Georgia Speaker of the House, 7th District Representative David Ralston visited the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners meeting last Thursday night. Ralston opened his presentation by offering condolences to the Commission Board and the citizens of Gilmer County concerning the death of Post 1 Commissioner Randy Bell. After several kind comments about Bell he then reached in his jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope containing a check for $123,207.38.

The check was from the Georgia Department of Transportation emergency relief fund. Joking that he wanted to save the cost of the stamp, he presented the check to Chairman J.C. Sanford.

Sanford said they had been waiting to hear from the state concerning the County’s application. The emergency relief funds will be used to repair roads and bridges that were damaged by flooding. After this past summer’s floods Gilmer County submitted the application to GDOT for relief funds. GDOT sent inspectors to assess the damage. The county did not know if it would receive the full amount they requested. The check Ralston presented was for the full amount.

Ralston said he was glad to be able to deliver it in person to which the citizens in attendance, Commissioner Danny Hall, and Sanford expressed their appreciation.