At Monday’s regular county commission meeting, Commissioner Johnny Wayne Jowers was named chairman of the commission. Commissioner Jimmy Kitchens handed the gavel over to Jowers at the beginning of the meeting. The county officers for 2016 were also appointed at the meeting. Commissioner Oscar Paulk is serving as Vice Chairman; JoAnn Metts is the county clerk; Princess Lewis is the deputy clerk; Tony Rowell is the county attorney; Don Stokes is the road superintendent; Wendell Troupe is assistant road superintendent; and Hurst and Hurst is the county auditor.
Sadie’s House is a local center for children and families in crisis, and a representative for the center updated the commission on the progress being made in recent months. “We are making leaps and bounds in Coffee County,” said the Sadie’s House representative Kara Williford. Though many people are not aware of the services Sadie’s House provides, they have been able to assist 25 children in 2015. Located on 617 East Ward Street in Douglas, Sadie’s House can bring in SANE nurses to perform forensic testing and bloodwork on assault victims, provide assistance to families in need, and help strengthen local families. They have been recently accredited by the National Kid Alliance and is one of the 39 Child Advocacy Centers of Georgia. Goals for the center include funding for therapists to help children cope with crisis and abuse, an alliance with the local Boys and Girls Club of Coffee County, and provide education to children and families. Sadie’s House recently held a Christmas party for the children and families they assist, families that would not have been able to celebrate otherwise. Miss Williford thanked Coffee County and the community for assistance and support, and hopes that more families that are in need will reach out as more people learn of their services.
State Rep. Dominic LaRiccia opened the meeting with invocation after first encouraging citizens to attend the ongoing Rend Our Hearts revival. He said that this revival is an “awakening of God’s people who have fallen asleep,” not just a tent set up in a parking lot preaching hellfire. Faithful Christians of all denominations, colors, and walks of life attended the first night of the revival on Sunday. Each night from Jan. 4-8, services and sermons will be presented by different pastors and preachers from throughout the community. LaRiccia also thanked Superintendent Dr. Morris Leis and the Coffee County Board of Education for allowing the revival to take place at the Coffee County Middle School auditorium.
Districts 2 and 4 of Coffee County offered candidate submissions for the Coffee Regional Medical Center Authority. Each district submitted three names for consideration of the positions on the board. District 2 submissions are Ashley Gillis, John Lott, and Scott Miller. For District 4, Russ Story, Naomi Williams, and Willie Marshall were submitted for consideration. At large candidates are Rom Smith, Wade Tanner, and Wade Hughes. These candidates will be interviewed by the Hospital Authority, which will choose one individual from each district to serve on the board.