Mayor and council recognizes exceptional citizens at Tuesday night council meeting

PERRY, Ga. – Tuesday night’s council meeting recognized two outstanding citizens for what they have done in the community and worldwide.

At the beginning of the meeting, Mayor Randall Walker read a proclamation honoring John A. Simpson, III. Simpson and his family were there that night to witness the proclamation and the citizen’s accomplishments.

Simpson is the original bass guitarist and songwriter of the SOS Band which gained fame in the 1980s and known for their hit song “Take Your Time (Do It Right).” The song was certified platinum and sold over two million copies, they also recorded other hits including “Just Be Good to Me” and “Tell Me If You Still Care,” both which were certified gold.

Simpson toured worldwide and performed on many popular TV shows including Soul Train and Solid Gold. He performed with many popular artists including Diana Ross, Lionel Ritchie and Kool & The Gang.

Now, Simpson dedicates his time as a senior pastor. He is the founder of Temple of Miracles Worship Center and has been preaching there for 20 years, spreading the word of God to affect lives in the community.

“He serves as an Oasis of Hope helping people with food, shelter, and clothing; and Whereas, John Alexander Simpson, III is a recipient of The NACCP Humanitarian Award, a recipient of the Distinguished Pastor’s Award from Phillips School of Theology, 6th Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and U.S. Army Veteran; and Whereas, John Alexander Simpson, III is a vital part of the Perry community,” stated the proclamation.

Simpson also serves as a Choir Director and Local Minister at St. James CME for 12 years and continues being a part of music. He helps with the music department at Fort Valley State University and churches in middle Georgia.

The city believes he deserves high praise for everything he has done in the community. Mayor Walker announced Simpson’s birthday Sept. 20 as John Alexander Simpson III Day in Perry.

Another citizen was recognized for helping a young woman in danger. Police Chief Alan Everidge awarded Nathaniel Shearer the Good Samaritan Award for preventing an attack on a young lady on the morning of Sept. 21. Shearer was going to work that morning, stopping at a gas station on the way.

When he was leaving, he noticed the victim on her back trying to defend herself from a man who was attempting to attack her with a knife. Shearer automatically stepped in as soon as he saw the incident and the suspect fled the scene. He aided the victim and waited with her until the first responders arrived.

The suspect was detained a few minutes later by law enforcement. While investigating the incident, it was revealed that the suspect was stalking the victim while in the store. The suspect is currently being held without bond and is facing 30 years to life in prison.

After Chief Everidge and Sgt. Ike Wilcox shared the story with the mayor and council, Everidge, the victim and her father expressed their gratitude for his help that morning.

The mayor and council are already planning for next year’s Dogwood Festival and have approved the application from the Perry Area Chamber of Commerce. President and CEO of the chamber Maggie Schuyler also took the opportunity to invite the mayor, council and the audience to events in the city, including a ribbon cutting for Pine Needle Park’s new handicap-accessible swings that took place Wednesday.

Schuyler also announced the Taste of Perry event coming up on Dec. 7 and will take place at the Southern Bridal Retreat from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., inviting the public to attend.

After the announcements, the public hearing was different during the council meeting. The hearing was dedicated to the alcohol license revocation for The Tipsy Peach Bar. According to City Attorney Brooke Newby and council documents, the bar was issued a beer and wine on premise and catering license on Jan. 7, 2022.

Newby said a sworn statement was provided that the building in which alcoholic beverages would be sold has to meet the required building codes. She also said during the pre-council meeting that the owner of the business told the chief building official she will be using the building and operating it as an office.

Community Development approved her license because the location could be used as an office but could not be used as a bar. Newby said based on their code and their general alcohol licensing code, the owner cannot operate the location as a bar and the city must revoke her license.

Newby also shared the building has not been used and if a license holder does not open their location after 45 days, the city can cancel their license.

According to Newby, the owner could not make it to the public hearing because of personal reasons but assured in an email that she did everything correctly. She asks the city to give her a refund on her license fee, but Newby said according to their codes, after a license is revoked, they do not give refunds on any license fees.

The alcohol license revocation was approved by the mayor and council during the regular council meeting.

Towards the end of the council meeting, Director of Finance Mitchell Worthington announced to the mayor and council that the finance department received a letter from the Government Finance Officers Association informing them they received a certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. Worthington said this is high praise because it is the highest form of recognition a government agency can receive in financial reporting.

Worthington added they have received the award for approximately 22 years. Mayor Walker congratulated his department for receiving the recognition and appreciated their hard work.

Also, towards the end of the meeting, Fire Chief Lee Parker gave the mayor and council a reminder of the fire safety poster contest happening this month. He said they are taking applications from all third graders in the city and the deadline for applications is on Oct. 31. He also announced the fire department has been awarded a $17,000 grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The grant will be used for the purchase of a rescue boat, motor and trailer to enhance the water rescue team.

After the reminders from Mayor Walker about the next council meeting, the meeting was adjourned and went into executive session.

Mayor and council will meet again for their pre-council starting at 5 p.m. and regular council meeting at 6 p.m. on Nov. 6. Everyone is invited to attend these meetings and the agenda can found at https://perry-ga.gov/escribe-agendas-minutes.

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