Putnam County Board of Commissioners

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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Commissioners hear concerns, proposals

Ian Tocher
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Public access, civic celebration, and youth development took center stage on March 17, as residents addressed the Putnam County Board of Commissioners.
The site concept plan for Harmony Village provides for an assisted living center (lower) built alongside up to 124 individual, age-restricted cottages. CONTRIBUTED

The site concept plan for Harmony Village provides for an assisted living center (lower) built alongside up to 124 individual, age-restricted cottages. CONTRIBUTED

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Commissioners approve 63-acre Harmony Village

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Following months of delays and nearly two hours of debate last Tuesday night, the Putnam County Board of Commissioners approved a 63-acre mixed-use senior living development along Harmony Road, clearing the way for an assisted living and memory care facility surrounded by age-restricted cottages.
With PDA board members lined up on the left and county commissioners on the right, the seating arrangement mirrored the adversarial relationship that seems to have developed lately. IAN TOCHER/Staff

With PDA board members lined up on the left and county commissioners on the right, the seating arrangement mirrored the adversarial relationship that seems to have developed lately. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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PDA board meets publicly with commissioners

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
At a joint public meeting marked by candor, frustration, stern faces, and multiple calls for better communication, the Putnam County Board of Commissioners (BOC) and the Putnam Development Authority (PDA) spent about two hours Jan.
On behalf of his fellow coaches and a roster 39 players, Alexander Banks, head coach of the 2025 Putnam County Middle School War Eagles football team, accepted a framed proclamation last Tuesday night recognizing the team’s 2025 state championship from (l-r) Commissioner Jeff Wooten, Chairman Bill Sharp, and Commissioner Tom McElhenney. IAN TOCHER/Staff

On behalf of his fellow coaches and a roster 39 players, Alexander Banks, head coach of the 2025 Putnam County Middle School War Eagles football team, accepted a framed proclamation last Tuesday night recognizing the team’s 2025 state championship from (l-r) Commissioner Jeff Wooten, Chairman Bill Sharp, and Commissioner Tom McElhenney. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Citizens raise concerns to county commission

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners met Dec. 16, opening with a ceremonial moment as Chairman Bill Sharp presented a proclamation honoring the 2025 Putnam County Middle School football team to head coach Alexander Banks.
This countyowned traffic monitor on the 700 block of Pea Ridge Road is collecting data for the traffic study. LYNN HOBBS/ Staff

This countyowned traffic monitor on the 700 block of Pea Ridge Road is collecting data for the traffic study. LYNN HOBBS/ Staff

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Traffic study underway due to safety concerns

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
A traffic study is underway on Pea Ridge and Old Phoenix roads. Putnam County Sheriff Howard R. Sills said he is conducting the study because of what he considers high traffic volumes and vehicle crashes on those two roads, and is considering reducing the speed limits.
District 1 Commissioner Tom McElhenney introduced the “Gary McElhenney Resolution,” named after his father who passed away in May 2024 while holding the same commission seat, which would allow the board to appoint a replacement in a similar situation. IAN TOCHER/Staff

District 1 Commissioner Tom McElhenney introduced the “Gary McElhenney Resolution,” named after his father who passed away in May 2024 while holding the same commission seat, which would allow the board to appoint a replacement in a similar situation. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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County approves New Phoenix gas station

Ian Tocher
Thursday, December 4, 2025
The Putnam County Commission met Nov. 18 to address a wide-ranging agenda, beginning with a rezoning request from Imperial Park Holdings LLC to convert three acres at 301 New Phoenix Road from agricultural (AG) to commercial (C-1).
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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C-PACE creates controversy for county commission

Ian Tocher
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
A relatively routine Putnam County Commission meeting turned unexpectedly contentious Nov. 18 when District 3 Commissioner Stephen Hersey sharply criticized county leadership over transparency related to a significant financing action involving the county’s development authority.According to a U.S.
With a video of the intersection of Twin Bridges and Dennis Station Roads playing on screens behind him, past county chairman Billy Webster addressed the current Putnam County Commission about the intersection’s safety issues. IAN TOCHER/Staff

With a video of the intersection of Twin Bridges and Dennis Station Roads playing on screens behind him, past county chairman Billy Webster addressed the current Putnam County Commission about the intersection’s safety issues. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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BOC considers rezoning, rebates, rollback rates

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners met Oct. 21 for its second of two regularly scheduled monthly meetings.
The new E.R. Snell plant in Eatonton should be operational sometime next month, Putnam County Manager Paul Van Haute said at a recent commission meeting. IAN TOCHER/Staff

The new E.R. Snell plant in Eatonton should be operational sometime next month, Putnam County Manager Paul Van Haute said at a recent commission meeting. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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BOC hears about local development

Ian Tocher
Thursday, October 9, 2025
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners held its first of two scheduled monthly meetings on Oct.
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