WEST: What makes Cannon Co. different?

By MIKE WEST/ Courier Editor

Cannon County is a bit different than most Middle Tennessee counties?

That’s not a bad thing. In fact, it’s a good point.

Much of the difference is due to Cannon’s heritage. Folks around here have always been ready to pitch into community projects both big and little.

And that’s usually done without asking. There’s a need and people start showing up and helping.

A perfect example was the plight of a Gassaway mother and daughter. They didn’t have running water at their home.

Clean, flowing water is something most of us take for granted. We just step over to the sink and turn it on. Nothing seems easier ... until you don’t have access to it.

Why? That question didn’t matter to the folks of Gassaway. Resolving the problem was the community’s only concern. People pitched in everyway they could.

For example, the Gassaway Volunteer Fire Department hauled water for them as a temporary fix. But the community knew that was just a short-term answer. Instead, a campaign was started with County Commissoner Jim Bush originating a bank account to collect the necessary funds. Churches, individuals and businesses all kicked in.

 When the money was ready, the hard work began. Yep, volunteers dug the ditch and installed the pipe. And that’s where the different between Cannon County and other places kicks in.

Yes, they raised the money but then they did the hard work. Men like Gerald Petro, Bill Avera, Dewayne Ashford, Jimmy Ramsey, Jimmy Williams, Marty Williams and Corey Ashford. They ran more than 2,800 feet of pipe.

When it was done, they celebrated with a community dinner at Gassaway Fire Hall.

That’s the Cannon County way.

We are talking about people putting aside their differences and getting down to work for the common good.

The efforts of the Woodbury Lion’s Club points to this way of doing business too. A good example is the frequent Bloodmobiles sponsored by the Lion’s Club. Folks turn out in droves for those visits, they roll up their sleeves and they literally give their life’s blood. And they do it with a smile on their face.

The same is true with another on-going Lions Club project, the Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Adams Library.  That library was and continues to be built from donations. Very little government money goes into the library.

The library got its start in a graveside discussion between two or three community leaders, who were all Lions Club members. It was built from small donations and large and continues to be a spot of community pride and servicing a great need in Woodbury.

When the library needed expansion and more computers, the Lions Club and Adams Memorial Association and the community got together and got the job done.

That achievement was evident on Sunday with “the grand reopening” of the library.

The new facility is a fit tribute to  Dr. and Mrs. Adams, who did so much to improve Woodbury during their lifetimes. Dr. Adams was responsible for or directly linked to projects like Good Samaritan Hospital, Bank of Commerce, the Rock City Box Company, Colonial Corporation, and Armour Creamery.

These projects got Cannon County going and the community-wide projects have never stopped.

That is the Cannon County way.  Keep up the great work.