CMYK Thursday, March 12, 2015
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Saturday is Milling Around Braselton. 3B
Arson fire damages Hoschton Depot By LEANNE AKIN
lakin@clickthepaper.com
Work is already under way to secure the heavily fire-damaged Hoschton Depot and a bank account has been established so that the community can financially assist with restoration of the structure which Mayor Theresa Kenerly calls “the historic heart of Hoschton.” A fire which was apparently deliberately set was reported just before 4:30 a.m. on March 6, a day before the City of Hoschton was set to host a Public Safety Day at the depot. The event was relocated to the lawn of Lawson Funeral Home and deemed a success. (See scenes at ClickThePaper.com) Emergency units from West Jackson, Jackson Trail, North Jackson, and the Jackson County Correctional Institute Fire Departments responded to the fire call and the first firefighter on the scene reported smoke and fire coming from the back side of the structure. Fire crews made entry and began fighting the fire which was quickly contained as more than two dozen firefighters arrived and began removing the sheet rock from the ceiling in the meeting room to access the attic. “It was a good stop,” said West Jackson Fire Chief Ben Stephens, who said the departments coordinated well on the scene.
Heavy damage resulted to the hallway where the restroom is located but the kitchen area was relatively undamaged although smoke damage occurred throughout. The initial investigation suggests the blaze was started on the back deck near a hallway door and an accelerant was used. Evidence recovered at the scene pointed to arson, according to Brian Smith of the State Fire Marshals Office. A poster was placed in front of the depot offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the blaze. State Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens is asking anyone with information about this fire to call the Arson Hotline at 800-282-5804. The depot, which was built in 1883, ceased being used as a railroad depot in 1947 and was boarded up until the 1960s when the community worked to remodel it. The depot was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in March of 2000. “This is a sad day for us but the community will come together to fix the depot. The city has fixed the depot up before. Hoschton’s roots run deep,” said ,” said Mayor Kenerly, who had already received commitments of support from the West Jackson Lions Club and Hoschton United Methodist Church as well as from individuals who drove by the
LeAnne Akin The Paper
A $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved in the March 6 early morning fire which heavily damaged the Hoschton Depot. The structure, built in 1883, has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2000 and is the “heart of historic Hoschton,” says Mayor Theresa Kenerly. depot to survey the damage. A bank account has been set up at Hamilton State Bank in Hoschton to help build back the depot called the “Hoschton Depot Resto-
ration Project”or donations can be dropped off at Hoschton City Hall.
See DEPOT, 2A
Cemetery, DQ coming to Braselton By FARAH BOHANNON
fbohannon@clickthepaper.com
In spite of the Braselton Planning Commission’s recommendation to deny rezoning and variances requested that would allow for a cemetery and funeral home on a 16.29-acre parcel of land at one of Braselton’s gateways, the Braselton Town Council voted Monday to approve the project. Jack Frost’s request to build a state-of-theart funeral home and cemetery at Broadway Avenue and Jesse Cronic Road adjacent to the Braselton Family Cemetery was approved and construction could begin in 60 to 90 days. Braselton will also be getting a Dairy Queen on Highway 53 at Braselton Parkway. It took approval of a condtional use for the fast-food restaurant with a drive-thru to be allowed and a conditional use as well as a variance for the cemetery and funeral home got the nod of council. Councilman Richard Mayberry voted no citing uncertainties about Braselton’s future, but the majority won. Councilman Tony Funari did not participate in this vote as the property was listed with one of the real estate professionals at Funari Realty. “My concern is the reason why the planning commission requested that we deny this,” said Mayberry. “I know that they serve as a guide, but I think there are important reasons why they gave us the request they did.” Mayberry also expressed his concern with other companies seeing the vote on the acreage for this project. The approximate acreage for the proposed location of Frost’s cemetery is 16.29 acres. The requested variance is from Development Code section 9.2.5(B) that requires cemeteries to be located on properties not less than 20 acres. The current zoning classification on the property is R-1 (residential) and M-D (manufacturing-distribution). The requested zoning classification was G-C (general-commercial), and the council approved the rezoning that would allow a cemetery and funeral home to be built there. Planning Director Kevin Keller and councilman Mayberry supported the rezoning. The final portion of the vote included an application for a conditional use approval from Jack Frost on the property owned by Braselton Township Development LLC, identified as Jackson County Tax Parcel B01 001A. The conditional use request was to allow a cemetery, and Mayberry also voted against this conditional use. Once the votes were approved, Jack Frost was congratulated by those who attended the voting session to support him. As he shook hands and gave hugs, he shared his excitement with his friends and family. “It will be a cemetery and a funeral home that will be beautiful, state-of-the-art place,” said Frost. Frost’s nephew, Kevin Wetzel, president of
Charles Phelps The Paper
Jefferson High School officials joined with Superintendent Dr. John Jackson and Jefferson Board of Education members as Vice Chairman Willie Hughey handled the honors of officially cutting the ribbon as other board members including Chairman Ronnie Hopkins, Derrell Crowe and Angela D’Zamko look on. See more at ClickThePaper.com
New Home, Same Dragon Spirit
The Arena at Jefferson High ready to see action BY CHARLES PHELPS
cphelps@clickthepaper.com
JEFFERSON – The next chapter in Jefferson High School history started writing itself this past Sunday. For the first time in 64 years, the Jefferson basketball, volleyball and wrestling teams, along with faculty, students and fans have a new place to call home. The Jefferson faithful, faculty, students, athletes, teachers, coaches, along with the residents of the Jefferson and Jackson County witnessed history as the high opened the doors of the new Arena at Jefferson High School. “What a proud day for the Jefferson community, for Jefferson High School and the Jefferson Dragons,” JHS principal Dr. Kevin Smith said to the crowd that gathered inside the spectacular arena. “We look forward to creating special memories in this facility. I appreciate everyone being here today to share in this special moment and special day.”
Charles Phelps The Paper
The Arena filled up on Sunday afternoon with those who wanted to see the new sports facility and be a part of the festivities to celebrate its official opening. Congressman Doug Collins called it a testatment to those who made it a reality.
See BRASELTON, 2A
INSIDE Church Entertainment Events Features
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Volume 9, Number 19 Forum Obituaries Puzzles Sports
The ceremony began outside at the steps with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The community members who had big parts in seeing the stunning arena become a reality took part in the ceremony. Once the ribbon was cut, everyone made the trek up the staircases and into the new hallowed halls the Dragons call home. They gathered inside the arena and many, including basketball head coaches Bolling Dubose and Jason Gibson, wrestling head coach Doug Thurmond, head football coach Ben Hall, Dr. Smith, athletic director Tim Corbett, Carroll Daniel Construction and more were presented with plaques for the work done to the arena. The Jefferson High School Community Gymnasium, or the gym of 1951, will still be used for P.E. classes and other events at the school, Jefferson Board of Education chairman Ronnie Hopkins said during the ceremony. “May this facility serve as well and as long as the gym of ’51,” Hopkins stated.
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“If it lasts for 60 more years – I’ve got a feeling I won’t be around – but some of you will, and I hope that you will remember this day of dedication and remember it long and pleasant.” U.S. Congressman Doug Collins also attended the ceremony and was the keynote speaker. Collins, who grew up in Gainesville, talked about riding with his parents to visit his family in Morgan County. They drove past Jefferson High School, he recalled. He said he knew it was “halfway to grandma’s” house when they made it to the school. He called the new arena a “testament” to those who made it a reality. The new arena also leaves him in “awe.” “Sixty-four years ago, there were whole-caring individuals who were saying, ‘This is the gym that I had dreamed of,” Collins said about the gym of ‘51. “There were students who were saying, ‘I can’t wait to play in that gym,’ and there was a community that beamed with pride. “Now, as you just think for just a moment, the reason we celebrate a dedication is past, present and future. The past is symbolized and always will be in that other facility. You can hear the whispers. No team and organization that participated over there will be forgotten over here. In fact, when you just walk in here you will hear it. The sounds of the games. The championships won. The dances had. The loves found. The loves lost,” Collins continued. “That’s all part of the past. Then, there’s the future that looks on this court. That looks up at these walls. That knows the future is bright because this community invested in it. It is invested in its future right now.” Collins addressed the current JHS students and told them how special it will be wherever life takes them, when someone asks, “Where are you from?” They can
See THE ARENA, 2A
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