About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 26, 2018)
Gainesville graduate Will Maddox works toward major league call-up. SPORTS, 1B Ctititattrffljpmiation Life of WWII veteran to be celebrated in Flowery Branch. LIFE, 4B WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26,2018 | $1.00 | GAINESVILLE, GEORGIA | gainesvilletimes.com Honestly Local Syfan expansion could wrap by Feb. Business hopes to staff at least 500 workers in next 2 years BY JEFF GILL jgill@gainesvilletimes.com Jim Syfan knows about moving trucks on the road, but he’s also shown his hand lately in moving desks. The expansion of Gainesville- based Syfan Logistics at 2037 Old Candler Road has been largely a reconfiguration of available space, with employees moving from one work area to another while the old area gets enlarged. “I tell (employees) it’s all an adventure,” Syfan said. It’s all part of Syfan’s plan to add 19,000 square feet to 12,000-square- foot corporate offices in the build ing, which is off Queen City Park- way/Ga. 60 at Interstate 985. “We outgrew what we had, so we’re spending about $3.5 million (on the project),” Syfan said during a visit last week to the business. The project also includes an expanded fitness room for employ ees. And Syfan has added an out side elevator to especially target disabled veterans as employees. Employees will get adjustable desks allowing them to stand or sit as they work. “I expect it will be the first week in February before everything is done,” Syfan said. He hopes to have a grand reopening ceremony in March. Syfan Logistics also is hoping to add workers. Now at 351 employ ees, “I want 500 within the next two years, probably the next year, ” Syfan said. “We are growing so fast.” A second expansion is already being considered. The overall building size is 45,000 square feet, housing several company operations in addition to Syfan Logistics. “We can keep on growing, and we’ve got 50 more acres,” Syfan ■ Please see SYFAN, 6A AUSTIN STEELE I The Times Workers assemble furniture as a part of the expansion taking place at Syfan Logistics on Thursday, Dec. 20. Its one big family’ AUSTIN STEELE I The Times Nicole Whitefield, a resident at Kingdom Harvest shelter for the past month, comforts a fellow resident, Wondra Waldon, on Tuesday, Dec. 25. Waldon says she feels sad this time of year because she misses being with her family. Christmas a time of hope, humility for area homeless JOSHUA SILAVENT I The Times More than 70 homeless men, women and children gathered at The Way, a day center and mission for the homeless in midtown Gainesville, for a Christmas lunch on Tuesday, Dec. 25. BY JOSHUA SILAVENT jsilavent@gainesvilletimes.com Dozens of homeless men, women and children in Gainesville came to the manger that is The Way to eat on Christmas Day. Though this manger is not the birth place of Christ the Savior, of course, it is a place of everyday rebirth for those who squeezed into the mission’s mess hallzz in midtown. Jerry Deyton, pastor of The Way, said he recognized faces of those who come for breakfast or lunch six days a week, and those who visit as a mat ter of last resort. “At least every one of you has been here one time to eat,” he said before blessing the meal. “We’ve been here going on six years, and we haven’t missed a meal yet.” For many of Gainesville’s home less, local shelters were a source of hope and cheer on Christmas. “It’s a special day,” said Kelly, who has been on and off the streets for several years as he works in poultry plants and other labor-intensive jobs. “We get to come in and sit down and enjoy Christmas, because we can’t be with our families.” On the other side of the city, David Trent, pastor of Kingdom Harvest World Ministry, reflected on the fam ily that his ministry had created for dozens of homeless women and chil dren since opening in a mostly empty ■ Please see HOMELESS, 6A ‘It’s gave me peace. I have a home. I don’t have to worry about what I’m going to eat, where I’m going to sleep.’ Nicole at Kingdom Harvest World Ministry Retired police captain wants to commemorate chief killed in 1890 BY NICK WATSON nwatson@gainesvilletimes.com On a Christmas Day nearly 130 years ago, Gaines ville Police Chief William Jones Kittrell responded to the train depot near what is now Industrial Boulevard to assist one of his officers. The officer, Henry Towery, responded about 4 p.m. Dec. 25,1890, to a domestic dispute near the train depot and saw a woman threatening a man and his children. When the woman was told she was under arrest, she resisted by holding on to a fence, according to research by retired Gainesville Police Capt. Chad White. The woman’s father arrived — armed — to inquire about his daughter’s arrest. When the assisting Kittrell told the father and daughter to stop, the man fired his pistol at the police ■ Please see KITTRELL, 6A For The Times Retired Gainesville Police Capt. Chad White intends to ask the City Council for a memorial to former police chief William Kittrell, who was killed in the line of duty on Christmas Day in 1890. Where you can recycle your Christmas tree Hall County is again participating in the “Bring One for the Chipper” program, recycling undecorated Christmas trees for free after the holiday is over. The event, which lasts from Dec. 26 to Jan. 6, is part of a statewide tree recycling program. Hall County’s 12 compactor sites and the Hall County Landfill will be participating. Trees will be mulched, and then residents can pick up free mulch at the county landfill Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting. Artificial trees are not accepted, and all decora tions need to be removed before the trees are handed over for recycling. Gainesville city residents can leave their trees curbside for pickup, and Oakwood residents can drop their trees at the corner of Allen and Railroad streets. ■ Please see TREE, 6A □ 40901 06835 8 INSIDE Advice 5B Life 4B Bridge 5B Lottery 2A Business 3B Opinion 4A Calendar 2A Our Region 6A Classified 7B Sports 1B Comics 6B TV/puzzles 5B WEATHER 2A High Low w 54 41 Lake Lanier level: 1,070.79 feet Full pool 1,071. No change in 24 hours DEATHS 7A John Barnett, 60 Patricia Gilleland, 75 Bevis Simmons, 83 Nesta Taylor, 86
