I usually write something about my old automobiles, when a particular car show worth your time is happening, or on-going technologies that still amaze me. This column will stray from that. <br />
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I received some snail mail from my oldest friend Frank Norton, Jr. Upon opening it I found a Xerox copy of a letter written by my late father Robert E. 'Bob' Andrews, Attorney At Law in October, 1984. I have no idea how the letter came into Frank's possession, and maybe that will be another column.<br />
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Ask anyone with a parent or parents who spent much time in the spotlight and they'll tell you, "Yes, there are a lot of stories about him/them." I witnessed some of the best and funniest moments in north Georgia legal history watching my father try cases. Others have told me countless courtroom situations where he used intellect, humor, the bible, and even a prop or two to win juries and cases. There's nothing quite like a legal or political Bob Andrews story.<br />
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My father insisted on taking me along with him when he met with his clients. Clients in jail. The unspoken lesson was clear, "This is where you end up if you don't obey the law. There's worse news son - if you want to get out you have to pay." This, along with various jail interior decorating left quite an impression on me at 5 years old, and I learned and told others where every jail in a 22 county area was before reaching 10 (I actually think these trips were just his early training program for me helping in his political campaigns). Eventually my mother won out and convinced him to quote, "Stop taykin him withyuh tuh thuh jailhouse. It iddin right Robbut. Iddin." After this he'd say wistful things to me like, "Well Ace, too bad you'll miss lunch at the Lumpkin County jail today. My client told me they are having meatloaf again." I recall feeling an odd inner conflict at not getting to go to jail.<br />
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Back to his letter. Rather than attempt to explain or describe it I have posted a link below so you can read it. One thing is certain, there was never any gray area with Bob Andrews. I will reveal that it involves the Army Corps of Engineers, Senator Sam Nunn, Senator Mack Mattingly, four aluminum chairs, a couple of potted flowers, and our old place on Lake Lanier.<br />
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Thanks Frank. I had actually never seen this one.<br />
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<i> Jones P. 'Jay' Andrews is a Gainesville, GA native, serves as VP/GM of New Media for Jacobs Media Corporation, a voice heard on numerous radio, TV and internet pieces, a writer, and a classic car hobbyist. Jay manages AccessNorthGa.com, WDUN TV, WDUN.com, WIDETravel.com and JacobsMedia.net. Contact him at
[email protected], or by phone at 770-531-6556.</i>
