[PHOTOSTORY 1: OUTDOORS] Working the Summer Turns

 By: Camryn Hughes 

A Hendley Properties sign is displayed in front of their main office location with colorful flowers planted in front of it. Hendley Properties was founded in 1968 and owns many housing developments around Statesboro. 

This street in the Planter's Row property is beginning to look empty now that residents have begun moving out.  Most resident's that have graduated or are moving to another location have moved out of the houses leaving them empty and ready for repairs.

Connor Gillis, one of the maintenance workers, walks towards the Planters Row leasing office for a morning meeting. The morning meeting is where maintenance workers meet with the leasing agents to discuss what needs to be done that day. 

Connor Gillis and Jon "JJ" Hendley head toward their trucks after the meeting to discuss their plans for the day. "We like to start the day by dividing up tools and figuring out who is gonna do what" said Connor Gillis. 

JJ Hendley and Connor Gillis discuss their plans for the morning. "It is super important to make sure the empty units are cleaned and in good shape with repairs sooner than later since early move in is coming up quick" said JJ Hendley. 

Connor Gillis stands by his truck drinking some water from a bottle. " It's too dang hot to not be drinking water you know. Gotta get a lot done and that's not gonna happen if you pass out" said Connor Gillis. 

Connor Gillis looks through inventory in a storage shed to see what needs to be ordered for different units. The maintenance team has 4-6  weeks to ensure that properties are ready for new tenants. 

Cardboard boxes and trash are piled up on the ground outside a storage shed. " We're trying to keep it all together until the dumpster gets delivered" said Connor Gillis. 

Connor Gillis sits in his truck after loading supplies into his truck. Connor Gillis is checking his property maintenance request list to see where all he is going today. 

Connor Gillis is looking in JJ Hendley's truck for tools. " JJ likes to say he usually carries the electrical tools, he really just borrows mine and conveniently forgets to give them back" said Connor Gillis.

Connor Gillis drives to another property. Hendley Properties owns housing communities all over Statesboro so the maintenance team typically has to drive around multiple times a day. 

Connor Gillis looks through his toolbox for the right tool. Connor Gillis is responding to a maintenance request for a busted outdoor electrical box. 

JJ Hendley and Connor Gillis work together to fix the outdoor electrical box. "We really enjoy working together. It makes the day not suck so much" said JJ Hendley. 

Connor Gillis and April Powell stand at Connors truck in a discussion. April Powell is a leasing manager with Hendley Properties. 

JJ Hendley bends over screwing in the electrical box. "I really hate these things sometimes. I like working with my hands and facing stuff but it's annoying when things don't wanna work" said JJ Hendley.

Connor Gillis sits in his truck while talking to JJ outside. While Gillis and Hendley typically work together on most projects, they do split up occasionally. 

Connor Gillis rings resident's doorbell to see if they are home. One of Connors' tasks for thew day is to complete outdoor checks of the residence. 

Connor Gillis squats, checking the air conditioning unit to ensure it is working properly. "One thing we always check is the AC units, especially in the summer, it's better to know sooner Tham later if somethings up" said Connor Gillis. 

Connor Gillis inspects the inside of a resident's fence. After Hurricane Helene, this resident's fence was damaged and the broken sections were replaced. 

Two geese sit in the grasss looking toward the pond (not pictured). Even though human residents are beginning to move out, the animal residents are enjoying the peace and quiet.