Powerful Georgia family’s efforts put road to Rome in doubt
by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Oct 15, 2012 | 11598 views | 14 14 comments | 16 16 recommendations | email to a friend | print
A map of the proposed 411 to 75 Connector routes. (Click to see larger version)
A map of the proposed 411 to 75 Connector routes. (Click to see larger version)
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Cartersville — No roads really lead to Georgia’s Rome, at least no direct ones from I-75. And years of attempts to change that have stalled amid a modern-day gladiator match between a powerful Georgia family and a powerful Georgia bureaucracy.

O. Wayne Rollins, the late co-founder of Atlanta’s Rollins Inc., amassed more than 1,800 acres in northwest Georgia for a family vacation home in the 1970s and 1980s. His powerful family spent the next few decades trying to block the state’s effort to build a road linking to Rome that would cut just south of their prized fishing lake.

If just about anyone else owned the land, it would probably already have a busy street running through it. But the Rollins clan, which controls a multibillion-dollar company specializing in pest control, has waged one of the most aggressive campaigns in state history to block a road project.

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Comments
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bluekatana650
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October 16, 2012
Sheeze...people are acting like there is no other option here. This family paid for that land, it's theirs. Who has any right to DEMAND they give up the right to decide what they do with their property. Just remember, whenever you are OK with other's rights being infringed, you are paving a way for your own rights to be trampled.

If you think the Rollins family is wrong, would you be ok with a highway being build through the middle of your property? what about your street being turned into a 4lane?

Eminent Domain, while it is the law, it's absolutely used when not necessary. There are quite a few other options the DOT could use.
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sierablake21
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October 16, 2012
its there land. they own it. and they can do whatever they want. who is to say you would do any different if it was your land
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AnotherPatriot
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October 16, 2012
And you've never heard of "eminent domain"? However, it does appear that it does not apply to this case.
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slowtrain
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October 15, 2012
I think it's great that the Rollins family has been able to block a route that longer, more expensive, and more complicated than it needs to be. In stead of curving through their property, the DOT needs to take the more direct, cheaper, and less complicated route.
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VN7073
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October 15, 2012
The state should build a limited access highway around their property and just neglect to put in any access that leads to said property. Problem solved and would probably be cheaper than the decades long battle that has been going on.
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atlthrasher
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October 15, 2012
They should expand the Armuchee Connector further north and it can lead to the 140 and then widen the 140 and then build a bypass into adairsville and let it connect to the 75. Problem solved.

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PhilHenry
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October 16, 2012
That's a ridiculous solution. Why in the world would anyone drive through Adairsville to get to Atlanta from Rome? They wouldn't; they would continue to take 411 to Cartersville, then take the Hwy 20 / US 41 corridor to I-75. Any solution has to divert traffic around Cartersville.
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heffalump
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October 16, 2012
I had rather take 53 to 140 to I75 than go through Cartersville and stop at countless red lights before I can get on GA 20 and pass by Walmart traffic, then get to I75. If you expanded the Armuchee connector, see how many times you would be crossing the Oostanaula River. I already know people losing their homes right by the new Lowes Dist and it's upsetting when the DOT just takes what you have. I don't have a problem getting to I75 thru Adairsville. I don't see what the big deal is.
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CynicalOracle
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October 17, 2012
PhilHenry - a ridiculous solution? Although it's seven miles longer to go to 140 to Adairsville, it's on average 15 minutes shorter. I've been making this trip for two years and I've timed it through many different traffic situations. Going to the Adairsville exit ALWAYS saves me time. I can drive from Kennesaw to Broad Street in 1 hour versus the 1 hour 15 minute ride through Cartersville. You can take 140 to 53 straight to downtown Rome. I would welcome a widening of 140.
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Vatican
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October 17, 2012
That really doesn't work if you live in the Southern portion of Floyd County. 411 is the best way if you don't go through Rockmart. Why would you go 53 to 140? How many extra miles is that out of the way? If you live in Armuchee of West Rome, that could work, but Downtown and Lindale? Look at the map and get a clue.
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Vatican
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October 15, 2012
The Rollins Bunch should be ashamed of how they have single handedly prevented a flourishing Rome and Floyd County just to save a bleeding fish pond!!! That few mile stretch of road would probably increased the development of the community with probably more business and industry, as access has been an issue thanks to lackluster commissions of the past that wanted to keep Rome a small town. Rome has the potential to become a small metropolis connected to Atlanta, bringing more jobs to Rome, instead of running the younger generation away. I would say at least 75% of the people that I went to school with are living out of Rome, and out of state. I had to take off after 37 years of trying to keep my head above water in Rome. I honestly think that few miles of highway could make a major difference. As far as I am concerned, the Rollins Bunch are selfish and deserve every ounce of disdain our community has to offer.
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MostHated
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October 16, 2012
@Vatican, You want all the benefits of living in a flourishing metropolis but instead choose to live in a small-town oriented community whose elected officials ensure it stays that way. Then you complain about having to leave because you can't get what you want. Reminds me of the people who make a conscious decision to live next to an airport or railroad and then complain about the noise and demand that more government do something about it.



@jrbobcat. The AP writer also terms the family as the 'clan' because here in the racist south 'clan' implies a much more sinister entity when trying to subtly choose a side when writing an opinion piece cleverly disguised as a news article.

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Vatican
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October 17, 2012
Most Hated,

I can see why... When was race an issue in this story? You brought that, unless you are misconstruing the term black top used for asphalt.

First of all I was BORN in Rome, and lived 37 years of my life there. I rated as well as I could. I was a rather prominent citizen, almost a household name. I love Rome. I want to see it progress as does Al Hodge at the Chamber and the current city and county fathers. That is my complaint. One family is standing between that and has been doing so since before I could drive.

I was at the top of my game in Rome. I needed to go higher. I had to move away to do so. There is no comparison to moving next to an airport. Lord knows I witnessed that stupidity with someone who griped about the Clocktower Bell after moving next door. Sadly you misread me.

I am not asking government to to anything about it. They are doing all they can in this matter. There is a family standing in the way with selfish motives.

Mr. Spock said, "The needs of the many, out weigh the needs of the few." In this case the money of the few out weigh the needs of the many that could benefit from such a small stretch of road. Quote me on that... I am conservative by nature, and there are more conservative principles in extending this highway than liberal.

So while you chew on all of your "hatred." I am going to smile and say a prayer for you, that you will become "Most Liked," and find peace in your tortured soul.
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