The Chattooga County Democratic Party held the annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on Saturday evening (August 13) at the historic Summerville Depot. Several local Democrats were honored at the event.
Mrs. Eva Massey of Menlo was presented the Democrat Hall of Fame award by Ms. Katherine Camp. Mrs. Massey is the widow of long time Chattooga County Democratic School Board Chairman Leroy Massey and mother of current School Board Chairman Eddie Massey and State Representative Barbara Massey Reece. With the presentation of the award, Mrs. Massey said simply, "I’m proud to be a Democrat."
Local party Treasurer and former long-time party chair Tim Shifflet presented Kelly Thomas of Cloudland with the Democrat of the Year Award. Kelly has served as the local party secretary and as information officer and has been a party activist for several years. This year she helped to organize a chapter of Young Democrats in Chattooga County.
Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson was on hand to present the Susan Kellett Jones award to Aleta Kellett and the family of former Sheriff Ralph Kellett. Sheriff Wilson spoke of his friendship with Sheriff Kellett and his family over the years and the struggle with cancer that had affected both the Wilson and Kellett families. Sheriff Wilson was also surprised with a presentation as an honorary member of the Chattooga County Democratic Party.
The key-note speaker for the night was former U.S. Congressman Buddy Darden who was introduced by Summerville Attorney Bobby Lee Cook. Mr. Darden spoke of his fondness for Chattooga County and how local Democrats were some of his biggest supporters while in office. Mr. Darden recognized some of those local supporters including former Commissioner Pete Denson, Probate Judge Jon Payne, Mrs. Eva Massey, Rep. Barbara Massey Reece and others. Darden said that the first debate of his congressional career was held in Gore, Georgia and that he has never forgotten Chattooga County. Darden said that when he walked in the Summerville Depot and saw Mr. Gene Espy with The Summerville News he told someone "in Chattooga County, some things never change."
Two more surprises at the JJ Dinner were the presentation of two resolutions from the General Assembly by State Representative Barbara Massey Reece. Ms. Reece presented Gene Espy with a resolution honoring The Summerville News on their 125 year of providing local news in Chattooga County with ownership of the paper in the Espy family for four generations. Ms. Reece also presented Aleta Kellett and the Kellett family with a resolution passed earlier this year honoring former Sheriff Ralph Kellett .
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