By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
It was in August of 2011 that I first interviewed Mayor Ronnie Marks, and he agreed to be in Athens Now every two weeks in order to inform the people of Athens-Limestone County about what was going on, why it was going on, and more importantly, what made him tick as both the mayor as well as a man. And, it has never been a ploy or just a religious exercise to always include the fact that we pray at the end of our interview times. Both of us believe it is the most important part of the interview process, and many, many times I have asked God to protect Ronnie and his family.
Well, it seems that God heard, and the photo shows it. Ronnie, City of Athens Communication Coordinator Holly Hollman, and the Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Director Pammie Jimmar were coming up I-65 from Birmingham after having attended an Alabama State Tourism event, when all of a sudden, the car began to shake terribly. Ronnie looked in the rear-view mirror, could tell that the tire was in trouble and pulled over in the far-left lane where there was not a whole lot of room. The illustration to your right shows a “terminally ill tire” that could have easily terminated everyone inside the city’s car. AAA came to the rescue, and everyone got home safe and sound. They were grateful and aware just how easily it could have been their last trip, anywhere. Just to be safe, because it appears that the tire was faulty, all four tires are going to be replaced, and I am sure this is an expenditure over which there will not be any objection!
For this edition of Ronnie, we actually met right after the most recent Legislative Update held in ASU’s Sandridge Hall, and which was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, Morrell Engineering, Martin and Cobey, and Athens State University. We both felt it was one of the best of these types of gatherings in a good while, and time well spent for all involved. One of the prevailing themes was the concern of each legislator that the citizens of their district have the right information, and all of it, for that matter, so they can make choices that make sense. It was interesting proof that people don’t have to agree on everything in order to work together well.
The excellence of each representative’s presentation moved easily into our second discussion, which was part two of John Maxwell’s most recent book, High Road Leadership. In it, Maxwell spends a goodly amount of time talking about the necessity of “High Road Leaders” possessing, developing, and improving both skills and values. One without the other will cause a distortion in the leader and potential devastation of those being led. “John Maxwell is an important read for ANYONE, especially if you are in a leadership position,” said Mayor Ronnie.
And then, for what has only been a handful of times throughout the years, we did not get the chance to pray together before it was time for Ronnie to roll. And I for one am convinced that God has heard the rest of our prayers, and I don’t take a one of those answers for granted.
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
September 6, 2024
