Published: February 10, 2009 11:18 pm      

Varnell hopes to save namesake

VARNELL — Built in 1862, the Varnell House served as a hospital for both Confederate and Union soldiers during the Civil War. Now, if Varnell City Council has its way, it may become a senior center and community meeting place.

The council held a public meeting on the idea Tuesday as part of the process for applying for a state community development grant to renovate the house and to build a senior center on the site.

“I believe it will give a sense of pride to our city,” said Mayor Dan Peeples. “I work in the funeral industry, and sometimes if people do not belong to a church, they don’t really have anywhere to have a meal after a funeral. This could be like a fellowship hall.”

Architect Bruce Jennings said there were several problems that would have to be addressed: a sagging roof, a porch that needs to be shored up, a place where the bricks in the wall have bowed out. But he said that for its age the building is in good shape.

About 20 people showed up for the meeting, and many of them expressed support for the idea of preserving the house.

“I’ve had concerns about the Varnell House for a long time, I was afraid it was going to fall in. It needs to be restored, and I’m glad to see we are making a start,” said Jeanette Crowe.

Rhonda Gilbert, who is writing the grant application for the city, said residents could help by writing letters expressing their desire to preserve the house or telling how they might use a senior center and meeting place.

Jennings said that old photographs of the house could also help.

“I can scan it and give you the original back, and we can use that in our presentation,” he said.

City manager Mark Gibson said people with photographs or letters of support could bring them by City Hall or call him at 706-694-8800.

Gilbert said the deadline for the application is April 2, and the city should find out if it has gotten the grant by mid-August. She said if the city does get the grant, there would be some more paperwork to be completed and work would probably begin in spring 2010.

During their regular meeting, the council voted 3-2 to authorize Gibson to seek bids for a new automated side-loading garbage truck for the city. Council members Carlus Mosier and Susan Hamlin cast the dissenting votes. Council members discussed the purchase during a work session preceding the meeting. Hamlin expressed concern about the cost of the new truck, and Mosier said he did not wish to see the part-time workers who currently ride on the back of city trucks lose their jobs. But council member David Owens said the new truck would improve service and save the city money over the long run.

The council also

• Approved alcoholic beverage licenses for Food Lion and the Butcher’s Market

• Approved a request to annex a small parcel on Golf View Drive into the city.

• Approved a resolution and ordinance allowing the city to join the Georgia Municipal Association’s ethics program. Gibson said that will give the city a way to handle any complaints about ethics violations.

• Approved the purchase of a used golf cart for $2,500 for the police department’s “Fatal Vision” drunken driving awareness program. The money will come from confiscated drug money, not from the general budget.

The council also heard a request from the Highland Pointe Homeowners Association to help fund street lights at strategic locations. The council asked Gibson to work with the city attorney on a policy for city streetlights.