Why cant we keep and restore something that is very important to a community of people? —April Huntley

Received Friday. April Huntley also sent it to the Lowndes County Commissioners. I have added a few links and pictures. -jsq

Dear Editor,

I'm not sure if people know or care that there is another Dollar General about to pop-up in Lowndes County. This time it will be in Naylor. I'm not sure if this will be an improvement or not.

Something I am also aware of and hold an opinion about is the proposal to abandon a road in Naylor that leads to the Alapaha River. This is the only public access to the Alapaha in Lowndes County. It is a place of history, recreation and fun for many people.

The spot where County Road 16, Old State Rd., dead ends at the Alapaha River is an area of rich history for Naylor and

Lowndes County. There was once a bridge there that crossed the river to Lanier County and it was called Hotchkiss Bridge Crossing. I've been told it was the only way to get to Waycross before 84 came in. I was given maps from the local museum that indicate the bridge was there in 1908 and still there in 1939. I've heard it burned down in the 60's. I heard from one person a boat ramp was built in the early 80's by the state of Georgia with prison labor. Two older Naylor locals confirmed this claim by telling me there was a functioning boat ramp at that location 15-20 years ago. I've also heard from multiple people there were picnic tables and trash cans at one time. For some reason Lowndes County doesn't have records that the boat ramp was ever built. They also don't know when the bridge was built or when it ceased to be, per the records request I made. I was told by the County Clerk, the records weren't kept very well back then.

Despite the issue of whether there was a boat ramp or not, the area has over 100 years of history with Lowndes County for public access since the bridge was there in 1908. I've been told by an older man who lives near me that people in Naylor went down to the bridge on the weekends to swim and have picnics when he was a kid in the 30's. He said the community celebrated the 4th of July there together. It was the only recreation they had. It still is for many.

I personally like to go to trails around the county, surrounding counties and north Georgia. I especially like the spot on the Alapaha because it is near my house. It is easy to go to in less than 5 minutes and I can go after work or any time, really. I love the sound of the flowing water, singing birds and beautiful trees. My husband enjoys going down there to to talk and hang out with his buddies around a fire. I have went down there with him while he fished and I read a book, enjoying the fresh air. It is a place to relax and unwind for us.

While I am sure there has been rowdiness down there, maybe it could use some rules and boundaries. What if it were a park that preserved the historic area for future generations? In my opinion a resolution can be made to benefit all those involved: the landowners, the county and the community. I mean why is it just fine and dandy to put a new store in our neck of the woods, but we can't keep and restore something that is very important to a community of people?