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Mayor of Plains Joey Recker shared his reactions to former President Jimmy Carter’s passing on December 29. “I think sometimes we think of President Carter, and we should, of all his great accomplishments, President, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and the list goes on and on.”

Recker gave a reminder that for the residents of Plains, Carter held a much more personal attachment. “We talk about those things and we love those things, but we can’t forget that he was also to people right here in this small town . . . he was daddy, he was uncle, he was brother-in-law, he was neighbor.”

He stated his mission as Mayor of Plains. “I will let the national figures figure out everything outside the city limits of Plains, but within the city limits of Plains, our job here is just to wrap our arms around his family and love them, and pray for strength for them as they go through this time with losing their family and their loved one and their neighbor.”

President of the Sumter County NAACP Eugene Edge also shared his reactions after Carter’s passing. “I am personally deeply saddened by his passing. I looked up to him, and he was a great man.”

He stated he was at a loss for words. “It’s to be expected, but sometimes when it actually happens it sets a different tone for you.”

Edge has shared personal and business connections with Carter. “I’ll reflect on that for years to come.”

He commented on the impact of his death. “I’m sure the entire community of Plains is. . . feeling just as bad as I am.”

Edge asked for prayers for the City. “Plains was, is a very close-knit community. We knew President Carter, most of us personally. I’ve known him ever since I was a little boy. So it’s an impact on the entire City of Plains.

For more stories about Jimmy Carter please go to www.americustimesrecorder.com/category/jimmy-carter/