GADSDEN COUNTY PLUGGING IN - University of Florida

WWW.

GADSDEN COUNTY TIMES

THURSDAY,APRIL 16, 2020, PAGE 1A

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Vol. 119, No. 16 u One Section

Remembering Nolan Haire, 5

50 cents

Gadsden sees spike in COVID-19

What do you think?

What do you think about the COVID-19 outbreak and how state and local ocials have handled the health crisis? Email Letters to the Editor to editor@ . There is a 400-word limit.

Health department oicial: `We are underrepresented overall in terms of resources'

By SCOTT J. BRYAN

The Gadsden County Times

itive for COVID-19, the deadly who had tested positive for CO- During a phone call with coronavirus, has doubled, ac- VID-19. Of those 37 residents, county and city leaders, Dr. cording to data provided by the one is listed as a nonresident Adrian Cooksey said the jump

During the weekend, the Florida Department of Health. and another, who traveled to in cases is because of a spike

number of Gadsden County As of noon Tuesday, Gads- Japan earlier this year, is not

residents who have tested pos- den County had 37 residents currently in the county.

See COVID-19/Page 7

GADSDEN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

PLUGGING IN

GADSDEN COUNTY

County admin

School district receives 1,000 Chromebooks for distance learning

By SCOTT J. BRYAN

The Gadsden County Times

T he Gadsden County School District has received 1,000 Chromebooks from the state of Florida to assist with distance learning for Gadsden County students.

The Chromebooks will help students continue studies while con?ned to their homes during the COVID-19 health crisis.

"Distance learning is now part of the overall landscape of education across the nation," Superintendent of

Schools Roger Milton said.

"While not the preferred way

of learning for students, es-

pecially young-

er ones, it does

allow students

to continue

their studies

while they are

waiting to re-

turn to regular

classrooms."

ROGER

Schools have

MILTON been closed

for more than

a month as the COVID-19

health crisis rages across

the country. Gov. Ron De-

Santis has not announced

a date for when schools will reopen. Schools are closed through at least May 1.

DeSantis announced more than 32,000 Chromebooks would be distributed throughout the state to help students with distance learning.

Milton said the school district worked with the Florida Department of Education and the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium to "facilitate getting much needed technology into the hands of our students."

See SCHOOL/Page 7

"While not the preferred way of learning for students, especially younger ones, it does allow students to continue their studies

while they are waiting to return to regular classrooms." -- Gadsden County School District Superintendent of Schools Roger Milton

County commissioners want more info on grant-writing agency

By SCOTT J. BRYAN

The Gadsden County Times

hopes of securing a different twice advertised a vacant of dollars out there that we're

fee structure.

grant writer position.

not aware of and don't have

Congressional Partners, "We did not get one applica- the expertise to get."

A quest for more federal

a Washington,

tion for a grant Hall said the grant writer

funding led Gadsden Coun-

D.C.-based

writer,"

Hall position was in the coun-

ty's interim county adminis-

?rm, was will-

said. "I thought ty's budget and the expect-

trator to suggest hiring a fed-

ing to sign a six-

this might be ed expense was "$55,000-

eral grant-writing agency.

month, $24,000

an opportunity $65,000."

On April 7, Interim County

deal with Gads-

for us to pursue Commissioner Gene Mor-

Administrator Wesley Hall

den County to

grant awards, gan said he wasn't opposed to

recommended hiring Con-

"assist in pur-

and there's a lot hiring a grant-writing agency,

gressional Partners, a fed-

suing grant op-

of funding there but "we're paying up front

eral funding agency to help GENE p o r t u n i t i e s , " SHERRIE that we're just without seeing any perfor-

the county apply for federal MORGAN according to TAYLOR not privy to be- mance."

grants.

county docu-

cause we don't Morgan suggested he'd be

But county commissioners ments.

know about it.

voted 4-0 to table the issue in Hall said the county has "They are literally trillions

See AGENCY/Page 7

accepts

new job

Interim leader takes new

gig in Escambia County

By SCOTT J. BRYAN

The Gadsden County

The Gadsden County Board of Commissioners are in need of a new county administrator.

Again. On April 7, commissioners accepted Interim County Administrator Wesley Hall's 30-day notice. Hall, who has served as the interim county administrator since November 2019, has WESLEY accepted a HALL job as assistant county administrator in Escambia County, Florida's westernmost county with a population of about 300,000 people. "I thought it was a tremendous opportunity to grow," Hall said of his new job. "It's a much larger opportunity. My budget here is $50 million. Over there, it's about $500 million." Hall noted he knew Escambia County administrator Janice Gilley when they both worked for Gov. Jeb Bush. "We had a natural chemistry and similar bond and similar management styles," Hall said. Hall was the fourth interim or permanent Gadsden County administrator since October 2017. In October 2017, commissioners voted to appoint Dee Jackson the interim

See ADMIN/Page 7

THANKYOU

Thank you, Dale McCall, for subscribing to The Gadsden County Times

MUSTREAD

Guest column: Quincy Police Chief Glenn Sapp says safety is important amid COVID-19 health crisis. Page 4

VISITONLINE

Join the more than 3,000 followers on The Gadsden County Times' Facebook page. Visit our website at

Copyright 2020 The Gadsden County Times

PAGE 2, THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020

GADSDEN COUNTY TIMES

WWW.

OBITUARIES

Larry McAllister

Larry Clyde McAl-

lister, 78, passed away

April 7, 2020.

Larry was born May

19, 1941, in Titusville,

and later moved to Do-

than, Ala., where he

met his loving wife of

55 years, Ruby Watson.

They moved to Talla-

hassee,

where he

finished

his degree

in crimi-

nology at

Florida

State Uni-

versity

and began a long, re-

warding career with

the Department of

Corrections. He began

his corrections career

as a classi?cation of-

?cer and promoted up

through the ranks with

his last assignment in

corrections at River

Junction Correctional

Institute as warden.

Later in his career, he

joined the ranks of the

Department of Chil-

dren and Families at

Florida State Hospital,

where he eventually re-

tired after many dedi-

cated years of service

as chief of security.

Larry enjoyed spending

time with his Northside

coffee shop crew and

with his Chattahoochee

auto parts store crew.

When he was not work-

ing or having coffee, he

was spending time with

his loving family and

gardening. Larry was a

longtime member and

usher at the Chatta-

hoochee United Meth-

odist Church, where

he was also a proud

member of the Men's

Brotherhood group.

Larry was a quiet, kind-

hearted and dedicated

man who loved his fam-

ily and friends greatly.

He will be dearly missed

but never forgotten.

Survivors include his

wife of 55 years, Ruby

McAllister; one daugh-

ter, Sheila M. Cumbie

of Orlando; two sons,

Christopher McAllister

(Stephanie) of Tallahas-

see and John McAllis-

ter of Tallahassee; two

grandchildren, Zach-

ary McAllister and Kyle

McAllister; his faith-

ful canine companion,

Buster; and nieces and

nephews and other ex-

tended family mem-

bers.

Larry was preceded

in death by his parents,

Charles McAllister and

Eddis Clark McAllister,

and a brother, Charles

M. McAllister.

Due to the ongoing

concerns regarding the

COVID-19 pandemic,

a memorial service will

be conducted on a later

date.

McAlpin

Funeral

Home is in charge of

the arrangements.

Barbara Ann Murray

Barbara Ann Murray, 85, of Greensboro, passed away April 12, 2020, at Westminster Oaks in Tallahassee. She was preceded in death by her husband, Martin P. Murray, in 1993.

Barbara spent most of her life in Gadsden County. She sup-

ported the athletic and band boosters for Greensboro High School for many years and was very involved in the community and known for her sour cream pound cakes. She adored her family and family gatherings. She especially loved spending time with her family during the holidays. Survivors include four children, Ricky Edwards (Mary Katherine) of Lake Talquin, Jackie Barber (Jimmy) of Greensboro, Pat Murray of Midway, and Jeannie Murray (Mark) of Sycamore; seven grandchildren, Danielle Pudvah (Erik), Freddie, Blake and Trevor Clark, Rusty Pigott, Lindsey Newberry Choguaj (Edgar) and Cory Tomford (Verelle); six great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. A private graveside service was held at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Big Bend Hospice. Lifesong Funerals & Cremations ( or 850/6271111) is assisting the family with arrangements.

James Peterson

James Horace Peterson died peacefully at Big Bend Hospice Care on April 2, 2020, in Tallahassee at the age of 90.

He was born Oct. 17, 1929, in Bascom to Daniel Peterson and Vida Stephens.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Linda C. Peterson (Hamlin); children, Marla Dingess (husband, Derek), Cathy Peterson and James Horace Peterson Jr. (wife, Sharon); stepdaughter, Ronda Gradyan (husband, Frank); stepsons, Chris Singletary (wife, Pamela) and Timothy Singletary (wife, Pamela); 17 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and brother, Sam Peterson of Blountstown.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Louie Peterson of Quincy.

James was a proud

veteran of the U.S. Air Force and served 20 years, including tours in Vietnam. Following his military service, he worked as an insurance agent in Quincy and then opened a successful carpet and ?ooring business, Gadsden Outlet, with his wife, Linda. He was accomplished at carpentry, and in his retirement, he enjoyed building custom furniture in his backyard shop in Chattahoochee.

His children and grandchildren remember him as a loving father and grandfather who enjoyed being with family and making everyone laugh. He was a hard worker and encouraged his children and grandchildren to work hard and pursue their goals in life.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Big Bend Hospice for their dedication and care in his ?nal days.

James will be laid to rest at Tallahassee National Cemetery in Tallahassee. In lieu of ?owers, please send donations to Alzheimer's Association ( site/Donation2?df_ id=32112&32112. donation=form1).

Condolences can be sent to . obituaries/tallahassee-fl/james-peterson-9108672.

Henry Wood

Henry L. Wood, 77, of

Quincy, died Thursday,

April 9, 2020, at home.

A native of Gadsden

County, he was a mem-

ber of Greater Tanner

Chapel in Quincy.

The service will be 11

a.m. Saturday, April 18,

2020, at

Sunnyvale

in Quincy.

The view-

ing will be

from 3-7

p.m. Fri-

day, April

17, 2020,

at Bradwell Mortuary.

He is survived by

daughters,

Sandra

Wood of Nashville,

Tenn., and Kathy Young

(Morris) of Quincy; sons,

Brian Wood (Charita),

Demarcus Wood (Tyne),

Terrance Wood (Kristy),

Lewis Wood (Shawanda)

and Farranta Wood, all

of Quincy, and Derrick

McKinnon (Juanetta)

of Fayetteville, N.C.;

16 grandchildren; nine

great-grandchildren;

and two sisters, Inez

Cunningham (Melvin)

of Bryant, Ark., and

Naomi Brown (John) of

Havre De Grace, Md.

Bradwell Mortuary

is in charge of the ar-

rangements.

Hart is running for Group 5

Havana Town Council seat

Growing up, Janice Butler Hart ob- I work alongside my colleagues on

served my parents and grandparents' the school's Leadership Team, which

blueprints of strength and hard work. steers the curriculum and emergency

As I made a way for myself, I always and operational support.

planned to return home and give I am a proud wife, mother, grand-

back to my community, my home.

mother and daughter of the late Mary

Havana is already a place of pride, Jane Milton and J.C. "Buddy" Butler

simplicity and tons of potential ? a Sr., and granddaughter of the late

small town with a big heart, but my Charlie and Lula Milton. I am a mem-

vision for Havana includes so much ber of the International Association of

more.

Women and Alpha Kappa Alpha So-

After graduation from Havana rority.

Northside High School, I earned a As a champion for the people I will

bachelor's degree in computer information systems, a mas-

work to bring: n Job creation and business

ter's of education in secondary education mathematics from

line expansions. n Develop more employment

Florida A&M University and a Master's Certi?cate in Cyber

training and skills certi?cation. n Develop a job feeder pro-

Security and Information As-

gram.

surance Management (CISSP/

n Build economic develop-

ISC2), PMI Project Manage-

ment and partnerships for cur-

ment Professional, Information JANICE rent and new businesses.

Technology Infrastructure Li- HART

n Create new and expand

brary (ITIL) 2011 Foundation).

current health care services

I am a certi?ed industry expert with a and facilities. designation in ITIL 2011 Foundation. n Improve the transportation infra-

I offer to the people of Havana a structure. history of success spearheading all n Bridge the digital divide and im-

facets of enterprise technology opera- prove the technology infrastructure. tions in local, state, federal, private n Expand elder programs, services

and educational organizations. In the and facilities. area of social change and education, n Bring back youth recreation and

I have served our society well as a extended services program. technology director, college professor n Create a disaster management

and public-school educator of math- response center.

ematics, business and technology.

Let my strong business and tech-

My project management skills were nology acumen, systems acuity and

instrumental in new constructions, leadership talents augmented with

electronic classroom conversions, commitment and strong interest in

revitalizing business plans to gener- the communities work for you. Like

ate an estimated $378,000 in sales me, I know that you believe in the po-

monthly and network infrastruc- tential of Havana. Let's work together

tures. I served as a trainer and fa- in our community to experience great

cilitator for a family character-based growth. It is on the horizon a better

program and created a technology in tomorrow!

the community program ? training

for the elderly, Safe Internet and Life ? Submitted by Janice Butler

Skills curriculum for teens. My pal- Hart, candidate for Havana Town

let for service to all mankind has af- Council, Group 5

forded me with opportunities to help (Candidates who wish to submit

in the healthcare industry, host an candidacy statements and photos

internet-based show and coach busi- can do so at editor@.

ness owners.

There is a 500-word limit. Submis-

Currently, I serve in the areas of sions will only be accepted via email.

technology and mathematics as a Only candidates who have ?led for

teacher at Havana Magnet School. election may submit statements.)

COMMUNICATIONS HONORS

Submitted photo

Gadsden County Sheri's Oce 911 dispatchers Leslie Trevino, left, and Kornelya Williams, were recently honored by Communications Supervisor AnnMarie Presnell. On March 30, Williams and Trevino were working a violent crime. The sheri's oce said the two "calmly and professionally did their job, which led to an eective felony arrest." The State Attorney's Oce awarded Williams with a certi?cate, and Trevino was honored with a teamwork award. "We appreciate all our sta, but it's good sometimes show the light of those who make us shine," Sheri Young Morris Young said.

WWW.

Glass is running for

GADSDEN COUNTY TIMES

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020, PAGE 3

A NICE DONATION FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

Chattahoochee council,

District 5 (at-large)

These past 28-plus years all of your people and their

of residing in Chattahooch- needs when making impor-

ee, I have seen our city tant decisions, and not just

prosper and now decline what a few may want.

with its business districts It has always been my

and residential areas. I opinion that if you ran for

think it is past time to at- an of?ce, you should lis-

tempt something different ten to the people who put

in order to rebuild our area. you in that of?ce. While I

Whatever we have been do- have lived in Chattahooch-

ing in the past is not work- ee, my personal cellphone

ing for the present.

has always been avail-

I have experience in ar- able for our citizens to call

chitectural, civil, ?re pro- with questions or concerns

tection and electrical

as it has also been

design, and the abil-

for the multitude of

ity to read and un-

contractors around

derstand engineering

here. That will not

drawings and speci-

change while being

?cations as prepared

your councilman-at

for city projects.

large. I believe that

When elected I can

having access to the

bring expertise the City Council needs for making sound

JIM GLASS

opinions and wishes of the public is what a council member is

judgment calls on

supposed to do.

city improvements and oth- I'm pleased to say that

er issues. Add my working during the many years of

knowledge of our local city designing various projects,

ordinances to the package, ranging from residential

and options not normally and commercial buildings

available are now obtain- to a Trident Missile As-

able when we all work to- sembly Complex or a six-

gether.

story ICU surgical hospital

Additionally, by including tower, problems that were

the countless hours spent encountered have always

inspecting state-owned and been successfully worked

state-leased buildings, plus out, and the project com-

once running the Plans Re- pleted.

view Section under an in- At present time, I'm ask-

terim position, it's easy to ing for you to give me a

see how the vast expanse of chance to do for Chatta-

construction knowledge my hoochee what needs to be

election would also bring done. Someone has to step

bene?ts to the city during up, and I would truly ap-

its efforts to return to our preciate your support in

past normal.

that attempt. Let me help

As a former Florida state you to make Chattahoochee

?re marshal who lived in better again.

the Florida Statutes, I was

appointed to help adopt a ? Submitted by James

Uni?ed Florida State Fire "Jim" Glass Jr., candi-

Code and chaired a board date for Chattahoochee

that traveled all over the City Council, District 5

state meeting with various (at-large)

interests and cities wishing (Candidates who wish

to address their needs and to submit candidacy state-

code requirements.

ments and photos can do so

It didn't take them long to at editor@.

learn that upon hearing the There is a 500-word limit.

phrase "Well, back where Submissions will only be ac-

I come from," that their cepted via email. Only can-

idea of a state requirement didates who have ?led for

would remain a local code. election may submit state-

It's very important to know ments.)

Submitted photo

Donned in their PPE masks, KFC Regional Manager Tracy Lockwood and Quincy store manager Belinda Thomas visited the Gadsden County Sheri's Oce with free meals for ?rst responders.

Virginia Fuller running for U.S. House, District 5

Plans to give Florida's Black ters in Congressional Dis-

Voices for Trump, a mega- trict 5 will be managed by

phone, is going into high gear. Bea Thomas, who is on Team

This is a national effort, out Trump, and Virginia Fuller,

of Arlington, Va., to establish the district's known Republi-

community centers across the can congressional candidate.

country. National advisors in- Quisha King, Team Trump's

clude Jared Kushner,

coordinator, and Bob-

the president's son-

by and Kiyan Michael,

in-law, Brad Parscale,

(husband and wife) of

campaign manager,

Jacksonville will head

and Katrina Pierson, a

up the Jacksonville

Trump advisor who is

headquarters. For the

black.

Michaels, getting into

In the rollout Feb. 26,

politics started with the

Black Voices for Trump played a DVD showing a stream of testimoni-

VIRGINIA FULLER

loss of their son, Brandon Randolph Michael, who was killed in a car

als from blacks talking

accident driven by an il-

about why they support Don- legal immigrant.

ald Trump.

Posters featuring smiling

Jacksonville

black supporters highlighted the administration's work, including overhauling the criminal justice system, funding of historically black colleges and the country's lowest minority unemployment rate in decades.

and Tallahassee

In the eight-county district, Congressional District 5 is shaped like a gerrymandered salamander, from west Jacksonville to Gadsden County, with heavily Republican areas carved out, securing this

Florida Congressional

district always to be won by a Democrat.

District 5

These two Black Voices for

Black Voices for Trump Trump headquarters will be

headquarters in black com- key. The stakes will be high.

munities are planned in Flor- Virginia Fuller, in her ?rst

ida for Jacksonville, Talla- try at winning the district,

hassee, Orlando, Tampa and carried four of the eight coun-

Miami.

ties in the district: Baker,

Other large cities include Columbia, Hamilton and

Atlanta, Savannah, Ga., De- Madison, while barely los-

troit, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, ing Jefferson county. Virginia

Cleveland, Milwaukee and Fuller is also in line to go to

Charlotte.

the National Republican Con-

In Tallahassee, the Black vention in North Carolina lat-

Voices for Trump headquar- er this sumer.

The Reach Out

Trump's campaign and the Republican National Committee have touted the multimillion-dollar investment the president has approved for minority outreach as a gesture that he is serious about competing for nonwhite voters in 2020.

They point to internal RNC data to make the case that the efforts, and Trump's record on key issues, will be important to minority voters.

Those ?gures show that Trump's approval rating has improved.

Exit polls in 2016 polls showed Trump received 8 percent of the black vote and 20 percent of the Hispanic vote. "Trump plans to continue to make overtures to groups that typically vote Democrat," campaign of?cials said.

The muscle of the Black Voices for Trump centers, will be ampli?ed by Fuller's campaign in north Florida, and should be seen up and down the Republican ticket.

? Submitted by Virginia Fuller, candidate for U.S. House District 5

(Candidates who wish to submit candidacy statements and photos can do so at editor@. There is a 500-word limit. Submissions will only be accepted via email. Only candidates who have ?led for election may submit statements.)

PUBLIC NOTICES

For our readers' convenience, The Gadsden County Times

provides this Public Notice Section for all Public Notices not

published in the Legal Notice section of the newspaper.

NOTICE OF ELECTION

CITY OF CHATTAHOOCHEE, FLORIDA

Please take notice that a General Election scheduled for the City of Chattahoochee, Florida on the 28th day of April 2020, for the purpose of electing one (1) Council member for the term of two (2) years. he District up for Election is

District 5

he place of voting will be at the Recreation Center in Chattahoochee and the polls will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. he election is nonpartisan and any qualiied voter residing within the above City Districts of Chattahoochee may vote.

Vote by Mail ballots will be available at

the Supervisor of Elections oice, please

call 850-627-9910 if you would like to

request one.

APRIL

AD YA G

GADSDEN COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MEETING NOTICE

The next regular meeting of the Gadsden County

Board of County Commissioners will be Tuesday

April

starting at

p m The following

items have been agendaed Awards, Presentations

and Appearances Consent:

Approval of Minutes:

of County Commissioners General Business:

Clerk of Court: Updates County Administrator

Updates County Attorney: Updates Discussion

Items by Commissioners: Updates This agenda

website at www

If a person decides to appeal any decision by the Board of County Commissioners with respect to any matter considered at such public meeting, he/she will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose he/she may need to insure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes testimony and

In accordance with Section 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons needing a special accommodation to participate in this meeting 9-B East Jefferson Street, Quincy, FL 32351, by written request at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Telephone: (850) 875-8658 or 850-694-2227

GADSDEN COUNTY

TDC

MEET)NG NOT)CE

The Gadsden County Tourist

Development Council TDC will

hold a Regular Meeting on Monday

April

at p m

The meeting will be hosted virtually to continue following the directives and guidance for social distancing mitigation measures from federal the Coronavirus Disease COV)D

Virtual meeting access details are available on the Gadsden County gov

)n accordance with the Americans

with Disabilities Act persons

needing assistance in obtaining

any information from the County

or virtually attending the public

meeting should contact Gadsden

County Public )nformation by

calling

or emailing

least hours prior to the meeting

APRIL 16, 2020 AD#YA7G

TIMESVIEWS PAGE 4A,THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020

GADPSaD geE4 N | THUCRSDOAYU, ANPRTIL 1Y6 TIMES

GADSDEN COUNTY TIMES

OUR VOICE

In a crisis,

we need more

info, not less

"The newspaper built on commWuWWn.iGtAyDCpOTrIMidESe.C.O"M

Publisher | Gerry Mulligan General Manager | William Snowden

Editor | Scott J. Bryan

Member of the Florida Press Association

T wice each day, the Florida Department of Health updates its COVID-19 dashboard, informing all how many cases of coronavirusinfected people reside in the state of Florida. The website tells us how many people have died and how many people are hospitalized. It breaks down the information by county, and even tell us how many people have been tested and how many tests are pending.

For statistics nerds, it's a great resources. For the rest of us, it provides very little real, actionable information. And in the time of crisis, we need more information, not less. We understand there are laws governing what information can be released to the public. As purveyors of facts and relevant information, we recognize the challenges a huge state agency has in dissecting and disseminating an enormous volume of information. But during this global health crisis, where more than 100,000 people have died worldwide of COVID-19, we need more from the state health agency. A lot more. In Gadsden County, the number of COVID-19 positive residents has reached double ?gures. We know two person have tested positive at the Gadsden Correctional Facility, because the Florida Department of Corrections released that information. We know one person tested positive at Florida State Hospital, because the Florida Department of Children and Families released that information. We don't know, with certainty, what other businesses have COVID-19-positive employees, because the Florida Department of Health has refused to provide any other information. In fact, the Miami Herald is considering a lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis, forcing the ?rst-term politico to release the name of all elder-care facilities where someone has tested positive for COVID-19. The newspaper doesn't want the names of those who have tested positive; they simply want to know which facilities have had people test positive so informed readers who might have visited those facilities can reach out to their doctors or health departments to ensure they are tested for COVID-19. We asked the Florida Department of Health in Gadsden County for information about rumored cases in Gadsden County. We were referred to the COVID-19 dashboard, which wasn't very helpful. We wish we could provide you with more concrete information, but the health department is less than forthcoming. We don't blame the local health department for this lack of transparency. It starts at the top. And while we have often praised the governor for his interest in Gadsden County, especially through funding for Hurricane Michael relief and mental health awareness, we cannot praise our state's top elected leader for failing to provide needed information to Florida's residents. Information is empowering. We don't want a list of names of people who are infected with COVID-19. We do want to know where these hot spots in our community are, so that people in this community who have come in contact with potential COVID19-positive residents can be tested. We don't need statistics. We need substance.

GUEST COLUMN

Safety is important during

COVID-19 health crisis

B y now we are all aware of the health war we are all ?ghting against an invisible enemy called the coronavirus or COVID-19.

This airborne respiratory virus attacks the heart and lungs of healthy people and in some

cases may lead to death.

The State of Florida, Gadsden County and the city of Quincy have all issued legal Emergency Declarations for "Shelter In GLENN Place" and "Stay At SAPP Home." The purpose of this is to help prevent the spread of this deadly virus. Many of you are unsure what a stay-at-home order allows you to do, so here are some dos and don'ts for living under these legal orders. Some things that are allowed are: n Going to the pharmacy for medicine. n Going to the grocery store for food. n Going to check on the medical condition of a relative. n Limited amounts of exercise are allowed such as short walk, etc. n Stopping for gas for your car. n Traveling to and from work if you have an essential occupation such as a ?rst responder. However, if you are not doing one of these activities you should stay at home! While recent ?ndings have previously revealed that persons contracting this disease with pre-existing conditions

OPINIONS INVITED

n The opinions expressed in Gadsden County Times editorials are the opinions of the newspaper. n Viewpoints depicted in political cartoons, columns or letters do not necessarily represent the opinion of the editorial board. n Individuals are invited to express their opinions in a letter to the editor. n All letters must be signed and include a phone number, address and hometown, including letters sent via email at editor@. Phone numbers and street addresses will not be printed or given out. We reserve the right to edit letters for length, libel, fairness and good taste. n Letters to the editor must be no longer than 400 words, and writers will be limited to two letters per month.

such as diabetes, lupus and high blood pressure are at an increased risk for having severe effects, new ?ndings show that of those victims who die from this, African-Americans have died at an alarming percentage.

Gadsden County is under a curfew from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. This includes Quincy. For the past week, law enforcement has been somewhat lenient and only given curfew violators verbal warnings. That phase is ending and now you will ?nd that if you are caught out breaking the county curfew and it is discovered that you do not have a legitimate reason to be out, you may be criminally cited with a Notice To Appear for a misdemeanor offense and required to appear in court at a later date to

explain yourself. If you have family members

or relatives you know routinely "hang out" at neighborhood spots such as convenience stores or other public areas, please inform them of the changes and pending enforcement on these issues by law enforcement.

To avoid being cited and given a Notice To Appear, please cooperate with our state, county and city governments by staying at home as much as possible, and if you must go out, please do the following to prevent becoming infected with COVID-19:

n Wear a mask! n Covering your face (nose and mouth) has been proven to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 n Wash your hands with soap often and every time you come indoors. n Use hand sanitizer often to kill germs. n If you cough or sneeze, do so in the inner part of your elbow (not your hands). If you ?nd yourself sick with ?u-like symptoms, such as dif?culty breathing, coughing and a fever, do not go to your doctor's of?ce without calling them ?rst! Call ?rst and your doctor will give you instructions of what to do. Remember we are Quincy Strong, and if we work together and look out for one another and be good neighbors, then we will all get through this together! So, stay safe, stay home and God Bless.

Glenn H. Sapp is Quincy Police Department's chief. He can be reached at Gsapp@.

THE DIRT ROAD WONDER

I should have remembered Mama's advice

O ne of Mama's words of advice to me was to never be ?at broke. She said I should always have some jingle in my jeans when I went out just in case I had to use a pay phone to call home.

I should have paid more attention to this because I ended up in a real pickle without any money.

I had been at a band festival on the campus of the University of Tampa and was returning home on a Saturday afternoon. The last stop we made was at a Stucky's, which was known for its delicious candies. I knew I would soon be home, and it didn't matter if I splurged with the last of my spending money.

As it turned out it did mat-

ter.

When I got home, Mama

had left a note that they had

gone to Atlanta, and I was

to catch a bus from Havana

to Tallahassee

and stay with

my cous-

ins. She also

warned me not

to stay in that

house alone.

I was only 14

GWYNN PEACOCK

KIDD

years old, so she didn't have to worry about me doing that.

The other thing

she told me was that I was

going to the FSU game with

my cousins.

I had one big problem. I

didn't have any money for the

bus ticket. It was only about

$3, but that is a fortune if you are broke. I checked to see if any of the neighbors were home, so I could borrow it from them, and everyone was gone.

I decided to go on a treasure hunt and see if I could ?nd enough money in the house to buy my ticket. I emptied the penny jar ?rst. I know that bus agent must have loved having about 50 pennies.

Then, I looked through the desk drawers and found some more, and then I remembered Mama sometimes dropped change in the corner of one of her kitchen drawers. She must have paid the paper boy because there was very little there.

Then, I remembered that

sometimes you could ?nd money under the couch cushions, and I hit the jackpot. I found almost a dollar and that ?nished out my fare.

I called my uncle and he picked me up at the bus station in Tallahassee. I was excited about going to the game, but I have to admit one thing, I don't care anything about sports. I just loved going to see the band and all the other hoopla. This was back in the early 1950s and you could just walk up to the gate and buy a ticket. This was in the days before Bobby's Castle was built, and they still had bleachers in the end zone.

I embarrassed my family and friends at a football

game, and I think I will never live it down. I just got my words mixed up. We had gone to Greensboro to see a friend's son football game.

I tried to look real interested in the game like I knew what was going on, but I'm sure my mind must have been a million miles away. When Greensboro made a touchdown I shouted, "They made a home run!"

For some reason, they never invited me to another football game.

Keep on the sunny side during this terrible virus and pray for our nation. 'Til next time.

Gwynn Peacock Kidd can be reached at Gwynn0720@ .

WWW.

GADSDEN COUNTY TIMES

GUEST COLUMN

Spring balance

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020, PAGE 5

J ust after graduating from seminary, I learned about the death of a Southern Baptist minister who was known as Hee Haw's "Prime Minister of Humor."

It came as a shock. He lived in Louisville, where I attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and was a source of pride for the seminary from which he graduated and where he had also worked.

Grady Nutt wrote bestselling books, appeared on the Mike Douglas Show regularly, was a regular on Hee Haw, and toured the country sharing his humor and story-telling talent. He had been licensed as a Baptist minister at the age of 12 and liked to say he was popular in middle school because he could of?cially marry his classmates.

He was a delight to all who knew him. He died tragically at the age of 47 in an airplane accident in Cullman, Ala., after a speaking

engagement there. While the cause of the crash was never of?cially determined, fog and rain were contributing factors.

And while I certainly do not know the circumstances, what I remember think-

ing personally about this terrible loss years ago was about the ways in which we all sometimes feel invincible, like we can overCANDACE come the odds MCKIBBEN or that the odds do not apply to us. It is what some have felt about the coronavirus and the increasing restrictions that we are faced with in response to it. Even though I had written my blog last week about lessons we might learn from COVID-19, it did not register with me until recently that my own small church might not wish to meet in an abun-

dance of caution and good will.

We are creatures of habit and used to functioning rather independently in our spheres. The importance of considering all that we do, not simply from our own interest, but with the best interest of others constantly at the forefront, is a new pattern for many.

The Spring Equinox came to us earlier this year than it has since 1896, and we welcomed it. Arriving on March 19, it is the day of the year when the balance between night and day is the most equal. It is a wonderful metaphor for what we are living in these days when we need to balance between our own needs and the needs of others.

We welcome spring, the season associated with new life, beauty, and hope, as we are looking for balance and accepting a new normal in our lives, at least for the time being.

Some signs of spring and

hope, beyond the lovely dogwoods, azaleas, and daffodils, include the ways in which Second Harvest, Leon County Schools, and United Way are partnering to feed the children in our community during this time when they are out of school.

Their efforts along with those of congregations and concerned citizens in the Big Bend generate not only food for the children, but food for the spirits of those of us who long for some way to help. It balances personal needs and the needs of others.

A friend of mine shared with me words attributed to Kitty O'Meara that seem ?lled with the hope of spring. As we think of new life and growth in this season, her parable felt like a breath of fresh air.

"And the people stayed home. And read books, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated,

some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.

"And the people healed. And in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.

"And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed."

As we stay home, as we are ever mindful of the important balance between our own needs and those of others, may we heal in the warmth of spring.

The Rev. Candace McKibben is Big Bend Hospice's Director of Faith Outreach. To learn more about Big Bend Hospice, call 850-878-5310 or visit bigbendhospice. org for more information.

A live sporting event

is coming to your TV

Submitted photo

Fire?ghters and law enforcement ocers paid tribute to Nolan Haire, who recently died in a motorcycle crash in Tallahassee. Many of Haire's family members served in law enforcement or as ?re?ghters.

Nolan and the summers of 2014 and 2015

W hen I ?rst came to Quincy in 1969, one of the ?rst people I met

time without summer baseball. Joey Edwards and Andy Gay then approached me to start a

was Tommy Haire.

summer team, and here came

Tommy was a Quincy police- the Big Bend Bears.

man, and I always appreci-

Chipola College coach Jeff

ated the fact he made me feel

Johnson, who had played Post

welcome at a time when that

84 ball, helped us get started

wasn't an especially prevalent and let us use the Chipola

thing.

baseball ?eld for home games.

Tommy, a South Georgia guy, Then my,buddy, Harold Bailey,

along with most of all of

helped us get permission

Chief R.D. Edwards' crew,

to use Therrell Field in

seemed to always encour-

Chattahoochee for home

age and appreciate the

games.

recreation program. Take

Another old friend,

it from me, there were

Ryan Robinson, called

times I really needed that.

me and offered a set of

Tommy's wife, Peggy,

jerseys from a past team

worked at First Federal

he had had. And away we

Bank, which was across

JOE

went.

the street from City Hall. FEROLITO The jerseys were real

And I got to know and ap-

nice, a Texas Longhorn

preciate her when the bank be- color. Mixed with the appropri-

came my ?rst mortgage lender. ate cap, belt and socks, the

Little did I know at that time team actually looked pretty

how well the Haires and I would good. We were also lucky to ?nd

share other interests.

a coach in Chris Hutchinson, a

Their two boys, Scott and

real baseball guy, who was to

Randall, became ?xtures in the shape a bunch of area boys into

recreation department compet- a very respectful baseball team.

ing in programs from the time

At ?rst things didn't look

they were 6 though their early especially good, as I think we

teenage years.

lost out ?rst four games looking

The Haire boys and their

kind of hand-me-down like our

parents were what you looked uniforms. But Hutch got them

for in running a recreation

going, and for two years, they

program ? respectful, well

won something like 45 of the 60

mannered and very supportive. games they played.

They were a treat to serve.

Among players on those two

I had no way to know at that teams were Miles Edwards

time that treat would return in (Robert F. Munroe), Reed Long

years to come.

(Marianna), Hunter Jordan

The department had a sum- (Blountstown), Mica McCaskill

mer travel American Legion

(Liberty County), Adam De-

baseball team for almost all the Witt (Marianna), Isaac Madrid

30 years I was the director.

(Wewahitchka), Hayden Hurst

When I retired in 1998, I

(Marianna), Alex Gay (Robert F.

thought summer baseball was Munroe), Walker Roberts (Mari-

over for me. I went to work with anna), Bradley Klees (Munroe),

the health department as the

Hunter Jacobs (Liberty County),

anti-tobacco coordinator. With Will Harris (Robert F. Munroe),

encouragement from boss Jerry Jo Jo Durden (Liberty County),

Wynn, we started a SWAT (Stu- Tyler Colson (Marianna), Brad

dents Working Against Tobacco) Middleton (Marianna), Stephen

summer baseball team that

Miller (Robert F. Munroe) and

was part of our program the

Nolan Haire (Robert F. Munroe).

eight years I was there.

The players were all good

Another retirement, another high school players, and they

pretty well meshed together to be good summer ballplayers.

The strength was pitching with DeWitt, Haire and Roberts handling most of those chores.

In two years, those three probably got credit for 35 of the 45 wins. The three all pitched no-hitters during the span, with Haire actually pitching two, including a perfect game.

That game was played in Chattahoochee, against Albany Post 30, with McCaskill catching it.

Nolan was a lanky righthander who threw strikes. An aw shucks kid who liked to talk about ?shing, he reminded me of Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn. He was a young fellow with long, shaggy hair and a kind of constant mischievous smile on his face. No doubt, all boy.

You could look at him and tell he was a Haire. He looked just like his dad and granddad. And he had their traits: well mannered, respectful, with a sense of humor.

Nolan is no longer here. We lost him in a motorcycle crash two weeks back in his 22nd year.

I can't come up with words to tell his granddad, Tommy, grandmother, Peggy, dad, Scott, mom, Delores, sister, Megan, or any of his other family members how we all share their pain, or just how to really understand it all. It takes someone with a better knowledge and intellect than I've got.

My last summer ball years were 2014 and 2015. Each team was its own team.

I can tell the Haires, those last two summers were extra special because God once again let me have a connection with their family.

What a wonderful treat it was that Nolan was that connection!

Joe Ferolito is the former longtime director of Quincy's Parks and Recreation Department.

By JOE FEROLITO

Special to The Times

Get ready for a live

televised

sporting

event.

The NFL draft is

set for next Thursday

through Saturday on

ESPN, ESPN2, NFL

Network and ABC.

All seven rounds are

slated for live televi-

sion during the three

days, and the event

could well be one of the

most watched sporting

events ever due to the

captive audience that

has been created.

Right now, the Cin-

cinnati Bengals have

the ?rst pick and are

likely to choose Heis-

man Trophy winner

Joe Burrows of LSU

fame.

They might opt for

Ohio State defensive

end Chase Young or

trade that ?rst pick for

what would ?gure to

be a bunch of cash.

Anything could hap-

pen between now and

draft time.

Washington has the

second pick, and De-

troit the third. The Gi-

ants and Miami round

out the top ?ve picks.

Tau Tagovailoa (Alabama), Justin Herbert (Oregon), Jalen Hurt (Oklahoma) and Jordan Love (Nevada) are other top quarterbacks in the draft.

With the stoppage of live sports, this year's draft has been the most discussed ever.

The airwaves will continue to be ?lled with that discussion this next week.

And I'll bet Vegas has a line on all the choices up and running. The gamblers might have one of their biggest weeks ever. That's how much people are ready to get live sports started again.

The Gadsden County Times

112 E. Washington St. Quincy, FL 32351-2415

AND CONTINUING THE CHATTAHOOCHEE TRIBUNE (USPS 212?720) ? ESTABLISHED 1901

Editor Scott J. Bryan, editor@

Legals/Classi?ed/Of?ce Manager: LaFoya Bell, lbell@ Toll free classi?ed ad contact: 877-676-1403

Circulation: 877-401-6408

Telephone: 850-627-7649 Fax: 850-627-7191

Web:

Published weekly every Thursday by

The Gadsden County Times.

Periodical Postage paid at Quincy, FL 32351

Mailing address:

112 E. Washington St.,Quincy, FL 32351-2415

Copyright 2020 by the Gadsden County Times.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is pro-

hibited without written permission from the publisher. Sub-

scription rates, 50 cents per copy

Yearly EZ Pay Yearly

In County

$37.99

$32.99

In State

$52.99

$47.99

Out of State

$62.99

$57.99

Online Only

$37.99

$32.99

Advertising rates available upon request. POSTMASTER:

Send address changes to the Gadsden County Times, 112 E.

Washington St., Quincy, FL 32351-2415.

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download