In today's vote, there are a lot of different issues to consider - senate races, governor races - but here in Our Town the big vote is to Save the Courthouse - or not.
The Hyatt Hotel on the square in Ellijay was built in 1898, and was converted to the county courthouse in 1934.
The building has been going downhill ever since, the outside brick is deteriorating, the foundation is sinking, the inside wood is cracking and unsafe, it is the home of animal infestations, leaks, creaks, moans. The building was condemned in 2003 for several code violations.
The old hotel has done pretty well and lasted much longer than it should have. It is worn out and ready to be laid to rest.
The county officials are trying to bring this issue to rest (literally) so they can move forward with much needed facility improvements and additions. It is now in the hands of the voters. The officials say that if the vote is to demolish the old building, an exact replica will be built in its place (see artist's sketch). Or if the vote is to save the building, virtually everything will have to be replaced, taking a LOT of taxpayer's money to do so.
Save the courthouse?
save the records
save the stories
save the pictures...
save mementos - like the mantle piece in the lobby, the wooden pews in the courtroom, the bannisters going up the stairs..
Decaying wood and crumbling bricks do not history make.
Recently, the old historic Wal-Mart store was demolished to make way for a bigger and better Ingle's grocery store, and no one even lifted a finger to save it, no banners, signs, telephone campaigns, or full-page ads in the newspaper. It was sad to see it go, a lot of bargains were found there, our first Wal-Mart…
