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Soperton
Commentary...Mayor Greg Higgs
Greg Higgs, mayor of
Soperton since 1998, is also a native of Treutlen
County. "Our community is a good place to live
and grow up," he said. Asked why he sought the
position of mayor, he said, "I wanted to see
my hometown grow and continue to be a place where
my children will be able to stay and live." With
that goal set before him, Higgs and a "hard working"
city council, are currently tackling the job of redoing
the city's water and sewer systems, he said. He also
praised the efforts of City Clerk Becky Hooks, who
has successfully located several grants for the city.
"We're trying to revitalize downtown to draw
back in some businesses," said Higgs. Plans are
underway for two different downtown beautification
projects, one being to close a street running next
to the railroad and put in a park with a walkway laid
with bricks purchased in memory or honor of the area's
citizens. Also downtown, where the former police station
and a gas station have recently been torn down, a
new building is planned in the style of an old depot
reminiscent of earlier days when Soperton came into
being as a railroad community. In addition, Higgs
said more development is planned for Jean Gillis Park,
an attractive walking track and park created on the
site of the county's former football stadium and adjacent
property. The profile of this small, rural county
is not unlike that of surrounding counties. What sets
this community apart is her citizens. "It's just
a little old country town. If somebody gets in a tight
and needs some help, it's not like living in a big
city," said Higgs.
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