In an effort to preserve some of the history of our community, The Times is displaying photos of Henry County from the past. If you can tell us anything about the photo shown above, use this form. In the next edition, we’ll reveal the details of the picture and notes readers send to us.
This photo was taken in 1981 and shows former Georgia Governor Busbee arriving in McDonough to speak at a rededication ceremony for their historic Courthouse to celebrate the completion of a major renovation project. After his helicopter landed at old City Hall, he drove in a Cadillac limousine to the Square.
My father was a political journalist in Georgia for many years. He managed to get me a ride in a chopper with Gov. Busbee in Vienna Georgia around 1976. He was Georgia’s first consecutive two term Governor. A Great Governor and Statesman.
My dad Paul Smith Sr was the commission chairman of Henry County in the mid 80s when it was still a part time job. Ironically, he was also an electrician by trade and wired Governor Busbee’s home in Gwinnette County Ga after he left the Ga governor’s mansion.