Entries by Chris Bridges

Items from my reporter’s notebook:

•The recent decision by the courts to rule in favor of the Barrow County School System and against Ashley Payne didn’t come as a real shock.

Payne had claimed from the beginning she was told she would be fired if she didn’t resign. In cases of “she said/they said,” rulings often go against the person making the complaint.

What is still surprising after several years of following this case is why this whole mess was a big deal to begin with? For the life of me, I can’t figure out why a picture posted on Facebook from a non-school event, was grounds for Payne to even be questioned to start with. [Full Story »] 

Barrow County Emergency Services is advising citizens to avoid the intersection of Highway 124 and Highway 211.

"A gas line has been hit and is leaking," commented Lieutenant Scott Dakin. "We have closed the intersection and evacuated nearby businesses until the leak can be contained."

Firefighters will remain on scene until the area is safe. A gas company repair crew is responding at this time. It is unknown at this time how long the area will be closed.

For months, Tess Pierce Nunnally had looked forward to competing in the Boston Marathon Monday for the first time.

The event would have been one to remember regardless of the circumstances, but Monday afternoon’s news sent her family into an immediate panic.

Two explosions have been reported in Boston near the marathon’s finish line and two have been reported dead with more than 23 injured. Tess and her husband, Grant Nunnally, have contacted relatives and informed them they are fine and were not hurt. Tess finished the race at the 3:52 mark while the explosions began at 4:09, her mother, Kay Pierce, said. [Full Story »] 

“A fanatic is one who sticks to his guns whether they’re loaded or not.” – Franklin P. Jones

“Georgia town passes law requiring citizens to own guns and ammo.” That headline caught my eye in the news Tuesday.

Yes, it’s true. The town council in Nelson, voted 5-0 to pass an ordinance that requires the head of every household to own a gun and ammunition to “provide for the emergency management of the city” and “provide for and protect the safety, security and general welfare of the city and its inhabitants.”

The ordinance has no penalties, contains exemptions for felons and the mentally ill, and allows anyone to opt out. [Full Story »] 

Winder-Barrow Middle School is in its final months of operation (at its current physical location) and it has been in the news quite a bit of late for more reasons than that.
Instead of celebrating its last weeks of storied existence, WBMS has become involved in two controversies. The first involves the name for the building which will replace the existing facility.

Recently, students voted to name the new school “Bear Creek Middle School.” Students were given three options and Bear Creek was chosen by an overwhelming margin.

However, numerous Barrow County residents had hoped the new facility would be named for Lafar D. Sims, a former educator who was principal of various local facilities, including the black high school during the days of segregation. [Full Story »] 

With Valentine’s Day upon us, I wanted to share a story about a couple who have had the ultimate influence on me during my 41 years.

The tie-in with Valentine’s Day is a natural one: it was the day the couple was married. Paul and Melba Bridges, your humble columnist’s parents, were married during an era when the world was a different place for sure. However, through thick and thin they have stood tall, raised two sons, and provided a rock solid foundation of support and guidance.

I have long said anything positive I have accomplished is because of them. In reality, I have no excuse for not accomplishing more. Much more. [Full Story »] 

It’s amazing what you can hear when you really stop and listen.

Often we are so consumed with what’s in front of our face — literally — that we miss so many sounds just a few feet (or inches away for that matter.)

Here at my work desk it’s common to hear any or all of these during any given day: [Full Story »] 

Two recent moves by the Winder Police Department can only be viewed as positive as chief Dennis Dorsey and his staff continue to combat crime and other issues within the city.

The first move actually occurred several months ago but already it has paid dividends. The addition of Joey Lovinggood as code enforcement officer shows city officials, as well as the WPD, are serious about property maintenance as we move into 2013 and the response I’ve heard from several people has been “it’s about time.”

Already Lovinggood has made a solid impact in holding property owners responsible. No free passes will be given anymore. Yes, there are still numerous areas within Winder that need work, but Lovinggood is making progress with each day. One reader relayed a call he made to code enforcement and the result which came from it. [Full Story »] 

Items from the political notebook as the Nov. 6 general election looms:

•The big day is almost here. Voters will go to the polls Tuesday (assuming they haven’t already participated in early voting) to decide, among other things, who will be president for the next four years.

The country is as split as it has ever been. It’s been split pretty evenly for a while. Remember in 2000, Al Gore actually won the popular vote but lost the election through the electoral college. Some have predicted the opposite may be true this year with President Obama losing the popular vote, but still holding onto the White House by winning more electoral votes. It’s certainly possible.

From this voter’s way of thinking, neither of the two major party candidates offer much. We’ll still be too heavily involved overseas trying to be the policeman of the world. The working man and woman will still have too much of their hard-earned money taken away from them. (It’s about to get worse, regardless of who wins the presidential election.) [Full Story »]