One of Georgia’s lesser known barrier islands is Ossawbaw Island, in Chatham County. Heirs of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass sold the island to the state in 1978, and their former mansion, the 20,000 sq. ft. Torrey West House, is the only development on the island. Earlier this year the legislature earmarked about $7 million to renovate and restore the historic home, which will host researchers, artists, and other visitors looking to explore the island’s rich – and often undiscovered history. Humans have lived on Ossabaw for some 5,000 years, from American Indians, Spanish missionaries, plantation owners and their African slaves, and then their freeman descendants. Archaeology and anthropology students currently take day trips to the island to unearth artifacts dating back through thousands of years of human history. And with investment from the state and careful stewardship from the Ga. Department of Natural Resources, Ossabaw will be protected for many future generations of Georgians.
Atlanta, Fulton Co. square off in tax fight
The City of Atlanta has long used tax allocation districts (TADs) as an economic development tool, leveraging property tax increases to pay for local infrastructure projects. But the Fulton County Commission has slammed on the brakes, voting 4-1 to reject a proposed 30-year extension of Atlanta’s TADs. That sets up a major budgetary clash, as the Fulton TADs would be expected to generate over a billion dollars over that period. Now the county will vote on TADs on a case by case basis, with stricter oversight and enforcement, leaving Atlanta’s money faucet DRIFTING…
