Downtown Parking Woes

Jan. 17, 2017

Tifton, Georgia

478-227-7126

tiftongrapevine.com

DOWNTOWN PARKING

A GROWING PROBLEM

SAY SOME TIFTON MERCHANTS

Downtown parking issues dominated much of the Tifton Downtown Development Authority ( DDA) meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

Susan Perlis of The Big Store on Main Street addressed the board and said that while she

and other downtown merchants are glad to see new restaurants and other businesses downtown, their customers are finding it more difficult to park.

She said customers are not going to park in the Cato Knight Parking Lot at one end of Main Street and walk a couple of blocks to a business.

"Parking is a good problem to have," said John Lowe, DDA chairman, noting that it shows the vibrancy of downtown.

The DDA board acknowledged there are parking issues, which have been discussed for some time. Board members said planned parking spaces on Commerce Way could alleviate some of the problem.

The board also decided to look at the cost of resurfacing and improving the alley behind South Main Street downtown to create more designated parking spots.

DDA member and developer Hal Baxley also suggested that downtown businesses look at some type of shuttle service to bring customers downtown from outer parking areas.

GA SENATE HONORS

TURNER COUNTY'S BURGESS

STATE'S 2nd-LONGEST SERVING BLACK COMMISSIONER

The Georgia State Senate on Thursday passed a resolution honoring Turner County Commissioner Joe Burgess for his more than 30 years in county government office.

Burgess is the second-longest serving minority county commissioner in Georgia.


	JOE BURGESS

He is a certified county commissioner through an education program provided in cooperation with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia.

The resolution, introduced by state Sen. Greg Kirk, R-Americus, notes Burgess' " advocacy of economic development and recreation in the Turner County community, and his service as a state contractor and funeral home director are but a few of the many reasons he so purely defines the meaning of public service."

The resolution calls Burgess "a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for integrity, intelligence, fairness and kindness and, by his example, he makes this world a better place in which to live."

Senate Resolution 12 was adopted by the Senate without objection.

"Best-Selling Truck for 39 Straight Years"

511 West 7th Street

(229) 382-1300

griffinford.net


ELLA PETTIFORD with Charleston Carter at left

A DAY OF SERVICE; NOT

A 'DAY OFF'

ELLA PETTIFORD RECEIVES 'SPIRIT OF SERVICE' AWARD

More than 320 people crowded into the Tift County Recreation Department's gymnasium Monday morning for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Breakfast.


	MELISSA HUGHES

The breakfast is sponsored by the local PLIGHT organization -- "Proud Loving Individuals Giving a Hand to Teens."

Ella Pettiford received PLIGHT's "Spirit of Service" Award.


SOLOMON NIXON III

Pettiford, a former PLIGHT president, was honored for her longtime community service. She spent more than a dozen years working with former Judge Larry Mims and currently works in the solicitor's office.

Tift County Commissioner Melissa Hughes gave the keynote speech at the breakfast, imploring the audience to be an active "piece of the puzzle" for the community.

Young Solomon Nixon III of Tifton offered a special inspirational monologue, garnering a standing ovation.

BACK ROADS OF GEORGIA

PHOTO EXHIBIT TO OPEN

The Back Roads of Georgia photo contest and exhibit opens Saturday, Jan. 21, with a reception from 5-6 p.m. at the gallery in the Georgia Museum of Agriculture in Tifton.

The free reception, open to the public, includes the Wiregrass Farmers Market hosting locally grown foods, with ABAC professor Dr. Jeff Newberry strumming "backroads" tunes.

Awards presentations to the winning photographers and gallery tours of the new exhibit will round out the evening. There are more than 80 pieces in the exhibit; each one is available to purchase, and each purchase supports an independent local artist.

or call 229-848-2366

AMERIS HELPS TO 'BANK OUT' HUNGER

Ameris Bank in Tifton recently presented the United Way of South Central Georgia with a check to help "Bank Out Hunger" -- money raised at the bank's Tifton locations to help combat local hunger.

Presenting the check is, from Ameris Bank, Jared Ross, center, Tommy Bargeron and Amy King Tatum, at right. Representing the United Way are, from left, Pat McKinnon, Wendell Morgan, Denise Verdesoto and, behind Ross and Bargeron, is Charleston Carter.