LOOKING BACK: TOP STORIES OF 2022 IN CATOOSA, WALKER
As 2023 begins, we take a look back at the top stories of 2022 in Catoosa and Walker counties, from Gov. Brian Kemp’s visit to Roper Corp. in LaFayette last January, to the go-ahead in December for a new hospital. What follows are summaries of the CatoosaWalker area’s top news stories arranged in chronological order:
GOVERNOR VISITS ROPER CORP. TO CELEBRATE EXPANSION
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, speaking Jan. 7 during a visit to Roper Corp. in Lafayette, commended Georgians for not being “too scared to work” during the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor and several state and local officials were on hand to celebrate recent announcement that GE Appliances, Roper’s parent company, would invest $118 million to boost production capacity, advance manufacturing technology and add more than 600 jobs at the range manufacturer. The expansion is scheduled to be completed in 2024.
“Protecting livelihoods meant just as much as protecting lives” during the pandemic, Kemp said, adding that his administration wanted to make sure the state’s current and future workforce will have economic opportunity and prosperity.
He asserted that “this great victory” happened because state government allowed manufacturers to control their own destinies, rather than taking a topdown approach and shutting them down during the pandemic, he said.
SEN. JEFF MULLIS ANNOUNCES HE WON’T SEEK REELECTION
Republican state Sen. Jeff Mullis of Chickamauga, who had served more than two decades, announced Monday, March 7, that he would not seek reelection.
“Serving the hardworking people of Northwest Georgia for the previous 22 years in the state Senate has been one of the greatest privileges of my life,” Mullis said. “My
goal has always been to represent my fellow Georgians in an effective way and I’m proud to say we have accomplished a multitude of great things together”.
The veteran senator represented Georgia Senate District 53, which includes Catoosa and Walker counties. He was chairman of the Senate Rules Committee.
“During these 22 years,” Mullis said, “we have defended faith by passing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, defended life by passing the Heartbeat Bill, protected the 2nd Amendment with Constitutional Carry and Campus Carry, cut taxes so that people keep more of what they earn, and seen Georgia solidify itself as the best state in the country to do business.
NEW CATOOSA COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT SWORN IN
Chance Nix was sworn in Thursday, March 31, as Catoosa County Public Schools’ new superintendent.
Employees in the district’s central office gathered for a brunch to say goodbye to Denia Reese, retiring superintendent, and to welcome Nix to his new position. He was joined for the swearingin ceremony by his wife Heather and
his daughters Hailey and Savannah.
The county Board of Education voted unanimously on Nov. 18 to approve the appointment of Nix as superintendent of Schools. He officially began as superintendent on Friday, April 1.
Nix had worked in Catoosa County Public Schools since 2006. In 2006, he was employed as a deputy with the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office, and he worked at Lakeview-fort Oglethorpe High School as a school resource officer. In 2008, he was hired to teach public safety at Heritage High School. In 2014, he became assistant principal at West Side Elementary School, then moved back to LFO High School as assistant principal in 2015. Nix became principal of LFO High School in 2017, and he had continued to serve in that position.
Nix thanked the board members in attendance for the opportunity to serve as superintendent.
“I am honored that the Board of Education selected me as superintendent,” Nix said. “I am committed to continuing the tradition of excellence they have established. I am looking forward to an