Friday, January 18, 2002
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Friday, January 18, 2002 |
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Blue House controversy still swirling in Senoia By JOHN
THOMPSON It has been less than a month since Senoia's new mayor and council took office, but they're already having to deal with a political hot potato. The latest controversy engulfing the east Coweta town is the fate of the historic Blue House at 49 Broad St. In early January, the council voted unanimously to deny Chuck Smith permission to tear down the house so BellSouth could buy the property for expansion of its facility. But next week, Smith is back before the City Council with a request to move the house. He did not take kindly to the council's last action and spray painted his home with messages to the council about taking away his rights as a property owner. Mayor Dianne Cleveland said she doesn't know if Smith plans to move the house himself or have someone else do it. The issue has dragged on for nearly two months and is drawing sharp responses from across the town. Senoia Area Historical Society President Perry Benson said he didn't want to deprive Smith of his property rights, but said the home represents one of the reasons so many people are moving into the area. Smith has maintained he will give the home to somebody if they want it. He is paying a mortgage on the home, along with the home he is living in, and just wants to be free of the financial burden of making two house payments, he said. The council will discuss the issue Tuesday at 1 p.m. The meeting was moved from its normal 7 p.m. Monday night slot because a representative will be on hand from Rural Water Development to update the city on its municipal sewer plan.
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