Mr. Al Ball

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  www.timesenterprise.com/homepage/local_story_356232241. - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 1/4/2008    Last Visited: 1/4/2008  

  Ball retires as social worker
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  - CAIRO - A new chapter of life is beginning for Al Ball. Ball, 64, has officially retired as school social worker for Grady County Schools after 18 years with the system.He began working part time in December 2005 and his last day was Dec. 20."Today is the first day of the rest of my life," Ball said Friday."It's been a great run."He moved to Grady County in June 1989 and, in November, began teaching 10th grade history at Cairo High School.In the summer of 1990, he was hired as school social worker for the system.
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  An improvement for Grady County Schools, Ball said, was the addition of two more social workers."They were certainly needed and I knew I wasn't going to stay forever," he said."We obtained a grant through the state department of education to work with homeless families.That allowed us to give better services to those who were basically homeless.Identifying that got a part-time homeless worker who also serves as a part-time secretary for our other hired social worker.I'm really proud of the expansion of our social service department."Ball is also proud of the establishment of the Boys to Men organization, a mentoring program for sixth to 12th grade boys without fathers at home.He was one of the original members and the organization is a school-related club, even though it has its own charter.But, just because he's retired does not mean Ball is kicking back.He still plans to be active in Habitat for Humanity, area housing, youth services and the Grady County Board of Commissioners."This is a great community to work for - not because things are so good, but because there is so much to do and there is such a need," he said.
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  (Teresa Williams/Times-Enterprise) Al Ball takes down his name plaque outside his old office at the Grady County Board of Education.Dec. 20 was his last day as school social worker for the system.

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  www.timesenterprise.com/local/local_story_356232241.htm - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 12/23/2007    Last Visited: 12/23/2007  

  (Teresa Williams/Times-Enterprise) Al Ball takes down his name plaque outside his old office at the Grady County Board of Education.Dec. 20 was his last day as school social worker for the system.
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  Ball retires as social worker
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  CAIRO - A new chapter of life is beginning for Al Ball.
  
  Ball, 64, has officially retired as school social worker for Grady County Schools after 18 years with the system.He began working part time in December 2005 and his last day was Dec. 20.
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  An improvement for Grady County Schools, Ball said, was the addition of two more social workers.
  
  "They were certainly needed and I knew I wasn't going to stay forever," he said."We obtained a grant through the state department of education to work with homeless families.That allowed us to give better services to those who were basically homeless.Identifying that got a part-time homeless worker who also serves as a part-time secretary for our other hired social worker.I'm really proud of the expansion of our social service department."
  
  Ball is also proud of the establishment of the Boys to Men organization, a mentoring program for sixth to 12th grade boys without fathers at home.He was one of the original members and the organization is a school-related club, even though it has its own charter.
  
  But, just because he's retired does not mean Ball is kicking back.
  
  He still plans to be active in Habitat for Humanity, area housing, youth services and the Grady County Board of Commissioners.
  
  "This is a great community to work for - not because things are so good, but because there is so much to do and there is such a need," he said.

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  Board nixes tribunals - Thomasville Times Enterprise,... - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 2/16/2005    Last Visited: 2/17/2005  

  The three-person tribunal board the students would have appeared before comprised Ed Gravenstein, assistant superintendent of Grady County Schools; Al Ball, a school social worker and Darrell Mudra, principal of Eastside Elementary School.

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  Cairo- Grady County Chamber - Board of Directors - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 11/18/2006    Last Visited: 11/18/2006  

  Albert BallGrady County Commission, Chairman

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  Thomasville Times Enterprise - Board seeks litter help... - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 5/3/2006    Last Visited: 5/3/2006  

  The board authorized Chairman Al Ball to sign a request and send it to the Thomas County commissioners.
  
  The possibility was brought up to Ball by a Thomas County commissioner during a general discussion at the annual Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) conference in Savannah, held April 22-25.
  
  "It was brought to Mr. Ball's attention that Thomas County might be willing to work with Grady County if Grady County could furnish the inmates' supervisor and the transportation," said county administrator Rusty Moye after the meeting.

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  Thomasville Times Enterprise - Corps takes Tired Creek... - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 9/22/2006    Last Visited: 9/22/2006  

  "I'm happy that we are at that stage, even though I realize that there could be a lot of critical comments," said Al Ball, commission chairman.
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  "This is a test and, depending on the outcome of those comments and if there is a public hearing and its outcome, we'll know whether we are likely to get a permit or not, based on the results and any additional studies we have to do," said Ball.

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  Thomasville Times Enterprise - Good news for board - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 8/23/2006    Last Visited: 8/23/2006  

  "Col. Held made a commitment to see that this project gets moved forward," said Commission Chairman Al Ball.

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  Thomasville Times Enterprise - Grady County, Cairo... - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 5/25/2006    Last Visited: 5/25/2006  

  Commission Chairman Al Ball suggested possibly renovating and upgrading the current Holder Park pool instead of building a new one.Ball said he had not heard a convincing argument for the pool and did not agree to using SPLOST funds for the project.
  
  "I'm not sure that this pool is something we really need and it could be wasting taxpayers' dollars," he said.

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  Thomasville Times Enterprise - Tired Creek talk on tap - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 8/21/2006    Last Visited: 8/21/2006  

  Al Ball, commission chairman, said he felt the board is ready for the meeting.
  
  "I think there are two objectives to this meeting," he said.

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  Thomasville Times Enterprise--Ball eyes future - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 1/14/2006    Last Visited: 1/14/2006  

  CAIRO - Al Ball made history Jan. 3 when he was elected chairman of the Grady County Board of Commissioners.
  
  He is the first black commission chairman in the county's 100 year history.
  
  "It's historic, and I think it is time," said Ball on Thursday."I am also happy with the fact that Grady County is making strides to try to live up to the values that we as Americans feel are important in terms of equity and fairness, a person's ability as opposed to who he is."
  
  His appointment also means something to the general public, said Ball.
  
  "Our school kids and young people can see what they want to do in life, that it is possible as long as they have the qualifications to do it," he said.
  
  Ball came onto the board in April 2003 to finish out the unexpired term of District 4 Commissioner Howard Copeland, who died in office.
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  Ball said he is glad Grady County rotates the chairman position rather than having a county-wide elected chairman.
  
  "I think each one of the commissioners is capable of serving as chair and none of us have more power than the other," he said."I like the position rotating chairs, and I wanted to take my turn."
  
  Ball, retired, worked 16 years in the Grady County School System and works with Boys to Men, a mentoring organization for youths.
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  They are the ones who issue the permit," said Ball, who explained Tired Creek is not his project but one he would like to see completed."They have to hold a series of hearings across the state on this before they can rule, and the process was supposed to begin the first of this year."
  
  He said it is an expensive process to get a permit, but that it would be a boon to Grady County if it is awarded.
  
  "Citizens have been on this roller-coaster as well, and we need to bring it to an end this year," said Ball.
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  Ball would also like to encourage grant funding for projects that would benefit Grady County, such as the development of affordable housing and advancements in industry.
  
  "I want to push for us to take every opportunity of grant funding for these kinds of projects," he said.
  
  Another goal for Ball in 2006 is to encourage and expand public participation in government.
  
  "We have quite a few people serving on boards and whatnot who are doing a great job with service to the community, but there is also a great number of individuals who could do an equally good job who are not involved," he said.
  
  Ball said one way to do this is to improve communication between governing bodies and the public.
  
  He holds a community forum for District 4 constituents each quarter.
  
  "I could not require that from anybody else but feel this is a good way of knowing what my constituents are thinking and giving them a report of what we are doing at the county level," said Ball.
  
  He also believes in serving safety and property interests.
  
  "I believe that the principals of ethics, equity and efficiency are important in decision making," said Ball.

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