Fulton Vice Chairman Joan Garner, ill at home, feted via video call
On a television in front of the rest of the Fulton County commissioners, Vice Chairman Joan Garner grinned from a couch at her home.
Cancer treatment has kept Garner from some of the commission’s meetings this year. But on April 12, 2017, she was able to accept accolades from commissioners — and participate in some votes — via video conference.
“We want to show her the love she so richly deserves,” Fulton commission chairman John Eaves said, before Garner was given a proclamation and received news that a conference room at the county’s new health building was being named after her. She will also have a scholarship named after her that helps students interested in county government and health and human services.
Garner said she was “deeply touched” by the gestures, which usually come “after our life has ended.”
“It really fills my heart and I will carry this with me forever,” she said. “I’m just overwhelmed with joy.”
Fulton commissioners told Garner that they valued her friendship and her hard work on a number of topics, including the reduction of new cases of HIV. Garner participated in some health-related votes over the phone.
About the Author
Arielle Kass covers Gwinnett County for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She started at the paper in 2010, and has covered business and local government beats around metro Atlanta. Arielle is a graduate of Emory University.
