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K.H. Long Government Center is open for business By A.J. PUCKETTLast Thursday County employees and government officials gathered to dedicate the building formerly known as the Fouts Building as the K.H. Long Government Center. The Fouts Building has been associated with Dawson County government for many years and still houses many of its offices. Recently, several County Departments moved their offices to this location to help save the county money on rental space, almost $30,000 according to County Manager Kevin Tanner. The building currently houses Public Works, Information Technology, Environmental Health, Treatment Court, American Red Cross and NOA and at one time was the home of the Sheriff's Department and ancillary agencies. According to Tanner renaming the building served two purposes, "For one it would end a nefarious association with a drug related acquisition and two it would pay tribute to Kenneth Long." The County originally acquired the building as part of a drug seizure. The building was given to the County after it agreed to pay of the remaining debt, approximately $139,000, on the building. K.H. Long was the sole commissioner of Dawson County at the time and he played a key role in the acquisition of the building. "This is a very special event for this county," said Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Mike Berg, "because K.H. Long did a lot for this county that a lot of people may not know about and this building will stand as a remind of the good that he did for the people of Dawson." "Kenneth was a dedicated leader who worked tirelessly to significantly shape the future of Dawson County," said Tanner. "He supported commercial development that did not damage the rural tapestry of our county and brought the North Georgia Premium Outlet Mall here." Long also worked to establish the 911 system in Dawson County. He passed away in September of last year following an extended illness. He was a Dawson County native. |
