About The Banks County news. (Homer, Banks County, Ga.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 2, 2012)
504 • Homer, Banks County, GA 30547 • A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. • 16 Pages, 2 Sections Plus Supplements • Vol. 45 No. 4 Government Margaret Ausburn honored Community Canned food drive helps many Sports Lady Leopards 1-2 in recent action... 3B x LW THE BEST STORIES: Newsmakers of 20 12 ■ ECONOMIC STORY OF THE YEAR Plan to redevelop Banks Crossing moves to next step BY ANGELA GARY A kick off meeting was held early during 2012 for an effort to redevelop Banks Crossing. Meetings were held through out the year with citizens giving input and consultants revealing proposals for the area. At the end of the year, the board of commissioners had approved a resolution paving the way for the rede velopment of the area. While nothing changed at Banks Crossing during the year, as far as redevelopment goes, county leaders did pave the way for change for some of the run-down areas of the retail center, including the former location of The Pottery. For that reason, the effort to move forward on revitalizing Banks Crossing has been selected as the “Economic Story of the Year for 2012.” At the kick off meeting in March, around 40 people attended and Woody Giles of Tunnell Spangler & Walsh Associates presented infor mation on what the Banks Crossing Redevelopment Plan is, the planning process, an overview of the initial find ings and show several suc cess stories from other com munities. The re-development plan goals are to encourage a more vibrant Banks Crossing area, focus growth where it makes sense, promote a mix of activities and employment, enhance the local image and expand the transportation options. The re-development plan includes around 2,300 acres exclusively in Banks County. The property is along both sides of U.S. Highway 441 near 1-85, Walmart, Atlanta Dragway, the former Pottery property and some vacant land northeast of Highway 441. In May, an all-day com munity meeting on the proposed Banks Crossing Re-development Plan was held with community mem bers able to take a look at three draft development alter natives presented by Tunnell- Spangler-Walsh & Associates, Atlanta. ALTERNATIVE A Alternative A shows how development would occur based on the current county zoning. The development continued on page 2A LOOKING AT DRAFT PLANS Approximately 35 people attended the public open house for the Banks Crossing Redevelopment Plan on July 17 at the Banks County Annex. Mark Adams (from left), Banks County Planner Brad Day, Robert Armstrong of Atlanta Land Group and Woody Giles of Tunnell Spangler Walsh & Associates’ community design and architecture division look over the draft plans for the Dodd Road Connector Business Park and the former Pottery location. The next step in the process is for the plan to be submitted to the Banks County Board of Commissioners for consideration, Giles said. Photo by Sharon Hogan ■ NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR PROUD OF THEIR ROOTS Todd Boring (center), along with his father Butch (right) and his uncle Jim are proud of their family roots and the farm that has been in their family for over 150 years. The farm on Silver Shoals Road in Lula was origi nally owned by Todd Boring’s great-great-great-grandfather Junius Hillyer Brooks. Jim Boring now lives on the family farm. Photos by Sharon Hogan Newsmakers of past years 2011, Deidra Moore, 911 director 2010 Jerry Neace, Baldwin mayor 2009 Milton Turner, Lula mayor 2008 Jim McLendon, Homer UMC pastor 2007 Robin Trotter, Family Connections/Generous Hearts 2006 Gene Hart, BOC chairman 2005 Doug Cheek, Homer mayor 2004 Rep. Jeanette Jamieson 2003 Chris Erwin, superintendent 2002 Jack Banks, Development Authority 2001 Bonnie Johnson, CVB 2000 Charles Chapman, sheriff 1999 Mark Reed, Baldwin mayor 1998 Gary Freeman and Danny Maxwell, BOC 1997 Bo Garrison and Dock Sisk, BOE chairman and superintendent 1996 Milton Patterson, BOC SIGN IS UP The sign is up at the Boring & Brooks Estate, a family farm that has been in the same family for over 150 years, designating the farm as a Georgia Centennial Family Farm. Inside •Dan Gasaway looks ahead to new session — page 2A Other news • Features — 8A • Church — 6A • Obituaries - 7 A • Public Safety — 4A • Legals — 6B • Sports - 3B-5B Pet contest winners na med The winners of the second annual pet con test sponsored by The Banks County News have been named. In the cat category, the winners were: Katie Langford of Homer, first place; Cynthia Dockery of Maysville, second place; and Glenda Smith, third place. Honorable mention recognition went to: Cheryl Cremeans of Commerce; Margaret and Willard Ausburn of Homer; Megan Zanone of Lula; Martha and Pam Yarbrough of Maysville; and Brenda Williams of Commerce. In the dog category, the winners were: Willene Coker, first place; Misty Jackson of Alto, second place; and Vicky McCall of Farming remains strong in county Bonks form receives Centennial Award BY ANGELA GARY AND SHARON HOGAN Farming continues to be strong in Banks County with poultry and cattle farms dotting the landscape. The county continues to be at the top of state agriculture lists each year and a Banks County farm was recognized this year for more than 100 years of continu ous farming. The J.H. Brooks Home Place on Silver Shoals Road in Banks County was awarded the Georgia Centennial Farm Award at the Georgia State Fair in Perry. Since this shined a light on farming in the county, the family has been selected as the “Newsmaker of the Year.” The family farm, Boring & Brooks Estate, is currently owned by Todd Brian Boring, who is the great-great-great-grandson of James Brooks. Boring accepted the award in Perry, along with his father Butch Boring and his uncle who lives on the farm, Jim Boring. The farm was one of only three in Banks County to receive this honor. Boring is in the process of applying for the National Historic Register for the home place that has been remained in the same family for six generations. The Boring & Brooks estate has been farmed by the same family for over 150 years. The first known date of the J.H. Brooks (Junius Hillyer) Home Place property for tax records in Banks County was in 1873. From 1873 to Aug. 1937, the farm was oper ated with a working cotton gin and sawmill. Cotton was one of the primary crops grown on the farm. Corn was also a major crop produced on the farm. A general store, con structed around 1886, was located on the property and was considered a focal point for commerce trade and a United States Mail Distribution Center. The original barn on the property was built on or about 1886 and was torn down in 1951 and replaced with the barn that is currently standing on the farm. The lumber used to construct the current barn was from the original barn erected in 1886. On Aug. 23, 1937, after the death of J.H. Brooks, his widow granted ownership of the farm to their three daughters, Louella Boring, Emma C. Barden and Queen Victoria Waters. The three sisters basically maintained and operated the farm in the same manner as their father did with cotton, corn, cattle and continued on page 2A Lula, third place. Honorable mention recognition went to: Jenni Gailey; Leslie George; Donna Clark of Homer; and Danelle Griffin of Maysville. The Banks County News received more than 200 entries and they were judged by someone who lives outside the county and is not employed with MainStreet Newspapers. “We received so many cute pets that our judges had a very difficult time,” editor Angela Gary said. “In addition to featuring the winners and honorable mention pets in this week’s issue, we will print photos of some of our favorites throughout January.” PHOTOS, 1B-2B
