Last week, Warner Robins Councilman Daron Lee (Post 1, At-Large) announced his resignation from council, and Monday marked his last meeting.
Mayor Randy Toms and Council officially accepted and approved his resignation during the meeting. In compliance with section 5.13 of the City of Warner Robins Charter, there will be a special election to fill the vacant seat. More information will follow regarding details of the special election, later.
Councilman Keith Lauritsen stated he was reluctant to make the motion to accept his resignation, but was in support of Lee’s decision.
“I just would like to thank Mr. Lee for his service and the kindness he has always shown me,” Lauritsen said. “Daron, thank you for your service to the community; we are truly going to miss you. My prayers are with you and your family as well.”
Councilman Clifford Holmes stated he had reservations, as well, about accepting Lee’s resignation, but he fully understands why.
“Councilman Lee, I thank you for your service,” Holmes said. “I support you to the fullest and wish you all the best. God speed, my friend.”
Council members Kevin Lashley and Curtis also expressed their appreciation for Lee and his service to the community, as did Toms.
“Mr. Lee, it’s all about perspective, and I want to say thank you,” Toms said. “As you stated, it’s not easy to watch the people who raised you and sacrificed for you, their health decline. My heart and admiration goes out to you. Thank you for the example for all of us. I would give anything to have one more conversation with my mom, so never regret what you’re doing. As we talked last weekend, we have had some disagreements, and we have brothers, who we disagree with, but at the end of the day, we love them. That’s how I feel about you, and I appreciate your service to our community. You’re very valuable to our community.”
Toms then presented a plaque and key to the city to Lee as a token of appreciation.
“First, thank you all for the support,” Lee said. “It’s hard to watch the ones who physically brought you into this world, physically see them decline. You have to make sacrifices sometimes, and I don’t mind doing for them because they did for me. I never wanted for anything. I prayed about and thought about this a long time, and I am blessed to be in this position to be there for them. Am I perfect? No, I am not. I am an imperfect human being striving for perfection. Politics will always be here, and I believe I am young enough to come back later down the road. But I don’t want to do a city a disservice in not committing to time that is needed. There are many other people who have the same ability and compassion to do this. God bless you all.”
During the business portion of the meeting, Sherri Windham, Community Development Director, came before council to discuss the community block grant CARES Act round-3 funding allocations.
Windham said in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, through the Community Development Block Grant, has notified the city of Warner Robins that it will receive an additional allocation through CDBG-CV Round-3 funding of $472,118 to be used to prevent, prepare for and respond to COVID-19. The allocation was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) Public Law 116-136, which was signed by President Donald J. Trump on March 27, 2020 to respond to the growing effects of the historic public health crisis.
Windham said they are seeking requests of public comment from citizens within the community, private for profit enterprises and not-for-profit organizations for assistance in determining the distribution of the CARES Act Funding. Then Windham shared her department will present a proposed plan to mayor and council following a five-day comment period from the citizens. Details to follow later, but citizens will be allowed to email comments to Windham at swindham@wrga.gov, or they can mail their comments to the city of Warner Robins Community Development Department, ATTN: Sherri Windham, P.O. Box 8629, Warner Robins, GA 31093.
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