A Labor Of Love

A Labor Of Love

Many of you know Dr. Mike Moon as the lead researcher for the Cemetery Research Group of Henry County. Some of you may know of his work in the field of science in the U.S. Air Force Space Command. And you may know him as a Pastor of the Gospel. I know him as Cousin Mike. Of the many Ph Ds he holds one of them is in history. Mike loves history of all kinds and he worked with some of the best people in the world in the field of Civil War history in Georgia. As a teen many years ago he worked with Mrs. Vessie Thrasher Rainer who wrote the “Mother of Counties Book” in 1970-1971. She told him that one day someone would have to add to the book as time went on. And so for the past few years Mike has been gathering information and putting it all together. For the past few Months he has put together history books for all four cities in Henry County and one for the County as well. All told he has put together over 1,200 pages of history. Mike has done this as he has said “It’s a labor of love” for the County the Cities and the people that make up the community.

And when Mike says it’s a labor of love, it is. Mike has done all this work as he fights for his life. He has Lupus and has had 5-6 blood clots in his lungs and many in his legs. His heart is failing and he is fighting cancer all at the same time. How many people you know could do all that work and with a smile on his face. Due to his health Mike chose to present the books to the largest City in Henry County by population Stockbridge in person at a City Council Meeting. And to the County as a whole at the October Board of Commissioners Meeting. The other Cities he mailed them their histories.

Below you will see a few photos and links to two videos. I hope you will take the time and watch them and see what inspires a lot of people including myself.

Alfred Britt.

Dr. Moon And County Commissioners.

Dr. Moon And Stockbridge City Council

Henry County video

















Stockbridge Video

The Truth About Panthers In Henry County

Over the years it has been a known fact that animals migrate through Henry County to the south in the Fall and to the north in the Spring.  The panther is one of those animals. They are dark brown and some are tan in color.  They follow the water ways to the south.  Many of them will stray away from those paths in search of food.

Most of these animals are nocturnal and will be seen just after sunrise and just before sundown.  In 1977, a panther got upon my neighbors car in Stockbridge.  The sheriff’s deputy had to chase the panther from the car.  The only reason a person is allowed to shoot an animal such as this is if it is endangering your life, your child, or animals on your property.  These cats are endangered species.

Think about this: Panther Creek in Northern Henry County was named that for a reason.  Just as Panthersville was named for a panther in south DeKalb County.  At one time there were more of these large cats than today because of man and his growth in the area.

If you see one make sure to call and identify where it was seen.  Keep in mind that they usually will run from you just as you will from them. 

The Staff Henry County Community News Blog

Great History At Risk

Governor Deal announced that the State of Georgia is proceeding on the nearly $700 million port of Savannah project.  The plan is to make the port larger to accept the 1200 ft. tankers that will be able to pass the Panama Canal soon.  One part of this is the CSS Georgia.  The Civil War warship that guarded the Savannah River and Fort Jackson.  The wreck was found in 1968 and has been marked so dredging would not harm it.  The CSS Georgia is now complicating the $653 billion project further, as the project will have to become a fullscale, $42 million underwater archeological dig before massive dredgers can begin deepening the port.
Built with money raised from a local women’s club, the CSS Georgia became a testament to the South’s industrial weakness compared to the North – its steam engines were too weak to push the prow through the river’s current. Meanwhile, it was the approach of an icon of that industrial superiority – General William Tecumseh Sherman – that caused Confederates to quickly scuttle and sink the CSS Georgia upon the Union Army’s approach.
By its ignominious end, the Georgia had become a floating cannon platform on the river. It never fired a shot in battle.
Broken into pieces on a bottom littered with cannonade, the Georgia remains an important part of Southern history, even as it remains classified in Washington as a captured enemy boat.
Part of the ship was raised in November 2013, but a good bit of the ship remains to be salvaged.  This is a vital piece of Georgia’s history from the Savannah area that must be preserved.

Deal said that the project will likely begin late next year.  This project is going to take some years to complete.  Much of the warehouse space waiting in Henry County will have to be refurbished before anyone moves in.  And another part of the mix is what will be in those 1200 ft tankers.  Container ships are freighters not tankers.  So, does this mean that oil will be off loaded at Savannah?  If so a large area of tanks will have to be built in the area for the crude if that is the case.  At least our children and their children can look forward to this future task.

In the meantime, underwater archaeologists will have their hands full recovering the CSS Georgia.  It might even take more than $42 million to complete the project.

The Staff of the Henry County Community News Blog
 

Yearly 5% Rate Hike On Your Water Bill On It's Way

Something to remember for everyone who lives in Henry County and that is our water prices will be going up 5% in November.  Every year now for some time the Henry County Water and Sewerage Authority has raised automatically our water rates by 5% each year.  Why do the rates have to continue at this rate?  For example: If you are paying currently $40 a month it will go up $2.  Now that doesn’t sound like a lot, but in time that is a good deal of money especially when there are about 50,000 residential customers in the county alone.  At this rate the HCWSA is getting a larger increase than those who are retired and disabled in the county.  The COLA is seriously lagging for those people and even for those who are still working.  Many of them have not had a raise in years.  And that includes many workers for the county and the hospital.  Yet that steady 5% increase is there for the HCWSA and no one challenges that increase.  Maybe the county should take another look at the policies of that department that has taken own its own governmental base.  Water is an essential part of life. If you don’t have water in your body you will die.  That is why the county should see that the people are not unjustly treated for the price of that water.  If you cannot afford it they turn your water off.  And then that will put a sentence of death upon the person they have cut off especially if they have lost a job and cannot afford it.  No part of government should have the right to decide who lives and dies because of the lack of water.  Keep that in mind the next time you go to the polls to vote.


Update We have learned that the Water Authority Board Suspended the 5% increase for this year.

The Staff at the Henry County Community News.

Stockbridge Councilman Steinberg Resigns His Seat

Councilman Richard Steinberg who had been charged and was to have a hearing before the Stockbridge City Council that would likely lead to his removal has resigned.  He announced his resignation at the end of the City Council Meeting of October 13, 2014.  In the written resignation he said it would become effective at 8:45am on October 14th. That is 15 minutes before the hearing to remove him from office was to take place.  Apparently, he felt that it would be better for all concerned if he resigned his seat on the Council.  Mr. Steinberg ran on the platform that he was the voice of the people.  He hasn’t been that voice since his swearing ceremony in January 2012.  He and the council seated that year had the former mayor removed from office during a long hearing into his case and he was removed from office in December 2012.  Councilman Steinberg had been caught giving information to the former DDA leadership of information that was in executive session on a court proceeding between the city and the DDA.  The Henry Daily Herald reported on the matter as they found the emails between Steinberg and J.T. Williams.

The Staff of the Henry County Community News Blog

Southlake Mall Says No To Legal Firearms On Property

Hello there at the Henry Community News.  I read today where South Lake Mall has been bought by a holding company who is in the process of refurbishing the mall.  They said they will deal with crime with a new set of rules.  One of those rules being you cannot bring a firearm on the premises.  That is so un-American.  Against the second Amendment and just plain egregious.  They don’t understand that the criminals will not pay that any attention and will give them an incentive to bring arms to rob and harm people in the mall and in the parking lot.  The crime figures for that general area are horrible.  The only people who will gain from this would be the criminal because they would know there is no one there to fight back.  I haven’t taken my wife to that mall in over 25 years and it will be in another 25 or more that we will not patronize that feeding ground for crime.  There is word also that they want to build a domed stadium next to the mall where the old towne was to be a hit.  The citizens got screwed on that one.  Even McDonough who has an old home that is there that was once on Griffin Street.  That will only draw more problems for a beleaguered community.

Josh Hayes

The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following a link on this site.  Any article sent by citizens are their own property.

Know Your Rights to Peaceful Protest

“Know Your Rights to Peaceful Protest”

The right to join with fellow citizens in protest or peaceful assembly is critical to a real democracy. But it is also very true that governments and police can violate this right.  They use mass arrests, illegal use of force, criminalization of protest, and other means intended to thwart free public expression a clear violation of the Constitution of the United States.
Standing up for your right to protest can be challenging, especially when demonstrations are met with violence from the police. But knowing your rights is the most powerful weapon you have against police abuse. Read on to learn what you need to know before heading out to exercise your constitutionally protected right to protest and free assembly.

    1.      The First Amendment prohibits restrictions based on the content of speech. Police and government officials are allowed to place certain narrowly drawn "time, place and manner" restrictions on the exercise of First Amendment rights as long as they are clearly posted and not made up as they go along.
    2.      All types of expression are constitutionally protected in traditional "public forums" such as streets, sidewalks, and parks.
    3.      The general rule for private property is that the owners of private property can set rules for speech on that property. If you disobey the property owner's rules, they can order you off.
    4.      If marchers stay on the sidewalks and obey traffic and pedestrian signals, their activity is constitutionally protected even without a permit. Marchers may be required to allow enough space on the sidewalk for normal pedestrian traffic and may not maliciously obstruct or detain passers-by.
    5.      You may approach pedestrians on public sidewalks with leaflets, newspapers, petitions, and solicitations for donations without a permit.
    6.      Picketting is permitted as this is also an activity for which a permit is not required. However, picketing must be done in an orderly, non-disruptive fashion so that pedestrians can pass by and entrances to buildings are not blocked.
    7.      If Stopped by Police Don't argue, resist, or obstruct the police, even if you are innocent or you believe that the police are violating your rights. In some states, you must give your name if asked to identify yourself, but you do not have to provide an ID or other paperwork. Make sure to keep your hands where police can see them. Point out that you are not disrupting anyone else's activity and that the First Amendment protects your actions. Ask if you are free to leave. If the officer says yes, calmly and silently walk away.
    8.      Do not resist arrest, even if you believe the arrest is unfair. If you are under arrest, you have a right to ask why. Otherwise, say you wish to remain silent and ask for a lawyer immediately. Don't give any explanations or excuses. Don't say anything, sign anything, or make any decisions without a lawyer. You have the right to make a local phone call, and if you're calling your lawyer, police are not allowed to listen.
    9.      You never have to consent to a search of yourself or your belongings. Police may "pat down" your clothing if they suspect you have a weapon, and may search you after an arrest.
    10. Remember: the street is not the place to challenge police misconduct. Don't physically resist officers or threaten to file a complaint. As soon as you can, write down everything you remember, including officers' badge and patrol car numbers, which agency the officers were from, and any other details. Get contact information for witnesses. If you are injured, take photographs of your injuries (but seek medical attention first). Once you have this information, you can file a written complaint with the agency's internal affairs division or civilian complaint board; in many cases, you can file a complaint anonymously if you wish. You can also seek the assistance of an attorney or the ACLU.
    11. When you are lawfully present in any public space, you have the right to photograph anything that is in plain view. That includes pictures of federal buildings, transportation facilities, and the police. When you are on private property, the property owner may set rules about the taking of photographs or video. Police officers may not confiscate or demand to view your digital photographs or video without a warrant, nor may they not delete your photographs or video under any circumstances. However, they may legitimately order citizens to cease activities that are truly interfering with legitimate law enforcement operations.

The Staff of The Henry County Community News Blog

Stockbridge Georgia has lost one of its great citizens

Stockbridge Georgia has lost one of its great citizens in Mr. Hans Broder, Sr.  The following is the obituary of this passing.  I am my wife Linda send our sympathy to the family at this time.

Hans Melchior Broder, Sr, age 94, of Stockbridge, joined his beloved wife, Margrit Maria Ackermann on Monday, October 6, 2014. A celebration of his life with a Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 13, 2014, at St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Jonesboro at 10:30 am, with Father John A. Koziol serving as celebrant, with a reception and meal to follow in the church hall. Interment will follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Stockbridge at approximately at 1:30 pm

In 1919, Hans was born in Sargans, Switzerland, and there met the love of his life Margrit, (married 1946). Hans received an Ingenieur Agronom Degree from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich in 1946 and was a vocational agricultural professer. He held the rank of Oberluetnant in the Swiss Army Artillery Corps. He and Margrit had three children before moving to Stockbridge, GA to dairy farm in 1951. Once in the US, they had five more children. His life was filled with hard work and love, devotion to his family and his community were unspoken truths. He and his wife together left a legacy with many organizations as founding members of the Swiss-America Society of Atlanta, long-standing members of the Henry County Farm Bureau and founding members of the St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Jonesboro.

He is survived by his sister, Paulina Grueninger of Bernek, Swizerland, brother, Josef L. Broder of Sargans, Switzerland, children: Hans M. and Lyndy Lynberg Broder of Stockbridge, GA, Dr. Josef M. and Diane Brownlee Broder of Bishop, GA, Michael F. and Jacueline Dale Broder of Florence, AL, Charles U. and Susan Krupavickas Broder of Stockbridge, GA, Patrick W. and Sandra Cole Broder of Stockbridge, GA, Peter C. and Margaret Stuckel Broder of St. Louis, MO, and Peter and Angela Broder Nemeth of Dubai, UAE, son-in-law, Kirk and Sheila Scruggs of Huntsville, AL.

He was preceded in death by Margrit Maria Ackermann his wife of 57 years and daughter, Margrit Broder Scruggs.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church, 591 Flint River Road, Jonesboro, GA or to the Hans and Margrit Broder Educational Enrichment Fund in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia, 706-542-3390. Condolences may be offered at www.HorisAWardFairviewChapel.com. Horis A. Ward Funeral Home - Fairview Chapel, (770) 474-1231.

Henry County Is Not South Atlanta

Streets that make up the South Atlanta area are as follows:

Highways in this neighborhood:
State Rte 54 (Jonesboro Rd SE)
Length: 0.79 miles
Directions: N-S, SE-NW
Address range: 1200 to 1630
Roads and streets:
Lansing St SE
Length: 0.57 miles
Directions: N-S, SE-NW
Address range: 1356 to 1619
Crogman St SE
Length: 0.48 miles
Directions: E-W, N-S, SE-NW
Address range: 1400 to 1699
Murray St SE
Length: 0.37 miles
Direction: N-S
Address range: 1406 to 1569
Meldon Ave SE
Length: 0.35 miles
Direction: E-W
Address range: 1 to 81
Park Ave SE
Length: 0.33 miles
Direction: E-W
Address range: 1 to 127
Moury Ave SE
Length: 0.31 miles
Direction: E-W
Address range: 1 to 87
Brown Ave SE
Length: 0.29 miles
Direction: E-W
Address range: 37 to 199
Bowen Ave SE
Length: 0.28 miles
Direction: E-W
Address range: 1 to 205
Turman Ave SE
Length: 0.27 miles
Direction: E-W
Address range: 1 to 199
Thirkeld Ave SE
Length: 0.26 miles
Direction: E-W
Address range: 37 to 151
Hardwick St SE
Length: 0.25 miles
Directions: N-S, SW-NE
Address range: 1 to 99
Thayer Ave SE
Length: 0.24 miles
Direction: E-W
Address range: 32 to 199
Bisbee Ave SE
Length: 0.21 miles
Direction: E-W
Address range: 25 to 199
Dorothy St SE
Length: 0.18 miles
Direction: E-W
Address range: 1 to 57
Burton St SE
Length: 0.14 miles
Directions: N-S, SE-NW
Address range: 1588 to 1699
Lethea St SE
Length: 0.11 miles
Direction: SW-NE
Address range: 1 to 9
Bird St SE
Length: 0.08 miles
Direction: N-S
Address range: 1600 to 1699
Martin Ave SE
Length: 0.07 miles
Direction: E-W
Address range: 82 to 109
Gammon St SE
Length: 0.06 miles
Direction: E-W
Address range: 68 to 99
Lakewood Ave SE
Length: 0.01 miles
Direction: N-S

Percentage of population below poverty level:
South Atlanta:
       
49.0%
   
Atlanta:
       
26.2%
   

Median year owner moved in (as recorded in 2010):
South Atlanta:
       
2005
   
Atlanta:
       
2003
   

Median year renter moved in (as recorded in 2010):
South Atlanta:
       
2005
   
Atlanta:
       
2005
   

Percentage of married-couple families with both working:
South Atlanta:
       
75.8%
   
Atlanta:
       
57.9%
   


There has been a lot of talk as of late of wanting to call the Southern Crescent of counties and municipalities as part of what they are calling South Atlanta.  The true South Atlanta area is north of Hapeville and East Point.  The above streets are the streets that mark South Atlanta.  Above are some statistics for South Atlanta next to Atlanta.  People have moved to Fayette, Clayton, Henry, Rockdale, Newton, Butts and Spalding counties to get away from Atlanta.  These people who came here over the past 2 decades don’t want to be associated with the name Atlanta and would rather not be a part of the ARC.  There is a division of Central Georgia known as Three Rivers that would be more suitable for our area.
Remember you and the rest of the people in Henry County do not live in South Atlanta.  It is 20 miles from Stockbridge to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.  Then another 4 miles to the southern end of South Atlanta.  That is not next door.  For years Atlanta has tried to claim much in our area such as the raceway in Hampton, Lion Country when it existed, other various entities they have tried to connect to Atlanta.  Just concentrate on making Henry County a fine place to live and not some bordello infested haven that will ruin our young people.  Keep your sights on making Henry County a good home for anyone and without have a connotation of being connected to Atlanta.
The Staff of the Henry County Community News.