Scearce sworn in as Post One Comissioner
Community, News March 29, 2021
Blue Ridge, Ga. – A crowd gathered on the steps of the Fannin County Courthouse to witness the swearing in of new Post One Commissioner Johnny Scearce.
Probate Judge Scott Kiker swears in Johnny Scearce
Scearce, who is currently the City of Blue Ridge Chief of Police, won the seat of Post One Commissioner in the November 2020 General Election. Due to a long battle with Covid-19, however, Scearce had remained unable to fill the position.
Probate Judge Scott Kiker was present for the swearing in and spoke of his personal connection with Scearce.
“He’s helped renew my faith more than once in my life,” Kiker said of their friendship and added of Scearce’s recent illness, “His faith was demonstrated. His courage has been demonstrated through a trial that he didn’t anticipate.”
“Your fortitude. Your courage is an inspiration,” Kiker spoke directly to Scearce.
With his wife Brenda by his side, Scearce took the oath of office.
Scearce showed his good spirits by letting everyone know that by signing his name he was in fact using a pen and writing for the first time since his fight against Covid-19. He joked after signing that nothing had changed, he was still bad at it.
Scearce addressed the crowd stating, “I want to thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ.”
Next Scearce thanked his wife Brenda, “She was with me from day one and that pulled me through.”
Lastly, Scearce gave a heartfelt thank you to the community for their love and support, expressing the blessing he felt being surrounded by everyone’s love: “I’m so proud of my community. I’m going to do my best to help everybody I can and to help Fannin County.”
Feature Image : Fannin County Chairman Jamie Hensley, Post One Commissioner Johnny Scearce, Probate Judge Scott Kiker, Post Two Commissioner Glen Patterson
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School board members sworn in for another four years
News, Rebel's Corner December 17, 2020
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – Board members Chad Galloway, Terry Bramlett, and Lewis DeWeese were sworn in by Appalachian Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge John E. Worcester to serve out their new board of education terms. Each incumbent member won reelection in November.
Worcester thanked the school system for inviting him to the night’s meeting.
“I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the Fannin County School System for a long time,” Worcester said, “This system has been known for strong leadership, a strong core of teachers, the reputation of being innovative and creative. When I was asked if I would be willing to administer the oath of office to three board members, I was actually very honored to participate in this.”
Family members of the board members held the Bibles used to administer the oath of office.
Fannin Middle School Sports Update
In Fannin Middle, 267 students participated in a fall sport or band. 152 sport rostered athletes 80 girls and 72 boys and 115 band members.
The eighth grade football team finished as runner up in the Mountain Athletic League Conference. Girls Cross Country won the league championship. Boys Cross Country finished second and one runner wins in multiple races.
Volleyball won the mountain league championship. Softball significantly improved saw much from last year and competed finishing in the top half of the league.
As for winter sports, wrestling is “off to a great start.” The seventh grade boys basketball team is undefeated.
Fannin High School Sports Update
FCHS has 255 Students involved in a fall sport or band. 170 GHSA rostered athletes 76 girls and 94 boys and 85 band members. Winter sports have 98 rostered athletes.
Football Team won the region championship and completed a perfect regular season and has advanced to host the third round of the state playoffs.
Volleyball team placed third in area and advanced to the first round of the state playoffs.
Girls Cross Country finished as region champs and placed sixth in state. Carlee Holloway finished and won several individual meets. Boys Cross Country finished as region runner-up and ended up 14th at the state meet.
A young softball developed as the season progressed. E-sports started recently and will compete through December.
The Girls Basketball team is currently ranked in the top ten.
Local Facilities and Construction Update
Assistant Superintendent Darren Danner has been working with the state to obtain funding for school facilities. A state committee approved the plan for the next five years and the board approved it on December 8, 2020.
“Mr. Danner’s done a great job on this,” Superintendent Michael Gwatney stated. “Bottom-line is he is very forward-thinking, and he’s been able to work with the schools and work with his peers in other districts to identify future challenges in his area to secure state funds for us to save local money.”
The school system can potentially receive up to $8 million in state funds. A significant portion of the money will go to HVAC renovations.
Plans are moving forward on Staff Development Center with 90 percent of the architect plans done. The construction manager is finalizing the budget and preparing bid packets to be sent out on December 14. The bid packets will be collected on January 11. The Construction manager expects a GMP by January 21 and pending approval, the breaking of ground could occur in mid-February.
Feature image courtesy of Fannin County Schools.