Chattooga Intersection Set to Be Dedicated to the Late Jon Payne

An intersection in Chattooga County is one of six set for consideration Monday by the Georgia House of Representatives. If the measure is approved, an intersection would be named for the late Chattooga County Probate Judge Jon Payne.

A House Resolution by State Representative Rick Williams would dedicate a total of six bridges and intersections to members of the community, past and present, including the intersection at US 27 and Commerce Street in Chattooga County.

The intersection would be named Probate Judge Jon Payne Memorial Intersection.

The resolution notes:

• the State of Georgia lost one of its finest citizens and most dedicated law enforcement officers with the untimely passing of Probate Judge Jon Payne on August 18, 2020; and  
• Judge Payne was highly regarded by the citizens of his community and state and by local government officials as a person of unquestioned integrity and dedication to justice; and  
• he served with honor and distinction as a probate judge in Chattooga County for 45 years, winning a special election to fill the office of probate judge in 1975 at just 25 years old; and  
• prior to his passing, he oversaw the county’s primary election with a smooth transition to the state’s new voting machines; and 
• Judge Payne exhibited extraordinary devotion to public service, outstanding loyalty, fine leadership, and meticulous attention to detail in all of his duties; and
• he will long be remembered for his commitment to the integrity of democracy  and the safeguarding of this state’s election; and
• it is abundantly fitting and proper that this remarkable and distinguished Georgian be recognized appropriately by dedicating an intersection in his memory.

Among the other roads and bridges up for consideration in the House Resolution:

• the intersection at State Route 49 and Blandy Road in Baldwin County is dedicated as the Kathryn Poff Memorial Intersection;
• the interchange at SR81 and SR316/US29 in Barrow County is dedicated as the Judy Hill Loftin, LPC Memorial Interchange;
• State Route 515 at Turniptown Creek in Gilmer County is dedicated as the Cecil Mathews Memorial Bridge;
• the portion of State Route 8 from the Gwinnett/Barrow County line to Cedars Road in Gwinnett County is dedicated as the Jimmy Wilbanks Highway
• the bridge on State Route 22 adjacent to 603 West Montgomery Street in Baldwin County is dedicated as the Dennette Odum Jackson Memorial Bridge.