Rossville community flexes muscles in community improvement

David Roden, owner of Mountain View Estates, speaks during an Improve Rossville Community Meeting Monday, April 25, 2016 at Simpson United Methodist Church in Rossville, Ga.
David Roden, owner of Mountain View Estates, speaks during an Improve Rossville Community Meeting Monday, April 25, 2016 at Simpson United Methodist Church in Rossville, Ga.

ROSSVILLE - At the front of Simpson United Methodist Church, filled with the spirit of community activism, David Roden flapped a sheet of paper like a fan.

"I'm sure you've had a chance to read it by now," he told about 70 people, watching him from the pews.

Roden scanned the second paragraph of the open letter, addressed to the powers that be of Northwest Georgia, though just who those "powers" are was not spelled out - not explicitly.

"You may see abandoned buildings," Roden read. "We see opportunity for new construction. You may see burnt homes left too-long standing. We see a chance for new families to move here and start a new life."

This letter, signed by those in attendance, was the focal point of a meeting Monday night by Roden's group. The organization - and that's a loose term at this point - doesn't have an official name. In an email announcing the meeting, Roden referred to the group as "the group of Walker County residents who met on March 1 to discuss issues facing our (Rossville)/N.Walker community."

Those leading the effort have thrown out some vague notions of how they want to influence the northern section of Walker County. They want crime to decrease. They want more businesses to move in. They want the neighborhoods to look nice.

But the minutia of bringing those changes is still being debated. Thus far, they have not had a long list of clear, specific steps. Roden and others leading the charge, however, feel their energy alone has at least given them momentum.

One hundred and twenty people attended their first meeting, on March 1. And heavy hitters in the community like Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson, Walker County School Superintendent Damon Raines and Rossville Mayor Teddy Harris have been to both meetings.

On Monday, the letter itself presented the most concrete action yet. It ended with a list of demands.

The group wants every elected official in Rossville and Walker County to attend all future meetings. They want to meet with County Commissioner Bebe Heiskell and members of the code enforcement department to formally present a list of buildings that need "immediate attention." They also want to meet with Heiskell to discuss how they can build "a solid foundation for the future."

Some in attendance Monday said their meeting on March 1 already has made an impact on the community, just by forcing people to address what they believe are problems in Rossville. Specifically, the number of rundown buildings in town.

Jim Hill, one of the leaders of the group, said that in recent weeks county workers have removed a stretch of homes that sat abandoned and trashed on James Street for years.

"One day they're here," Hill said. "The next day, they're gone. I guarantee you, folks, all that came from you."

During a discussion period, people in attendance shared ideas for how to improve the community:

* Put more street lights on Wilson Road, suggested one woman.

* Put more sidewalks on Maple Drive, added a man.

* Put more police officers all over town, several others said.

* Others suggested building a community garden and a community center "to get our children off the street."

"Your action in the first meeting told us that we can do better," Roden told the audience. "We deserve better."

Contact staff writer Tyler Jett at tjett@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6476.

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