POWERFUL CHANGES: Local Heroes, Lower Bills, & The Week Ahead (Issue #36)

Good morning Stewards,

As we pause today to honor Veterans Day, we recognize the ultimate difference makers—the men and women who put service above self.

That spirit of courage and dedication echoes throughout our community this week, from a massive victory at the ballot box that could impact utility rates for millions, to two local athletes making headlines with their incredible achievements.

We also celebrate the Campbell Spartans' winning football season and track the dramatic temperature swings coming our way!

In Today's Edition

• 🥶 The Forecast: Chilly Start to November, Major Warm-Up Ahead!

• 🎖️ The Debt We Still Owe: From Armistice to Veterans Day

• 💡 Public Pulse: Ratepayer Revolution (PSC Election Brings Hope for Lower Power Bills)

• 🏊‍♀️ Local Legends: Morgan Farmer Makes Collegiate Commitment Splash

• 🏈 School Spirit: Spartan Football Finishes Strong with a Winning 6-4 Record

• 🗓️ Community Calendar: Upcoming Events & Local Jobs

— Your Voice for Local Prosperity

THE WEATHER REPORT
🥶 November Gets Chilly, Major Warm-Up Ahead!

• 🥶 Tuesday - Wednesday: We start off cold Tuesday (49°/34°), but sunny skies quickly warm us up to the mid-60s by Wednesday (66°/42°). Bundle up for overnight lows in the 30s!

• 🌤️ Thursday - Friday: The warming trend continues! Highs climb to 69° Thursday and hit 72° Friday under mostly sunny skies. Lows remain in the low 40s.

• ☀️ The Weekend (Saturday & Sunday): Enjoy the best of the week! Mostly sunny Saturday peaks at a warm 76°/54°. Sunday is partly cloudy and just a little cooler at 74°/51°.

• 🌥️ Next Monday: The week closes out comfortably in the low 70s (70°/51°) under partly cloudy skies.

DIFFERENCE MAKERS
🎖️ The Debt We Still Owe: From Armistice to Veterans Day

The date, November 11th, is carved into history. It marks the day in 1918 when the guns fell silent on the Western Front, specifically at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

That was the birth of Armistice Day, a holiday created to commemorate the end of World War I, “the war to end all wars.”

It was initially a day of parades, reflection, and quiet pride for the heroism of those who had served in the Great War. But history, as it always does, kept moving.

After World War II and the Korean War, the national focus changed. We had millions of new veterans, and the debt we owed stretched far beyond a single conflict.

• 1954: President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation officially changing the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

• The Difference: Memorial Day honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice and died in service. Veterans Day is set aside to thank all who served, living or deceased, in war or peace.

This is why the apostrophe matters—or rather, why the lack of one does. It’s not "Veteran's Day" (belonging to one) or "Veterans' Day" (belonging to many), but Veterans Day—a day for all of us to honor all of them.

It's a national promise of recognition for courage and dedication.

It reminds us that every person who put on a uniform is a difference maker, not just in battle, but in our neighborhoods now. They learned how to lead, how to execute, and how to stay focused when things got loud. They are the backbone of our community stability.

This week, when you see a local veteran, remember that history and use the opportunity to simply say, "Thank you."

SCHOOL SPIRIT
🏈 Spartan Pride: Campbell Football Finishes Strong with a Winning 6-4 Record

The 2025 season marked a significant breakthrough for Campbell High School Football. Under Coach Jeff Phillips, the Spartans charged to a winning 6-4 overall record, reflecting a clear cultural shift and newfound resilience in the demanding AAAAAA Region 3.

Region Resilience

The Spartans built momentum quickly, earning a three-game winning streak early in the season. Despite mid-season losses to highly-ranked region foes like Hillgrove, the team finished strong.

Crucial region victories included a dominant 36-24 win over rival Osborne and a decisive 21-7 victory against Pebblebrook in the season finale, which secured the 6-4 mark.

Key Players Stepped Up

Team success hinged on dynamic senior and junior leadership. Junior QB Davin Lemire efficiently directed the balanced attack. Senior wide receiver/slotback Nick Buggs was the primary offensive weapon, leading the team with 8 total touchdowns and 77.7 receiving yards per game.

Defensively, the secondary was secured by senior Maddox West (4 interceptions), while T. Williams IV anchored the pass rush with 3.0 sacks.

Poised for the Future

Finishing 5th in Region 3 means the Spartans fell just short of the playoffs, but the 6-4 finish is a massive achievement and a testament to the program's progress.

With QB Lemire returning, Campbell is strategically positioned to build on this success and aggressively compete for a playoff berth next season.

PUBLIC PULSE
💡 Ratepayer Revolution: PSC Election Brings Hope for Lower Power Bills

In a major upset, Georgia voters delivered a powerful message by electing Democrats Alicia Johnson (District 2) and Peter Hubbard (District 3) to the Public Service Commission (PSC), the body that sets electricity rates for Georgia Power.

This is the first time in nearly two decades that Democrats have won a PSC race, reflecting widespread frustration over utility costs.

What This Means for Georgians

• A Check on Rate Hikes: The election was widely seen as a referendum against the PSC's recent decisions, which approved six rate increases for Georgia Power over the last three years, adding an average of $43 to monthly household bills.

• Focus on Affordability: Both new commissioners campaigned on prioritizing consumers, increasing scrutiny on utility spending, and pushing for energy policies—like expanded solar and improved grid efficiency—that can help stabilize or lower costs.

• New Balance of Power: While Republicans still hold a 3-2 majority on the five-member commission, the Democratic wins give ratepayer advocates a crucial voice and a renewed ability to challenge large utility rate increases.

This outcome signals that voters are paying attention to utility bills and demanding accountability, making it a significant victory for Georgians concerned about the rising cost of living.

LOCAL LEGENDS
🏊‍♀️ Smyrna's Morgan Farmer Makes Collegiate Commitment Splash

Smyrna is celebrating another major athletic achievement as Morgan Farmer, a standout swimmer from Whitefield Academy, has made a verbal commitment to swim and study at Southern Methodist University (SMU). Farmer will be joining the Mustangs' Class of 2031.

Why This Is A Big Deal

Committing to a Division I program like SMU, which competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), is a testament to years of dedication. Farmer is a versatile talent, excelling in sprint freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly.

Her commitment is built on a "blockbuster" 2024-25 season where she achieved several personal bests, including:

• 100 Backstroke: 56.15

• 200 Backstroke: 2:02.97

• 100 Butterfly: 55.78

Farmer's times would have immediately made her one of the top performers on the SMU roster, suggesting she will be a key contributor to the program's future success. She trains year-round locally with SwimAtlanta.

In confirming her commitment, Morgan thanked her family, friends, teammates, and coaches, adding, "I cannot wait to represent such an incredible program! PONY UP 🐎 💙 ❤️"

🎉 Upcoming Events

Holiday Closing Notice - Veterans Day | All Day, Nov 11 🗓️

• Notice: City of Smyrna offices are closed in observance of Veterans Day. Public safety remains operational.

• Description: Curbside sanitation for the week is adjusted: Tuesday routes will be picked up on Monday, Nov 10. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday routes are unchanged. No yard waste or large items will be collected this week.

Smyrna Veterans Day Ceremony | 10:45 AM - 11:50 AM, Nov 11

• Location: Twentieth Century Veterans Memorial, 2800 King Street SE (next to City Hall)

• Description: Join our community for this ceremony, organized by The Smyrna Veterans Committee, to honor our veterans.

Smyrna-Vinings Silent Book Club | 6:30 PM–9 PM, Nov 11

• Location: The Vineyard Wine Market, 1295 W Spring St #100

• Description: Join this global community of readers! There is no assigned reading—bring whatever book you're currently reading. The format is 30 min of socializing, one hour of silent reading and finally more socializing.

Run Smyrna | 6:30-8:30PM, Nov 17 and Every Monday

• Location: Stout Brothers, 1265 W Spring St

• Description: Meet fellow runners for a relaxed 3–5 mile run

👋 See You Next Tuesday

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— Ravi Patel