February 9, 2024 * Issue 364 | |
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Commission approves funding for improvements at Rosa Parks Square | |
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On Tuesday, February 6, the Commission unanimously approved appropriating up to $1.5 million for improvements at Rosa Parks Square.
“This has been a long time coming. We’ve been waiting and anticipating for progress on this project and we’re finally moving in the right direction,” said Commissioner Elaine Lucas. “I’m especially happy since I’ll be leaving the Commission at the end of the year and this is a project that I’ve had on my list for many years, so it’s nice to check this one off my list.”
Improvements to the park will feature with new seating, enhanced shading, and will be leveled off to be more accessible for events. There will also be a wall honoring local luminaries. There was already close to $1 million in the improvements account now, and this allocation will bring the total amount of money to about $2.5 million.
“This funding has been five years in the making,” said Friends of Rosa Parks Square Board Chair Andrea Cooke. “Our board thanks the visionaries, the Mayor and Commission at that time who thought enough of Rosa Parks to honor her in Macon, and the current Mayor and Commission for funding our park.”
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On Friday, February 2, Mayor Lester Miller and the Friends of Rosa Parks Square Board held a Wreath Laying Ceremony in honor and celebration of Rosa Parks’ birthday.
“We’re honored to celebrate what would’ve been Rosa Parks’ 111th birthday,” said Mayor Lester Miller. “Someone we all know was a trailblazer and stood up for everyone’s rights. It’s important to keep celebrating those who came before us and made a big difference.”
This was the first Wreath Laying Ceremony the Friends of Rosa Parks Square Board has held and it will not be the last, according to Board Chair Andrea Cooke.
“This park is a physical representation of the life and legacy of so many who came before us,” said Cooke. “I’m honored to stand on the shoulders of not just the women who created better pathways for us all, but all of the black people who came before me.”
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Love yourself by joining the first Wellness Weekend of the year | |
Join our Macon Mental Health Matters (MMHM) team starting Friday, February 9, at 6:00 p.m. for the next the Wellness Weekend, which is a 3-day long opportunity for people to focus on their mental health.
“We are so excited to have our first full Wellness Weekend of the year this month,” said MMHM Coordinator Andrea Cooke. “February is the month of love, and you should start spreading love, by loving yourself and taking care of your mental health. We encourage you to bring a family member or a friend to either of the events or all of them, and if you can’t bring a friend, we encourage you to still come and try something new.”
Yoga in the Plaza is happening Friday, February 9, at Cotton Avenue Plaza (intersection of Cotton Avenue and Second Street) beginning at 6:00 p.m. You can bring your own yoga mat, but if you don’t have one, some will be available.
The next day, Saturday, February 10, is the Pop-Up Gym, at the Frank Johnson Recreation Center (2227 Mercer University Drive), rain or shine, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Like all events that weekend, it is free and open to everyone in the family. People will be able to consult with a licensed therapist, practice yoga and meditate, be part of a drum circle, get free produce from the Melanated Community Stimulation Project, and more.
The final day – Sunday, February 11 – is the Healing Hike at 10:00 a.m. starting at Rosa Parks Square (701 Poplar Street). The hike will allow people to walk at their own pace to clear their mind and talk with a mental health professional, if needed.
You can find more information on the MMHM website, www.maconmentalhealthmatters.com and by following MMHM on Facebook.
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Early voting for the Presidential Preference Primary begins Monday, February 19, and will go on through Friday, March 8. This will be the first time voters can experience the polls at our brand new Board of Elections Office at the Macon Mall (3661 Eisenhower Parkway). People will also be able to vote at the Elaine H. Lucas Senior (132 Willie Smokie Glover Drive) and Theron Ussery Community Center (815 N Macon Park Drive).
Polls will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., as well as Saturday, February 24 and Saturday, March 2, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. All you need to bring with you is your ID. If you would like to vote in this election, you must be registered by Monday, February 12.
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Macon Sunrise Series:
Atrium Health Navicent Amphitheater
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It’s time to add gardening to your list of hobbies! The Bibb County University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and Brookdale Resource Center are providing another opportunity for you to learn how to plant your own produce and herbs with Seed Starting & Succession Planting at the Gardens at Brookdale.
You can attend either of the classes held on Saturday, February 17 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. or Sunday, February 18 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Classes are free and open to all ages, but registration is required. You can register here.
“Many people are hesitant to start a garden because they aren’t sure they know how,” said Gardens at Brookdale Manager Susan Fisher. “Outside a few guidelines we throw out the ‘rules’ and break it down to be easy, fun, and beginner friendly. This is a hands-on class. You are joined by people that have the same interests, so you might even make a new friend!”
This class will focus on the essentials for gardening from preparing soil to starting seeds for later in the spring, such as tomatoes, peppers, herbs, eggplants, for planting in 6 to 8 weeks. The last class planted for early spring which included broccoli, cabbage, collards, lettuce, English peas, radish, carrots, and beets.
Since the start of the Gardens at Brookdale last spring, we have harvested more than 4,000 pounds of fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
“Not only does it bring awareness to Bibb County Extension services and Brookdale Resource Center, but during the classes they are helping us in the garden to provide fresh food for the residents who are experiencing homelessness,” said Fisher. “Everything we grow goes to the kitchen here at Brookdale.”
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Mayor holds first Council of Clergy meeting of the year | |
On Thursday, February 8, Macon-Bibb County held the first Mayor's Council of Clergy Luncheon of 2024 at the Tubman African American Museum. This month's meeting featured comments by Mayor Lester Miller, Reverend Jason McClendon, Pastor Sara Pugh Montgomery, Steve Daugherty, Rhonda Williams, Dr. John Dunaway, James Lewis, Reverend Payton Stone, and Dr. Henry Ficklin.
“It's been very important to Mayor Miller and his administration to regularly meet with religious leadership to discuss various issues and potential solutions and resources,” said Dr. Henry Ficklin, Executive Director of Community Affairs. "This is a great opportunity to have them in the room asking questions and learning more about what each congregation is doing or can be doing to improve our community.”
Mayor Miller gave the clergy an opportunity for them to ask questions and an update on the things happening in the County, which included telling them about Macon-Bibb’s recent Visionary City Award for Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) and the 43% drop in the homicide rate in the last year.
"This happened because we did it together," said Mayor Miller. "We can continue to make a difference if we work together."
The Council typically meets every other month to give local faith leaders an opportunity to discuss issues facing their congregants and the community at large. They also have the chance to talk with other ministers and organizations aimed at promoting peace and justice in our community.
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On Friday, February 2, Mayor Lester Miller joined Atrium Health Navicent and the Central Georgia Women’s Heart Health Coalition at City Hall to kick off American Heart Month in Macon-Bibb County and across the nation. He presented them with a proclamation that you can read here.
The goal of American Heart Month is to inform Americans about how they can lead heart-healthy lives and to help those living with heart disease live longer. The Central Georgia Women’s Heart Health Coalition promotes awareness and education in Macon-Bibb County and beyond by advocating for groundbreaking and lifesaving research as well as leading a healthy lifestyle.
Doctors at Atrium Health Navicent want the community to be aware of ways to live more heart-healthy by hosting several events this month open to the public. Click here to learn more.
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The Hub is Macon-Bibb County's source of information for employees, residents, businesses, and partners. With this regular e-blast, the Office of Communications provides a consistent flow of information about the efforts and successes of the consolidated government and partners to strengthen Macon-Bibb as the Hub City of Middle Georgia.
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The Office of Communications include Media Relations, MaconBibbTV, and Customer Service. Its goal is to provide people information about the consolidated government and partner organizations,
and to give them the chance to provide feedback, ask questions,
and request services.
The Office has earned multiple
recognitions for its efforts.
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Macon-Bibb County
Macon-Bibb County is the fourth largest city in Georgia. Created on January 1, 2014 after being approved by the voters, it is Georgia's newest consolidated government and serves about 155,000 residents and thousands more visitors.
Its governing body consists of 10 Commissioners, with the Mayor serving as its Chair and the Chief Executive Office of the administration.
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