West Bay Rotary March 17, 2016

Leaman Scott - Classification talk

 

 

His Wife Suzanne and Leaman lived their lives in Georgia before they moved here last year.

He grew up as an only child in Vidalia Georgia.  His mom was from Georgia, dad was a Yankee from NY.    Mom was a nurse until she retired.  He has a large extended family – all relatives live within a comfortable drive.  Met wife in high school, dated through college.  In 1973 he graduated, got a job, got married, moved to Rome Georgia

Worked for Goodyear then moved to Goodyear Aerospace which made parts for aircraft.

He worked in contracts administration.

Dirigibles – the main product for that was blimps for the navy.  That was great until the nuclear submarine came around and it was faster.

That technology was phased out – but they shifted to making the balloons for the Macy’s parade.

He was able one time to get on the balloon crew.

 

Moved to Atlanta – Got a job at Georgia Tech.  He also worked in Contracts administration

He learned that he was not smart enough to go to college there, but was able to get a job there.

Wife went to grad school in Athens Georgia.

GT got a lot of sponsorship money – his job was to work with the professors and research scientists on administration of those sponsorships.

We helped startup companies – created incubators.

Was appointed by the Governor to create the GA Agricultural Authority.

Most big agricultural states have a place to display their products.  Idea was to build a fair ground in Perry Georgia. Started as a 40 million project that would have brought half a million people to the community.  The main purpose to promote agriculture – its sustainable by having fair, arena, concerts, RV park – that brought in revenue.  The process was very political. 

 

At some part in that process Leaman and Suzanne decided that Perry GA wasn’t where they wanted to live.  He was able to transition to another Authority.  It was an agency that made loans to local governments for sewer programs.  He transitioned to the GA Authority of Community Affairs.  He worked on Econ develop, job creation, infrastructure, waste reduction efforts. 

 

In 1999 they moved back to Rome, GA.  Happy to escape Atlanta.  The new job provided him with the opportunity to travel – learned all the good places to eat.  BBQ is not the same up here.  Where he comes from it’s a noun, not a verb.  The free time also freed up him time to allow him to get more involved in the community.  Able to get involved with Habitat for Humanity (BOD) – downtown development authority – try to reinvest in downtowns.  Historic preservation commission – reviewed changes that were taking places in the historic district.  Keep Rome beautiful (BOD). 

 

In 2014 they both decided to retire.  It’s been 18 months and they still like each other.  They have 2 kids.

Daughter – oldest – registered geologist with the State of NH – lives in Nashua, she has two children

Son – musician, organic farmer – now finishing his degree in acupuncture in Oregon – he says he’s moving back this way.  He and his sig other have a daughter and hope to move back this way next year.

 

In 1999 – vacationed in Bar Harbor. 

Kept coming back

2009 bought a house – when they visited Suzanne would come to West Bay rotary.

She met Ken Gardiner – he helped them to learn about this area.  Also told her about Sheila Davenport – he knew Sheila in his work in GA. 

Rotary – joined because his wife told him to.

This group works hard and does a lot for Camden and the Midcoast.

 

Q&A

GA BBQ?

More vinegar based in south GA

In NW GA it was more tomato based

 

Leaman completed the red badge program requirements.