Letters to the Editor
Oposes senior housing

Editor:

This letter is being written in reference to the proposed construction of Waynesboro Senior Citizens Apartments to be built on the old Waynesboro Primary School property, between Academy Avenue and Shadrack Street. We recognize the fact that housing is very needed for Seniors and other Citizens living in our community. We applaud Hammond Development, Inc. for trying to step up to the plate and provide our community this facet of community living. However, we must object to the location where plans are being made to build these apartments.

There are several reasons why we object to the location: The area is too small to house fiftyseven (57) units. The developer is also proposing 86 plus onsite and offsite parking spaces. The traffic alone will devastate the existing homes in the community. When we made a choice to open Forever Angels, our Adult Day Care Center, we chose this area because of the peace and tranquility of the surrounding area. We were not told that the building of Senior Apartments in this location was being considered. We appreciated the architectural design of the existing houses and the historical significance of the surrounding area. We knew that your city was one that appreciated historic preservation and we noticed that the homes in that area were being renovated on those lines. Almost everyone on the street has begun or completed renovations to reflect their home's historical value as it connects to the area.

We feel that building the type of apartments in this area will devalue our homes that we have tried very hard to keep within the guidelines of Historical Preservation. Should we ever try to resell our homes, we could never recoup what we have put into them. It will also take away from the beauty of the historical atmosphere that has been created.

Last, but not least, "Who is going to make sure that these apartments remain as apartments for Seniors?' How or who will make sure that it does not become just another complex where anybody can come and go all day and night, and lived in by any and everyone. We ask the question, "If you have spent a lifetime of savings, many hours of sweat equity and countless hours of trying to tend to details, would you want this complex in your backyard or in your front door?"

David and June Johnson

831 Academy Ave.

Urges citizens to attend city council zoning

meeting

Editor:

Rumors have circulated for months that the old, two-story school building on Ward St. between Shadrack Street and Academy Avenue was to be restored and turned into a few senior citizen apartments.

In actuality, the proposal on the agenda before the Waynesboro City Council scheduled for Monday, April 7, 2008 at 6 p.m. is requesting the rezoning of the property to include the additional construction of two new, two-story buildings that will cover most of the entire current campus and include 57 housing units with 43 offsite and 43 onsite parking spaces.

The city's own ordinance mandates, "Residences, Single- Family, Duplex, and Multi- Family: Two (2) spaces for each dwelling unit" thus requiring 114 parking spaces.

With the majority of land being used for new construction, the required, offsite parking would occur on the streets of Shadrack, Ward and Academy. With a population density of that many people on such a small amount of property and that many offsite parking spaces it is easy to see how parking and congestion could be not only an inconvenience but lead to hazards for property and/or life.

The possibility of emergency vehicles responding to a call and not being able to pass on these major streets due to traffic congestion is a real possibility.

If allowed to be rezoned and the current proposal accepted this will be a detriment to the entire city of Waynesboro, not just to the adjacent property owners.

I urge everyone concerned with public safety and the landscape of the City of Waynesboro to join me at City Hall, 628 Myrick St., on Monday, April 7, at 6 p.m. to inform our elected officials of our concerns.

Clint Meeks

Waynesboro

Praises funeral home Editor

Just before Christmas, our family had the daunting task of planning a funeral for my brother, Fred Petrea, who was involved in an automobile accident.

These tasks are never easy, and especially when they are unexpected and so tragic.

Fortunately, the planning for the funeral was made much easier after meeting Jane and Randy Robertson of Robertson's Heritage Chapel. They so professionally and compassionately guided us through all the decisions we had to make. They were never "pushy" and there was no focus on money. There were several issues that had to be dealt with, and they so patiently saw us through them. We particularly appreciated the little extra things they did to make this emotional experience more bearable for my brother's children.

I know Robertson's Heritage Chapel is a new business to Waynesboro and Burke County, and I want your community to be aware of the quality of services they provide. Their building is beautiful, but the personal, compassionate service is really what stood out to us.

Betty Daher

St. Simons Island

Let taxpayers decide Editor:

Well we had more children attacked by abandoned dogs.

Thank God the DOT employee was there to save the boys. I hope when the dogs are tested they do not have rabies. This incident proves that a 12-year-old and a 14-year-old are no match for hungry and abandoned dogs. God help us if the next victims are 5-and-6-year olds. I do not understand why our commissioners do not think it's a problem. Is it because they are big landowners and they are worried that their taxes would go up?

I say put it up for a vote and let the taxpayers decide. That way if they're afraid to make the obvious decision, it would take them off the hook and save face.

R. D. Manchester

Blythe

Thanks, Wayne! Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Wayne Blackburn of the Sardis Police Department. Blackburn, as we call him in Sardis, is one of the best things that has ever come through here.

I am proud to say that he is on our police force. When you call, he is there. When you have a problem, he is there. He takes the time to talk to the citizens of Sardis like they deserve to be talked to. He is a fair man.

Other officers have come through here and not been so polite. He does his job without malice or prejudice and should be commended. Night shift in Sardis is not always pleasant, but knowing that Blackburn is on duty gives me peace of mind.

So, next time you see Blackburn, tell him thank you. Sit down and have a chat with him, and you will see that he is an upstanding police officer and a heck of a nice guy!

Dana M. Barefield

Sardis