The Bainbridge Kiwanis Club has received four nominations for Man of the Year. Two are being published in this edition, and the remaining two will appear in Wednesday’s paper.
Scott Ewing was nominated by Ronnie Burke, Family Connection Coordinator, and Debbie McIntyre, Director of Bainbridge State College Adult Education who wrote the following letter of nomination.
We are pleased to nominate Scott Ewing for Kiwanis Man of the Year.   Scott is successful in his career as a banking officer.  He has worked his way up the ranks and moved to the hometown bank where he currently works as Senior Vice-President.  First Port City Bank was recently named the Number 1 Bank in Georgia FMC group, based on overall performance.  We believe Scott played a huge part in that.  He treats customers fairly and sincerely keeps their best interests in the forefront. But, we best know Scott through community work.  Scott is the Past Chair of the Chamber Board of Directors and helped ensure the success of the many activities in which our Chamber is involved. He is a graduate of the Chamber Leadership Program, which is a six-month program for up and coming leaders in the community.  He serves as the current Chair of the YMCA Board of Directors.
The YMCA has recently undergone many challenges and Scott has led the way for a positive transformation. Just this past week-end, Scott was instrumental in making an event for veterans successful for the “Wounded Warriors Project” at Southwind Plantation. Scott has been on the Family Connection Board of Directors for many years as well, and currently serves as our chairperson. This is where we believe his best contributions happen. Our Family Connection supports a diverse program of work including a hunger project, a weekend backpack food program for elementary school children, relationship classes for middle school children, peer support groups for high school children and a large training initiative for increased child sexual abuse awareness.  Scott has been involved with the programs themselves; but as importantly, in the larger role of fundraising for these programs.
Our only fundraiser for years was an annual rodeo.  This took months of planning, obtaining strong sponsorship and truly took a huge volunteer base to support.  We consistently, with Scott’s leadership, cleared more than $10,000 each year, along with providing a fun-filled, family activity for our community. He has also worked tirelessly with two fund-raisers in the past year, including RiverTown Days events.  Without Scott’s hard work, we could not have held these events. Scott heads up a food drive every year through First Port City Bank for our food bank that we help support at First United Methodist Church. All of this is in addition to the responsibilities of being a chair of a non-profit organization.
Scott is caring, compassionate and daily improves the quality of lives for people in our community.  It is a pleasure working with him and watching as he discovers what community action can mean for so many.  We look forward to watching him in the coming years as his experience and passion find new ways to make our corner of the state even better.  We heartily recommend him for the honor of being the Kiwanis Club’s Man of the Year.

Dr. Cliff Bailey was nominated by Jill Breedlove of Southern Paws Animal Sanctuary, who wrote the following nomination.
Dr. Bailey provides healthcare and health certifications to local Jr. Livestock exhibitors through FFA and 4H at minimal to zero costs to the youth.
Dr. Bailey has an open door policy for young people interested in Animal Agriculture or Veterinary Medicine to encourage and mentor them.
Dr Bailey is a volunteer board member of The Georgia Jr. Livestock Show Foundation, which raises all funds to support state Jr. Livestock shows.
Dr. Bailey participates in low cost spay and neuter programs in co-ordination with the Bainbridge Decatur County Humane Society and the newly formed Southern Paws Animal Sanctuary. He also provides low and no cost treatment for the animals. He always provides no cost veterinary care to local law enforcement K-9 drug dogs. He also provides, on a select basis, no cost veterinary care to special needs individuals within the community.
Dr. Bailey and his wife, Cindy, created the “Three Little Birds” spay and neuter memorial to honor the lives of Hillary Brock, Adam Goodman and Jordan Harris, three young adults tragically killed in an automobile accident, to help keep their love of animals alive.
Dr. and Mrs. Bailey also have created a local pet food bank with donations from local individuals and manufacturers to help provide for the local homeless animals in need.