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April 25, 2018
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CUTTING TAXES With continued state-wide growth, Gary will work
to eliminate state income tax and taxes on retirement income; especially for
our veterans.
“I’ve represented a large portion of House
District 141 for about 18 years (including
our county commission and school board).
I believe I have the knowledge and
experience to hit the ground running
in the State Capitol.” - Gary Bechtel
Vote May 22
GARY BECHTEL
for State Representative
Justice Benham addresses Hubbard banquet
By Diane Glidewell
news@mymcr.net
The Hubbard Alumni As
sociation showed at its An
nual Banquet on Saturday,
April 21 that the organiza
tion is strong and vibrant,
linking the past and present.
It emphasizes education and
employment as keys to a
successful community and
quality of life for the resi
dents. The new venue for the
banquet at Monroe County
Conference Center was filled
to capacity with alumni and
their families, business and
civic leaders, and supporters.
The event included good
food, lively entertainment,
interesting speakers and
opportunities to meet and
greet intriguing people
from multiple generations.
As Mistress of Ceremonies,
Susan Watts Gibson, a Hub
bard High School alumna,
tied the program together
with her signature energy
and piercing wit that spares
no targets. Gibson contrib
uted her amazing vocals not
only to a solo and to leading
the anthem and Alma Mater
but also to a running com
mentary on whatever and
whoever caught her atten
tion during the meal.
Keynote speaker Geor
gia Supreme Court Justice
Robert Benham began and
ended his remarks with the
poem, “The Bridge Builder,”
which talks of an old man
building a bridge; the bridge
spans a chasm he will never
cross again but he knows
that a youth who follows
Pictured above are teachers attending the
2018 Hubbard Alumni Association Banquet
who taught at the Hubbard School.
Pictured left at the HAA Banquet, left to
right, are keynote speaker Justice Robert
Benham, Juanita Pitts, Nell Benham, Winifred
Berry, Lois Allen. (Photos/Diane Glidewell)
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Benham spoke of his child
hood and family and of the
values that he has taken with
him through his career and
life.
He said his parents would
accept nothing but the best
from him and his two older
brothers. ‘“This is what it
takes to live in this family’
my father said,” Benham
recounted. “As the smallest
and youngest, I thought I
had died and gone to hell.”
His father said that in their
family they would serve
God, support family, share
with neighbors, give public
service when called upon
and, if necessary, lay down
their lives for their country.
His parents and older
brothers set high expecta
tions. His mother owned a
department store in Cart-
ersville; his brother never
missed a day of school, was
an Eagle Scout and was an
outstanding graduate of
Tuskegee University.
Speaking of his experi
ence with segregation, he
recounted when, as a student
at a black school, he asked
GARY BECHTEL
the only candidate with the
experience of delivering positive
results for central Georgia.
★
Gary Bechtel understands the issues affecting
our district and will be the strong voice we need
representing us in the State House.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Monroe County could benefit from
more economic development for job growth and stability. Gary will work
with local leadership to encourage future growth.
TRANSPORTATION Provide support for road improvements in the
growing commercial areas of North Macon-Bibb and South Monroe to
alleviate increased traffic.
EDUCATION The lack of broadband access in rural areas directly
hampers the ability to take advantage of educational opportunities. All of
our schools should have equal access to all technology resources available.
for a book and
the school
didn’t have
it. It was the
1950’s, but he
headed to the
white school.
He told the
librarian, “I
came to get a
book,” and she said, “Let me
show you where it is.”
“They were shocked to see
me, and I was shocked to be
there,” said Benham.
He said the police called
and asked who he was, but
no one at his school admit
ted knowing him. He said
later the woman who gave
him the book told him it was
the happiest day of her life
because it was the right thing
to do and something she
could tell her grandchildren
about.
“We have more things
in common than we have
things that separate us,” said
Benham.
Benham said that two
of the best models he had
known for doing the right
thing were Georgia Supreme
Court Chief Justice Harold
Clarke of Forsyth and his
wife. He said Clarke worked
to create a fair indigent
defense system in Georgia.
Benham said Clarke told
him, “Whatever you want to
do, I’m going to help you do
it. If anyone stands in your
way, were going to push
them out of the way.”
He said in his family he
was expected to abide by a
moral standard, above legal,
ethical and professional
standards, no matter what
everyone else was doing.
“We must maintain a mor
al standard and maintain the
message with our children,”
said Benham.
He said the speech at the
HAA Banquet is the only
one he has made this year.
He brought his wife, Nell,
with him. He said they are
nearing their 50th anniver
sary, and he promised her
he would not go over 15
minutes with his speech or
make a ‘judge-like’ speech.
Benham said there was a
time in his career when he
gave countless speeches and
spent many nights away
from his family. There came
a time when his wife and his
sons reminded him that he
needed to be at home with
them.
“You need to sacrifice for
family,” said Benham. “Lead
your family and lead your
community.”
Superior Court Bibb
County Judge Verda M.
Colvin introduced Benham,
highlighting some of his
accomplishments, includ
ing being the longest serving
member of the Georgia Su
preme Court. He reached the
rank of captain in the U.S.
Army Reserve, has served on
many boards and worked for
many organizations, receiv
ing countless recognitions
for his efforts and accom
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“Be Confident in our Quality”
plishments: he was inducted
into the National Bar As
sociation Hall of Fame.
“He has opened many
doors throughout his career,”
said Colvin. “He taught me
the value of reaching back.”
Judge Tommy Wilson of
the Towaliga Judicial Circuit,
gave a welcome from Mon
roe County. He commended
Benham for his humility and
personal courtesy over the
years. He also commended
the Hubbard Alumni As
sociation for what it has ac
complished in 32 years and
credited Larry Evans, with
whom Wilson served on
the Monroe County Com
mission, with pushing the
county to help with the goals
of the HAA for the benefit of
the community.
Forsyth Mayor Eric Wilson
and Commission Chair Greg
Tapley read proclamations
recognizing the heritage and
achievements of HAA. The
accomplishments include
awarding 89 scholarships to
graduates of Mary Per
sons over the last 32 years,
working to restore the
Hubbard Teachers Cottage
and Hubbard Dormitory
and supporting the growing
programs at the Workforce
Development program.
“It is always an honor and
pleasure to feel the amazing
strong and Christian spirit
of the Hubbard Alumni As
sociation,” said Tapley.
Winifred Berry thanked
those who attended and
the sponsors of the event,
announcing that it raised
$4,695 for scholarships this
year. HAA President Herbert
Gantt closed the program by
inviting everyone to become
a member of the association
and join in its projects.
“We as Hubbard alumni
have a vision that was part
of the Hubbard dream. We
have come from dreamers to
achievers,” said Gantt. “We
are one of the leading alumni
associations in the country.”