july 7 online
TRANSCRIPT
SHEILA MARSHALL
The Rock Ranch, the1,250-acre ranch owned by Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy, will be one of only seven farms across the country chosen to participate in NASA’s Space Farm 7 project, a collaborative outreach project designed to promote the space program, as well as educate children, through agribusinesses across the United States.
NASA is now focusing its attention on creating a sustainable environment in space so that future generations can actually live and work there. A key component of any future sustainability, whether on a different planet or on the international space station, will be having the ability to grow food in space. The seven “Space Farms” here on Earth will showcase demonstrations on how that can be done, say Rock Ranch officials.
“In 1969 I sat with my family glued to a television watching Neil Armstrong walk on the moon for the first time,” said Jeff Manley, General Manager of The Rock Ranch. “So, now that we have the opportunity to commemorate with NASA their decades of successes, it is truly an honor.”
Manley adds, “it is our goal through this collaborative project with NASA to instill in young people today the inspiration and desire to explore, that the heroes of NASA have provided our nation over the past 50 years.”
As a Space Farm 7 participant, The Rock Ranch will adopt a space theme throughout its annual Fall Family Fun Days. Included will be the incorporation of a space theme – an astronaut – in its popular cornfield maze. Located throughout the maze will be attractions with hands-on educational experiences to strengthen guests’ knowledge of space exploration.
Additional activities will be included in Space Farm 7, such as traveling displays from Kennedy Space Center, and an astronaut will also be on hand for the event’s kickoff in September.
This year NASA has celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first American in space, the 30th anniversary of the first Space Shuttle mission and the 20th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope’s deployment in space. NASA also recently completed construction of the International Space Station and will conclude the Space Shuttle Program after the final shuttle launch in July.
The Rock Ranch’s Fall Family Fun Days and the Space Farm 7 program will be held Saturdays beginning Sept. 24, running through Nov. 13. Ω
JESSICA GREGORY
Driving down Solomon Street in Griffin, it’s hard to miss the giant hot dog placed atop that small building beside Louise’s Cafeteria. Or the super-sized soda bottles that tower above both sides of the building.
The placement of these larger-than-life, custom-made signs signal the opening of Shane’s Famous Super Dogs, a 50s-style hot dog shop, which will happen on or before July 19.
Wall-to-wall windows make this small shop feel much larger, and the red and white checked floor, chrome accessories and stand-up bar complete the 50s atmosphere.
“All the serious hot dog shops have a stand up bar because it’s quick and on the go,” said Chris Bowman, restaurant manager and son of owner Shane Bowman.
For those who prefer to sit down, seating is available inside the shop as well as outside on the patio.
Shane’s will offer steamed, grilled and even fried hot dogs with fixin’s such as chili, slaw, and kraut. But one thing you’ll never see Shane or Chris put on their hot dogs is ketchup. “Ketchup ruins the taste of quality meat,” they say. “Customers are free to add ketchup, but we’ll never
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CONTINUED, hOt dOGs, PG 2 »
Rock Ranch one of seven 'space farms' in nation
Griffin's Ole Mill Range certified as Olympic-caliber facility
GPD using tip line to deter crimeAll call and emails are anonymous and will sent immediate alerts to investigators.
Jason Clark and his cast of creepy-crawlers have starred in several films.
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GOVERNMENT
TOP STORIES
COMMUNITY
ENTERTAINMENTSouthern Reptile Rescue goes to Hollywood Sheriff Stewart will be missed
» pg. 2
Griffin now home to hot dog royaltyKnown to his customers as "The Hot Dog King," Shane Bowman and his son Chris will open a 50s-style hot dog shop at 414 Solomon Street in mid-July.
Money still available in homebuyers
assistance programPG 2
how to spota hippie
PG 4SATIRE BY DIRT MCGIRT
SHEILA MARSHALL
Amidst the overwhelming outpouring of grief and respect of residents, law enforcement and government officials from across the state, Spalding County Sheriff Dee Stewart was laid to rest July 7.
Stewart passed away July 3 as a result of severe head injuries he sustained in a June 23 wreck that occurred as he was patrolling the county.
CONTINUED, shERIFF, PG 2 »
SHEILA MARSHALL
Almost three years after 2-year-old Caylee Marie Anthony disappeared in Florida, a jury consisting of seven women and five men on July 5 rendered a verdict acquitting her mother, Casey Anthony, of all charges related to her death.
Charged with first degree murder, Anthony faced a possible death penalty if convicted.
Within minutes of the verdicts’ announcement in the Orlando courtroom of Judge Belvin Perry, social media sites, as well as media websites, were inundated with comments from those nationwide who are outraged by what many viewed as a miscarriage of justice.
In response to these reactions, Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard spoke not only in reference to the Anthony trial, but his overall experience with capital cases.
“From what I understand, she went 31 days without reporting her daughter as missing,” he said. “I find that to be highly suspicious.”
Rather than further critiquing specific points of the case of the state of Florida v. Casey Anthony, Ballard then spoke as to the manner in which his office seeks to prosecute capital murder cases.
“We try to make it a point when we try a case involving the death penalty that we have irrefutable evidence. I think it’s very important to only seek the death penalty when you have iron-clad scientific evidence such as DNA or a confession, things like that – very, very indisputable proof of guilt,” he said. “If you don’t, you jeopardize your conviction because people worry about convicting someone for a crime they didn’t commit. That seems to be the hesitation jurors have when serving on a death penalty case. They may be for the death penalty, but they want to be flat sure that the defendant is guilty.”
However, regardless of how skillfully and painstakingly Ballard’s office prepares a case for trial, he acknowledged there is no certainty it will result in a conviction. That can present a difficult scenario for prosecutors to accept.
“When you're able to exercise the class you should, you learn to accept the jury’s verdict, but when a jury acquits someone when you believe they really should have been convicted, it’s disheartening, it really is,” he said. “I think, too, though, that you really just have to put it behind you and not become gun shy about trying another case, because you never know what a jury is going to decide and some cases just really need to be tried.”
Standing in opposition to every prosecutor, though, is a defense attorney equally passionate about preserving their client’s life. To better understand the process involved, Stacey Flynn Morris, a local attorney with extensive criminal defense experience, including capital murder cases, described what is perhaps the most basic tenet of the criminal justice system.
“The prosecution bears the burden of proving their case beyond a reasonable doubt,” Morris stated simply before elaborating on the defense attorney’s role in the process. “The defense attorney stands between the defendant and a lifetime in prison, or in this case, potentially death. It is the defense
attorney’s duty to test the states case – attack it, beat it, question it – suggest any and all possible theories other than the one the state is championing.”
“If the state has a solid case, then nothing the defense says will matter. If the state has proven guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, that no other theory is possible
other than the one listed in the indictment, a sworn jury will have no choice but to convict. If the state hasn’t met this burden, then the jury, by law, must acquit the
defendant,” she stated.
Morris also spoke out with specific regard to the Anthony case, one that she said as a death penalty case is “the ultimate, highest, most severe and final punishment the government can give to a human being.”
As such, she asked one question, the answer of which she believes is at the very core of the American criminal justice system.
“Don’t you, as a citizen of the most free and democratic society in the world, want to be assured that there is no other possible reasonable explanation for what happened to Caylee other than her mother deliberately and maliciously killed her before being comfortable with a death warrant being signed?” she asked. “As a society, we have decided to live under a system that will not allow a person to be convicted of murder just because we think they are morally disgusting, dishonest or suspicious. We demand more.”
She then pointed out that the Anthony jury, which she described as twelve reasonable, normal, diverse people, applied the laws of Florida to the evidence presented, unanimously determining there was not proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Anthony killed young
Caylee.
“There was no split decision; there was no hung jury. The jurors did not come out and tell the judge that some of them wanted to convict and some didn’t,” she said. “They only deliberated for what amounted to about an hour per criminal charge before reaching a unanimous verdict.”
To those who have responded to the verdict with outrage, alleging the jury did not allow devote adequate time to consider the evidence presented, Morris points out the challenge that would be experienced if a group of 12 individuals attempted to reach a decision of tremendously less importance – what to have for dinner – stating that process could possibly take longer to decide.
“This is the most serious of all cases in the legal system and the jury bravely and honorably followed the law. They should be applauded,” she said. “If people are outraged, it should be at the media that glossed over or ignored facts in favor of character attacks and hysterical, emotional speculation. When it comes to criminal law in the media today, it seems we cannot trust those reporting the news to give us an unbiased, accurate accounting of facts. Sensationalism sells.” Ω
SHEILA MARSHALL
For many families, the American Dream of home ownership has been an unfulfilled and seemingly unattainable goal. However, city of Griffin Associate Planner Touissant Kirk said funds remain available from a years-old grant that may make their dreams come true.
“It’s basically giving first-time homebuyers $12,500 towards a down payment and closing costs for their house,” Kirk said of the CHIPS program funding applied for in 2008.
In Sept. 2008, the city of Griffin received $300,000 to be used to assist low-income families purchase a home. In the years since, only eight homebuyers have utilized the program, which provides $12,500 assistance in the form of a deferred loan, of which 20 percent – or $2,500 – is forgiven annually. If the buyer remains in the residence five years, the loan is entirely forgiven.“We have about 12 more homebuyers that we can help,” Kirk said.
He explained that he has received an extension to continue the program through Sept. 2012, and currently has two homebuyers involved in the process of purchasing homes.
“It’s an excellent opportunity. You can actually go buy a house for the same money you’re paying in rent. You can actually have the best of both worlds – you’re a homeowner, but with affordable mortgage payments. This will probably never happen again,” he said. “You still have to qualify just like everyone else – we actually do a prescreening – but we also have a workshop, so we’re actually taking people through the home-buying process, from A to Z of owning a home.”
He also sought to encourage those who may be interested in applying for the Griffin Homebuyer Assistance Program who believe less than perfect credit would exclude them from participation, saying they need not allow those concerns to
prevent them from applying.“If your credit’s not so great, no problem. We’ll take you through the process. It may take you a couple of months to resolve the credit issue, but once you’re in the program, the money is already slotted for you. The money isn’t going anywhere else.”While there is no minimum residential purchase price for the program, income is verified to ensure participants can afford future mortgage payments.
Once the preliminary process is completed, the full application can proceed. Kirk said although the length of the entire process varies, it may take anywhere from approximately three to six months to complete, but said “If everything goes well, it’s possible to complete it in as little as 30 to 45 days.”
In addition to the monies available from the CHIP grant, Kirk said families that qualify might also be able to receive other grant funds ranging from $5,000 for “a regular Joe” to $7,500 for public servants and $10,000 for homebuyers who will have a disabled individual residing with them.
Qualifying homes are required to be single-family structures, the residences may be re-sales or built to purchase.
Income guidelines for the program range from a maximum of $39,850 for a one-person household to $75,200 for those with eight members.
For additional information, contact Kirk at 770-233-4130 or Leisa Minor at the Griffin Housing Authority at 770-227-7657 extension 108.
It is indisputable that this grant program may provide a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for low-income families to purchase their own homes, they are not the only ones who benefits, as the program increases the number of home owners within the city of Griffin, as well as increasing its property tax base. Ω
TOP STORIES 2 July 7 - 21, 2011
« hot dogs, cont.
Local attorneys weigh in on Casey Anthony's accquittal
Funds remain available to make the American Dream a reality
serve a dog with ketchup already on it.”
The Chicago Dog holds Chris and Shane’s hearts as their favorite hot dog, topped with relish, onions, tomatoes, pickles, sport peppers, and a pinch of celery salt. “I just love hot dogs because it’s like food art - you make your own creation,” Shane said.
Another item on the menu, The Monster Dog, is a whopping half-pound hot dog topped with chili, cheese and onions. “In concession, we’ve never seen anyone finish it,” said Shane Bowman, owner of the shop.
Shane’s years of owning a concession stand allowed him to perfect his recipes and be deemed by his customers as “Georgia’s Hot Dog King.” It was these customer’s requests for a fixed location that prompted Shane to open a brick-and-
mortar restaurant.
Though he looked into several locations for his hot dog stand, Bowman said he chose Griffin because they live here and wanted to keep it local. Shane mentions how appreciative he is of the amount of help city and county officials have been during the process of opening up shop.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about Fred’s Footlongs; I want to be the new hot dog shop landmark in Griffin. That’s why I went with the super-sized signs - I wanted something to stand out,” said Shane.
To stay updated about a specific opening date, visit www.georgiashotdogking.com.
Shane Bowman (l), owner of Shane's Famous Super Dogs, and his son Chris (r).
"As a society, we have decided to live under a system that will not allow a person to be convicted of murder just because we think they are morally disgusting, dishonest or suspicious. We demand more.”
- Local defense attorney Stacey Flynn Morris
Stewart, 63, began his 39-year career in law enforcement with the Griffin Police Department in 1972 and was first elected sheriff in 2000.
Stewart was known for his strong ties to the community. While a strong proponent of law enforcement in all areas, Stewart was particularly opposed to drugs and consistently worked to drive them from Spalding County.
He also believed in supporting and encouraging youth. In that capacity, he sponsored an annual trip for local fifth-grade students to travel to Washington, D.C. to learn more about our nation’s government.
Stewart is survived by his wife, Janice Stewart; son, Jay Stewart; and daughter, Hope Stewart, among other relatives.
After final respects are paid to Stewart, the business of moving forward will begin
Friday when Spalding County Probate Judge DeWitt Simonton will announce his appointment to serve as interim sheriff.
“The law requires that when a sheriff dies in office, the responsibility falls into the hands of the probate judge,” said Spalding County Elections Registrar Terry Colling.
“In respect to Sheriff Stewart, I will announce the interim sheriff Friday,” Simonton said. “This is a very solemn time, and because of that and to honor Sheriff Stewart, I will make the announcement and the interim sheriff will be sworn in some time Friday.”
Colling also said Simonton has ordered a special election to be held Sept. 20.
“All this election will do is fill Sheriff Stewart’s term through 2012,” Colling explained. “There will be a sheriff’s election next year, just as was scheduled Ω
« sherrif, cont.
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Jason Clark, founder of Southeastern Reptile Rescue, is an expert on all things that creep or crawl. Because of this expertise, he has been involved in several movie filmings, both on and off camera.
How did you first become involved in the movie industry? We first received a call about the movie Zombie Land starring Woody Harrelson. The scene called for an Alligator to crawl underneath a bathroom stall. We did not get clearance to use American Alligators for the film and instead had to use a 5’ long caiman. The filmmakers wanted a crocodilian at least 8’ so they scrapped the live animal scene and ended up with a zombie crawling under the bathroom stall.
What was your first film? The first film we ever worked on was H2 (Michael Myers Halloween II) directed by Rob Zombie.
How many films have you been in? Personally, I’ve only ever appeared in one movie. That was “Hall Pass” starring Owen Wilson. My wife Sarah and my youngest daughter Lily are briefly seen in Halloween II.
What do you typically do in these films? Normally, we just provide animals for a particular scene. In the case of Hall Pass, they didn’t have an actor that could handle the 100+ pound python. So, they asked if I could step in. I told them no because I had to do a reptile program at a school the day the wanted to film. They called back and changed the date to accommodate me. Filming took several hours a day for two days.
What’s it like seeing yourself on screen? I’ve only seen myself once on the big screen. Even then, it was two separate scenes for just a couple seconds. The coolest thing though was starring in my own television show on Animal Planet. That was much better than the movie.
Have your children seen you in the movie? No. They haven’t seen any of the movies. Even with Animal Planet and local news reports from time to time, they just kind of ignore me and ask if they can watch cartoons now.
What well-known actors have you worked with? I worked with Owen Wilson and Nicky Whelan in a scene in the movie Hall Pass that didn’t make the final cut. For Halloween II, we met with Rob Zombie. Recently, we got to work again with Peter and Bobby Farrelly, this time on the set of the new Three Stooges movie. I also go to meet Jason Sudeikis from Saturday Night Live and recently saw Larry David, the co-creator of Seinfeld.
Have any of these actors surprised you by being different in reality than they are in their films or as they are portrayed in the media? Rob Zombie surprised me the most. I watched some of his music videos and didn’t expect him to be as down to earth and as friendly as he was to my family and me.
What is the funniest experience you’ve had on a movie set? I was filming Hall Pass and was told I had to shave my head and wear a nose ring for a scene inside a club. I was holding one of my pythons and was to place it on Owen Wilson’s shoulders. Then the camera cuts to Owen lying on the floor with his face blood red and the python coiled firmly around his neck. Of course, this was a replica python made for the movie that cost $6,000. I’ve seen plenty of rubber snakes before but this really looked like the real thing. During the scene, I was to kneel behind Owen and begin punching the rubber snake to get it off his neck. They yelled action and I started punching. It did not occur to me that I was supposed to “act” like I was
punching. Owen looked up at me and said, “You know you can fake the punches don’t you?” That’s when they sent in the stunt coordinator to work with me. After it was all over, I decided to keep my head shaved but definitely lost the nose ring!
Have you had any dangerous encounters while filming a movie, or any close calls? No close calls ever. We have plenty of time to plan what we’re going to do and know well in advance which animals we want to use. We make sure all our bases are covered before we ever get on set. The times we get asked to film with tarantulas are in my opinion worse than working with the rattlesnakes. I can prevent myself or anyone nearby from being bitten by the snake. What I can’t prevent is the fact that tarantulas can throw microscopic hairs at you when they get upset. These hairs are very irritating to the skin and eyes and can make your day very unpleasant if you accidentally inhale them.
How have the celebrities you’ve worked with reacted to the animals you bring? Rob Zombie absolutely loved the pig we brought to his movie. He spent a lot of time holding it on set. I named the pig Henry after my Dad. My Dad was never thrilled with that decision. The cool thing was that they even say Henry’s name in the movie.
Can you share an amusing anecdote from your film work? We were asked to do some work with several tarantulas for a film being produced on behalf of Harvard University. There were several scenes that required
specific actions for the spiders to perform. I had my wife Sarah there to help. Blowing gently on a spider makes it want to walk away – usually. The problem we encountered was blowing on him and still remaining off camera. The 4’ blow straws we had just weren’t doing the trick. I had the bright idea of using a hair dryer. I quickly learned to use the low setting because Sarah blew the tarantulas off set with it on high. The tarantulas were quickly captured and the hair dryer technique was mastered by the end of the day.
What types of critters have you handled for movies? Usually, we’re just called on for reptiles and amphibians. Since we house over a hundred of them, a variety is never in short supply. We’ve also provided goats, pigs and even mice and rats.
What is the most shocking or surprising request you’ve encountered? I was asked to provide dead rats for a movie called “Terminal”. Luckily, I had a few hundred frozen rats in my freezer.
What is your favorite aspect of this side of your work life? I always say that I love answering my phone. I never know who’s calling and what they’re about to ask for. There are surprises every day. Film work just adds another twist to our life that I find to be challenging but a lot of fun.
What is the most challenging? Trying to meet the filmmakers’ expectations while knowing what the limits of your animals are. If I’m asked to do something that is not safe for crew members, the animal, or myself then we simply don’t do it.
Do you plan to continue to pursue this type of work? Well, we haven’t pursued it to begin with. We simply follow God’s lead and allow him to continuously lead my family and I in a direction that is always better than what we could do for ourselves.
Do you feel this gives you an even greater platform to educate the public regarding reptiles? Operating a reptile rescue can be expensive. Having steady work means a steady income, which allows us more opportunities to educate. So yes, even if the public doesn’t learn about reptiles by watching a bad movie, they learn about Southeastern Reptile Rescue and the other work that we do, which is definitely a plus.
To learn about Southeastern Reptile Rescue, visit www.snakesrus.com. Ω
Southeastern Reptile Rescue goes to Hollywood
Jason Clark with a 100+ lb. python on set of the 2001 movie, "Hall Pass," staring Owen Wilson.
The Clark family hanging out with Rob Zombie.
VIEWPOINTS4 July 7-21, 2011
“GET A GRIP”: POLL OF THE WEEKEach week at www.the-grip.net a “Get A Grip” poll will be posted. The results and any related content will be published in the consecutive print edition of The Grip. Visit www.the-grip.net or text your vote today!
Last Week’s Poll Results: Current Poll:
Letters on this subject are encouraged and should be emailed to [email protected] or posted to PO Box 2251, Griffin, GA 30224.
PET OF THE WEEK: Ariel
Adoption fee: $125; Contact Dana for more information at 770-229-4925 (this is an answering machine only) or email [email protected]. Visit www.griffinhumaesociety.com to find more animals in need of a home.
Australian Shepherd/Terrier Mix • MEDIUM | YOUNG | FEMALE
30 total votes
Ariel was discovered in a box along side the highway. Her eyes were not even open. She was initially bottle fed. She is 10 weeks old and is really a cute puppy. The vet thinks she has some terrier and Australian Shepherd in her. She is spayed and up-to-date with routine shots. Her hair is short and and brindle (a tricolor of brown, black and white). She is very loving and in need of a good home.
FOR: 11 votesAGAINST: 18 votesNOT SURE: 1 vote
Do you plan to vote for or against the Transportation SPLOST next fall?
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NEW LOCATIONON TAYLOR ST.
To the editor: I have a vision of a wonderful, warm community where people of all walks of life live side by side in their town: smiling and laughing together, encouraging and supporting each other, and learning and growing together. In a world where it seems addiction, abuse, and violence dominate, this sounds like a fairy tale that when heard is brushed off as unrealistic. But why does it seem so out of reach and only regarded as a dream world and not as a possibility?
I believe a lot of times we see the problems in society, and we genuinely want them to be overcome. But when we focus on the problem, we give it more power. We forget that underneath the problem is the person. The person and the problem are separate, but I think a lot of times we see them as one in the same. The person is not an addiction, an abuse, or violence. The person is a combination of emotions, feelings, and life experiences. So, to change the problem, we should focus on the person.
If their emotions, feelings, and life experiences are negative – disappointment, abandonment, and loneliness – then a negative result will emerge into the problem of addition, abuse, and violence. When we think of people in this way, our perspective changes a little, or should, because don’t we all feel and experience these things at some times?
But usually, we have someone else in our lives to counteract these negatives: a friend,
a parent, family, or church. However, some people don’t have that in their world, and they are soon overwhelmed and alone with the task of coping.
So, I believe counteracting the negative with positive such as support, love, and even just friendship will change the person which will then change the problem.
My heart’s desire is to share my love, support, and encouragement to people I see underneath addiction, abuse, and violence. My heart longs to give friendship to the lonely, hope to the disappointed, love to the abandoned, and encouragement to the heavy-hearted. If everyone’s heart’s desire was to be alert to other people’s hurts and to help lift them up, that fairy tale community would soon emerge.
I already see it in Griffin every day. Instead of dwelling on the arrests, drug busts, and robberies, I look for blood drives, food pantries, community centers, and outreach programs. And I see them, and that is exciting!
So my vision of that wonderful, warm community of people grows clearer and closer every day, because when I look closer at Griffin, looking for the positive, I see more and more of it. The anticipation of the good changes my perspective. When I reach out, meet more people, and become a part of the good going on, then that vision has suddenly become a reality. Look around. Get involved in making someone else’s life experiences joyful. By doing this you are overcoming the problem and making Griffin “Great and Growing into a Better Place.”
Signed,
Angela Banister
Griffin: 'Great and growing,' but what are we growing into?
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Modern hippies come in several varieties including the true hippie, the trust fund hippie and the undercover hippie. True hippies are the most dangerous because much like stray dogs or cats, once a true hippie is given food or water they are almost impossible to get rid of. It is not uncommon for a good Samaritan who offered a true hippie a sandwich to find the true hippie living in his storage shed and foraging his trash can several months later.
Fortunately true hippies are easily spotted. They usually wear hooded Bob Marley sweatshirts, patchwork pants, hemp jewelry and Jesus-style sandals. They are generally dread-locked and filthy with males and females being equally hairy. If any effort is made to conceal their stench it is with either Egyptian Musk or patchouli. When speaking, true hippies will begin each sentence with the words “dude”, “man” or “bro.”
Trust fund hippies are usually teens and young adults from rich families whose wealth allows them to follow bands or hike the Appalachian Trail for months at a time without having to worry about little things like money or responsibility. They are not true hippies because they do not hold the economic and social belief
system of real hippies. Instead they only share an interest in hippie activities. Though they are not real hippies, they still pose a threat to their peers by exposing them to real hippies at concerts or camp sites.
Trust fund hippies can be identified by their Land Rovers or Range Rovers which will have a North Face or Kavu sticker next to the parking permit from their private school in the rear window. Their clothing will appear similar to true hippies but will be much cleaner and free of lice. Also, unlike true hippies, a trust fund hippie’s clothing will change from day to day and will be seasonally appropriate whereas true hippies wear the same clothes year round regardless of weather conditions. Trust fund hippies can be overheard pleading with
their parents for a few thousand more dollars for the weekend or complaining that their 2011 BMW is a piece of junk because the heated leather seats don’t work. They will usually have study material for medical school or law school admission exams in their floor boards as well.
The undercover hippie is the most common and, as the name implies, are the toughest to spot. They attempt to blend into society by actually having jobs and leading fairly normal lives while secretly yearning to don tie-dye shirts and play hacky-sack. Their grip on a normal lifestyle is dangerously loose and they can easily slip into full blown hippie-ism by prolonged exposure to a music festival or watching the Wizard of Oz synched with the Dark Side of the Moon.
While this concealment can fool the average observer, a trained eye can still detect their presence. Look for the suspected hippie to be driving a Prius or an older model Subaru with a faded Gore/Lieberman 2000 bumper sticker. Look for them to be outside playing guitar or working in the yard during major sporting events as they dislike all sports except frisbee and soccer. If spotted at a grocery store listen for them questioning the butcher about whether the cows and pigs were fed organic corn, allowed to roam free, spoken to in soothing tones and read bed time stories thus ensuring they were happy little farm animals. Ω
SATIRE BY DIRT MCGIRT: HOW TO SPOT A HIPPIEA semi-regular column devoted to addressing issues, tackling problems and giving all-around good advice to the leaders and citizenry of the greater Griffin-Spalding County area.
Not all hippies are as easy to identify as these guys, according to Dirt.
DUSTY TAKLEI’ve always heard and maintained the philosophy that sometimes you’ve got to play hurt. In other words, sometimes, you’ve got to play and give and serve even when you don’t feel like playing and giving and serving. Most athletes will continue to play their game hurt, because they are passionate about that game. So, it’s not really that much of a sacrifice.
The real sacrifice comes in loving hurt. My husband Kris is my safe place. He is the one who understands when I don’t feel like giving or serving. He’s the one who loves me no matter what. That being said, it’s pretty dang easy to bow out on serving him when I’m physically or mentally exhausted or hurting. Besides, he understands.
And, with my recent back injury, I was little good to anyone, and Kris served me without a single complaint. He’s good like that. He’s compassionate and understanding.
But, it hit me a few days ago.Sometimes, you’ve got to love hurt. I’m not just talking about loving in spite of the proverbial headache. Well, sort of, I am. I am talking about stepping outside of yourself.
Outside off your physical pain. Outside of your emotional pain. Outside of your exhaustion. Outside of your broken heart. Outside of your stuff. And, choosing to love hurt. You see, often, the person we love the most is the person we serve the least. Loving hurt for you may look like having to forgive while hurt. It might be loving even though your feelings are hurt. Loving even though you are disappointed. Loving even though you are mentally exhausted and feel like you just can’t take any more.
Because, when we do love hurt, that love never returns void. It is never without effect. Because, love never, ever fails. And that is one certainty I know with all of my heart. Ω
Loving Hurt
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SHEILA MARSHALLWith summer programs ongoing and many young athletes participating in national competitions, Ole Mill Range has experienced tremendous growth along with the advancement of its credentials among the national athletic shooting community.
“We have gotten huge,” said Project SAFE (Shooting Awareness, Fun and Education) Volunteer Leader Roy McClain. “At any given time, there are about 100 kids involved in events through the Ole Mill Range.”
Among the events athletes have recently competed in are the National Rifle Association Championship, the Junior Olympics, CMP National
Championship.
Throughout these competitions, local athletes have placed consistently within the upper echelons of those present, with one Griffin High School rising senior, Jay Cross, currently ranked number one in Georgia and 40th nationally.
“Right on the heels of that, the BB team went to Rogers, Ark., to shoot the Daisy International,” McClain said. “In the middle of all this, the National Championships have been occurring at Fort Benning.”
In this competition, which features international-level competitors, local athletes are faring very well, he added.
“Our little high school kids are down there giving them a run for their money,” he said, praising the athletes he both coaches and mentors.
The National Championships, in particular, have allowed athletes the unique opportunity of competing in an event featuring disabled athletes such as amputees returning from the war and quadriplegics.
“The kids are getting the experience of meeting these people who are different from us, but we share this same sport,” McClain said.
This is made possible, he said, by the fact that shooting sports are for all athletes, not only the elite.
“Shooting isn’t just for athletes like baseball or football players,” he said. “The nerdy bookworm kids may really excel at this. And, it’s gender-neutral. All athletes can excel at shooting. It’s dependent upon the time and effort they’re willing to put in. They compete shoulder-to-shoulder.”
Two factors can be directly attributed to Ole Mill Range athletes’ success – the facility itself, which came to fruition by the efforts of passionate volunteers – and the coaching staff, which includes Lisa Kelley.
According to McClain, Kelley has diligently worked to obtain her Level 3 certification.
“She’s now certified to coach all the way to the Olympic level,” he said, adding that there are only approximately 20 others with such credentials in the nation.
Additionally, Ole Mill Range is one of only three shooting facilities nationwide to be designated a certified training facility by USA Shooting, the program that fosters Olympic athletes in shooting sports.
“At 21,000-square-feet, we are actually larger than the Olympic training facility,” McClain said. Ω
July 7-21, 2011 5 COMMUNITY
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SHEILA MARSHALL
The sustainability of local farms is key to the Wednesday Market, a weekly Pike County event that seeks to match consumers with area growers whose crops meet their needs.
Open year-round and located at 15931 Concord St., Zebulon, the Wednesday Market offers consumers an opportunity to purchase locally-grown produce and much more directly from the source.
Considered the “little brother” of the popular Market on the Square, a farmers’ market open Saturday mornings, the Wednesday Market is open from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. for customers to pick up pre-placed orders, as well as for local farmers to sell their fresh products.
To assure customers receive the freshest, locally grown products, the market is open to farmers from Pike and surrounding counties.
To create an account and place orders, customers may visit the market’s Web site at WednesdayMarket.locallygrown.net or call 770-856-2144 by 10 p.m. Mondays. There, instructions will be found for placing and picking up orders. For those unable to pick up their orders, market volunteers may be available to deliver purchases.
Payment by cash or check is made when orders are picked up.
Unlike some co-ops or buying clubs, people may order only what they desire in any quantity they wish, not simply accept a
prepackaged order.
In addition to produce, additional items available may include milled products, fresh flowers and artisan goods.
Supported by the Pike County Agribusiness Authority as a way of encouraging agricultural economic growth in Pike County, there are no membership fees to participate in the market, but organizers say the benefits are numerous, including
conservation of natural resources such as fossil fuels and packaging materials; learning opportunities provided by member growers who provide community education about the importance of sustainable agriculture; and the preservation of “an honest and worthy means of making a living.”Those interested in selling their products at the market are also encouraged to contact Chris Curry at 770-841-9268 for additional information. Ω
Pike's 'Wednesday Market' benefits growers and consumers
Ole Mill Range certified as Olympic-caliber facility
Capt. Brian Michel, of the Pike County Fire Department, the dream of many little boys became a reality – he grew up and became a firefighter. However, Michel is not just any firefighter. He is the national American Legion Firefighter of the Year.
“You know, a lot of kids grow up saying they want to be a firefighter. Well, that was me and I just dedicated myself to doing it,” Michel said.
So anxious to begin his life in public safety service was Michel that he did not even bother waiting until his 2004 Griffin High School graduation to begin.
“Actually, I began as a Police Explorer. A friend of mine and I were talking and we wanted to try firefighting, so Joe Estenes, an investigator at the Police Department who led the Explorers, put us in touch with my first captain in Pike County,” Michel recalled. “We kept calling
him and calling him and he got tired of hearing from us. He got tired of us calling and had us come in and put in applications, thinking he would stop hearing from us then.”
Instead, it began Michel’s journey on a fast track.
“I began over seven years ago, in April 2004 – before the end of high school – in Pike County,” he said, adding that he also began working for Griffin Fire-Rescue in January 2008. “I started volunteering when I was 18 and by the time I was 21, they put me in charge of 1,000 peoples’ homes and lives when they made me captain at Station 3. Within my first three years, I had a station; they tore it down and started building a new one. It was a strange way to start. I had some challenges from the beginning, but we overcame them. I have a new station, a new truck and a great group of guys. Pretty much every time we meet, I have someone new come in, so I’m basically starting over training someone new. A lot of my guys are paid firefighters, but a lot of them are also volunteers, and I’ll fight fire with them any time.”
He went on to explain the reason why he speaks in possessive terms when discussing his work as a Pike County Firefighter.
“I take this all way personally. I feel a deep responsibility for all the people and property I have protection over,” he said.
While all Pike County firefighters are volunteers, Michel has chosen to continue giving of himself to his community as the department’s public safety educator, fire department training officer and a member of Griffin Fire-Rescue’s Honor Guard.
However, that is apparently not
enough to satisfy Michel’s sense of civic responsibility, because in addition to being a volunteer firefighter, he also serves in another crucial capacity.
“I also volunteer as an emergency medical technician – a first responder as its called in Pike County – which means I run medical calls as well as the fire calls,” he said.
Despite the myriad of
qualifications, Michel said he was not prepared for the news he was to be honored as the national American Legion Firefighter of the Year.
“When I was told, I was shocked and taken aback. I was kind of in disbelief. With all the other agencies represented from across the United States – I mean New York and Chicago, places like that – it’s pretty amazing. It’s still sinking in a little each day,” he said of the award to be presented August 30 in Minneapolis, Minn. “I don’t do it for the awards, though. I’m not going to get big-headed about it, but it’s definitely a real honor to receive this award.” Ω
COMMUNITY 6 July 7-21, 2011
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SUBMITTED -- Are you a small business owner concerned about the local economy? Are you a consumer with at least three local businesses would you miss if they closed their doors? The 3/50 project relies on the simple premise that if just half the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month in independently owned business, their purchases would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue. “Pick 3, spend 50, save your local economy.” The 3/50 Project sprung from a simple blog post by Cinda Baxter in March 2009, went viral via social media, then exploded onto the national stage as a way to help local brick and mortar businesses reclaim consumer dollars. Featured by Consumer Reports as “Buzz of the Week,” the Project has enjoyed positive coverage by the national media, including The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fox Business News, and Entrepreneur. Inc. Magazine also singled out Cinda for her expertise in using social media to engage audiences’ offline.
Join the movement: the 3/50 Project – Building Business from the ground up is presented to you by Kitchen Drawer Illustrated, Liberty Technology, The Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce, and United Bank. On August 4, 2011 Cinda Baxter will share how the Project came to be, what it’s grown into today, and how you can use it to strengthen your business tomorrow, live from the Griffin Welcome Center. She will be sharing numerous ways to use the 3/50 Project to reconnect with consumers through promotion. Cinda will discuss what a single merchant can do and how groups of retailers can work together for a “big bang” effect to save the local economy. Business owners, employees, service clubs, and chamber members are all invited to attend, the event is free of charge, heavy hor d’oveuvres and cocktails will be served. Seating is limited so all who would like to attend must register at kitchendrawer.net/350. If you are interested in sponsoring at table please email [email protected]
Local firefighter honored as national American Legion Firefighter of the Year
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Capt. Brian Michel talks to Pike Primary School kindergarten students about fire safety in the living room portion of the Pike County Emergency Services fire safety trailer.
GOVERNMENT July 7-21, 2011 7
Pike County commission on June 28 approved a Tax Anticipation Note not to exceed $800,000 for the funding of operational expenses.
Casey Anthony, the Florida woman acquitted of murdering her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee Marie An-thony, will be released July 13. She was convicted on four counts of providing false information to law enforcement, misdemeanors with a maximum sentence of one year per count, but was given credit for time served and good behavior.
Cpl. Chris Wilson, of the Griffin Police Department, was named the May 2011 Strongest Link in the Chain for his efforts assisting tornado victims April 28
The city of Griffin will conduct its seventh annual Citizens’ Govern-ment Academy beginning Thurs-day, Sept. 8.
Due to the decline in the Heads Creek Reservoir, the city of Griffin is initiating Drought Contingency Plans for load management, which includes new hours of operation, with the recreational area now open from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and closed Saturdays and Sundays.
Jury selection in the Pike County murder trial of Jamie Weis contin-ues before Superior Court Judge Tommy Hankinson.
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SUBMITTED -- The Georgia Municipal Association inducted Griffin and Senoia City Attorney Drew Whalen into the Municipal Government Hall of Fame at the association’s annual convention in Savannah June 27.
The Hall of Fame honors municipal officials who exemplify the best in public service, and who, throughout their careers, have made extraordinary contributions to their communities and Georgia’s cities.
Whalen has served as city attorney for the city of Senoia in eastern Coweta County for more than 10 years. He has served as city attorney for his hometown of Griffin since 1982. He created the first stormwater utility in Georgia, and he also worked over many years on his city’s regional water supply project to ensure access to a reliable source of water for his community.
In defending municipal clients, Whalen challenged the former recall statute and successfully had it declared unconstitutional. He has also represented numerous Georgia cities and city officials and employees as a defense attorney through the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency.
At GMA, he has served on several policy committees and task forces and is a past chair of the City Attorneys Section, the Municipal Government Policy Committee and the Municipal Courts Task Force.
“Drew’s expertise in municipal law is a great asset to the City of Griffin. He is truly regarded as a municipal law guru throughout the state of Georgia and we have that knowledge right across the street from City Hall,” said Griffin City Manager Kenny Smith. “Drew has served the city tirelessly for so many years. He is truly a ‘Hall of Famer,’” he continued. Ω
Officials of the Griffin Police Department are encouraging residents to utilize a tip line to inform law enforcement of possible criminal wrongdoing.
Information may be submitted by phone or e-mail, with both formats being regularly checked by investigators of the GPD Criminal Investigation Division.
“The phone line is not manned typically,” said Capt. Dwayne Jones, as he began to explain how the tip line functions. “Messages left on the phone tip line as well as information e-mailed in are routinely monitored by investigators. They receive an alert when information is pending.”
Jones did say if residents wish to speak personally with a CID investigator, or an agent of the Special Investigation Unit regarding drug activity, that is welcomed. In such an event, he suggested forwarding contact information and “we will have someone contact them.”
As he described this process of relating information of concern, Jones stressed that the identities of those reporting will be protected.
“They absolutely do not have to leave a telephone number or a name. They don’t have to identify themselves in any way,” he said. “It’s strictly confidential
– both methods. We will respect their right to remain anonymous. We will also not return phone calls or e-mails if they request we not do so.”
He said the city Web site is also now a third option for reporting information to the GPD.
“We just recently made the process available there, too,” Jones said. “With mobile and smart phones being what they are now, we’re trying to allow people to utilize that technology.”
One warning Jones issued, however, is that residents should never use the tip line to attempt to report an immediate emergency.
“We do not have an officer manning the phones like a 911 center,” he said. “We want to emphasize that this is not for emergencies. If residents have an emergency, they need to go ahead and call 911 if they need an immediate police presence.”
Jones said the public’s cooperation is both needed and appreciated as law enforcement officials work to make the city of Griffin a better, safer place.
“Our residents obviously live and work out in these neighborhoods, so they are more likely to know of any crime going on out there,” he said. Ω
GPD using tip line to deter crime
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