Post, city leaders sign partnership agreement

By Kevin StabinskyFebruary 5, 2009

Post, city leaders sign partnership agreement
Col. Deborah B. Grays, garrison commander, Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem, Ga., and Joseph Macon, City of East Point mayor, sign a partnership agreement between the two entities Jan. 31, 2009. Under the agreement, which is 10 years old, the two mutua... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT MCPHERSON, Ga. -- With two signatures, an ordinary piece of paper became a legal document signaling the continued cooperation between the Fort McPherson U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) and the city of East Point, Ga.

The Jan. 31, 2009 partnership signing, held in the command conference room of Bldg. 65 at Fort McPherson, Ga., was the 10th agreement between the two parties. Under the agreement, the two mutually exchange services, resources, facilities, real estate and information.

"We're here to bring people together and make things happen," said Col. Deborah Grays, commander, USAG.

Although during the ceremony attention was on the signing by Grays and Joseph Macon, East Point mayor, the result of the partnership is meant for the next generation.

"It's great to have this partnership," said Macon. "Thank you for all you do."

In a separate ceremony following the signing, Sylvan Hills Middle School and Tri Cities High School each received a $5,000 check, funded by donations from Kraft, Unilever and the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. Lt. Col Eric Woods, commander, Southeastern Army Reserve Intelligence Support Center and president of the Phi Kappa Kappa chapter of Omega Psi Phi, presented the checks to the two schools' principals.

"This is going to make a difference in the lives of many of Tri Cities' students," said Eldrick Horton, Tri Cities High School principal.

Gwen S. Atkinson, Sylvan Hills principal, agreed, stating the money will help improve her school's teaching resources and purchase items that could not be accommodated by the school's budget.

"People say children are our future. I disagree. Children are our right now," Macon said. "Being in the now means being in the money, especially in this economy."