The Fayette County Board of Commissioners proclaimed March 19 as “Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Appreciation Day” while recognizing the county’s master gardener volunteers for their service to the community.
The Extension Office presented a faux check to the citizens of Fayette County in the amount of $175,075 to represent the equivalent contribution in labor made by the volunteers over a year’s time.
That contribution includes 4,417 volunteer hours, 22,630 miles traveled, 644 phone calls answered and 2,832 citizens receiving technical assistance, according to officials.
“Fayette County’s Master Gardener volunteers provide a valuable service to the Extension Office office by helping educate county residents on safe and effective gardening practices, natural resources protection, and conservation,” a staff report noted. “With their support, the Extension Office is able to assist Fayette County citizens through plant clinics, classes, school programs, MGEV help desk, demonstration gardens, and other outreach programs.”
Kim Toal, the county’s extension agent, also noted the group’s contribution to its “Plant a Row for the Hungry” garden, and a representative of the Atlanta Community Food Bank said the county’s gardening effort amount to the largest contributor to the food bank’s campaign, which reaches all of metro Atlanta and much of north Georgia.
“You help put food on the plates of working families and those who are food insecure,” said the ACFB representative. “We couldn’t do it without your help. Thank you so much.”
Also recognized by the board at its March 10 regular meeting was Marilyn Watts, who just completed 17 years of service on the Fayette County Board of Elections, much of that time as its chair.
Commissioner David Barlow presented the proclamation honoring Watts, saying, “It gives me great pleasure to do this.”
Watts was first appointed to the Board of Elections in early 1998 for the first of three successive four-year terms on behalf of the Board of Commissioners. She was later appointed as the Fayette County Republican Party’s representative to the three-member board for a term which expired Jan. 31 of this year.
“The Board of Elections is charged with training and selecting poll workers and oversee the staffing of the Elections staff,” according to a staff report. “During her many years of service, Ms. Watts has attended numerous hours of training making her one of the most qualified members to serve on the the Board of Elections.”
Watts told those gathered at the commission meeting that she never intended to run for office but chose another way to make a difference.
“I thought I could serve the community — and we have a great community — by being a watchdog for elections,” she said.
Watts called to the front of the room those in attendance with whom she worked in this capacity, such as a few election office staff members along with Board of Elections members Addison Lester and Darryl Hicks (now the chairman).
“We have a tremendous staff and they are often under a great deal of stress,” said Watts. “We have such a dedicated group.”
Watts pointed out that the Board of Elections was never the subject of a complaint with either the Georgia Secretary of State’s office nor the U.S. Department of Justice during her tenure.
The commissioners recognized three members of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services who have been promoted. Chief David Scarbrough explained the significance of bugles as insignias designating rank and other achievements, as bugles were used in the early days of firefighting to direct efforts before portable radios were available.
Here is a summary of three and their achievements from a staff report:
“Douglas Morris is being promoted to the rank of battalion chief. He is responsible for operational readiness and responses for “A” Shift. This position supervises one captain and seven lieutenants with a shift strength of 43 positions. Chief Morris has been with the department since 1986 and served in multiple roles from training to field operations. He has three children, two of whom are currently serving in the military and the third will graduate high school in 2018. He and his wife reside in south Fayette County.
“Bryan Blair is being promoted to the rank of captain. He is responsible for supervising the operations of station personnel and serves as a working member during all emergency responses for “A” shift. Captain Blair has been with the department since 1987. He became a Paramedic in August 1989, was promoted to Lieutenant in December of 1989. Captain Blair has shown incredible loyalty and dedication to the Fayette community, its citizens, and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
“Willard Harrison is being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Lieutenant Harrison is responsible for supervising the operations of station personnel and serves as a working member during all emergency responses for “A” Shift. Lieutenant Harrison has been with the department since 2010. He obtained his Paramedic certification in 2012 and has obtained his status as a Critical Care Paramedic. He was promoted to Fire Apparatus Operator in 2014. He is a great addition to the officer group and will continue to do great work.”
