Published: October 18, 2008 11:51 pm      

A new start on Crawford

The sun was out and a brisk wind greeted attorneys, their families and volunteers who gathered to start the tedious process of cleaning up the McCamy, Phillips, Tuggle and Fordham law office on Saturday morning.

“Our concern is certainly for our partner, Mr. (James) Phillips,” said law firm member Curtis Kleem. “He is a senior member of the local bar, and is a generous partner and friend.” Phillips was severely burned in the attack and is in critical condition at an Augusta burn unit. He underwent skin graft surgery on Saturday.

Lee Daniel, a partner in the firm, said in retrospect that “miracles truly happen.”

“We are all half-full instead of half-empty today,” he said. “We were blessed that more people were not hurt, and we have a lot of citizens helping us. I think we may even have a place to move that will be perfect, but I can’t say anything just yet.”