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Page 10A The Braselton News Wednesday, October 17, 2007 Social Popular produce store succumbs to road construction Just about everybody who regularly travels the Winder Highway considers Hulsey’s Produce in Chestnut Mountain a roadside icon and a long-time magnet for grocery shoppers in search of that fresh-from-the-gar- den taste in fruit, vegetables, honey and homemade preserves. But no thanks to on-going road construction and resulting limited customer access to this long-pop ular store, Bobby Hulsey recently announced plans to close the busi ness on Halloween, after enduring plummeting sales for more than a year. On a recent “Honey Do” visit to pick up some fresh okra and squash for my wife, I found Hulsey a changed man from a normal ly cheerful and upbeat business owner with that Will Rogers, “I never met a man I didn’t like” per sona. He seemed really beat down by government bureaucracy and was quick to criticize a few elected officials he blamed for keeping his store on death row so long. And although he said he active ly campaigned for now-Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle for 16 years, I got the distinct impression that he’s not likely to do it again. “We were friends for such a long time, I really thought I could count on Casey to help me when the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) failed to put in a temporary access drive in front of my business as they did for so many others in Oakwood,” Hulsey said. “But when they (DOT) start ed work on the section of road to which it was directly and conve niently connected in the past, they cut me off completely. Customers couldn’t figure out how to get safely in or out and, when they did, they had to take a two-block detour on dirt and loose gravel.” Yet, in all fairness to our lieu tenant governor, State Rep. James Mills, State Sen. Lee Hawkins, and Georgia Transportation board In Focus with Fil Fil Jessee filwrites@aol.com chairman Mike Evens, all contact ed by Hulsey in his plea for help, did return calls but generally not in the timely manner he expected. “It was two and a half months before Casey Cagle sent former South Hall Commissioner Dennis Pitts to see my dilemma first hand and, then, he (Pitts) agreed that my situation was not acceptable. And it was at least two to three months before Rep. Mills even returned my call,” Hulsey said. Add to this the fact that, during the prolonged drought, both cars and heavy construction equipment covered both the fresh produce and the customers’ cars with drift ing dust, and it’s easy to see why Hulsey’s business got caught in a death spiral. “In August, my business dropped to half of what it was last year, and by the end of September it was down by two thirds,” Hulsey reported. Prior to the on-set of road con struction, Hulsey’s Produce enjoyed six years of steady growth. But soon after the DOT final ized plans to widen Highway 53, Hulsey had to abandon his original location on the other side of the road and relocate to his present address next door to the Chestnut Mountain Church. “The money I was paid for my old store was considerably less than it cost me to reopen at my present location,” he said, further explaining that fresh produce has a short shelf life. “This is not such a problem for other businesses affected by the road construction, especially those that sell hard goods or services,” he added. When I asked Hulsey if he LOCAL ICON Bobby Hulsey is shown with his store’s final assortment of decorative fall produce. Hulsey’s Produce on Hwy. 53 in Chestnut Mountain will close on Halloween, after battling road changes in the area. planned to set up in another loca tion, he said no. “It would cost me around $130,000 to re-establish my busi ness elsewhere, and I’ve lost way too much to handle that. But what I probably will do is seek legal counsel to see if there isn’t some way I can recoup all the money I’ve lost as a result of being forced out of business,” he said. Locals will always remember Bobby Hulsey not only for the quality of his produce but, also, for his generous nature. Over the years, he has purchased ads in school publications, given discounts to various charities, and donated food to a number of area fund-raising events. However, as business declined so severely, he was forced to cut back on his gen erosity. Yet, in spite of this period of business hardship, Hulsey never completely lost his sense of humor. When I asked him what he planned to do during his store’s final days, he quipped “I’d like to spend my time campaigning against the elected officials who didn’t help Diagnostic Clinic, United Healthcare reach agreement The Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic, Gainesville, recently reached an agreement in principle with United Healthcare of Georgia to continue its business relation ship, according to the clinic. In May, the Diagnostic Clinic notified patients of the impending challenges with United Healthcare of Georgia and in early September, the clinic notified patients and media of its intent to terminate its relationship with United Healthcare of Georgia effective at year’s end. “We were obligated to notify approximately 4,500 patients that our negotiations with United Healthcare had reached an impasse, and the timing of our decision was made to ensure these patients would have ample time to make an informed decision on their health care coverage,” said the clinic’s chief financial officer, Emmett Forrester. “Out of abundant respect for these patients, including a large number of state employees that United Healthcare insures, we con tinued our negotiations in an effort to reach a new agreement,” he said. Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic is the region’s second larg est multi-specialty medical practice with 28 physicians and a profes- I Come see DON HIX New And Used Car Sales Rep. at the Presidential Award Winning Jefferson Motor Co., Inc. Jefferson Motor Co., Inc “Since 1922” FORD 141 Lee Street Jefferson, GA 30549 Jefferson: 367-5217 Braselton: 706-654-1128 Atlanta: 404-523-5738 E-mail: JeffersonMotorCo.com me.” Passing by Hulsey’s Produce on the street, you’d never know the place is set to shut down on Halloween. Amid all the dirt and grime of construction, it’ still a colorful oasis of pumpkins, corn stalks, and potted mums in full bloom and, inside, the place is still well stocked with tasty fruits and vegetables. But the scent of Hulsey’s fresh evergreens when Christmas tree season arrives will only be remem bered as a thing of the past. Do you think the Grinch that stole Christmas got a job with the state department of transportation? We’ll all miss you, Bobby. Good luck and thanks for giving our community a lot of great taste and happy memories. Fil Jessee lives in Braselton, where he works as a freelance journalist. He can be reached at filwrites@aol.com. MR. AND MRS. BORDERS 60th anniversary celebrated Mr. and Mrs. Jack Borders, Commerce, recently celebrated their 60 th wedding anniversary. In honor of the occasion, they were recognized by their pastor, Dr. James Merritt, and the members of their adult class at Cross Pointe Church on Sunday, September 9. They also celebrated this occasion with a dinner given in honor by their children and grandchildren. After over 50 years of service to C.C. Dickson, Inc., Mr. Borders is retired and enjoys gardening and woodworking. Mrs. Borders was a beautician for many years and recently served at Peachtree Village. Their children and grandchildren say, “Thank you for your devotion to each other, your love and unfailing kindness to others, and we want you to know you are our greatest blessing here on earth.” Need Printing? Call 706-367-5233 sional staff of 170 employees. “Many patients contacted us to express concern and rightfully so,” said Dr. J. Randall Thomas, presi dent of the clinic. “We did not expect to close any door to negotia tions with United Healthcare, and we’re pleased for the patients who are insured with United Healthcare that our negotiations ended suc cessfully,” he said. “Our staff will advise our patients promptly,” he added. Negotiations improved when Jeff Antolik, United Healthcare’s new vice-president of network manage ment, became involved, according to the clinic. ^et to know IBakkow The Wound Care Center Team The Barrow Regional Medical Center Wound Care Center A True Story from The Wound Care Center at Barrow Regional Medical Center... Ernest Barker has lived with diabetes (type II) for 20 years. He has kept up his doctor visits while living with this illness and maintains a regular treatment routine of insulin and diet. This summer, Mr. Barker found a small blister on his foot from his golf shoes, and he tried to treat it himself. Because of his diabetes, the blister worsened. His family physician referred him to Barrow Regional Medical Center’s Wound Care Center, and the trusty hands of Dr. Christopher Brandys, general and vascular surgeon on staff. “Within the first day of treatment, I could see an improvement,” said Mr. Barker. Everyday, I could see the healing taking place.” Small wounds like the ones that Mr. Barker had will worsen if you have diabetes because extremities like your hands and feet are farther away from your heart, and are not getting the circulation they need to heal properly. The Wound Care Center at Barrow Regional Medical Center has a board-certified surgeon, Dr. Christopher Brandys, on staff to take care of you. The most common wounds that come in are pressure wounds such as bed sores, venus ulcers, non-healing diabetic wounds like the one Mr. Barker had, and even spider and insect bites. “I thought I would have to go to Atlanta for this type of treatment - We are lucky to have this wound care center and a surgeon like Dr. Brandys in Winder!” - Ernest Barker, patient, Wound Care Center Dr. Brandys has been in Winder since August 2003. He has over twenty years of experience in surgery and wound care and provides quality care with respect and compassion. Dr. Brandys’ Education & Certifications Medical School & Residency completed at: Dalhousie University Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery F.R.C.S. - Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons F.A.C.S. - Fellow of the American College of Surgeons Wound Care Center - 770-307-5348 • Barrow Regional Medical Center, 1st Floor • Hours: Wednesday, 9am-12 noon 316 North Broad Street • Winder • www.barrowregional.com