Death of a Small Town

GAIL BRINSON KIRBY wrote:

I GREW UP IN MILLEN GA AT A TIME WHEN EVERY SATURDAY MY DAD, PETE BRINSON WOULD PARK OURCAR ON THE FRONT STREETS WITH MY GRANDMOTHER AND I WATCHING ALL THE PEOPLE WALK UP AND DOWN THE STREET. WE WOULD GO TO PETE MILLS DRUGSTORE
AND GET ICE CREAM IN A CUP AND SIT ON THE CURVE WATCHING EVERYONE. I HAVE MOVED AWAY FROM MILLEN YEARS AGO AND SADLY TO SAY ONLY GO BACK FOR FAMILY DEATH. WHEN I RETURNED TO MILLEN IN 2004 FOR MY BROTHER'S DEATH, IT WAS VERY SAD TO SEE MILLEN DYING AS IT WAS. THE TRAIN DEPOT WHERE I SPENT MY GROWING UP YEARS WAS SHUT DOWN. I GUESS THE SMALL TOWN IS GIVING UP BUT MY GREAT MEMORIES WILL ALWAYS BE THERE. THANK YOU MILLEN FOR GIVING ME THOSE GREAT MEMORIES.
GAIL BRINSON KIBRY
gannydail@blomand.net

Nan Searles wrote:

<quoted text>
As a current resident of Millen, and a believer in our community, I want to thank you for your post. Secondly, I would like to very much assure you that Millen is very much alive and that we are NOT giving up! Millen has seen unbelieveably hard days over the past 3 years or so, but we are doing everything possible to secure the future of our wonderful little town. We are pulling together, encouraging one another, and fighting the negative. What is a small town to do when every single industry closes down within a 3 year period. Hundreds of jobs were lost, and families face crisis beyond their control. Our hearts have broken and we are struggling. But we are not giving up. That is a promise. We believe great things are headed our way and we need your encouragement. 2004 was not a bad year in Millen. We weren't in nearly as bad economic shape as today. Just remember that there are kids still living right here in Millen that will have sweet memories just like the ones you have now. Millen is in the heart of her residents. We will hold on to hope.
Nan Searles
Current Millen Resident