Vidalia Council Recognizes Festival Volunteers

Mayor Doug Roper invited Vidalia Onion Festival Committee (VOFC) members to attend the May City Council meeting so they could be thanked publically. The largest public event that the city hosts could not be accomplished without the many hours and efforts contributed by volunteers, Roper said. “To each one of you, thank you for what you do for your community. This year was incredible, it showed that people are eager to get out to go and do,” the Mayor said. He praised the VOFC for rising above the adversity of the health pandemic and exhibiting exemplary leadership. Andy Woodruff was the 2021 VOFC Chairman and will remain in that position for the 2022 Festival. Roper presented Woodruff with a proclamation that was signed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. Woodruff also thanked the Council and his committee, echoing Roper’s point that there is great leadership in the community. The VOFC has already begun meeting to plan for the 2022 Festival, when the Blue Angels will be featured in an air show.

Roper also recognized Evan Riekhof, who takes photos during many events in the city. The photo of VOFC members framed with the Governor’s proclamation was by Riekhof, whom the Mayor said, “is a Rock Star. He does an incredible job of capturing moments that you can’t replace or recreate.”

April is usually the busiest month for visitors to the Onion Museum, housed at the Convention & Visitors Bureau, but the count for April 2021 was more than Director Alexa Britton has seen under her watch. This is because of the Onion Festival, and this year’s rain brought more people into the museum. The April visitor count was 482 persons from 24 states. This is up 59% over all visits from 2019, which was a busy year.

Britton also gave a “Heartfelt thank you to all the city departments, Mayor and Council, ESG, Republic Services, all the Committee members and community volunteers for a wonderful Vidalia Onion Festival.”

The Sweet Onion Citizen for May has been an integral part of the community for many years. Roper recognized Wilson Johnson for his active leadership in his church, Saint Paul AME, and its Connectional Men’s Fellowship, the Sons of Allen. Johnson founded the Concerned Citizens Coalition of Vidalia, the radio political talk show Turner-Johnson Roundtable, and the Community Project Hope, which gives juveniles and Superior Court judges a church-based alternative to incarceration. The list of other services Johnson has given for his community is long. Roper said, “Mr. Johnson, I thank you that you epitomize what it means to live a life of service. You’ve touched a lot of lives in our community. It gives me great privilege and great honor to award you the Sweet Onion Citizen award for the month of May from the City of Vidalia.”

Johnson said, “Thank you very much, Mayor. First, I give honor to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Who’s first in my life.” He thanked his supportive church, and his lifelong friend, Councilman John Raymond Turner. “Most of all I want to thank my wife who works with me and allows me to do the things that God has chosen me to do. This award will encourage me for the rest of my life. My children, my grandchildren and my great-grands will be excited when they see the photo taken tonight.”

Tonya Parker of the Downtown Vidalia Association told the Council that the new onion themed mural downtown has had a lot of attention from families, teenagers, and merchants using it for promotion. Parker thanked The Advance newspaper for the write up promoting the mural. A donation will be given to Safe Kids Toombs from the proceeds of the DVA’s Sweeten Your Ride car decal fundraiser. The DVA will have the second annual Brighten Up Vidalia window contest June 14 – 18.

In other business, as presented by City Manager Nick Overstreet, the Council approved issuance of packaged liquor, beer and wine licenses to two different new owners of these establishments: Two Guys Beverage & Tobacco and The Onion Inn. Council member Cecil Thompson abstained from voting due to a conflict of interest.

The bid to repair and replace portions of the roofs on the Municipal Annex and The Pal Theatre was awarded to Hollis Construction of Lyons. These projects are to be completed in 90 days from the contract date and will be paid out of SPLOST funds.

Tony Hall, ESG Project Manager, reported that over seven tons of tires were collected during the three days of the Tire Amnesty Clean-Up. An unofficial estimate was that this amount would be 400 to 640 tires. This project made an impact and will be repeated in the fall by municipalities throughout Toombs County.

WILSON JOHNSON EPITOMIZES ACTIVE LEADERSHIP — Wilson Johnson, left, was honored as a Sweet Onion Citizen by Vidalia Mayor Doug Roper for his lifelong service initiatives and contributions in his community.Photo by Rebekah Arnold