Our thoughts and prayers are with all who have been adversely impacted by the CAT 4 Tornado that struck our beautiful City and County of Homes.

As I walked down LaGrange Street, Greenville Street, Alpine Drive, Woodbine, East Broad Street and Hollis Heights over the weekend, one thought came to me. We really are Newnan Strong, and everyone is pitching in and helping those in need. There has been such an outpouring of support that we cannot stress enough the wonderful fabric of our community.

The magnificent trees are gone, and blue tarps are everywhere along the storms path, but there is an optimism and a determination to build back and make things even better than they were before. It will take time, but the scars will heal.

One miracle is that only one person died during the storm. The EMTs could not reach Barry Martin in time due to the obstacles caused by the storm, and we lost a very fine man. Saying all that, with the killer tornado being a CAT 4, many more people could have died.

Praying in our basement during the storm, Margaret and I watched the most unbelievable lightning show ever seen. Thanks to the early warnings of our City and County disaster officials, most of us got the word before the storm arrived. Much appreciation is due to those who gave us all a heads up. The loud announcements awoke us in time to prepare. Even though our part of Newnan was spared, we were so grateful and impressed that we were warned promptly.

Our hearts go out to all those who lost their homes, those whose homes and cars were damaged. We are Newnan Strong, and we will get better. No community could have reacted better to such a disaster. Although things will never be exactly the same, including my beloved Newnan High School, my father's alma mater, my alma mater, and two of my children's alma mater, it, too, will get better. As my Dad always said, "This, too, shall pass". We must move forward in spite of these temporary obstacles. Newnan is still "The City of Homes" and Coweta County is the best place on earth to live because of the generous, great people who inhabit this part of God's wonderful creation.