Georgia House Speaker David Ralston dedicates intersection to Benjamin Whitaker

The sign for the beloved “Common Man Candidate”, Mr. Benjamin “Benny” Whitaker, was unveiled at First Avenue and 515 intersection on Friday, September 6th, 2019.
Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, family members and friends gathered for the memorial to honor Mr. Whitaker.

Mr. Whitaker worked diligently as a county and state representative, always looking for ways to help out his community and bring about positive growth and change. While in office, Mr. Whitaker was able to secure property for the new public library and secure the site for Dalton State College satellite campus. He also oversaw the building of the Whitepath Golf Course, the Gilmer County Civic Center, and the senior citizen center. He worked with the state transportation board for the construction of Highway 515. His efforts led to an extension of a natural gas line to Ellijay, as well as the first organization of Gilmer County’s first official fire department.

Mr. Whitaker was also a sponsor of numerous pieces of legislation in both the North Georgia
mountains and in the state. This includes: Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), secured funding
for court record modernization, supporter of the North Georgia Medical Center and supported the
passage of law requiring that visible identification must be on all vehicles owned by the state.
Mr. Benjamin “Benny” Whitaker touched Gilmer County in just about every aspect. He was an
instrumental part of our Georgia mountain area being what it is today.