Digital Newspaper for Tifton, Ga., and the Greater Tiftarea

CITY COUNCIL MUST BE TRANSPARENT

Tifton City Council apparently violated the Georgia Open Meetings Act when it recently placed City Manager Emily S. Beeman on administrative leave without a public vote, and council members should have known better.

In a statement Tuesday night, council said that on Friday, July 19: “With City Attorney Rob Wilmot present, (a) proposed release agreement was presented to Beeman by Vice Mayor Josh Reynolds and Councilman Michael Franks, with the full support of Councilman Lester Cromer Jr. Mayor Julie Smith was not a proponent of Beeman’s release but was supportive of the council’s majority opinion. Councilman M. Jay Hall was opposed to Beeman’s release.”

Obviously, this was decided in a private, executive session, probably during the closed session on that preceding Monday, July 15, following council’s workshop. Under state law, before council can act on decisions made in a private session, a public vote is required. Council could have come back into a public meeting after that closed session and taken a formal vote. It did not.

Nor did council vote on placing the city manager on leave during the regular City Council meeting on the following Monday, July 22.  Although council’s statement this week noted only that Beeman was presented a “proposed release agreement,” Vice Mayor Reynolds said during the July 22 council meeting, in response to a question, that the city manager was on “administrative leave.”

That was the first acknowledgement that council had taken action, although word had already been circulating around the city. According to an outside attorney who is an expert on Georgia media law, a public vote should have been taken on the administrative leave. An official with the Georgia First Amendment Foundation in Atlanta concurs.

If council members didn’t realize a public vote was needed, they should have. They all have attended classes in the operation of local government through the Municipal Training Institute, a partnership between the Georgia Municipal Association and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government. 

While City Attorney Wilmot cannot control what actions the council takes, he can and does offer legal advice. Wilmot is well-versed in state law and has offered sound advice to council in the past. He has always been accessible to the press and willing to answer questions. But on this issue, he is uncharacteristically tight-lipped. He has not responded to phone calls and texts this week from the Tifton Grapevine and from other news media.

Giving the attorney the benefit of a doubt, even if he does have a different interpretation of the state Open Meetings Act, conducting the city’s business behind closed doors only generates mistrust in local government. 

City Council has the absolute authority to dismiss the city manager, but proper procedures should be followed. We have no issue with council wanting to make a change in the city manager’s position; it is the way it was handled.

Tifton City Council can learn something from the Tift County Board of Education (BOE). Last fall, following an executive session, the BOE went into open session and publicly voted to place the school superintendent and high school principal on administrative leave. The action did not have to eventually leak out, as it did with the city manager. 

We do not believe that City Council members meant to do anything underhanded. They are not bad people; they are our friends and neighbors who want to do what's best for Tifton. We hope this a learning experience for them. 

The city manager is the only employee over which City Council has control. The city manager is the top official who manages all departments of the city and oversees its daily functions. The position is a highly public one. City Manager Beeman ultimately resigned, and council voted to accept her resignation.

Council said it is “now looking forward to engaging a new city manager and working together towards further improving the quality of life and economic vitality of the City of Tifton.”

We are looking forward, too – to an open and transparent city government.

TCHS BLUE DEVILS, TA PANTHERS BOTH OPEN ON ROAD

By BONNIE SAYLES and FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

High school football opens its regular season today for area teams but you'll have to travel if you want to see the Tift County High Blue Devils and Tiftarea Academy Panthers in action tonight.

Coach Jeff Littleton's official debut as Blue Devils head coach will be in Griffin as Tift County faces the Griffin High Bears at 7:30 p.m.

Coach Erik Holiday's Tiftarea Academy Panthers will also be on the road today battling the Central Fellowship Christian Academy Lancers in Macon.

But there is a highly anticipated game nearby tonight as a border war unfolds when the Irwin County High Indians of Ocilla invade Fitzgerald to face the Purple Hurricane at 7:30 p.m.

As the season gets underway, both the Tift County and Tiftarea Academy head coaches stress the need for community involvement and support.

“I have to have the community,” Blue Devils Coach Jeff Littleton told the Tifton Rotary Club on Wednesday. While Littleton is in his first year coaching at Tift County High School, it's his 32nd year in coaching.

Tiftarea Academy Coach Erik Soliday, who is in his 40th year coaching and seventh at TA, told Rotarians that “we truly hope you get a chance to come see a game. It’s truly a great family atmosphere. The best ballgame is behind the bleachers where, when we were all eight years old, playing football like it should be. You don’t get that everywhere. You’ve got the football game behind the bleachers and one out there on the field.”

Speaking of his team, Soliday said, “We’re excited to see how they grow up. We hope they’re a little stronger.” He has 40 kids playing, 12 seniors and many juniors. 

Soliday talked about Tiftarea's new $1.5 million fieldhouse. “It’s unbelievable and beautiful. If you get a chance, go see it," he said. “The old one was original to the school and was built for about 20 kids, so it’s something we needed for a long time.

The new fieldhouse can get 100 kids inside and houses the booster club store, concessions stands, and restrooms.

Soliday mentioned that one of his coaches, Ed Cunningham, suffered a stroke at home recently and asked for prayers and support.

With Cunningham recovering, Tiftarea varsity has only two coaches –“me and my son, doing what usually takes nine or 10 people to do everything, watching the game plan; cutting, painting, and fertilizing the field; washing uniforms; taking out the trash. We get stretched a little thin,” Soliday said. 

The biggest problem is when things go bad, there's nobody else to point at when you make a bad call, Soliday said. “That’s the worse part.”

Tift County High Coach Littleton took over the Blue Devil reins at the end of February, with a transition period from the previous coach, so he got players training in the weight room “really quick.” In March and April, there were a lot of kids wanting to be on the team. In May he had 130 on the varsity squad and now has more than 100 on the team. In middle school, 150 kids are involved. 

He said he's instilling Blue Devil pride in the team with a five values: 1.) Pride. Be passionate in what you have and what you do. 2.) Toughness. Find a way to go through obstacles. 3.) Effort. We all control our effort.  4.) Motivation. Light your own fire. 5.) Trust. Be dependable, accountable, and valuable. 

There are 11 seniors on the Blue Devils team and 26 juniors, with five starters returning on defense and two on offense. In a scrimmage last Friday, the junior varsity won against Brooks County 9-0, and Brooks came out ahead on the Blue Devil varsity, 6-0. 

“We played with great effort,” Littleton said. “We stayed together as a team. We played tough with physicality all night.”

On the fourth week of the season, the Blue Devils play in Bainbridge where Littleton coached for 11 years before coming to Tift County.

“Mr. (Spud) Bowen said he was going to get me a bulletproof vest for that game,” Littleton said.

TIFTON POLICE MAKE ARREST IN SEVERAL VEHICLE BREAK-INS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A 28-year-old man was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with seven felonies relating to breaking into or attempting to break into vehicles, Tifton Police said.

Justin Crutchfield faces four counts of entry into motor vehicles with intent to commit theft or felony and three counts of criminal intent to commit a felony, authorities said.

Between Aug. 6-8, Tifton Police responded to multiple calls of cars being broken into in the Northwest area of Tifton, most of which had windows smashed. Detectives obtained numerous surveillance videos, spoke to people in the neighborhoods, and conducted multiple interviews, leading to the arrest, police said.

"We appreciate our community for calling and alerting us to suspicious activity in their neighborhoods and sharing videos with the police department. Remember: if you see something, say something. You are your neighborhood's eyes and ears," Tifton Police said in a statement.

"We understand the frustration. This type of crime has been a problem in our community and others around us for a while. Please continue working with us, and remember to secure your valuables and take firearms with you each time you leave your vehicle. At night, leave as many lights on outside as possible to deter these individuals from hiding in the dark areas of your property to avoid detection by our patrols."

Tifton Police detectives are actively investigating several more cases of cars being broken into, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sgt. Greene at the Tifton Police Department, 229-382-3132, or use Tip411.

There's a new Filly in town! Joining ABAC's Stallion mascot "Thunder," on the left, is the college's newest mascot "Lightning the Filly." As they say, you can't have Thunder without Lightning, but Thunder looks like he's a bit unsure about sharing the spotlight.

ABAC IS BACK WITH MORE CLASSES, MORE STUDENT-ATHLETES

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The bells in Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College’s Driggers Hall belltower chimed merrily on Monday, welcoming the freshman class of 2028 to its convocation ceremony signaling the beginning of a new academic year.

New and returning students began classes Tuesday.

“We are excited to welcome the class of 2028 to campus and are equally thrilled to see our returning Stallions back for another year,” said Dr. Alan Kramer, assistant vice president for student affairs and dean of students. “Our welcome weekend was a huge success, filled with engaging activities for students, and we have a full slate of events planned for the semester.”

President Tracy Brundage noted ABAC's growth.

“We are pleased with the progress we’ve made, particularly with the addition of four-year athletics, which has seen our student-athlete numbers more than double this semester,” she said. “By allowing students to participate in sports throughout their entire degree program, we not only support their athletic and academic goals but also strengthen our community ties.”

In response to rising student demand, ABAC has also increased the number of course sections offered this fall, rising from 1,299 to 1,340, a 3.16% increase.

“This expansion in course sections reflects our commitment to providing a flexible and accessible education for all our students,” Brundage said. “With more sections available, we are able to accommodate more students and reduce scheduling conflicts, ensuring a smoother and more efficient learning experience.”

ABAC students visit downtown Tifton shops during last weekend's "Second Saturday" event, whose theme was a special welcome to the freshman class.

DOWNTOWN'S 'SECOND SATURDAY' WELCOMES

ABAC STUDENTS TO TIFTON

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

At its monthly "Second Saturday" event last weekend, the Downtown Tifton Main Street program welcomed Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College's (ABAC) freshman class with free school supplies, goodie bags, discount cards/coupons, and storewide sales.

ABAC green and gold colors helped more than 400 students and their families feel at home in Downtown Tifton.

“This is a unique way to introduce these students, our new community members, to the place they will call home for the next four years. We hope to see these students get involved throughout our community by attending events, completing internships and jobs, and supporting the local economy,” said Main Street Manager Hillery Culpepper.

Mayor Julie B. Smith said that “bridging the ABAC students and faculty with the merchants, restaurants, and various businesses downtown will not only ensure our small business community has the opportunity to obtain new customers, but it allows the students to know they are appreciated and welcomed in Tifton.”

The Main Street program and downtown merchants celebrate Second Saturday each month with activities, special events, and special sales. The next Second Saturday will be observed downtown from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 14.

www.stopthehurtga.org

TRMC WOUND CARE CLINIC RECEIVES AWARD AS CENTER OF DISTINCTION

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Healogics, the nation’s leading provider of advanced wound care, has recognized the Tift Regional Wound Care & Hyperbaric Clinic with the Center of Distinction Award for achieving outstanding clinical outcomes for 12 consecutive months in 2023, including a patient satisfaction rate higher than 92%.

The Tift Regional clinic is a service of Tift Regional Medical Center and Southwell. The clinic works in partnership with Healogics, the nation’s largest provider of advanced wound care services.

“This is the ninth consecutive year that we have earned this award and it exemplifies the hard work and dedication of our team,” said Dr. Kent Burton, the clinic's medical director. “Our people always strive for the best possible outcomes in wound healing for our patients.”

The clinic is a member of the Healogics network of more than 600 wound care centers and offers specialized wound care to patients suffering from diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections, and other chronic wounds which have not healed in a reasonable amount of time.

Click the video above to hear Cyndi Thomson's latest single, "Liar."

TIFTON'S CYNDI THOMSON MAKES MORE MOVES ON COUNTRY MUSIC SCENE

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tifton native Cyndi Thomson continues her comeback on the country music scene after a long hiatus. She recently released another song, "Liar," and is continuing to perform in venues around Nashville, Tenn.

Thomson performs again tonight at the famed Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.

The video below offers a behind-the-scenes look at Thomson's recent return to the CMA (Country Music Association) Fest this summer. She plans to release more new music in the coming weeks.

Proud New Member of the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce

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To Contact Us, Call 478-227-7126

Statewide influenza data released from the 

Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) as of week ending Aug. 3:

Since Seasonal Tracking Beginning Oct. 23, 2023:

TOTAL INFLUENZA OUTBREAKS: 199 ............................................... LATEST WEEK: 0

TOTAL METRO AREA HOSPITALIZATIONS: 4,444 ..............................LATEST WEEK: 2

TOTAL INFLUENZA-ASSOCIATED DEATHS: 59 ................................. LATEST WEEK: 0

In Georgia, influenza is not a reportable condition, with the exception of influenza-associated deaths and outbreaks.

YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER TIFTAREA

Saturday, Aug. 17, is World Honey Bee Day, a time to "bee" thankful for the importance of bees in our ecosystem. There are 20,000 species of bees all around the world. Bees have a significant role in pollination. Honey bees collect nectar to create honey, producing more honey than a bee colony needs, which is collected and bottled.

FRIDAY, AUG. 16

• "Cycle of Memory" drive-in movie, 7:30 p.m., Tifton-Tift County Public Library, Tifton
• Tift County High Blue Devils football @ Griffin High Bears, 7:30 p.m., Memorial Stadium, Griffin
• Tiftarea Academy Panthers football @ Central Fellowship Christian Academy Lancers, 7:30 p.m., Macon
• Fitzgerald High Purple Hurricane football vs. Irwin County High Indians, 7:30 p.m., Fitzgerald

ADVERTISE YOUR

YARD SALE HERE!

To Advertise Your Yard Sale, Contact:

IHeardIt@tiftongrapevine.com 

or 478-227-7126

Fees are $1 per word, paid in advance

"Indigo" is a smart and loving girl looking for her forever home. Come meet Indigo and other pets available for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, open between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For additional information, call 229-382-PETS (7387).