Tifton Says 'Yes' to Cigar Lounge

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Tifton, Georgia

Your Local Digital Newspaper for Tifton and the Greater Tiftarea

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

CITY COUNCIL OK's CIGAR LOUNGE

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Before a large audience at Monday night's meeting, Tifton City Council unanimously approved a conditional use permit for a cigar lounge on Main Street.

The approval was met with applause from the audience. The only citizen speaking against the lounge before council was Lee Turner, who owns an antique store in the next block across the street from the proposed lounge.

Turner, a volunteer ambassador for the American Cancer Society, read a statement on behalf of the Cancer Society saying there is "no safe level to second-hand smoke," and that approving the cigar lounge would be "a step in the wrong direction and sends the wrong message to our kids."

Speaking in favor of the cigar lounge was Marianne Dow, who owns a shop four doors down from the proposed lounge. "I think it's a good thing," she said. "You need to pass this." She said it is better to have a business in the vacant location at 214 Main St., than to "have nothing there."

Local realtor Lester Cromer Jr., who is a member of Tifton City Council, plans to open what he calls a "premium cigar lounge." Cromer said he will install an advanced commercial air cleaner that uses a multi-stage filtration process to capture and eliminate smoke particles, airborne pollutants, and odors. He said he will also install a premium air purifier that uses HEPA filters to capture up to 99.97% of particles.

Council approved the plan, setting conditions that the cigar lounge may operate from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. seven days a week, that no one under age 21 will be admitted, that the doors of the establishment will remain closed, and that no private rentals of the lounge will be allowed.

On social media following council's vote, during which Cromer had recused himself, Cromer thanked the community for its "overwhelming support." He said the community's "willingness to embrace this new establishment not only demonstrates your trust in our commitment to creating a welcoming and sophisticated space for cigar enthusiasts, but also highlights your belief in the growth and revitalization of our beloved Main Street."

Cromer added: "We look forward to contributing positively to our community, offering a place where residents and visitors alike can relax, connect, and enjoy the finer things in life."

FITZGERALD MAN DIES AFTER SHOOTING

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A Fitzgerald man has died after being shot Friday afternoon in the Ben Hill County city, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) says.

Terrance Shelton, 33, of Fitzgerald, died at about 3 a.m. Saturday in a Macon hospital, the GBI said.

At approximately 3 p.m. Friday. the Fitzgerald Police Department responded to a 911 call of shots fired in the 500 block of East Pine Street, authorities said. When officers arrived, they found a man, subsequently identified as Shelton, injured from gunshot wounds. EMS personnel took the man to a local hospital, and he was later airlifted in critical condition to a hospital in Macon.

GBI agents are investigating the incident at the request of the Fitzgerald Police Department. Anyone with information is asked to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Field Office in Perry at 478-987-4545, or Fitzgerald Police at 229-426-5000.

Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), by going online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the "See Something, Send Something" mobile app.

FORMER TIFT COUNTY COMMISSIONER BEDELL DIES AT 91

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Former Tift County Commissioner Charlotte Ware Bedell of Tifton died at her home Tuesday morning, one day after her 91st birthday.

Bedell was active in a number of civic and volunteer roles for decades. She served as a county commissioner from 1999-2006, her last three years as vice chair. A retired registered and licensed dietitian, she had served as chairman of the Tift County Board of Health, along with many other organizations.

Her civic activities included service on the board of the Georgia Museum of Agriculture Foundation, chairman of the I-75 Hospital Ministry Committee (which provided assistance to out-of-state travelers), numerous roles at Tifton's First Baptist Church, and was a longtime honorary member of the Tifton Rotary Club; her late husband Dr. David Bedell had been a Rotary district governor.

She had been president of Save Our Pets Inc., and a member of the Tifton-Tift County Animal Shelter Advisory Board.

Bedell had received the Tifton Exchange Club’s Golden Deeds Award, the Sertoma Club’s Service to Mankind Award, the Georgia Department of Human Resources Outstanding Service Award in the Georgia Women and Infant Children Program, and the Georgia Rural Health Association’s James Alley Award for Outstanding Lifetime Service.

In 2011, Bedell was added to the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce's Wall of Fame.

Bedell was born April 15, 1933, in Woodbury, Ga., and received a bachelor of science degree from Georgia College in 1954. She got her master's degree from Louisiana State University, and did postgraduate study at Mississippi College and Oklahoma State University.

She began her career as a vocational home economics teacher in Tennille in Washington County, was an instructor at Berry College, a research instructor at Louisiana State University, and worked in agricultural research with the USDA in Tifton.

Bedell had also served as a nutrition consultant in Jackson, Miss.; a public health nutritionist for the Oklahoma State Department of Health; a nutrition consultant and a district nutrition chief for the Georgia Department of Human Resources; and a member of the national advisory council on maternal, infant, and fetal nutrition for the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service.

She also had served as nutrition section chair of the Georgia Public Health Association and as secretary of the Southwest Georgia District Dietetic Association.

Marquis Who's Who listed Bedell as a noteworthy dietitian in the United States.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete Tuesday night and will be announced later.

Tracey Harrington of Tifton poses with her son after receiving a People's Choice Award for her decorated clock as part of the 'From Trash to Treasure' exhibit at the Syd Blackmarr Arts Center.

'TRASH 2 TREASURE' ARTISTS WIN PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

Winners of the People’s Choice awards in the exhibit “From Trash 2 Treasure” at the Syd Blackmarr Arts Center were announced at the exhibit's closing reception Sunday.

Matt Wilson Elementary School’s second-grade class under instructor Leslie Larson won in the age 14 and under category for their artwork “Heart of Whimsy.”

In the category of age 14 and up, Tifton resident Tracey Harrington won for her clock piece decorated by wood-burned images of hummingbirds and flowers. She shared the spotlight with her son, who made the nest with eggs on top.

The Tifton Council for the Arts sponsored the exhibit as part of the "Big Read" programming happening in Tifton this spring. The Big Read is primarily funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, and events are coordinated with the Tifton-Tift County Public Library, Literacy Volunteers of Tifton-Tift County, and the Tifton Council for the Arts.

WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE COMPLETES FIRST YEAR

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Several area women recently completed the South Georgia Women’s Leadership Initiative's inaugural program.

Among the 19 women in the first program, dedicated to empowering women in making an impact in the region, were, from Tift County: Nancy Bryan of Ruth’s Cottage and the Patticake House; Melody Cowart, Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce; Cindy Evers, Alliance for Children Georgia; Dr. Audrey Luke-Morgan, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College; Dr. Renata Elad, ABAC; and Dr. Tonja Tift, Tifton Urban Redevelopment Agency.

Christy Wray of Turner County Schools was also in the program, composed of women leaders throughout the region.

Toni Reid, the Leadership Initiative's planning & steering committee chair, led the program. Reid is with its founding sponsor Georgia Power Co.

“This program year has surpassed the expectations of everyone,” Reid said. “It is an honor to work alongside other phenomenal ladies from across the region facilitating a women's leadership program in our community that fosters the strong leadership needed to sustain the growth in our region for years to come.”

Launched in September, the program rotated throughout the region, focusing on women in business, nonprofit management, women’s health, the second-half life, holding elected office, and shaping policy.

Nominations and applications for the next class will open this summer, with the program set to relaunch in September. For information, contact Reid at 404-831-4010 or at southgawomenslx@gmail.com

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Inkara," once feral, has transformed into a remarkably friendly companion who seeks affectionate petting. She has grown increasingly comfortable with human touch and needs a home to continue acclimating. Come see her and 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).

G.O. BAILEY REAPPPOINTED

TIFTON SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT

~ APRIL 16, 1942

Tift County School Superintendent G.O. Bailey was reappointed to another term on April 16, 1942. The school system leadership for the 1942-43 term also consisted of Aldine Rosser, assistant superintendent; Ida Belle Williams, high school principal; Alton Ellis, junior high school principal; and Annie Belle Clark, grammar school principal