Two resolutions are being introduced by state legislators seeking Hwy. 98 road recognitions for local citizens — one for a former state legislator and one for a singer/songwriter.
The Danielsville City Council recently agreed to seek the renaming of Hwy. 98 at its intersection with Hwy. 29 in the county seat to its intersection with Hwy. 106 in honor of former state legislator and county school board member Louie Clark.
The “Louie Clark Highway” would be designated in honor of Clark’s “achievements, accomplishments and contributions in Madison County and in the state of Georgia,” according to the legal ad announcing the resolution in this week’s Journal.
Danielsville city attorney Dale Perry, who ran an unsuccessful campaign to unseat Clark from the legislature in 1984, said Clark deserves the honor.
“Louie knew how to bring home the bacon and he did a lot for Madison County,” said Perry. “And I don’t know of a single project that was designed to benefit Louie. I think he always did what he felt was in the best interest of the county. We feel that before he leaves us, we needed to do something for him to show our appreciation for what he did.”
The resolution is being introduced by Rep. Alan Powell and Rep. Tom McCall. The estimated cost of the road dedication is $1,500.
While a resolution in honor of Louie Clark is in the works, a state representative is also introducing a resolution to have singer-songwriter Ricky Fitzpatrick’s song “Highway 98” recognized as the official song of Hwy. 98 between Commerce and Danielsville.
The estimated cost of the dedication is also $1,500.
According to a legal ad submitted to The Madison County Journal, Rep. Tommy Benton plans to introduce a resolution in the 2012 regular session of the Georgia General Assembly to “dedicate the portion of State Route 98 from Commerce to Danielsville as the ‘Highway 98’ by Ricky Fitzpatrick Highway in honor of the song’s tribute to Georgia; and for other purposes.
“We are methodically (and slowly) taking steps toward making it the state of GA’s Official Song of GA Highway 98,” Fitzpatrick wrote on his website. “Still, an honor never bestowed on any song by our state legislature.”
Fitzpatrick said he is planning to raise money for the signs.
“We are planning a fundraising event (probably a concert of some sort) to raise money required by the State of GA for signage regarding honorary designations,” wrote Fitzpatrick. “Total only about $1,500, and I’m sure we’ll raise that in a snap.”
According to the resolution presented by Benton, Fitzpatrick’s song “describes the joy of traveling down one of Georgia’s great highways … the lyrics tell of local landmarks from Commerce to Danielsville to the farms and barns of Midway and beyond.”
“Whereas, the feeling of freedom and nostalgia for a simpler time that one gets when driving down Highway 98 is perfectly depicted in the lyrics of Fitzpatrick’s ‘Highway 98,’” the resolution states.
The resolution states that the General Assembly “dedicates State Route 98 from Commerce to Danielsville as the ‘Highway 98 by Ricky Fitzpatrick Highway.’”
“Be it further resolved that the Department of Transportation is authorized and directed to erect and maintain appropriate signs dedicating the ‘Highway 98’ by Ricky Fitzpatrick Highway,” the resolution states.
Benton can be reached with input on the proposal at Room 501-C, Coverdale Legislative Office Building, Atlanta, GA 30334, or 404-656-0177 or e-mail at tommy.benton@house.ga.gov.
Rep. McCall can be reached at 226 State Capitol Atlanta, Georgia 30334 or by phone at 404-656-5115.
Rep. Powell can be reached at 507 Coverdell Legislative Office Building Atlanta, Georgia 30334 or by phone at 404-656-0202.
