Mayors Opinions

Thank you Commandant and thank you distinguished  guests and ladies and gentleman for attending today’s memorial service. I feel deeply honored by Commandant Bill Craig’s invitation to speak today. It is my pleasure to stand before you as a Veteran, as your Mayor and as a patriotic American citizen. In 1863,President Abraham Lincoln was asked to deliver a “message” at the dedication of the Gettysburg, Pa civil war cemetery. The featured speaker was Edward Everett, a former Dean of Harvard University and a famous speaker of that time. Mr. Everett spoke for two hours! Then, President Lincoln gave his message that we now know as the Gettysburg Address. That now famous speech contained only 272 words and and took two minutes to deliver! Today, I will attempt to follow President Lincolns example of brevity! After the Civil War, a group of  survivors, their families and friends began a tradition of using flowers to decorate the graves of those soldiers who died in battle. In 1868, they formally adopted the name of Decoration Day and that tradition continued through other wars to become what we now know as Memorial Day. The date of May 30 was chosen because that’s when the flowers bloom. In 1971, We declared Memorial Day a national holiday. We set aside this day to pay solemn tribute to the more than one million men and women who have died in military service since the civil war began in 1861. In Pickens County, we can add many family names to that honor roll of Heroes. World war 1, Family names of Barrett, Brooks, Carver and Elrod. Here are a few from ww2, Bruce, Dorsey, Evans, Fowler, Reece, Boyd. Korea, Burrell, Bunch Vietnam: Langley, young, Boling Many here today remember Sgt David Collins who died in Iraq. Ladies and gentleman, every single one of those million plus soldiers who sacrificed their lives, their homes scattered all across this country, had mothers and fathers and families and friends who mourned their deaths. Just as we do in Pickens County. Those brave soldiers Did Not Die in Vain! Because of their sacrifices, these United States of America still stand strong today! Because of their sacrifices, we are Able to stand before the world as free and independent men and women! Because of their sacrifices, our nation still shines as a beacon of light and a place of freedom and hope in this world! President Ronald Reagan said, “There is no force in this world greater than the will and moral courage of the American Soldier.” Across our nation today, in small towns like Jasper, Ga, Cottonwood Alabama, or Council Grove Ks as well as larger cities such as Pittsburgh, Pa, Portland, Or and Atlanta, Ga we gather together with our speeches, with our parades and with our flowers to honor the memory of  these brave men and women, our fallen heroes. We know that we can never give them as much as they gave us. They gave all! But, here Today, in this time and at this place we Honor and remember their ultimate sacrifice. We commend their souls to almighty God and ask his blessings on these United States. Thank you!

On Saturday, March 09, 2024 Congressman Barry Loudermilk addressed the Jasper Post 149 of the American Legion. In a speech lasting almost an hour, the former Air Force Veteran  displayed a rare talent to be open, vulnerable and compassionate with his audience. On June 17,  2017, Congressman Loudermilk was a playing participant at the Republican practice baseball game held in Alexandria, Virginia when a gunman walked onto the field opened fire on the politicians.  His telling of that story, as well as other events experienced by him and his family was captivating,  well received and appreciated by all.   Congressman Loudermilk represents the 11th Congressional District.  He was first elected to congress in 2014.  We thank him for his military service and for his commitment to serve us in Congress.

Good morning! Distinguished guests, veterans,  and ladies and gentleman. My name is Steve Lawrence and I am the Mayor of Jasper. I am also a veteran. I come from a family of veterans My father was a decorated combat veteran of wwII. My brother served 2 tours in Viet Nam. Like so many of you here today, we were proud to be Americans and proud to serve our country. Today is veteran’s day.  We celebrate this annually as a day of remembrance honoring all those who have served in the United States armed forces, both past and present. How many of you veterans here today represent the United States Marine Corps? Yesterday was your 248th Birthday. Happy Birthday you magnificent warriors. Let’s give the Marines a hand of celebration! For those who have not served, your presence here today honors every one of us who served and we are ever grateful for your recognition and support of our veterans. To those of you here today who took this oath and said, “I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against All enemies foreign and domestic, and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same” So help me God! It is to you, that I speak today. Todays holiday marks the anniversary of the 1918 signing of the Armistice. This event marked the end of fighting on the Western Front in the First World War. That signing took place at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Ronald Regan said, “We remember those who were called upon to give all a person can give, and we remember those who were prepared to make that sacrifice if it were demanded of them in the line of duty. Most of all, we remember the devotion and gallantry with which all of them ennobled their nation as they became champions of a noble cause. Today, I want to tell you about a decorated Pickens County Veteran and a man that I called a friend. He was born July 31, 1949. He served in the Army from 1967 until 1969. From May 20, 1968 until January 20, 1969 he served in Saigon and Pleiku, Viet Nam. During that time, he earned the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces. His name was Jerel Cantrell and a few years later, we became next door neighbors. Jerel passed away on May 15, 2002 of lung cancer complications. He was 52 years old. Jerel died at a young age and, before cancer, was one of the strongest men I have ever known. Here’s what the 1991 Agent Orange act states, “Veterans who served anywhere in Viet Nam between January, 1962 and  May, 1975, are presumed to be exposed to herbicides.” I leave you to draw your own conclusions. Jerel’s father was a sheriff of our county. Jerel became a Hero to our people. Jerel  Cantrell was one of us, a veteran, And, in my heart and  mind, I see every Veteran here to day as Americas Hero’s. In his Gettysburg address, Abraham Lincoln said, “The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated this ground far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here” Nothing I can say or do will add to nor detract from what Jerel Cantrell did or the man that he was. What I can do is remember him. Just like every person assembled here today can remember your friends, your brothers in arms, both living and dead. And that’s how and why we celebrate Veterans Day! As I close, I want to say that this will be my final speech as your Mayor. Although Cancer has prevented me from serving another term, it has been my great honor to serve you! And to have the opportunity to give my final speech to a group of local veterans that I know, that I trust and that I love is all together both fitting and proper! May God bless you All and May God bless these United States. Thank You!

A small town is not necessarily a small business. Jasper has a population of 4,000 with projected growth of another 4,000 in 5 years. That means expanding services of water, sewer, garbage, police, fire and planning and development. Throw in equipment, vehicles and do not forget the new people that will be required to deliver these new services and it gets expensive in a hurry. With today’s total city expenditures approaching $12 million annually, it is not unreasonable to project that figure could easily approach $20 million in 5 or 6 years. Even small towns need strong, business oriented leadership. Make your votes count!  

My first and last term as Mayor began in January, 2020 and ended in January 2024. In June, 2023, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and chose not to run for a second term.  Fighting cancer is both a journey and a distinct process. As circumstances have played out, my decision was the correct one. At this stage, I have completed all radiation and chemo. I am scheduled to have an operation to remove such cancer as remains in mid March off this year. So, what  is a recently retired to do?  I have always enjoyed writing and since I will have a good six to eight weeks recovery period, the timing seems right. I will write about the experiences of being a small town Mayor in articles to come.