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Melton brought leadership
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| Rabun County Commission Chairman Eston Melton speaks with board members and attendees during a workshop July 25 at Rabun County Courthouse. |
By Jeremy Styron Staff Writer
Before winning a seat on the Rabun County Board of Commissioners in 2002, Eston Melton's participation in politics stopped at the voting booth.
The Post 4 commissioner lost his re-election bid but not his passion for the issues that affect Rabun.
Despite the long-time political service of his father, Eston "Skeet" Melton, Melton initially dismissed his friends' suggestions to run for county office.
"I remember clearly," Melton said, reacting to his friends' exhortations to campaign. "(I said) 'you've got to be crazy. ... No'."
This response came years after he revisited his hometown of Mulberry, Fla., a small speck of a town just east of Tampa, where he recalled viewing a photograph of his father hanging in city hall. The elder Melton served for numerous years on the town's council.
"I remember maybe one night a month he would leave and say he was going to a council meeting," Melton said.
But Melton said his father's service didn't have much impact on his own political aspirations until his wife, Peggy, joined his friends in urging him to run for office.
During the 2002 Democratic primary, he defeated Max Watts of Tiger. Despite long careers in education and engineering, the race was his first political endeavor.
"Frankly, I didn't think I would win," Melton said. "But I campaigned hard. (I) did the best I could trying to meet people."
Despite having no prior experience, Melton was an able leader and knowledgeable addition to the board, according to those who have worked with him.
"I would say he is the most intelligent, hardest working commissioner the county has ever had," said Commissioner Pete Cleaveland. "Working with him has been exciting and productive."
Rabun County Hospital Authority Chairman Bob Prater said Melton's service was a positive asset for the county. "I think he's a good commissioner. We've had a good working relationship with him. He seemed to me to exhibit good leadership qualities."
For former commissioner John Davis, Melton was a careful and calculating presence on the board.
"When he came on the Board of Commissioners ... he was very thoughtful, and he took questions and issues and studied them, and his decision was based on what was in the best interest for Rabun County," Davis said.
After leaving Mulberry, Melton studied chemical engineering for two years at the University of Florida before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He was initially stationed at Fort Sill, Okla., for field artillery Officer Candidate School. One of 43 officers to graduate, Melton then was shipped to Hanau, Germany, where he served during the Korean War efforts until his discharge in 1956. He said many of the Fort Sill classmates were consequently killed in action.
Melton graduated from college in 1958 and worked for four years as a process engineer at Union Camp Corporation, a pulp and paper mill in Savannah. Seeing little room in the company for advancement, he entered the aerospace business and signed on with Atlantic Research Corporation in Virginia. During his last two years of employment with the company, he had reached the vice president's chair.
In 1977, he decided to move closer to some relatives already living in Rabun. His first business venture was Rabun Ridge Inc., which was responsible for the construction of Saint James Episcopal Church on Warwoman Road. Melton took pride in the fact that the structure was still in good condition.
"I'm pleased to take note of the fact that it's still standing," he said in jest.
After short stints in real estate and building inspection, he began sending off resumes to teach at the college level. Despite not having a postgraduate degree, North Georgia Technical College gave him a chance in the classroom. He began teaching architectural drafting and design. He then earned a master's degree in education in 1985 and a doctorate in 1990.
He retired from the school in 1996 and continued performing building inspections under the company name, Melton Associates Inc., until he was elected commissioner in 2002.
Melton emphasized the sale of the former Rabun County Hospital as the pivotal moment of his tenure in office.
"No individual does anything alone," he said, giving credit to the other members with whom he worked.
"It was losing ($1 million and) couldn't support itself (with) no end in sight," he said. "I think that was a major accomplishment for the Board of Commissioners to get that done. I think that was a good accomplishment. I don't think it was; I know that."
Cleaveland said Melton's diligence helped seal the deal with the eventual buyer, InMed Group, Inc.
"It would not have been sold if it had not been for him," Cleaveland said. "There was no one else willing to put in the work and provide the leadership that was required.
"I think that was probably one of the best things that's happened to the county in the last 10 years."
Completion of the county's jail, a planned archives building and the smooth transition to increase the size of the board were other victories during Melton's term.
"I think we're going to find a lot of people interested in Rabun County history," he said of the archives building. "It's going to be a fine addition to the county (for) all the people to enjoy."
During the process of adding two commissioners to the board in 2004, Melton organized a conference at the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute of Government for the new board members.
"I think we started off on the right foot there," Melton said. "I think from three to five, it was a smooth transition. ... I think the commissioners wanted it to be a smooth transition. Their cooperative spirit and their attitude was the key."
On the horizon, Melton said meeting the challenges of burgeoning growth and technology would be imperatives for future board members.
"Technology is driving a lot of issues - all over the world, and we're no different," he said. "It's explosive technology that's affecting all governments, including Rabun County's governments.
"I'm hopeful that ... somehow the voters can put in leaders that can meet those challenges."
If not, he added, "the county will suffer. That's not rocket science."
He also said taxes and zoning issues would be hot button issues in coming elections, adding that just the cost of maintaining current county services was increasing.
"I don't want my taxes to go up," he said, "I would like them to come down. ... The cost of providing county services is going up all over the country."
But with all of the major points of interest, county residents need to stay informed and participate in local governmental proceedings, he said. He particularly noted the hotly contested land ordinance and zoning concerns.
"There will be a wide variety of strongly held opinions about this, but if the county is going to maintain the growth, it's going to require that we put in place ways to manage all that," he said.
Melton was defeated for the Post 4 seat July 18 by Watts. During his remaining five months in office, Melton wants to be sure the people of Rabun have plenty of chances to let their voices be heard.
"We want to make sure the public has every opportunity to participate in this," he said. "Whatever we end up with, I hope the county will feel a good bit of ownership in what we can come up with. The only way you can get ownership," is to participate in the meetings and discussions.
In his spare time, Melton enjoys sailing, traveling and reading. He is currently exploring some biographies of the Founding Fathers.
"It's really been interesting to be a commissioner as I was reading about the history of our country," he said. "... Things really haven't changed much in politics."
At 75 years old, he said he was still adamant about the rights and responsibilities of the constituency he represented. He added that those who never have served in the Armed Forces may not possess the fiery love of country to which many veterans still cling.
"I've always voted," he said. "I've always thought that was an important responsibility ... I'm the kind of guy that kind of gets a little teared up when they play 'The Star-Spangled Banner'."
The Post 4 commissioner lost his re-election bid but not his passion for the issues that affect Rabun.
Despite the long-time political service of his father, Eston "Skeet" Melton, Melton initially dismissed his friends' suggestions to run for county office.
"I remember clearly," Melton said, reacting to his friends' exhortations to campaign. "(I said) 'you've got to be crazy. ... No'."
This response came years after he revisited his hometown of Mulberry, Fla., a small speck of a town just east of Tampa, where he recalled viewing a photograph of his father hanging in city hall. The elder Melton served for numerous years on the town's council.
"I remember maybe one night a month he would leave and say he was going to a council meeting," Melton said.
But Melton said his father's service didn't have much impact on his own political aspirations until his wife, Peggy, joined his friends in urging him to run for office.
During the 2002 Democratic primary, he defeated Max Watts of Tiger. Despite long careers in education and engineering, the race was his first political endeavor.
"Frankly, I didn't think I would win," Melton said. "But I campaigned hard. (I) did the best I could trying to meet people."
Despite having no prior experience, Melton was an able leader and knowledgeable addition to the board, according to those who have worked with him.
"I would say he is the most intelligent, hardest working commissioner the county has ever had," said Commissioner Pete Cleaveland. "Working with him has been exciting and productive."
Rabun County Hospital Authority Chairman Bob Prater said Melton's service was a positive asset for the county. "I think he's a good commissioner. We've had a good working relationship with him. He seemed to me to exhibit good leadership qualities."
For former commissioner John Davis, Melton was a careful and calculating presence on the board.
"When he came on the Board of Commissioners ... he was very thoughtful, and he took questions and issues and studied them, and his decision was based on what was in the best interest for Rabun County," Davis said.
After leaving Mulberry, Melton studied chemical engineering for two years at the University of Florida before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He was initially stationed at Fort Sill, Okla., for field artillery Officer Candidate School. One of 43 officers to graduate, Melton then was shipped to Hanau, Germany, where he served during the Korean War efforts until his discharge in 1956. He said many of the Fort Sill classmates were consequently killed in action.
Melton graduated from college in 1958 and worked for four years as a process engineer at Union Camp Corporation, a pulp and paper mill in Savannah. Seeing little room in the company for advancement, he entered the aerospace business and signed on with Atlantic Research Corporation in Virginia. During his last two years of employment with the company, he had reached the vice president's chair.
In 1977, he decided to move closer to some relatives already living in Rabun. His first business venture was Rabun Ridge Inc., which was responsible for the construction of Saint James Episcopal Church on Warwoman Road. Melton took pride in the fact that the structure was still in good condition.
"I'm pleased to take note of the fact that it's still standing," he said in jest.
After short stints in real estate and building inspection, he began sending off resumes to teach at the college level. Despite not having a postgraduate degree, North Georgia Technical College gave him a chance in the classroom. He began teaching architectural drafting and design. He then earned a master's degree in education in 1985 and a doctorate in 1990.
He retired from the school in 1996 and continued performing building inspections under the company name, Melton Associates Inc., until he was elected commissioner in 2002.
Melton emphasized the sale of the former Rabun County Hospital as the pivotal moment of his tenure in office.
"No individual does anything alone," he said, giving credit to the other members with whom he worked.
"It was losing ($1 million and) couldn't support itself (with) no end in sight," he said. "I think that was a major accomplishment for the Board of Commissioners to get that done. I think that was a good accomplishment. I don't think it was; I know that."
Cleaveland said Melton's diligence helped seal the deal with the eventual buyer, InMed Group, Inc.
"It would not have been sold if it had not been for him," Cleaveland said. "There was no one else willing to put in the work and provide the leadership that was required.
"I think that was probably one of the best things that's happened to the county in the last 10 years."
Completion of the county's jail, a planned archives building and the smooth transition to increase the size of the board were other victories during Melton's term.
"I think we're going to find a lot of people interested in Rabun County history," he said of the archives building. "It's going to be a fine addition to the county (for) all the people to enjoy."
During the process of adding two commissioners to the board in 2004, Melton organized a conference at the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute of Government for the new board members.
"I think we started off on the right foot there," Melton said. "I think from three to five, it was a smooth transition. ... I think the commissioners wanted it to be a smooth transition. Their cooperative spirit and their attitude was the key."
On the horizon, Melton said meeting the challenges of burgeoning growth and technology would be imperatives for future board members.
"Technology is driving a lot of issues - all over the world, and we're no different," he said. "It's explosive technology that's affecting all governments, including Rabun County's governments.
"I'm hopeful that ... somehow the voters can put in leaders that can meet those challenges."
If not, he added, "the county will suffer. That's not rocket science."
He also said taxes and zoning issues would be hot button issues in coming elections, adding that just the cost of maintaining current county services was increasing.
"I don't want my taxes to go up," he said, "I would like them to come down. ... The cost of providing county services is going up all over the country."
But with all of the major points of interest, county residents need to stay informed and participate in local governmental proceedings, he said. He particularly noted the hotly contested land ordinance and zoning concerns.
"There will be a wide variety of strongly held opinions about this, but if the county is going to maintain the growth, it's going to require that we put in place ways to manage all that," he said.
Melton was defeated for the Post 4 seat July 18 by Watts. During his remaining five months in office, Melton wants to be sure the people of Rabun have plenty of chances to let their voices be heard.
"We want to make sure the public has every opportunity to participate in this," he said. "Whatever we end up with, I hope the county will feel a good bit of ownership in what we can come up with. The only way you can get ownership," is to participate in the meetings and discussions.
In his spare time, Melton enjoys sailing, traveling and reading. He is currently exploring some biographies of the Founding Fathers.
"It's really been interesting to be a commissioner as I was reading about the history of our country," he said. "... Things really haven't changed much in politics."
At 75 years old, he said he was still adamant about the rights and responsibilities of the constituency he represented. He added that those who never have served in the Armed Forces may not possess the fiery love of country to which many veterans still cling.
"I've always voted," he said. "I've always thought that was an important responsibility ... I'm the kind of guy that kind of gets a little teared up when they play 'The Star-Spangled Banner'."
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