Had 9 businesses on Palmetto Road. I also remember how the Planning Commission & Council talked about what an eyesore those buildings were and how they wanted to redevelop downtown and do away with them. Well, they did it and as you say look what’s there now. Some of those businesses tried to relocate in downtown but were told the Council had changed the zoning and their type of business was no longer allowed. The businesses that were run out included auto transmissions, auto paint and body shop, sheetrock, a long time plumber and other specialized repair and building businesses. You know, the kind of businesses people use every day. Now all gone from Tyrone. These were small independent businesses, not the big expensive franchised ones that charge an arm and leg. Just the market that was suitable for a small town.
Most towns that want to redevelop, take the businesses that are there and provide incentives to the owners to remodel and spruce up the existing businesses. Look at Newnan or Helen GA. Oh no, not Tyrone. They had government people who had never run a business, but thought they knew how. They never bothered to ask real business people’s advice. Government grants, that’s what they’re after and Tad money to be taken from education taxes. Another socialistic democrat pipe dream gone awry.

ptctaxpayer, I believe the mural is still there. But what makes you think Smola believes liberalism is holy? His wife was elected to the FCBOE running as a Republican. Are not most Republicans at least moderately conservative? But I did notice his wife Janet voted to raise taxes last year right after she was elected.

Thanks T&J for making me laugh by referring to Tyrone Zoning as “Quality Zoning” What a great choice of words. I can’t stop laughing. Great joke.

Old Tyrone councils did not expand tax base. The tax base was expanded because landowners had to sue Tyrone to get their property rights. Most all that development along Hwy 74 was a direct result of several lawsuits by John Weiland, Phil Seay & Tyrone LLC. The judge even had to threaten to put the council and town management in jail if they didn’t follow his order to issue building permits. Several residential subdivisions also were built after legal action. Losers twist the facts.

Some of what you say about Tyrone is true. The “new Council” has not made any meaningful changes in the bad zoning ordinance as they promised. They still waste tax money on lawyers to fight their citizens, and still lose. They refused to do anything about misappropriated public funds. They’re still selling the public and certified an incomplete zoning ordinance. The tax base has shrunk. But I wouldn’t believe a word Grace Caldwell says or anyone else on Council either. They lost the Winnie Anderson case and will pay at least $25,000 to her. They couldn’t win 11 zoning claims in federal court and now they’re back in state court. You’re right, nothing has changed except Barry & Valerie are gone! But that “sugar daddy” you refer to is one of those who tore up that plaque. You ought to be proud of them. They’re carrying on “old council” business as usual. They were however forced by auditors to put in long over-due oversight measures for record keeping and accounting for tax payers money. I’m a happy man. Tyrone is going to have to pay just compensation for an unconstitutional taking of land uses by the old council.