Tifton Names Acting City Manager, Acting Deputy Manager

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Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Tifton, Georgia

Your Local Digital Newspaper for Tifton and the Greater Tiftarea

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

The City of Tifton's chief financial officer, Larry Lawrence, left, has been named acting city manager; City Clerk Jessica White, right, is assisting Lawrence as acting deputy city manager. Tifton City Manager Emily Beeman remains on unspecified administrative leave.

TIFTON NAMES ACTING CITY MANAGER

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tifton Chief Financial Officer Larry Lawrence has been named acting Tifton city manager, and City Clerk Jessica White has been appointed acting deputy city manager.

Tifton City Council made the appointments during a special meeting Monday evening. City Manager Emily Beeman remains on indefinite, paid administrative leave. City officials have declined to comment on the reasons for placing Beeman on leave.

“Mr. Lawrence possesses exceptional municipal and financial leadership skills, and Mrs. White is quite familiar with the daily operations of the city.” said Mayor Julie B. Smith. “The combination of their 15 years of experience with the city will help us meet our goal of providing our residents, businesses, visitors, and employees the quality and level of service they expect and deserve during this time.”

Lawrence has been with the City of Tifton since June 2021. He formerly was an accounting and finance manager at Management & Training Corp., a former vice president & CFO at Firstline Corp., a former plant controller at ITT Thompson Industries, a reverse mortgage specialist, and former administrator at First United Methodist Church of Valdosta.

He has a bachelor of business administration from Valdosta State University.

White has been with the City of Tifton for 12 years, the past eight as city clerk. She formerly was city clerk for the City of Poulan. She has an associate degree in accounting, and a bachelor of science in organizational leadership from the University of Charleston, W.Va.

Lawrence and White will take on the temporary duties in addition to their regular roles and will have their salaries adjusted to reflect that, city officials said.

TIFT SCHOOLS TO WELCOME 7,600 STUDENTS FRIDAY

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Summer, we hardly knew ye!

As the calendar turns the page to August, students prepare for the classroom. On Friday, Tift County Schools open their doors for the new school year.

"We are excited to welcome approximately 7,600 students back into our buildings on Friday," Dana Spurlin, Tift schools' chief information officer, told the Tifton Grapevine. "Staff members, including 40 new classroom teachers, returned on Monday."

The school system's annual employee convocation Monday brought together all teachers and staff to kickoff the academic year. Superintendent Natalie Gore shared goals for the year, focusing on collaborating, learning, and achieving.

The convocation's keynote speaker was Thomas Murray, director of innovation for future ready schools, a project of the Alliance for Excellent Education in Washington, D.C., who shared a motivational message.

Spurlin said the school system has two changes this year aimed at safety and security: "First, there has been a change where students at Tift County High School will enter the student parking lot. We hope that this will help reduce the traffic backing up on Kent Road," she said.

"Second, we have hired six additional school security officers this year which, combined with the school resource officers provided by our partnership with the Tifton Police Department, will allow us to have an officer on campus at all times at all of our schools."

The Tifton Police Department also reminds motorists to be mindful of school-zone safety.

"It's crucial to remember to slow down and stay alert in school zones. The speed limit of 25 mph is in place to protect our children, so it's important for everyone to adhere to this limit," police said on social media.

"We all share the responsibility of keeping our children safe by being vigilant and cautious in school zones. This includes stopping for school buses, pedestrians in crosswalks, and being extra cautious on the roads. Parents are reminded to drop off and pick up their children in the designated areas provided by the school, rather than stopping in the middle of the street or down the road," Tifton Police said.

Parents of Tift County students who have questions about the new school year, including meet-the-teacher events on Wednesday and Thursday, may visit the Back to School section here on the school system's website.

Also, seniors on the Tift County High Student Council has created a video to help answer some of the frequently asked questions about the student dress code; click the image below:

FORMER TIFT SUPERINTENDENT FRANK KING DIES AT 81

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Frank C. King, a former superintendent of both Tift County Schools and Ben Hill County Schools, died Sunday at his Thomaston home following health complications.

He served as superintendent in Fitzgerald from 1978-1988, and in Tift County Schools from 1988-1994. King also was superintendent of Thomaston-Upson County Schools during 1995-2000.

King was instrumental in the creation of the Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence (TCFEE), said Mike Brumby of Tifton.

"The TCFEE was created 1989-90. As the executive director from day No. 1 through 1 July 2023, I have always been of the opinion there would be no TCFEE without these four individuals – two from the community: Bob Wight and Steve Rigdon, and two from the school system: Frank King and Marianna Keesee," Brumby said.

Keesee, a retired educator and school official who later served on Tifton City Council, said that "Frank King was an exceptional school administrator, seeking always to offer Tift County students outstanding educational and extra-curricular activities. He listened to teachers, staff, and local leaders, continually setting a high bar for innovative education, for efficiently managing schools, and for excellence in our school system."

King, 81, was born in Memphis, Tenn., and grew up in Valdosta, where he was selected as the Outstanding Senior Athlete at Valdosta High. In 1993, King was inducted into the Valdosta-Lowndes County Sports Hall of Fame.

He was captain of the football team at Presbyterian College, where he got his bachelor's degree. King obtained graduate degrees from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, the University of Georgia, and Auburn University.

He spent 35 years in public schools as a coach, teacher, and school administrator.

TEACHERS MODEL SOME

LATEST STYLES AT BACK-TO-SCHOOL FASHION SHOW

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Downtown Tifton Main Street Program hosted a Back-to-School Fashion Show Thursday night in partnership with the Tifton Merchants Association and Tifton Council for the Arts.

Seven downtown businesses were featured: Aero Boutique, Little Hippie Chick, Rouge of Tifton, Statera Wellness & Spa, Simply Stated Boutique & Interiors, The Pineapple Post, and The Big Store. More than 50 guests saw more than 20 models exhibiting some of the latest fashions at the Syd Blackmarr Arts Center. Serving as models were local school teachers and administrators from Tifton, Moultrie, and Sylvester.

“My role as a Main Street manager is to serve as a connecting bridge between our merchants and community members by hosting events and activities that promotes supporting local. Tonight, we did just that,” said Hillery Culpepper. "The theme of the show was back to school, and we look forward to continuing this event for many years to come."

SGBC NAMES McCARD TO

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

South Georgia Banking Co. (SGBC) has named Sam McCard to the Board of Directors of South Georgia Bank Holding Co.

McCard, SGBC president since 2021, has more than 27 years of banking experience.

A Turner County native, McCard joined SGBC in 2015. His career in banking began at a young age, starting with maintaining the lawn and handling maintenance duties at Ashburn Banks at the age of 18. Through the years, he transitioned into various roles, including lending, and has steadily advanced through the ranks.

"I am honored and excited to join the South Georgia Bank Holding Co. Board of Directors. Throughout my career at South Georgia Banking Co., I have witnessed first-hand the dedication and passion our team brings to serving the needs of our community," McCard said. "I look forward to working alongside my fellow directors to guide our organization as we continue to grow and expand our services, ensuring we remain a trusted partner in South Georgia."

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Shadow" is a sweet girl with luminous eyes who could be your perfect pet. Come meet her and see other pets available for adoption between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

DEPUTY SEIZES 50 CASES OF

ILLEGAL LIQUOR IN TIFTON

~ AUG. 1, 1930

During Prohibition, two roadster automobiles loaded with approximately 50 cases of illegal liquor were stopped and seized in Tifton on Aug. 1, 1930, by Deputy Sheriff Sidney Thrasher. The roadsters were traveling through Tifton at the time.