Local Businesses “Keepin’ It Clean”

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Vidalia Mayor Doug Roper and the Vidalia City Council recently recognized two local businesses for their work to help address the ongoing litter issue within the city and support of the new Keep It Clean Vidalia initiative.

Keep It Clean Vidalia was established last April, as members of the community came together to work to help end the spread of litter throughout the city through volunteer work and spreading awareness of the issue.

Roper championed the group for their work, as he said continued from page

it was an excellent example of a public-private partnership. “The beauty of Keep It Clean Vidalia is the fact that we're getting substantial help from members of our community to help address the litter issue that we have,” he told the meeting attendees. “It's been amazing to see this group formally get together in April last year, and to see the progress that has been made, the planning and preparation that has been made up to this point has been tremendous. And along the way, one of the things that we wanted to do was recognize members of our business community that are like-minded in the approach and the goal of keeping our city clean, not just for us today, but for the future of Vidalia as well.”

He shared that when the idea of recognizing businesses for their help in the effort began, one business stood out among the rest – Handy Andy, located near the intersection of Broadfoot Boulevard and U.S. Highway 280. “When we began discussions, there was one particular business in our community that was quietly leading the way. Anytime that you go up and down [U.S. Highway] 280 in the morning, out in front of Handy Andy, you will see employees from Handy Andy taking care of their neck of the woods, for lack of a better way of putting it. But since 1974, they've had a strong presence in our community, and I know Russ Bell has been doing a fantastic job since he has been in charge since 2010. Russ doesn't like the limelight, but we as a committee, or as the city and the committee, felt like it was very worthy and honoring to recognize their effort to lead the way,” Roper explained. “The effort exemplifies community pride and helps make Vidalia a more beautiful and welcoming place for all.”

Roper told the audience that another business – Popeye’s, located along U.S. Highway 280 near the intersection with Pete Phillips Drive, was also working tirelessly to help eliminate trash on their property. “If you’ll think back around six to eight months ago, that particular property, as it sat empty, was very much an eyesore – let’s just call it what it was. But now, it could not be further from the truth,” he emphasized. “Mr. James Pollan and his staff, Ariel and Gabrielle, have come in under new ownership and tremendously bought into what the Keep It Clean initiative is all about.”

The businesses were applauded for their efforts, and Bell and Pollan were presented with certificates recognizing their commitment to maintaining a clean and litter-free property.

Bell and Pollan commented on the award and the initiative. “I don’t require any recognition for doing what everyone in the community should be doing, but I am so grateful for it,” Bell said.

“I thank God daily for giving me the opportunity to run a business and touch people’s lives. My goal has always been to be part of the community – not just a business owner, but someone who makes a real and lasting impact,” Pollan remarked, as he emphasized that his business was committed to serving the cuty with purpose, pride and responsibility, while also focusing on community involvement, cleanliness, and cultivation of a positive environment. “Let’s keep Vidalia clean and impactful – not only for the future, but for today. This award serves as a reminder that business can and should be a force for good.”

Members of the Keep It Clean Vidalia initiative stated that they plan for the award to be given out regularly, as they encourage citizens and business owners to do their part to keep Vidalia clean.

Action Items

The City Council approved an agreement between Keck & Wood and Hofstadter & Associates for Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) services for the upcoming sidewalk project. This project will be completed through the Georgia Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), which has allotted up to $1,732,000 of federal funding to redo the sidewalks in the neighborhood near Sally D. Meadows Elementary School. The City will be required to provide a local match of up to $433,000, which will be paid through Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST).

City Council members continued the preparation for the opening of the Warmouth Sands Golf Course, as the officials approved a resolution authorizing a lease between the City of Vidalia DBA/ Warmouth Sands Golf Course and VGM Financial Services. This lease will help to provide the course’s ground maintenance equipment, and requires an initial payment of $5,016.09, including the first and last month’s payment. The lease is valid for 60 months and will be paid through the Sweet Onion Golf Authority’s budget.

Larger water and sewage lines will be installed throughout the dead end of 9th Street, as the current lines have been deemed too small and must be replaced to better serve the residents. The Council selected McLendon Enterprises to complete the work for $72,104.00, which will be paid through Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funding. Councilwoman Jennifer Evans abstained from voting on the matter.

An alcoholic beverage license was granted to Food World for the sale of packaged beer or wine.

Reports

Downtown Vidalia Association Executive Director Tonya Parker announced that the Association had sold out of Chocolate Walk tickets, as they sold 150 tickets in 10 days. During the Chocolate Walk, 29 businesses participated, and Parker reported she heard raving reviews from many citizens.

Parker also told the Council that the Association will host a Downtown live mural event on March 28, as artists paint large cubes throughout Meadows Park. She stated that there will even be a community project during the event, as attendees complete a “paint-by-number” project to commemorate the nation’s 250th birthday.

Vidalia Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Alexa Britton told the Council that visitors from 18 states and one country had come to the Sweet Onion City. She also stated that she had been working with an international travel association in attempt to draw in some visitors this year who are traveling throughout the nation for the FIFA World Cup.

She commented on the recently damaged Vidalia Onion Fountain, which was pulled off of its base by the weight of ice in a recent winter storm. Britton said that the sculpture of the onion has sustained minimal damage, but the pumps and other hardware would need repair.

Greater Vidalia Chamber President and Toombs County Development Authority Executive Director Michele Johnson enlightened the Council about the upcoming Leadership Greater Vidalia and Greater Vidalia Youth Leadership sessions, while also reporting that she would be taking part in rural economic development meetings and events in Atlanta in the upcoming weeks. She also shared that the chamber was working to support the Grow Southeast Georgia bus tour, which could potentially travel from Atlanta to Southeast Georgia so that attendees can get closer looks at Pierce, Appling, and Toombs Counties.

Vidalia Onion Festival Co-Chair Greg Hudgins told the Council that the Vidalia Onion Festival app would be going live next month, as the excitement and preparations for this year’s festival continue to grow. He explained that he is currently working with Governor Brian Kemp’s office to schedule the official Vidalia Onion Festival proclamation signing – an annual event solidifying the beginning of the festival.

City Manager Josh Beck provided the Council with the Sweet Onion Golf Authority report, as he stated that Sikes Brothers Construction has been working to pave parking lots for the course.

Vidalia Fire Chief Brian Sikes emphasized that the city is still under a burn ban, as the environment is still very dry and fires may continue to spread quickly. He told the Council that the Department had been giving away smoke alarms and is currently seeking a business to partner with to provide more of these alarms to the public. He stated that the Department recently received a 50-50 grant that will help to cover the cost of the tank, pump, and emergency lights for the continued from page

Department’s new UTV fire engine. These installations will take around 5 weeks, but once they are completed, Sikes stated the vehicle would be unveiled to the Council.

Vidalia Police Chief Robert Shore told the Council that body cameras, car cameras, and interview room cameras had been changed out and were now installed. He shared that officers were also excited about the new technology, which will allow officers to complete reports and gain information from their cars rather than having to travel to the headquarters to complete these tasks. He also informed the Council that the Department is currently four officers short from being fully staffed, but there are currently four officers in the Police Academy that are expected to graduate and join the Department.

ESG (Environmental Services Group) Operations Manager Scott Fowler told the Council that ESG workers are currently working to pick up garbage around the city when working on water lines or other tasks, and collected over 200 bags of litter within one month.

Recreation Director Scott Strickland shared that around 500 kids were registered to play t-ball, softball, or baseball, and that businesses had provided each player with a draw string bag, bracelets, cups, and sunglasses. He stated that the recent pickleball tournament was a success, and reminded the Council that the free Golden Morning with Mary senior adult exercise group would begin February 25.

Airport Manager Billy Ragan told the Council that rental aircraft was now available in Vidalia, and that he and Airport Employee Hughes Graham will soon be flying to surrounding airports to speak to them about the upcoming Vidalia Onion Festival Air Show.

City Marshal Chad Phillips said that three more homes and structures that were abandoned or blighted had been demolished, and that the abandoned Budget Inn was making progress to soon be demolished.

City Manager Josh Beck told the Council that the expansion of Georgia Highway 292 and the paving of State Route 15 had been delayed and would occur after the Vidalia Onion Festival. He also shared that the City had received two of its Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursement checks, which will mostly fund the repair of the Ed Smith Recreational Complex, and was awaiting the rest of the funding. He said that the City was seeking options to help fund the installation of a sidewalk on Epstein Street, as the City recently created ditches along the roadway to help with flooding, which has caused citizens to not have a place to walk. Beck updated the Council on the Darby Gym project, as he stated that plans were being made to renovate the gym.

The next meeting will be held on at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 9, in the City Council Chambers at the John Raymond Turner Municipal Annex.