Page 6A THE TOWNS COUNTY HERALD February 28, 2018

School Safety...from Page 1A Baseball...from Page 1A safety measures in the schools, these posts that this kid was chasing a ball. Of course, the sheriff especially when the community “We think, for this field posting in Florida, they would said he can’t do anything to is looking at the possibility of want to let someone know.” to be playable, it would have to prevent a problem if he doesn’t an additional school resource be seven to 10 days minimum The sheriff encourages know about it. officer. everyone in the community of pure sunshine, and then it’s “I can’t make a file on “Something we have still going to be wet,” said to report suspicious behavior any of you folks in here unless to look at is, where does the immediately to the sheriff’s Dr. Berrong. “But if it rains I have a reason to,” said Sheriff money come from?” said again, you’re another seven to office tip line at (706) 896- Clinton to those in attendance. Sheriff Clinton. “Something 3697. 10 days before you can play “Now, if somebody says you I always come back to is, how again. So, we’re not certain we Residents can also leave made threats, and you’re much is a life worth, how much a tip by visiting TownsSheriff. will play a single home game stockpiling guns and you’re are our children worth?” this year.” com, clicking on “Contact threating kids, guess what? I’m There are safety measures Us,” entering their tips into the The schools experienced going to have a file with that already in place at the schools, a similar problem two years white text box on the screen person’s name on it, and we’re and administrators are going and hitting submit. ago, in a portion of deep going to document everything to be doing additional training centerfield where water seemed “I understand that not we can find out about you, and planning to prevent any all citizens are comfortable to be saturating the earth from because we have a criminal acts of violence. below. making a report in person,” nexus. We are going to follow “I just want to make said Sheriff Clinton after They solved the problem up on it 100 percent.” sure that you realize that the then by installing a drainpipe the meeting. “I want all our Many people in the Superintendent Dr. Berrong, Photo by Shawn Jarrard citizens to know that if they see that carried the water off The brand new Towns County Baseball scoreboard, installed meeting were concerned about the sheriff – they don’t take this the field, though the current something suspicious, they can the reports from Parkland, lightly,” said Towns County last fall. let us know anonymously. problem is substantially larger Florida, concerning the school Sole Commissioner Cliff and will therefore require a “No one should be resource officer who waited Bradshaw in the meeting. “They afraid to report any crime. much bigger fix. outside the school building are dedicated 100 percent to So far, Dr. Berrong has Whether reporting a bullying for backup. safety for our children.” incident, domestic violence, called in a couple of experts “I truly don’t believe Continued Bradshaw: to look at the problem, and drugs, or something that just that’s the kind of men and “The loyalty and the caring looks suspicious, I want them none of them have ever seen women we have employed,” that Dr. Berrong has for his anything like it, including to know that they can tell said Sheriff Clinton. “I can students and the sheriff has for their sheriff’s office. It will the system’s construction promise you that’s not the kind the kids, you develop a love management company, Charles be looked into without their of man I am.” for these kids. I want to make needing to be involved beyond Black Construction. Budget is a big concern sure we understand this is on “They’re writing up anonymously giving us the when the topic of additional our mind all the time, and they information.” what their feelings are of spending comes up surrounding take it very seriously.” what’s causing this, and they’re going to get us some prices on different options of how to fix ...from Page 1A it,” said Dr. Berrong. “Some of Seckinger those are Band-Aids, some of so much.” those, the cheaper options are, Photo by Shawn Jarrard Others shared comments well, you can do this and see if Groundwater has made the TCHS baseball field unplayable about Seckinger, how he had it works, but it may not work. and has worked its way down to the concrete bleachers in influenced their lives and the “So, we’re just right now Frank McClure Memorial Stadium. lives of others in the county. looking at all of our options, something that is in need here We wouldn’t be able to play a “When you’re elected, just so our kids will have a desperately.” home game unless it dries up you meet a lot of people you facility to play on.” Added Dr. Berrong: “I considerably.” didn’t know, and Ernie was Continued Dr. Berrong: want to get numbers back from Added Coach Floyd: one of the people that I did not “This field is not fixable this our construction management “These guys love playing know,” said Bradshaw. “Miss year – it’s an impossibility. team to see what it would cost baseball, so that part is not Betty and her family, I knew a If you come in and put drain us to patch this.” going to make a difference. lot of them, I didn’t know Ernie. lines, you would have to put Installing artificial turf But you enjoy playing at home, I got to know Ernie pretty quick, them every few feet minimum would be an expensive solution that way you get more of the and it was in a good way.“He through the entire outfield. and would probably cost more student body and more family came in one day, and we had an “You would have to tear than building a new facility besides just mom and dad. Our issue we were working on, and up all of your irrigation system. with a sod field, though it parents travel well, but we do we got off subject. We probably You would have to re-sod the would be a way to completely like playing at home.” talked for an hour in there. He entire outfield. So, just to do The same water problem Photo by Shawn Jarrard solve the water problem and came back another day and we that, you’re in the hundreds keep the field in the same spot impacting the baseball field talked another hour. Barbara Hale of Friends of the Libraries will serve on the of thousands of dollars, just to appears to be affecting a Towns County Library Board of Trustees to fulfil the unexpired it has inhabited for 40 years. “And we were just talking patch it.” “As I see this field, if straight-line path down to the about religion, the county, term of Ernie Seckinger. Pictured here with Towns County Sole Another option would football field, as the bleachers Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw. we do nothing to it, unless different things. And what a be to move the field, though for some reason we have a in Frank McClure Memorial nice, sweet, kind man – he was Dr. Berrong said there’s not a significant drought during a Stadium have shifted over to me, and I won’t forget it.” facility big enough to house a year, I don’t see this field being the years, and the concrete in Towns County Public new field, which would cost playable,” said Dr. Berrong. the lower right corner of the Library Branch Manager Debbie more than $750,000 anyway, For now, the team is stadium bleachers facing the Phillips spoke on Seckinger’s to re-sod and install fences, field is deteriorating. leadership in life, as he helmed looking at the possibility of dugouts, bleachers and more. playing some of their home Currently, the football the library board as chairman. “The other option that field does not appear to be “He had nothing but the games on the Young Harris I’m even reluctant to mention College ball field or in impacted in the same way as library at heart,” said Phillips. is turfing the field,” said Dr. the baseball field, though the “He wanted the best for the neighboring counties. library, he wanted the best for Berrong. “I know a lot of “It’s definitely a big school system will need to its employees, he wanted it to people have a lot of thoughts impact – kids like playing at address the water drainage move forward. He was just a about turf, but we’re not home,” said Coach Floyd. issue there sometime in the very concerned person to have talking about something we “This is beyond anything that foreseeable future. on the board. want, we’re talking about I’ve seen since I’ve coached. “I still miss him. I find myself thinking I need to send that to Ernie or I need to tell Watson...from Page 1A Ernie about this. So, we do miss Photo by Shawn Jarrard him … The first meeting we had J.C. Berrong spoke on the 2018 Clean Sweep Week litter pickup CD that was released Dec. 8 in Ernie’s absence, we reserved initiative in the February county meeting. This year’s Clean (“My Gospel Roots”), so it’s his spot.” Sweep Week will run April 16 to April 21. relatively new, and we’ve been Two family friends of traveling a lot,” said Watson. county Planning Commission, the Seckingers attended the going on. “We always look forward which will then make a meeting, Sara and Janice Heidt, “We think the economy’s to coming back out there to recommendation to the and library board members in getting a lot better. I can’t wait Georgia. Hiawassee is one of commissioner concerning said attendance that evening were to see the Hotel-Motel Tax our favorite places, so we can’t variances. Joan Crothers, Jerry Taylor and revenue to see what we’re wait to come in there.” A fee to complete variance Barbara Hale. generating along with a good Watson has enjoyed a requests will be set in the March Hale inherited Seckinger’s economy, so we’re trying to steady fan base throughout the commission meeting. board seat in November of take advantage of that.” years, with hits like “Farewell The commissioner last year and will fulfill his Commissioner Bradshaw Party,” “Love in the Hot adopted a Zero Tolerance Drug unexpired term until it ends on touched on the upcoming “Lake Afternoon” and “Fourteen Policy for Towns County Transit June 30. Chatuge Get Outdoors! Expo,” Carat Mind,” and he credits his that Tuesday, and spent a few Also in the meeting, which will feature fishing, success to those who continue minutes updating folks on the Commissioner Bradshaw held boating, hunting, hiking and to value the more traditional Johnny Lee goings-on of the county during a first reading of a resolution more between April 7 and side of Country Music. his Commissioner’s Report. to amend the county Code April 8, as well as the “Made “As many times as with the show, I’ll be signing “Financially, the county’s of Ordinances concerning in Georgia Festival,” which will I’ve played Hiawassee, they autographs. I’m still lookin’ in good shape, as we have variances. take place June 30 and July 1. pretty much know what to for love, man – I always get out been,” said Commissioner Following a subsequent Eli Phillips delivered expect,” said Watson. “Being there and sign autographs after Bradshaw. “We started off to second reading and adoption the invocation for the Feb. 20 the Farewell Party Band, we’re the show.” a very good year. I’m excited next month, the amendment meeting, and his twin sister Zoe going to get up there, and we McDowell is equally about this year. We’re going to will require people to submit led the Pledge of Allegiance. do the whole career, kind of excited to see both his fans and see a lot of events, a lot of things all variance requests to the skip along through it, from the his friends. one that got me my first major “Through the course of recording contract plumb on 40 years, I’ve run into (Watson ...from Page 1A up to date.” and Lee) over and over and Iwo Jima Added Watson: “We play over again,” said McDowell. nearly 7,000 soldiers lost their ago today, the United States “One of the first people I ever lives in the service of liberty a loose show. I never plan a Military started the invasion on show out, we never write it worked with was in ’77 at and freedom for everyone back Iwo Jima,” said Commissioner Gilley’s down in Houston, right in the States and around the down. We play strictly to the Bradshaw. “We needed a base audience that’s in front of us after ‘The King Is Gone.’ world. closer to the Japanese coast, and “I was backstage, and Retired U.S. Marine and try our best to do what I stand here in awe of all those they want us to. So, it should there was a guy leaning up Corps Maj. Gary Wimsett began who fought for us. It is an honor against the wall. I was a brand- the anniversary program by be a good night. It’s going to be here. I want to thank all of to be custom-made for that new artist, and ‘The King welcoming all in attendance to you who have served.” Is Gone’ was huge, so they the ceremony to remember the Warth set the scene of audience, and we’re really looking forward to it.” threw me everywhere. But I battle that would pave the way Iwo Jima for those present at the was excited about working Ronnie McDowell for the end of World War II. ceremony last week, explaining Watson will be glad to see his old friends Johnny Lee and at Gilley’s because I loved amazing thing about (Anderson “Welcome to the 73rd how the United States came Mickey Gilley. anniversary of the Battle of to be at Iwo Jima, how the Ronnie McDowell on March 3, Music Hall) is this – the first as the three artists came up in “So, this guy was leaned time I ever worked it, it was a Iwo Jima and the raising of island was a fortress for the Photo by Lily Avery up against the wall, and I said, the American Flag on Mount Japanese during that time, and Retired U.S. Marine Col. the business together. Wednesday afternoon. “Gene and I go back to you work here? He said, ‘Yeah, “I got ready, got a Suribachi,” said Wimsett. “This all the bravery, dedication and Howard J. Lovingood in the I’m the house man, I’ve been is also a memorial service for perseverance that led to U.S. Feb. 19 commemoration of the (Mickey) Gilley days,” said shower, and these two old men Lee. “And Ronnie McDowell here a few years, my name’s picked me up. I was kind of those who gave their lives on victory. the Battle of Iwo Jima. Johnny Lee.’ That’s the first Iwo Jima. “We were able to conquer just gave me a painting of down in the dumps. I thought, George Jones being pulled time I ever met Johnny, so why in the world am I playing “While we will never the Japanese because of the Col. Lovingood picked up that’s 41 years ago.” forget those who fought and Army, Navy, Marines, Coast where Warth left off, focusing over buy that cop on his riding something on a Wednesday at 2 lawnmower – he’s an amazing McDowell has been o’clock in the afternoon? died on Iwo Jima, today we Guard, Seabees, Air Force and on what the Battle of Iwo Jima working on a new TV show celebrate the veterans who all those who fought,” said did for the U.S. military and artist.” “I got in the car, and were there on land, on sea, or As far as what fans can called “Painting America,” and these old men were talking, Warth. what it symbolizes to this day. the pilot episode aired recently, in the air in that battle area. We Following Warth, the “The sacrifice that defined expect on Saturday night, Lee and they said, ‘Son, glad to also wish to honor our WWII said he’ll be performing plenty focusing on Elvis Presley have you here.’ I said, yeah, I’m guest speaker for the ceremony the generations of Americans with an original painting by veterans who are here today.” was retired U.S. Marine Corps was evident everywhere on Iwo of his hits and a few cuts from kind of down in the dumps, I Charley Andrews, retired his new album, “You Ain’t McDowell called “That Magic can’t believe somebody booked Col. Howard Lovingood. Jima,” said Col. Lovingood. Moment,” which highlighted U.S. Navy, introduced Towns Col. Lovingood enlisted “Make no mistake about it, it’s Never Been to Texas.” He’ll me on a Wednesday. And both County Sole Commissioner also have copies of his recently when Elvis received his first of them turned around and in October of 1952, working his still there today with the young guitar in Tupelo, Mississippi. Cliff Bradshaw, as well as U.S. way through the ranks before men and the young women we published autobiography, “Still said, ‘Well son, that place is Navy World War II veteran retiring from the service in Lookin’ for Love,” on hand for The show celebrates packed.’ I’ve been going there have serving our country. We McDowell’s love of distinctly Martha Warth. 1997 and taking a position as have the greatest military across fans to pick up. ever since, and it is now one of Commissioner Bradshaw the executive director of the the spectrum. “I expect to have a American history, music and my Top 5 places to perform in spoke to the group briefly, National D-Day Museum in “Iwo Jima provided proof good time,” said Lee of the painting, and the artist plans to America.” sharing his support for the New Orleans, Louisiana. that the U.S. military was one upcoming show. “You’re going travel extensively while filming The music will begin at 7 veteran communities and the Now, Col. Lovingood of the most effective fighting to hear some good music, and the series. p.m. on March 3, and tickets are brave men and women who lives in Murphy, North Carolina, forces on the planet. We love our hopefully I can put a smile on “I’m just glad to be out still available for the event at have served this country. and teaches at Tri-County Iwo Jima veterans and we thank people’s faces. here still doing what I love to GeorgiaMountainFairgrounds. “Seventy-three years Community College. you for all that you did.” “After we get through do,” said McDowell. “The most com.