By Mayor Tony Paulk
Hello citizens of Douglas! The role that I play as mayor is multi-faceted. Each month, I write this editorial with the hope that this information is shared among citizens and the information helps to educate citizens with different matters taking place within this great city. It is up to elected officials, to initiate programs and implement solutions to make Douglas shine brighter than other cities in our area.
The Community Foundation is on the move! Wheeler Park is a special project for the Community Foundation. Again, this is a new concept for citizens to take the initiative to improve our community. The Community Foundation held an event to determine the needs and wishes for Wheeler Park. After receiving the formal suggestions and drawings, the Community Foundation will be venturing into our community to discuss the initiatives for Wheeler Park. As the Mayor of the City of Douglas, I am grateful for the Community Foundation and their desire to be a community group with some “Get Up and Go!”
Roundtree Park has been adopted by the Douglas Masonic Lodge #73. The Douglas Masonic Lodge #73 is currently developing a strategy to be more active in Roundtree Park. I am excited that another community organization is being active in the community. As the Douglas Masonic Lodge #73 becomes more active in Roundtree Park, I challenge the community surrounding Roundtree Park to be supportive and get involved in improving the park.
Southwire’s Project Gift and the Douglas Housing Authority held Annual Back to School events at Central Square Gymnasium and Roundtree Park. Again, these events were huge successes for the both agencies involved. The supporters and volunteers of these events are too many to list. I just was in awe of all the happy faces in Roundtree Park. Thank you to Southwire for all that they do in our community. And thank you to Douglas Lions Club who conducted over 200 free eyesight exams at the Southwire event. The Douglas Lions Club is another example of an active community organization. To all the supporters and volunteers, I cannot wait to see the growth of these events next year. My advice is to start planning now! I am grateful for your support and your love for our youth.
Have you noticed the new, bright yellow golf cart caution road signs around our community? Yes, we are a motorized cart community and we have specific areas in our city that you can ride those carts. Please motorists, be mindful of these areas and watch for motorized carts. Cart drivers, be cautious when on city streets and always look before crossing major intersections. To find out what areas in Douglas are approved, call City Hall and talk to Rodger (912-389-3462). He will let you know what you need to know before driving or riding a motorized cart in Douglas. Again, the golf carts must meet the City’s requirements in order to travel on City streets. Additionally, the golf cart must obtain an Amber Flashing or Revolving Light Permit from the state of Georgia.
This summer, we’ve had several sports teams to bring home titles to Douglas-Coffee County. First, let me say, what a way to represent Coffee County, to the members of the CHS Olympic Weightlifting team, who competed with Team Divergent. They are national champions! The Recreation Departments’ teams have been showing out also! The Douglas Stingrays swim team has won GRPA State for fourth time in six years and several members broke state records at the swim meet; the 12 and under girls fastpitch softball team was GRPA state runner-up, two members of the golf team won GRPA state golf and one won runner-up in their age divisions; we also had a runner-up in the GRPA state tennis tournament. A local 7-year- old won the Georgia State Golf Invitational! How many of you golfers can score 72? Like I’ve said before, we have some outstanding young athletes and scholars in our community. Our children are the community’s greatest ambassadors.
One topic that is never far from mind is the vote coming up in November concerning the tax allocation district. I want everyone to get educated about the TAD and realize, we are not raising taxes and businesses to coming to Douglas is a win-win. I have heard from several people, what about a grocery store? I ask you to be patient – we never know what the success of one phase will create in the next phase. That pile of rock that is located on the grounds can be turned into a great opportunity for economic development in Douglas and Coffee County and create 200 jobs for our community. I hope to soon have another town hall meeting with county commission and school board officials in attendance.
It’s football time! Everyone knows that I love our Coffee High Trojans. With that being stated, my calendar is booked on every Friday during football season. I am excited to get the season underway. Football season is coming up and I can’t talk about football without updating citizens with what is going on with road construction taking place on Van Davis Road and Bonwell Royal Road. At the present time, we are on schedule and should finish up with the road construction before the first home game. Let’s pray all construction work continues on track and remember, it is always worth the growing pain, when our children benefit from construction projects.
The winning fever is evident in all activities and projects taking place in our city and county. I can’t wait to see the new sports complex and I can’t wait to support our Trojan football team under the Friday night lights – Go Trojans go!