Centerville Mayor announces retirement, council honors parade winners

Centerville resident Bob Kovarovic (right) voices concerns about a potential rezoning on Carl Vinson Parkway and Sentry Oaks Drive, meanwhile Mayor John Harley (left) responds, empathizing with Kovarovic. (Brieanna Smith/HHJ)

CENTERVILLE — The city of Centerville honored parade winners, made ground on rezoning and utilities, and Mayor John Harley made a leadership-changing announcement during the city’s council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

To start the meeting, Tess Chambers, the city’s event coordinator, announced recent Best in Category winners from this year’s Annual Centerville Lighted Christmas Parade. Five local groups took home awards:

• The Art of Lawn Care — commercial business.
• Centerville Lions Club — non-commercial, civic organization or club.
• Houston County Crew Ministry — church or religious group.
• Northside High School Theater Troupe 2892 — school group or youth club.
• Southern Santa of Houston County — mayor’s choice.

“We do have a wonderful parade and I really appreciate everyone who participated in it,” Harley said.

Ending the meeting, Harley announced his intent to retire, declaring his resignation for the end of the year in a statement given at the meeting and to The Journal.

“It has been a great honor being Mayor of this wonderful City for the last 15 years. The Citizens, Council, City employees, and local and State leaders have made this time memorable, and I greatly appreciate everyone’s support. Throughout my tenure, the Citizens and Council realized the need to strengthen the city and joined together to meet that goal. Our city employees have been the ones who executed our vision with their outstanding work ethics and focus to achieve our dreams. By all accounts, I would deem it a success. As a city and a community, I believe we are stronger than ever and as a Citizen, I will continue to support the City of Centerville in every way.

“I have full faith in the team here at our city hall. From the Council to our Department Heads to our employees, they are all well qualified and will continue to do an outstanding job.

“Thank you for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Centerville.” — Mayor John Harley.

The city will have a special election in 2025 to determine the next mayor.

In new business, the city made several approvals.

Council approved a resolution requesting the Georgia General Assembly to introduce legislation authorizing Centerville to collect a technology fee for criminal fines. The city has been working with Rep. Bethany Ballard to introduce the legislation during the upcoming session.

“This is really just a resolution to get us in compliance with some state law about how we have to have this on the books. This is a pretty small fee that we charge. This helps pay for some of the court software, information software, things like that,” Councilman Justin Wright said.

Council also approved a rezoning petition for two acres of land on the corner of Sentry Oaks Drive and Carl Vinson Parkway. Previously, the land was Single Family Residential. Tuesday’s ordinance changed it to General Commercial, with plans to build a gas station and strip mall on the property, bringing concern from two members of Planning and Zoning.

Councilman Robert Bird asked if the city can introduce legislation restricting gas stations. Councilman Wright explained it would likely be appealed and Tuesday’s rezoning does not approve plans. He added several more steps, including a plan review, are needed before building a gas station.

“Even if we did adopt some resolution to restrict it, it would be almost immediately overturned in a lawsuit, and they build the gas station in the city,” Wright said.

A long-time citizen, Bob Kovarovic, also showed concern, saying the area already has traffic concerns and a commercial space will only make it worse and difficult for law enforcement to manage.

“I understand what you’re saying, because when I go down there, I do 25 miles an hour, like the speed limit says, and I have people mad at me behind me,” Harley responded.

Robert Moore, the rezoning’s applicant, said the owner will go through the permitting process and ensure compliance with city ordinances.

Rounding out new business, the city approved a bid from Renfroe Construction to begin site work at the new recycling center. The total cost will be just over $379,000 from 2024 SPLOST funds.

To view the full meeting and supporting documents, visit facebook.com/CentervilleGov.

The next Centerville City Council Meeting will be Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 6 p.m., at Centerville City Hall, 300 E. Church Street.