Syndicated columnist articles, opinion pieces, letters to the editor too often bring negatives to our attention instead of positives and accomplishments.

Instead, I wanted to introduce you to positive ideas and positive people through their stories, which are stories that expand our knowledge about individuals with no hidden agendas, just the desire to serve. In fact, that’s how “Let me Introduce You” was born.

Nowadays, I get stopped by people, receive text messages, emails and calls about the articles I write, which leads me to reflect more deeply on the “Why.”

Why am I writing these stories, why stories not traditional reporting and what’s the goal for me?

The goal is sharing with you, the reader, the wonders and talent of those who call Bryan County home.

This is a chance to bring the vibrancy, the commitment of those I interview, these heroes, to you the reader.

Heroes?

Yes, heroes. They are people with no agenda, just the desire to serve.

Such people are heroes in my book.

Now, I guess I always knew I wanted to introduce people to people and this became an important venue through which to achieve my goal. Being local columnist puts a smile on my face because local is a wonderful word, and world.

I have often told people I always knew I wanted to introduce people from a viewpoint of empathy, honesty, leadership, determination. And many of those I have written about, I had to pull information out of when it was about them.

Big accomplishments, small ones, the way of looking at things, always crediting others, enriching lives of others, never bragging about themselves.

I needed to interview others about themselves to be able to show the importance of their achievements and their personalities, to get to the essence of them.

Many of their achievements were explained with passion or some just mentioned. Even achievements that affect many, had I not written about them, would never have been known.

Commitment, empathy, leadership, determination. Perhaps not recognizing these gifts, perhaps not recognizing what they’re doing, just going through their day, their work. But when writing about them, when asking those who know them as friends, business associates, family members, the definition of hero becomes clear. Telling their stories to you is a pleasure. This made me decide to take some quotes and commentary developed from the articles I wrote and include them below.

• Scott Allison, Richmond Hill assistant city manager and director of the Department of Planning and Zoning: He looks at the projects and everyday happenings under his purview as multidimensional into the future but says, “the future starts now.”

• Bill Cunningham, director of Raydient Places development: It is the experience of others working with Bill that is his story. This is an individual who sees the importance of the city of Richmond Hill and has become integrated into it, entrenched in being part of bettering the community.

• Sarah Volker, an artist and more. Tough but humble, passionate about what she loves, a “power” behind so much that has helped Richmond Hill be recognized as an art community, an historical location of repute and an important tourism site. Always keeping a low profile, always busy, never looking for credit.

• Danny Brown, Civil War historian, known internationally for his research on the Civil War. A natural teacher involving those he worked with at Fort McAllister and those he lectured to making them think, piquing people’s interest, spending years in research. He gave his research, voluminous amounts to Fort McAllister for posterity.

• Joy Dunnigan, artist. Joy lives her life in the arts and shares it with others saying that as an artist she has a great social responsibility. At her gallery she features mainly artists from the area. A supporter of our community and of other artists

• Larry Barker, a musician, published author and insurance agent, is creating an entertainment venue at his Ford Avenue property, a destination for food, entertainment and the arts. This will be a gathering center for us, the people of Bryan County.

• Buck Meeks, who is bringing film to South Bryan and with it business from the films for many. Always thinking of the benefit for others from his contacts and success. He is an entrepreneur and historian tirelessly telling tales of film and history for the enjoyment of all who hear him

speak.

• Ron Stephens, a representative in the state legislature, is always introducing or supporting bills and developing ideas that help constituents.

The widening of Highway 144, the new interchange at Belfast Keller Road to make travel safer and faster is helping encourage services to continue to come to this area. That foresight and persistence spell positive growth, tourism and business for Bryan County.

• Jennifer Grover brings the riches of learning through her vast experience as an archaeologist, as an historian and as executive director of the Richmond Hill Historical Society where she welcomes us to learn.

• Betty Miner, how appropriate to end this list, these stories with comments about a special lady who recently passed away, one who has left our city with stories of her successes in helping develop the present Richmond Hill. One of the first woman Rotarians, the first woman to serve on City Council, mayor pro tem, realtor, business owner, ahead of her time. Asking only to serve, an influence on a world gone by. Betty was more than a trailblazer. I write and welcome those in the present and future to my column to share bright, energetic personalities, the who and the what of Bryan County. The WHY is because they’re heroes.

Georgene Brazer is chair of the Downtown Development Authority of Richmond Hill and a Ford resident. You can reach her at georgenebrazer@ gmail.com.