Towns look to annex hwy. 316 areas

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Towns look to annex hwy. 316 areas

Posted by

Mike Buffington

in Top Stories & Breaking News, Winder Archives

Wednesday, September 26. 2012

Comments (16)

Hamstrung by stagnant tax revenues and declining tax bases, municipal leaders in Bethlehem, Auburn and Statham also have set their sights on annexing properties north or south of Highway 316 in unincorporated Barrow County. As the Journal reported last week, Winder officials have hired business broker Mike Rice to go door to door inviting property owners between the city’s current boundary at Carson Wages Road and Highway 316 to file free annexation applications before the end of the year. Rice said his instructions were to include only the commercial properties along Exchange Boulevard, which is where The Gateway at University Parkway is under development. But city administrator Don Toms confirmed Monday that the city next intends to send Rice across the highway to the Barrow Crossing shopping area.
For the full story, see the Sept. 26 issue of the Barrow Journal.

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#1 Longtime on 09/26/12 at 12:28 PM [Reply]

Good Move. Should have been done this originally. The path of 316 was originally north of the State Park between it and downtown, leaders moved it south through farmland as an alternative. The City of Winder is why we have a Barrow County (the City actaully requested the creation of the county and fought for decades for its approval). The post office assigned the rural farms at the time in that area which is now Barrow Crossing to the little Bethelehem rural route from that Post Office, due to it was mainly afew rural farms, so that is why the address is zip code 30620. Winder should annex these properties as any other principle city will from time to time. Winder, like Lawrenceville has been in a downtown transition, but it will emerge like Lawrenceville did one day. Most places don't have downtowns like these larger towns, it seems most commenters love strip centers. The City Needs both Commercial centers and a downtown, it is vital for growth. The advancement of the countyseat can advance the entire county. The city has alot to offer actually. Be Open minded for a change.

#1.1 Bill on 09/26/12 at 11:40 PM [Reply]

Good thinking Jerry.

#1.2 Pope on 09/27/12 at 11:16 AM [Reply]

so Bethlehem should just continue to be the ole little town of Bethlehem for that reason? Why does Bethlehem have any less "right" to the taxes that come thru their zip code than Winder does? It's much closer to the city of Bethlehem than it is Winder. The people of Bethlehem have to deal with the traffic that 316 has put on them much more so than Winder does. The city of Winder should not get to pick and choose what as to what is convienant for them.

#1.2.1 Reality on 09/27/12 at 12:26 PM [Reply]

Then Bethlehem City Council needs to have a fire lit under them to get them moving on annexing the property.

#1.2.1.1 Pope on 09/27/12 at 01:45 PM [Reply]

I think the sunday alcohol issue may be the last hurdle

#1.2.2 It is a good thing, even though u cant see it on 09/27/12 at 08:09 PM [Reply]

Actually it is Not closer to the Town of Bethlehem than Winder City limits, and Bethlehem's existance is not what attracted this commercial development, if the prior leaders had left the old 316 path there would be nothing anywhere near this area. A stronger countyseat is good for the county and entire area. All the petty stuff just makes us look like an unattractive hick county, we should be better than this. It is a good thing. If the post office was delivering from the Winder office instead, many of you wouldnt have known the difference.

#1.2.3 Longtime on 09/28/12 at 11:04 AM [Reply]

Bethlehem "has to deal with traffic"? Bethlehem has no Police or Fire and the town has only about 1 Mile of GA316, all EAST of GA11, so how does "Bethlehem have to deal with traffic?" The People who live there would have traffic even if nothing was built along 316 as does any town along the route, but we ALL have traffic woes, that is a soapbox for the POORLY Managed GDOT. The town has 600 people in it so I assume you are one of those 600? This costs the town nothing and most of the traffic is passing thru towards Athens. Only GA11 traffic affects the Town and they ARE Managing that as they should. Why are so many rushing mess up Bethlehem? It is a nice little town that could really work on its quaity of life but you want to add on burdens they are not prepared for, again they offer NO Services. Tina (below) is correct the only choice is stay in the county or annex into Winder (who for decades and decades provided water, fire and other services OUTSIDE of its limits to the county before the current growth era of today) My family has been living here since before Barrow was created.

#1.2.3.1 good on 09/28/12 at 03:12 PM [Reply]

Glad to see some cities realize they do not need city Fire and City police to be viable, sharing county resources works just great!!!! why add extra layer of workers supervisors and chiefs when the county can provide just fine.....

#1.2.3.2 Fire Services? on 10/03/12 at 08:26 PM [Reply]

Tina! Next time a Fire Truck goes through Bethlehem look at the color and name on the side. It's Red & Black with Barrow County Emergency Services not City of Winder. Each ambulance that responds to your house is not manned by Winder Fire Dept it's manned by Barrow County Fire and EMS personnel. Barrow County Sheriffs Dept patrols the city of Bethlehem. If Winder does this Fire Personnel from the City of Winder will be greatly increased from what is being serviced now from Barrow Fire and EMS because the nearest station is on Fire Tower RD near Winder Publix. Also the Fire Personnel at Winder are not as trained as the Barrow Fire and EMS personnel. Barrow requires everyone to be at minimum a Firefighter/ EMT and Winder only requires Firefighter/ First Responder. Think about your family when your house is burning or your loved one is trapped in a car and needs to be extricated. Ambulances do have qualified personel but not the equipment to handle those tasks. Winder will not have the resources available for at least a year so think about that also! Leave Bethlehem ALONE!!!

#2 Citizen on 09/26/12 at 10:36 PM [Reply]

BEWARE property owners and businesses near Hwy 81 and 316. You do not want to have to deal with the duffuses in Winder. Especially the mayor and city council. There is a reason businesses do not locate in Winder. You all need to stick together and fight Winder to the end. And when Rice knocks on your door. Ask him how many people and how much money he ripped people off for when he filed bankruptcy.

#2.1 Bill on 09/26/12 at 11:22 PM [Reply]

Thats the reason Winder hired him. He is a con and slicker than a minnows hickey.

#3 Tina on 09/27/12 at 09:33 PM [Reply]

Bethlehem has nothing to offer, no police, no fire dept, so you either stay in the County or go with Winder. Winder is the better of the two. More Winder less County is better for everyone.

#3.1 Bethlehem Citizen on 10/03/12 at 08:33 PM [Reply]

Barrow County has a Fire Station at Hwy 11 and Star Street and also Carl Bethlehem RD. Both stations are equipped with a fire truck (2 personnel) and an ambulance (2 personnel). The Carl-Bethlehem Station also has a ladder truck. Winder has a fire station on Fire Tower Rd that is further away than both stations in Barrow. Barrow Firefighters are more trained that Winder also. Go ask their Chief how many EMTs and Paramedics he has on shift. Then ask him how many Barrow has on duty. Then ask where is his ambulance? Winder does not have more to offer! Who needs a crooked Police Dept and city Government?

#3.1.1 Really? -you shouldnt feel so threatened... on 10/03/12 at 10:21 PM [Reply]

You are one of the actual 600 or so Actual Citizens, and you want to add to the towns burden by annexing? You Already show that u do not understand who provides what services... Barrow provides ALL EMS Services to 100% of Barrow Co, no city provides this. Winder is not less trained, and actually has more men per engine responding that the county currently, but the ISO Rating shows the real deal, Lower Insurance inside the city and expect the city to add another fire station in the near future anyway. There isnt really any big upside to annexing into Bethlehem, the choice is join Winder or remain in unincorporated Barrow County.

The BJ sure does love to shake the hornets nests

#3.1.1.1 Really?? on 10/04/12 at 11:30 AM [Reply]

Barrow provides Fire Services to all areas outside the City of Winder. EMS is provided by Barrow County to all areas of the county. All Barrow Fire & EMS are trained to the minimum level of FF/EMT. City of Winder at this moment does not require you to be an EMT. If you don't believe me call the City of Winder Fire Dept at (770) 307-3212.

#3.2 you on 10/04/12 at 06:28 AM [Reply]

are right Bethlehem after snatching you in wont have to support more city employees in Fire and police they let the county do this, they wont be forcing you to use City trash services. they let each property owner decide who they want to engage in trash collection, they are not in the business of hiring the unhireable. supporting folks that cant get a job anywhere else like the employees of Winder

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