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Pike County Independence Day Parade - 07/04/08
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The Pike County Parade took place a little bit later in the day after the Peachtree City and Griffin parades. Scott high-tailed it to Zebulon just as soon as the earlier events concluded. Here is the fantastic float that Investigator Phil Hammond made that was in the Griffin and Pike parades.
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The hardy group of volunteers gets ready to take part in their second parade of the day. Good thing we had a lot of Ben-Gay and Icey-Hot on hand!
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At least we didn't have to march this time! ^_^
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There was a sudden and violent downpour before the parade as you can see, but that did not stop there from being an outstanding turnout!
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Peachtree City Independence Day Parade - 07/04/08
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The Peachtree City Independence Day Parade is one of the largest annual events that takes place in the Griffin Judicial Circuit. Over 120 floats participated in the event and the attending crowd this year was estimated at around 30,000 people.
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Here is the campaign’s float loaded for bore. Volunteers passed out the ever popular Re-Elect Scott Ballard refrigerator magnets, hand fans that were also very popular on a hot and humid Fourth of July, balloons, and candy to the crowd. Thanks once again to Allan Vigil Ford for lending us the truck!
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Everyone gets ready before the parade starts.
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Melanie Ballard gets ready to pass out balloons to spectators along the parade route.
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David Ballard helps get everything organized before the parade cranks up.
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Citadel Self Storage Open House - 06/18/08
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Citadel Self Storage, a local Peachtree City business, recently celebrated the expansion of its state of the art facilities. Numerous VIPs attended the celebration. Here's Scott with State Senator Ronnie Chance.
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Scott with legendary business man, philanthropist, founder of Chick-Fil-A, and all around fantastic human being, Mr. Truett Cathy. Mr. Cathy's latest book It's Better to Build Boys than Mend Men lays out a simple model for adults desiring to reach out to youth and challenges readers to allow God to work through them to change the life of a child. His book is filled with stories illustrating the principles of discipline, trust, reputation, generosity, common sense, peer pressure, and family stability. It's a read that's certainly worth your time!
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You can see a bit from this picture just how big Citadel's new expansion is and how well attended the lunch was.
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More guests enjoy themselves.
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Bubba the Bear from 92.5 FM was also on hand.
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The gentleman seated in the middle of the table between Scott and Mr. Cathy is Pete Waldrop, owner of Citadel Self Storage and the host of the party. Congratulations to you and your employees on your new expansion Pete and thank you for having us!
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The Waldrop family laid out an amazing Chick-Fil-A spread and put on a truly first class event!
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Peachtree City Rotary Club Forum - 06/17/08
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The PTC Rotary Club hosted a forum at the Wyndam Conference Center that invited voters to come meet the canidiates that are running for local offices.
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The campaign's table chockablock full of giveaways and freebies. Legal Secretary Robyn Cobb set up the decorations. She did a great job of setting up the space!
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Scott with Debbie Groninger, a great friend to law enforcement. She has established a scholarship for criminal justice students in her late husband's name and has contributed to numerous other police charities and causes.
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Pike County Republican Party Candidate Forum - 06/16/08
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The Pike County GOP hosted a forum for all Republican candidates who are running for office. They did a great job putting on the event and Scott really appreciated the opportunity to address the voters.
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Scott talked about how Pike is now growing by leaps and bounds and while there are many positive effects from this growth, your DA's Office is fighting hard to make sure that Pike will also maintain her great quality of life that her citizens have sacrificed to achieve and grown accustomed to.
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Scott explained to the crowd how your DA's Office is "guarding what's ours" in many different aspects. We are guarding our streets and schools from the influx of gangs from other counties. We are protecting our property from thieves. We are protecting our children from perverts who would pray upon them.
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Tyrone Meet the Candidates - 06/12/08
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The Greater Fayette Republican Women's Club hosted a "Meet the Candidates" event at the Tyrone Depot. The gathering gave voters a chance to meet the slate of contenders that the GOP is fielding for local offices this year.
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The Depot was bursting at the seems! Also look at the killer spread that the GOP ladies put out! Every time they hold an event they really do it up right!
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Like everything else they do, the Greater Fayette Republican Women's Club did a wonderful job hosting a fantastic evening! Thanks ladies!
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Griffin June Jam 2008 - 06/07/08
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June Jam is an annual Griffin tradition that helps kick off summer with great food and music! Hundreds of celebrants attend the Jam every year.
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Here are two Ballard fans enjoying their fans. ^_^
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Meet & Greet at Heaven's Coffee Cafe in Upson - 05/29/08
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Heaven's Coffee Cafe where our "Meet & Greet Scott" took place. Dozens of citizens and community leaders came by to shoot the breeze with Scott and enjoy some nice cups of joe and pastries.
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Scott with Catherine Davison & Ruben Gunter, who were kind enough to let us use their fantastic coffee shop! Thank you guys so much for your gracious hospitality!
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Scott with Jeff Turner, DA's Office Senior Investigator and candidate for sheriff, and ace Assistant District Attorney Heath English. Both Jeff and Heath work out of the Upson office.
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With Lee Coleman, managing editor of The Thomaston Times. While attending the coffee, Lee interviewed Scott about what the DA's Office has accomplished during his first four years in office and what he hopes to achieve during his second term.
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Scott and Danny Brinks, Vice-Chairman of Bank of Upson.
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Scott with attorney Mark Irvin.
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The aforementioned Jeff Turner and Karen Raines. Along with Jeff, Karen also works in the DA's Upson office and is a contender in the political ring this year. She is a candidate for Clerk of Upson Superior Court.
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More Ballard backers meet Scott and talk with him about what the DA's Office is doing to "guard what's ours" in Upson County.
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His Honor, Thomaston native and Griffin Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Johnnie Caldwell, Suzanne Gatlin and Jeff Turner.
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Scott doing what he does best, mixing & mingling with "the ladies"... ^_^
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Scott speaking with Kay Williamson who is with Flint River Technical College.
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2008 Upson County Employee Appreciation Picnic - 05/23/08
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Every year Upson County holds a picnic for its county employees at Truett Cathy's Rock Ranch to thank them for their public service. Here Scott chats with some Upson Sheriff's Office Employees who are getting ready to hunker down for some burgers and hot dogs.
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Scott with Probate Court Judge Gary Hamby.
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The picnic included a cook-out with all the fixings and lots of activities like fishing, badminton, and horseshoes. Just about every county department attended the lunch and got some very well deserved R&R for their hard work!
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Scott with the DA's Office Law Enforcement Liaison and candidate for Upson County Clerk of Superior Court, Teresa Harper. What a great looking campaign site she has! ;)
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Scott chillin' after spending a busy afternoon with the numerous other county employees that attended the event. Thanks to Pam Wonnum, Linda Murphy, and all the other organizers who did a fantastic job planning a great picnic!
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Commencement Speaker at Braelinn Elementary's 2008 Recognition Day - 05/23/08
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The event celebrated the school's 5th graders graduating and moving on up to Rising Starr Middle School. Principal Wenonah Bell welcomed the parents and students and introduced Scott, who gave the commencement address. |
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The school band, orchestra and chorus performed. Scott’s own son, Paul is a graduating 5th grader from Braelinn so Scott is a proud poppa today as well! Check out the video of Scott's speech right here. |
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The 3rd Annual Pike County Pimiento Festival Celebration - 05/17/08
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The 3rd Annual Pike County Pimento Festival was held in Zebulon on Saturday, May 17 and featured food, crafts, and music. Scott talked with the visitors and enjoyed some homemade ice cream. Here's two more lil' Ballard Backers who enjoyed the event. |
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Scott with Pike County Commission Chairman, Steve Fry. |
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Pike County Boys & Girls Club Open House - 05/17/08
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The Boys and Girls Club of Pike County held an open house to announce their plans to renovate the old Pike Middle School Gym off of Hill Street in Concord, which is now owned by Old Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, and make it into a place where children can come play after school. |
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A large crowd was on hand for the open house and ribbon cutting. |
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Several Pike County VIPs assisted with the ribbon cutting. |
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The old school gym is in need of renovation before it can be used by the club. They are looking for volunteers to participate in this project along with the funds to do so. If you would like to see what you could do to help with this very worthy cause, please visit the Boys and Girls Club web site. |
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Scott spoke to the crowd along with several other Pike County dignitaries and Boys and Girls Club of America officials about mobilizing to help the the BAGC achieve their objective. |
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The 39th Annual Old Courthouse Art Show - 05/17/08
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The annual Fayetteville Art Show was held near the old historic court house and featured fine art, Irish dancers, bands, theater groups, and the winners of Fayette Idol. The nearby Holliday-Dorsey-Fife Museum was also serving food from the early 19th century as part of a very novel and popular "Taste of Living History" exhibit. I'm all for history you can eat! Scott, his daughter, Melanie, and her friend Lauren went to soak in some culture and pass out some of the ever popular Re-Elect Scott Ballard refrigerator magnets. Those things are going like hotcakes. |
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Upson Lee North Elementary School Career Day - 05/13-14/08
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Scott visited every fourth and fifth grade class at Upson Lee North Elementary over a two day period to educate the students about what a District Attorney's Office does to prosecute crimes. |
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All sorts of different professions participated in Career Day. Scott was joined by a Georgia State Patrolman, a Sheriff's Deputy, a policeman, an EMT, a fire fighter, a veterinarian, a pilot, a civil engineer, and even a funeral director! |
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Scott conducted a role-playing exercise with the students to teach them about the different individual roles involved in the criminal justice system. Kids were assigned to be ADAs, defense attorneys, detectives, jailers, magistrate and superior court judges, and jurors. |
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The kids were very enthusiastic and eager to participate in the exercise as you can see! |
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And Scott really got into it too! He really enjoys meeting young people and teaching them about the criminal justice system. He gets a bit carried away sometimes. ^_^ |
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This group of fifth graders learned that there are many different actors involved in the criminal justice system that have to work together in order to serve justice, protect the rights of both the innocent and victims of crimes, and prosecute the guilty. |
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I think we have several future law enforcement officers, ADAs, and judges in this group!! |
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Emory Springs Neighborhood Coffee - 05/11/08
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ADA Lura Landis hosted a coffee in her neighborhood that gave residents a chance to come out and meet Scott and ask him questions. |
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Scott chatting with some Emory Springs residents. |
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Many residents attended and Scott answered questions and shared his views on issues pertaining to criminal prosecution in Fayette County. |
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Upson Street Dance - 04/18/08
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The event was held in the on the outside of the courthouse in the city's main square. The dance included hours of music and lots of good food and the organizers did a fantastic job getting set up for such a large crowd! |
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A fine looking truck! |
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Stavion, another young Ballard Backer. |
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Joe Cobb passes out stickers to fellow Scott supporters. |
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Peachtree City Police Department Open House - 04/18/08
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The Peachtree City Police Department held an open house at their headquarters in order to welcome their new chief, H.C. "Skip" Clark. |
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Chief Clark comes to the Fayette County from the Juno Beach Police Department where he rose through the ranks from patrolman to assistant chief and racked up over 30 years experience in law enforcement. |
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Dozens of people came to pay their respects to the new chief.
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Teresa Harper, the office's Law Enforcement Liaison, was also in attendance. Teresa does a fantastic job of getting police reports and other pertinent information from officers so that the Assistant District Attorneys know how to properly accuse or indict a particular crime. She also ensures that officers know when they need to come to court and runs criminal histories. |
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Scott with Chief Clark and State Senator Ronnie Chance. |
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Fayette County Realtor Forum - 04/18/08
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Scott was a guest speaker at the Fayette County Realtor Forum where he spoke on how crimes affect property values. You can check out a recap of the forum by clicking right here. |
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Scott stated that although gangs based out of Atlanta and its surrounding counties desire to expand into Fayette, law enforcement and your District Attorney's Office have been very successful in curtailing this possible threat through vigilance and securing convictions and stiff sentences against criminals who are involved in gang activity. |
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Ribbon Cutting of the New Fayette County GOP Headquarters - 02/08/08
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The new Fayette County GOP headquarters was recently packed to the rafters during the Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting! Thanks to everyone who helped make the event a success and to the Chamber of Commerce for turning out to celebrate the party's new location. Scott was joined by Senator Ronnie Chance, and Representative Matt Ramsey who also took time from their busy schedules to take part in the event. |
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2008 Middle School Career Fair - 02/07-08/08
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Heritage Christian Church hosted a two day career fair which was attended by 8th grade students from six different middle schools. Over two dozen representatives from all sorts of diverse professions ranging from everything from law enforcement, to acting, to insect extermination, were on hand at the event to answer questions.
The fair was a smashing success! |
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Over one hundred students interested in becoming future prosecutors visited the office's booth! Scott and other volunteers from the office answered their questions about how to become an Assistant District Attorney. |
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Fayette Middle School Law & Order Class - 02/06/08
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Scott joined Fayette Middle School Resource Officer Jeremy
Lakeman of the Fayetteville Police Department as a guest speaker for
the school's Law & Order Class. |
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Officer Lakeman and Scott guided FMS 8th graders through a
role-playing exercise that demonstrated the duties that detectives,
defense attorneys, the DA, and judge all perform from the occurrence
of a crime until a conviction is secured. |
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The students did a wonderful job and really got into the exercise!
They also asked some very well thought out questions. |
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Fayette County NAACP Gang Violence Panel - 01/21/08 |
| The Fayette County Chapter of the NAACP hosted a public forum to address the threat of increasing gang activity in Fayette and the surrounding counties. Scott was joined on the panel by Fayetteville Police Chief Steve Heaton, Lt. Jennifer Michel of the Peachtree City Police Department, School Superintendent John DeCotis, Assistant Superintendent of Operations Sam Sweat, Dave Simmons who is a candidate for Sheriff, and Rev. William Brown.
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| Scott stressed that the DA’s Office would continue to have absolutely no tolerance for gangs in order for our circuit to maintain the high quality of life that we have sacrificed to achieve and grown accustomed to. You can read John Munford’s write-up of the event that he wrote for The Peachtree Citizen right here.
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Pike County King Day Parade - 01/21/08
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| Fuller’s Chapel hosted Pike County’s Annual King Day Parade. Thanks to all of the church members who worked very hard to make the event possible and for providing the marchers very much appreciated coffee, hot cocoa, and doughnuts!
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A contingent made up of 11 staff members from the DA’s office and their family and friends braved 20 degree weather (9 degrees with wind chill factored in!) to march in the parade and honor the memory of the late Dr. King.
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| A huge caravan assembles before the parade. The complete ensemble contained 3 fire trucks, a marching band, and many community leaders including judges, sheriffs, and state senators.
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| The award-winning Pike County High Pirate Regiment Marching Band warms up before the parade begins.
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| The Pike County Sheriff’s Office and the Zebulon Police Department did a fantastic job directing traffic and helping the parade run smoothly! Thanks guys and gals!
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Scott with his daughter Melanie and her friend Lara before the parade starts.
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| Investigator Shane Harris holds up the office banner while Legal Secretary Anita Rodriguez throws out koozies advertising the circuit’s Victim Witness Assistance Program.
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Investigator Phil Hammond, Rebecca Rodriguez, and Tucker and Wyatt Harris distributed candy and koozies to the crowd. Allan Vigil Ford was kind enough to lend us the truck.
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State Senator Ronnie Chance who represents District 16 (Fayette, Pike, and Spalding Counties) also took time from his busy schedule to march in the parade.
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Click HERE to see pictures from Special Events from prior years.
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*NOTE: Click on the image to see a larger version
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