I Can Finally Tell You

Happy April Fool’s Day. Hope you don’t have any bad jokes played on you today. I will say this post IS NOT an April Fool’s joke. It seems unreal to me, but it’s true.

I have been working on a special project for well over a year with only a few people online knowing what I’ve been up to. Because of this project, I haven’t posted as often as I used to, I haven’t been reading or listening to books as much, well I just haven’t been online as much (even to answer emails. Several months ago, I said I’d get back into the swing of things soon and I’d let you know what I’ve been up to.

Well, today is that day. I can finally share with you what I’ve been doing. A part of me is extreme excited to tell you about it and the other part is reluctant to say anything. My news is like a single raindrop in an ocean of things going on in the world today.

The thing that has keep me busy and my mind occupied for so long and continues to do so to an extent --- I’ve been helping a friend write a book about his life and career. The book is entitled IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE. It has taken months of interviews, compiling stories and over 200 photographs, drafts, and rewrites to get to the final product. It was published locally in early March and just this past week went live online.

Before I tell you more about the book and the man it’s about, I want to just say – authors are unbelievable (and I don’t consider myself an author by the way). As a journalist for many years, I know writing can be difficult at times. From blogging for several years, I’ve learned a bit more about what authors go through when writing. But having said that, I never really realized just how much work goes into writing a book, getting it ready to publish and even after it’s published. I can’t even begin to image the real work involved because most authors are creating characters, settings, worlds, relationships, adventures, etc. I compiled a story from interviews about true events. I didn’t have to create anything. So, I’m in awe of all authors now more so than ever.

Being in awe of all authors, I want to say a very special THANKS to author Elizabeth Spann Craig for her help. She was extremely helpful in many aspects of my journey, especially in understanding about ISBNs and self-publishing on Amazon. Be sure to drop by her blog, you’ll find lots of wonderful tips and information. Thanks, so much Elizabeth, you were a tremendous help.

Now let me share a bit about the man behind IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE. His name is Gary W. McConnell and one of his motivations for wanting his story told is why I readily agreed to write it despite my insecurities in my ability to make the book a reality. He wants to encourage and show students in small towns that they can accomplish much more beyond their surroundings if they work at it.

I’ve known Gary all my life. Our parents knew each other. He was sheriff during many of the years I worked as a journalist, so I’ve also dealt with him in a professional capacity and covered many of the events he talks about in the book.

Deputy Gary McConnell (left) and his dad, Sheriff John Frank McConnell

To give you a short version of his story, Gary grew up in a small town, went off to college and came home to help his Dad (who had a stroke losing use of his right arm) when he was elected sheriff on the ticket of cleaning up moonshine in the county. Gary served as a deputy until his Dad died suddenly of a heart attack and he was then sworn in that same evening to fill his Dad’s term as sheriff. He went on to be elected the youngest sheriff ever in the State of Georgia and served the people for more than two decades.

Sheriff McConnell with murderer Samuel Tony West

He dealt with the various issues a sheriff deals with along with murders that drew national and international attention. The murder of an elderly woman and the brutal beating of her elderly sister made him ponder his career. Sometime after that he was asked by newly-elected Governor Zell Miller to serve as Director of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and he accepted.

During his 12 years as GEMA Director, Gary led the agency during numerous major natural disasters, oversaw the State of Georgia’s involvement in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, directed the cleanup of a crematory malpractice, and helped implement numerous new programs for the state. After GEMA he worked with the Stimson Center and then in a private security and emergency management consulting position with the Innovative Emergency Management (IEM) out of North Carolina, where he still consults from time to time.

Speaking before the United State Senate

This short version doesn’t come close to explaining what Gary has accomplished (or some of the funny events he encountered), but with any luck shows you the motivation he hopes to inspire with his story. He’s a man with a good heart. I’m not saying he’s perfect and he’d be the first one to tell you he’s not. However, he has a great love and concern for the people of the small county we both grew up in and for people in general. He’s one of those few that when something needs to be done, he finds a way to do it while others are trying to get committees together to study how it should be done.

It has been a fun and even enlightening experience for me to write his story. I’m delighted to share that story with you and hope you’ll check it out. The book is available as an eBook on Amazon, as well as print on demand. It’s also on Barnes and Noble as a print on demand (at a cheaper price). In addition, we have print copies Gary is signing and I’m mailing out.

Here’s a brief synopsis of the book:

Growing up on a farm in rural Georgia, I never dreamed I would one day be testifying before the U.S. Senate encouraging the creation of Homeland Security. Along the way I was fortunate to help my Dad in his mission to eradicate moonshine in our county and then follow in his footsteps when I was elected the youngest sheriff in the state upon his death. During my years as sheriff I handled numerous murders that gained international attention and even believe to have had an encounter with Patty Hearst during her time with the Symbionese Liberation Army.

          Leaving the office of sheriff, I led the Georgia Emergency Management Agency during numerous major natural disasters, oversaw the State of Georgia’s involvement in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and directed the cleanup of a crematory malpractice.

          I’ve had the opportunity to meet with American Presidents, state leaders, and international officials on the issues of terrorism and disasters – natural and manmade. The funny, the sad, and the proud moments of my career have given me a great appreciation for the people around me.

Thanks for stopping by today and reading my ramblings, I know it’s much longer than my usual posts. I hope to be back online more soon but I’m still working on several projects associated with the book (setting up a website, putting a book trailer together, getting the book into audio format, designing book swag and such). So, it may still be awhile before I’m back full time as I’m learning about all these things as I go. Any suggestions on these areas is greatly appreciated.

Do you know someone like Gary that takes charge when things need to get done? I’ll end by saying he reminds me a bit of Buford Pusser without all the violence.