Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue gets friendly with a future voter, Brayden Andreae, during a visit to Brantley County
Thursday.
Photo By MYRA THRIFT (Waycross Journal Herald)
By MYRA THRIFT, Staff Writer
NAHUNTA ‹ "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" ‹ it's a philosophy this nation was built on and it's still alive and thriving all over Brantley County.
In honor of that concept and that specific organization, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue visited here Thursday, presenting awards to honor those
who work unselfishly to help others.
Perdue spent the night Wednesday in Brantley County at the magnificent Strickland compound built on the banks of the mighty Satilla River.
Dr. Wade Strickland and his wife, Rose Mary, hosted the governor's visit and provided a luncheon Thursday for more than 100 Brantley
residents.
Perdue made good use of his time visiting the retreat, rising early Thursday morning and getting in some fresh water fishing.
During the lunch meeting, Perdue commended the people of Brantley for the work that's been done over the last few years through Neighbors
Helping Neighbors. He singled out several people for honor and applauded those involved in the organization.
At one point in the program, Perdue stood behind the microphone and joined "The Soggy Bottom Boys" in singing "You Are My Sunshine" after
they had performed "Man of Constant Sorrow."
Perdue said he was inspired to see the extended Strickland family keeping "God's creation" just as He made it and even enhanced.
"I feel like I've come home today," Perdue said, recalling that when he first ran for governor the people of Brantley took him in.
"Rose Mary and Dr. Strickland have been wonderful hosts," he said. "This is such a beautiful setting. This has been a real retreat for me. I had
a good morning on the river. The fish were on vacation but I had a great time."
Perdue told the crowd that what they do for one another encourages him about the state of the state of Georgia.
"Georgia is the third fastest growing state in the nation. People still like to come here. The fact is, you people don't depend on government.
You are neighbors helping neighbors," Perdue said.
"Your generosity and hospitality is what it's all about. I am glad to be here in your midst. This is the way this country was founded. But we've
moved away from our biblical calling and the Golden Rule. People now are kinda looking to the government to solve their problems. But here,
families are helping families and neighbors are helping neighbors. And neighbors helping neighbors is better than any government, state or
federal program."
Perdue said the people in Atlanta think they have transportation problems, but he noted that Brantley County has 500 miles of dirt road and
children are having to ride school buses on those dirt roads.
"I grew up on a mule farm and we had a lot of red clay roads. They were great when it was dry but when it rained, they were slick as glass,"
Perdue said.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors president Ronnie Jacobs presented awards to Dr. Strickland, naming him "Businessman of the Year," and Rose
Mary Strickland.
Jacobs thanked the Stricklands for hosting the luncheon and for all they do for their neighbors. He said the couple have provided food,
clothing, shelter and vehicles for those less fortunate.
"They have helped nourish people back to health," Jacobs said.
Perdue then presented honors of "Lt. Col. Aide de Camp" to Dr. Strickland, Esther Townsend, Gene Crews, Curtis Tumblin, John Middleton and
Linda Harris.
He also presented bouquets of flowers to Helen Strickland Dowling and Mert Dowling.
Perdue was introduced to the crowd by State Rep. Mark Williams of Jesup. Williams said that when he was fresh out of college, he was hired
as a coach at Valdosta High School. He said head coach Nick Hyder was a man with character and compassion. His motto of "God, faith, family
and the Wildcats" was plastered all over the school, in the halls, on lockers and even on T-shirts, because they lived that philosophy.
Gov. Perdue, Williams said, has the same philosophy ... God first, then family, then the people of Georgia.
"He has strong character. He's a loving husband. He's a devoted father. And he's a great governor," Williams said.