Young Patriot Wows Local and State Leaders

It's not often a fifth grader steals the public spotlight from seasoned politicians. But that is what happened at Thursday's Forsyth County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Remington Youngblood, a student at Johns Creek addressed the five-member board and suggested they, "Eat an elephant. That's right eat an elephant."

He wasn't being disrespectful. Not at all. He was simply introducing a very large project he started called "Change 4 Georgia." The project will help Forsyth County schools and businesses provide items for Georgia's more than 2,000 troops who are "bravely fighting for our freedom and security."

Rebecca Youngblood, Remington's mom, told Cumming Patch the list of 26 items came from a wish list the troops created and would like to have.

"These are items that are not readily available or provided by the government," she said. "These are items that add comfort and will fit in their backpacks – things like moon pies, playing cards, Q-tips, Kleenex, baby wipes, energy bars."

For a complete list of what is needed, e-mail the Youngbloods. Donated items can be dropped off at the VFW Post 9143 located at 1045 Dahlonega Highway, Monday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 8 pm.

Change 4 Georgia has been adopted by Johns Creek Elementary, all the high schools and six of nine middle schools in Forsyth County. The purpose,  Remington said, is to "Help the military know we appreciate and love them for what they do."

The young patriot recently introduced his project to the Forsyth County Board of Education and members of in Cumming, as well as Gov. Nathan Deal.

"It's not everyday that a kid gets to meet the governor of Georgia" he said. "I was extremely honored to meet him."

Remington has a full schedule in the coming weeks as he will be traveling throughout Forsyth County to promote his project. He also plans to meet with Congressman Rob Woodall (R-GA) later this month.

At the end of his address to the BOC Thursday, Remington said, "My hope and my challenge is you will decide to join us at the table, grab a napkin and take a bite."

In other business, commissioners held a first reading of proposed amendments to the several ordinances, including the county's Ethics, Alcohol and Parks and Recreation ordinances. Voters will decide if they favor Sunday sales of alcohol in .

By a unanimous vote, commissioners authorized Merchant Capital, LLC to proceed with refunding Water and Sewerage Authority Series 2002 bonds. Finance Director David Gruen said due to current market conditions, refunding the bonds would save the county between $275,000 and $325,000 in annual interest costs.