Buildings are in the public right-of-way, says Stoudemire

In the controversy over the path that a Walhalla greenway would follow, there are questions about existing buildings in the public right-of-way on S. Broad Street.  A Facebook post by Julian Stouremire, retired city attorney and former mayor, that addresses the original plat that laid out Walhalla as a town.  The plat, he says, shows S. Broad with a width of 200 feet.  Stoudemire refers to an early 20th century statement by a state senator named Harry Hughes, in which Hughes reputedly said the agricultural building, still used today, could be torn down at any time.  Since then other buildings have gone up, including a library and a health department.  Stoudemire said, “There is no elgal title to any of them and you will find no deed.  They are owned by the public.”  He also refers to Tyre B. Mauldin, who prepared the plat, and said Mauldin intended a Greenway.”  The retired Walhalla official finished his comments this way:  “No person has the right to be there. North and South Broad Streets belong to the Public and not to any individual.  Bill Boozer planted wild dogwood trees on South Church Street and West South Broad Street when he was on City Council.  Most are still there.  They are beautiful to have and for the public to enjoy.  Walhalla is the Garden of the Gods, let us remember and make sure it always stays that way.  It is bigger than any of us.”  An interview with Stoudemire airs today on the 5 pm local news.