Blackshear City Council discussed and/or voted on the following during their monthly work session on November 5 and regular meeting held on November 12.
Smokehouse 84 Alcohol License: The council unanimously approved the application for an on-premises beer and wine license for Smokehouse 84, the barbecue restaurant soon to be opening in the former Jerry J’s location.
Alcohol License Renewals: The city council unanimously approved the renewal of all preexisting alcohol licenses in the city, provided the license holders have turned in the required paperwork by the deadline. As of the council’s regular meeting only about half of the license holders had filed the required forms, which have to be turned in and approved by the next council meeting. Police chief Chris Wright said they would be making courtesy calls to those who have yet to file their paperwork and remind them of the deadline.
Tax Commissioner Agreement: The city council unanimously approved the standard tax collection agreement as a basic housekeeping item. Mayor Brooks said, “There is a new tax commissioner this year. Regardless, this is a four year renewal. It is the same agreement with a new name signed to it.”
Department Reports Blackshear Police Dept. Report: BPD reported 28 vehicular accidents in the month of October, 1 with injuries. Eleven warnings, 65 citations and 1 ordinance violation were recorded. There were also 13 arrests in October.
Blackshear Volunteer Fire Dept. Report: BFD responded to 50 dispatched calls in October, including the “removal of victim(s) from elevator”. One illegal burning warning notice was issued. BFD workers and volunteers completed 189 cumulative total hours of activities and training.
Public Works Dept: The usual format of the Public Works Department’s monthly report was not available due to illness of the worker that prepares them. Only fuel and mileage reports were logged for October. Superintendent Wallace Tomlinson said the usual report format for his department should return next month.
Main Street Program: The Better Hometown (BHT) report recorded $5,000 in expenses for the month of October. A total of $900 in program funds and 30 volunteer hours were used for the Trick or Treat event in Blackshear City Park, which continues to grow and improve. There was one new business opening for the month or rather, a reopening. Zach and Isabella’s relocated and added four new jobs in the downtown district.
BHT director Bethany Strickland also included the following heartfelt note in her October report: “In the wake of Hurricane Helene, our community has shown incredible resilience, compassion and unity.
Neighbors have come together, helping one another rebuild, share resources and lift each other up during this challenging time. Churches have opened their doors and hearts, filling the gaps in food shortages. We are especially grateful for the food trucks that have traveled from near and far to ensure that no one goes hungry. The outpouring of support from so manyboth near and far-reminds us of the strength of our bonds and the power of coming together in times of crisis. We are deeply grateful for every act of kindness, big and small, and we know that, as a community, we will continue to rebuild, heal and emerge stronger than Senior Center:
Center volunteer Karen Herndon returned after an extended absence to personally update the council on events at the senior center.
Council member comments: Mayor Keith Brooks took a moment to publicly express his gratitude for all the thoughts, prayers and flowers sent his way in the wake of the recent passing of his father, Glynn Brooks.
Chuck Ward took a moment to thank the city and its people as a whole for the outpouring of mutual support, generosity, cooperation and good will in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
Attendance: Mayor Keith Brooks and city council members Chuck Ward, Theodore Mackey, Jerry Boatright, Corey Lesseig and Mat Boatright were in attendance.
Next meeting: The council will hold its next work session, meeting at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3 and its next regular meeting at 6p.m. Tuesday, Dec.
10.
