DEAR EDITOR:

Last Saturday, Otis Brumby, Jr. passed away at the age of 72.

I was introduced to Otis in the ‘60s by another good friend.

We went on to do a number of meaningful and worthwhile endeavors together.

Our friendship grew as fellow trustees in the early days of Joseph T. Walker Private School.

I learned so much from Otis about true community service.

When he decided to start the North Fulton Newspaper in Roswell, he asked for my help and support in getting it off the ground.

I did both and was proud to be a part of that predecessor to the Neighbor Newspapers in North Fulton.

His valiant and courageous efforts to keep honesty and openness in government from local to state and national offices has contributed a valuable reinforcement of what our Founding Fathers had in mind.

Otis was an unflinching defender of the First Amendment.

When I think of Otis and his inspiration to me personally his deep qualities of honesty, openness, loyalty and humility easily come to mind.

When I started the North Fulton Chamber, Otis was there to help us get it off the ground.

He instituted the North Fulton Citizen of the Year Award as a supporter of the chamber.

Last Sunday when I read that Otis had died in one of his many newspapers I love, our Cherokee Tribune, I was reminded vividly what a legacy that this physical organ of truth and honesty is, one more invaluable benefit to America that lives on as a tribute to a Great American.

Zac Henderson

Lathemtown