Local Bandagplant celebrates 40th anniversary Bandag celebrates 40 years.pdfplant echoes the values and priorities of our company. The team in Griffin really embod ies what it means

Local Bandagplant celebrates 40th anniversary BY THOMAS HOEFER

[email protected]

The Bridgestone Bandag Griffin Plant, located in the industrial park on Greenbelt p,arkway, celebrated its 40th anniversary Tuesday.

With numerous local and state repre­

J'Forty years sentatives in the audi­is nota small ence, much achievement. of the cel­

'.rhardwork ebration IIpMt",what was about

the mp:,Aymade us reach currJntthis 46-year­ and retired

ma.... The employees (Griffin) plant com­

m 0 n I yechoesthe referredvalues and to as team­priorities of our mates ­company. The that made

it all hap­team in Griffin reallyembodies

pen."Forty

what it means years is not a small to live the achieve­Bridgestone ment," said

way:' Bridges­tone Ban­

- Chris Daniel dag LLC Bridgestone Bandag Executive

LLC executive director Direc­tor Chris

Daniel. "Your hard work is part of what made us reach this 40-year-mark. The (Grif­fin) plant echoes the values and priorities of our company. The team in Griffin really embod­ies what it means to live the Bridgestone way."

THOMAS HOEFERIDAILY NEWS

Plant Manager Christy Brasher, right, addresses the audience during the 40th anniversary celebration of the Bridgestone Bandag Griffin Plant on Tuesday. The celebration also featured, from left, Griffin-Spalding Development Authority Executive Director David Luckie, Griffin Mayor Dick Morrow and State Sen. Marty Harbin (R-District 16) as speakers.

According to Griffin-Spald­ing Development Authority Executive Director David Luck­ie, who spoke at the celebra­tion along with Griffin Mayor Dick Morrow and State Senator Marty Harbin, Bandag was the first company to settle into the Gliffin-Spalding Industrial Park when it opened its plant here in November 1976.

Since then, he added, the

company that specializes on producing and manufactur­ing rubber tread has assisted the Development Authority by communicating with prospec­tive businesses and putting into the community jobs and capital investments.

"You are truly one of the great companies in Griffin," Luckie said. '"

At some point during the cel­

ebration, guests were shown a brief video on the history of Bandag and its Griffin plant. The video included the rather unpleasant memory of Dec. 26, 1983 - the day when the local plant caught fire and burned to the ground.

However, not only did Ban-dag build a new plant and reopened it just nine months after the fire, the company also

helped find its employees jobs in the communitY, paid them the difference in earnings and continued to pay for their ben­efits.

"We have so much to be proud of," said Plant Manag­er Christy Brasher, who also pointed out the many connec­tions Bridgestone Bandag has

SEE BANDAG/PAGE A2

UlUWllc;"oMUClll

Mary FrallCel\ Goddard. 95.dCrri1fin, passed away 00 Sunday. November 13.2016.

f"rant:Ie!l 1t>d:!l born ill Carroll C~lDlty. G~ on July lO.l9'..U.Sbcis pm.~ in dotalh b)' tiff pan'tlt:l. Willian Henr Kierbov.· Md SaDie BeD Johnson ~rbow; 8i8t~ •Essie KIerbow. F..yelyn Kk'tbow. Do.-g Morr\$ andt.eneva foam: brother. 'Onum Kicrbotr. Fl8DCC'1 was a ~oa time l:Ocmbcr of C.ihcdnl of Prdik Churdt.

Survivors include cbiklren. Sarah Duke (Leon) orBtOOk:s. Mebl \Vadd I of Griffln, &bby Goddard (Connie) of Griffin; grandchildrea, Kelley COC' 01 CaliContia. Amy Duk1: til Brooks. hille HelgCI"5t1D of Griffin. Jennifer Morri~ (Brian) of Athens. Elizabeth Goddard of GrifIIJl; trear gr:mdchik1reA. Sydney Nelms of (UC.rA) AlheR1l, KyJie &: Amelia Hc~ of GritfiD. Harris;un Morns or Alhen,; s1$Il:'r~ Le"'ie Klerbuw oi Griffin. \\illa TllDkiley oI Brooks; llDd wu..hter·in,law. fleverl~l E"ans of Griffln.

'1s1caril>n for Franoofl, Goddard will be on l'ucllday. NovemlM.'T 15. 2tllti from 6 p.m. W1Cil S p.m. at CODIXt'·Westbury Funt'rolliome. A graYeliide funeral ~ervice will be conl1'"-1ecl on \'ioonesday. N(lVem'ber 16.2016 al II a,m.at Oak Hill Cemetery. The Rt"V. Rogt'r Robinson will ollkilltt'. Familv aod [riendlli are 4lsked to meel at the cemetery at 10:50 a.m, on W~dnesc1:lY morning.

P1ea!le JolA her fanlly and rrtend!l in boltoring the Iikor Franct.':! Goddard by \mling ~·\\:t.'l)Dner·WC5lbury· fun~)h()me.ootnand postinRyour tnbules and memories.

Conner·\\'eslbury Funeral Home. IMI W. Mc:lnto~h Ntlad. Griffin. l!I in chArge oft.hc arrangements.

DEATH N01I:CES

bein~&iffin U.s. ~~ L}'tlIlWcsunordaDd's

lilaiC .inbe botding.mobih! oft'~ llWl'S 00 T~,Nov, 150ln Griffin.fld 1.."lGr~. 'Jbe Griffin mobile office hotn_it be Itii by FIeld ~esctrta~ ~ IeImbba. and the l.lGnIIlIlHlffil.-e lnnd be hdtl by niId Rl'J)J'tsetl1alh'e Colin r.flW1h

R1MlIcaba _;I be in (iriIa. from 10 un. » oooa.ThaldI;y. Nov.l5... tbto Grrflll Rrricasl \~t:lLune Ccmcr.l-13 N«th lilSl.. Griffitl.

1'J1art.il WiDbt in~. from 10 a.m. 1u noon.Tue:vby. Nov. 15,.x the l.aGnqfl>TroL1t COIIDly Cblmbcr01 COOIiDln'C', DiJcI'R ~ Room. 1]1Btil St..~.

Ifyou are 1IJla'ble to atlf1K1lhtst oIfire

MOTIION -It is ...-rODg to attempt to

CleL'1Il~ pcopIe who 1ft:I"l: btu­k~n :by rJl.e ~overameat, If IID)'DQC dcS!:'l'\'£$ protection of the t.'Uurts. it rs vt'ttr.lDll with PTSO." Pittman uk! in ccwlrl Nov. I.

Sams alllO ROJlredthe 84lUe it!' motion for a p.'i)'chf)logi­\'31 t.'WIuldion of BowtnM.. and Spa1d'~ County Assist.'ltlt I)i&. lrict Attnmcy Marie Kmdcr liilid UleevaJualion"\¥ill be lilChetluJetl ,,-erysoon.-

Pillman gid Monday the de(er~ ~ raise a "Jn1i1ty but menially ill" defeD!Ie. but. no

1)e'W~~1by

defense e,q,erl$ is planned at thisaime.

In what ht: dffi:ned ill clOst' det:isiofl. SlIms ~rnntet1 1):Je defen~'s molion -Iu SUJ)pres:> objtds fDUDd .in ~ ~I room thaI Bowman .and lI.'lixoo ",,...rc ma,ing in at ~ time of the inci­dent as weD as items from the lmuse where Rowm::m WItS m­Ire.

'VhiJelhe swe I~ the riRht to f~ litis rnJlfut'. the slate ~ilnoll/llllt'<dat dais timt. &xl­crlSaiiL

Upcoming ("ourt acti,,· ity 't1IItCS 'W1:~ aho disnmcd at MDMay's hraring. While ~

~ such ti lra1Ii!IIicg re!Jtirw and ehenljCJIJ ~8 ar.- still

AIRPORT fROM lHE: FlOIIIT1'AGIE

The: Airport Authority voted to give Ibis polen· tiell buyer and anyone else who \\,.,nl$ to hid two optioll~ to ease the potenUal buyer's OOI]~IS 3bout hi- mOlh:lY sHliftjf ill e8~row :lOrl the new Mrpcrrfamnl throuR'h, explained Airporl Anthori· Iy Bill Johnston, cilinRthe sales process or 130d III Fort McPherson as I).Vl Df those concern.,

8m, A, ]ohn$ton $:tid. "the mnounr goes into an e!ioCrow ac(ount. there'll one dC)!ling and he's enti­tled ro the land at the end. when the airport clo!e~. l>uriJw lhat time we CaD

U!IC dH!' money lo buy oUl. the cx:illting kascs and

dr.e FAA !or rekasl' of the:­\a-dfltunused poperty as soon as possi>le."

John-ston said, "the mone)' is held in scrow, we haw the o(ll)Qrtunity to lise a portion or Ihe money, wirh the final c10sicg cODtingel1t on a !I«'ond appraL!I.al." a$ is required by tbe FAA Jolulsun noted, "(he ~Ird is williuJ( to absorb thilt cost If there is a dirfer· ence."

M()rrow said. thi!'. offer. and any other bids. would be for all airport land. the business park. I~nninill and T-hClngar ownell by the Airport Al1tllOricy. exduwII8 Alr· porI. Roa<1 ~rk. wbkh che count)· is buying on a leal\;e purchs;\e; the Sheriff's Office hangar. which the t.'OUDty ,in buy OJI lease purcbase. but Lt

'I'lle GroIP Nab:R ~hcn l\eot.lillion will h061 ~pbotognpbcr.John QIino uaTucsdrq. No\:. 15 CJI. 6:30 pm. in the 1~ Doort.~ roomoIlhr WClIDm'S Cc1akr ofS~ JCc.gion;a) Hospibl. Mt-mbm;;md ~ I1'ICJDbeI"5 an:- iDvkt'l'l CD allmd

QOan's.viibe "Enck oflbe Eoath: AnlI:n.fu Mdkclnnd.» Fotmo~:ioformalioo

iJboot Gtorgia Nalu~ Photogr,qibt:n; ~ialion.("hcdt out their "''Cb site. 'WW'W.gJII:a

(,'001 aDd dick 00 1M "\'Wtnl dlllPk:r.·

""tohost Ask-Abwyer Tht' Gritfm-~ COlUllY l.ibr..-y is ~MAsk",o\·I..1W)'tr~Fi'itkIY. Nov, 18 fr~m ]11.m. to 3 p.m 1f)'O\l are w»bIe tomf'et \rilh 00 Ul:k;irne)', you ml fRffl with GeorRia I..etcal Senia:os ~lII1or:n~ J;m ~r.To mt~an nJ)J)l.lin1me'Jf. cal 1704124770or<t!ik at 1bt: front ~.at tht" ~rdl'~To-rontxttheG:LSr.QI~1701. 1beGSLP does not handle criminaI-rnses or ~ma1terll.

01l\!!l3oding. both the pf\Qsec'lt· cion Mel lI,e dt>fense 1ealn SBirl they shoWell)(> re4lely for bini (J$

Sl.'bcduled. A ch~'t': of Vt'DUC to Troup

Count~· ...it'$ granted in July. It has bl:oen SaJm' plan 1.0 beb-io jury sclcc60n in Troop Count)' Jan. 9 ",itb the trial rC0131iYP.1y set to begin Feb. ft. Sam.~ iWd MoAda)' Ihlll jury llllmnlOOS will flO ottl this wef'lt or J)a1.

:More IIlC:iOOns in Che case (tn'

expei.1(o(Jto be ht'Ml Da'. 5 in S):WIing County. Both Ih~ llta1c: aIld 1lIc: ddmsc wUI tmd ~ilh Judg~ Sa:ms Del'. 6 10 :inSPC:C1 ~ 'troup County court .13ci1ities. and then hear potenti.lI jurors' requesl:s for ex£lBeS ordeferTak Dec. 7 in l'r<:Alj)Cmtnty.

would 'rba~oe frtl.m th~ Airport Autlionly to tht: potential new I:Jnd owner. The Kiwanis would b<- in the same posilion as the}' are now.­

Ai rpor t Auth 0 r­iry mm1bt'f Hao.id Bnx:k. who i!O also a Griffin lit)· commis!lioncr rcprc­llIenting District 4. whicb 321dudes tnl' HUliludale are:lllCrOSS the slreet from the airport, Yl:lS (~

cerrwd about wtw would go in tl:lere. "He might put in an amuSl:mcnl park:' BJ'ock ,aid. citing com­memts made rluring prior conJidt:ntiaI m:goUations.

Morrow. also a city commissioner ~aid. "'we ha~'e fin:!1 ay what ~ in. it will be in the <:on­tnIct.~ and he lold Brock that Broek ~lorally mi,.. cOlllltrucd· what will go in tl:ltTe.

t'rty as a mO\'ie studio. I believe t)lis is probabh' tne hi2hest lind hest me and would 113,,"(' tJle t'Kcil­ing p<l$8:I"bil'il)' for $~Ilifl­C3I1C economic paotenUaJ in our community."

Morrow said. '1hc jobs. capitaL inveslmcnl. and re\'t'nue generation would uffer wotki'ort't' opportu­ni1i~ lor our ciUzen' Ihat lJ,ff t."UJ'remly u:Da\'ail:Jble. This ties directly inlo tlle film 3caf3em~' d~elop· men! at Southern Cres­l'COl T«hnical CnlJege to meet the demand or it lrninc:d mu\it.' and film workfon.:t'."

Brock nskt'li MonllClY ni,gnf tMt it be clarified liS to what's R'oi8Jl in th.~re. H also Questioned the $ [5 mi16nn price. as ~OIJ1·

rageou~ amount for that pnlpcrly." ",.ying "it'!> 'A'c.rth about $6 minion.

If\~U~ u"'~ J';.> ""'101,""'1 Ul":...J,,"'., TOll1o!o Tllriley 5K and Half Milr~ Ihem_ Boch rat"t'S Slnrt :'II )Ol:tmey Churl:h, 315 West Solomon SI•• and p-nd .all~ P.ark at SOOh, mlbP. corner of Y.a.~t SQlolllon and 6th mee1~

Rxe c13)- registrntion 3nd pock­et pickup '\\ill stlrt at 6:~O 8.m. and end at 7:]5 a.m.·[be half ma:rathon SW1 Urne lhiD be at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K will SW'1 at 7:-'3,'i a.m. Reg­i1l1er lOr the races at w\lo,",'.acth'l? rom.

All t:aet' proceeds go to support the confuwcd dforts or lmpact bing MiMlrlC'S.

For ~. OfMlltiot\. 5CC lrnplltt fmofIg Mlnlstnes on Facebook.

BANIDI' fllOMJHE FRONT PMiE

in III comlllunity, 3~ it ~JlPl»rt~ numemu;\ lOCill groUP!L :llDc1 Ollr-l­tlizaoon!'o.

Aside from It!; heB'.1'" in\'olve­ment \\ilh Griflin-Spaldillg United Way - or whkhl3rdSht'r Pfel!iellt· t'l~ Cl d.l'l·k over- 811.000 10 ElLrt1..· li~'e [)irttlOr Denise Qukk tIllr· ulR' the etrem Il)' - Bomdt'lf! l'lso ooltabor.ut's am ~\€o'Ir with Chick.· iil-A and the ~oul hllide RideO\ to bring 9: Chmtrnaq c'tlebr3iinn to ostt1' chitdrc.-n in SpafcliQg Coonly and surrounding counties..

"YoubeeD a partner for lhe lusl ~O ~'eun;,» lIilid Luckie. as he l'mpl'l4,:;iztd tllt' importook:e on....rv· iUI! a t~J))I)cIll)' like Bri{}~es1ont:

Bood.'lg' in to\\1). "'''~ ","'Duld like to :lS!IUre Y01l that we are going to be ~'our (lIU'lner for the next 40 }-ears."

righl. it'::; notgomg l~) laap­petl."

~torrow said -it's not 86 millio[l. it's $15 mil· Iioa and thaI covers ORr spcn~ to mo\'e ()Ul ttl

cenant'l.~

The $15 million inducb the land and the buildings in the bu~incs$ park, ~tul'"row !laid, and explmned "wlj haye wbuy Gul tlle !WiatJon business builtH Il;llS and I;I~ililale moving .ho$ busin~S(!s onto the rt('wairporl..·

Krock.. a Hilhmdale rellkkm. ~ he \\;'as con­cerJ]t.'d abQut ·the prop­ert\' values if he puts 21,lI 'iI~lIsernt'nt park in 1!L(.'n:.

111e oo.ttd ,,'()~ UJ]aJli· mOl,lsl)'. indl.ldinR' Brock, co put it out for bid. with It SIS mitlioD m£nimum. Scaled btd'1l will! be opeaed b)1 the Airport Author­

Mn. SIIIrr., A...... to 111.4)1,'C (urn'nl teoants caanot be rdea!lt'CI until Airport Authority and {or that much ($15 ity legal! co~, which PIIsIn'"10. uf Griffin. over.· after the iIirpor.l is du!lt.'d; mentber C3l'1 Prudl, tone.. million) he's ~roing 100 pU.l will l5ift through them aDd died an TuelldilY. Nuy. 1S, The difference io A and a portion 01 the golf c:!) of Brock disl.-'tt sin$!: in whatever he \Ii IJ[~" IELilke a feoommendiltiun 2'016. ather residenCt'. A lUld B. Airport Author­ COli ~ which was on air· the confi (1 emia1 Rt'R'O' Morrow $Ilid "it is PI,lI 10 tbe (uD board. Olemori..l1 ser"ke win be ity Chairman Didl: Mor­ pOrt PJ"OIl'l'r1Y foor 1l1e tily ti:ltions '!J,'lid, "'he's putting out for bid, and irs all5l11r 111e Airport Authority conducted in the ch.'lpel row l'Xp)Clin~d, i~ when h.'\S purchllSl'd. $Ome.lling in there that jed 10 our :l[lpr(}\'al wh.1A 3180 a\Y:.m3ed tbe apPI'aiSlI Df Conner-Wel;tbllry lILt' oWr\t-r WCUlf$ to take "Ole offer include the will antact people to the goe~ in Ibe~," with Air­ (.vnl:l'acl for She !'.:lie of the Funeral Home at II ~~fltrol.oI ,1I!f property, Kiwa!!.~!1 .~airg~ound~ MOIl.- port ~t~]()riL}' membe.r airport to NH AflI~rai!':l1l