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Singer-songwriter feels the words in his music By JON WILCOX | jon@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Islan Garner wrote a song to help him face the 14 years he spent without his mother. Garner’s mother, Schonia Buckner, is rebuilding their relationship slowly, cherishing every moment. She celebrated four years of sobriety in September. “When she came back into my life, it was a surreal feeling, and it still is today,” Garner said. The 17-year-old Ball Ground singer-songwriter has attracted attention with faithful covers of old country songs at local festivals, bars and other venues. But his song “14 Years” is different. It’s the first that is entirely his own. “It was like a weight off my shoulders, like something that needed to be out there needed to be said,” Garner said. Garner performed the song when his mother received her fouryear chip at a recovery meeting. She said she and everyone else in the room were blown away. “No one can listen to that song without bawling their eyes out,” she said. “It's his testimony.” Garner stumbled into music, deciding to pick up the guitar after hearing a friend play. He taught himself to sing while riding fourwheelers at the home of his grandparents, who raised him. JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Islan Garner performs a Johnny Cash song at the Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Expo in Cumming Nov. 8.
See GARNER, Page 12
Drug abuse program receives county-level support By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Drug Abuse Treatment and Education Fund hailed support from the County Commission helping stop the cycle of youth addiction in its tracks. Chief Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Bagley, who chairs the Educa-
ROI
tion Fund, said at a Nov. 14 meeting that the program is enjoying a healthy balance thanks in part to commissioners’ support. “The Board of Commissioners has stepped up,” Bagley said. County Commissioner Mendy Moore, who attended the meeting, said residents have identified battling addiction as a priority. She said supporting the Education
matters.
Funds’ programs makes sense from a community perspective. “It costs us money to house people in our jail, and if you can keep them from being a repeat offender and get them back to being gainfully employed and back with their families, it helps everybody in the community,” Moore said.
See PROGRAM, Page 12
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Forsyth County Drug Abuse Treatment and Education Fund Committee members meet Nov. 14 to examine how funds can support school district programs.
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