Local News
2007-2008 Muscogee County School District’s Fall Kickoff Builds Up Educators!
Columbus, GA -- Shown are employees of Muscogee County School District leaving
the Civic Center after an enthusiastic kick off.
By Gloria Lewis
The Columbus Times
Hundreds of teachers, representing the over sixty schools in Muscogee County, arrived at the Columbus Civic Center for their annual meeting recently. The “2007-2008 Fall Kickoff,” sponsored by the Muscogee County School District (MCSD) – allows the teachers from all over the county to come together, focus, and maybe even smile, a little, as they anticipate the year ahead. They come in t-shirts with varying colors representing their particular school. The great responsibility they encounter in taking care of our youths, often times listening to their problems although they may not be able to solve them. They anticipate being able to reach one more they may have been missed the year before. Dr. John A. Phillips Jr., Superintendent of Education, provided the welcome. Kendrick High School’s JROTC posted the colors under the direction of Major Johnny Smith. Hardaway High School’s Band provided the music under the direction of Ms. Miranda Bass. The “National Anthem” and “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child” were sung by the Northside High Singers under the direction of Ms. Janet Maple. Reverend Gerald B. Goodman, St. Mary’s Road United Methodist Church, gave the invocation.
Mr. James Walker - MCSD Board, Chairman, greeted everyone, and introduced Dr.
David Rock – Dean of the School of Education at Columbus State University, who
gave the special message for the day. He encouraged the teachers for this
upcoming school year. The new communication director, Ms. Valerie Fuller, made
herself known to the teachers and principals. Dr. John A. Phillips, Jr. gave
closing remarks. Kendrick High School’s JROTC retired their colors.
The Urban League Celebrates the 13th Annual Equal Opportunity Day Dinner
The Jessie J. Taylor Membership Award was given to Ms. Pearl King on behalf of
SunTrust Bank in honor of the late Mr. Taylor, by Mr. Pugh.
Story by Gloria Richards-Lewis, The Columbus Times
Columbus, GA -- The Urban League reaches out to the community all during the
year, and on then second Thursday in July, they host their annual fundraiser and
also appreciate individuals in the community who stand tall. On July 13th, 2007
The Urban League of Greater Columbus’ dinner began at 7:00 P.M. at the Columbus
Convention and Trade Center on 900 Front Avenue in Columbus, Georgia.
Miss Teresa Whitaker – News Anchor for WRBL-TV3 of Columbus, Georgia made
everyone fell comfortable with warm opening remarks while also serving as the
Mistress of Ceremony. Reverend Wayne Baker from Spirit Filled Ministries
provided us with the Invocation, wherewith he blessed the food, then everyone
could dine until their hearts were content. Welcomes were given by Mayor Jim
Wetherington of Columbus, Georgia; Colonel Michael Coss of 192nd Infantry
Brigade Commander of Fort Benning, Georgia; Honorable Judge Michael Bellamy of
Phenix City, Alabama; and Miss Susan Cooper, Chair of the Urban League of
Greater Columbus, Inc. Board of Directors. They shared information about whom
they serve and how the citizens of Columbus are impacted as a result. Mr. Devin
Johnson received to a standing ovation after singing “Amazing Grace.”
Mr. Reginald L. Pugh – President/CEO of The Urban League of Greater Columbus is
located on 802 First Avenue in Columbus, Georgia served over 30,000 youth and
adults in the community during the past year. They sponsor many programs such
as; the summer work program, investing youth program, after school program, the
Marshall program, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) scholarships, voter
registration, and civil rights and racial when individuals throughout the state
are affected in a negative way.
Mrs. Audrey Boone-Tillman, Senior Vice-President, Director of Corporate Services
of Aflac introduces Mr. Kriss Cloninger - President/CFP of Aflac - the keynote
speaker. He was named Best CFO in the insurance/life category in America by
Institutional Investor magazine for the third year in a row. He has been with
Aflac for seventeen years, and CFO for six years. He oversees the financial
management of all company operations, including Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. With
all that responsibility, he and his wife found time in 2003 to oversee a
project…a way of life at Little Blessings Nurturing Center located at 1700
Boxwood Place in Columbus, Georgia. At Little Blessings Nurturing Center,
children (ages 2 to 4) who are economically at risk attend for free. Their
parents can take advantage of parenting skills classes and Bible studies, along
with employment opportunities while their child attends. They recognize that
children are the most impressionable at those ages. There are at least 60
current students, with two more rooms being added to increase the number. They
do not use federal or state money to run their center, because they want to be
able to teach Bible basics without all the extra censoring that comes along with
those grants/monies. They also have a bakery, which helps raise money to support
the school. Mrs. Lisa and Mr. Kriss Cloninger have four children and two
grandchildren. He and his wife’s good deeds precede them, especially captivated
on the faces of the children and parents.
Awards were presented by Mr. Reginald L. Pugh. The Jesse J. Taylor Membership
Award was given to Ms. Pearl King on behalf of SunTrust Bank in honor of the
late Mr. Taylor. The Urban League of Greater Columbus’ Volunteer of the Year
Award was given to Reverend Judge Alonza Whitaker who echoes “it’s not the
quantity but the quality.” The Whitney M. Young, Jr. Community Service Award was
given to Little Blessings Nurturing Center, the staff received the award.
Wachovia receiver the Corporation of the Year Award, and both Mesdames D. D.
Mackell and Jeanette James received the President’s Citation Award as employees
and volunteers for their commitment to the Urban League. Mayor Robert Poydasheff
was presented with a lifetime membership award. Mr. Pugh gave closing remarks,
and Reverend Rudy Allen, Sr. gave the benediction.
Photos
Ms. Laremy with Wachovia, receiver of the Corporation of the Year Award.
The Urban League of Greater Columbus’ Volunteer of the Year Award was given to
Reverend Judge Alonza Whitaker who echoes “it’s not the quantity but the
quality.”
Chris Clark, Kurt Weathered, Derrick Henderson, and Darrell Henderson are four
of the fifty-three graduates of the Marshall Program which has been in existence
for three years.
Connie Johnson; Jameelah Yesufu Peoples, Esq.; Teresa Whitaker, WRBL News
Anchor; Deloise Crowell and Mattie Hall pose for photo.
Frank Bullard, Vivian Creighton - Bishop, Robert Poydasheff, and Elaine
Gillespie in the lobby talking about this day being Mr. Bullard’s and Mrs.
Creighton – Bishop’s birthday.
The Whitaker Family surrond Atty. Alonza Whitaker
The Whitney M. Young, Jr. Community Service Award was given to Little Blessings
Nurturing Center, the staff received the award.
Fountain City Bar Wins
Prestigious Award
Ms. Rhundine Nelson is shown presenting Atty. Dorothy Williams, Fountain City
Bar Association President, the Outstanding Leadership Award during a reception
held at Club Plush. Other organization members pictured are Attorneys Micheal
Eddings, Nancy Miller, and Rachelle Hunter.
By Susie Brown
The Columbus Times
Columbus, Ga. — The Fountain City Bar Association recently became the recipient
of the prestigious State Bar of Georgia Merit Award. The award was accepted by
Attorney Dorothy Williams, Fountain City Bar President, in Florida, on June 15,
2007.
The organization met during a reception at Club Plush to locally present the award and honor members of the group. The Georgia Merit Award is an award presented to Bar Associations with fifty or less members. It is presented to those small organizations that have shown the greatest amount of improvement among relationship between lawyers and the number of volunteer community service hours.
To achieve this end, The Fountain City Bar presents an annual Legal Clinic at Rosehill Memorial Church. The free clinic provided legal presentations on different areas of the law and private one-on-one consultations. In addition, the organization also co hosts Inspirations (a call in talk show) with Dr. Hud on WAKA on the first Monday of each month from 6:15-7:00 p.m.; sponsors at least three needy families during the Thanksgiving holiday season; provides mentorship to students at Kendrick High School in preparing for a Mock court team contest; hosted a meet the candidate political forum during election season; and hosted the Georgia Alliance of African American Attorneys’ Spring Conference.
The Fountain City Bar Association officers are Attorneys Melvin Cooper, Vice President; Robert Wilson, Treasurer;and Cecelia Hailes, secretary. The organization was nominated by Ms. Rhudine Nelson, Paralegal at Georgia Legal Service office in Columbus.
Photos:
Attorneys Alonza Whitaker, Melvin Cooper, LaRae Moore, Dorothy Williams, Alfonza
Whitaker, James Archie, Nancy Miller, Cecelia Hailes, Bill Wright, Stephanie
Crosse, Michael Eddings and Shavon Thomas.
Atty. Paul Kauffmann and Judge John Allen
Atty. Willette Roundtree and Josina Pittman
Congressman Sandford D. Bishop and Mrs. Vivian Creighton-Bishop