McDonough, GA - Tell It Like It Is
City of McDonough
The City of McDonough is the county seat of Henry County. It was incorporated in 1823 and named for Captain James McDonough, the hero of Lake Champlain during the War of 1812.
The Brown House in McDonough is home to the Henry County Historical Society. Built in 1826, the building was the home of Andrew McBride, a Revolutionary War veteran from South Carolina. The home became the Brown House Hotel after it was expanded in 1874. The Romanesque Style Henry County courthouse, built in 1897, is also located in McDonough and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Visit McDonoughSquare.com
Municipal Contact Information
Website: N/A
City of Character: http://www.mcdonoughga.org/
Address:
136 Keys Ferry StreetMcDonough, Georgia 30253
Phone: / Fax:
(770) 957-3915 / (770) 898-1086
Email: mcadmin@charter.net
posted by Larrys at 8:11 PM
30 Comments:
From the Vent:To the person who said not to vote for Billy Copeland for Mayor of McDonough because he will make it look like Mayberry. I'm glad you pointed this out, and I will vote for him for just this reason. Mayberry is a hell-of-a lot better than gangs at City Square, homes not being inspected at Bristol Park, and empty stores in and around the town square...we need a change, and someone who will promote sensible growth, not uncontrolled growth.
Response (Vent has ignored this response and will not post - guess that tells us who their atty is!): Interesting that you would mention the problems with City Square and refer to the notion that Billy Copeland is the answer. Actually if you will come to city hall and file a “Request For Information” concerning the city square development and the Kalves creek sewer line agreement, you will find that Billy is actually the Father of one of the most disturbing “Deals with Developers” in the history of McDonough! Many of the problems with City Square today can be traced back to the beginnings of the development and the deals Billy cut with the developers. The deal includes an agreement with the developers and the Welch’s (a few other prominent families) to pay for some of the expense of the sewer line to service City Square, in exchange the developers and family land barrons were given the opportunity to have the high density sewer line run straight thru their property and promised future annexation along with high density rezoning. Some examples of the downfall of Billy’s deal include of course City Square, DRA disaster (Bridle wood at Lake Dow) The Parker Road Lawsuit (Battle to disallow high density on an unpaved rural road and country setting area - developer represented by Welch law firm) The massive apartment complex (behind the post office) that has popped up on former Welch land which was annexed and given a rezoning of FOURTEEN units per acre! And you suggest that joining Billy and Jason (where are the trees daddy???) and Buddy back up for further destruction is a GOOD thing?????? Please, Please don’t take my word for it, the documents are available at city hall! Not a Richard fan either, why don’t we give the Pruitt guy a chance, he couldn’t do any worse than the former masters of disaster. Heard that Buddy and developers are panicking now that Wade pulled out on them and they are going to throw their weight behind Billy based on his performance for them at City Square.
The Fat Man says:
I would like to point out that with the overwhelming growth of the TAX BASE, the SPLOST money,SALES TAX, IMPACT FEES, GRANT MONIES, etc. we should be free of any millage rates! The last reduction in the millage was a whole seven tenths of 1% reduction.In eight years of annexing and unpresidented growth all we get is 2.5%?Lets stop and think about how much the present administration has saved the taxpayers of our city..... A great deal of the square's remodleing has been with state and federal funds.
We still don't have a city web site to find out whats going on at city hall.
We surely could stop buying fewer vehicles for everyone and get a web master to create for us a decent information access, but then maybe "they" don't want us to know "our" city's business! Just a few items to think about.
The Fat Man responds:
Do you consider the August 31st story about storm water an informative web site? What about being able to find out what the agenda is for a city council meeting or the planning and zoning committee, the minutes of a past council
meeting, that's what I'm talking about!
What we are exposed to is an advertisment for the administration.
OK the City Square subdivision is officially ghetto... My house was vandalized on Friday by a gang that likes to spray paints on houses and fences. Someone please buy my house and get me out of my misery..... I paid too much for my house to be subject to this kind of damage!
See how Smart Growth is defined by the Council for Quality Growth. This is the kind of development the County refuses, so annexation is sought by developers. And they get what they want. We get a ghetto.
Mr. Pruitt, thank you for recognizing that you are both fine men! We really appreciate the fact that both of you have kept your ads and literature on a higher level! It is comforting to know that whichever of you win it will not have come from mudslinging and last minute underhandedness!!! Thanks again to both of you and may the best man win!!!!!
AJC October 7, 2005 HORIZON
Mixed-use center model for Henry project
Published on: 11/07/05
Developers have presented plans for an 800,000-square-foot retail and residential "lifestyle center" in Henry County.
The planned Henry Marketplace is being modeled after the Edgewood shopping center on Moreland Avenue in Atlanta.
It will be built on 88 acres along Jonesboro Road, directly across the street from the Henry Town Center, which has a Target, BJ's and a Home Depot.
The Henry Marketplace is being developed by Sembler Co. and Tim Jones, a real estate investor and developer who has done several projects in Henry County.
"I feel like we've come up with something that will be an asset to Henry and all of the Southside," Jones told county commissioners at their Tuesday meeting.
The Marketplace already has a Best Buy on the property, and Dick's, the sporting goods store, is planning a June grand opening on the site, the developers said.
Amy McConnell, Sembler's real estate director, said the company is in negotiations with an anchor retail company and several furniture businesses to open stores on the property. She said the Marketplace will include a Starbucks.
The plans include a 300-unit apartment complex, but Jones suggested he may ask county commissioners to rezone the property to permit condominiums.
The most significant concern about the plans may be whether the area can handle the additional traffic. Much of Jonesboro Road west of the site is one lane in each direction. A road-widening project is in the Atlanta Regional Commission's long-range plans.
— Eric Stirgus
DAILY HERALD
Copeland elected as next mayor of McDonough
By Michael Davis
McDonough's next mayor will be Billy Copeland.
After all of the votes were counted in Tuesday's municipal election in McDonough, the former mayor, Copeland, took 773 votes while his opponent, Roger Pruitt, took 566.
Pruitt, was first elected in 2003 and took office in 2004 with the support of a large neighborhood group. He resigned this fall to qualify for election as the city's mayor. He ran on a platform of building consensus among the sometimes divided council members, and vowed to take no campaign contributions from real estate developers who come before the council seeking favorable decisions on their projects.
Billy Copeland, who was the city's chief for 19 years before being unseated by current Mayor Richard Craig in 1997, beat out Pruitt on a platform of ambitious projects that include upgrading the city's bill paying system to accept Internet payments, and seeking grants to redevelop areas of the city often seen as blighted.
He said he also wanted to stem the tide of annexation and dense housing developments.
The contest instigated heated dialogue from both sides, but not from the candidates. Craig, who was backing Pruitt, sparred with County Commission Chairman Jason Harper, who endorsed Copeland, over political propaganda and rhetoric.
“Mr. Harper can support whoever he chooses,” Craig wrote in a letter to the Henry Daily Herald. “However I cannot stand by and let him spread lies and half truths about this great city.”
Harper countered that: “If you want to follow current trend of McDonough's growth ... listen to the mayor and ‘stay the course.'”
In other city races, D.Wayne Smith, a real estate developer, got the most votes for the city's 3rd District with245. Retired flight attendant Kathy Hubert got 244 votes while Bill Fort got 215.
The one of two of the city's at-large council seats open drew incumbent B.P. “DOC” Reeves and a challenge for Regina “Gina” Riffey. Riffey received the most votes with 637. Reeves got 635.
One newcomer and one old timer were installed in two uncontested races. Rufus Stewart, who rec 114 votes, was reelected without opposition to the District I seat. And Sandra Vincent, who ran unsuccessfully as the Democratic nominee for county commission chairman last year, qualified unopposed for the city's District II seat. She received 142 votes.
Sandra Vincent took McDonough's Distrcit 2 seat unopposed in the recent election. What do we know about her?
> Concurrent Growth
> Impact on county services
> Impact on schools
Some Henry County homeowner groups and community activists have preached the gospel of concurrent development, complaining city and county leaders have not considered the impact on county services or the school system when they approve residential developments.
"In my world, I'd like the school board, the water authority, every participant in the planning process to be part of a checklist to determine how it will impact each entity," she said.
Response to "terroristic threats at UGHS"
Do you ever talk to your kids? Do you stay in touch with teachers or staff a the school? The so-called threat actually started last summer. The possiblity of weapons on campus was taken very seriously by everyone - and it was actively pursued. By last week the rumor mill among the kids had joined and merged and enhanced several different stories, making the job of fact finding very interesting.
I know because my kid talks to me. And I know some of the rumors that were used to cook the stew into a big pot of half-truth and pure untruth. And because a school official called me. There was no clear and present danger - and no need for panic - and it was handled quickly and professionally. LS
From the Vent on McDonough Election Results:
“How many well known people will Scott Reeves accuse of voter fraud to get Doc and Kathy another shot at the McD council? Rumored names include some high profile folks -- would be a shame if it is all true.’
At this point it is NOT about the candidates, it is rather about the VOTERS and the very clear principle that in a race where there is a margin of only one or two votes that THEIR VOICE and the intent of THEIR vote be correctly verified, cast and counted without being diluted by any illegal or irregular votes which may have been cast. Additionally it is NOT about “high profile folks”! This is the beauty of our system, the ballots and or ballot boxes do not discriminate by religion, age, race, income or social status! They are however subject to confusion, deceit and most importantly honest mistakes by a wide range of people throughout the process!!! I don’t think the above comment was made by a candidate and I think that if you will ask all of the candidates involved (even the current declared winners) they will likewise defend the importance of an accurate election that clearly carries out the wishes of the electorate, of which may well in fact include their confirmed victories!
Are the only things posted on here, copies of what is posted on HCOL's Vent?
You all should visit www.raid4henrycounty.com for different topics.
A link to RAID, "Residents Against Improper Development" has been added to this site. Check it out!
Thanks Larry!
About a month ago my spouse and I happened to catch a documentary on the Black Plague. The Black Death erupted in the Gobi Desert in the late 1320’s. Bubonic plague is the medical term. It is a bacillus, an organism, most usually carried by rodents. Fleas infest the animal (rats, but other rodents as well), and these fleas move freely over to human hosts. The flea then regurgitates the blood from the rat into the human, infecting the human. The rat dies. The human dies. The flea lives a long and happy life. Nature has a morbid sense of humor.
Fleas, rats and rodents infest many of our municipalities. Big Rat Richard Craig has no doubt contaminated the country side of Henry over his term in office. Good thing Richard Craig has been shown the door. For years Craig has been given the benefit of doubt with his dealings in McDonough. His term as Mayor will be remembered as a time where the plague over turned good intentions. Much like Roger Clinton trying to sell Presidential Pardons, the expansion of the city limits to keep pace with our other municipalities is so transparent in these last wavering days of Craig’s management even the common man on the street sees his actions for what they are.
Craig’s statement in the Herald on December 2, 2005 is the cap stone of his administration; “Anywhere in the country, there's more density in the cities than counties.” This is true. Cities do have higher densities. What he doesn’t say and what the esteem politician implies is the public is stupid.
Boundaries of a city should not be ever expanding like the Black Plague creping through Europe.
The ever changeable border line of where McDonough actually exists is what people get up set with. Craig’s proclamation about where density should be does not consider the drifting city county line. If McDonough would keep its current boundary people would not get upset with the high density in the city. It would be where it was designated to be. McDonough keeps moving and bringing with it the unwanted.
The death of then population is estimated at 50%+. A tremendous loss of life occurred during a time where little was known on what caused the disease or how to combat the disease. With the election of Billy Copeland has the plague run its course?
I believe the City of McDonough’s recent election in District III was held in tact on a technicality.
From the article in the Herald
“A lawsuit contesting last November's McDonough District III City Council election was dismissed Friday as the presiding Superior Court Judge William Fears ruled the case in default of state law……Judge Fears said I have no choice but to dismiss this case.”
It’ll be interesting to see if this goes through the appeal process.
Losing by one vote is a tough pill to swallow. Especially when annexations and relocations have muddied the "official" voter rosters. There are questions for Kathy to pursue.
But there is a larger issue, too. The City provided the rosters. If the districts are misaligned, that should have been addressed before the election. The Voters who registered may have moved without advising the City. That happens everywhere but cannot be realistically enforced.
If they had real evidence of fould play it would have been included in the brief. They would not have said the county elections people "knowingly" did something wrong. The case was weak at best.
All in all the technically allowed dismissal of the suit. Something everyone, except Kathy & Scott wanted.
Does anyone know what happened to the Henry Vent website?
Sure enough, TVG is alive and well. He has been out of state working, but will return soon!
Thanks,Larry-I was wondering what happened.
We do not need Billy Copeland Mayor for another four years. If you only new truth about what goes on in City Hall you would be shocked. The employees for the City has not had a raise in four years. Have you ever notice in election time Mr. Copeland will shake your hand like he is your best friend but after he is elected he acts like he does know you anymore. It is time to wake up McDonough we need a change vote for Roger Pruitt
Dear Anonymous, This blog space is intended to allow diverging opinions. It is provided so that intelligent people may pose point-counterpoint arguments.
It is not a place for personal attacks without substantive evidence to support the argument.
That being said, your comments raise questions. Share "the truth about what goes on in City Hall" or refrain from innuendo.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Attempts are being made to re-zone property from
Residential/Agriculture to Heavy Manufacturing/Industrial of King Mill Road and Iris Lake Road.
• A parcel of land (180 acres) at the northwest corner of King Mill Rd. and Iris Lake Rd. is being targeted to be re-zoned to heavy manufacturing/industrial use. Under a proposed M-2 zoning district, the possible future use of this land could include, but is not limited to: Chemical plants, Solid Waste Management facilities, Crematoriums or Wood/Paper Mills
•The Henry Zoning Regulations (Section 2.01.04) says: “[M-2] is the district for location of those industries which may have negative impacts or nuisance factors.”
• The Owner of the land indicates that he intends to sell the land to Clorox for two 1.5 million square foot distribution facilities. This is larger than the new Whirlpool building!
• The building will come within 30 feet of Iris Lake Road.
• This area is surround by residential developments, as well as close proximity to Tussahaw Elementary School.
This is NOT the place to put a Clorox warehouse, distribution facility or production plant, all of which are possible if the zoning is change to M-2.
Please attend this meeting and help the residents of Henry County stop the change of the zoning of this property to M-2.
Meeting Date: Thursday, Oct. 8. 2009
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: Administrative Building
120 Henry Parkway
(across from Soccer Field)
Email for more info: notoHenry2009@gmail.com
Henry COUNTY has the most corrupt POLICE DEPARTMENT IN GEORGIA!!!!!
LIES LIES LIES!!!!!
CAN ANYONE RECOMMEND A GOOD LAWYER IN HENRY COUNTY?
Hi, well be sensible, well-all described
Im impressed. I dont think Ive met anyone who knows as much about this subject as you do. Youre truly well informed and very intelligent. You wrote something that people could understand and made the subject intriguing for everyone. Really, great blog youve got here.
Wow! and I thought Mcdonough was a nice place to live but after reading your replies,I'm not so sure.The area looks great but the people.... well lets just say I'm still looking to relocate elsewhere.
Grace Management aka City Square Homeowners Ass. think it's ok to charge a 70 year old woman a total of almost $1800 for failure to put up mailbox within there time frame. Different factors played into this sham of trying to rob old people. 1) was they (Grace Management)seemed to be in no hurry to get the insert to the lady. 2) the lady who this is happening to had no one to help her. So in other words she being fined $1800 cause she wasnt able to go out and dig a hole and put the mailbox up herself. She contacted Grace Management and it fell on deaf ears cause the people there are either lazy or just dont want to help someone. The lady would have paid someone to do the work for her but she couldn't find no one. She finally gave up cause she got tired of getting run around about what to do and when to do it. Keep in mind while all this is happening her health is getting worst. Well in Feb. she passed away and i called Grace Management of her passing and the first thing out of her mouth was the fine the lady owned. Really?? well that lady is my mom and i came back from California where I lived for the last 15 years to get her affairs in order. This thing pisses me off to no end. Yes there rules for people to follow who live here and everybody should be held in account to the same as everyone else,but at the same time I feel people who are not able to meet the requirements for age or disability should be given a little extra consideration. Well when Grace Management gets this money I hope they choke on it...
This most likely has nothing to do with the above comment. Sorry Folks, now it is time to read and realize something else.
I am going to put everyone in my position. How would you like it if you had to give up your license, as you were going blind. Henry Transit runs when it feels like it like when people ant to go wo work. We moved here quite a while ago and it was a very friendly city, people were helpful, uonbelievbly so. Last few years no one in one community hardly speaks to anyone and they don't even know their next door neighbor. God forbid that neighbor needs help. And it has happened at least once in thi community. A lot of the people are new, even the mature ones were new once but that did not stop them from saying hi and helping. No More! Some of the residents have health issues that make it impossible for them to drive, Transit, good luck, You could spend a a day on the phone to see who might be going out so you could not sound like your begging for anything. Unfortunately this community as Christian as is seems, and seems is the ooperable word, they have reaized rather than helping the people whey will just not pick up, not get to the ansering machine before 9 at night and s ay well. I forot, This happens more than yo would realize. NOW MY QUESTIONS IS THS........IF ALL OF THEE GOOD SUPPOSED CHRISTIAN PEOPLE MOVED TO A QUIE AREA AND WERE FRIENDLY, DID THE DEVIL POSSES THEM AT SOME POINT? IF THEY WERE IN THE POSITIONS OF THE PERSONS NEEDED A LITTLE HELP NOW AND THEN AND LYING TO THEM........THEN IF THEY WANT HELP, GOD HELP THEM...........THIS AIN'T HE MCDONOUGH, GA I MADE MY HOME AND LOVED..........WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED?
Growth is what's happening , sad but the fact that some people think that peace and serenity
is or means exclusivity is wrong everyone likes the idea of a great place to live.
Unfortunately there are those who can't maintain and sustain the change in life style.
One needs to know the ups and down of small town livin and the mechanism that controls these small towns that look so enticing. And the powers that be. The political landscape,and more.
People just don.t take the time to research anything important. like The growth of a city or its transportation plans or policing or schools and job potential. The faith based community is fine, it the hidden agendas that undermined the Growth of these towns that stagnate growth.
That's whats happening.
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