Author: Bradley Bennett

The June, 12 2017 work session of the City of Douglas Mayor and Commission was a busy one. The board discussed and agreed to approve the purchase of equipment for the fire department totalling $234,410 in value. There was also a discussion of the city’s new pandering, prostitution, and pimping ordinance. The need for this new ordinance was elucidated by City Manager Terrell Jacobs and City Attorney Jerome Adams. Ward 3 Commissioner Olivia Pearson asked why this statute was necessary and Mr. Jacobs replied that the reason was revenue. Mr. Adams went on to say that the police department had…

In the June 5, 2017 pre-meeting work session of the Coffee County Board of Commissioners, Bryan Rumker of the Exchange Club of Douglas addressed the board. Mr. Rumker related the fact that the Exchange Club has for years organized the annual Independence Day fireworks exhibition at Jardine Stadium. He went on to tell the board that this year the Exchange Club debated whether to discontinue their association with the fireworks exhibition. Mr. Rumker went on to say, however, that the 2017 fireworks exhibition had been scheduled and financed, and that planning for 2018, 2019, and 2020 shows was almost complete.…

Delano Deen was born in Bacon County at his parents’ home. This was back when doctors made house calls. He’s spent his professional life making a positive impact in education and beyond. And that impact has been considerable. Here is just one example among many: In December of 2016 Mr. Deen received a letter from Dr. Jack Lewis. Dr. Lewis spent 42 years at New River Community College in Dublin, Virginia and was retiring from his position as president. As a teenager he never thought about going to college until one day his high school physics teacher took him to…

Delano Deen was born in Bacon County at his parents’ home. This was back when doctors made house calls. He’s spent his professional life making a positive impact in education and beyond. And that impact has been considerable. Here is just one example among many: In December of 2016 Mr. Deen received a letter from Dr. Jack Lewis. Dr. Lewis spent 42 years at New River Community College in Dublin, Virginia and was retiring from his position as president. As a teenager he never thought about going to college until one day his high school physics teacher took him to…

Heritage Station Museum is currently featuring an exhibit focused on the illustrious Ada Slater. The exhibit will be on display until September 22. The museum is located on the Douglas Greenway Trail at 219 E. Ward St. Admission is $1. That dollar buys a wealth of insight and information for visitors. Ada Clementine Clements was born in 1882 in Telfair County. At a time when women were not allowed to vote, she managed several downtown properties and businesses. She oversaw Upton Plantation, operated the Doucoff Hotel, and served on the board of directors at Union Bank. Many photographs from her…

At the May 22, 2017 regular meeting of the City of Douglas Mayor and City Commission, the board took time to honor some of the community’s most exceptional young people. Mayor Tony Paulk presented a citation to Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp Lt. Commander Diana Ortiz in recognition of her service. Lt. Commander Ortiz is a Coffee High School student with great poise and a bright future. The 2017 Douglas Coffee County state track team was also recognized during the regular meeting. The state track competition was held in Augusta at Lucy C. Laney High School on May 5…

The Douglas-Coffee County Parks and Recreation Department is offering many programs to help children learn and grow during the summer break. Young people with an interest in art are sure to enjoy the ceramics classes offered by Cindy Johnson. Ms. Johnson is a lifelong Douglas resident and has been with the parks and recreation department since 1979. She has been a ceramics instructor since 1983 and gives to her students a wealth of knowledge and experience. Classes for children aged six to eight are Wednesday afternoons, 3:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., throughout the month of June. Classes for those aged…

Second Harvest is working hard to feed the less fortunate in Coffee County and beyond. They are a non-profit organization serving South Georgia since 1982. That was the year they began operations in Valdosta. They have grown steadily since and they are always looking for new volunteers and partners to help them distribute food. Second Harvest has been operating locally for six years. Chip Strom is the Douglas branch manager and his office serves Coffee, Ben Hill, Atkinson, Ware, and Irwin counties. In Coffee County in 2016, Second Harvest distributed 907,916 pounds of bread, dairy, produce, canned goods, and frozen…

At the May 15 pre-meeting work session of the Coffee County Board of Commissioners representatives of ABM presented their findings to the board. ABM is a globally traded energy services company with its regional headquarters in Alpharetta, Ga. They were chosen by the county to do a preliminary feasibility study whereby they determine where and how much that the county can save on its energy bill. There was no fee for this service. Mr. Jason Anderson and Mr. Curtis Brown of ABM presented their findings. Mr. Anderson said that their intent as a company was, “… trying to make your…

At meetings held on May 9 and May 11, the Coffee County Board of Education interviewed candidates hoping to fulfill the unexpired term of late District 1 board member Ronnie Johnson. Johnson died in March due to diabetes and complications from surgery. The May 9 board meeting was called to order by Chairman Jesse Jowers. School Superintendent Dr. Morris Leis asked the candidates to wait outside of the boardroom while they interviewed each one of them in turn. Because it was an open meeting the candidates for the position could not be required to be absent. But all agreed to do…