Union County Sole Commissioner Harold Collins held a very special tribute in his April 16 monthly meeting at the courthouse, recognizing the upcoming 100th Birthday of a longtime resident by proclaiming April 25, 2026, as “Marion Durkee Day” in Union County.
Durkee attended in person to witness the proclamation and accept the honor from Commissioner Collins, being escorted by her daughters Susan Murphy and Carol Mason, daughter-in-law Karen Durkee, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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“Marion Durkee was born on April 25, 1926, in Cleveland, Ohio, and is joyfully celebrating her 100th birthday on April 25, 2026,” the proclamation reads. “Marion is the proud daughter of Swiss immigrants who came to the United States through Ellis Island in the early 1920s in pursuit of opportunity and a better life.
“Mrs. Durkee has been a cherished resident of Union County, Georgia, for nearly 50 years, having moved here in 1977 with her beloved husband (Raymond) and youngest daughter, with their two older children joining them in the years that followed.
“Marion has been a devoted member of her church community (at Blairsville Church of the Nazarene), generously giving of her time and talents, and faithfully serving as Secretary for many years.
“With a deep love for music and worship, Mrs. Durkee shared her gift by playing the organ at her church until nearly the age of 99, inspiring all who heard her.
“Throughout her life, Marion Durkee has exemplified kindness, dedication, and grace, earning the deep love and admiration of her children, her church family, and all who have had the privilege of knowing her.
“Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Sole Commissioner Harold Collins, do hereby proclaim April 25, 2026, as ‘Marion Durkee Day’ in Union County, Georgia, and extend heartfelt gratitude and warmest congratulations to Mrs. Durkee on the remarkable occasion of her 100th birthday, honoring a life well lived and a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.”
Durkee received multiple rounds of applause from the audience while accepting the proclamation and as she left the meeting with her family.
Also in the meeting, Collins enacted a 120-day “emergency moratorium” on applications for cryptocurrency sites, data mining sites and data centers. The moratorium went into effect at 7 p.m. on April 16.
Collins has clearly opposed such facilities entering the county, that evening reiterating his pledge that no data centers would be built here as long as he is commissioner.
“The purpose of this moratorium is to give Union County the opportunity to review fully the existing ordinance that was adopted in 2023 related to cryptocurrency sites and data mining sites,” said Collins, who has spoken previously about seeking opportunities to strengthen such local regulations.
Collins also welcomed Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce President Steve Rowe to share that Union County had recently been designated the Sorghum Capital of Georgia with the help of State Rep. Stan Gunter in the Georgia General Assembly.
The commissioner also recognized April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month; April 12-18 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in honor of 911 Dispatchers; and April 26, 2026, as Confederate Memorial Day, in conjunction with the United Daughters of the Confederacy Smith’s Legion Chapter #2699.
Among other business, Collins accepted an agreement with Sheats Structural Consulting for structural engineering on the Spiva Cove Road Bridge Replacement project. The cost of the agreement is not to exceed $4,500.
For in-depth reporting on the dog park news that was announced at the end of the April 16 meeting, see a separate article printed in this week’s newspaper.
