Written for Hometown Headlines, a website devoted to news and business in Northwest Georgia.
by Mickey Seward
Super Bowl-winning coach Tony Dungy addressed a packed Steven J. Cage Athletics and Recreation Center crowd Thursday, and Berry College president Dr. Stephen Briggs used the occasion to tease the audience at the non-football playing school with his comments during his welcome speech.
“Wouldn’t this be the perfect moment for a big announcement?” Briggs said. “An intriguing thought, but no, we’re not that crafty.”
Dungy was on campus to speak as part of the college’s Gloria Shatto Lecture Series, which “features speakers who have stood at the crossroads of history,” according to information provided by Berry. Dungy has indeed made history, becoming just the third person to win a Super Bowl as both a player and a coach, and becoming the first African-American coach to win the Super Bowl when he led the Indianapolis Colts to the championship in January, 2007. He retired from coaching following the 2008 season.
After his introduction from Berry’s Director of Athletics Todd Brooks, an avid Colts' fan, Dungy was greeted with a standing ovation, and was appreciative of the hospitality.
“That reaction is typical of what I’ve enjoyed all afternoon since coming here,” Dungy told the audience. He mentioned that he didn’t know much about Berry College before he was invited to speak but in the past three weeks, he’s run into several people with a connection to the school and the community.
“You’re more famous than you might think,” he said.
Much of Dungy’s speech centered around the theme of perseverance and determination. “The challenge is what is fun,” he said. “I’ve always been intrigued by it. I’ve always enjoyed a tough challenge.”
Mean Joe's message: 'Never to get discouraged'
He relayed the story of how, during his playing days as a Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back, future NFL Hall of Fame linebacker “Mean Joe” Green taught him that if you don’t persevere through adversity, you can miss the reward.
In 1969, Green was the first player drafted by new Steelers Head Coach Chuck Noll after a stellar career at North Texas State. After winning their first game in Green’s rookie year, the Steelers finished 1-13. Following that season, they drafted future Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw out of Louisiana Tech and went on to finish 4-10.
With high expectations for 1972, Pittsburgh was struggling after the first several weeks. Green watched a Monday Night Football game featuring the Miami Dolphins, which would complete an undefeated season that year, and felt like his own team would never be able to put things together like that Dolphins squad did.
The next day, a frustrated Green told Noll he was quitting, and headed to the airport to go home. But Steelers assistant coach Lionel Taylor met Green at the airport and would talk him into coming back. That week ,rookie running back Franco Harris started for the first time and the team began an eight-game winning streak. The Steelers would go on to build the most dominant professional football team of the 1970s, winning four Super Bowls between 1975 and 1980.
“Joe Green told me that story to remind me never to get discouraged,” Dungy said. “I learned that he almost missed the fun, because he almost didn’t hang in there long enough.”
'You are going to have more setbacks than victories'
Now Dungy spends his time sharing a similar message. “In the course of getting to a top level, you are going to have more setbacks than victories,” he said. “Todd (Brooks) mentioned that I became the third person to win a Super Bowl as a player and as a head coach. What he didn’t mention was that those two Super Bowls were 26 years apart.
“What I’ve learned in those years between Super Bowls is important. Adversity teaches you that you can’t give up.”
Dungy told the audience that the best illustrations relating to perseverance always come from the Bible, sharing in particular the story of the life of the Apostle Paul, Paul’s conversion to Christianity and the many setbacks and difficulties he faced as he followed his mission to preach the gospel.
Dungy said Paul was able to fight through adversity because he had a worthy goal, because he was prepared for adversity and because he had something and someone to rely on beside himself.
“That’s what teams are built on – relying on each other for strength,” Dungy said. “In my life, the best thing has been having faith in God. Praying and talking to Him has always allowed me to persevere. If you have that support system and faith in God, there’s no limit to what you can do if you don’t give up.”
Dungy said at an earlier media briefing that when he left the sidelines, he did so not because he was tired but because“I had things I wanted to go to. I wasn’t leaving to get away from football.”
Those new challenges include working with Family First, which speaks to fathers about connecting with their children, and a prison ministry in the Tampa area.
“I’m also looking for one way to specifically reach out to young men,” he said. “I’m not sure exactly what that is yet, but I’m looking for that.” He said he encourages young people to not follow the crowd but instead understand what it means to follow the Lord.
Dungy, who also is the best-selling author of Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices and Priorities of a Winning Life and Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance as well as the children’s book You Can Do It, said he and his wife, Lauren, have been in contact with publishers about writing a second children’s book.
“When a young man says he read the book and it spoke to something he’s going through, it’s very rewarding.”
Player, coach, father, husband, author... and broadcaster?
And Dungy hasn’t completely nixed the idea of joining an NFL broadcasting team. “I’ve had a job that’s tied me up on the weekends for 31 years,” he said. “But I have had some contact with the networks and if I could find a way to fit it in with the other things I’m doing, I might consider it.”
Despite his busy schedule, Dungy did say he will miss one thing about coaching. “I’ll miss the game days, I’m sure, but what I miss more than anything else is the day-to-day interaction with the players.”
The opportunity for day-to-day interaction with football players may not be gone, however. Even with that packed schedule, Dungy may still have another career move to mull over in the future.
“If we ever do start a football team, we will give you a call,” Briggs said with a smile.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Top of the Seventh: What's Ahead in 2009 for Rome Braves Fans
Written for Hometown Headlines, a website focused on news and business in Northwest Georgia. This article previews the fan experience and possible roster invitations for the Rome Braves' 2009 season.
by Mickey Seward
In the first six seasons since they relocated here from Macon, the Rome Braves have won a South Atlantic League championship, reached the playoffs twice and produced some of the game’s top prospects.
Still, as much as the team’s on-field success brings fans to the ballpark, the Braves’ game-day atmosphere depends as much on what happens off the field as the action between the lines.
The Braves open the season on the road with a four-game series at Charleston, S.C., beginning April 9. The home opener is April 14 against Savannah, the first of a six-game homestand. Along with traditional Opening Night festivities, former Atlanta Braves catcher Javy Lopez will throw the ceremonial first pitch.
That first home game also will mark the first "2-for-Tuesday" promotion. All season long, fans can purchase two tickets for the price of one in any seating section on Tuesdays. The Braves have run the promotion in the past but not for “special” games such as Opening Night or July 4th. This season, the promotion will be applied each Tuesday.
New ticket discounts for 2009
Another cost-cutting promotion is aimed at families. On Sundays, a family of four can receive four game tickets, four hot dogs, four soft drinks and four boxes of popcorn for $25.
Other discounts include:
-$20 tickets in the all-you-can-eat section on Mondays (a $5 discount)
-Senior Days on Wednesdays (half price club level seats for fans at least 55).
-Dollar Drink Nights on Thursdays (beer and soft drinks).
-Military discounts gives all members of the U.S. armed forces, past or present, a $1 discount on any ticket by showing a military ID.
Regular ticket prices, which range from $4-$10, have gone unchanged since 2005. The Braves will bring back much of the most popular between-innings games and entertainment, including the Braves Brigade dance team. Kiss Cam and the Hot Dog Squad are among the recognizable holdovers but a few new promotions will join the list of events that help give minor league baseball its unique appeal.
One of the new promotions is a build-a-burrito competition, which will take place on the field between innings. “Truth or Spoof,” which will enable fans to get to know the players and staff members, will make its debut at State Mutual Stadium this spring as will “Meal or No Meal,” based on the popular television game show, “Deal or No Deal.”
What's on the menu
For the fans who aren’t lucky enough to win a meal, there will be plenty of new food options at the concession stands.
“We’re excited about the new Tony Pepperoni pizza parlor, featuring Mr. Pepperoni’s family recipe,” says Braves General Manager Michael Dunn. “There will be nightly visits throughout the summer from the Pepperoni family. We will also have a new crispy chicken sandwich, tater tot pie, chicken wings and a new jumbo souvenir flashing mug. All concession stands will also have combo packages that include fries and a drink at a discounted price.”
While getting ready for the baseball season, Dunn and his staff also are busy prepping other events. “We’re working on a car show, a concert and a baseball showcase,” he says. “There will be more information coming soon on those projects.”
One project that has been tackled is the team’s new-look Web site (click www.romebraves.com). Introduced this winter, it is more in line with other minor league and major league team websites.
“This site is more current, more interactive,” Dunn says. “We’ll be able to include some video streaming.”
One of the interactive features is a fan poll, which Braves staff members believe will allow the team to gauge fan opinion on different matters. An option to receive the team’s official electronic newsletter is available as well. The e-newsletter puts fans on the team’s mailing list to receive e-mail blasts with news and information.
There also is an area on the front page delegated for a “Rome Braves Fan of the Game” as well as information on how kids ages 14-and-younger can join Romey’s Rascals, the team’s kid’s club. Team news, statistics, rosters and other information can all be found on the web site as well.
While no current social networking sites are being maintained by the team, club officials say an official Facebook presence will be available soon.
Along with the new promotions, discounts and web site, fans also will see the addition of a blue alternate jersey with “ROME” across the chest (right).
Fans can also join the Rome Braves Fan Club, an independent organization that supports players and field staff during the season. For more information, contact the Rome Braves, who can then put you in touch with the fan club.
by Mickey Seward
In the first six seasons since they relocated here from Macon, the Rome Braves have won a South Atlantic League championship, reached the playoffs twice and produced some of the game’s top prospects.
Still, as much as the team’s on-field success brings fans to the ballpark, the Braves’ game-day atmosphere depends as much on what happens off the field as the action between the lines.
The Braves open the season on the road with a four-game series at Charleston, S.C., beginning April 9. The home opener is April 14 against Savannah, the first of a six-game homestand. Along with traditional Opening Night festivities, former Atlanta Braves catcher Javy Lopez will throw the ceremonial first pitch.
That first home game also will mark the first "2-for-Tuesday" promotion. All season long, fans can purchase two tickets for the price of one in any seating section on Tuesdays. The Braves have run the promotion in the past but not for “special” games such as Opening Night or July 4th. This season, the promotion will be applied each Tuesday.
New ticket discounts for 2009
Another cost-cutting promotion is aimed at families. On Sundays, a family of four can receive four game tickets, four hot dogs, four soft drinks and four boxes of popcorn for $25.
Other discounts include:
-$20 tickets in the all-you-can-eat section on Mondays (a $5 discount)
-Senior Days on Wednesdays (half price club level seats for fans at least 55).
-Dollar Drink Nights on Thursdays (beer and soft drinks).
-Military discounts gives all members of the U.S. armed forces, past or present, a $1 discount on any ticket by showing a military ID.
Regular ticket prices, which range from $4-$10, have gone unchanged since 2005. The Braves will bring back much of the most popular between-innings games and entertainment, including the Braves Brigade dance team. Kiss Cam and the Hot Dog Squad are among the recognizable holdovers but a few new promotions will join the list of events that help give minor league baseball its unique appeal.
One of the new promotions is a build-a-burrito competition, which will take place on the field between innings. “Truth or Spoof,” which will enable fans to get to know the players and staff members, will make its debut at State Mutual Stadium this spring as will “Meal or No Meal,” based on the popular television game show, “Deal or No Deal.”
What's on the menu
For the fans who aren’t lucky enough to win a meal, there will be plenty of new food options at the concession stands.
“We’re excited about the new Tony Pepperoni pizza parlor, featuring Mr. Pepperoni’s family recipe,” says Braves General Manager Michael Dunn. “There will be nightly visits throughout the summer from the Pepperoni family. We will also have a new crispy chicken sandwich, tater tot pie, chicken wings and a new jumbo souvenir flashing mug. All concession stands will also have combo packages that include fries and a drink at a discounted price.”
While getting ready for the baseball season, Dunn and his staff also are busy prepping other events. “We’re working on a car show, a concert and a baseball showcase,” he says. “There will be more information coming soon on those projects.”
One project that has been tackled is the team’s new-look Web site (click www.romebraves.com). Introduced this winter, it is more in line with other minor league and major league team websites.
“This site is more current, more interactive,” Dunn says. “We’ll be able to include some video streaming.”
One of the interactive features is a fan poll, which Braves staff members believe will allow the team to gauge fan opinion on different matters. An option to receive the team’s official electronic newsletter is available as well. The e-newsletter puts fans on the team’s mailing list to receive e-mail blasts with news and information.
There also is an area on the front page delegated for a “Rome Braves Fan of the Game” as well as information on how kids ages 14-and-younger can join Romey’s Rascals, the team’s kid’s club. Team news, statistics, rosters and other information can all be found on the web site as well.
While no current social networking sites are being maintained by the team, club officials say an official Facebook presence will be available soon.
Along with the new promotions, discounts and web site, fans also will see the addition of a blue alternate jersey with “ROME” across the chest (right).
Fans can also join the Rome Braves Fan Club, an independent organization that supports players and field staff during the season. For more information, contact the Rome Braves, who can then put you in touch with the fan club.
Meet J.B. Smith, New Voice of the Rome Braves
Written for Hometown Headlines, a website focusing on news and business in Northwest Georgia.
by Mickey Seward
On Christmas Day, JB Smith was watching a television show on the NHL Network about great hockey announcers when he was inspired to look into the Rome Braves’ broadcasting situation.
Smith had experience calling games but found out that he might be lacking one thing necessary to get a shot at the job that became available when former play-by-play voice Josh Caray left Rome to join the television broadcast team of the Class AAA Gwinnett Braves.
Unable to find out if Rome needed a radio announcer through his own research – “I would never want to undermine someone who already had the job,” Smith says – he finally telephoned the office of WLAQ 1410 AM/The Ridge 95.7 FM, the Rome Braves’ flagship stations.
He reached general manager Jim Bojo, who confirmed they indeed were looking for a new announcer and asked Smith to send in a resume and demo tape.
There was one problem.
“When he told me to send a demo, I told Jim he might hang up on me after he heard what I was about to say,” Smith says. “I told him I could get him a resume, no problem. But I stepped out of the station and into a patrol car 25 years ago.”
Intrigued, Bojo and the station’s owner and operator, Randy Davis, the original Rome Braves’ play-by-play voice, invited Smith to Rome to simulate a pre-game show and an inning of baseball in a production studio.
“After that and four stressful interviews later, they hired me,” Smith says.
Davis: Smith has 'a hometown feel'
It may not have been the textbook way of finding a play-by-play job but Davis says Smith’s introduction to the station was the beginning of what he feels will be a perfect match.
“We’d been taking some applications (for the broadcasting position) and had talked to several people,” Davis says. “Then JB’s call came out of the blue. When we listened to him, we were impressed.
“We felt like he would be a really good fit. We’ve been broadcasting local sports for a long time, several decades, and we wanted someone who does things the way we do things. We’re a hometown station. JB’s not just a stats guy. He’s a story teller, someone who can really tell our audience about who the players really are. He’s got a real hometown feel, and he has a very pleasing voice. It’s not too aggressive and it’s not monotone.
“But he definitely knows the game. When you have a conversation with him, JB’s knowledge of the game is obvious.”
Davis doesn’t believe there will be much rust for Smith to shake off, even though he hasn’t been on the air full-time since well before most of the Rome Braves’ players were born. During that time, he’s been around the game as a fan but most of his days and nights were spent apprehending crooks doing much more than stealing bases.
From police beat to Braves' beat
After graduating from Boston University with a broadcast journalism degree, Smith was drafted into the military and sent to North Carolina. While there, he broadcast high school and college baseball, football and basketball.
Later, he moved to Atlanta and worked in the music radio business. And while his career was in radio, Smith always had an interest in law enforcement.
While interviewing Roswell’s chief of police, and working without benefits at one of the radio stations, Smith was told by the chief that he should consider becoming a police officer.
“I told him, ‘Get me an application and we might have a deal.’ I went to the police academy and I spent the next 22 years working with the Roswell Police Department,” Smith says.
For awhile, Smith continued to broadcast high school sports while working full-time as a police officer but he soon decided to concentrate on his public service career and left the press box. He retired in 2004.
Now, he returns to the microphone as the voice of the Rome Braves, calling all 140 home and away games. Smith says he doesn’t really pattern his style after any particular announcers but said he loved listening to Curt Gowdy broadcast Red Sox games when he was growing up in his native New Hampshire.
“Of course, down here, we all loved listening to Pete (Van Wieren), Skip (Caray) and Ernie (Johnson),” Smith says. “That was one of the best broadcast teams of all time, maybe the best.”
Smith gets to join that legacy as a broadcaster in the Braves organization. The question is, will Smith use his unique background in law enforcement to enhance his profile with his new team?
“I can definitely help keep the players in line on the road,” he says with a laugh. “No, not really. I’ll leave that up to (manager) Randy Ingle and his staff. But, if anybody tries to steal our bus, I’ll take charge.”
by Mickey Seward
On Christmas Day, JB Smith was watching a television show on the NHL Network about great hockey announcers when he was inspired to look into the Rome Braves’ broadcasting situation.
Smith had experience calling games but found out that he might be lacking one thing necessary to get a shot at the job that became available when former play-by-play voice Josh Caray left Rome to join the television broadcast team of the Class AAA Gwinnett Braves.
Unable to find out if Rome needed a radio announcer through his own research – “I would never want to undermine someone who already had the job,” Smith says – he finally telephoned the office of WLAQ 1410 AM/The Ridge 95.7 FM, the Rome Braves’ flagship stations.
He reached general manager Jim Bojo, who confirmed they indeed were looking for a new announcer and asked Smith to send in a resume and demo tape.
There was one problem.
“When he told me to send a demo, I told Jim he might hang up on me after he heard what I was about to say,” Smith says. “I told him I could get him a resume, no problem. But I stepped out of the station and into a patrol car 25 years ago.”
Intrigued, Bojo and the station’s owner and operator, Randy Davis, the original Rome Braves’ play-by-play voice, invited Smith to Rome to simulate a pre-game show and an inning of baseball in a production studio.
“After that and four stressful interviews later, they hired me,” Smith says.
Davis: Smith has 'a hometown feel'
It may not have been the textbook way of finding a play-by-play job but Davis says Smith’s introduction to the station was the beginning of what he feels will be a perfect match.
“We’d been taking some applications (for the broadcasting position) and had talked to several people,” Davis says. “Then JB’s call came out of the blue. When we listened to him, we were impressed.
“We felt like he would be a really good fit. We’ve been broadcasting local sports for a long time, several decades, and we wanted someone who does things the way we do things. We’re a hometown station. JB’s not just a stats guy. He’s a story teller, someone who can really tell our audience about who the players really are. He’s got a real hometown feel, and he has a very pleasing voice. It’s not too aggressive and it’s not monotone.
“But he definitely knows the game. When you have a conversation with him, JB’s knowledge of the game is obvious.”
Davis doesn’t believe there will be much rust for Smith to shake off, even though he hasn’t been on the air full-time since well before most of the Rome Braves’ players were born. During that time, he’s been around the game as a fan but most of his days and nights were spent apprehending crooks doing much more than stealing bases.
From police beat to Braves' beat
After graduating from Boston University with a broadcast journalism degree, Smith was drafted into the military and sent to North Carolina. While there, he broadcast high school and college baseball, football and basketball.
Later, he moved to Atlanta and worked in the music radio business. And while his career was in radio, Smith always had an interest in law enforcement.
While interviewing Roswell’s chief of police, and working without benefits at one of the radio stations, Smith was told by the chief that he should consider becoming a police officer.
“I told him, ‘Get me an application and we might have a deal.’ I went to the police academy and I spent the next 22 years working with the Roswell Police Department,” Smith says.
For awhile, Smith continued to broadcast high school sports while working full-time as a police officer but he soon decided to concentrate on his public service career and left the press box. He retired in 2004.
Now, he returns to the microphone as the voice of the Rome Braves, calling all 140 home and away games. Smith says he doesn’t really pattern his style after any particular announcers but said he loved listening to Curt Gowdy broadcast Red Sox games when he was growing up in his native New Hampshire.
“Of course, down here, we all loved listening to Pete (Van Wieren), Skip (Caray) and Ernie (Johnson),” Smith says. “That was one of the best broadcast teams of all time, maybe the best.”
Smith gets to join that legacy as a broadcaster in the Braves organization. The question is, will Smith use his unique background in law enforcement to enhance his profile with his new team?
“I can definitely help keep the players in line on the road,” he says with a laugh. “No, not really. I’ll leave that up to (manager) Randy Ingle and his staff. But, if anybody tries to steal our bus, I’ll take charge.”
Friday, February 06, 2009
Rome Professors, Bankers Assess the State of the Economy
This article was written on Feb. 3, 2009 for HometownHeadlines.com, a business and news website serving Rome and Northwest Georgia.
by Mickey Seward
Amid concern about the current state of the U.S. economy, Shorter College business instructor Gina McDaniel sees one bright spot.
“For the first time, consumers’ eyes are wide open,” McDaniel told those attending the Rome Seven Hills Rotary luncheon at Coosa Country Club Tuesday. “People are asking questions.”
McDaniel was part of a panel invited to the luncheon to speak about the economy. She was joined by fellow Shorter professor Dub Darville; Peter Matthews of Heritage First Bank; and Roger Smith, president of River City Bank.
Much of the talk centered on economic stimulus plans, the state of the local banking industry and challenges to small business owners.
Darville told attendees to familiarize themselves with the stimulus plans, and recommended they visit the Web site http://www.readthestimulus.org/, noting that spreadsheets showing what is included in the plan is available there.
He touched on a few programs and dollar figures included in the package, mentioning that $233.5 billion is allocated to the inspector general’s office just to audit the package.
“What we need to look at is what we are trying to stimulate,” Darville said. “The most pressing need is to take a look at job stimulation. Two million people have lost jobs in the last five months.”
McDaniel said she’s disappointed the plans do not adequately address the housing market.
“The housing crisis has such a large impact on the entire economy,” she said. "People aren’t buying homes, which hurts industry, and that also means people aren’t spending to fix up new homes, etc.”
Part of that equation is consumer fear, which is something Smith sees plenty of in his customers.
Much of it is unfounded, he said.
“We’re in the information age,” Smith said. “When housing markets change, people are watching minute-by-minute. People are watching economic news by the hour. This began with the mood of the depositors being apprehensive and fearful. But, we’ve never seen a run on money. A few years back, there was a bank in Dalton that saw its customers lined up, waiting to withdraw all of their money. Nothing good comes from that. What has happened is customers are making sure their money is insured by FDIC. That has slowed down somewhat now, partly due to FDIC limits.
“On the loan side,” Smith continued, “there’s concern and confusion from customers. We get asked, ‘Are you lending money?’ The answer is yes but it’s going back to basics. For instance, we’re seeing down payments and other requirements. All these basics that we all know are part of sound lending practices are back.”
Those lending practices affect small business owners, whom Matthews says are “all risk takers,” and are faced with numerous challenges. Matthews, who formerly served as the local director of the Small Business Development Center, listed the economic downturn, skyrocketing health insurance costs and global competition as new challenges to today’s entrepreneurs.
Still, many of the answers to problems faced by these entrepreneurs are things they can control.
“I found in 15 years of working with small business owners, they believe most problems are external,” Matthews said. “I try to get people to look inside at things such as strategic planning, cost controls and pricing strategies.”
Matthews added that some businesses are proving to be able to weather the storm and even prosper. He listed real estate auction companies, movie theaters, franchises (which offer a sense of security because an owner is using a proven method) and funeral homes.
McDaniel also mentioned that automobile service sectors are thriving because, instead of purchasing a new vehicle, people are simply paying to maintain their current one for a longer time period.
The Troubled Asset Relief Program dominated much of Tuesday’s conversation, though.
“There’s enough blame to go around,” Darville said of the bailout package. “Honestly, the American people share some of that blame, demanding more and more. We seemed to forget 1929 and the 1980s' savings and loan scandals. We all know what goes up, must come down. I don’t think anyone expected it to go down so fast. People want to know where that (TARP) money has been spent.”
McDaniel echoed, saying “Americans want to know how companies are going to be held accountable. Taxpayers are done with the blank check. I’m glad consumers are asking the question, because it’s their tax dollars on the line.”
Smith said for a bank to receive funds from the program, it has to “be in good financial shape.” Many banks, including River City Bank, have applied for funding, but have not decided if they would accept it if approved.
“From our position, we don’t need" TARP funding, said River City CEO Eddie Wilson, who attended the event but was not on the panel. “We’re a well-capitalized bank and I think that the other banks around here are, too. The challenge is, do you accept it as an insurance policy?”
As much as the topic is being discussed here, it also is an important topic abroad.
“We’re starting to see more and more reports that foreign governments are opposed to this because it scares them,” Darville said. “If it scares them, then we definitely should be afraid. When foreign governments doubt the ability to pay back in a timely fashion, that’s not good for the world economy.”
Still, caution is being used, Darville said.
“What we are seeing is those in charge are saying ‘Yes, we need to do something and time is of the essence, but it is not so much of the essence that we are willing to shoot ourselves in the foot.”
by Mickey Seward
Amid concern about the current state of the U.S. economy, Shorter College business instructor Gina McDaniel sees one bright spot.
“For the first time, consumers’ eyes are wide open,” McDaniel told those attending the Rome Seven Hills Rotary luncheon at Coosa Country Club Tuesday. “People are asking questions.”
McDaniel was part of a panel invited to the luncheon to speak about the economy. She was joined by fellow Shorter professor Dub Darville; Peter Matthews of Heritage First Bank; and Roger Smith, president of River City Bank.
Much of the talk centered on economic stimulus plans, the state of the local banking industry and challenges to small business owners.
Darville told attendees to familiarize themselves with the stimulus plans, and recommended they visit the Web site http://www.readthestimulus.org/, noting that spreadsheets showing what is included in the plan is available there.
He touched on a few programs and dollar figures included in the package, mentioning that $233.5 billion is allocated to the inspector general’s office just to audit the package.
“What we need to look at is what we are trying to stimulate,” Darville said. “The most pressing need is to take a look at job stimulation. Two million people have lost jobs in the last five months.”
McDaniel said she’s disappointed the plans do not adequately address the housing market.
“The housing crisis has such a large impact on the entire economy,” she said. "People aren’t buying homes, which hurts industry, and that also means people aren’t spending to fix up new homes, etc.”
Part of that equation is consumer fear, which is something Smith sees plenty of in his customers.
Much of it is unfounded, he said.
“We’re in the information age,” Smith said. “When housing markets change, people are watching minute-by-minute. People are watching economic news by the hour. This began with the mood of the depositors being apprehensive and fearful. But, we’ve never seen a run on money. A few years back, there was a bank in Dalton that saw its customers lined up, waiting to withdraw all of their money. Nothing good comes from that. What has happened is customers are making sure their money is insured by FDIC. That has slowed down somewhat now, partly due to FDIC limits.
“On the loan side,” Smith continued, “there’s concern and confusion from customers. We get asked, ‘Are you lending money?’ The answer is yes but it’s going back to basics. For instance, we’re seeing down payments and other requirements. All these basics that we all know are part of sound lending practices are back.”
Those lending practices affect small business owners, whom Matthews says are “all risk takers,” and are faced with numerous challenges. Matthews, who formerly served as the local director of the Small Business Development Center, listed the economic downturn, skyrocketing health insurance costs and global competition as new challenges to today’s entrepreneurs.
Still, many of the answers to problems faced by these entrepreneurs are things they can control.
“I found in 15 years of working with small business owners, they believe most problems are external,” Matthews said. “I try to get people to look inside at things such as strategic planning, cost controls and pricing strategies.”
Matthews added that some businesses are proving to be able to weather the storm and even prosper. He listed real estate auction companies, movie theaters, franchises (which offer a sense of security because an owner is using a proven method) and funeral homes.
McDaniel also mentioned that automobile service sectors are thriving because, instead of purchasing a new vehicle, people are simply paying to maintain their current one for a longer time period.
The Troubled Asset Relief Program dominated much of Tuesday’s conversation, though.
“There’s enough blame to go around,” Darville said of the bailout package. “Honestly, the American people share some of that blame, demanding more and more. We seemed to forget 1929 and the 1980s' savings and loan scandals. We all know what goes up, must come down. I don’t think anyone expected it to go down so fast. People want to know where that (TARP) money has been spent.”
McDaniel echoed, saying “Americans want to know how companies are going to be held accountable. Taxpayers are done with the blank check. I’m glad consumers are asking the question, because it’s their tax dollars on the line.”
Smith said for a bank to receive funds from the program, it has to “be in good financial shape.” Many banks, including River City Bank, have applied for funding, but have not decided if they would accept it if approved.
“From our position, we don’t need" TARP funding, said River City CEO Eddie Wilson, who attended the event but was not on the panel. “We’re a well-capitalized bank and I think that the other banks around here are, too. The challenge is, do you accept it as an insurance policy?”
As much as the topic is being discussed here, it also is an important topic abroad.
“We’re starting to see more and more reports that foreign governments are opposed to this because it scares them,” Darville said. “If it scares them, then we definitely should be afraid. When foreign governments doubt the ability to pay back in a timely fashion, that’s not good for the world economy.”
Still, caution is being used, Darville said.
“What we are seeing is those in charge are saying ‘Yes, we need to do something and time is of the essence, but it is not so much of the essence that we are willing to shoot ourselves in the foot.”
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