Editor, The city of Hinesville is joining cities across Georgia to celebrate Georgia Cities on April 20-27. This week is set aside by the Georgia Municipal Association to recognize the many services, programs and events that city governments provide in their efforts improve quality of life in Georgia.
This year’s theme, “Cities: Where the Action Is!,” reflects cities’ featured spots in television and movie production throughout Georgia. Cities are where people gather for cultural and recreational activities, shopping and dining, and conducting business. All of this enhances the quality of life in our cities, communities and state.
We are continuing our partnerships with community organizations to collaborate on a series of events that everyone can enjoy. The city of Hinesville is thankful to Keep Liberty Beautiful, the Hinesville Area Arts Council, the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce, the Liberty County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Liberty County 4-H, the United Way of the Coastal Empire, Kiwanis Club of Liberty County, the Liberty County School System, the Coastal Courier and other community partners for helping us stay active in the community. I especially thank the city of Hinesville employees for the hard work and dedication they demonstrate every day to make this city great.
I also would like to acknowledge our sixth-grade essay contest winners — Dajah Bacon, Julia Hedrick and Jakobi Smith. These students wrote about what they would do if they were mayor for a day. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the students’ thoughts, and I hope they all become civic leaders — maybe even mayors — some day.
In addition to the contest, we are celebrating during the week of April 20. Area residents will have several opportunities to learn more about the city:
• April 20: Citywide cleanup from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Bradwell Park. Call 880-4888 to register. Lunch will be served.
• April 22: Earth Day celebration from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at the YMCA soccer fields.
• April 23: Cupcake Wars from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Shuman Recreation Center.
• April 23: Public Safety Display from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Shuman Recreation Center.
• April 24: Georgia Cities Week Student Art Exhibit reception from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Hinesville City Hall.
• April 25: “State of the City” address at the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce’s Progress Through People Luncheon from noon-1 p.m. at the Liberty College and Career Academy. Call 368-4445 to RSVP.
• April 26: Read Across Liberty Day at various schools in the county.
We hope everyone will join us in this celebration and learn more about our city. As always, we welcome all residents to visit city hall, contact myself and the city-council members, attend council meetings on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 3 p.m. or join us online at www.cityofhinesville.org for more information about programs, services, projects and events in Hinesville. Also, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
This is our city, and we want everyone to be part of the action in Hinesville!

— Mayor Jim Thomas
Hinesville