Paris family gives $1000 to Community Council

Lamar Paris, Commissioner of Union County, and his sisters Paula Paris Johnson of Blairsville and Mary Carol Paris Adamson of LaGrange, Ga., have given $1,000 to the Community Council of the Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center (GMRE). The announcement was made by Lamar Paris on behalf of his family. "Paula, Mary Carol and I are pleased to continue our support of the Community Council in its very successful efforts to increase the services of the GMRE Center to Union County and the region. We are pleased that last year over 1,200 Union County students benefited from the educational programs provided by the Council. We have enjoyed the quality of its monthly seminars for adults. Those of us who are privileged to live in Union County also appreciate the Council's efforts to preserve our beautiful mountain heritage."

Natives of Union County, the Paris family has a long tradition of service and leadership. Lamar Paris was in the real estate and finance business before being elected Commissioner of Union County in November 2000. In his second term, Lamar is widely respected as an effective administrator and an advocate for Union County. Paula Paris Johnson enjoyed a successful career of service as a home economist in Inverness, Fla. before returning to Union County where she is active in civic affairs including the Union County Historical Society and the Blairsville Kiwanis Club. Mary Carol Paris Adamson taught English at Briarcliff High School in Dekalb County before becoming a stay at home mom. Later she was associated with a brokerage firm in LaGrange for over 20 years where she is still employed.

In receiving the gift, Bob Ramay, Campaign Director of the Community Council, said, "We are grateful for the continuing generosity of Lamar, Paula and Mary Carol. Their careers of service in government, public health and education exemplify good citizenship and set wonderful example for all of us. We are grateful for their generosity and their partnership with the Council in service to the region. They are indeed special family."

Joe Garner, Superintendent of the GMRE Center, said, "The Paris family's relationship with the Center is a longstanding one. As a young man, Lamar worked at the Center when it was known as the Georgia Mountain Experiment Station. understand that experience may have inspired him to choose business and government service over agriculture. Union County has benefitted greatly from that decision."

The Community Council sponsors education enrichment experiences for students (K through 12) and adults and conservation and preservation projects important to the region. In its three and a half years of operation, the Council has served almost 11,000 students and adults. The Council currently has six preservation projects underway including an exciting Plant Rescue Project.