More Letters to The Kommish

Again, I can not thank everyone enough for the letters of appreciation that keep pouring in. Each and every one of them is important to me. Every time I read one, I feel lifted up.

Every day that goes by I feel better about the outcome of the election. I can already feel as though a great burden is being lifted off of my shoulders. I'm starting to realize there really is a life without being a county commissioner.

I would never trade this experience for anything. It is so rewarding to be in a position to help others. Years ago, I quoted this verse next to my Senior picture in our high school annual. It still holds true for me today.

"Life is not a goblet to be drained, but a measure to be filled."

(Unknown)

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Mr. James,

I just got online to find out the Peach County Election results and my jaw dropped. I can't believe it. I wish I still lived in Fort Valley, so I could have helped by casting my vote. It is difficult to be so far away and feel so helpless when it comes to the future of Fort Valley. I love that town and everyone in it. After all that is what shaped me into the woman I am today. It is truly my home, and always will be.

My thoughts and prayers are with you, and just remember there is a reason for everything. Who knows this might lead you to an area of bigger need within the county. Thank you for all of your years of service!

Sincerely,

Kim Grahl Fowler

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You needed Jimbo and Debbie to vote for you. God works in mysterious ways, so hold tight as your next assignment is coming up. Thanks for all you did for Peach County. You are awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jimbo and Debbie Liipfert

Just wanted to say how sorry I was about the election. When my brother and I went to vote at the new fire station in Powersville, there had only been about 39 people to vote before us. I had a bad feeling when I found out so few people were voting. Jimmy said he bet there were going to be lots of people who were going to regret they had not made the effort to go vote. There are so many needs in Peach County, I know you will soon find something to put your energies toward.

Thanks for the birthday wishes. I did have a great day - Jim and family treated
me royally.&nnbsp; And I'm proud to be 60!

I'm so sorry that the 15th didn't turn out as well for you. I'm sure there are
good things ahead for you, and I hope that good health is one of them.

Reggie Mullis Williams

JAMES,

YOU HAVE SERVED PEACH COUNTY WELL. YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED MUCH FOR PEACH

COUNTY. YOU ARE A MAN OF GREAT INTEGRITY AND HONESTY AND I HAVE ALWAYS APPRECIATED THAT SO MUCH ABOUT YOU. YOUR SERVICE WAS ALWAYS ABOUT WHAT WAS

BEST FOR PEACH COUNTY CITIZENS.

THANK YOU,

EMMA GASSETT

I hope you know my admiration for the job you have done for Peach County is very strong. Until the average citizen has been in the position, they will never understand that the at-large position is the hardest position on the board. The other members are protective of their districts, while the at large position is protecting the entire county. You excelled at the equality requirement of the position and that is something most citizens will not understand.

Your commitment to the county is unmatched and much appreciated. Thank You!

I too was shocked at the outcome of the election. One thing I have learned about you is that your heart and soul are in Peach County and your dedication and honest deliberation, work and perseverance to make the County a better place to live for everyone will be missed.

You never know what kind of plans the man upstairs has for us, it all works out in the long run. Something else is out there that will make use of your talents. I guess you know that I am taking a leave of absence from ACCG to pursue something that is very important to me. I am in Washington DC right now to begin training to work as a Local Government Advisor on a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Iraq.

Local Government management is what I do, what I have done most of my career. The call was made for professionals to fill the jobs, and I felt the need to do so. The same kind of thing will happen for you. Save all of these great comments and letters. Read over them from time to time as a reminder of what people really think about you. As several said, titles and jobs mean nothing, its who we are inside that matters.

Hi James:

What will I do without my dance partner at our annual meeting???? My husband Hughie is upset too because without you, he may HAVE to learn how to dance!!! All kidding aside, you were definitely an asset to ACCG and well respected by everyone who served on the ACCG board. You will be missed. Put me on your newsletter list so that I can keep up with what's going on in your life. Now, you can focus on the things that really interest you and I know that you will find lots of ways to remain a public servant.

You also know by now that I will be sworn in as ACCG's President in January 2009. I am sorry that Virginia Gray (Clayton County) made the decision to run against her chairman, but she seemed confident that she could win. It just did not work out. I look forward to meeting people all over Georgia over the next sixteen months as I represent ACCG.

Stay in touch.

Your friend,

Jan Tankersley

Bullock County Board of Commissioners

Thanks Khoury Boy. You're one of the good guys.

Tim McCord

Hi James,

Even though Ernest and I don't live in Peach County anymore, we are very much interested in the county as there are many people there that we love! We both lived there for over forty years and it is people like you that we miss.

Thank you for all you have done for Peach County over the years you have served. We are sad that things didn't go your way in this latest election but I just have to believe that there is something really "big" waiting for you! I know that caring spirit will continue in some real capacity! We wish you much happiness as you are so deserving.

Patty Greene

James,

It is an honor to have graduated with a man so loved, respected, and admired based upon the letters and comments I just read. Keep your head up and your heart open to the many friends and citizens you have served well in your lifetime. Best wishes going forward Kommish. You are a Class Act. Next time run for something where I can vote for you.

Bill Jones

College Station, TX

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I just wanted to tell you how sorry my husband and I are (Clara and Buck Bradshaw, Touchdown Club Members) that you did not win the race for county commissioner. I think the people that needed to get out and vote sat on their rumps and didn't realize how important it was to vote. Well this is their loss. I hope in time you will run again.

Thanks for all you've done for this community.

Clara and Buck Bradshaw

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JAMES:

I HOPE THAT YOU ARE FEELING BETTER NOW. AFTER READING ALL OF THE NOTES SENT YOU AND THE POURING OUT OF LOVE, YOU MUST KNOW THAT YOU HAVE DONE SOME GOOD FOR THIS COUNTY, STATE AND EVEN THE WORLD. I PERSONALLY KNOW OF YOUR DEDICATION AND LOVE FOR THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE OVER THE LAST 12 YEARS.

WE WILL KEEP WORKING FOR THE BEST FOR PEACH COUNTY.

THOMAS PALMER

PEACH COUNTY COMMISSIONER

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James,

For it is worth, please know I will always be in your corner. When you have time to regroup and gather your thoughts I will come to the store to talk to you. Thanks for all you hard work these last 12 years. We still have 51/2 months to go. SO MAKE YOUR MARK!!!!, ok.

Jo Guynes

Peach County Clean Community

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Hey, I hope you are doing ok,

I know you don’t want to come by here or see us today, but I wanted to let you know, no matter if you are a commissioner, chairman, kommish, or not you will always be my friend.

Michaela Jones,

Accounting Manager

Peach County Board of Commissioners

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James,

Thanks for the email. It was very sweet, and I saw today how many people in the courthouse, including me, love you. I had people calling, texting, and coming by all day long to check on you and to see if I had heard from you. It was very obvious that you have many good friends at the courthouse, and these friends will remain friends regardless of what happened last night.

It's amazing to look back at all that has been accomplished with your support and guidance over the years. I'm very proud of what you and the Board have done to move this county forward, and I'm very proud of the staff that helped it happened.

You are in our thoughts and prayers. And don't think you can't come by to visit after December 31st. You will always be welcomed wherever we are. We doubt any other commissioner is going to bring us flowers from his garden or candy and moonpies on our birthdays.

You have done great things over the last 12 years, and don't ever forget that. You have been fair, honest, and trustworthy in everything you've ever done for this county, and it's a better place for it.

We love you, too.

Marcia Johnson

Peach County Administrator

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