A friend of Julia Glenn Carter sent in this lovely note…
Julia Glenn Carter was a very vital part of this city for years.
She passed away peacefully at home on 2/11/16 after battling a rare neurological disease over the past couple of years. Julia was only 57. Her husband of 16 years, Henk Brinkman was at her side. She is survived by her sons, Daimon and Ben Carter, Daimon’s wife, Jennifer Carter and their young son, Jonathan. Julia had founded and was editor in chief for many years at the Decatur Community Review, she was a prolific writer and was writing a cookbook that included short stories about 25 local women and their mothers when she became ill.
She and Henk were members of Decatur Presbyterian Church and she was a frequent volunteer for many causes in the community. She was a great cook, avid gardener and was known for her innovative ideas, intelligence and beautiful smile. She will be greatly missed.
As a Decatur newcomer 20 or so years ago, I credit Julia and her Community Review 100% with helping me understand the dynamics of my new community. She epitomized the best of small town local journalism — covering issues carefully and fairly, but always in a way that demonstrated an acute understanding of our all-in-this-togetherness, interdependence, and connection to one another.
It never seemed contrived either. I didn’t really know her personally beyond small talk here or there but it was obvious she was a class act.
True that
In addition to the Community Review, Julia courageously launched ZiptoGreen, an ahead of its time web site designed to help consumers reduce energy consumption. The goal was to leverage the power companies’ inherent interest in not having to build more power plants. It was a technical, marketing, and political puzzle that would have dwarfed anyone, even with massive capital.
Julia endeavored to make it happen with vision and persistence — and she got it across the finish line but never had the capital to make it fully realized.
I will also miss her and always think of her vision for Decatur-based journalism when I read Decatur Metro and Decaturish.
I have fond memories of the Community Review, though I did not personally know Julia, I enjoyed her work. This is sad news.