Meldrim Raises Money for New Playground Equipment

(Stephen Newsome, Buddy Carter, Richie Sapp, David Scott, Karen Diederich, and Sandy Sanders)

By Genevieve Rogers

The children of Meldrim will soon be playing on brand new playground equipment at Meldrim Memorial Park, thanks to the hard work of the Meldrim Civic Club and it's Meldrim Memorial Park Rejuvenation Project.

The civic club was formed in 1961 and it's main priority since has been the Meldrim Memorial Park. The park was built to commemorate the 1959 train disaster, in which a freight train carrying two butane tanks blew up and derailed over the Ogeechee River, killing 23 people, most of whom were bathing and picnicking near the accident. The park was rededicated in 1999, which marked the 40th anniversary of the accident. With the help of State Representative Ann Purcell and Senator Jack Hill, a pavilion was added a few years ago.

The current playground equipment was built in the 1950's and was originally used at the Savannah Sugar Refinery for family events and outings. It was donated to the Meldrim community in 1971 by Gene Ellison and the late Bo Stokes. Read More

Questions for the Candidates for District 7 School Board

1. What do you see as the key issues facing the 7th District schools, students, and parents?

Cowart: The keys issues facing the 7th District Schools that I have heard from Students and parents are School safety, School facilities and oversight of School District finances.

Gerbsch: I believe the rapid growth we’re experiencing in southwest and west Chatham County will pose both opportunities and challenges for our schools and families. One opportunity just presented to us by the passage of E-SPLOST is for three new schools to be built in West Chatham County. It is crucial, though, that these schools be designated as “neighborhood” schools—those serving the families and students living nearby.

One issue which the Superintendent’s staff recently mentioned at a public forum is the need to redistrict elementary schools across the school system. The county’s population has grown and shifted significantly since 1986, the last time redistricting of elementary students was completed.

2. What have you done, prior to this election, to improve our public schools?

Gerbsch: In 2000 I was appointed to the Community Advisory Group for the Savannah-Chatham Superintendent Search. In 2001, I worked with nine other business leaders, through the Leadership Savannah program, with at-risk students at Hubert Middle School. I am a founding member of the Savannah Fund for Excellence in Public Education, chairing its grant committee in 2002-2004. In 2004-2006, I served on the Governing Board of Oglethorpe Charter School, including one year as Vice President of Finance.

Cowart: For the last 18 years I have been involved in the local schools. As a parent I have actively supported the principals, teachers and parents. As a City Councilman I worked with school board officials to assist in the planning and implementation of West Chatham Elementary and West Chatham Middle Schools.

Having served as a PTA officer I have worked with school staff to improve parental involvement and communication. When West Chatham Middle School was threatened, I was chosen by the parents as liaison to communicate with the school staff, local authorities to keep them abreast of the situation. As a parent, I have volunteered in many activities, including being Master of Ceremonies at a Talent show, sitting in a dunking booth, dance chaperone and DJ. As school district Risk Manager, I worked to improve school safety and to provide quality educational facilities. Read More