Fatheree Calls for Ongoing Dialogue on How to Keep Effingham Growing

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Published on February 3 2017 2:33 pm
Last Updated on February 3 2017 2:48 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

Local educator Joe Fatheree challenged those attending the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce First Friday Luncheon to dialogue on how to keep the community growing.

(JOE FATHEREE)

Fatheree, a past Global Teacher Prize finalist, is encouraged at what he sees in the Effingham area, but is concerned that the community might rest on its laurels and fall behind. He said he is working with Chamber President Norma Lansing on a "Community Conversation" to take place later this year. The goal is to identify ways Effingham County will continue to develop. Fatheree said others have "assumed life would go on as it has", but it hasn't. He said a harsh truth is the need to adopt the slogan "innovate or die".

If the innovation doesn't happen, Fatheree said there are others nationally and globally who are identifying the things that makes Effingham County a great place and will come and take those things for their own, at the county's expense.

The discussion is an outgrowth of Fatheree's remarks at the annual Celebration of Education Kickoff last fall.

Here's Greg Sapp's conversation with Joe Fatheree following the Chamber First Friday Luncheon...