In a somber opening to the recent government meeting, attendees were led in prayer by Brother Robert Goff, who emphasized the community's need for support following a tragic school shooting in Barrow County. The meeting began with acknowledgments of two absent commissioners, Miss Bradford, who is ill, and Lamar, who is undergoing treatment for pain management.

Goff's prayer highlighted the emotional toll on families and first responders affected by the shooting, which occurred just 150 miles away. He urged attendees to remember the victims and their families, expressing hope that such violence would never reach their own community. The prayer also included a tribute to Rex Harrison, a respected community member who recently passed away, and called for support for his wife, Chrishell, and their family during this difficult time.

The meeting underscored the importance of community solidarity in the face of tragedy, with leaders and citizens alike reflecting on the fragility of life and the need for compassion and support for those in distress.