When I began work at Mainstreet Newspapers in the summer of 2005, I knew very little about Banks County.
My knowledge consisted mainly of the fact my hometown used to compete against the Leopards in high school athletics many years ago. However, I would now be covering the ins and outs of Banks County and would quickly learn a great deal about the county and people who comprised it.
A few days before I began covering Banks County for our newspaper company, my better half and I drove around the county finding various places I know would soon become all too familiar. We drove to Banks County High School, the courthouse, the recreation department (although with no sign out front I wasn’t quite sure what building it was to be honest), the Banks County Sheriff’s Office and Banks Crossing. I felt a little more at ease since I at least knew where a few places and buildings were located.
One of the first people I met after starting the job was county chairman Gene Hart who extended a hand and welcomed me to the county, even as a true outsider. Hart and I did not always agree on decisions he and the board of commissioners made, but I always respected him and I believe that respect was mutual. What he told me on Monday still went on Friday and that is not always the case for every elected official. Hart stood firm in what he believed was right. It cost him a second term in office I believe, but it showed what kind of character he possesses.
I got to know Banks County superintendent Chris Erwin well during my time covering local news. Erwin was always open and even during a controversy involving an assistant principal always answered my questions, never once hiding behind a “no comment” or disappearing for days and not returning a phone call or e-mail. The local school system has made great strides under his leadership. Test scores are up and turnover among school system employees — at all levels — is low. That’s a great combination.
Sheriff Charles Chapman should earn some type of reward for being “media friendly.” Any incident report the paper wants, Chapman is quick to oblige. Whenever I would need something from the Georgia State Patrol, whom I term as “always willing not to help,” Chapman would step in and get the necessary information. A true Southern gentleman if you will, Chapman was recently elected to another term. I think Banks County voters made the right decision.
I mention these people because for the first year since 2005 I will not have a hand in covering news in Banks County. My new duties within our company now have me helping oversee our newest publication, the Barrow Journal. It has been quite a journey starting this new paper, which launched back in October.
As much fun (and hard work) as it has been and while I have fulfilled a career goal in being a part of this new publication, I will often think about the friendships made during my time on the Banks County beat. I still think about the days at the local baseball field watching the Diamond Leopards claw their way to the state playoffs. I smile with pride in thinking how coach Blair Armstrong and the football team made the state playoffs this fall, even though I had to leave before the accomplishment was made.
I won’t be there in 2009, Banks County, but you’ll still be on my mind.
Chris Bridges is an editor with Mainstreet Newspapers. E-mail comments about this column to chris@mainstreetnews.com.
Thanks for your compliment.
First of all, he has a record of not listening to the people of Banks County. Remember last year when the elderly couple couldn't move to Banks County so that their family could take care of them. Who doesn't want to take care of their parents? And this was a definite case of hardship or rather HardHARTed (pun intended). Or how about all of the money that was spent outside of Banks County for goods and services that local business owners could have used and kept that revenue in the county. Or maybe it didn't matter that the BC EMS got lost trying to get to Gainesville since it wasn't your friend or family member that was in need of medical care and the county ambulance personnel wasn't trained properly nor did they follow procedures at shift change to make sure equipment was correct. How much will the county end up paying because of not following protocol when transporting a mentally disturbed patient and she was killed when she jumped out of the ambulance. I wonder how much Hart got paid to model his famous ten gallon hat in all of the pictures portraying government work being done by Hart and his board of commissioners. Yes, I said HIS board of commissioners because they were all Yes,sir men and they did just exactly what he wanted. If you look back at the esteemed Mr. hart's record and the articles in the newspaper and talk to people who are Banks Countians, I am afraid that you would receive quite a shock! But, oh, well, you are going to Barrow County and I am GLAD!
As far as the issue with the elderly family wanting to move to Banks County, I wrote an entire column on the issue blasting the commissioner's decision on this. I thought the decision to deny them a variance on this was wrong. I guess you missed that column.
You blame Hart for many issues which in reality were voted on by the other two commissioners in most cases.
Chris Bridges