Jackson herald. (Jefferson, Jackson County, Ga.) 1881-current, June 14, 2023, Image 2

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Jackson herald., June 14, 2023, Image 2

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Newspaper Page TextPAGE 2A THE JACKSON HERALD WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2023 Jefferson continued from lA the council. Cain, whose children have participated in competitive swimming, bulldogged the idea, gath ering construction bids and outlining a budget for how the facility might be able to operate without using much of the city’s general funds. Still, the idea drew a strong amount of public criticism at recent council meetings, especially from older citizens who said they were concerned about the possible impact on their city taxes. At least one cit izen wanted the SPLOST funds to be used to build more soccer fields rather than a swim facility. COMMENTS Mayor Jon Howell opened the discussion prior to the vote by endorsing the idea. “I think this is another one of those moments in time where we have the opportunity to bring quali ty life improvements to the community,” he said, not ing that as mayor he didn’t get to actually vote on the plan. “I’m excited that this day is finally here.” He praised previous city leaders who had the “vision” to put water and sewer at 1-85 for industrial and commercial develop ment and those who built the city’s current recreation center. For his part, Cain said he had been working on the plan for the past three years. “I know there’s a need, I see a huge demand,” he said. Maddox noted before the vote that approving the swim facility would likely mean that other large city recreation facility proj ects, such as pickle ball courts and walking trails, would have to be on the back-burner. THE BACKGROUND The proposed aquatics center — technically called natatorium — would be an indoor facility with two pools. It would be designed both for competition swim ming, including club and school teams, and also for general public use. As proposed, the facility would be located at the cor ner of Old Pendergrass Rd. and Old Swimming Pool Rd. near the city’s existing recreation center. The city has an outdoor pool facility that was built in the 1960s by Jefferson Mills and later transferred to the city. That facility is used in the summer months for area day camps and is also open to the general public on a limited schedule. But that pool isn’t suitable for swim team use, most of which hold year-around competitions and practic es and require indoor pool facilities. Currently, local school and club swim teams travel to Athens, Gainesville or Gwinnett County to prac tice. The increasing demand related to competition swimming initially drove the issue to the foreground, but supporters note that it would also be used by the general public for recreation and exercise needs for many senior citizens. Cain outlined on May 15 the details of how the pool would be designed for mul tiple purposes, including having extra lanes and dif fering depths to appeal to different kinds of uses. He also said the facility would be air conditioned/heated to provide a comfortable situa tion for both swimmers and those watching swim meet competitions. Commerce continued from iA enough that having someone seated in that seat will make a great impact on the kids of our school system.” OTHER APPROVED ITEMS Other items approved by the BOE at its June 12 meet ing were: •approved its FY24 draft budget. See the full story in next week’s issue of The Jackson Herald. •declaring the existing Rutland Academy facility as surplus and agreeing to the sale of the facility to Clarke County schools. Rutland was a regional school previously used for Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support students. But a fed eral lawsuit ruled that those students can’t be separated from other students, forcing Rutland to close. Commerce will receive around $189,000 from the sale. •an intergovernmental agreement for governance and operations of Foothills Charter School. The agree ment comes after changes to how Foothills is ran. •its annual FY24 Career Technical and Agricultural Education local plan. •allowing students to at tend volleyball camp on July 14-16 at Appalachian State, •a number of surplus items. •The following hires: Nan cy Noto, Commerce Primary School, special education paraprofessional; Jennifer Duncan, Commerce Mid dle School special educa tion teacher; Chris Edwards, 49% CPS special education teacher; Aimee Mosley, Commerce High School at tendance secretary; Gracie Brooks, CPS kindergarten paraprofessional; Matt West, CPS 2nd grade teacher; and the following bus monitors, Sharon Bolton, Whitney Pethel, Kristy Cugini and Christy Dyer. •The following resigna tions: Bob Morris, special education paraprofession al; Nicole Burkhalter, CPS teacher; Summer Schwartz, CPS paraprofessional; and Steve Howey, CPS/CES PE teacher. OTHER BUSINESS Also at its meeting, the board: •voted to “not approve” a request to continue slow- pitch softball, citing lack of field space. The board also discussed the district’s non-competitive coaching supplements for existing ath letics. •voted to table for 30 days a new policy regarding med ication. Minor changes were made following state up dates. Qualifying continued from lA Campbell's Tree Service Redmon continued from lA her to turn around,” Eric said. When she tmned around, she couldn’t see anything, but she heard Eric’s radio. Eric came away with a traumatic brain injury, ruptured spleen, punctured lung and a fractured ver tebrae. He was taken to Grady Hospital, where he stayed for over 2 weeks, then transferred to Scottish Rite Hospital for inpatient rehabilitation. Angie recalls how much growth Eric has had over the years. When he was able to come home, Eric didn’t have any mobility, couldn’t feed himself and couldn’t talk. After months of medical care, his medi cal team wanted him to go home to finish his recovery, thinking he would do bet ter at home because of the community support. “He talked three days lat er,” Angie said. A friend brought him a Mountain Dew slushy to drink and, when he took a sip, he choked and whis pered “Mama.” “I said ‘Give him some more,”’ Angie recalls. She’s still not sure wheth er the drink just cleaned off the vocal cords or gave him the energy he needed to speak. Eric has made tremen dous progress over the past two decades, but still struggles with short-term memory, some vocal cord damage and has some bal ance issues. But Angie said he’s at about 90%. Eric has also accom plished more in the past two decades than most people would think possi ble. His first big goal was to graduate high school with a normal high school degree. When the school asked him to consider pursuing a special degree, Eric asked them to give him a chance. “How do you know I can’t do this,” he told them. Despite only being able to attend school for two months his junior year, Eric was able to catch up and walked at graduation. Angie and Eric both recall the community effort, and his friends’ support, who helped him reached that accomplishment. Angie re members his friends taking him everywhere and mak ing sure he continued to be It’s been 20 years since a serious wreck chang es Eric Redmon’s life forever. He’s pictured here during early days of recovery. One of Eric Redmon’s biggest goals was gradu ating from high school and walking at graduation with his peers. involved in their teenage lives. “It really was a com munity effort and a lot of prayers,” Angie said. After graduating, Eric wanted to really focus on therapy and his physical health. He underwent a number of surgeries and procedures during this time. It was a hard time for Eric since his support system of friends had grad uated and started the next chapters of their lives. They started brainstorm ing about Eric’s next steps and he told Angie and his father, Bobby, that he want ed to start a business. From the beginning, Eric want ed to start a business that would make people happy and make people smile. “Life’s a party, you should enjoy it every day,” Eric said. “Live it to the fullest, because we’re not promised tomorrow.” Life’s a Party, an event rental company, was start ed from there. Eric used his graduation money to buy some tents, chairs and ta bles and they booked their first event. But Angie said there was something else Eric had wanted to accomplish since Day 1: He wanted to write a book. She remembers when Eric would mention the goal, she and teacher/ coach Greg Jarvis would look at each other and shake their heads. Angie thought Eric would wind up forgetting about it, but he never did. Eric’s book “Life’s a Par ty” was published in 2017 with the help of Jarvis, the Redmon family and Eric’s friends, who contributed to the book. The Redmons have also tried to be involved in phil anthropic work over the years. During his recovery, Eric and his family were able to stay at the Ronald Mc Donald House in Atlanta. The non-profit holds a spe cial place in the Redmons’ hearts and they try to give back whenever they can. They make anonymous do nations for families in need and raised $25,000 for a new house the non-profit was building. They dedi cated a room to “Team Ra dio.” “Team Radio has been praying and led this whole thing,” Angie said. That project was the start of the Eric Redmon Foun dation and its annual golf tournament. The Foun dation also hosts a local event, a Back-to-School Bash to support youth. They also try to help traumatic brain injury fam ilies whenever they can. Angie and Bobby are both proud of the ac complishments Eric has made over the years, and they thank the communi ty for their help. “It was overwhelming at times, but we couldn’t have done it without the love and support of ev erybody,” Angie said. “Wouldn’t have asked for a better place to have done this.” The people who have worked with Eric over the years are also proud of what he’s accom plished. “(Eric’s) attitude over the years has inspired me,” said Kevin Poe, who’s been Eric’s phys ical therapist since the beginning. “Keeping positive has been key in Eric’s journey. My fa vorite memories are all the private conversations over the years Eric and I have had about Jesus and how good He has been to both of us. There is no secret to Eric’s progress over the years and how far he has come. It’s the result of hard work, pre paring and learning from failure and through all that, giving all the glory to God.” As for Eric, he contin ues to move forward to reach his goals and help people when he can. “Prayers work,” Eric says. BOE continued from lA districts in the area un til rulings said students couldn’t be separated from their peers for special in struction. • a one-year contract of $160,000 with DBA Waste Management for school solid waste disposal. • the purchase of an au dio enhancement sound system for Maysville El ementary School at a cost of $140,000. The system is a pilot program for the school system to see if it helps classroom perfor mance. • property, liability and worker’s compensation insurance at a cost of $917,000. • an intergovernmen tal agreement with the Jackson County Board of Commissioners for sharing recreation facilities for the county’s use. Election continued from lA this week for the election. Those wishing to vote ear ly for the June 20 special election may do so at the county election’s center at 441 Gordon St., Jeffer son, on the following dates: •June 14-16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A drop-box will be avail able for absentee ballots at the Election Center (locat ed inside) only during all early voting hours and will close on June 16 at 5 p.m. Ballots may be dropped off on Election Day, June 20, until 7 p.m., to the election staff located at 441 Gordon Street in Jef ferson. Absentee ballots will not be received at the polling location on Elec tion Day. from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursday, June 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and on Friday, June 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The qualifying fee is $35. Those wishing to qualify may do so at Pendergrass City Hall, located at 65 Smith Bridges Street, Pen dergrass. With over 30 years experience in the industry let us be your number one call for tree removal and stump grinding. No job too big or small. We are a one stop shop for all of your tree removal needs. Up to 25% discount for veterans, active military, first responders, single parents and senior citizens. © Kevin Campbell Certified Arborist #SO-6300A 706-372-7993 VETERAN OWNED AND OPERATED We u/ill meet or beat anyone's advertised price! LOOKING FOR WITNESS OF VEHICLE ACCIDENT June 8, 2023 Kissemen & Story Street (Downtown Jefferson) at 4:30 p.m. If you have any information or witnessed the accident, please call 678-300-0733. Vehicles Involved: White Chevrolet Colorado t-boned by a White Under Dog Diesel Service Truck.