Governor Sonny Perdue signs Lake Spivey Parkway into law!

Gov. Sonny Perdue signed House Bill 811 into law this week, granting Clayton County a fifth state court judge. In addition, the governor signed Senate Resolution 176, renaming a portion of Highway 138 to "Lake Spivey Parkway." Both bills were signed on Thursday. State Rep. Michael Glanton, chairman of the Clayton County Legislative Delegation, said the additional judge will help relieve a "tremendous burden" on the courts and decrease the court system's current backlog. "Even in uncertain times, there are some things that you can't delay," Glanton said. "One of those things is justice. With the increase of cases moving through the court system, it was necessary for us to consider adding a fifth state court judge. This was a joint effort between the courts, the Clayton County Board of Commissioners, and the legislative delegation. "It brings relief to the judge's grueling schedule," Glanton added. "It brings an opportunity for the guilty and innocent to receive justice" in a more timely manner. Representative Glanton said the renaming of Highway 138 to Lake Spivey Parkway includes the portion of the road between Interstate 675 and the Jonesboro city limits. He believes the renaming will create a marketable identity for that section of the highway. "This is a really big deal," he said. "The significance of naming this portion of the highway Lake Spivey Parkway is that it creates a destination. It's similar to when people say, 'I'm going to Buckhead or Atlantic Station or Eagle's Landing.' We're hoping that this will bring high-end restaurants and medical offices. "It will improve our tax base and our economic posture for the entire county," Glanton said. He added that a portion of the highway will continue to honor "Charles 'Ed' Holcomb" despite the renaming. Clayton County Commissioner Michael Edmondson, who championed the creation of Lake Spivey Parkway, said the renaming will help attract "quality commercial development." "Clayton County needs more jobs and it needs better-paying jobs," Edmondson said. "Highway 138 to the city limits of Jonesboro is predominately under-developed land. By naming Highway 138 to Lake Spivey Parkway, we create an identity ... It lends a brand to the area. I am interested in multi-story office buildings, addition medical-related industries to compliment our new hospital, and any other type of higher-paying job that the right kind of development can attract. A new identity and the creation of new jobs wrapped together with a consistent architectural theme is a recipe for success for Clayton County"