Pembroke teen Alex Floyd wants to erect a monument honoring the men of Bryan County who served the Confederate Army from 1861-1865. He presented his proposal before the City Council during their meeting on Monday, Feb. 11.
"I have spoken with several people who agree that the monument would be best seen in the downtown Welcome Center area," Floyd said. "These are the same people enthusiastic about this idea and willing to help get it underway with the council’s approval."
According to Floyd, the dimensions of the obelisk will be roughly nine feet tall by three feet wide by three feet deep. It would accommodate the estimated 575 names of Bryan County soldiers, plus regiment information. The base would be inscribed with the name of the largest battle that the soldiers were involved in. On the back side, there would be a brief history of Sherman’s march through Bryan County and the civilian resistance he encountered.
The funds for the monument are proposed to come from private donations and fundraisers put on by a monument committee.
"I hope that you will join me in this deserving cause," said Floyd. "Together we can give these brave men the honor and recognition they earned with their blood, sweat and tears during the Southern War of Independence."
The council tabled discussion to learn more about Floyd’s plans and to take public input.
Pembroke is also getting ready to celebrate Arbor Day on Feb. 15. Mayor Judy Cook read the council an Arbor Day Proclamation and said the city will host an Arbor Day celebration in Downtown Pembroke from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday.
A tree planting ceremony will be conducted with the planting of two Live Oaks. The Pembroke Garden Club, Pembroke city council members, the Mayor, city staffers, and area government officials will be on hand for the celebration. The public is invited to attend and light refreshments will be served following the planting.
In other business:
- A motion was passed, prohibiting the dumping of raw sewage into the city system, which will go into effect Aug. 11. Until then, contractors must pay a disposal fee of $20 per load, with the maximum load being 1,000 gallons. The site to dump is to be determined by the water superintendent. The motion carried 4-1 with Councilmember Johnnie Miller voting against it. "After speaking with the city engineer and the city employee in charge of the waste water treatment, it was determined for the city’s best interest to stop this practice," Angela Reed said. "Our water treatment facility is just not designed for this."
- The council appointed three new members to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA): Business owner Garrett Collins, local realtor Matt Owens and former councilmember and business owner Joey Burnsed, as well as Councilmember Tiffany Walraven. Other members of the DDA include J&M Video owner Lavern Scott, Teresa Smith of Beddingfield Pharmacy and city resident Carolyn Morgan.
- A demolition permit request from First Baptist Church of Pembroke to tear down the building located on the corner of their lot that once housed the Food Bank was granted.
- The council voted unanimously to approve a request for the Relay for Life to hold a bucket brigade fundraiser at the red light intersection in downtown Pembroke on Saturday, Mar. 8. The council also approved the bucket brigade fundraiser request for the Pembroke Lions Club for Sunday, Mar. 9.
- The council held first readings of the Georgia Power Franchise Ordinance, the new Buffer Ordinance, the new Planned Unit Development Ordinance and the Weed Ordinance as amended.
- The council unanimously passed a Memorandum of Understanding to waive the utility bill for the United Way’s new thrift store on College Street.
- The council unanimously approved to enter into a contract with Michael Foxworth for the position of Code Enforcement Officer.
- The council appointed David Williams of Pembroke to replace Carolyn Fields on the Pembroke Planning and Zoning Committee.