The City of Demorest fired its bookkeeper on Wednesday less than 24 hours after launching an internal probe into more than $275,000 in missing city funds.
Demorest launches probe (VIDEO)
The Demorest City Council passed a resolution on Tuesday, September 23, to launch an internal investigation into more than $275,000 in missing funds.
Demorest fires bookkeeper
The following is a press release issued by Demorest City Mayor, Rick Austin. The release follows Tuesday night’s decision by the Demorest Mayor and City Council to launch an internal investigation into more than $275,000 in missing money.
Gratitude is the Heart’s Memory
I met an older woman recently who had not celebrated the holidays for eight years – no Thanksgiving, no Christmas – no turkey with cranberry sauce, or pumpkin pie with whipped cream and cinnamon. The lights and candy canes have remained in her attic tucked away since 2002; and this year would not be any different. Her only daughter and grandson had been killed Christmas Day at the age of 26 and 18 months. My heart broke for her as she pulled from her wallet his picture – blond, blue-eyed, dressed in Osh Kosh overalls and a cowboy hat, complete with boots.
“I learned that year what it meant to have a grateful heart,” she whispered.
As I listened furthered to her story, she told me that one afternoon, as she sat before his tiny grave, the reality of the season of thankfulness became clear to her. The times in our lives that we are to show our thankfulness, we spend completely entranced by preparation and activity. How she used to cook! Her table set in Emily Post’s manner and the most delicious sweet potato pie, her grandmother’s recipe. Her tree was always in place and decorated the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Friday was spent shopping until her feet could no longer move. Sunday after Thanksgiving began with Christmas parties and festivities until in a complete whirlwind of events, she found herself putting away Christmas decorations by January 1st.
The last conversation she had with her daughter was hurried. Christmas brunch was in the oven. She’d have to hear what Santa brought when they got to her house. Her only child had uttered something before hanging up the phone but she couldn’t remember what it was because in her busied state, she hadn’t listened.
Psalm 30:11-12, “Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; to the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.”
Her holidays are spent differently now, not with preparation but with the people she loves. Her heart is still and patient as she listens to the voices of those around her. The hurriedness is gone and replaced with humility. And if she had that one moment to live again? That last conversation, the Quiche would burn, and she would know the last words her daughter said to her on Christmas Day.
Give thanks in all things…with a grateful heart.
Former Demorest mayor dies
Former Demorest Mayor, J. Perry Hendrix, will be laid to rest this week in the city that he loved and served for most of his 85 years. Hendrix was mayor of Demorest for four years from 1971-1978 and served as a city councilman for twenty eight years from 1981-2009. He also served on the Habersham County Water Authority.
John E. “Johnny” Fritchey
Funeral services for JOHN E. “JOHNNY” FRITCHEY, age 82, of Clarkesville, will be held at 5:00 PM on Saturday, September 27, 2014 from the Harvest Christian Church.
Dorothy L. Taylor
Graveside memorial services for Dorothy L. Taylor will be held on Tuesday September 30, 2014 at 11:00 AM from the Woodlawn Cemetery in Clinton, Illinois. Rev. Kent Hickerson will join with her family and friends to celebrate Dorothy’s life.
J. Perry Hendrix
J. PERRY HENDRIX, age 85 of Demorest, Georgia passed away on Monday, September 22, 2014.
William Howard Ward
WILLIAM HOWARD WARD, Age 77 of Baldwin, Georgia passed away Monday, September 22, 2014 at his residence following an extended illness.
More money missing in Demorest; city launches internal investigation
Auditors have discovered an additional $53,661.21 missing from the City of Demorest. Now the city is launching its own internal investigation into where the money went, how it was taken and who took it.
SPLOST VI meeting tonight in Cornelia
A small crowd gathered in Cornelia Tuesday for a town hall meeting is scheduled in Cornelia tonight to discuss Habersham County’s SPLOST VI referendum. The meeting takes place at 6 p.m. in the Cornelia Municipal Court Room located on the second floor of the Cornelia Fire Station. This will be the fourth in a series of nine public meetings scheduled to inform and educate the public about the county’s proposed 1% special local option sales tax. The referendum will be on the ballot November 4th. Click here for more meeting dates, times and locations.
Darrell “D.J.” Grogan, Jr.
Memorial services for Darrell Edward “D.J.” Grogan, Jr., age 25, of Demorest, will be held at 5:00 PM on Thursday, September 25, 2014 from the Harvest Christian Church. Rev. Tony Crane and Rev. Phillip Parton will officiate. Mr. Grogan died Tuesday, September 9, 2014.