Habersham delays action on Soque Scenic Byway

CLARKESVILLE - Even before hearing objections to the Soque Scenic Byway, Habersham County Commission Chairman Chad Henderson announced no action will be taken on the matter until November.<br /> <br /> That didn't stop several people from speaking out in vehement opposition to the proposed designated tourist route, championed by Clarkesville Better Hometown Manager Mary Beth Horton last year.<br /> <br /> Peter Davitto, speaking on behalf of several Byway opponents, said 1.6 miles of the proposed designated route falls within the Clarkesville city limits, with the remaining 46.9 miles in Habersham County. He also noted Clarkesville has some 1,800 residents, while Habersham County has 43,000.<br /> <br /> Davitto reminded commissioners of the public comments at their September meeting, noting "eight of 10 citizens said they didn't want it [the Byway]." He added the two who spoke in favor are merchants nearby to the route.<br /> <br /> "It's all about money!" Davitto said. "Follow the money."<br /> <br /> At the conclusion of his remarks, Davitto requested the commission rescind its 2013 resolutions of support for the Byway.<br /> <br /> Sam Sgro also spoke against the Soque Scenic Byway, saying it would be a detriment rather than a benefit, increasing litter, property damage and accidents - possibly accidents with fatalities because of farm equipment used on curvy, narrow roads.<br /> <br /> Joe Inglis, who said he has a property interest along the proposed Byway route, asserted the Clarkesville business leaders behind the proposed designation are forgetting the locals who are here year-round, not just during tourist seasons.<br /> <br /> "It seems they're intent on biting the hand that feeds them every day of the year," Inglis said of those merchants.<br /> <br /> Fred Guth, who served on a park and recreation board in a suburb of Chicago before moving to Habersham, cautioned that local merchants should consider whether they want federal, state and local government telling them they need to paint their building or pave their parking lot.<br /> <br /> Guth said there has been too much dialog about the proposed Byway and almost no public discourse on the important issues involving the location of voting precincts in the county.<br /> <br /> "I'm talking about priorities here, folks," Guth said. "We're looking to bring in the potential for grief with this [Byway]."<br /> <br /> Henderson said there are questions that need to be answered, and that Horton is on maternity leave until Nov. 1, so the commission will take up the issue again next month.