PERRY, Ga. – Thanksgiving week started off strong with a pre-council and council meeting Tuesday night.
The council meeting started off with the presentation of the Fire Safety Contest Winners which were recognized by Fire Chief Lee Parker.
The theme of the contest this year was “Cooking Safety Starts with You.” Four students went above and beyond in their drawings. Chief Parker started off with honorable mentions of Langston Road Elementary: student Brooklyn Warren and the Westfield School student Tatum Pitts. The runner-up for the contest was Isabella Luczun from the Westfield school and the winner of the contest was Anna Caroline Davis, also from the Westfield school.
Parker shared with the mayor, council and the audience that the winner will get a ride on the firetruck during the Christmas parade on Dec. 2 and will also get a ride to school. Davis’s class will also have a pizza party with firefighters.
Mayor Randall Walker told the audience they take pride in the contest and thanked the fire department. He also congratulated the four students for their awards.
Later in the meeting, Walker also made a proclamation recognizing Small Business Saturday. The proclamation states that the city’s government celebrates their local small businesses and their contributions to the local economy.
“Whereas, 72% of consumers reported that Small Business Saturday 2022 made them want to shop and dine at small, independently owned retailers and restaurants all year long; and Whereas, Perry, Georgia, supports our local businesses that create jobs, boost our local economy, and preserve our communities; and Whereas, advocacy groups, as well as public and private organizations,” states the proclamation.
Mayor Walker signed the proclamation and presented it to the Main Street Advisory Board. He encouraged everyone to shop and support local businesses.
To view the full proclamation, visit https://pub-perry.escribemeetings.com/FileStream.ashx?DocumentId=6324.
Moving on to the resolutions, the city re-designated its partnership with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs as a PlanFirst community. Community Planner Emily Carson informed the mayor and council that this is their second year renewing their partnership
A member of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Daniel Gaddis, spoke during the council meeting to the mayor and council. He thanked the city for renewing the partnership and said the city is one of the handful of communities in the state that have achieved the PlanFirst designation three times.
The PlanFirst status will recognize the city’s hard work and acknowledges the community’s commitment to providing opportunities and setting goals. Gaddis said the city takes advantage of the incentives the program gives to communities such as grants which go towards making the city better.
The agreement will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024 and will end on Dec. 31, 2026.
Mayor Walker thanked the staff for all their hard work and said they are the ones who help make the plan work.
Mayor and council took an official vote after the signing of the memorandum and the mayor and council approved the resolution.
After the vote, Assistant City Manager Robert Smith presented a resolution of an agreement between the city and the Haseya Women’s Club relative to an inclusive playground.
Back in the summer, the club reached out to the city and proposed a fully inclusive playground for children with disabilities. According to Smith, the club raised money to purchase the playground equipment. According to council documents, the city will provide the property, install and maintain routine landscaping and maintenance of the playground.
After Smith explained the partnership with the club and each of their responsibilities, the resolution was approved.
The park is currently in development and will be located on Langston Road.
Moving on to the next item on the agenda, Police Chief Alan Everidge explained a resolution to involving an intergovernmental agreement with Houston County referencing Correct Health.
Everidge said the law enforcement and court systems have changed in the charging of DUIs and now requires a blood draw. Correct Health will perform blood draws for those who are suspected of driving under the influence. Everidge shares the former company who did the blood draws was not able to do it for the county anymore and has now partnered with the new company.
After explaining the new company to the mayor and council, the resolution was approved.
Chief Everidge also spoke to the mayor and council about a memorandum with Middle Flint Health and Wellness. He explained that back in 2022 the state passed a bill that requires law enforcement and mental health to create response teams. He said that the police department partnered with the company to create that team in the city.
Everidge explains if they receive a 911 call involving a mental health crisis, a counselor will be contacted and sent to the scene along with a police officer, to help address the issue and get the person in crisis the help they need.
The mayor and council approved the memorandum during the regular council meeting.
Earlier in the meeting, Communications Manager Tabitha Clark presented a special event application of the Buzzard Drop.
The event will take place on Dec. 31 from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. downtown. Clark also shares this new year’s celebration will also be the kickoff of the city’s 200th birthday celebration.
The mayor and council approved the event during the regular council meeting.
Chief Everidge reminded everyone to stay safe on the roads during the holiday season. He asks the community to slow down, put the phone down and not forget to buckle up. He also encouraged everyone to make sure to lock their vehicles during the shopping season and wants everyone to be alert, even in a safe community.
After the mayor wished everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving, the meeting was adjourned.
Mayor and council will meet again for their pre-council starting at 5 p.m. and regular council meeting at 6 p.m. on Dec. 5. Everyone is invited to attend these meetings and the agenda can found at https://perry-ga.gov/escribe-agendas-minutes.
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