Meet Scott Cagle. He has been here all his life, so you probably already know him a little bit. I enjoyed reading through Scott’s answers and you will too. If you have been around as long as he and I, you will love his answer to a most nostalgic former business. He and his wife, Jennifer, who is a “10 out of 10,” have been married for 26 years and they have a rescue dog name Tobymac. He has had a career serving others, but one of these days in the future, we may either be selling real estate together or hunting for the lost treasures of Georgia.
Interviewed by Brad Abernathy | Inman Perk, downtown Gainesville square
Question: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Answer: “I am the middle of three boys. My Dad and Mom (Ron & Vicky) live in Hall County. I have been married to my wife Jennifer Cagle for 26 years. We have one rescue dog named TobyMac.”
Q: Please tell us about what you do for a living and why?
A: “I retired from the Hall County Fire Services as the Fire Marshal after 23 years of services and now work with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). I was appointed as the Deputy Commissioner over the Division of Investigations, Special Operations & School Safety. The ‘why’ behind working at DJJ is to have an impact in the lives of a group of youth that have been forgotten about or ignored. Most of these kids are good kids but just made a mistake. Well, so did I, we all have. Many times they just need to know someone still believes in them and remind them that their story isn’t over. They still have time to turn their life around and make a change.”
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
A: “My No. 1 is Longstreet Café, followed by Scott’s Downtown, and you can never go wrong with Senor Fiesta.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
A: “Hardest question to answer…I wanted to skip it. The only thing I am coming up with is…while I was Fire Marshal for Hall County I was able to meet, work with, and talk with so many ‘Hall County Giants’ like Abit Massey, Frank Norton Jr, Big Jim Walters, Nathan Deal, Casey Cagle, Mike Martin, the Syfans and too many others to name. I am not trying to name drop because it had nothing to do with me but because of the position I was in. It was truly a blessing and honor to serve in that role and meet so many wonderful people.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
A: “I have lived in Hall County since I was 5 years old. After I graduated North Hall High School, at 19, I began working for the Hall County Fire Services and retired in 2015. I now work for the State and reside in Lula. So, to answer directly…over 45 years.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “I would love to travel to the Holy Land. I want to ‘see’ the places where Jesus walked and served. I just feel it would really bring the Bible to life and be a life changing experience.”
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
A: “One favorite movies would be ‘Forrest Gump’ and a fave TV show would have to be the ‘Andy Griffith Show.'”
Q: What advice would you want to give or leave with people? Or , If you could go back in time to give yourself some wisdom, what would you say?
A: “My advice…don’t take yourself too seriously. Don’t be about titles and status…at the end of the day, they aren’t important. Don’t chase temporary pleasures or ‘things.’ Be like Jesus and love each other.”
Q: If reading for pleasure, what do you like?
A: “Anything by Ted Dekker, any true survival stories.”
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
A: “My most favorite former business was Planet Earth on Shallowford Road (you will have to do research on what that was)… and the arcade at Lakeshore Mall. As for a current business, I would have to mention Downtown Sports Cards…it brings back all of the feelings/memories!”
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today (and not a relative); with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
A: “I would love to eat lunch and pick the brain of Mr. Wonderful Kevin O’Leary and we would have to meet at Longstreet or Truelove Celebrations.”
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community? And secondly, what is something you hope our community has or does in the future?
A: “Gainesville still has the small town feeling but offers so much. I know it will not stay that way forever but it’s fun right now! Let’s have a minor league baseball team…maybe…ok, maybe not.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
A: “After my time at the State… I hope to get a job back closer to home. I have been in public safety and have worn a badge and/or gun since I was 19 years old. Maybe its time for a ‘fun’ job…who’s hiring?”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “It has to go back to the previous travel question. A bucket list item would be to travel to the Holy Land.”
Q: And, what is something you have been proud to check off your bucket list?
A: “Jennifer and I have traveled to Italy and Hawaii. We have also been blessed to do mission work in Bolivia, Moldova, Haiti, India and Africa.”
Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
A: “Journey or Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder (Two TOTALLY different genres).”
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
A: “Hawaii was pretty awesome. No other place like it!”
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
A: “October, Christmas…and the day Winter begins!”
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A: “I would be an idiot if I didn’t say my wife!”
Q: If a movie or series was made about your life, who would you choose to play your role?
A: “Mark Wahlberg…no idea why, first person that came to mind. (He would have to shave his head).”
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
A: “Autumn leaves candle and a camp fire.”
Q: Here is one of my favorite questions: If you were given ONE EXTRA HOUR every day, and you could not use it for sleep, work, or with anyone else, what would you use it for?
A: “Get in my Jeep, drive around in the mountains, listen to Ricky Skaggs and think.”
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
A: “Other than Jesus…my wife. I want to be better for her and I feel like she’s leaps and bounds above me.”
