This morning, (early January, ’24) my daughter called from her home in Newnan, Georgia. “Can you hear the helicopters overhead?” We could hear the helicopters quite clearly over the phone. Might have been a half dozen just circling. She said it was part of the funeral procession for a Coweta County sheriff killed in the line of duty.
My daughter moved to Georgia, I suppose 10 years ago, to work for Essex Wire at that time. Since that time I have paid more attention to the southern states. Most of the south was settled before our area. Mrs. Google says that in 1820 the Creek Indians, signed over their territory along the Chattahoochee River to the Scotch Irish settlers.
If you’re not familiar with Newnan, it’s off of lnterstate 85 headed southwest for Birmingham. About 30 miles southeast of Atlanta. The Alabama line is perhaps only 30 miles past Newnan. It is the county seat of Coweta County. It’s claim to fame is the popular old time movies, “Fried Green Tomatoes,” and “Driving Miss Daisy.” Newnan is the home of Alan Jackson, and the series, “The Walking Dead” was filmed there.
Last Sunday night, in a traffic stop, the driver took off heading west, and was pursued by a County Sheriff. The chase went through LaGrange, and into Alabama where it was joined by a County Sheriff in Alabama. The Alabama Sheriff set out stop sticks, which eventually stopped the car. As the Georgia Sheriff stepped out of his car to arrest the suspect, he was hit and killed by the Alabama Sheriff.
My daughter goes to Crossroads Church, a church of probably 4,000, in a town of 10,000 souls. The sheriff was a member of her church. He left his wife and 3 young daughters. The funeral procession was from the fairgrounds to Crossroads Church, which went near my daughter’s house.
It just seems like such a waste. Ever since the controversy in Milwaukee and the events that followed, the police seem to be fighting a losing battle. As you drive around there doesn’t seem to be as many police on the road, as there used to be. I don’t know when I’ve seen the last traffic stop. Maybe this is good as I’ve had my share of tickets when I was young.
I have a grandson that graduated from medical school 2 years ago, he plans to be an eye surgeon and is interning at the County Hospital in Milwaukee. He has gotten lots of experience as it seems like people are getting shot every night. There are so many bums on the street, that it is difficult to drive through town. There is a Target store near the hospital, but it is difficult to go there because of the bums hanging out in that area.
We have heard about the major chain stores leaving Portland, but for some reason we haven’t heard much news lately. As I wake up this morning they’re talking about the decaying state of the cities in California. A commentator says the New York Times has come out against Trump. I am not advocating any political party, but when a biased group is running our media we cannot be a free country.
I do not wish to be a doom and gloom person, but at the same time, I am concerned about what kind of country our grandkids will have. Our generation had it quite good so I would hope the same for them. Again, I don’t wish to advocate any political party, but I do support those who do.
—James Neuhouser
