Cairo Ctiy Council expresses concerns with special event permit
Jan. 9—CAIRO- The Cairo City Council met on Monday night, where they unanimously approved a special event permit for the M.L.K. Collaborative event on January 15. However, the approval did not come without a number of concerns for the activities that take place once the event has concluded.
Applicant Renee Gee-Theophille was requesting the use of Holder Park for the event from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. and a parade permit from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., beginning at Roddenbery Memorial Library.
Despite having already turned in the applications, Gee- Theophille did request a modification for the event to end at 5 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. and the parade application to end at 2 p.m. instead of 5 p.m.
Newly elected City Councilman Timothy Gurley did feel that ending the event before dark would help with some of the issues the city faces in regard to the crowds, but questioned what actually happens throughout the day at the event.
Gee-Theophille invited up M.L.K Collaborative President Shaunta Dismuke to speak on the day's activities and his request for the use of the city's property adjacent to Holder Park.
Dismuke informed the Council he would like the property to help better control the people participating in the program.
"For the last few years, it's been hard to get people after the parade to actually come over and listen to the Grand Marshall speak," Dismuke said. "Last year, we decided to take it to the back of the park near the stage and it worked very well."
District 4 Councilmember Jimmy Douglas told Dismuke he had no problem with the organization using the property, if it helps alleviate the parking issues the event has been plagued with.
Dismuke thanked Douglas and informed him that churches and other local businesses have opened up their lots to allow vehicles to park this year.
The parking issues are due to the amount of people who not only show up to the M.L.K. Collaborative event, but partake in activities at the same location once the event has ended.
Councilmember Demario Byrden, who also serves in law enforcement, told the council that it was unfair to stereotype the event, claiming that it causes trouble, when Gee-Theophille and Dismuke are following the rules and putting on an event that is special to the Cairo community.
In order to help curb some of the issues of unruly crowds, Byrden said the Cairo Police Department will need to work around the clock and have all hands on deck that day.
Dismuke also encouraged CPD presence, saying that last year's event was a success due in part to CPD keeping the traffic moving and helping move the crowd out when the event was over.
"Law enforcement helped things run smoothly last year and we definitely need and welcome their presence again this year," Dismuke said.
Mayor Booker Gainor understood the large draw, saying the event brings people from across the region. The event has become so large that Gainor said it could overwhelm any size department. He asked CPD Chief Giovannie Santos if it was possible to work jointly with the Grady County Sheriff's Office on January 15, 2023, to help crowd control.
Santos promised he would ask, but ensured every officer will be working two shifts until 1 a.m.
Gainor thanked Santos and CPD's commitment to keeping Cairo residents safe so the community could honor King. To show his appreciation, Gainor said he would like to feed every officer working that day.
"I just want to make sure you have the support you need, so people can come to Cairo and enjoy that day, but leave that day without our City being torn up," Gainor said.
With a guaranteed police presence and all concerns addressed, Gainor heard a motion to approve the event permit, which was seconded by Bryden.
