The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Announces its 2013 List of State’s Ten ‘Places in Peril’

ATLANTA, GA - The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation released the 2013 list of ten Places in Peril in the state.

Sites on the list include: Tift Warehouse in Albany; Candler Park Golf Course and Sweet Auburn Commercial District in Atlanta; Dobbins Mining Landscape and Stilesboro Academy in Bartow County; Cave Spring Log Cabin in Floyd County; Monticello Commercial Building in Jasper County; Lexington Presbyterian Church in Oglethorpe County; Hancock County Courthouse in Sparta; and Traveler's Rest State Historic Site in Toccoa.

"This is the Trust's eighth annual Places in Peril list," said Mark C. McDonald, president and CEO of the Trust. "We hope the list will continue to bring preservation action to Georgia's imperiled historic resources by highlighting ten representative sites," McDonald said.

Places in Peril is designed to raise awareness about Georgia's significant historic, archaeological and cultural resources, including buildings, structures, districts, archaeological sites and cultural landscapes that are threatened by demolition, neglect, lack of maintenance, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy.

Through Places in Peril, the Trust will encourage owners and individuals, organizations and communities to employ proven preservation tools, financial resources and partnerships in order to reclaim, restore and revitalize historic properties that are in peril.

Sites that have been placed on previous years' lists have included: Rutherford Hall at the University of Georgia in Athens, which was demolished in June 2012 despite popular support from students, residents, alumni and the preservation community; Chattahoochee Park Pavilion in Gainesville, which received $25,000 in building materials after the Gainesville City Council voted in July to restore it; John Berrien House in Savannah, which was recently purchased by a descendant who plans to rehabilitate the house and use it for both commercial and residential space; and the Mary Ray Memorial School in Newnan County, which won a Preservation Award from the Trust in 2012. Updates on these sites and others can be found at www.georgiatrust.org.

Founded in 1973, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is one of the country's largest statewide, nonprofit preservation organizations. Committed to preserving and enhancing Georgia's communities and their diverse historic resources for the education and enjoyment of all, The Georgia Trust generates community revitalization by finding buyers for endangered properties acquired by its Revolving Fund; provides design assistance to 102 Georgia Main Street cities and encourages neighborhood revitalization; trains teachers in 63 Georgia school systems to engage students to discover state and national history through their local historic resources; and, advocates for funding, tax incentives and other laws aiding preservation efforts.

Summary Information on each Places in Peril Site

Tift Warehouse, Albany, Dougherty County

Built in 1857 by Nelson Tift, the founder of Albany, Ga., to guarantee the extension of the rail line to Albany, the Tift Warehouse is Southwest Georgia's only remaining antebellum brick railroad depot.

The construction of a larger depot in 1910 caused the building to be repurposed as a wholesale grocery warehouse; those modifications contributed to its susceptibility to flooding and moisture problems. Early changes to the rail yard's topography and configuration further contributed to the warehouse's frequent flooding. These flooding episodes and continual issues with rising damp and moisture infiltration have compromised the stability of the warehouse's masonry walls.

Candler Park Golf Course, Atlanta, DeKalb County

Coca-Cola founder Asa Candler donated 55 acres of land in northeast Atlanta to be used as a public park by the city in 1922. The land included a nine-hole golf course designed by landscape architect Helen Smith. Smith was hired by Candler to design the course for his daughter because women were prohibited from playing on the Druid Hills course that Candler frequented.

In recent years, the city has leased operations of the golf course to a managing company; however, with low revenue and dwindling use, Atlanta's Department of Parks is considering closing the historic golf course.

Sweet Auburn Commercial District, Atlanta, Fulton County

The birthplace of the Civil Rights movement, Sweet Auburn was once a thriving community that exemplified African American success in the South. Its businesses, congregations and social organizations provided a refuge for many black Atlantans.

Though recent rehabilitation efforts in adjacent residential neighborhoods have been successful, the effect of hard economic times has continued to plague the commercial district, leaving many significant buildings vacant and vulnerable to demolition or incompatible redevelopment.

After being added to the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list in 1992 and The Georgia Trust's Places in Peril list in 2006, both organizations re-listed Sweet Auburn in 2012 and have agreed to work with the City of Atlanta and the Historic District Development Committee to revitalize the Sweet Auburn Commercial District.

Dobbins Mining Landscape, Bartow County

From 1867 until 1945, the Dobbins Manganese Mine provided manganese ore, essential to the manufacturing of iron and steel. Manganese ore was used in the steel mills and served the nation's industrial needs during both World Wars. The remains of this open-cut mining site are uniquely illustrative of the industrial heritage of the region and Georgia. The Dobbins Mining Landscape was recently deemed eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; it is a rare example of an undisturbed historic mining site and no other manganese mine is currently included in the Register.

The Georgia Department of Transportation proposed a new highway project to facilitate traffic from I-75 to Rome, known as the US 411 Connector. As planned, the connector will course directly through the cut of the Dobbins mine.

Stilesboro Academy, Taylorsville, Bartow County

Constructed in 1858-59, Stilesboro Academy's grand opening was celebrated with a picnic on the first Saturday of May in 1859, a tradition the community has continued for the past 153 years. The school was occupied by the Union Army in 1864 and spared by Sherman. The school was saved again in the 1930s when the ladies of the Stilesboro Improvement Club raised money for the Bartow County School Board to purchase new lumber for a modern school, rather than demolish Stilesboro Academy and reclaim its lumber.

The Stilesboro Improvement Club remains the caretakers of the Academy, but with a dwindling membership, the building's continual maintenance poses a challenge.

Cave Spring Log Cabin, Floyd County

The Cave Spring Log Cabin was discovered two years ago when layers of clapboard siding on a larger structure built around the cabin were removed. The well-crafted log building likely dates to the early 1800's, the frontier days of the Cave Spring settlement. When the log structure was uncovered, the Cave Spring Historical Society purchased the building to save it from destruction.

Almost 200 years old, the Cave Spring Log Cabin is suffering from deterioration; some of the original foundation timbers have decayed beyond repair. Now that the log structure is more exposed, the structure will deteriorate further without some intervention and stabilization work.

Monticello Commercial Building, Jasper County

Built in 1887 on Monticello's square, the Monticello Commercial Building originally operated as N.B. White & Co, a merchandise company. Since then the building has served as a general store, and more recently, a hair and beauty supply store.

The building's roof and rear wall are significantly damaged. Efforts have been made to temporarily mitigate these problems, but a full rehabilitation is required.

Lexington Presbyterian Church, Oglethorpe County

Built in 1893, the Lexington Presbyterian Church is home to the oldest Presbyterian congregation in Northeast Georgia.

The Lexington Church congregation has dwindled to less than 10 members and is preparing for its dissolution. The church building is in disrepair and declining. Efforts to maintain and repair the structure proved to be inadequate in the face of accelerating damage and deterioration which are beyond the resources of the small congregation.

Hancock County Courthouse, Sparta

The 1883 Hancock County Courthouse was the third courthouse to be built on its site since the town of Sparta was founded in 1795. The magnificent Second Empire style building was designed by the prominent Atlanta architectural firm of Parkins and Bruce. The courthouse anchors the essential center of historic Sparta and has been the site of numerous historic trials and events.

The courthouse is still in use but suffers from lack of funding for maintenance and preservation.

Traveler's Rest State Historic Site, Toccoa, Stephens County

Built in 1815 as an inn for travelers on the historic Unicoi Turnpike and later used as the headquarters of a 14,400-acre plantation, Traveler's Rest has been owned by the state since 1955.

Due to budget cutbacks, the Department of Natural Resources is only able to open the National Historic Landmark site once a month. The Friends of Traveler's Rest funds three additional days of operation per month. Limited use and decreased tourism has resulted in decreased revenue and deferred maintenance.

Editor’s Note: For additional background material and more information on each site including downloadable high-resolution images, please go to www.georgiatrust.org/news/2013pip.php.

President and CEO Mark C. McDonald is available for in-person and telephone interviews. Call 404-885-7802 to arrange a time.

The Trust will premiere its 2013 list of the ten Places in Peril in Georgia at a reception tonight (Wednesday, Oct. 24, 6 p.m.) at Rhodes Hall at 1516 Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta. The evening’s activities, which begin at 6:00 p.m., will include remarks by Mark C. McDonald, president and CEO of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.

Downtown Athens Wild Rumpus Parade and Spectacle

Come to Downtown Athens for the fourth annual Wild Rumpus Parade and Spectacle, celebrating the fun of Halloween. There will be costumes, music, and a whole night of fun!

Parade starts at 8:00pm and everyone is encouraged to attend.

War Bonds

War Bonds is a musical journey through the war that redefined the world. Using personal letters from the front and headline news of the period, award winning artists, David Zum Brunnen and Serena Ebhardt fill the stage with wartime memories and sentimental tunes.

Advanced tickets are $7 and $10 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at the Central Services Department, 200 S. Madison Avenue, Douglas, GA or call the following numbers for more information: 912-383-0277, 912-592-6413, 912-389-6188.

Ware County Superintendent Featured in US Department of Education Webinar on Drop-Out Prevention

WAYCROSS, GA - Joseph Barrows, Jr., the superintendent of Ware County School System, was featured in a recent webinar published by the U. S. Department of Education entitled "Utilizing the Village: Using Early Warning Indicators and Interventions to Help Rural Students Succeed."

The objective of the webinar was develop ideas and strategies to imporve high school graduation rates and to learn how to work with students to solve their problems before drop-outs occur.

In the webinar, Barrows, Jr. talks about the "Report Card Conference" program in place in his school system and how that has helped to improve drop-out rates.

To view the webinar, visit http://ruraldropoutprevention.weebly.com/index.html.

Man Who Fled Trial on Vehicular Homicide, DUI Charges in Grandson's Death Back in Jail

WAYCROSS, GA — A Waycross man who failed to appear for his trial on vehicular homicide and driving under the influence charges in the death of his grandson has surrendered to officers and is the Ware County jail, officials said.

William David Vickers Jr., 45, who had been free on bail, had "proper notice" but was not present at the Ware County Courthouse at 1 p.m. Tuesday, when his trial was scheduled to begin, District Attorney Rick Currie said.

Vickers was charged in July 24, 2010, crash on Jamestown Road north of Wacyross when his SUV left the roadway and overturned ejecting and killing William Landon Xzavier Teegardin Vickers, 3. He was charged with first degree vehicular homicide, DUI and endangering a child while under the influence.

After Vickers’ failure to appear for trial on those charges, Superior Court Judge Jeffrey H. Kite issued a bench warrant for his arrest, and the Ware Country Sheriff’s Office began a search, Sheriff Randy Royal says.

When sheriff’s deputies arrived at Vickers’ home on Mill Creek Road, they found him gone and a note attached to the front door.

Royal says the note implied that Vickers felt “he had limited options” and may have been considering harming himself. It also indicated that Vickers could have gone behind his house to the river.

“We suspected this could have been an attempt to buy time,” but his office nonetheless addressed the possibilities laid out in the note, Royal said.

A search was conducted of the portion of river behind Vickers’ home but he was not found.

Sheriff’s Office developed information that indicated Vickers may have fled to Putnam County in Florida and they applied pressure through the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and media for Vickers to turn himself in, Royal said.

The Ware County Sheriff’s Office were notified around noon Wednesday that Vickers would agree to turn himself in if he could have a family member pick him up from Florida and take him back to his Waycross residence to be taken into custody there.

The Sheriff’s Office agreed and Sgt. Michael Ray and Deputy Dearin Drury arrested him at his home about 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, Royal said.

Vickers will remain in jail until his lawyers request a bail hearing, Currie said.

Currie said he will oppose bail because Vickers has shown himself to be a flight risk.

Man Who Fled Trial on Vehicular Homicide, DUI Charges in Grandson's Death Back in Jail was originally published by Joshua Sharpe on The Florida Times Union.

Georgia's War Over Charter Schools Heads to the Ballot

For months, the Georgia Legislature has served as a key battleground for the charter-schools debate. Now the fight goes to the voters, who will ultimately decide the fate of a constitutional amendment to allow "state-chartered" schools over the objection of local school boards.

The measure, which creates a state charter-school commission to approve charters rejected by local school boards, became a major focal point of the legislative session. Wausau Daily Herald broke down the thousands of dollars that lobbyists spent on meals and gifts to woo state lawmakers to their side, which verge on the ridiculous. For instance, the American Federation for Children, advocating for the measure, "paid $75 for frames for photos of state lawmakers with former Braves pitcher John Smoltz." The House passed the measure in March, but it stalled in the Senate. It was only on Monday that four Democrats chose to support the measure, giving it more than the two-thirds it needed. Now advocates and opponents will try to convince voters to support them.

Voters can expect a complete bombardment. But like almost all the discussions about charter schools, the debate seems to center on two key questions—are charters inherently more innovative than traditional schools, and where will the funding for them come from?

Funding became the central question in the legislative debate. The legislature created a similar commission in 2008, until the state Supreme Court knocked it down as unconstitutional last May, largely because the old measure withheld state aid to school districts and instead sent that money to charter schools to make up for the lack of local tax dollars (The Newnan Times-Herald has a nice recap of the situation).

This time around, to get the necessary support in both chambers, authors altered the measure to guarantee that it would not have an impact on local funding. The move got some Democrats behind the bill, but many opponents remain unconvinced. After all, the money has to come from somewhere, and these are lean times for state revenues. Some worry that despite the change to the bill, there's still enough wiggle room in the language to divert funds.

The concern about funding connects strongly to suspicions around charter schools more broadly. Senate Republicans killed an amendment that would have required the charters to be nonprofits. That means for-profit schools will compete for state dollars—leaving skeptics worried that traditional public schools could lose out to those trying to make money. Meanwhile, local school boards have significantly less say in the fate of their districts.

For many advocates, though, the entire appeal of charters (and school choice) is the free-market approach. From this point of view, regulations and teacher contracts are the things holding traditional schools back. As one senator told Georgia Public Broadcasting, "At the end of the day, we spend $9 billion on education, so if we have to have some for-profits involved in order to improve our academic performance, I don't think that's a bad thing."

The trouble is that there's an increasing lack of evidence that charter schools as a whole are really doing things any better than public schools. Ironically, that's particularly true in Georgia, where the state Department of Education came out with an in-depth report last week showing that "the general trend of Georgia charter school performance mirrors the trend of traditional public school performance."

Many expected the report's findings would cool down support for the charter measure. Instead, a week after its release, the Senate passed it. In November, we'll see if state voters follow suit.

Georgia's War Over Charter Schools Heads to the Ballot was originally published by Abby Rapoport on The American Prospect.

Georgia Average Gas Prices Down 9 Cents And Declining

ATLANTA, GA - According to recent findings from the AAA Auto Club, gas prices in Georgia are steadily declining, currently down nine cents, compared with the national average decrease of eleven cents.

According to projections, the average gas price in Georgia will return to about $3.42 a gallon, which is where the average gas price was a year ago. The current average for Georgia gas is $3.54; last week $3.62; last month $3.71.

In a prepared statement, AAA Auto Club spokeswoman Jessica Brady said, "We're back to the basic fundamentals of supply and demand moving the market. Oil supplies continue to increase as demand weakens across the board. Both oil and gas prices are likely to fall this week with a weakening euro, lackluster demand, and growing supplies."

SOGA Music: Andrew Sawyer First Musician / Band of the Week

Welcome to SOGA Music, a department of SOGA News Daily! We are kicking off our exploration of the best music and musicians in South Georgia and we are starting with Andrew Sawyer and his music video, "South Georgia Pine."

Continue Reading and Watch "South Georgia Pine" on SOGA Music...