At Last! Groundbreaking on New Health Center

Formal groundbreaking ceremony for new Jackson County Health Center Facility was conducted Thursday morning, February 25.

By Sid Riley

If someone has previously said “it will be a cold day…” before we got a new Health Center Building…they were right. A brave crowd of dignitaries, media, and well wishers gathered at the site of the new building at the Marianna Airpark on Thursday’s frigid morning. They were there because the official ground breaking ceremony for the new 48,950 sq. ft., $8.2 million dollar, County Health Building was taking place.

As the cold, blustery wind echoed in the microphone, an appropriate array of officials spoke briefly, expressing their appreciation for the work accomplished thus far and their enthusiasm for the project. These included Shairi Turner, State Deputy Secretary of Health, Representative Marti Coley, who worked with Senator Al Lawson to secure funding for the building, County Commissioner and Vice-Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Willie Spires, and Marianna Mayor Paul Donofro.

The enthusiasm of County Health Administrator, William Long, was apparent as he introduced the myriad of people in attendance…including his mother, sister, and brother. This was the moment he has been trying to realize for many months as he struggled through a maze of bureaucratic hurdles and delays. The building is scheduled for completion in April, 2011.