The
Hogansville
Home News
3
B Thursday,
Sept. 29, 2005
LENDING A HELPING HAND- Guy Dozier and Gary Dozier, II, of Dozier Memorials in Manchester and Fortson, are
members of the Monument Builders of the Carolinas. They are shown here presenting a check for $5,000 to Jennifer
Sweat of the American Red Cross for the Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Fund at a conference in Myrtle Beach,
SC over the weekend: Dozier Memorials is also a member of the Monument Builders of North America.
First Eight Sales Recorded in Area Subdivision
The first eight sales, including three
homes which have already been occu-
pied by the homeowners, have been
recorded in The Meadows, a neighbor-
hood in the first phase of The Villages
of Huntcliff in Hogansville.
The Huntcliff community, which is
located on Highway 29 within walking
distance of Hogansville's historic down-
town business district, will ultimately
have approximately 606 homes.
This is the first swim/tennis com-
munity in the Hogansville area.
Building the homes in The Meadows
dTayettv, iLt,.:which is.headed by Tom
Bloom. Premium Builders has begun
construction on the first section of 30
homes, which currently are priced from
$109,000 to $127,000.
Wendell Staley, manager of •United
Realty Group's New Home Sales
Division, which • is representing
Premium Builders in the community,
said that there are many reasons for
homebuyers to purchase there. Staley
is certainly in a position to know this,
as he is a Hogansville native who pre-
viously was in business there and served
as president of the Hogansville Chamber
of Commerce (now the
Hogansville/Troup County Chamber of
Commerce).
He was also president of the
Hogansville Kiwanis Club, and while in
that position, he designed and led the
effort to build the War Monument proj-
ect in downtown Hogansville.
Staley said that in addition t0:the
swim/tennis and other amenities, The
Villages of Huntcliff and will have spe-
cial appeal to seniors and young cou-
ples.
He also noted that the community's
location is a real plus. "It's in a charm-
ing small town setting not far from the
interstate highway (I-85)."
The community itself is a short walk
from a local grocery store, and it's also
about 20 minutes from major shopping,
entertainment and dining facilities in
Newnan and less than 15 minutes from
LaGrange, another city ideal for fami-
ly outings.
The homes and buildings housing
the amenities in the community are
designed to reflect the local appeal of
Hogansville, a historic town with a num-
ber of beautiful antebellum homes.
Premium Builders is offering six dif-
ferent plans, five ranch designs and one
two-stor% in The Meadows. All Of the
plans have three bedrooms, two baths,
porches, and rear entry garages off an
alley. The homes contain a long list of
standard features (according to the
plan), including tray and vaulted ceil-
ings, custom cabinetry and an electric
range.
Job Ra,te
Improves
For Area
Troup Employment Figures
Show More People Working
By ROB RICHARDSON
Unemployment has
improved in west central
Georgia.
Numbers for August, the
most recent available, are
better than they were in July
for all four counties.
According to the Georgia
Department of Labor, the
Harris-Troup-Meriwether-
Talbot area showed an aver-
age jobless rate of 6.2 per-
cent for August, compared to
7.4 percent in July:
The area's average rate
a year ago was 5.5 percent.
The statewide unem-
ployment average was 5.2
percent in August, down
from 5.6 in July.
The state rate was 4.9 in
August of 2004.
The national unemploy-
ment rate in August was 4.9
percent, compared ,to 5.2 in
July and 5.4 in August of last
year.
• In west central Georgia,
highly-populated Troup had
the most unemployed: 2,085.
There were 797 jobless in
• Source: Georgia Dept. of Labor
• The highest rate in the
region was Meriwether, with
7.7 percent in August.
But the rate was a big
improvement over the 9.1
figure in July.
In August of 2004,
Meriwether had a 6.4 rate.
• Talbot had an equally
big improvement, declining
to a 6.8 per cent rate in July
from the revised July rate
• of 8.2 percent.
In August of 2004, Talbot
had a 6.2 .percent unem-
ployment rate.
*Troup went to a 6.6 per-
cent rate in August compared
to 7.9 in July.
In August of 2004, Troup
Meriwether, 551 in Harris ..... had5.9 per,ceNt rate.
and 220 in Talbot. ....... The lowest "memploy-
• The best rate of the four
local counties during August
was the 3.9 per cent record-
ed in Harris, down from the
4.4 rate for July.
A year ago, Harris had a
3.8 jobless rate.
ment rate in the state -for the
fifth month in a row- was in
Oconee County near Athens,
at 3.1 percent.
• The highest was Warren
County in east Georgia, with
10.7 percent.
Meriwether Considers Ordinance for Timber Harvesting
By BRYAN GETER
The Meriwether County
Commission is considering new
rules for harvesting timber.
The board unanimously
approved a first reading of a tim-
ber harvesting ordinance at its Sept.
14 meeting.
The proposal was expected to
come up for a second reading at the
board's meeting this Taesday.
County Administrator Robert
Hiss, County Attorney Rob Morton,
County Zoning Administrator Run
Garrett and County Public Works
Director Bruce O'Neal met with a
group of loggers to finalize plans
for the new ordinance that will help
the county as well as the loggers in
Meriwether.
The ordinance states that any-
one harvesting standing timber in
the county must first deliver tO the
county'sbuilding and zoning depart-
ment a valid $5,000 surety bond to
protect the Meriwether County
Road System against any damage
caused by such person, firm or enti-
ty.
The surety bond will be valid for
no more han one year from the date
of delivery to Meriwether County.
The logger must also provide in
writing notice of his harvesting
operation to the public works
department 72 hours prior to the
start of his cutting.
The letter shall have a map of
the area which identifies the loca-
tion of the tract to be harvested and
as to those trucks that will be trav-
eling to and from such tract for pur-
pose of picking up and hauling loads
of cut forest products.
The letter should also have a
statement as to whether the timber
will be removed pursuant to a lump
sum sale, per unit sale or owner har-
vest for purposes of ad valorem
taxes under the state law.
The name, address and daytime
telephone number of the timber sell-
er and the name, address, business
phone number, current business
registration and nighttime or emer-
gency telephone number of the har-
vester.
The ordinance requires gravel
be placed on the temporary har-
vesting driveway with a minimum
!pad of 30 feet in
Ii!i width for the first 20
i feet from the
entrance and then no
: less than 20 feet
after the first 20 fee
[iii from the entrance
¢ili:W"
[ )i for 100 feet with 5,8
I :" nch size stone
Buce mless another size
shall be approved by
Meriwether County, to a minimum
depth of 3 inches to insure that mud
and or other obstructions will not
be tracked onto the county roadway.
No harvester or vehicle may be
parked on the county right-of-way
or used on the county right-of-way
as a loading facility.
• Entrance/egress/ingress signs
shall be placed no less than 1000
feet in each direction from each per-
mitted entrance.
The ordinance states that the
county has to schedule the requi-
site inspection within a 72-hour peri-
od to issue or deny the request by
the harvester.
Each violation can be punish-
able by a $500 fine.
But Commissioner Frank Buce
said, "There is no need to enact this
ordinance unless we are going to
enforce it."
County Zoning Administrator
Ron Garrett said that most loggers
do a good job and try to do what is
right.
Commissioner Emmitt Clark
said, "Until the county can hire more
help, it will take everybody work-
ing together to get the job done."
!!1100
• Seasons •of fun for everyone.
Enjoy a bountiful selection of festivals and activities at Callaway Gardens. Pick from a calendar full of delightful events;
HARVEST FESTIVAE October 8-9, 15-16
Autumn's in fill swing with scarecrows, pumpkin decorating,
apph: bobbing, arts & crafts and more.
CHRYSANTHEMUM Fxnv October 29-30, November 5-6
i,ovely mums and topiaries enhance the landscape, while you
take parr in a range, of family activities and nature programs.
THE STEEPLECHASE AT CALLAWAY GARDENS November 5
Joio 12,000 spectators for thoroughbred racing, music, food,
terrier races and Southern artists.
THANKSGMNG AT CALLAWAY GARDENS November 24
Gather your f;alriily around the table for a cornttcopia of dishes with
all the trimnrings. We're serving plated meals, buffets and complete
take-home meals, plus 5 la carte items to complement your cooking.
Call 706-663-2281 ext. 5274 for reservations.
FANTASY IN LIGHTS* November 18-December31
Our unique outdoor light and sound show is a favorite
holiday tradition and one of the most dazzling
displays in the South.' Accommodations are
filling np fast, so plan now to stay the night!
Callaway Gardens
Pine Mountain, Georgia
1-800-CALLAWAY • callawaygardens.com
Gardens • 45 Holes of Golf" Tennis • Biking • Fishing • Skeet, Day Butterfly Center
Callawa/Gardens Famasv ]n Lights and the Flower Badge arc registered trademarks of he ( a Cason Callaway Foundadon"
