Former Polk County Commissioner Benny McCown dead at 73
By AGNES HAGIN
Senior Assistant Editor
Benny McCown, former Polk County Commissioner, was well known for his direct approach and forward thinking, according to Frank “Bud” Lott.
Lott, who served with and even competed for a seat on the board against McCown, said he was a good man that did not worry about votes but the people he represented.
“We often agreed on topics that ranged from economic development to how tax funds were spent,” Lott said.
He said he respected McCown for his direct, honest opinions that set him apart from many people.
“He never considered whether a resident was from Cedartown or Rockmart,” Lott said. “It did not matter since he was for the county and what was best for its people.”
McCown served when David Willingham was chairman during the early 1990s. This was a time of economic boom in Polk County and those who knew him understood he favored organized, orderly growth and supporting industry.
This was the time when the late Steve Smith was mayor of Rockmart and worked with county leaders to promote job creation in Polk County. It was a period when intergovernmental agreement for services such as 911 was developed.
“Those who knew Benny will remember him as a Christian man,” Lott said. “He was always willing to extend a helping hand to others not only in his church but elsewhere,” Lott said.