City of Toccoa recognizes Sixth Grade Essay Contest Winners
 
2009 Second Place Winner: Marissa Ivester

If I were Mayor, I would first create and distribute a downtown guide to help local citizens realize the many positive changes that has taken place recently. For example, I would include photos and historical facts about our renovated courthouse, renovated train depot, and our renovated main street. I would include photos of the new signs near the entrance roads to our downtown. Photos and historical information about our new Paul Anderson Park would be highlighted. I would list restaurants, shops, and information about the historical museum. Photos of beautiful churches and early 1900's homes would be sprinkled throughout the guide. The schedule for the passenger train stop in Toccoa would also be included in the downtown guide.

I would work hard to make the main roads leading into Toccoa more attractive. I would enhance the view as visitors approached Toccoa by planting shrubs in the islands near the parking areas at the road of the buildings on Main Street. Painting buildings and resealing asphalt at the rear of the buildings would also enhance the looks of those highly visible areas. Around the welcome signs at the entrances of Toccoa, I would put more colorful shrubs and flowers.

Based on the tremendous positive impact of the new Paul Anderson Park to the beautification of Toccoa, I would work to upgrade current green spaces such as Pruitt Park and Henderson Falls Park. The downtown area has some wonderful restaurants and I would encourage more to attract business during the evening and on weekends. This might help the business of the shops also. Many citizens enjoy walking around downtown for exercise. Maintaining walking routes with smooth well lighted sidewalks would be a priority. This would benefit many citizens.

Toccoa is a beautiful place to live. If I were mayor, I would advertise that beauty and I would work to make it even more beautiful.

1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | 4th Place | 5th Place