by Robin Kemp

Clayton County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jeff Turner told The Clayton Crescent that the BOC will consider renaming the new Northeast Senior Center for District One Commissioner Sonna Singleton Gregory at its June 1 meeting.

Gregory died May 27 after a lengthy battle with ovarian cancer. The Northeast Senior Center was her pet project, one which she lived long enough to cut the ribbon on last Saturday.

The published agenda shows Resolution 2021-111 would rename the facility the “Sonna Singleton Gregory Senior Center.”

The resolution reads:

WHEREAS, Commissioner Sonna Singleton Gregory has lived in District 1 since 1992 and has represented the citizens of District 1 since 2006; and

WHEREAS, since that time, Commissioner Gregory has completed training with the Carl Vinson Institute to become a Certified County Commissioner as well as becoming a member of several organizations such as the National Association of Counties Arts and Culture Committee, Healthy Communities Committee, and Women of NACo; and

WHEREAS, due to Commissioner Gregory’s work in raising awareness of and increasing citizen education concerning a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) beginning in 2003, the residents of District 1 have enjoyed the use of numerous facilities in District 1 including the Carl Rhodenizer Recreation Center, indoor and outdoor walking trails in Rex Park, the Sharkley Buford Sector 1 Police Precinct, numerous beautification projects, the Anvil Block and Panola Road Widening projects and other county road and infrastructure improvements; and

WHEREAS, the Northeast Senior Center is the fourth SPLOST-funded senior center in Clayton County and offers an indoor lap swimming pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, large multi-purpose room, community room, full-service kitchen, outdoor patio among other amenities; and

WHEREAS, the construction and completion of the Northeast Senior Center was due in substantial part to Commissioner Gregory’s longstanding efforts since 2003 to educate and inform citizens of the potential benefits of a SPLOST in Clayton County; and

WHEREAS, in honor of Commissioner Gregory’s service to the County and her ongoing service to the citizens of District 1, the Board of Commissioners of Clayton County wishes to change the name of the Northeast Senior Center located at 3215 Anvil Block Road, Ellenwood, GA. 30294 to the Sonna Singleton Gregory Senior Center; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners deems it in the best interest of Clayton County, and the County will best be served by renaming the Northeast Senior Center to the Sonna Singleton Gregory Senior Center.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF CLAYTON COUNTY, GEORGIA AND IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED:

Section 1. The Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes Clayton County to rename the Northeast Senior Center located at 3215 Anvil Block Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294 to the Sonna Singleton Gregory Senior Center. The Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Chairman to execute any required document and otherwise to perform all other acts necessary to accomplish the intent of this Resolution.

Section 2. The Clerk of the Board of Commissioners is hereby requested to ask that all interested County Departments take appropriate action to amend the maps, signs, and records of Clayton County to reflect this name change.

Section 3. This Resolution shall be effective on the date of its approval by the Board of Commissioners.