15.a) VA-2011-09 rezoning for 100 Black Men @ VCC 7 April 2011

Rezoning some land for 100 Black Men of Valdosta was the first order of business on the agenda for Valdosta City Council for 7 April 2011:
5.a. Consideration of an Ordinance to rezone 0.24 acres from Single-Family Residential (R6) to Office-Professional (O-P) as requested by 100 Black Men of Valdosta (File No. VA-2011-09). The property is located at the southeast corner of Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Drive and South Troup Street. The Planning Commission reviewed this request at their March Regular Meeting and recommended approval (7-0-1 vote).

Planning Director Matt Martin, presented the case.


Regular monthly meeting of the Valdosta City Council (VCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 7 April 2011,
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.

Former Council Member Willie Head spoke for the rezoning, representing 100 Black Men of Valdosta. He mentioned several programs they have, some related to economic development.


Regular monthly meeting of the Valdosta City Council (VCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 7 April 2011,
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.

Willie Head occupied the seat currently held by Deidra White until he retired from the Valdosta City Council last yet. As he left after the meeting, I heard his name mentioned as a possible candidate for mayor.

Nobody wanted to speak against, so the council voted unanimously to approve the rezoning.


Regular monthly meeting of the Valdosta City Council (VCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 7 April 2011,
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.

100 Black Men of Valdosta is the organization that was having its annual dinner that same evening. Here are some videos from last year’s dinner, including Johnny Ball presenting an award to Pastor Angela Manning and a speech on mentoring by President Roy Copeland.

LAKE didn’t go to this year’s 100 Black Men dinner (too many events; too little time). Here’s the VDT’s report on this year’s dinner.

-jsq