The Americus City Council met April 24. Senator Freddie Powell Sims addressed the Council on House Bill 766, which would create a commission to study the feasibility of creating a merger between the City of Americus and the Sumter County Government. The Bill has passed the House, but has not passed the Senate.

Sims stated she was committed to representing her district. “I pledge to represent all quadrants of a territory through open, transparent government, and without fail, I promise to fulfill that oath without interference from a few individuals, without undue influence and without coercion.”

Sims stated that when legislation such as House Bill 766 is put forward without the knowledge of local leaders, a colossal breakdown in local government has occurred. “This kind of political action or inaction will not have a very peaceful or successful ending.”

Sims stated that there was time for local leaders to be informed about the bill, but that they were not told about it by the time it reached her. “The expectation was to rubber stamp a document that was not known to individuals who were duly elected by all of Americus-Sumter County.”

She assured those gathered that she would not ignore local representatives. “I’m not going to stick my name on something that has not been vetted by the City, the County or any of those other entities.”

Sims expressed concern about the breakdown of communication. “I continue to feel concerned for the City and County, where there seems to be a crack in the seams of coherent and judicious thinking. It is totally unfathomable to think that a few individuals, in the name of good faith, would introduce such a transformative piece of legislation affecting and impacting an entire City, County, and several unincorporated areas without transparency.” Sims encouraged citizens to call her at 229 347 0251 if they had further questions.

Michael Burgess also addressed the Council concerning House Bill 766 during citizen’s comments, speaking in support of the process by which it was put forward. “In all fairness to Senator Sims, not everything has to come from the people. The people have already voted. They have voted for a representative to come up with laws and bills for all of us, and they don’t have to go back to a city council to get input.”

Whole Truth International Ministries submitted a request to the City Council to rezone their building on 502 South Lee Street so that they could use it as a group home. The original signage for the rezoning request did not comply with state law, and the signs have been reposted on all tracks in the parcel. For the rezoning to go forward, there will need to be two readings and one public hearing.

Deanna Pope, a registered landscape architect, addressed the Council concerning the request for the land use ordinance amendment. Pope thanked the Council for listening to her concerns and restarting the process. She also proposed a new sign design for rezoning.

Kimberly Christmas also expressed concerns over the rezoning. “I’m here on behalf of myself as a resident and property owner and our community to express why the request to rezone 502 South Lee Street and other properties in the City of Americus from R2 to institutional goes against sound zoning principles and should be denied.” She thanked the pastor George Monts and Whole Truth International Ministries for their goodwill, but still saw issues with the endeavor.

Monts gave a recent interview to WALB where he shared plans to use the building to support mental patients, veterans, the elderly, and youth who might need their help. Christmas felt that Monts might not understand the difficulties of such a broad mission. “Sound zoning policy demands specificity.” Christmas claimed the rezoning would benefit one owner, and not the community at large. “Mayor Kinnaman and Council members, approving institutional zoning based solely on undefined aspirations would abandon your responsibility to regulate land use thoughtfully.”