Leaders offer project updates

Jan. 4—Leaders took the opportunity on Emancipation Day 2024 to talk about a few government projects either already completed or expected to be completed later this year in Milledgeville and Baldwin County.

The top two city and county officials included Baldwin County Commission Chairwoman Emily C. Davis and Milledgeville Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan.

They also talked about the importance of voting in the upcoming presidential preference primary and other elections scheduled this year.

The Emancipation Day event was held Monday afternoon at Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church in the Harrisburg neighborhood. The Rev. Dr. Diane Brack Evans was the keynote speaker.

"We're getting ready to start construction of our pool," said Davis, who for many years has advocated for a community swimming pool. "I never gave up on it."

The new swimming pool and other amenities will be built on the campus of Walter B. Williams Park.

Davis, the only woman who serves on the county commission, said the county also received a $4.9 million grant that will be used in the Oconee Heights neighborhood.

"It will provide that community with new sidewalks, walking paths, multi-use walking areas, and other amenities," Davis said. "That's going to be some nice improvements in that area. There is also going to be a park in Oconee Heights."

Another park will also be constructed at the county government center off North Columbia Street later this year.

"It's going to be geared toward seniors where they can come and walk and enjoy other park features," Davis said.

The mayor followed Davis.

"Milledgeville is on the horizon," Parham-Copelan said. "We're doing a lot of great things."

She also talked about a million-dollar grant the city received last year that will provide for improvements on such services as water and sewer.

The mayor also talked about the city having received a sizable grant to purchase new playground equipment at one of the city's parks.

Parham-Copelan said one of the most important things is finding a way to come together.

"I believe that if all of us come together, to show unity, help humanity, we will all be a better place to live," the mayor said. "And that's my motto for 2024 — that we're going to move forward and we're going to put aside all of our biases, and we're going to come together as one community because right now that is what is needed.

The mayor then switched gears and talked a little about this year being a big election season.

"Most people don't even know it," Parham-Copelan said. "And you've got to tell them the truth."

She said she believes like Clarence Hall that there is no community without unity.

"We want to stand firm; we want to stand strong; and we want to stand up and say we are represented, and not just by our own, but those who are standing with us who are not of our color. They are still standing with us."

She contends if that is not done, then the battle has been lost.

"There's already a plan, and we've got to strategize," Parham-Copelan said. "We've got to make sure we've got the right people in place at the time we need them."

She also strongly advocated for those who are not registered to vote to get registered so they can vote in each of the elections slated this year.

City Alderwoman Shonya Mapp, who represents District 5 on Milledgeville City Council, also attended the Emancipation Day event.

Former Milledgeville Mayor and state senator Griffin also weighed in on the political atmosphere this year.

"This is the most important election year of my life," Griffin said. "When I say my life, I'm talking about since I understood what voting was all about and when I started voting."

Griffin said without going into details, he wanted everyone there to know that sometime in the middle of February he plans to hold what he referred to as an "Election Come to Jesus meeting."

He said he believes it's important for everyone to come together so they can understand why this year is most important when it comes to elections.

Griffin said he wants to turn around the negative comments heard on national television networks about Black people not voting in an election.

"We're going to turn that all around," Griffin said. "We have to turn it around, and the comments about the present administration not having done anything when the first thing that Joe Biden did was to appoint a Black woman as vice president. The first thing. And then there's comments that she's not doing anything."

Griffin said when he has the meeting next month, he hopes to see many church pastors there, too.

Robert Fuller, vice president of the 100 Black Men of Milledgeville-Oconee, also talked some about upcoming elections.

Some of the pillars of the organization criss-cross with politics, he said.

"Case in point, our last president appointed three Supreme Court justices, and he appointed over 200 federal judges," Fuller said. "Now the average age of those Supreme Court justices who were just appointed is 55. Long story short, they are going to impact our community for multiple generations, multiple generations."

Fuller said he and others are telling people that they are under attack, even though he contends the organization is not partisan or political.

He said some laws had been reversed by the Supreme Court.

He cited Rowe v. Wade, one of the most controversial subjects in America.

"Whether you are pro or opposed to Rowe v. Wade, that has been a law that has been afforded to women for years," Fuller said.

Fuller pointed out another law eroded by the High Court where race-based consideration is now allowed for students trying to go to college.

"So, we're under attack," Fuller said. "We're trying to get that message out to members and tell them to take it out into the community."