Letters policy: Send by e-mail to letters@gainesvilletimes.com (no attached files, please, which can contain viruses); fax to 770-532-0457; mail to The Times, P.O. Box 838, Gainesville, GA 30503; or click HERE for a form. Include full name, hometown and phone number for confirmation. They should be limited to one topic on issues of public interest and may be edited for content and length (limit of 500 words). Letters originating from other sources, those involving personal, business or legal disputes, poetry, expressions of faith or memorial tributes may be rejected. You may be limited to one letter per month, two on a single topic. Submitted items may be published in print, electronic or other forms. Letters, columns and cartoons express the opinions of the authors and not of The Times editorial board.
On behalf of the 2011 Inaugural Committee of Georgia's 82nd governor and Constitutional officers, a thank you to the Georgia State Patrol, GEMA, DOT and Georgia Building Authority who made safety the priority of Monday's inaugural ceremony. Despite harrowing winter weather conditions, the peaceful transfer of sovereign power occurred without a hitch, and for that we are truly thankful.
Besides those who watched over our safety, the inaugural team deeply appreciates the volunteers and benefactors who gave in support of this weekend. With their support, 31 projects were performed for Georgia's most needing on the Inaugural Day of Service. More than 2,000 volunteers cooked meals, finished homes, landscaped yards, cleaned riverbanks and rocked babies to sleep. Thank you for giving of yourself and proving no heart is bigger than that of a Georgian's heart.
Planning, dedication and creativity could not stop this icy storm, but they did give us the blueprint for a great celebration. Don't store your dancing shoes yet; party details are forthcoming, except this time we will plan for sunny, spring temperatures.
This has been an incredibly memorable experience, and we look forward to the next four years watching Gov. Deal lead Georgia to great new heights.
Jay Morgan & Tricia Pridemore
Chairman and chairwoman, 2011 Inaugural Committee of Georgia's 82nd governor, Nathan Deal