OUR COUNTY

D. Gary Davis
County Mayor

Fall is a beautiful time in Bradley County and an ideal time to get out and enjoy the weather and the changing of the colors. Many of us do this by raking the leaves in our yard, by going on a scenic drive or by visiting one of the many recreation areas like the greenway.

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is already here. It used to be that Thanksgiving was the beginning of the Christmas season, but it seems Santa can no longer wait until after the fourth Thursday in November. I don’t plan on even thinking about putting up Christmas decorations or buying presents until after I enjoy my turkey.

I enjoy Thanksgiving because it includes three of my favorite things: family, food and football. I must admit it is a little hectic at my house with all my children and grandchildren, but I love spending time with my family. Of course the food is always plentiful and delicious. I don’t even mind eating turkey leftovers for the following week. I could do with a little less football this year. My son Cameron plays for Ocoee Middle School, so I have watched and enjoyed my share of football this fall.

Thanksgiving signifies many different things to all of us, but it does offer us an opportunity to reflect on the past year and give thanks. Bradley County has had a very prosperous year receiving over one million dollars in grant funding, landing the first tenant in the Hiwassee River Industrial Park and the completion of improvements at Ocoee Middle School.

We have also been through some difficult months with the death of Sgt. David Weir in Iraq and most recently the loss of eighteen year old Colby Stansberry in a car accident. Bradley County mourns along with the families and friends of David and Colby. The holidays are a difficult time for families who have experienced a loss and I hope you will join me in keeping the Weirs, Stansberrys and others who have suffered losses, in your prayers.

Our lives are so busy, we sometimes forget to slow down and give thanks for all of our many blessings. I encourage you to take sometime over the upcoming holiday weekend to slow down and spend quality time with those most important in your life. David and Colby serve as a reminder to all of us to live our lives to the fullest every day.

I am grateful for the faith you have placed in me again this past August by electing me to another four year term as your County Mayor. I am humbled by your trust, and I remain dedicated to providing exceptional service and to doing whatever I can to make Bradley County a better place for everyone.

Thank you for adding to my list of blessings, and I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving. May you enjoy a bountiful harvest of friends, good health and prosperity.