Officials gather for joint meeting,give project updates

Local dignitaries gathered at Coffee High School for a joint Board of Education, City commission, and County commission meeting last week. Commissioners from the City of Douglas; Coffee County; school board members; and the mayors of Douglas, Nicholls and Broxton were all in attendance. The group discussed several upcoming projects, recent accomplishments, and challenges the community is facing.

 Dr. Morris Leis, superintendent of the Coffee County School System, praised the rising graduation rate at Coffee High School, citing a graduation rate of 74 percent in 2015. He also described a new renovation project for the high school including a performing arts center that will be located in front of the gymnasium.

Mayor James Dennis thanked everyone that made the domestic violence seminar possible and urged anyone who sees or hears anything suggesting a domestic abuse situation to contact authorities. The Douglas Police Department is actively searching for vendors for a body camera system to better serve the community as well.

Mayor of Broxton Darquitta Riley expressed excitement for the upcoming Chicken, Liver and Gizzard Festival in Broxton on Nov. 7, and a new grant that will help to repair the sewage system in Broxton. She is also seeking to purchase land to build a new park in Broxton.

The unemployment rate has fallen drastically to 6.1 percent, closely trailing the state average of 5.8 percent. Coffee County Administrator Wesley Vickers delivered this good news, and also news of an effort to form a Land Bank Authority for Coffee County to help repair and renovate houses and communities throughout the county.

Special guests Rep. Dominic Lariccia and Sen. Tyler Harper were also present at the joint meeting.