Perry Council OKs HHC animal shelter donation

The Perry City Council talked a while before approving a 52-by-24 foot donation from Houston Healthcare for the city’s animal shelter.

The vote was 4-1 with Councilman Randall Walker voting against. Councilwoman Phyllis Bynum-Grace was absent.

The temporary building was a last-minute addition on this week’s agenda, said Mayor Jimmy Faircloth.

Walker said he was concerned about the stipulation the building be used solely as the animal shelter and wondered if it would preclude the city from moving ahead with other options for the shelter.

At the pre-council meeting Tuesday, Davis Cosey of Friends Of Perry Animal Shelter (FOPAS) said he was impressed with the building and felt the city should accept the offer.

“I think it is a generous offer and has a lot of value for the shelter,” Cosey said, adding that it “certainly can be accommodating” in helping the city have a user-friendly shelter.

Faircloth said he learned of the offer late last week and the city had only 10 days to take any action.

In other action, the council:

• Agreed to keep the city’s millage rate at 14.05 mills;

• Approved a special exception for Dexter Davis to have a church on property at 400 Riley St.;

• Approved street closings request from the Perry Downtown Merchants Association for the Third Annual Sweets and Treats Oct. 31;

• Approved a Wayfinding Plan for property along Gen. Courtney Hodges Boulevard; and

• Approved a crossing upgrade agreement between the city and Georgia Southern Railroad.

Faircloth closed the meeting by wishing good luck to departing community development director Mike Beechem, who has accepted a similar position in Habersham County.

On a lighter note, Faircloth noted that new Miss America Betty Cantrell of Warner Robins was a judge along with him at a Halloween costume contest last year, and he has a picture to prove it. He was also at the Museum of Aviation after the Miss Georgia Pageant, again with a picture of Miss Cantrell.

“Now I’m going to try for a picture with Miss America,” he said with a smile.

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