Historical Society makes plea for saving building
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
During last week’s County Commission meeting, the Historical Society once again approached commissioners with a request and proposal for saving the old Extension building located next to the County Courthouse.
After discussing the building periodically for years and having held a public hearing regarding the structure, during its June meeting the Commission unanimously approved razing the old building, which had previously been utilized as the office for Coosa County Extension.
However, members of the Historical Society attended last week’s meeting, with a proposal from the society having been included on the meeting agenda. Debra Lamberth addressed the Commission as spokesperson for the organization and read a letter from Historical Society President Sheila Ward, who was unable to attend.
Lamberth explained that the Historical Society still wanted to save the old Extension office building. The letter from Ward on behalf of the Historical Society requested that the Commission consider donating or leasing the building to their organization.
“As a group devoted to preserving and promoting the rich heritage of Coosa County, we believe this building would be an ideal location for our archives, exhibits and community programs,” Ward’s letter read, in part. “We are aware that the Commission previously voted to demolish the structure. …We believe it is worth reconsidering the future of the building. The former Extension Office is still in solid condition – particularly the first floor – and remains a building of historical significance. For decades it served as a hub for Extension services that benefited generations of Coosa County residents. We feel it would be a loss to the community to see such a meaningful and usable structure torn down.”
Ward’s letter recognized that the basement has “some issues,” but stated that the Historical Society is “willing to address any necessary repairs or renovations if granted use of the property.” The letter further stated that the society is open to exploring all options, “including a full donation or a long-term lease agreement.”
“Our members are committed to maintaining the building and ensuring it remains open and accessible to the public,” the letter read. “Additionally, by donating or leasing the property to the Historical Society, the county could avoid the costs associated with demolition and site cleaning.”
The letter continued, “We see great potential for the building to serve as a center for historical preservation and education. Our vision includes hosting rotating exhibits, lectures and research opportunities that would serve residents of all ages and foster a deeper connection to our county’s heritage.
“We have already received numerous inquiries from community members about the building’s future. If the Commission would find it helpful, we are prepared to gather a petition demonstrating public interest in preserving the structure.”
The letter closed with thanking the Commission for its consideration and stated that the Historical Society hopes to work together with the county to “ensure this historic property continues to serve the community for generations to come.”
After reading the letter, Lamberth also mentioned that the Historical Society does not have a place to hold meetings regularly, with the organization rotating through locations. She stated the next meeting will be at 2 p.m. October 26 at Edgewood Plantation on Highway 22 outside of Rockford and invited the Commission to attend that meeting.
Lamberth further stated that the Historical Society has numerous ideas for utilizing the old Extension building.
Following her presentation, the Commission moved on to the next item on the agenda. After reviewing and approving it, Lamberth spoke up addressing the Commission and asking for a response from the Commission to the Historical Society’s proposal.
Commission Chair Lamar Daugherty stated that his stance on the matter has not changed, mentioning the cost of renovating the building and that it would not be beneficial to the county. Addressing something mentioned in the letter, he added that the county also does not plan to have a parking lot in the area long term following the building’s demolition.
During discussion, Commissioner John Forbus said that he is “with Daugherty 100%.” Daugherty stated that long term he thinks razing the building is the best thing to do and that he did not see anyone maintaining the building long term.
However, Lamberth said it is the goal of the Historical Society to preserve history and save the building.
In other business, following a short public hearing on the matter held prior to the meeting, the Commission unanimously approved the 2025 Coosa County Solid Waste Management Plan presented by LaBella Associates and adopted the resolution adopting the SWMP.
The Commission also discussed a date for its November meeting, with the regularly scheduled meeting falling on Veterans Day. As such, the Commission unanimously approved moving that meeting to the following day, November 12.
Following bid openings for Highway Department materials, the Commission also unanimously approved accepting the lowest bids for those materials, as recommended by County Engineer Tad Eason.
Those included low bids from J&G Culverts for corrugated metal pipe, with two bids received; W.H. Thomas Oil for fuel, with two bids received; Vulcan for liquid asphalt, with three bids received; Cemex for cement, with it being the only bid received; and Vulcan for crushed limestone, with it being the only bid received.
Additionally, the county received three bids for granite, and low bids were awarded to all three for various types of granite. Those were awarded to Hard Rock Hill for #4 granite, Vulcan for granite numbers 5 and 6, APAC for #57 granite, and Hard Rock Hill for #78 and crusher run.
In other business, the Commission unanimously approved:
- Advertising for a public hearing on the Floodplain Development Ordinance for Coosa County, with it being required to advertise for two weeks.
- The School Resource Officer Agreement between the Commission and Board of Education, which is done annually.
- For Chair Daugherty to sign the Purdue (Opioid) Settlement form, the ballot to approve the bankruptcy settlement form, the sign-on for the secondary manufacturer settlements, and the allocation agreement for the secondary manufacturer settlements.
- Signing the resolution and agreement for service with East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission for public transit services, as is done annually.
As reported in last week’s edition, the Commission also unanimously approved and adopted the Simplified Sellers Use Tax resolution opposing any legislative changes that would disrupt the program’s operations.
Also during last week’s meeting, the Commission heard from three individuals during public comments.
Adrain Wright of County Road 52 addressed the Commission speaking about problems with abandoned animals in the county, as well as unruly pets. She inquired about the Commission establishing a leash law for the county to help with the latter issue.
However, county attorney John K. Johnson said that unfortunately there is no leash law available to enact in the county, with only municipalities being able to enact leash laws. He added that some municipalities have an animal control officer to catch and take animals to shelters, and while Goodwater and Rockford previously had that, they no longer do.
After discussion, Daugherty recommended that Wright call the Sheriff’s Office and talk directly with Sheriff Michael Howell to see if he could do anything about the problem, even if it was just to talk to her neighbors regarding their dogs.
Pete Rodgers and Scott Dobson were also in attendance from the Weogufka community, and Dobson addressed the Commission regarding the potential use of the old home economics building in Weogufka as a satellite office for county use.
He said that the Commission has mentioned utilizing the old armory building in Goodwater as a satellite office and suggested the home economics building for similar use. He stated that the building is ADA compliant and that they keep the property up and would continue to do so.
Dobson added that the community would like to offer the building for use as a satellite office for the Commission, Sheriff’s Office and for county EMS if it gets a second ambulance.
Daugherty asked Judge of Probate Richard Dean about using the building, and Dean said that he was uncomfortable with it not being a county-owned facility.
Further, he said that Goodwater and Kellyton contain 40% of the county’s population and are the fastest growing area of the county. He added that the county also now owns the armory building.
Daugherty asked Dobson about the possibility of the county purchasing the home economics building in Weogufka, and Dobson and Rodgers both said yes.
They stated that the building is currently not used for anything and said that if it would give the county access, then the Weogufka Center Board of Directors would even consider simply donating the building back to the county for use.
Daugherty said that it is something to consider in the future, adding that the Commission would like to do something for the whole county and help everyone.
Also under public comments, the Commission heard from Tom Schlinker with concerns regarding the conditions of three roads, County Road 20, Kowaliga Cove Road and Bywater Road. He explained that all three are dead-end roads, but that all of them have safety and drainage issues, adding that they are narrow and develop potholes easily.
Ultimately Schlinker asked the Commission to consider resurfacing those three roads. In discussion Engineer Eason said that his priority would be Bywater Road and then work and branch out from there.
He said the Highway Department will patch the roads as best as it can until the county gets to that point, stating that those roads are not on the Transportation Plan for next year.
Schlinker asked about the plan, and Eason explained that it is done annually and was approved at the August meeting, as reported in the August 29 edition.
Rather than adjourn, the Commission meeting was recessed until 9 a.m. Tuesday, September 23, for budget reviews.
Following Tuesday’s reconvened meeting, the Commission will also meet at 9 a.m. Monday, September 29, for a public hearing for the county’s Floodplain Development Ordinance.
