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Published Tuesday, November 03, 2009 in Local

Former Grantville councilmen honored at center dedication

By Jeff Bishop

The Times-Herald

There was a packed house at the Sunday dedication ceremony of the Willie L. Clements/ John A. Malcolm Community Center in Grantville at 97 Brown School Drive.

"We are proud of this building, and we are honoring the hard work and dedication of these two men," said Trellis Zackery, who welcomed the guests at the 2 p.m. ceremony.

"We appreciate the countless hours that have been put forth to complete this building and get us to this point," said Zackery.

Vickie Williams paid tribute to her father, Willie Clements, a retired police officer and former Grantville city councilman.

"You put your whole heart and soul into whatever you do," Williams told Clements. "You have been such a good influence on my life. What I am today is because of you ... you have been my role model and taught me the values of life."

She said Clements always told her "not to worry about what people say" and to put her work in God's hands, "since His will makes all things possible."

Alice Malcolm recognized her husband, former city councilman John Malcolm.

"I am so happy today," she said. "This is a highlight of our life."

Even after living a life full of happy memories, she said, "I believe today tops them all."

She said when her husband first talked about running for city council, "it was scary, you know." But she said she is proud of everything he accomplished for the city of Grantville.

"This is our adopted city, but we love it," she said.

She pointed out that Malcolm helped to establish the local neighborhood watch program, and he served on councils that "put in the sidewalks we still use today."

"We've had a progress in this town because of the foresight of Mr. Malcolm and Mr. Clements," she said.

"I can't say it's all been easy, but it seems like things have kept improving," she said.

"And today is a stellar day in our lives," said Mrs. Malcolm. "We never thought this day would come, and that the city council would be so thoughtful. But they did it. And I am thankful and happy. All I can say is, 'thank you.'"

Former county commissioner Robert Wood said that Malcolm and Clements were always an inspiration to him.

"I served in the Marine Corps as a medic," said Wood. "Our motto was Semper Fi -- always faithful. And during the time that I served on the commission, Mr. Malcolm and Mr. Clements were always faithful to the needs of the citizens of Coweta County."

When it comes to public service, "sometimes you don't want to do it, and sometimes you don't feel like doing it," said Wood. "But if you don't do it, who is going to do it?"

He said that Clements and Malcolm were able to "get some things done" during their years of service to the city of Grantville.

"And I say to both of you -- Semper Fi!"

Mary C. Elder of the Grantville Recreation Board said the dedication of the former pool house "has been a long, long time coming."

She said that she is "so thankful" that the dedication day finally arrived.

"I would like to congratulate both of you," she said. "And we want to thank you for your service to the city of Grantville.

"This is just the occasion that we have waited and waited for," she said.

Grantville Mayor Casey Houston said she and the council members are "proud of our new facility," which she said will serve the city well "for years to come."

She said the city also wishes to thank Malcolm and Clements for their years of service and dedication to the city.

"We don't have the plaque here today, but maybe when it arrives we can have another little dedication ceremony," she said.