Toms and Bibb lash out

On Monday, October 4, Warner Robins Mayor and Council joined together in their usual chambers at city hall to hold their first regularly scheduled biweekly meeting for the month of October. After Mayor Randy Toms called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m., Councilman Larry Curtis lead the attendants in an invocation, followed by Charlie Bibb with the Pledge of Allegiance. After adopting the agenda, the meeting was officially opened.

During the council members and mayoral comment period, Councilman Bibb and Mayor Toms elected to make comments regarding the Houston Home Journal and some of its staff, calling them a “gossip column,” and “trash.” Toms went as far as to say that a story printed in the October 2 edition of the paper was “atrocious.” Bibb commented, “The thing I want to do to that paper, the best thing I could’ve done was got some Windex, tear it up, and clean my windows with it.” Bibb went on to apologize to the crowd after his comments stating, “They get a newspaper. I get a microphone.”

“Warner Robins Under Fire Again,” the article in question, was written to establish the grounds of plaintiffs A2D and eCBI in their lawsuit against the City of Warner Robins and several of its officials.

Toms and Bibb were commenting on the article written by HHJ writer and reporter, Tyler Meister, the same author of this article. The piece, as always when published in this paper, was based on previously procured facts and documentation. The opinions and claims quoted from documentation were not the thoughts and feelings of the Houston Home Journal, but pulled directly from the official documentation that is quoted. If any members of the City of Warner Robins Government have questions or concerns regarding items printed in the Houston Home Journal, they should feel free to contact the journalist in question via the email in the story’s byline, or by contacting our office at (478) 987-1823. HHJ’s street address is 1210 Washington Street, Perry, Georgia.

The first items on the agenda were a list of proclamations, time set aside by mayor and council to recognize outstanding groups or individuals. The mayor walked to the podium and began recognizing these groups.

Toms first proclaimed October 2021 as Adult Education and Family Literacy Month in the city of Warner Robins. “The city of Warner Robins encourages its citizens to learn about the resources available to them to improve literacy regardless of their age,” said Toms.

State Congressman Shaw Blackmon, Former Warner Robins Councilman Daron Lee, and several members of Central Georgia Tech & Houston County Certified Literate Community Program were present to receive this proclamation.

Moving on, Toms presented several city employees with service awards for years served for the city. Warner Robins Police Department employee Christopher Davis, received an award for 10 years of service. With 25 years of service to the Warner Robins Utility Department, Greggory Humphrey received a service award as well. Warner Robins Chief of Police John Wagner received an award for 30 years of service. Wagner took the time to thank his support system, including his wife, Karen Wagner.

Finally, Toms allowed the 78th Security Forces Squadron to present several checks to local fire departments, including each of Houston County’s municipalities, Houston County and Bibb County.

Following these proclamations, council moved into their items of new business, beginning with their Consent Agenda, which was approved.

The remaining agenda items were approved without much deliberation or discussion.

With a unanimous vote, the council approved a resolution changing all city employees’ health insurance plans—removing pharmacy benefit services from Elixir Pharmacy. Councilman Holmes, a member of the city’s Insurance Committee commented, “By making this move, the city will be saving anywhere from $1.2 to $1.4 million.” Mayor and council thanked Holmes and Curtis, as well as committee members in the audience for their work.

Council moved on to approve an ordinance that would “codify into ordinance” the new Warner Robins Development Authority, Engage Warner Robins. As City Attorney Julia Mize explained, this ordinance makes this authority part of the city’s Code of Ordinances. The item was approved unanimously.

Following this item, the city did the same thing with the newly established Downtown Development Authority. Additionally, several members were appointed to the new authority, including Randy Mead, Ken McCall and Richard Wellton.

Lastly, within their major items, Councilmen Keith Lauritsen and Bibb appointed two Warner Robins citizens to the Citizens Advisory Board. Lauritsen appointed Michael Hatcher, and Bibb appointed Billy Andrews. Both were approved unanimously.

Council additionally approved a de-annexation, a capital lease reimbursement and a new Classification Plan.

After each of the councilmen and the mayor made comments, the meeting was adjourned. The next council meeting will take place on Monday, October 18.

For more information on the story that drew so much concern from Bibb and Toms, follow the below link and read the original article.

https://hhjonline.com/warner-robins-under-fire-once-again-p16442-95.htm

HHJ News