Some of the county's best achievements were in spite of 'naysayers'

Editor:

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It was such a breath of fresh air to read Barbara Seaborn's column in the July 5 News-Times, "Welcome calm after the Pavilion storm." She points out, "had the commissioners at the time been guided by polls, they never would have pursued the project."

I remember this time well because my husband, Mike Graybill, was chairman of the Columbia County Commission. He placed the best interest of the county above the very vocal minority who were driven to a frenzy by the misinformation in editorials by (The Augusta Chronicle's) Phil Kent.

Even though our families suffered at the time, I am glad that the commissioners, under Mike's guidance, stood on principles.

The commission, under the team leadership headed by my husband, gave Columbia County some of its proudest accomplishments, including Patriots Park, Savannah Rapids Pavilion, the county logo, and so many more.

I hope that everyone will read Seaborn's column and recognize how difficult it is for people serving our county to stand for what is right at the expense of being fully demonized by the "naysayers."

What I find so ironic is that the people who complained the most are the very ones that were the first to enjoy the Pavilion.

Gayle Graybill

Evans