You do know some people actually raise their families in those ugly trailers and earn money by operating Junk Yards.. You have no clue and guess what this isn't Hell' En. If ya like Helen so much move there but don't tell people in Helen how it is in Palm Beach or Atlanta.

Very good point, BC. Lots of people can only afford a mobile home . . . and some prefer that style of home. Not everyone wants or needs a McMansion. And what is an eyesore to some - John - could be a castle to others. Your home is your haven, no matter what. So let's don't dis' peeps who live limited by their income.

On the other hand, progress is almost a given - and should be somewhat welcome in these hard economic times. With that in mind, it wouldn't hurt to have oversight so that the progress that does come will, to the degree possible, blend in with the beautiful topography with which we are blessed. The "scalp and build" mentality is no good for anyone except maybe the developers, and there is really no recovery from it. Look down here at Ellijay, along side the four-lane, and you can see all the evidence you need for what I'm saying.

Hey - that's perfectly fine! The world needs junkyards and ditch diggers too, right? I have nothing against either of the two whatsoever. My point though is that you don't have junkyards operating right next to something that looks nice. The junkyard will kind of detract from the nice looking-place, right?

And if you understood what I was writing, you would see that I am NOT a fan of Helen - quite the contrary actually! Helen has though done a wonderful job over the years of promoting itself as a tourist destination (even with its particular "tacky" method) and they have the success to prove it. Success talks.

Look down the highway from Helen at Nacochee Village for a better example of someone taking the historic look of North Georgia, preserving and renovating it into a quality development. Not just another tacky strip center thrown up as easily and cheaply as possible (like East Ellijay along 515). Keep what makes the towns unique and special in place, highlight those buildings and aspects (or recreate with the original looks if necessary) and then you are on way to a quality development that people can be proud of.

Coldwell Banker's building in downtown Blue Ridge is a great example of this - or the train depot - or the building where Blue Jeans restaurant (Hampton Square - the old feed supply store) - those are all great examples of nice looking buildings that were tastefully preserved and reused.

The junkyards and mobile homes (or even strip centers, gas stations, convenience stores, fast food stores, banks) are all no better than anything else that raped the land and took away its natural beauty - they certainly were not here in the old days. Just put things where they belong and make new stuff blend into the natural surroundings and historical character as much as possible- that's all that needs to be done. Other towns do this quite successfully all over the United States and even in North Georgia, so why can it not be done here?

Jobs Jobs Jobs

__________________
"A better educated community benefits everyone"

I drove by and saw the new WallyWorld (aka WalMart). I must say that they did a good job on the facade of the building. Looks very nice. They are getting ready for the opening on Aug 19.

You do know that Wal-Mart has more people on Goverment programs then any other Corporation in America. Do you know that most of those jobs are only part time with little to no benefits? A lot of the people that hire are not locals but transfered because they are already brain washed and fit the mold. Get a grip. You should have to drive a shortbus to go to Wal-Mart..It caters to retards. Thanks for the laugh and nice smiley face there lady

I wonder, Mr. Borncountry, if you would prefer that the jobs not be there. Fussing about Walmarts employee relations when people are begging for work seems a little bit strange. And calling me a retard because I, like pretty much everyone else who will read this, shop at Walmart, reflects more on you than it does the rest of us. You should maybe "get a grip".