Monroe County Commissioners presented their annual Service Awards on Tuesday, Jan. 5. Each commissioner chose one Monroe County citizen or group to be honored for his/her contributions to the county in 2021.
Monroe County District 1 Commissioner Lamarcus Davis presented on Tuesday, Jan. 4 a Citizen Service Award to local community outreach group Men Making A Difference (MMAD).
MMAD representatives Antonio Allen and Tim Stokes accepted the award on the group’s behalf, which included lapel pins and a plaque.
Commissioner Davis said for the last 11 years MMAD has organized a free family day on the Saturday before Father’s Day in June and MMAD, along with Commissioner Davis, recently held a Christmas Eve children’s toy drive at the Monroe County Clubhouse.
Commissioner Davis said of MMAD: “Your dedication and commitment is immensely appreciated.”
Monroe County District 2 Commissioner Eddie Rowland presented on Tuesday, Jan. 4 a Citizen Service Award to county water consultant Bentley Cox.
Cox and his wife Susan accepted the award, which included a lapel pin and plaque.
Commissioner Rowland said he suggested turning to Cox, the county’s former water and building department supervisor, for help with overseeing the construction of the new fire station headquarters as well as managing the ongoing water line expansion in Juliette, and Cox willingly came out of retirement to assist Monroe County.
“We needed someone there to be a liaison between the contractors and the citizens,” Commissioner Rowland said. “I knew Bentley could do it and do a great job. . . That was the best move that we could have done as a Commission.”
Commissioner Rowland said Cox is a good friend who is always willing to listen and give advice, even if it’s not what you want to hear.
Commissioner Rowland said, “I have a great deal of respect for Mr. Bentley Cox.”
Monroe County District 3 Commissioner John Ambrose presented on Tuesday, Jan. 4 a Citizen Service Award to Monroe County Reporter columnist Steve Reece.
Reece received a lapel pin and plaque for his work in the local community.
Commissioner Ambrose said Reece was an active volunteer participant in organizing the Monroe County Bicentennial Celebration, including creating countless promotional videos featuring local citizens and historic locations.
Commissioner Ambrose said of Reece: “I appreciate what you did with your videos and also he loves to protect the citizens of Monroe County.”
Reece said upon receiving his award: “When I first came here I was told that if you’re new to this county, if you weren’t born here, you wouldn’t be accepted. Well that’s not true. I’m totally accepted, and I’m going to be here til the end of my days and y’all are just going to have to put up with us.”
Monroe County District 4 Commissioner George Emami presented a Tuesday, Jan. 4 a Citizen Service Award to High Falls resident Harvey Ellis.
Ellis received a lapel pin and plaque for his work in the local community.
Commissioner Emami said Ellis is well-known for assisting his High Falls neighbors in a myriad of ways, including changing tires for an older couple during a rainstorm last week and doing frequent electrical work on local homes and for his church, High Falls Baptist Church. Commissioner Emami said Ellis also keeps the church buses running safely and helps coordinate a regular Red Cross blood drive at his church. He said a few years ago Ellis sold enough advertisements for a local cookbook to pay the whole printing costs of 450 hardback copies. Emami said several weeks ago Ellis even helped a friend with an injured child get into her home when she inadvertently locked her keys inside.
Commissioner Emami said of Ellis: “Sir, your character shines through from what I’ve just read. One thing I love about this county and this particular day is that we don’t honor people like you enough. All of those that were awarded tonight, y’all make up the fabric. We (Commissioners) get paid a little something to do some of this stuff, but you do not. And we are thankful and grateful to know that we have people such as y’all in this great county.”
Commissioner Emami said he’s rode around High Falls with Ellis on multiple occasions to keep himself informed on what issues his district most needs assistance.
Commissioner Emami said, “He (Ellis) has done an incredible job with helping me become aware of some of those things.”
Monroe County Commission Chairman Greg Tapley presented on Tuesday, Jan. 4 a Citizen Service Award to Bolingbroke-based community outreach group F.A.T. (Faithful. Available. Teachable.) Ministry.
F.A.T. Ministry representatives Tommy Campbell, Ronnie Combs and Richard Smith accepted the award on the group’s behalf, which included lapel pins and a plaque. A fourth member, Travis Miller, is also an integral part of the group but was unable to attend on Tuesday.
Chairman Tapley quoted an Ella Wheeler Wilcox poem that stated there are two types of people in the world, “those that lift and those that lean.” Chairman Tapley said the F.A.T. Ministry members are local examples are “lifters.”
Chairman Tapley said of F.A.T. Ministry: “Y’all make me proud to represent this county on a local, state and national level. Obviously again tonight is one more example of what we can accomplish when we work together to lift others up.”
Chairman Tapley said Campbell, who has owned and operated Tommy Campbell Collision Center in Bolingbroke for more than 30 years, felt called to serve the local community upon hearing a sermon by Jewish Rabbi Greg Hershberg of Beth Yeshua International. Hershberg preached about how you don’t have to be a missionary to spread the gospel but that it can be done by the simple act of giving someone a sandwich. From that sermon, Campbell founded the F.A.T. Ministry with three friends, Combs, Miller and Smith, to provide help to community members in need by giving food, clothing, shelter and monetary assistance while sharing the Word of God. Chairman Tapley said over the past several years, F.A.T. Ministry and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office have teamed up to distribute thousands of food boxes to Middle Georgia citizens in need.
Campbell said upon receiving the award: “We do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s who we serve today. And we’re just real thankful that we can go out and help somebody and go buy somebody a sandwich.”
Campbell said the group has also assisted those suffering from cancer as well as started scholarship funds for children in need.
Campbell said, “It’s just real glorious to help someone. That’s what we like to do. We like to serve the Lord.”
Combs said the group began with just a few friends who talked about cooking one meal a month for the homeless and has expanded tremendously.
Combs said, “We sit around and ask sometimes. We pinch ourselves and say, ‘Can you believe what the Lord has done through this group?’”
