(seated, L to R): Phyllis James, Sandy Seidling, Jan Barfield; (standing, L to R): Lori Harn, Gene Fountain, Tracey Lovelace, Chris Carroll, Wanda Nanney, Harriett Smiley and Sarah Montford. (Not pictured: Lexs Wright)
Eleven employees of the Vidalia City School System are retiring at the end of this school term, and between those educators, paraprofessional, transportation, lunchroom workers and Central Office Staff, they represent 297 years of service to the students and faculty of the local public school system. Board of Education Chairman Tim Truxel called their leaving a “bitter-sweet moment” at Tuesday night’s Board meeting as each was recognized for their dedication.
Jan Barfield, a Spanish teacher at Vidalia High School, has been serving the most years with 46 years in the classroom. And now that she is making a transition into another phase of her life and says there’s nothing in life she’d rather to have done than teach.
“I love working with children,” she said. “Someone asked me recently knowing what I know now if there was anything I would change or do instead of teach and there isn’t it. I love what I’ve done, and I hate leaving, but it’s time. I’ve got a lot to do! I won’t be bored!”
By that she means traveling, socializing with friends and family, and other course, spending time with her grandchildren.
Also retiring from the system are J.D. Dickerson Primary School: Sarah Montford (35 years), Lori Harn (32 years), Harriett Smiley (20 years) and Lexs Wright (18 years); J.R. Trippe Middle School: Tracey Lovelace (29 years), and Wanda Nanney (12 years); Vidalia High School: Phyllis James (41 years) and Chris Carroll (31 years); Transportation: Gene Fountain (10 years); and Central Office: Sandy Seidling (23 years).
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ATLANTA – Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King today urged Georgians to not stockpile gasoline and to practice safe gasoline filling and storing measures.
“In response to the recent cyber attack against the Colonial Pipeline, there have been numerous reports of Georgians stockpiling gasoline and using unsafe storage methods,” said Commissioner King. “However, the current situation with the pipeline is only temporary, and these types of actions actually contribute to additional gasoline shortages and put Georgians at unnecessary risk.”
Commissioner King offered the following safety guidelines for the use and storage of gasoline:
- It is not safe to stockpile gasoline. Storage of a large amount of flammable liquid can be dangerous, particularly in a residence with children.
- Use only OSHA or DOT approved containers for gasoline storage. Using makeshift storage options, such as plastic bags, is extremely dangerous.
- Place the container on the ground while filling and keep the nozzle inside the container to avoid generating static electricity.
- Do not use cigarettes or cell phones/other electronics while pumping gasoline.
- Store gasoline containers in the trunk of your car or bed of your truck while transporting them and make sure they are secured so as not to tip over.
No one under 16 years old should pump gasoline.
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On Tuesday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed an executive order to temporarily suspend the gas tax in Georgia in light of the Colonial Pipe Line cyber attack. The Governor also announced that Georgia is increasing the weight limits for truck transporting fuel, providing more supply for stations as they receive deliveries. The order further prohibits price gouging by bad actors looking to exploit the situation.
“My office has been in close contact with company and industry officials since we first learned of the Colonial cyber attack over the weekend,” said Governor Kemp. “Unfortunately, extensive media coverage has caused people to panic which has resulted in higher gas prices. We are taking action to relieve some of the cost burden from Georgians as Colonial recovers by suspending fuel taxes, increasing the weight limit for supply trucks, and prohibiting price gouging.
“We expect these measures to be temporary as Colonial plans to be fully up and running later this week,” he continued. “There is no need to rush to the gas station to fill up every tank you have and hoard gas. With the measures we have taken today, I am hopeful we can get more supply to stations and get through to this weekend when we hope Colonial will return to normal.”
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Everyone is familiar with the Red Cross Blood Drives and that donations saves lives, but did you know there’s another area of the Red Cross that also needs your help? Leitha Barfield is the new Community Volunteer Leader and as a volunteer herself, reminds the community that the Red Cross is also there in times of emergencies, disasters, coordinating with the Armed Forces and more. But to do that, more volunteers are needed.
“I work together with a Supervisor to meeting the needs of the community in cases of disaster such as fires, hurricanes and other natural disasters,” Barfield said. “I also work with the local governments to get them involved in the Red Cross.”
Other initiatives she’s involved in through the organization is finding compatible blood donors for transfusions for patients diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia. “There’s just not that many genetically-compatible donors,” she added.
She is also coordinating with high schools and the technical college to recruit volunteers from their student bodies, noting, “That would surely good great on future resumes!”
If you need help from the Red Cross or would like to volunteer contact Leitha by searching her name, Leitha Barfield, on the American Red Cross website (www.redcross.org).
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Wilson Johnson (3rd from right) with his wife Lorrance, Vidalia Mayor Doug Rope, Mayor Pro Tem John Raymond Turner and Johnson' Church Family
A man who devotes himself to the community and church with a heartfelt focus on the youth was recognized by Vidalia Mayor Doug Roper Monday night as this month’s recipient of the Sweet Onion Award.
Wilson Johnson is the founder of Community Project Hope which is a program that reaches out to young men who have had minor brushes with the law and attempts to turn them around. This is just one example of what this community-minded man does each day.
Mayor Roper said there was “a long laundry list” of reasons why Johnson was selected for the monthly award and noted that the community is appreciative of his service.
In receiving the award, Johnson said he wanted to thank God, his church family, as well as his longtime friend and now Mayor Pro Tem John Raymond Turner. He concluded to expressly show appreciation to his wife of 36 years, Lorrance.
“We support each other in everything we do,” Lorrance said. Wilson quickly interjected, “I thank God for giving me a wife who lets me do what God has called me to do. I am a blessed man!”
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