Piney Woods Pete

Mumbles Billy Fleming I know a lot of people — most of them aging a little — who would have liked to have read what Piney Woods Pete would have to say about the current financial crisis. And about a lot of other things.

I had to make a presentation along with several other newspaper folks before a House study committee at the capitol last week.

I told the committee menbers I had been around for so long and was from so far back in the woods that I knew Piney Woods Pete.

There were blank stares on all the members' faces but one. He grined and nodded. He remembered the good old days.

The deaths of a couple colorful characters reached me this week. Both would have loved to sit and chat with Piney Woods Pete.

Former PSC commisioner Mac Barber often slept in his office to keep from driving back and forth to Commerce.

He often would come and go by crawling in and out of the window to his office. "Quicker than walking around the building" to get to his vehicle.

He never cashed his paychecks. It was later learned that he was saving the money for a pledge to UGA in his wife's name.

The last time he ran for office he put the picture of his dog in his newspaper ads. There are many more stories about Mac Barber, but most importantly, remember that he always stood up to the utilities companies on behalf or the little man.

Another Mac passed away this week, also. Durward MacAllister, retired AJC editorial page editor was much closer to my heart.

There is a lot I want to tell you about Mac, but I don't have time or space now.

Just know that he was a giant among newspaper men during his time.