You have to give it to Demorest for being the comeback city of the last couple of years.
After a number of years marked by internal struggles and questionable decision-making, the city has bounced back recently, seeking to fashion a more positive legacy.
While some were upset with the city about the wall on Central Avenue sitting damaged for nearly three years, that was not under their control. They waited patiently for the Georgia Department of Transportation to get to the project, and to their credit, DOT knocked it out two months ahead of schedule. If it was not for the supply chain issues with getting handrails for the sidewalk, the whole project would be wrapped in a nice bow.
The city also has invested money to make its new city hall a worthy center of Demorest. There is more to come when the auditorium upgrades are complete, but having the facility up and running for the employees, as well as opening the gymnasium to the public, has been a tremendous upgrade to the community.
Demorest also has seemingly forged a strong partnership with Piedmont University’s new administration, something that seemed as likely as a moon shot just a few years ago. That partnership is crucial to the community, as neither party is going any where, so they might as well work together for mutual advantage and for the greater community.
They have done so in 2023 under the administration of new President Marshall Criser, who also served as the Fourth of July grand marshal.
This is not to say everything is perfect in Demorest. It definitely should not take three years to build bathrooms in the park, and yet here we are.
The recent city manager selection process was clunky and reminiscent of the political machinations seen during “the old days.” And the city has yet to explain its goals for the sewer line bore proposed to cross under Highway 365, except to say it is for future economic development as promised by a SPLOST project list.
But coming off its annual showcase event, the Glorious Fourth, we find Demorest is moving in the right direction. We stated in a previous opinion that the “Heart of Habersham,” was getting healthier by the day and we meant it.
We like where the city is headed. Having Demorest as one of the leaders in this county strengthens chances for all of Habersham’s governments to find a cooperative, mutually beneficial path to success, for both city and county residents.