Deal and Smyre discuss democracy for Voices and Votes
Members of Georgia Humanities posed with panelists Cathy Cox, Gov. Nathan Deal, and Legislator Calvin Smyre shortly before their discussion on democracy and the current condition of state and federal politics took place. IAN TOCHER/Staff
Eatonton First Lady Janie Reid, wife of Mayor John Reid, shared a moment with former Georgia Governor Nathan Deal at the conclusion of Saturday night’s “Voices and Votes” discussion in the meeting room of the Putnam County Annex. IAN TOCHER/Staff
Former state legislator Calvin Smyre, who earned the title, “Dean of the House,” after initially being elected in 1974 as a 26-yearold, gestures to the audience while making a point about the importance of preserving democracy in government. IAN TOCHER/Staff
Prior to the political discussion, the Lake Country Chorus performed several traditional, patriotic songs that drew a hearty round of applause from “Voices and Votes” attendees. IAN TOCHER/Staff
Local Eatonton-Putnam Boy Scouts served as the Color Guard for the “Voices and Votes” event on Saturday night at the county’s administration building. IAN TOCHER/Staff
Lou Benjamin of the Georgia Writers Museum served as emcee for the evening. IAN TOCHER/Staff
Gov. Nathan Deal shared many memories and stories of nonpartisan cooperation and democratic principles from his time beneath the Gold Dome in Atlanta. IAN TOCHER/Staff
The month-long Smithsonian exhibit on American democracy, “Voices and Votes,” that opened Saturday morning at the Putnam County Annex building, served as the backdrop that evening for a wide-ranging and candid discussion on the state of the nation’s political system.
Hosted locally in conjunction with Georgia Humanities, the program brought together former Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and longtime …
