTH THE CITY AND COUNTY'S EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORDINANCES CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.THE-GRIP.NET

citizen activism convinces county commissioner that change is necessary

SHEILA MARSHALL :::
sheila@the-grip.net I just cannot see anything that would supersede the United States Constitution, said Spalding County Commissioner Chipper Gardner, in reference to residents' concerns that the county's emergency management ordinance gives local officials too much power. The Constitution would supersede any ordinance, even one dealing with emergencies and disasters. Gardner spoke out after a number of people in recent weeks expressed displeasure, and in some cases, outrage, that officials had adopted the ordinance with sweeping powers some say infringe upon personal liberties and Constitutional rights. I can assure you Spalding County never had the intention of putting itself in a position to supersede the Constitution or taking people's rights away, he continued. I hate it that we, as commissioners, did not catch some of these things about guns, and some other concerns, that are in there. I'm just really sorry we didn't catch it ahead of time. He did acknowledge he understands many of the concerns that have been expressed, and in fact, now shares them. It would have to be a really bad, bad situation before any Spalding County official would say we're going to take your property to use, but yes, it's in the document. I'm just glad people are paying attention and I'm glad they're concerned. It's [the ordinance] is very broad. I'll give you that; I agree with that, he said. There is a lot of mistrust in the federal government, and people are beginning to take a closer look locally. I do not agree with a lot of things that come down from the federal government, and the state government is becoming a lot like a small federal government. Gardner then attributed the county ordinance to the overreach of federal and state government that local officials experienced in the aftermath of the April 27, 2011 tornado that ripped through Spalding County. The federal government, in their guidelines, have all these strings attached to the receipt of their money. There's just all kinds of stuff in there. A lot of this stuff just comes down and you take it for granted, he said. There are things in the back of your mind, but we had just experienced the tornado in Spalding County. He said that as officials were in the midst of recovery efforts, it was learned that the county was required to have numerous mutual aid agreements in place in order to receive federal reimbursement, and that the Board of Commissioners opted to utilize the draft ordinance that was provided by outside agencies. We were only going to recover 75 percent of what the county was spending for the tornado recovery. If we didn't get that 75 percent, we would have been forced to shut things down or raise taxes to cover the recovery costs, he said. That's my understanding in order to be eligible to receive reimbursement during a disaster, we had to have these agreements signed. We were trying to be fiscally responsible to the taxpayers of Spalding County. We were spending money on the recovery that wasn't budgeted. Gardner said he now believes the current ordinance must be reviewed, and he will do just that. Did we trust and rely too much on the documents that were presented by GEMA, GMA [the Georgia Municipal Association] and ACCG [the Association County Commissioners of Georgia]? Perhaps more time should have been spent reviewing them, he said. This stuff needs to be discussed and people need to ask questions, but they need to be prepared to listen to the answers. Do these things need to be changed? Yes, they probably do, but can it be done tonight without shutting the government down? No. However, that the ordinance will be reviewed is certain, he said. Well, obviously the whole thing needs to be re-looked at. All I can say is this wasn't our intent, he said. I'm glad the questions have come up because they're affecting change and things need to be changed. It's almost like we're experiencing another American Revolution, only this one's being fought without guns. I'm kind of encouraged by it.

The dental practice of Magusiak and Morgan welcomed Dr. Chastity Brown, of Jackson, Georgia, to the partnership in January of this year. Brown graduated summa cum laude from North Georgia College and State University in 2004 with a degree in Biology. After completing her undergraduate program, she attended the Medical College of Georgias School of Dentistry. Dr. Brown received her DMD degree in 2008. Dr. Brown practices Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. She is a member of The American Dental Association, The Georgia Dental Association and The Georgia Central District Society and also volunteers with the Griffin Dental Mission.

We climb high to remove your liability, one tree at a time.

Coleman Tatum 770.228.0760

663 South 9th Street (770) 227-9693 www.mmbdentistry.com

food & art

MARKET, cont.
local as possible. They plan to carry a locally-made Greek yogurt, local honey, grass-feed beef from Rocking Chair Cattle Ranch (Forsyth), and produce from the Graves own twoacre garden. Providing local products is important to us for two reasons; one, the closer you can get the item, the more youre supporting the local community, and two, the closer you buy your product, the fresher it is for the consumer, says Ashley. Hill Street Market will also sell gourmet popsicles, handmade by Dustin and Meredith themselves. The Graves have made allnatural, organic popsicles for the last two years, selling them at regional farmers markets. They began making the pops shortly after finding out that their young daughter, Zadee, has severe food allergies. Laynie Bugs Sweets and Treats has been selling Rizzy Pops, as they call them (Zadees nickname is Rizzy) for the last few months. But the small ice cream shop didnt really have enough room to allow The Trotters and Graves believe that both of the business aspects, the organic market and gourmet pops, are filling an overlooked niche in downtown Griffin, since there's not a smoothie bar or grocery store with a large organic selection. They plan to make fresh juice and smoothies, offering an option for a morning crowd looking for a coffee alternative. Dustin pours a mixture of pure fruit puree and agave nectar into popsicle molds (l). Fifteen minutes later, Zadee performs a taste test (it took four to reach the decision that she approved.) the Graves to make their popsicles there, causing them to look into other options. On a chance meeting in the Third Ward Park one day, the Graves and the Trotters met and began discussing opening a market. "It was on a whim and was the perfect collision," said Dustin, who said within a month of having that conversation they signed a lease on the space at 104C S. Hill Street. Opening a market together combined the Gravess need of a brick-and-mortar location to make and sell their pops and fruit smoothies, while allowing Ashley to realize her dream of owning an organic market. The expanded room allowed the Graves to purchase a machine that freezes the fresh pops in a mere 15 minutes, giving them a much creamier texture than what they had before. "The faster freezing time causes the ice crystals to be smaller," Dustin explains. The Trotter family made the transition to eating organic food sometime in the last year, Ashley says, because the media today makes it where you understand whats really in your food. Once you know that, its hard to go back and feed it to yourself and your kids. Their organic produce selection will be much broader than what can be found at chain grocery stores, but at the similar price point. I dont want to have that reputation as expensive, said Meredith. I think our organics will be on par with the prices of other stores organics, added Ashley. The couples plan to open the market doors at 104C S. Hill Street (two doors down from Angelos Italian Restaurant) on Saturday, August 11. They are still debating what the store hours will be, saying that they will follow the crowd, adjusting their hours to when they see the most activity after a few weeks of being open. Get the latest updates on the Hill Street Market and Gourmet Pops on their Facebook page.

Aug 2 - 16, 2012

3
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GYPSY GOURMET ::: The Gypsy Gourmet calls Griffin her home, having been a Damn Yankee/ transplant for over a year in our little community. She is a chef, a truck driver, a blogger, a freelance writer, and a renegade foodie scouring the country in search of the perfect bite.
Necessity is and always has been the mother of invention. Get hungry, run out of options, and see how creative you get! Many small towns across America are much like ours, running on basic 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. schedule, excluding Sundays.

On the road and in the kitchen with Gypsy Gourmet

but not completely tapped, and Im motivated by two bellies to fill. I started rummaging through the cabinets and the fridge in the rig. Finding some roasted garlic artisan bread leftover from dinner the night before, two farm fresh brown eggs, four slices of pre-cooked peppered bacon (B.L.Ts two days previous), and about a third of a cup of shredded pepper jack cheese, I realize Im not as sorry out of luck as I once thought. Stealing a bit of inspiration from an unlikely source, having watched Adam Sandlers Spanglish a few days before, I set to making the same kind of sandwich he did, with my own twist on scavenged leftovers. Serve with your favorite Greek yogurt and fruit or whatever suits YOUR tastes, budget, and availability. This recipe is all about using your resources, however limited, so be creative and work your pantry!

Roasted Garlic

Now, grocery stores and convenient stores are generally a safe bet, but you can never be sure in Small Town, USA. Think rural Kansas, 6:30 a.m. Sunday morning, with two tired and hungry travelers. Every place weve stopped for over 100 miles has been closed. Pickings are slim to say the least. Supplies are running low

Breakfast Sandwich
4 slices roasted garlic artisan bread 4 slices thick cut peppered bacon, cooked 2 fresh brown eggs 1/3 cup shredded pepper jack cheese, divided for two sandwiches (may also use two slices) About a cup real butter, enough to spread on one side of each slice of bread and to cook the eggs Sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste

open studio & art market

stop by to peruse & purchase local artists works and/or paint your own masterpiece!

saturday, august 18 10am - 4pm

skillet to about 225-245 degrees, about medium heat, and pre-heat skillet. Once hot, place slices of bread butter side down, and cook until golden brown, adjusting heat if needed for a consistent browning. When theyre done, remove and set aside until ready to assemble. Next put enough butter in the skillet to fry your eggs (a pat or two). Everybody likes their eggs differently, so Im not going to tell you how to do yours. Scramble them if you want; its all about what you like. I happen to like mine with the whites done and the yolks a little runny, or over medium. While your eggs are cooking re-warm the bacon in the same pan. It doesnt take but thirty seconds or so on each side and is worth the effort. When the eggs are almost done, salt and pepper them to taste, gently place two slices of bacon atop each egg, and divide equally the pepper jack cheese between the two portions. Cover for 30 seconds to a minute to melt, and remove to assemble the sandwich. Slice sandwich in half and serve.
Until n e xt tim e f o lks, e at we ll, laug h o f te n , be f re e , and be yo u!

Instructions:::: handy-dandy electric skillet, but feel free to usehalf-inch slices suitsbutter oneI sidemy Slice the roasted garlic bread into four uniform and of each slice. Set aside. I use my whatever pan you best. set

want to sell your work? email some pictures of you work to jessica@stachestudio.net

art vendors needed!

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Aug 2 - 16, 2012

viewpoints
Do you support ending current practice permitting unlimited gifts from lobbyists to state legislators? YES NO
67.2% 32.8%
Should the Georgia Constitution be amended to allow the state to override locally-elected school boards' decisions when it comes to the creation of charter schools in your county or city?

questions from the republican & democratic primary ballots

Voters in the primary elections on Tues., July 31 answered non-binding ballot questions that allow party leaders to survey the political climate in each election cycle. results shown
are specifically spalding county's answers, though they roughly reflect statewide numbers as well. more results: sos.georgia.org
turn to p. 8 for more local election results

Should Georgia Should Georgia reduce adopt an income sales taxes on tax credit for home energy costs made-in-Georgia to support the products so as to support economic security of the growth of small our families? businesses in our state?

YES NO

44.2%
55.8%

YES NO

81.9% 18.1%

YES NO

88% 12%

Should the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide that the paramount right to life is vested in each innocent human being from his or her earliest biological beginning without regard to age, race, sex, health, function, or condition of dependency?

Do you support Should active duty ending the current military personnel practice of unlimited gifts from lobbyists who are under the to state legislators age of 21 be allowed by imposing a $100 to obtain a Georgia cap on such gifts? weapons license? 87.8% 12.2%

Should Georgia have casino gambling with funds going to education? YES NO
50.5% 49.5%

Should Citizens who wish to vote in a primary election be required to register by their political party affiliation at least 30 days prior to such primary election?

YES NO

69.6%

YES 30.4% NO

YES NO

72.5% 27.5%

YES NO

49.2% 50.8%

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GET A GRIP :::

What are your feelings about Dan Cathy's remarks?
::: keep the religion out of my chicken ::: he was exercising free speech ::: eat more chicken ::: where's the beef

'todaybaked hamham'I like old School (skool) rap. I ate today. I ate some

I love people... I don't like some people though. I am a recovering addict. I used to think that I was a loser and destined to fail. I don't feel that way anymore. I'm pretty sure that all this stuff about chikin is all to blame on those damn cows. I know there are some people in this world, in my state, in my county, in my city, in my neighborhood even, that are hungry and don't know what real love feels like. I'm going to focus on those people from now on... Regardless of their circumstance... Regardless of whether they dress like me, look like me, think like me, or smell like me... I'm going to love them. Yep... I do love chikin... But today I ate ham.

::: Michael Thurston, griffin; via facebook

'i'm kinda intrigued'over Chick-fil-a. I don't I'm kinda intrigued with this uproar
agree with their views, but people have to remember that they are a privately held company. They can support whatever ideas they want. That is their right as a private entity. Just like it is YOUR right as an individual to have your own ideas. There is ZERO difference. I eat there because it's f'ing delicious not because of their politics.

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lifestyle

Aug 2 - 16, 2012

What is relevant to me is this scripture Mark 12:3031: And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these. That is it. Its important that we dont forget the second part of this scripture. If it is equally important to the first, then that is a pretty big deal. We need to love people. Period. I recently read an excerpt from a church bulletin that pretty much sums up who our neighbor is. Kudos to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Community for embracing this scripture in such a bold way: "We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, gay, filthy rich, dirt poor, yo no habla Ingles. We extend a special welcome to those who are crying new-borns, skinny as a rail or could afford to lose a few pounds. We welcome you if you can sing like Andrea Bocelli or been there too. If you blew all your offering money at the dog track, youre welcome here. We offer a special welcome to those who think the earth is flat, work too hard, dont work, cant spell, or because grandma is in town and wanted to go to church.

Who is your neighbor?

A (non)comment on the Chick-fil-A comments
I have tried my best to stay out of the Chick-fil-A debates over Mr. Cathys position on gay marriage via Facebook and other social networks. So far, I have been successful. Many have asked my opinion. Quite honestly, my opinion doesnt matter. When people ask, What do you think about that? I simply respond, I dont. But for what its worth, I will continue to eat at Chickfil-A, because I like their food. I will also continue to buy Apple products (a company that supports gay marriage) because I think the iPhone is the greatest phone ever. This is all irrelevant to me.

RELATIONSHIPS/LIFE/RELIGION
like our pastor who cant carry a note in a bucket. Youre welcome here if youre 'just browsing,' just woke up or just got out of jail. We dont care if youre more Catholic than the Pope, or havent been in church since little Joeys Baptism. We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60 but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up too fast. We welcome soccer moms, NASCAR dads, starving artists, tree-huggers, lattesippers, vegetarians, junkfood eaters. We welcome those who are in recovery or still addicted. We welcome you if youre having problems or youre down in the dumps or if you dont like organized religion, weve

DUSTY TAKLE

We welcome those who are inked, pierced or both. We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved down your throat as a kid or got lost in traffic and wound up here by mistake. We welcome tourists, seekers and doubters, bleeding hearts and you!" There are times I am lovable. There are times Im not. Dont believe me? Ask those closest to me. But, I am thankful they still love me and accept me in both conditions. May we discover who our neighbor really is. And, may we all love them as much as we love ourselves. No other commandment is greater than these.

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While walking down a hallway last week, I noticed a sweet floral aroma, clean and fresh. It was not overpowering, but pleasantly noticeable. I asked aloud what the source of the scent was, and was enlightened by someone who wore the same cologne. How nice, I thought, to leave something so fragrant behind. It was evidence that someone really clean had just passed by. Most of my submissions to The Grip have been questions posed to me by patients or other readers about health topics. I would like to depart briefly from that format to address a question I recently asked myself. It is related to the paragraph above: What am I leaving behind? Not long ago, I attended a funeral of someone my wife and I have known for the 24 years we have lived in Griffin. The late Dora Jane Smith was beloved by her family and this community, and that was very evident in the celebration of her life that day. Certainly, her resume in the business community and church were well-known, but other things that she did and said which were made public at the service

put others needs high on your list of priorities. A quick look at Dora Janes memorial service yields some answers. First, Id like to be remembered for the things I stood for and did that mattered, not the things Id like for people to forget. I hope that my passing will induce some amnesia in those I left behind for some things I have said or done. I hope someone will remember some acts of kindness or service that Id done and speak of them like they did about Dora Jane. I hope my life story inspires people to live each day accomplishing their dreams and help all around them to do the same. I hope someone is better off somehow, or healthier, or happier, or able to live life more fully for my having been around. So many things come to mind to underscore this point. One is a commandment to love others as we love ourselves. We do this because it is a good thing to do, and because we are obedient to the One who commanded it. He personally showed us that love is manifest in service to others.

DR. BOB HAYDEN DC, PhD, FICC

gave a more complete image of someone who selflessly served others in the context of a lifetime of personal ministry. When I attend a memorial service or funeral for a person of this caliber, I ask myself the same questions as I listen to the comments of family and friends: What am I leaving behind? How do I want to be remembered? What in this life is really important? How do you leave a mark that shows you really existed when you reach the end of this life? In Dora Janes life, and in many others I have known, answers to these are linked. One important issue is the opportunities you seek and take to serve people in need. You leave a legacy worth remembering when you

In this sense, service for Dora Jane and others I could name like her really means service to the Creator. He told us that when we do things for the least of His people, we do them for Him. That is a great motivator for servicegratitude and obedience to God as well as love for fellow man. And so I return to the question: What am I leaving behind? Is it fragrance, like the perfume wafting down the hall, or just residue? I wont be able to answer that one because I wont be here at the final assessment. However, there may be a far more important issue than how I am perceived on that last day, which is how I choose to live right now. What I can do is realize that I am writing my epitaph with every day of life, every act of service, every piece of evidence of love and obedience to my God. I know this is a health column, but I think that somehow if I live this way, I will be healthier and happier on some level. This column and more health information can be found at iriscitychiro.com.

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770-227-7715 Corner of 10th & Solomon Street

6
Diane Johnson
state license #MT000706

Aug 2 - 16, 2012

Classes or Private start Sept 5

community

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Therapeutic Massage
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Pain Management Chinese Medical Massage Deep Tissue

Bettes Health Food Center

Taught by Anne Stansell at the Christian Enrichment Center

reflections program helps Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers

jessica@the-grip.net

calendar :::
Miscellaneous Ceramics classes; held at Spalding County Parks and Rec main office; Tuesdays 5 - 9:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 11a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; for more information call 770467-4750. Farmers' Market; held every Wednesday; Kiwanis Fairgrounds; 2-6 p.m. Friday Aug. 3 - Sunday Aug. 5; Main Street Players Summer Youth Program presents Fame Jr.; Fri. and Sat at 7:30; Sunday at 3 p.m.; box office 770-229-9916. Saturday, Aug. 4; Southern authors book signing; GriffinSpalding County Library; 2 p.m.; 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin. Wednesday, Aug. 8; Business Education and Expo; GriffinSpalding County Chamber of Commerce; 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Griffin Welcome Center; free networking, table displays available for $30; call chamber to register 770-228-8200. Saturday, Aug. 11; Southern Crescent Technical College Red Carpet Gala Thursday, Aug. 23; GriffinSpalding Literacy Annual Bulldawg Hunt; beginning at dark; tune in to 88.9FM The Rock for clues.

JESSICA W. GREGORY

424 W. Solomon St. 770-468-4154

indianjoe40@yahoo.com

770. 227. 9779

Family members coping with the mental decline of a loved one affected by Alzheimer's disease can often feel overwhelmed by the constant caregiving, or become timid about asking for help. The Reflections Program offered by McIntosh Trail Community Service Board offers a low-cost, adult day care facility to relieve some of this caregiver stress while providing stimulating activities for dementia patients.

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The Reflections program helps dementia patients maintain social skills, cognitive skills and incorporates light physical exercise. Reflections Director Martha Dennis has seen the effects of Alzheimer's disease firsthand, and has worked with Martha Dennis Shares lessons dementia patients for the past 19 years. learned from her experiences with dementia: She says the Reflections program is designed to keep their members active, both mentally and physically, Most individuals maintain their with routine exercises, games and activities. "Keeping a social skills, which means that routine is very important," said Dennis. "I've seen people many times they respond more resistant to coming but when they settle into the group positively to strangers than to and routine, the caregivers tell me they're up and ready to family. go at 6 a.m." The program runs from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Declining ability to make Monday through Friday. Dennis says another key element to battling dementia is early intervention, which helps to slow the decline in memory. Reflections is looking for more volunteers to allow the program to expand. Volunteers must go through the same application process as an employee. To submit an application, contact Martha Dennis at 770.233.6179 or visit the location at 739 S. Hill Street in Griffin.
judgments is an early indication of Alzheimers disease. Never argue as any indication of disagreement may lead to a major melt-down. Dont be timid about seeking help from professionals and others in like circumstances.

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FILMING, cont.
(For a full list of the cast and crew search for Rectify on www.imdb.com) Hills Tire on W. Taylor Street has served as a main filming location, since the fictional family business is a tire store. Rectify has also shot at Jerrys Shell station, Howard Johnson Hotel, Murphys Restaurant, and Bank Street Caf. "Working with local business owners has been great. Some have been ambivalent at first but all usually works out well. We have made sure to compensate for

any inconveniences and address all issues, said Kurt. Angie Dean Morrison, one of Kurt's co-workers, said Griffin has been one of the best towns to work in. "The people here are very supportive and open to us. We want to bring more [filming] back here because it has been so great. It has been a pleasure to work in Griffin. The city of Griffin police and the Spalding County Sheriffs Department have been very cooperative and helpful. We really appreciate what they have done, said Kurt. Adam Causey has been extremely helpful in helping us coordinate with the city through the

mayors office. Also April English, Bill Morris, and John Carlisle have gone out of their way to help us find locations and housing. Most of the cast and crew of Rectify are staying in local hotels or even renting houses and apartments. They also enjoy frequenting some of the towns local spots such as Slice's, El Durango, Buffalos, Aly Cakes, and most often Bank Street Caf. When asked about how much money he thought was being spent in our local economy, Kurt said, I am not at liberty to give that information, but it is a lot.

In addition to pumping money into the local economy, the film crew has also provided jobs as extras to people in the area. Im not sure of the exact number of people we have used, but is definitely in the hundreds, Kurt stated. Rumors speculate of an already-signed second season also to be filmed in Griffin, to which Kurt replied, Anythings possible. The response we have been getting from those that are viewing what we have filmed has been very positive. Look for Rectify on the Sundance Channel next year; you never know who may pop up on your television.

GET STARTED NOW

PLEASE RSVP - 770-412-0005

Robert Hayden DC, PhD, FICC

Aug 9 & 30 6:30 pm 210 East Solomon St.

Championship Martial Arts, next door to courthouse

770-412-0005 210 Rock Street, Gri n

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Boarding & Grooming
Whether a short visit or extended stay, our four-legged friends will always have a place to hang their collars.

WE HAVE:
ICE CREAM FUDGE MALT MILKSHAKES CANDY & CONFECTIONS SNOW CONES & OTHER TREATS

Monday: Closed Tues - Thurs: 12 - 9 Fri & Sat: 12 - 10 Sunday: 1 - 9

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770-228-9009

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Road (770) 227-5300 1115 Zebulon30224 Griffin, GA

education & government

TSPLOST, cont.
she said. It was set out to be unfair. Todd said the fallacy was with the regional nature of the potential taxation, and that she wonders if Spalding County may have had too many projects, leading to confusion among voters. However, she still believes there may be sufficient local support for a future referendum to fund transportation projects. I think we could go back to the polls and ask for a one cent SPLOST for transportation only for our county and I don't know that it wouldn't pass, she said. However, Chad McDaniel, a fiscally-conservative Griffinite, strongly disagrees. What's the government doing with the six to seven percent we're already giving them? Is that not enough? Are roads and transportation needs not included in that? he asked, adding that he was among the numbers who opposed the regional nature of the proposal or the threat of withheld funding if the measure was not approved. If this economy is to recover, should we be taxing the citizen more? Who drives the economy? Business or government? Unfortunately for us, the line between the two is becoming increasingly blurred. Of course, we all want better roads, intersections and bike paths, but at what cost?

Aug 2 - 16, 2012

SHEILA A. MARSHALL :::

sheila@the-grip.net

election results: Incumbents gilreath, freeman ousted

announced he would not seek reelection, faced two Democratic opponents Rita Johnson, who won the race with 236, or 54.76 percent of the votes cast and Gregory McClarin, who garnered 172, or 39.91 percent of the votes. Gilreath received only 23 votes, accounting for a mere 5.34 percent of the ballots cast. Johnson will now face off against Republican opponent Michael Renew, who ran unopposed and received 317 votes. In the District 4 race, Freeman received 833, or 43.12 percent of the votes, while his lone opponent, Bart Miller Jr. received 1,099, or 56.88 percent. Incumbent Spalding County Clerk of Court Marcia Norris defeated her opponent, Edith Ray, by a margin of 68.26 to 31.74 percent. The unofficial results showed Norris came in with 4,373 votes, while Ray received 2,033. The only primary election

Spalding County's voter turnout for Tuesday's primary was light, with approximately 27.4 percent, or 9,494 voters casting ballots. In local races, Spalding County Board of Commissioners members Bob Gilreath (District 3) and Eddie Freeman (District 4) were defeated in their respective primary races. Gilreath, who had previously

that was not determined by Tuesday's vote was that of Probate Court judge. Four candidates sought the position, but none received a simple majority of the votes cast, with Gerald Bailey receiving 1,635, or 18.72 percent; Jan Hunt 4,147, or 47.48 percent; Kay Landrum Norris 2,440, or 27.94 percent; and Cary Pope 501, or 5.74 percent. An August 21 runoff between Hunt and Kay Norris will determine which candidate will take the Probate Court bench.

GRADES, cont.
46 in social studies; and 95 in science. It is possible that some students had multiple grades changed; meaning the 206 number reflects grades changed, not necessarily the number of students affected. GSCSS is still refining the data from the cross analysis. A further breakdown of the numbers showed that of those 54 math students, 26 also failed the math portion of the CRCT, including 17 sixth-graders, two seventhgraders and seven eighthgraders. Among the 11 English/ language arts students, only two also failed that portion of the CRCT one each in seventh and eighth grades. In social studies, 45 of the 46 students who received grades of 73 also failed the CRCT. That includes nine sixth-graders, 21 seventhgraders and 15 eighthgraders. Science, the subject with the highest number of suspected changed grades, also had the highest number of CRCT failures with 72 three in sixth grade, 28 in seventh grade and 41 in eighth grade. Jones said measures are already in place to address the needs of these students, both those remaining at KRMS, as well as those who have

continued on to high school. For those students now in the ninth grade, they will receive any needed assistance through the Ninth Grade Academy, which is available at Griffin and Spalding high schools. Jones said for the KRMS students, officials gave consideration to all the subjects, with particular focus on math and English/ language arts, as they are the two required for promotion under No Child Left Behind. With that in mind, the decision was made to add another math teacher at the school, which will reduce the student-teacher ratio from approximately 27-1 to 23-1. That's the intervention we're going to put in place, Jones said. Science and social studies are the two lowest scores across the district and state, as well, and we've made that a district-wide focus. Parents of students believed affected by the grade changing at KRMS have not yet been notified, but that will soon take place. We're going to do that when they come back to school, Jones said. The schools have been notified, the counselors and teachers will be notified and meetings with the parents will be scheduled this month.

KRMS principal retires in midst of ethics investigation

SHEILA A. MARSHALL :::
sheila@the-grip.net

Stephanie Dobbins said Ford's retirement will not impact an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) Their investigation will continue on and whatever recommendation they make will not be affected by her retirement, she said. Dobbins and Ford both said that conversely, the PSC investigation did not cause board members to consider delaying their decision on whether to accept Ford's retirement. Technically, they [board members] do not have to accept her retirement, but I can't see why they would not. I can't recall a time the board has not accepted a request to retire, Dobbins said. From a logical perspective, it wouldn't be

a logical reason to delay a decision. According to Superintendent Curtis Jones, Ford submitted a letter stating her intent to retire effective July 31. The Board of Education unanimously approved her resignation. Jones said Ford's letter did not state the basis for her resignation, nor did she speak to board members. He said she did address a second letter to KRMS staff. In a letter to her staff, she said she had given it a lot of thought and felt that it was time, he said. She wished her staff well. Dobbins said with Ford's retirement in place, regardless of whether the PSC elects to issue sanctions against Ford, the former principal will

still receive the benefits to which she is entitled. She went on to explain that teacher's retirement system is a statewide program, with monies contributed by both the educator and their employer. You earn two percent per year of service, and if you have 30 years, that's considered full retirement, Dobbins said. Unused sick time can also be used as a credit for that time. If an educator achieves a full retirement, they receive 60 percent, based on the highest average 24-months' salary. She said Ford has been employed by the GSCSS for eight years, but was uncertain of the length of her career as an educator, or if she would qualify for a full or partial retirement.

Brenda Ford, principal of Kennedy Road Middle School, has resigned from her position with the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCSS). A district investigation earlier this year concluded that Ford coerced or intimidated teachers to change the grades of some failing students. GSCSS Director of Human Resources Director

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