A blitz is coming to Covington.
Covington Fire Marshall Tony Smith told the Covington City Council Monday night that the fire department is teaming up with the American Red Cross to install smokes detectors in 300 city houses on Saturday, April 30.
“We also agreed to pledge 50 volunteers,” said Smith, who added the Red Cross would match the number of volunteers. “Volunteers will wear red t-shirts with ‘volunteer’ on it, and everyone will be properly identified.”
Smith introduced Louis Winder from the American Red Cross.
“All I knew about the Red Cross was [it was about] blood,” he said. “We have a campaign to put smoke detectors in every home. We’ve been doing it since February.”
Winder said the free smoke detectors would have 10-year-life batteries.
The blitz would start about 8 a.m. and last until 2 p.m. in targeted areas.
“I’ve seen tragedies,” Winder said. “This is one you can really avoid.”
The Covington Municipal Airport expansion will include about 1,800 square feet more than the 7,200 square feet originally bid. City Manager Leigh Anne Knight told the council that 75 percent of the total space is reimbursable by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).
“The total estimated cost of the project is $2,121,981.00 and the City’s contribution will be $1,033,810.46,” Knight said later.
The local construction company, Sunbelt Builders, was awarded the contract to build the new terminal at the Covington Municipal Airport at the Feb. 16 city council meeting. The original project was to cost $1,598,732; the expanded project increased to $2,121,981.
The motion to approve the revised design was unanimously approved. Knight told the council that the project was original expected to break ground in July, but is expected to happen sooner.
Three new Covington Police Officers were sworn in publically by the mayor. Chief Stacey Cotton introduced them as Aaron Malcolm, an Eastside High School graduate who had recently worked at the Newton County 911 center; Amy Oliver, formerly with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and Duluth Police Department; and Kenyatta Davis-Barnes, a former Covington Police Explorer and graduate of Eastside High School.
Hawnethia Williams, Post 2 West, asked city property owners and renters to keep their properties clean during the comment period.
“I’d like to see more unity in our community by taking pride in our community,” she said. “Some of the things I see that shows a lack of concern for our community, our neighbors. Now that the weather is finally warming up, it’s a great time to do some spring cleaning – not just in our homes, but in our community.”
Williams said she hoped the city would provide a dump truck and council members would consider volunteering to help during a spring cleanup day. “We should lend a hand to those citizens [the elderly or disabled] who may not be able to do it themselves.
“Aren’t we tired of people who don’t seem to get the good neighbor thing?” she asked.
The council also unanimously approved:
- closing of Church Street between Reynolds and College streets on Saturday, April 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a freestyle BMX and skateboard show and demonstration sponsored by Square Bikes in celebration of its one-year anniversary;
- granting an alcohol license, allowing for onsite consumption, at Buddy’s BBQ and More, owned by Camo Connections, Inc., at 5151 Highway 278;
- depositing 100 percent of the $1,574,801 refund from the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG) Power’s year-end settlement, and 100 percent of $78,338 of its year-end Telecom Project settlement into the city’s New Generation and Capital Fund Investment account.
Knight announced that the West Ward Town Hall Meeting was scheduled for Thursday, April 7, at 6 p.m. at the New Hope Baptist Church, 2207 S. Brown Street Southwest. The Parking Authority will hold a meeting on Wednesday, April 20 at 6 p.m. in the city council chambers.
