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THURSDAY. OCTOBER 7. 2021 PICKENS COUNTY PROGRESS PAGE 5A
Letters to the, Editor
To the Editor:
Over the weekend, did
some number crunching on
the apartments proposed and
approved townhomes al
ready. 270x2 540 for both
apartments and townhomes
an average apartment/town-
home has say two adult occu
pants. .. 1,080 additional cars
on a non-improved two lane
road.
I don’t believe that’s an
appropriate bump with no
help or assistance in infra
structure improvement. Other
numbers show a possible
50% increase in Jasper's pop
ulation (around 1,680) with
current population at around
3800; never approve any
thing that adds more than 10
percent of a community, in
this case 380 or total 190
units.
These number crunches
don't even start to take into
account items such as in
creased infrastructure, educa
tion and other basic needs. I
do agree that affordable
housing is a problem, but we
need to be creative in the so
lution and think outside the
box in ensuring quality over
quantity.
Having seen firsthand de
velopment processes, if ap
proved without modification
sets a dangerous precedent in
future development requests.
Greg Moore
Pickens High Principal on
Tik/Tok challenges
Students and
Parents/Guardians:
As you may be aware,
there are TikTok challenges
that many students across our
country are taking part in that
includes damaging rest
rooms, stealing property
from schools and slapping
teachers. I regret to report
that we have seen evidence of
theft and destruction on our
campus here at Pickens High
School. In the last couple of
weeks, there have been toilet
paper dispensers, soap dis
pensers and other items de
stroyed in our restrooms.
Additionally, there has been
an uptick in graffiti reported
in the restrooms here on cam
pus. While we have not dealt
with any incidents of a stu
dent slapping a teacher, there
are numerous schools outside
of our district that have.
I want to be clear in my
message to all students, par
ents and guardians when I
say that this behavior will not
be tolerated at Pickens High
School. These crimes and
acts are prosecutable and will
be dealt with. Charges from
the Pickens County Sheriff’s
Office will be filed on those
who are caught. Additionally,
restitution will be sought for
damages and expulsion from
school can occur.
We have a very nice facil
ity on Dragon Drive and it is
disheartening that we are
having to address these is
sues. I expect all students to
take pride in the facilities we
have and do their part to keep
them nice. If students who
are not involved refuse to ac
cept this behavior in our
school, we can stop this from
occurring. I have assigned a
school employee with lead
ing a staff/student coalition
designed to curb this behav
ior and work towards solu
tions to encourage students to
take better care of our facil
ity.
The following additional
steps are being taken:
Gather student input on
ideas/ ways to improve facil
ity and keep it nice.
Create a reporting method
that will allow for students to
anonymously report damage-
and other crimes swiftly.
Assign staff and adminis
trators to specific “zones” to
check restrooms morefre-
quently.
DistrictAttorney,Alison-
Sosebee,will be on campus
this week to speak clearly
about the repercussions of
these acts.
In regard to the “Slap a
Teacher Challenge,” I will
take all necessary steps in
order to protect my staff from
dealing with this. There is a
board of education policy
against this type of behavior,
and legal ramifications that
will follow. Students must
understand that this is not a
prank. This is, instead, a
criminal act.
Parents/Guardians: We
ask that you please speak to
your students regarding the
issues mentioned in this letter
and encourage them to refuse
to participate in these chal
lenges. Help them understand
that these acts are unlawful
and that serious repercus
sions will follow. We will
have a much better chance of
making a positive impact on
these issues if all stakehold
ers work together. Thank you
for joining us in doing all that
we can to eliminate these is
sues from being present on
our campus
Chris Wallace
PHS Principal
To the Editor:
I am writing to let parents
know of the desire to require
the Covid-19 shot by the ed
ucation system across Amer
ica. California has just
announced its requirement
for school-aged children. I
have not heard of it yet in
Georgia, but I am confident it
is coming. While the health
department and healthcare in
dustry, along with Health and
Human Services in Washing
ton, D.C., would like you to
believe the inoculation is
completely safe, I would en
courage you to do your own
research before agreeing to
have your children inocu
lated.
I came across a report put
out by Elsevier, which is a
publisher who specializes in
scientific, technical, and
medical content. The report I
read poses the question,
“Why are we vaccinating
children against COVID-
19?” This report is easily
found when searched online
by searching for Elsevier and
the title, “Why are we vacci
nating children against
Covid-19.”
Inside this report is a vast
amount of information,
which includes the recorded
side effects of the inoculation
among adults and children, as
report to VAERS, which is
the system the CDC uses to
report adverse reactions.
Section 3.2.3.2.1 of the report
indicates the potential mid
term adverse health effects
for the 0-17-year-old demo
graphic. The report also dis
cusses weighing the risks of
the inoculation to children,
versus the low risk that the
COVID-19 virus poses to
this age group.
There is a lot of fearmon-
gering going on, especially in
the area of the COVID shot
and children. The CDC has
admitted that the shot does
Obituaries
not keep one from contract
ing the virus, nor does it keep
one from spreading the virus.
Everyone has to decide for
themselves if the risk is
worth whatever benefit the
shot may or may not provide.
I would be dishonest if I did
not voice concern about
long-term effects of the
COVID shot. Typically, vac
cines have 5-10 years, or
more, of research and testing.
This one did not even come
close. I would submit that
the testing is what is happen
ing now, as they are giving it
to hundreds of thousands
worldwide. The adverse re
actions, including death, that
have been reported to
VAERS reporting system
(many believe only 1 percent
is actually reported) is stun
ning.
There is no shortage of in
formation out there by credi
ble doctors and scientists.
America’s Frontline Doctors
is a great place to start.
Please take the time to do the
research.
My purpose in writing this
is not to discourage nor to en
courage anyone in regard to
inoculating your children
against COVID-19. My aim
is to encourage you to re
search and weigh the risks
versus the benefits. I always
say there is wisdom in wait
ing. I can always choose the
inoculation down the road
when we know more about it.
Once I take the inoculation, I
cannot undo it.
Angela Evans
Ann Duncan
Ann Jeanette Duncan, 68,
of Jasper, Georgia passed
away Friday, October 1,2021
at her home. She was born
March 25, 1953 to A.W. and
Jeanette Lawson in Floyd
County.
Ann is survived by her
husband, Eddie Duncan of
Jasper; daughter and son-in-
law, Ashley and Cory Smith
of Jasper; son and daughter-
in-law, Chris and Katlyn
Duncan of Jasper; grandchil
dren, Ella Duncan, Lawson
Duncan; mother Jeanette
Lawson of Jasper; sister,
Sheila Buckner; sister and
brother-in-law, Lorie and
Scott Shaw; brother and sis
ter-in-law, A1 and Terri Law-
son. brother-in-law Teddy
Duncan, Several nieces,
nephews, and other relatives
also survive.
She was preceded in death
by her Father A.W. Lawson
Jr.
Funeral services were
held at 4 p.m., Saturday, Oc
tober 2, 2021 at Roper Fu
neral Home Chapel with
Reverend Johnny Padgett of
ficiating.
In lieu of flowers, make
memorial contributions to
Aces Youth Home or the
charity of your choice in
honor of Ann.
Arrangements are en
trusted to the staff of Roper
Funeral Home and Crema
tory.
Danny Ryder
Mr. Danny William
Ryder, 59, of Jasper, passed
away on September 25th,
2021 at Piedmont Mountain
side Hospital in Jasper.
Mr. Ryder was born in
Pickens County on June 16th,
1962 to Jerry and Ruby Bol
ing Ryder. He graduated from
Pickens High School in 1980.
Mr. Ryder worked as an Op
erations Manager for Chero
kee Auto Group. He was
saved at Free Hope Church
when he was 14 years old
and was baptized. He was a
member of Cool Springs
Baptist Church in Tate. Mr.
Ryder is preceded in death by
his wife, Jean Ryder; father,
Jerry Ryder; step-father, Fred
Ponder; uncle, Robert Bol
ing; and several cousins.
Survivors include his
mother, Ruby Ponder; three
aunts, June Gilbert, Kathy
Ryder, and Vera Ponder; two
uncles, Randall Ponder and
Tommy Ryder; special friend
that he called his brother,
David Mosley.
Funeral services were
held on Wednesday, Septem
ber 29th, 2021 at 2 p.m. from
the chapel of Bernhardt Fu
neral Home with Rev(s).
Nathan Smith and Ted Estes
officiating. Interment was in
the Cool Springs Baptist
Church Cemetery. Pallbear
ers included, Tony Aaron,
David Mosley, David John
son, Jim Copeland, Adam
Barkot, and Peter Jennings.
Bernhardt Funeral Home
in charge of arrangements.
Ronnie Turner
Ronnie L. Turner, 71, of
Talking Rock, Georgia
passed away Wednesday,
September 29, 2021 at Pied
mont Mountainside Hospital.
He was born June 30,1950 to
Kermit Branton and Frankie
Lee Turner in Fairmount,
Georgia.
Ronnie is survived by his
wife of 50 years, Barbara
Turner of Talking Rock;
daughter and son-in-law,
Kerri and Lamar Childers of
Hill City; son and daughter-
in-law, Tony and Tonya
Turner of Fairmount; daugh
ter and son-in-law, Kimberly
and Josh Turner of Jasper;
grandchildren, Courtney
Hancock, Elijah Turner,
Nathan Turner, Rylee Turner,
Tyson Turner; great-grand
children, Lane Hancock,
Conner Hancock, Avery Han
cock; and nephew, Scott
Turner. He was preceded in
death by his mother and fa
ther, Frankie and Kermit
Turner; brother and sister-in-
law, Billy Joe and Edith
Turner.
Funeral services were
held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oc
tober 2, 2021 at Ryo Baptist
Church with Pastor Jerome
Silvers officiating. Interment
followed in the church ceme
tery.
Arrangements are en
trusted to the staff of Roper
Funeral Home and Crema
tory.
Arthur Turgeau
Arthur R. Turgeau, 76, of
Ellijay, Georgia passed away
Saturday, October 1, 2021.
No services are planned at
this time. Care and trust
placed with In Their Honor
of Jasper.
Clyde Ballew
Mr. Clyde Wilburn
Ballew, 80, of Jasper, passed
away on Tuesday September
28th, 2021 at his residence.
Mr. Ballew was bom in
Copper Hill, TN on August
30th, 1941 to the late Willa
Mae Curley Ballew. In addi
tion to his parents, he is pre
ceded in death by his wife,
Mildred Wright Ballew;
granddaughter, Krista Laura
Hyde, and several brothers
and sisters. Mr. Ballew was a
member of Refuge Baptist
Church in Jasper. Clyde and
Mildred were married 58
years and attended church
every Sunday, if their health
permitted.
Survivors include his
daughter, Lisa Hyde (Tim) of
Talking Rock; two brothers,
Billy Ballew of Jasper and
Homer Ballew of Kentucky;
granddaughter, Emily Coker
(William) of Jasper; three
great-grandchildren, Nate,
Kash, and Lilly Coker; work
and fishing buddy who he
loved like a brother, James
Setser.
Graveside services were
held on Friday, October 1st,
2021 at 4 p.m. from Liberty
Baptist Church Cemetery
with Rev. Tim Hyde officiat
ing.
Bernhardt Funeral Home
is in charge of arrangements.
Mark Morris
Mark Masterson Morris,
66, of Jasper, Georgia passed
away Tuesday, September
14, 2021 at Piedmont Atlanta
Hospital. He was bom July
17, 1955 to Thomas Edison
and Rosamond Morris in
Boston, Massachusetts.
He is survived by his son,
Miles Morris of Jasper;
brother, Bryce Morris of
Boston, Massachusetts;
grandson, Marcus Morris of
Savannah. He was preceded
in death by his parents; his
wife, Beatrice; and son,
Thomas Morris.
A memorial service is
planned for 11 a.m., Satur
day, October 9, 2021 in the
Chapel of Roper Funeral
Home.
Arrangements are en
trusted to the staff of Roper
Funeral Home and Crema
tory.
Stewart Kumbert
Stewart Kumfert, 74, of
Talking Rock, Georgia
passed away Thursday, Sep
tember 30,2021. No services
are planned at this time. Care
and trust placed with In Their
Honor of Jasper.
Cynthia Hensley
Ms. Cynthia Barrett Hens
ley, 66, of Jasper, passed
away on Wednesday, Sep
tember 29th, 2021 at Pied
mont Mountainside Hospital.
Ms. Hensley was born in
Pickens County on Decem
ber 31st, 1954 to the Ester
Barrett and Rosa Cramp Bar
rett. Ms. Hensley was em
ployed by North Georgia
Limo and was a member of
Talona Baptist Church.
Survivors include her
daughter, Christy Cantrell of
Jasper; one brother, Freddie
Ray (Jan) of Ellijay; three
grandchildren, Savannah
Williams, Dillon and Kyle
Williams; three great-grand
children, Sophia and Serenity
Williams and Scarlett Jones.
Funeral services were
held on Tuesday, October
5th, 2021 at 2 p.m. in the
Chapel of Bernhardt Funeral
Home with Rev. Ryan Wil
son and Joe Oconnel officiat
ing. Pallbearers included,
Wallace Gibson, Kevin
Cramp, Casey Blanton, Dil
lon Williams, Troy Carver,
and Frazer Prather.
Bernhardt Funeral Home
is in charge of arrangements.
Karla Richards
Karla J. Richards, 79, of
Kennesaw, Georgia passed
away Thursday, September
30, 2021. No services are
planned at this time. Care and
trust placed with In Their
Honor of Jasper.
Gino Raymond
November 16, 1941 -
October 3, 2021
Mr. Gino Raymond, 79, of
Eastman, GA, passed away
Sunday, October 3, 2021 at
Taylor Regional Hospital in
Hawkinsville, GA.
Mr. Raymond is survived
by his wife, Margie Ray
mond of Eastman; daughters
and son-in-law, Karon Green
of Acworth, Elizabeth Gib
son of Jasper, Becky & Lock
Whigam of Eastman, and
Katie Gibson of Jasper;
seven grandchildren; three
great-grandchildren; several
nieces and nephews.
Visitation is Wednesday,
October 6, from noon until 9
p.m., and Thursday, October
7, from 9 a.m. until the fu
neral hour.
Funeral services will be
held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oc
tober 7, 2021 at Cagle Fu
neral Home Chapel.
Interment will be at Lake
Forest Memorial Park fol
lowing the funeral service.
Pallbearers: Chris Brown,
Conner Brown, Lock
Whigam, Tommy Rich,
Chuck Reeves, and Robert
Rich.
The family requests in lieu
of flowers, donate to Cagle
Funeral Home to help with
funeral expenses.
Cagle Funeral Home is
honored to serve the Ray
mond family.
Richard Burrell
Richard Burrell, 54, of
Jasper, Georgia passed away
Sunday, September 19th,
2021 at Piedmont Mountain
side Hospital in Jasper.
He is survived by his wife,
Elisha Childers Burrell; son,
Ryker Burrell; daughter, Rea
gan Burrell of Jasper; par
ents, Larry and Erma Burrell
of Jasper; sister and brother-
in-law Barbara (John) Mor
gan of California; brother and
sister-in-law, Robert (Tracey)
Burrell of North Carolina;
sister, Terri Burrell Howell.
Several nieces and nephews
also survive.
A sincere thank you to
Roper Funeral Home and
Crematory.
Pamela Yaremko
Pamela K. Yaremko, 66,
of Ball Ground, Georgia
passed away Tuesday, Sep
tember 28, 2021. No services
are planned at this time. Care
and trust placed with In Their
Honor of Jasper Funeral
Home.
Spot a
Mistake?
Contact our editor
706-253-2457
dpool@
pickensprogress.com