New Road Named In Honor Of Roy Spinks

As printed in the Troup County News (February 13, 2015)

David Bell
Staff Writer

The last piece of commercial property brokered and sold by local real estate icon Roy Spinks before his untimely death last September was what is now the new Walmart Neighborhood Market on LaFayette Parkway. Therefore, as a tribute to his efforts, as well as a lifelong commitment to business development throughout the community, the road leading to the store from the parkway has officially been named Roy Spinks Drive.

The LaGrange City Council heard the second reading and gave final approval to an ordinance on Tuesday authorizing the name designation, followed by an unveiling of the road sign during a special ceremony Wednesday morning, which was attended by members of Mr. Spinks’ family.

“Roy lived by a very simple agenda – he put faith, family and the future of this community first, and he did business with unquestionable integrity”, said LaGrange Mayor Jim Thornton. “The council and I are honored to memorialize his more than 40 years of service to our community”.

Roy Spinks passed away on September 17, 2014, after battling a rare illness known as Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, a degenerative brain disorder that affects about one in every one-million people per year worldwide. The illness usually appears later in life and has a mortality rate of 90 percent for those diagnosed within the first year.

Mr. Spinks was a senior partner with Coldwell Banker Spinks-Brown-Durand Realtors in LaGrange, and was a member of the national, state and local realtor associations. He was also very active in community and civic organizations as President of Twin Cedars Foundation, Community Bank and Trust Board, and the LaGrange College Center for Community Studies.

Among other positions spanning three decades, Mr. Spinks was Past Chairman of the Troup County Airport Authority, West Georgia Tech Foundation, Troup County Transportation Authority and LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce. He also served as Past President of United Way of West Georgia, LaGrange Lions Club and Highland Country Club.

“Throughout his life as a business and civic leader, Roy’s dedication and commitment to excellence made a positive impact on all of us, and we are still reaping the benefits today”, added Mayor Thornton at the conclusion of Wednesday’s ceremony.

Survey Says…

Who’s ready to play the Feud??

Matt Almand is son-in-law to Coldwell Banker Spinks Brown Durand sales associate Cindy Fulks and her husband Jerry Fulks, President/CEO of West Georgia Health. Matt recently submitted an audition to the Family Feud and was selected to appear with family members. We are happy to announce that Cindy and her husband will appear alongside Matt. Other team members include Matt’s father and aunt. The “Almand” family shows will air on Feb. 16-18, at 7:30pm, on the CW station. Please check your local listings to see some familiar faces on national TV!

We Aren’t Just About Sales! Just Ask Isabelle!

Recently, Coldwell Banker Spinks Brown Durand Realtors’ sales associate, Isabelle Knight represented a client in the leasing of retail space in the Bridgewood Shopping Center
located at 300 Mooty Bridge Road (next to The Medicine Cabinet). The new tenant’s business is a smoke shop and cigar outlet boasting “cheapest prices in town”. You can also find typical convenience store items such as drinks and snacks, as well as gift items such as jewelry.

The store manager is Jay Parikh and welcomes your business.

Check out the store today!

James Potts, “Double Agent”

We are so proud of James Potts and one of his most recent sales. He listed the historic Hogan House last spring after pursuing an expired listing. Within a few months, he received an inquiry from a buyer that eventually lead to an accepted offer. He handled both sides of the transaction with grace and professionalism. Check out the article below from the Troup County News article published on January 30, 2015.

Historic Hogan House to Become New Bed And Breakfast

David Bell
Staff Writer

An Australian couple has purchased the historic Argente’ Estate property on Main Street in Hogansville, and plan to utilize it for their private residence as well as a bed and breakfast. The house, built in 1895, was the home of William Hogan, for whom the City of Hogansville is named. It was totally restored in recent years by a previous owner.

Mark and Sheri Metternick-Jones were searching for a place to retire in the United States, and looked at literally hundreds of properties before deciding on the Hogan house.

“It had to be the right location, in a small town yet within proximity of a large city. It had to have a minimum acreage, an equal number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and preferably be a structure of historic significance to fit our overall plan. We found exactly what we were looking for in Hogansville”, said Sheri Metternick-Jones.

Sheri is a native of the United States, born and raised in Illinois, where she earned a degree in Animal Science. Her subsequent career took her to Australia, where she met and eventually married her husband, Mark. There, they raised a family on a farm outside of Perth along the country’s western coast.

The couple’s three children are moving with their parents to Hogansville. Hannah and Georgia, 21-year-old twin girls, both have theatrical degrees in Costume and Set Design. They plan to seek employment with Georgia’s flourishing film industry. Their brother, 19-year-old Silas, will be entering college this fall, but has not yet decided where to attend.

A group of City officials, downtown merchants, and James Potts from Coldwell Banker Spinks-Brown-Durand Realtors, who sold the property, gathered at Victoria Belle Mansion in Hogansville Tuesday afternoon to officially welcome the new family. During his greeting, Mayor Bill Stankiewicz recalled the first time he encountered citizens from the land down under.

“In 1973, I was playing on the U. S. rugby team in my hometown of Philadelphia, and we had a game against the Wallabies, which was the team from Australia. They really whooped us good, and I’ve never forgotten it. Nevertheless, I’m confident my experience with our new neighbors will be far more pleasant, and it is my honor to welcome you to Hogansville”, said Stankiewicz.

Mark Metternick-Jones is still in Australia and will join his family following the sale of their farm. They plan to open the bed and breakfast business in late spring or early summer.