Ground Breaking Ceremony at Tired Creek Lake!
WPi has been hired by the County to assist in the planning process along with sub-consultant Applied Technology & Management, a marina consultant. As a framework, they will use the Master Lake Development Plan which WPi created as part of the permitting process with the U.S. Corps of Engineers. Please see below for the full article provided by Randy Wind, Editor with the
Cairo Messenger.
COUNTY OFFICIALS were all smiles as they broke ground on the Tired Creek Lake dam Tuesday. Shown are, l-r, Vice Chairman T.D. David, Attorney Kevin S. Cauley, Chairman Billy Poitevint, Commissioner Elwyn Childs, Commissioner LaFaye Copeland, Commissioner Charles Norton, Congressman Sanford Bishop, Patsy Moye - representing the late Rusty Moye, County Clerk Carrie Kines, and County Administrator Carlos Tobar. |
| |
Under a clear, blue sky Tuesday morning a crowd of approximately 100 gathered to witness the ground breaking ceremony for the Tired Creek Lake dam.
The ceremony featured U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop, who has been an ally for the county on the lake project for many years.
“Today’s success is due to persistence. There were times when it seemed that the process would stall or fail, but due to the hard work of many people, we are here to celebrate,” Congressman Bishop said.
“It’s been a labor of love—long love—lots of hours, lots of months and lots of years. Today, the people of Grady County have cause to really celebrate,” he added.
The congressman, whose efforts in 2010 resulted in the issuance of the federal 404 permit by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, predicted the 960-acre lake will improve the quality of life not just in Grady County, but in the entire southwest Georgia region.
“When you teach your children to fish, remember today. Remember our persistence and our belief in the Tired Creek project. And teach your children that you can cast your nets where there are seemingly no fish, because if you’re persistent, you will reel in a catch,” Bishop said.
Joining the congressman Tuesday were current and former members of the Grady County commission as well as current and former members of the Georgia General Assembly including Rep. Darlene Taylor, former representatives Wallace Sholar and Dr. Eugene Maddox, and former state senator Harold Ragan.
Members of the newly formed Grady County Lake Authority were in attendance as were consultants Wm. Thomas Craig and Laura Benz.
It was a particularly memorable day for District 1 Commissioner Elwyn Childs who was a member of the commission when the land for the lake was purchased in 1972 and remains a member today.
“This is a historic time for Grady County. I hope the people in the future will benefit from and enjoy this lake for generations to come. All the efforts of the last 40 years are coming to life,” Childs said.
Joining him at Tuesday’s ground breaking was his grandson Asher Childs, who enjoyed a brief reprieve from school to witness the historic event.
County Clerk Carrie Kines also shared the historic moment with her father, Winburn Knight, who was a member of the Grady County Recreation Commission in the 1970s.
“To be able to share his vision and celebrate this day with him was very special for me and is a privilege for me,” Ms. Kines said.
Important players in the Tired Creek project who unfortunatley died before seeing construction begin were also represented Tuesday.
The late Judson Mayfield, a former county commissioner and the influential chairman of the Grady County Recreation Commission was represented by his daughter Marjorie Taylor while the late Rusty Moye, Grady County administrator, was represented by his widow Patsy Moye.
Mrs. Margaret Long was also a special guest Tuesday as she represented her late husband and former state representative Bobby Long, who was a strong advocate for the lake.
The ground breaking was also meaningful to the newest member of the Grady County commission.
“To be there Tuesday and see history in the making was very exciting to me. I am proud of all of the commissioners who have served before me and those I serve with now who have made Tired Creek a reality. It’s a great day,” Commissioner LaFaye Copeland said.
Commissioner Charles Norton, perhaps the lake’s strongest proponent, summed it up saying, “It took a long time to get us to today, but construction is under way. A lot of people deserve credit for this. It took teamwork to make this a reality.”
