GSP Station wilbe in Colquitt
by MCL staff writer

Front and rear sketch of the new Georgia State Patrol headquarters to be built on the State Route 91 Spur in Colquitt

In the past several editions of the Donalsonville News there has been considerable controversy concerning the location and moving of Post 14 of the Georgia State Patrol station.

In the last edition it seems that the Seminole officials had been waiting on a letter.

The following is a letter received from Colonel Bill Hitchens, Commissioner of Department of Public Safety concerning the location of the Georgia State Patrol Post. The letter was dated Tuesday, July 24. The issue has been questionable for several weeks even after a ground-breaking for the new Post 14 was held in Colquitt with many Georgia State Patrol officers present. This letter was written to Mr. Tommy Rogers, chairman of the Seminole County Commission, from the Department of Public Safety in Atlanta:

Mr. Tommy Rogers

Chairman, Seminole County Commission

200 South Knox Avenue

Donalsonville, GA 39845

Dear Mr. Rogers:

On July 11, I had the opportunity to attend a meeting of the Seminole County Commission. During that meeting, citizens of Seminole County shared their concerns regarding the relocation of Georgia State Patrol Post 14 from Donalsonville to Colquitt. I appreciated the opportunity to hear those concerns and to have an opportunity to speak regarding the process.

During the meeting, I offered to speak with the leadership in the City of Colquitt to determine whether it would be possible to delay construction for 30 days to allow an opportunity for Seminole County and the City of Colquitt to attempt to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution regarding the location of the new post. However, I have since learned that the process is too far along for a change in location to be feasible. The Department's final decision in this matter is to proceed with the relocation of Post 14 to the City of Colquitt. Post 14 will continue to serve the citizens of Decatur, Early, Miller and Seminole counties.

The Georgia State Patrol has enjoyed a positive and productive relationship with the citizens of Seminole County, and I trust that will continue. As a result of our discussions, the Department will implement standard procedures statewide regarding any future relocation of State Patrol posts. I look forward to working with you toward the common goal of public safety.

Sincerely, Bill Hitchens Colonel Bill Hitchens

Commissioner

Copies of this letter were sent to Senator John Bulloch, Representative Gerald Greene and Mr. Cory Thomas, Colquitt City Manager.

This should remove all doubt that the GSP Post 14 will be moving to Colquitt after being in Donalsonville for over 70 years.

It is the hope of the leaders of Colquitt and Miller County that the Georgia State Patrol Post 14 headquarters can be here for over 70 years of peaceful, orderly, harmonious relation with the governments just up the road that they have enjoyed with our neighbors.

According to the powers that be here, it was never the intention to try to "steal" anything from our Donalsonville/ Seminole County neighbors. As in all political entities, the small cities and counties are thrown an occasional bone, if they have enough to buy the bone, or act like they care.

At the risk of having flaws and fibs as the "Sage of Seminole" accuses the Miller County Liberal of, it seems that when all of the cussin' and fussin' is over, money talks and you know the rest. This newspaper will not get into an ink fest with another editor of such sterling truth and high standards of journalism.

We in Miller and Seminole have so very much to be proud of and on occasion a few things to be ashamed of. We all are close enough to receive benefits from gains and feel the sting when we lose something