Tuesday, July 12, 2022
Tifton, Georgia
GrapeNew
The city Historic Preservation Commission on Tuesday denied a proposal to demolish the properties at 211 E. Eighth St., left, and at 810 N. Tift Ave. to allow a Dollar General store to be constructed across from Fulwood Park.
HISTORIC BOARD DENIES PLAN TO RAZE BUILDINGS FOR DOLLAR GENERAL
STORE WOULD BE BUILT ACROSS FROM FULWOOD PARK
By FRANK SAYLES JR.
Tifton Grapevine
The Tifton Historic Preservation Commission unanimously denied a controversial proposal Tuesday to demolish two buildings across from Fulwood Park in order for a Dollar General store to be built at the site.

Teramore Development LLC of Thomasville, which has developed more than 20 Dollar Generals in Georgia and Florida, had proposed demolishing the vacant house, built in 1910, at the corner of Eighth Street and Tift Avenue, along with razing the nearby Barber's Club barber shop at 810 N. Tift Ave.

The development company proposed to develop the two properties, along with adjacent open properties, for a 10,640-square-foot Dollar General retail store across from Fulwood Park.

The plan attracted a large audience to the Historic Preservation Commission meeting, many of them Historic District residents. Dr. Steve Rigdon, a district resident who has been active on several city boards, spoke passionately against the proposal.

"If we agree to this, we are violating a hundred years of tradition," Rigdon said. He noted that Tifton's founder, Henry H. Tift, had given the Fulwood Park property to the city to preserve a small piece of the virgin pine forest that existed in the area.

Rigdon said that allowing a large retail establishment along that section of Tift Avenue would be a violation of the spirit of Tift's gift, a violation of the city's Historic District, as well as of its comprehensive plan.

That section of Tift Avenue is a "corridor to downtown" and not a "commercial corridor," as is Highway 82 and Love Avenue, Rigdon said. The current properties along that area are a mixture of residential and professional offices.

"It is primarily a buffer zone," Rigdon said.

Priya M. Patel, an attorney with the firm of Jarrard & Davis in Cumming, spoke on behalf of Teramore Development. She said the proposed Dollar General design would be much different from most of its existing stores and would have features to fit in with the surrounding architecture.

The proposed store would have added eight to 10 new jobs and would have a total economic impact of $110,000, with more than $33,000 going to the city through sales and property taxes, Patel said.

She said the current structures on the properties "are not historically significant," and contended that the city's guidelines and regulations governing historic properties are "not applicable" to those structures.

"We do think the (historic preservation) manual does not apply here," Patel said. She called the vacant structure on the corner of Eighth and Tift a “hazard" and an “eyesore."

"There is no way it can be characterized as an historic building," she added.

But Crystal Gaillard, the city community development director, said that the 1910-era building is an example of the English Vernacular Revival style of architecture, one of the few remaining in Tifton and is recognized as a significant historical style.

"In my opinion, it holds its historic integrity," Gaillard said.

Zach Crumley, executive vice president with Teramore Development, admitted that the building is structurally sound but said that a Dollar General store is "a better use" for the long-vacant property, currently owned by Stafford Development Co.

Several Historic Preservation Commission board members chastised the current ownership for allowing the property to continue deteriorating.

"We want that piece of property preserved," said Commission Chairman Jeff Robbins. “It's hard to tear down a building that is not structurally deficient."

Commission member Louise Woodham noted that the building is known as the "Hood House" after its past owner, former Chief Magistrate Hood. “It's a little bit of a landmark," she said. "That house, I think, is very historical. ... I do think that house has the possibility to be restored."
SOUTH HEALTH DISTRICT SAYS COVID CASES SHOW UPTICKS IN PAST MONTH
COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the Ga. Department of Public Health’s South Health District, and health officials remind residents to remain vigilant.

From June 2 to July 6, there were 1,900 new cases reported across the 10 counties served by the district – Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Tift, and Turner.

Total cases for each county and increases for that monthly period were:
  • Ben Hill – Total Cases: 4,402; Increase: 84
  • Berrien – Total Cases: 5,079; Increase: 103
  • Brooks – Total Cases: 3,525; Increase: 86
  • Cook – Total Cases: 5,059; Increase: 145
  • Echols – Total Cases: 950; Increase: 12
  • Irwin – Total Cases: 1,957; Increase: 46
  • Lanier – Total Cases: 2,353; Increase: 62
  • Lowndes – Total Cases: 32,399; Increase: 968
  • Tift – Total Cases: 11,973; Increase: 327
  • Turner – Total Cases: 2,649; Increase: 67

These totals include both antigen (rapid) and PCR positive cases. With increased access to at-home COVID tests, the totals only account for new cases reported to public health.

The South Health District asks that anyone who tests positive with an at-home test to stay at home for at least five days and until all symptoms have resolved.

Vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging, health officials said.

“While we are not seeing the rate of increase that we have seen in previous surges, any increase is something to be taken extremely seriously,” said District Health Director Dr. William Grow. “If you have not been vaccinated or are not up-to-date on your booster schedule, now is the perfect time.”

Free at-home COVID test kits are available at all South Health District health departments.
DR. AMY WILLIS
MIKE CHASON
DR. ALAN KRAMER
ABAC MAKES SEVERAL ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES
President David Bridges recently made several new appointments at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Dr. Amy Willis has been named acting provost and vice president for academic affairs; Mike Chason is acting vice president for communications and transition; and Dr. Alan Kramer has been named acting dean of students

Willis, who was serving as assistant vice president for academic affairs, will also continue her duties as registrar and academic data officer. Dr. Jerry Baker, current provost and vice president for academic affairs, retires July 31.

"Dr. Willis will provide continuity in the provost’s office during this time of transition,” Bridges said. “She will be spending time with Dr. Baker to become more familiar with the office.”

Chason, public relations director emeritus, heads up the communications and transition team for Dr. Tracy Brundage, who begins as ABAC’s 11th president on Aug. 1Bridges will retire on July 31.

Kramer has been assistant dean of students and athletics director. Donna Webb retired from the dean's position on June 30.

Also, Jordan Beard, executive assistant to the president, takes on an additional role as campus communications coordinator. Abby Smith-Clark is the new marketing media coordinator.

“It’s a very busy time for ABAC as we prepare for the new semester,” Bridges said. “These personnel changes are essential to ensure a smooth start for the next semester and the arrival of the new president.” 
TIFT COUNTIANS JOIN BIBLE READING ACROSS GEORGIA ON THURSDAY A.M.
By FRANK SAYLES JR.
Tifton Grapevine
On Thursday morning, July 14, different sections of the Bible will be simultaneously read at each of Georgia's 159 county courthouses, including in Tift County.

The interdenominational reading begins at 7:14 a.m. Organizers say the basis for the reading is taken from 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Ike J. Branch, senior pastor of First Church of the Nazarene in Tifton, is coordinating the local gathering.

"All Christians are invited to participate regardless of their denominational affiliation," Branch said. "Every county in the state has been assigned a section of the Bible to read during that time period. The entire Bible will be read during that hour on July 14Tift County has been assigned Job chapters 7-15."

This is the fourth year that the interdenominational gathering and reading will be held across Georgia.

The Bible reading project was started in Iowa by Dianne Bentley in 2018. In 2021, there were 16 states and 72 countries participating, covering 24 of the 26 worldwide time zones. The goal this year is to expand the Bible reading in every time zone across the world.
TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK
Mordicai is a low-maintenance older fella looking for love. He is declawed on all four paws and is searching for a couch to snuggle on all day. He is available for adoption today at the Tift County Animal Shelter. Visit the shelter between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).
Pets of the Week are sponsored by:
Branch's Veterinary Clinic
205 Belmont Ave., Tifton, 229-382-6055
TIFTON HOLDS FIRST AGRICULTURAL FAIR
~ JULY 10-11, 1894
On July 10-11, 1894, Tifton held its first Agricultural Fair. According to news dispatches of the time, "There were sections for display of fruits, farm products, garden products, melons, plants and flowers, domestic products, women's work, children's work, fine arts, and poultry." Among exhibits were local "peaches, pears, apples, grapes, and watermelons."
REACH THOUSANDS OF FOLKS IN THE TIFTAREA ~
ADVERTISE IN THE TIFTON GRAPEVINE!
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