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New GSP post to be built in Colquitt
The City of Colquitt will be the official donator of the building. The Ruth T. Jinks Foundation is the primary source for the funds to build the new post building. The moving of the new GSP Post in Colquitt came about after an offer was made to then Post Commander Buddy Johnson by Mr. Clyde Jinks. The possibilities of the post being in Colquitt was talked about and agreed that the transaction could be done. Sgt. Johnson went to the Seminole County commissioners' chairman and advised him of the proposal. Buddy stated that if Seminole could build a Post for the GSP, then it would stay in Donalsonville. The chairman asked for two weeks, but said he did not see how they could afford to build the post. The post commander allowed three months. No offer was made, and the project was officially started. After several meetings and trips to other posts in the state, a design was chosen based on the GSP post in Statesboro. The plan after completion is 9666 square feet. It will house all Post 14 personnel, an implied consent trooper, a GEMA school safety officer, and Lt. Johnson (Assistant Troop G Commander). The building will also have a huge conference room that will be accessible to the local civic organizations and government entities. This room will also be wired and ready to become a command center in the event of a major disaster (hurricane, tornado, terrorist, fire, etc.) All agencies will have room to gather and go on line with communication. This type command center currently does not exist for Miller and Seminole counties. With the imminent threat of storms and natural disasters, this facility is certainly a proactive step in fighting those situations. The post will also have a landing pad that can support the Life Flight helicopters and other helicopter traffic. Post 14 has been located in Donalsonville at the current building since the late 1950s. Several renovations have been done over the years. The wiring dates back in some area of that post to the 50s. The troopers and department have outgrown that office. There were plans in place to have a post built in Bainbridge in 2009; however, the proposal in Colquitt was drawn up quicker and suited the overall needs of the GSP better than going to Bainbridge. Post 14 will still serve Seminole County in the same capacity as it always has. The new location of the post will put it more centrally located to the overall four county territory. Troopers will be able to respond to any county within its territory in five minutes or less. Lt. Johnson stated that there are several people to thank for this project. The City Council of Colquitt, The Miller County Commissioners, City Manager Cory Thomas, and the Ruth T. Jinks Foundation. One particular person to thank however is Mr. Joy Tully. Post Commander Johnson learned to never take casual conversation for granted. He stated, "Mr. Joy and I talked, while I filled my car up with gas about football, sports and new posts in the state." Tully asked, "Why can't we have one here?" Lt. Johnson said, "If the money can be found to support it, it can. Not thinking anything else about it, I went on my way. One week later, Mr. Clyde approached me. Jinks said, 'I hear you need a new post.' It's vision like Mr. Joy's that keeps Colquitt growing. A spark turned into a forest fire that will become Post 14 Colquitt," Johnson said. The ground-breaking ceremony was a great success. Col. Bill Hitchens, Lt. Col. Don Chastain, and Major Davis Brack, all flew in to attend and help kick off the new construction. Encouraging words were given by Cory Thomas, Councilman Jimmy Phillips, Commissioner Barbie Womble, Lt. Johnson and Col. Hitchens. The Troopers are very excited about this project and are looking forward to calling "GSP Colquitt" home. The people of Colquitt are looking for the new post to be constructed and the Georgia State Patrol Post 13 to be apart of this area. |
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