Some final harrumphs on Trump’s grumps
♦ The agency also finished a makeover of its fire tower and will start on a burn building.
My column suggesting to Republicans that, like it or not, the presidential elections are over and for those crying ‘foul’ they might want to take out their anger on the Democrats and not each other brought some interesting and some predictable responses.
There was, of course, the “Fergit, Hell,” group who think they can garner enough support among Georgia voters to defeat Gov. Brian Kemp, Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in 2022 for not backing Donald Trump’s claims that the election results in Georgia were rigged. They still don’t get it.
In their fantasy world, they will somehow get the Republican incumbents defeated and a new crowd in place and will prevent Democrat Stacey Abrams from waltzing into the governor’s office. Not going to happen. Write it down.
Don’t forget that Republican incumbent David Perdue and his cohort Kelly Loeffler were all-in for Trump and both lost their seats in the U.S. Senate to a couple of political neophytes, Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, which guarantees that Democrats not only have the White House but both houses of Congress, as well. How did that work out for you?
I have received a number of responses from conservatives – some names that might be recognizable to some of you – who agree that it is time to move on. They are worried that the Trump devotees in their quest for revenge are going to severely hurt the Republican Party and that the damage will be long lasting. Some say their vote in the last election was more a vote against Hillary Clinton than a vote for Donald Trump.
The Republican Party is bigger than Donald Trump. His zealots are standing on the shoulders of a group of visionaries who built the Republican Party in Georgia when the torch-and-pitchfork crowd were a gleam in their daddy’s eye. People like Bob Shaw, the nonagenarian who was around when Republicans could have held their conventions in a phone book; former U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson and Mack Mattingly; the late Sen. Paul Coverdell; former U.S. Rep. Bo Calloway and former State Reps. Rodney Cook and Kil Townsend, among others.
They were compassionate conservatives who offered a responsible alternative to a left-leaning Democratic Party certainly before Donald Trump came along and before he was doling out money to Democrats like Chuck Schumer and John Kerry and Hillary Clinton. Not to mention $6,000 to current Vice President Kamala Harris in her race for California attorney general ($5,000 in 2011 and $1,000 in 2013.)
For those who have tried to rationalize the actions of the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol last month or who support some paramilitary group flexing their muscles and talking jive talk about taking matters into their own hands because they disagree with the outcome of the presidential election, please do not use the word “patriot” with me when describing yourselves as though you are and the rest of us are not.
Webster’s Dictionary defines a patriot as “one who loves his country and supports its authority and interests.” You may claim you love your country but only if it operates by your authority and in your interests. Quit throwing the term around until it loses its real meaning.
By the way, I am still trying to figure out why some of the self-styled patriots showed up that day in Washington waving Confederate flags. Correct me if I am wrong, but that war ended 156 years ago this coming April and the final score was 1-0. Our side lost. What is your point?
Most disheartening to me are the letters I have gotten from readers so frustrated with how things turned out in November that they say they are not going to vote in the future.
They have lost faith in the system. I hope that is not the case.
It is critical that our legislators closely examine our current election laws and come up with solutions that will give us faith that our vote truly counts.
At another time of crisis in our country, Abraham Lincoln said, “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”
It is time to get this election over with and to once again find the better angels of our nature. It is time to move on.
WEDNESDAY
The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive from 3 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1941 Shorter Ave. To schedule an appointment please go to WWW. REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG and enter code: WPC. The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet & plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies.
THURSDAY
The Rome Chapter of The Compassionate Friends will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at Life Church, 19 John Davenport Drive. This is a support group for those who have lost their child, grandchild or sibling. For more information call Deeann at 706-936-9021 or Sandra at 706-506-6108.
The Animal Rescue Foundation of Rome/ Floyd will hold its annual Spayghetti dinner fundraiser from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 at the Rome Senior Center on Riverside Parkway. Cost: $15 per person, $25 per couple, $5 ages 3-10. Tickets available at Peggy’s Backyard, Wet Petz, Sue’s Barber Shop and at the door. Social distancing will be observed.
UPCOMING
Keep Rome-floyd Beautiful will celebrate Arbor Day with a public event set for 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at Tolbert Park, 300 Charlton St. For more information visit Keepromefloydbeautiful.org.
TRED is celebrating the GE Trails 4th birthday with a casual trail walk at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at Garrard Park, 1935 Redmond Circle. Java Joy coffee, cupcakes and snacks will be served. The event is free but donations will be accepted. For more information, contact Julie at 706-844-8509.
The NWGA Center for Independent Living will present a free Zoom class, on how they can help people with disabilities, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb 25. Attendees will be entered to win a Visa gift card. Email Christina Holtzclaw at choltzclaw@ nwgacil.org for the meeting link or call 706-314-0008 for more information.
The Friends of the Library Silent Auction is accepting bids through March 1 at 4 p.m. There are five showcases at the library, 205 Riverside Parkway, with a special focus on history books and memorabilia. For a complete list, check the library website.
ONGOING
The Alanon support group meets at Westminster Church, 1941 Shorter Ave., at noon each Wednesday. Everyone is invited to come.
The Our Lady of the Three Rivers Chapter of the Society of Mary meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, 42 Ash St. For more information call 706-506-1241.
VFW Post 4911 at 2632 Cedartown Highway hosts Bingo every Friday night. You do not have to be a member to play. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., the kitchen opens at 6 p.m., and the games begin at 7:30 p.m. Cash prizes.
The NWGA Center for Independent Living holds
COVID-19 Peer Support call every Monday at 2 p.m. via the Zoom website and by phone. For the link and password, or if you need assistance, contact Christina Holtzclaw at 628-246-1825 or choltzclaw@nwgacil.org.
American Legion Post 136 from Lindale meets the fourth Monday of the month at 6 p.m. in the VFW post at 2642 Cedartown Highway. Masks are required.
DAV Chapter 95 meets the fourth Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at VFW Post 4911 on Cedartown Highway. Face masks are required. For more information or assistance in filing VA claims, contact Chapter Commander Art Cook at 334-208-2736.
Pisgah Baptist Church,
5603 Alabama Highway, has Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. and Sunday worship at 10:50 a.m. On Wednesdays they offer 8:30 a.m. prayers and 7 p.m. Bible study and a youth meeting.
Bush Arbor Baptist Church, 3290 Black’s Bluff Road, holds Sunday School at 10 a.m., worship service at 11 a.m. and evening services at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Bible study is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. For more information, visit their Facebook page or call 770-885-0779.
St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, 42 Ash St., meets for Holy Communion Sundays
at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome. A nursery is provided. For more information call 706-506-1241.
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
offers Sunday worship at 10 a.m. broadcast on WLAQ radio station as well as Youtube live streaming. Celtic Service is available on St. Peter’s Facebook at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday. For more information, contact the church office at 706-2919111 or visit stpetersrome.org.
Covenant Presbyterian Church (EPC),
1645 Cartersville Highway in Rome, holds Sunday School at 10 a.m. followed by an 11 a.m. traditional communion worship service. Social distancing practiced, masks recommended but not required. For further information, visit Covenantrome.org or call 706-767-8373.
Rome-floyd County Fire Chief Troy Brock is crediting a 2020 mid-year pay plan upgrade for the large number of experienced firefighters who have applied to fill vacancies.
The department got 31 applications, including 13 state certified firefighters along with three others who are certified in Utah, Florida and Texas.
“We are currently six short in the department, but one of those is an education position that I have on hold because we are not in the schools currently,” Brock said.
The chief told members of the Rome-floyd Fire Overview Committee that he expects to fill the five slots with certified applicants. They will still have a brief, three-week rookie school to go through, but they will not have to go through the normal 12-week course.
Deputy Fire Chief Curt Pierson also reported that the department has completed a major training tower renovation funded through the 2017 special purpose, local option sales tax package.
“It’s better than new,” Pierson said. “We are currently waiting on ground work for our burn building.”
The facility will let firefighters train under simulated or controlled fire and smoke conditions. It will be built next to the fire tower at the training center off North Avenue. Construction is expected to start sometime in March.
Plans are also getting underway for a new maintenance shop, funded by a $1.4 million earmark in the 2017 SPLOST. Pierson said that Station Eight in Armuchee also will get an upgrade this year. He is discussions with the New Armuchee Baptist Church to house staff during the renovations.
“We’re looking, probably, at about a 60-day period,” Pierson said.
Deputy Chief Brad Roberson told the panel that a contract has been awarded for a new tanker truck, which is also funded with SPLOST dollars. Specifications also are being developed for another new fire engine. Roberson said that would take 13 to 14 months to build.
Brock concluded the session by reminding the committee that the joint Georgia State Firefighters/fire Chiefs Conference is scheduled to be held in Rome Sept. 7-11. The conference will include a big 9/11 memorial as part of the closing ceremonies.