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Catoosa seeks funds for memorial

By: Ronnie Moore
(Contact)

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Mark Fletcher

RINGGOLD, Ga. — Catoosa County officials are asking the Georgia Department of Transportation to approve the transfer of $115,000 in three state grants to complete the Catoosa Citizens and Veterans Memorial at Benton Place.

Commissioners voted 3-0 to seek the transfer of $85,000 in a safety grant for reflectors, $20,000 in state economic development funds and $10,000 in a local development grant.

County officials said state Sen. Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, is checking on whether such a transfer could happen. Sen. Mullis could not be reached Monday for comment.

Dr. Mohamed Arafa, communications officer for the GDOT region office in Cartersville, said such decisions usually are made at the agency’s headquarters in Atlanta.

“It may be possible but will be looked at on a case-by-case basis,” he said.

Mark Fletcher, chairman of the Citizens and Veterans Memorial Committee and a former county commissioner, said a concrete apron, retaining wall, flagpoles and bases already cost about $25,000.

The site now has a large U.S. flag at the center with angled flags of the five branches of the military services — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.

Mr. Fletcher said granite wall panels, engraved capstones, concrete pavers, joints and landscaping will cost about $157,000.

The county has $25,000 in matching funds if the grants can be redirected, for a total of $140,000 toward the project.

Catoosa Public Works Director Olney Meadows told commissioners last week the state grant funds must be spent by July 31.

He said the county applied unsuccessfully last year for a $435,000 Transportation Enhancement Act grant to complete the Benton Place memorial and add walking trails, benches, lighting and landscaping.

He said it will be several years before Catoosa County next can apply for a TEA grant.

Mr. Meadows said the memorial is considered a tourist venue and that tourism projects qualify as economic development.

“If the funds are secured, our goal will be to complete the project by our annual Veterans Day program in early November,” Mr. Fletcher said.

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