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City dedicates room to late mayor Cox
5 Dedication pic
Judy Cox, wife of late mayor Joe Lane Cox, stands in front of the wall commemorating her late husbands community service. - photo by Chelsea Thomas Dawson Community News

The community room at the Dawsonville Municipal Complex was designated as the "Joe Lane Cox Community Room" on Thursday in memory of the late mayor.

Cox, who was 72, was three months into his third term as mayor when he died on March 9.

Local residents, community affiliates, politicians and Georgia Mountains Regional Commission officials packed the room to honor and commemorate his legacy.

Acting Mayor James Grogan opened the dedication by welcoming Cox's family and the numerous dignitaries in attendance.

Grogan shared his personal memories of Cox, going back to their days at Dawson County High School.

"Joe Lane Cox won just about every award you can imagine for a high school student," he said.

Danny Lewis, executive director of the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, also spoke at the dedication, reflecting on his friendship with Cox and the years Cox served as chairman of the organization.

"He loved the mountains, he loved this area and he loved Dawsonville people," Lewis said. "I thank you for naming this room after my friend ... He was such a great guy."

Widow Judy Cox thanked those who designed the wall commemorating Cox's service.

"I would like to especially thank the city staff who has worked so hard on this," she said.

The wall included plaques and pictures from the late mayor's career, as well as his Bible and gavel encased in a hanging shadow box.

"Joe Lane loved Dawson County and the city of Dawsonville. That was his life," she said.

Near the end of the ceremony, Grogan announced that the city is planning to finish Cox's sidewalk project this year.

Cox was known for spearheading a project to place sidewalks throughout downtown.

"There are many citizens that walk the paths every day," Grogan said. "We have one little part on that project that is not complete, so we will be starting the final leg soon."

Grogan also mentioned that Cox helped save and support the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame through times of trouble. Recently, the Hall of Fame celebrated its 10th anniversary.

"Joe Lane Cox was a man of commitment, whose great desire was to have the infrastructure in place to meet the city's future needs," Grogan said.

"He had a heart for the people ... and this community, and that's the reason we dedicate this room to Joe Lane Cox."