THUMBS UP to having our community fully back.
It has taken more than three years after the original “two weeks to flatten the curve,” but 2023 is shaping up to be the first full year since 2019 where everything is totally back to normal.
Churches are and have been back to regular routines, Easter egg hunts are going on and community fundraisers attended. We are able to have the community fellowship we thrive on to stay connected.
Folks are gathering in stands to support local ballgames together, going to school plays and being able to fully enjoy everything Habersham County has to offer.
It was a tough time, but we showed the strength of our community and the belief that we would come back better than ever. It was an awful path to trudge, but we are excited to about being back to full speed as a community. Here’s to all the amazing car shows, festivals, pot lucks and fish frys that are coming our way.
THUMBS DOWN to the Demorest city manager “search.”
Demorest spent the beginning of this four-year cycle in turmoil, but elections paired with political and administrative attrition have led to new leadership in the city. Those new leaders have dedicated themselves to turning over a new leaf in a city that was easily the most chaotic in the county for many years.
Demorest is now recognized by the state as a city of ethics and a city of civility, but the recent attempt to permanently fill the city manager’s job has been a head scratcher.
Mark Musselwhite took the interim job in December after the resignation of Kim Simonds, who absconded just before she was likely to not be retained by the council. Musselwhite has seen the city into its new city hall facility, as well as finding cost cutting measures just by taking a different look at the books.
For reasons no one has stated publicly, the council readvertised the position after receiving a first batch of applicants that included Musselwhite. No matter how one looks at it, that is somewhat of a non-endorsement.
Yet Musselwhite keeps working hard for the city, and now he is a finalist along with two other candidates. No decision was made on which to hire last week, and it will likely take a special called meeting to finalize the pick.
Citizens and employees have spoken out for Musselwhite. If he is not going to be the council’s guy, one hopes they will explain their rationale to the public when this is over.