Registration for youth baseball and girls fast pitch softball approaching

Contact Bainbridge Leisure Services to register your child for youth baseball or girls fast pitch softball beginning January 3, 2011 through January 28, 2011.  Registration is only $5.00!  Call 248-2010 to get your child registered!

Age Groups:

Youth Baseball:  5 to 15 year olds

Girls Fast Pitch Softball:  7 to 18 year olds

Children registering after January 28, 2011 will be placed on a waiting list until a vacancy becomes available and a $5 late registration fee will be added after January 28, 2011.  A copy of your child's birth certificate must be on file in order to register him/her.

Baseball ages 5-15:  To be eligible to participate your child must turn 5 years old by April 30, 2011 and can not turn 16 years old by April 30, 2011

Girl's Fast Pitch Softball ages 7-18:  To be eligible to participate your child must be 7 years old on December 31, 2010 and can not turn 19 years old by  December 31, 2010

Christmas on the Square



Atlas

First Baptist Church



Hutto Middle School



Potter Street Elementary



Roasting marshmallows



Everyone enjoyed themselves last night before the rain started.  Thanks to First Baptist Church handbells, Atlas, Potter Street Elementary, and Hutto Middle School for performing last night!

CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE IS DECEMBER 16

The City of Bainbridge is concluding its busy holiday schedule with Christmas on the Square in Willis Park on Thursday, December 16 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Downtown stores will be open and offering last minute deals.  There will be music by local children’s choirs, hay rides, marshmallow roasts and hot chocolate for everyone.  Don’t miss the fun in downtown Bainbridge!

For more information about Christmas on the Square, call 229-248-2000 or visit www.bainbridgecity.com.

Christmas Parade Map

The Christmas Parade map has been posted to the city's website  http://www.bainbridgecity.com/.  Please review the map to find where you will be located for the line-up.  All animal units will be located within the fenced in area next to the baseball field.

Leisure Services

Leisure Services and the Public Works departments continue to put the final touches at Bill Reynolds #3. 

• Fence work is complete at the new complex
• Both central concession stands, restrooms, and scorekeepers buildings are 90% complete
• Maintenance building and picnic pavilion are 60% complete
• Bleachers, benches, and picnic tables are in and being assembled
• Curbing for parking lost is being installed
• Basketball courts surfacing and goal is scheduled to begin next week

CHRISTMAS PARADE SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 9

The 2010 Bainbridge Christmas Parade is scheduled for Thursday, December 9.  Dr. Larry Clark, Principal of Jones Wheat Elementary School will serve as Grand Marshall. 

The parade will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Wheat Avenue and will finish in downtown Bainbridge. There will be music, lots of candy, and of course, Santa Claus!

Christmas on the River

A good time was had by all who attended the annual Christmas on the River last night.  A large crowd watched as people sang and danced at the Performing Arts Building as well as riding the hayrides and roasting marshmallows.  The children especially enjoyed the surprise visit from Santa Claus!

Public Works department working on old boat ramps

Tommy King and the Public Works department have been steadily working at the Earle May Boat Basin with the Mega Ramps and sprucing up the old boat ramps.  A new floating dock was installed yesterday at the old boat ramps so local fisherman can continue to use the boat basin while bass tournaments are utilizing the mega ramps.

THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS IN FULL SWING

The Holiday Season has officially started and is in high gear here in Bainbridge!  The City of Bainbridge has an entire lineup of holiday activities to keep you busy this month. 

First, Christmas on the River will be held at the Earle May Boat Basin on December 2 at 6:00 p.m.  There will be singing by local choirs, hay rides, marshmallow roasts, hot cocoa and the lighting of the Community Christmas Tree.  There will even be a special appearance by Santa Claus!

December 9 welcomes the Christmas Parade.  Starting at 7:00 p.m., the parade will begin on

Wheat Avenue and make its way to downtown Bainbridge.  Be on the lookout for candy, lights and Santa, as he visits Bainbridge once again!

If you’ve got some last minute shopping to take care of, Downtown Bainbridge is the place to do it on December 16 at Christmas on the Square.  Stores will be open late for shopping and there will be marshmallow roasts, hot cocoa and singing by local youth. 

Come out and enjoy the holidays at all of these great, free community events! 

City Offices will be closed on Thursday, December 23 and Friday, December 24 for the Christmas Holidays.  Offices will also be closed on Friday, December 31 for the New Year’s holiday.  Residential trash pick up will not be affected by the closings.  Since Christmas generally means extra trash for families, the City will have dumpsters set up at Public Safety on Shotwell St.  and at the Public Works Department on Pierce St. for citizens to use for free from December 23 – 27.  

For more information on any of the City’s holiday activities, visit the City’s website, http://www.bainbridgecity.com/, or visit the City of Bainbridge blog at http://www.bainbridgecity.blogspot.com/.  You can also find more information on Cable Channel 96 and on our Facebook page.  Happy Holidays, everyone!

ASK THE MAYOR - DECEMBER 2010

Dear Mayor Reynolds,

Who do I call if there’s a pothole on my road?

This is a great question.  If you live in the City limits, I’m sure your first thought is to call the City of Bainbridge.  However, there are some roads within the city limits that are maintained by the County or by the state (DOT).  For example, if you live on a state road or highway, it is DOT’s responsibility to take care of your pothole.

No matter who maintains your road, if you live within the city limits and need to report a pothole, contact the city’s Public Works Department to let them know and they will determine who maintains your road.  From there, they will contact the appropriate group to take care of your road.  To reach the city’s Public Works Department, call 248-2015 or you can report a pothole online at www.bainbridgecity.com. Once on the City’s main page, click on “Site Tools,” then “Action Center.” 

Sincerely,

Mayor Reynolds

CHRISTMAS ON THE RIVER FEATURES THE LIGHTING OF THE COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE

Santa Claus is coming to town and will make his first visit to Bainbridge at Christmas on the River on the River on Thursday, December 2.  Head out to Earle May Boat Basin at 6:00 p.m. for live music by local choirs, dancing by Lucretia’s School of Dance and Murkerson’s Dance Academy, hay rides, marshmallow roasts and to see the lighting of the community Christmas tree. Don’t miss the fun as we kick off a month full of fun holiday activities in Bainbridge.

For more information about Christmas on the River or any of the City of Bainbridge’s holiday events, call 229-248-2000 or visit www.bainbridgecity.com.

Bill Reynolds #3

The new ball fields are nearing completion at the Bill Reynolds Sports Complex.  These photos were taken by Diane Atkinson when the lights were being tested.

Deadline for Christmas Parade approaching!!!

Deadline for entering the Christmas Parade is Monday, November 29th. Please don't delay!!!!

Downtown Development Authority increases amount for facade grants

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has a façade grant program available to properties located within its boundaries.  During the November board meeting, the board increased the limit of its façade grant to a maximum amount of $1500 per building with the DDA paying up to 50% of invoiced price.

Improvements that qualify for façade incentive assistance

1.                        New paint applied to existing painted exterior walls.

2.                        Replacements or additions of awnings to facades.

3.                        Door and window improvements.

4.                        Replacement or improvement to existing signs.

5.                        New façade applications to damaged or visually unpleasant exterior walls.

6.                        Renovations which compliment the historic characteristics of buildings.

7.                        Replacement of or uncovering of architectural features of buildings (ex. The removal of tin to uncover original brick façade).

To obtain a Façade Grant Application, please contact the

Main Street

office at 248-2000 or you may download an application from www.bainbridgecity.com.

2010 Holiday Open House Winner

2010 Holiday Open House Winner

Congratulations to Nichole Lee of Bainbridge, Georgia.  She is the winner of the 2010 grand prize drawing for Holiday Open House.  Nichole won over $400 worth of gift certificates from merchants that participated in Holiday Open House on November 21, 2010.  The lucky slip was drawn from Reeves Linens & Gifts.

1903 Fordham Hotel (Nelson Building) underwent slight facelift

The Downtown Development Authority of Bainbridge (DDA) recently repainted the first floor of the 1903 Fordham Hotel (Nelson Building) located at 301 East Water Street.  The DDA purchased the property five years ago from Mr. Nelson.  Since the DDA acquired the property, the roof has been replaced, the back wall stabilized, and installed new floor joists on the first floor.  If you are interested in purchasing the 1903 Fordham Hotel, please contact Amanda Glover at 229-248-2000 ext. 123.

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 21

The City of Bainbridge is kicking off the 2010 holiday season with Holiday Open House on November 21.  Downtown merchants will be open and offer great gifts and awesome deals from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Once again, Mary Barber Cox will be in Willis Park signing ornaments for everyone!  This year’s ornament features the entrance of Oak City Cemetery.  Ornaments will be available at Holiday Open House, or you can purchase them now at City Hall in the Community Development Office.  Individual ornaments are $8.00, or you can purchase the full set of Bainbridge ornaments for $160. 

This year’s Holiday Open House Participants are: The Bean Cafe, Belk’s, Bella’s Boutique, Factory Connection, Godwin’s Jewelers, Isabee’s, Jacobik Antiques, Kres Jewelers, LTL Flowers and Gifts, Polka Dots Gift Shop, Reeve’s Linens and Gifts, Sharon House Antiques, Southern Trading Co. & Pawn Shop, Special Occasions, The Sweet Spot and The Tanning Company and Tina Brock Gifts. 

Remember to BUY BAINBRIDGE during the holidays.  Purchasing holiday gifts locally means that your hard earned money stays in the community where it can do the most good. 

For more information on Bainbridge Ornaments, Holiday Open House or any of the City of Bainbridge’s holiday activities, call 229-248-2000 or visit www.bainbridgecity.com.

Public Access Channel 17 has moved to Channel 96

The City of Bainbridge has used Mediacom's public access channel 17 to publish community events and city information for many years.  As you may have noticed, the information is no longer posted on Channel 17; however, you may view the information on Channel 96.

To receive the programming requires a digital-ready TV, a Mediacom digital receiver or a Mediacom digital adapter.  

Please contact Mediacom’s local office for further details.   

Holiday Hours

The Bill Reynolds Tennis Center will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday November 24-26.

The facility will also be closed for Christmas December 24, 25, 26 and New Year's December 31 and January 1.

Adult Tennis

We are finishing up our men's and women's USTA league season. It does not seem like it is the same year, considering that when we started the season we were in 100 degree heat and now the temperature has dropped considerably and now we are playing in warm-ups. With the conclusion of one season it leads to the opening of the next. Mixed doubles will start next month with registration opening soon. If you want to be a captain or are interested in finding a team please give contact us so we can pass your information along to captains and the league coordinator.

Tournaments

We have scheduled our annual tournaments for 2011. The Polar Bear will be January 15 and 16 offering singles and doubles. For those of you wanting to play mixed doubles get ready for our Valentine Tournament February 12 and 13. As always for these tournaments plan on a good time, good food and members playing FREE!

 Juniors

We will not have clinics the week of Thanksgiving November 22-26.

Our junior tennis players are stepping up their games. To start our competitive season off we had a Halloween dress up pizza party which was tons of fun. Then for the next four Friday's over twenty of our junior players have been competing in a round robin format, playing both singles and doubles. Play is for all levels because of the use of low compression balls and adapted shortened lines, if you know a junior player who wants to get involved now is the time. Check out these pictures from our Halloween party.

Beginning in 2011 clinics will be paid monthly for all but The Advanced Academy clinics. This will help us keep better attendance records. If your child misses a paid class it will be carried over to the next month. 

Mini Tournament

To wrap up this competitive season we will have a tournament with 60 foot lines and low compression balls. This tournament is for players with little experience who are between the ages of 7-10. We will have a light lunch for everyone and trophies for the winner. Play will begin at 9:00 Saturday December 11. If your child is interested please click on the link to enroll.

Click to enroll 

Holiday Camp

With the High School and Middle School tennis seasons just around the corner we will be offering a tennis camp during the Christmas break.  It will be Monday December 27-30 from 9:30-11:30. Kids from all around the area are invited to attend. We will have competitive matches, dynamic drills and plyometric exercises to work out to.

Click to enroll

See you on the courts,

Tim Thompson

Bainbridge Tennis Director

www.bainbridgetennis.com

CITY OFFICES CLOSED NOVEMBER 25 AND 26

City of Bainbridge offices will be closed on Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.  Offices will reopen on Monday, November 29. 

No residential garbage collection will be affected by the holiday.  However, because of the large amount of trash accumulated over the holiday, dumpsters will be set up at Bainbridge Public Safety on

Shotwell Street

as well as the Public Works Department on

Pierce Street

until Monday, December 27 for anyone needing to use them. 

Mayor's Motorcade Rummage Sale

The City of Bainbridge will have the Mayor's Motorcade Rummage sale again Saturday, November 13 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Kwilecki Building next door to City Hall.  If you missed out last Saturday please don't forget to come this weekend for great deals on clothing, shoes, baby items, men & women's apparel etc.

MORE CHANGES

Downtown is getting spruced up just a little more before the holidays begin!! The lights from Phase One of the Streetscape Project (around the square and along S. Broad St.) are being changed to match the new lights from Phase Two!

Pumpkins in the Park

Thanks to everyone who came to Willis Park for Pumpkins in the Park.  We had a great turnout and the kids seemed to have so much fun trick-or-treating, riding on the hayrides and participating in the contests. 
 

0-24 months winners: 

1^st Place – (Lady Bugs) Madison & McKenna Whitley

2^nd  Place – (Bride & Groom) Mercy Williams & Gunner Powell

3^rd Place – (Jack In The Box) Dalton Brock



3-5 year old winers:

1^st Place – (Nurse) Addison Moore

2^nd Place (Cowboy) Shelby Copeland

3^rd Place  (Mermaid) Elisa Donez

6-8 year old winners:

1^st Place – (Billy the Exterminator) Kameron Adams

2^nd Place (Scare Crow) Dawson Carver

3^rd Place  (Dorothy) Macie Ezell

9-12 year old winners:

1^st Place – (Mime) Emily Chambers

2^nd Place (Marilyn Monroe) Payton Anderson

3^rd Place  (Box of Kleenex) Parker Miller

Pumpkin Carving Contest Winners:

Ages 3 – 5 Kenny Barton

Ages 6 – 8 Kennedy Jackson (not pictured)

Ages 9 – 11 Cloe VunCannon

Ages 12 – 14 Angel Grover

Ages 15 & Over Sara Dollar

NOVEMBER KICKS OFF CITY'S HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

The City had an extremely successful October, welcoming Governor Perdue to cut the ribbon on our Mega Ramp project, followed by three bass tournaments that totaled over 450 boats and created an estimated economic impact of over $2 million.  With the assistance of American Bass Anglers, the Bainbridge Convention and Visitors Bureau also hosted Bainbridge’s first BBQ Cookoff and Festival, which was a big success.  Thank you to everyone who came out to support Cookoff and to support all of the anglers who were in town.  Some of them stayed for two or three weeks straight to fish multiple tournaments, and many of them commented on the great hospitality they were greeted with while in town. 

November starts a very busy holiday season in Bainbridge!  This Saturday, November 6 marks the last Downtown Market of the year.  The Market will be open in Willis Park from 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon.  The City will also be holding its first Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade Rummage Sale on November 6 from 7:00 a.m. – 12 noon in the Kwilecki Building (the old Fixture Exchange) next to City Hall.  The money raised from the Rummage Sale will go towards buying Christmas gifts for patients at Southwestern State Hospital.  Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade is an annual event sponsored by GMA that the City of Bainbridge supports. 

On Tuesday, November 9, the City of Bainbridge will host a brainstorming session to discuss ideas for things for youth to do in the area.  This meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Potter Street Community Center and is open to anyone who would like to attend.

We are also getting ready for Holiday Open House.  This is the official kick off for all of the City’s holiday activities.  Holiday Open House is scheduled for Sunday, November 21 from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Most of the downtown merchants will be open and offering great sales to kick off the holiday shopping season.  There will also be a drawing for a gift basket with goodies in it from the participating merchants.  Don’t forget to purchase this year’s Bainbridge ornament, which features Oak City Cemetery.  Mary Barber Cox will be in Willis Park during the day to sign ornaments.  Individual ornaments cost $8 or you can buy the entire set of Bainbridge Christmas Ornaments for $160. 

City Offices will be closed on Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26 for the Thanksgiving Holidays.  Offices will resume normal business hours on Monday, November 29.  Residential trash pick up will not be affected by the holiday, so follow your normal schedule for this.

The City has many events scheduled for December as well. Be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming dates and be on the lookout for more information about them: Christmas on the River, December 2 at 6:00 p.m.; Christmas Parade, December 9 at 7:00 p.m.; and Christmas on the Square, December 16 at 5:00 p.m. Applications for floats in the Christmas Parade are now online at the City’s website, or you can pick one up from City Hall.  The deadline to enter a float in the parade in Monday, November 29. 

For more information on any of the events listed above, be sure to visit the City’s website, http://www.bainbridgecity.com/, or our blog, http://www.bainbridgecity.blogspot.com/.  You can also find information on cable Channel 17 or our facebook page.  Happy Holidays!

ASK THE MAYOR - NOVEMBER 2010

Dear Mayor Reynolds,

What is the City’s holiday schedule and how will it affect my trash pick up?

All City of Bainbridge offices will be closed on November 25 and 26 for Thanksgiving, December 23 and 24 for Christmas Holidays, and on December 31 for the New Year’s Holiday.  Since these at the end of the week, your household garbage collection should not be affected. 

However, for holidays that do fall on a Monday (like Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday in January), everyone’s trash pick up is pushed back a day.  So if your garbage is usually collected on a Monday, but the City is closed on Monday, your garbage will be collected on Tuesday.  If your garbage is usually collected on Tuesday, it will be picked up on Wednesday.  Generally, commercial pick up is not affected for a Monday holiday.

With the extra garbage that is sure to pile up with the upcoming Christmas holidays, the City’s Public Works Department will be placing dumpsters at Bainbridge Public Safety on

Shotwell Street

and at the Public Works department on

Pierce Street

for the public to use.

As always, all garbage collection information is posted on the City’s Channel (Channel 17 on cable), on their website http://www.bainbridgecity.com/ and on the City’s new blog, http://www.bainbridgecity.blogspot.com/.  If you ever have a question about your garbage pick up, check one of these!

Sincerely,

Mayor Reynolds

DR. LARRY CLARK CHOSEN AS GRAND MARSHALL OF BAINBRIDGE CHRISTMAS PARADE

Dr. Larry Clark, Principal of Jones Wheat Elementary School, has been chosen as Grand Marshall of the 2010 City of Bainbridge Christmas Parade.  Because of his outstanding community service and dedication to Bainbridge, Dr. Clark was a unanimous choice to receive this honor.

Clark holds a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from Morehouse College.  He also has two Masters of Education Degrees, one from Florida A&M University and the other from Troy State University, as well as an Educational Specialist Degree and Doctorate in Educational Leadership, both from Nova Southeastern University.  He has been teaching in Bainbridge since 1975, where he began as a fourth and fifth grade teacher at Lillian E. Williams Elementary School.  During his time in Bainbridge he has also taught at Hutto Middle School and was an Assistant Principal at both Elcan-King Elementary and Bainbridge High School before becoming Principal of Jones Wheat Elementary School in 1990.  He was named Teacher of the Year in 1986 at Hutto Middle School.

Clark has also coached many Bainbridge athletic teams, including serving as the Varsity Coach of the Hutto Middle School Football Team, Defensive Coordinator of the Bainbridge High School football team, and Bainbridge High School Boys Head Track Coach. He was voted Region Track Coach of the Year in 1986, 1990, 1991 and 2001-2006.  Clark was also a member of the Bainbridge High School coaching staff that was crowned state AAA Champions in 1982 and was the coach of the BHS Track Team that won a State Championship in 2010.

Clark is married to Shirley H. Clark and has two daughters; Shirmil Clark, a Pharmacist at the University of

Tennessee Hospital and Shirelle Clark, a junior nursing student at Florida A & M University.  He is an active

Member of the First A. B. Church Gospel Choir, Sunday School Teacher, Assistant Superintendent of the

Sunday School, and a member of the Trustee and Mission in Action Board.

The City of Bainbridge Christmas Parade is scheduled from Thursday, December 9 at 7:00 p.m.  The parade will begin on

Wheat Avenue

and will end in downtown Bainbridge.  Registration is now underway for anyone interested in having a float in the parade.  If you would like to register, please call 229-248-2000 or visit www.bainbridgecity.com for an application.

CITY OF BAINBRIDGE HOLDING RUMMAGE SALE FOR MAYORS’ CHRISTMAS MOTORCADE

The City of Bainbridge will be doing its part to make the holiday season special for residents of the state’s mental health and retardation hospitals and would like your help! 

The Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade, sponsored by the Georgia Municipal Association and endorsed by the City of Bainbridge, is an annual event conducted to raise awareness of the needs of patients housed in mental health and retardation hospitals throughout the State of Georgia.  This program has a successful 51 year history and has made a difference for the patients housed in these care facilities.  The City of Bainbridge donates to the Southwestern State Hospital.  This facility houses approximately 60 patients who have tour-rounds needs, especially at Christmas.

This year, the City of Bainbridge is asking you to clean out your closets and donate items for the inaugural Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade Rummage Sale, which will be held on Saturday, November 6 from 7:00 a.m. – 12 noon in the Kwilecki Building downtown.  All proceeds raised from the Rummage Sale will go towards buying Christmas gifts for the residents of Southwestern State Hospital.

If your spring cleaning left your closets empty, there are other ways you can help, including coming to shop at the Rummage Sale on November 6.  You can also help by donating new and unwrapped gifts, including personal care items, clothing, games, and movies.  A complete list of needed items is available at City Hall or on the City of Bainbridge’s website at www.bainbridgecity.com.

To donate items for the Rummage Sale, drop them off at City Hall, 101 S. Broad Street, Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.   For more information on the Rummage Sale or Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade, contact Beth Williams at City of Bainbridge, 229-248-2000 ext. 107.

BASS Open Series

Thanks to everyone who came out to watch the weigh-ins for the BASS Open Series on October 7-9.  It was a great to have them as the first group to use Bainbridge's new mega ramp site. 

Local angler Frank Jordan Jr. made the cut as one of the 30 boaters to fish the final day

Convention & Visitors Bureau Board Chairman Matt Palmer fished on days one and two

Local angler Pam Martin-Wells checks to see her weight on day 2

CHRISTMAS PARADE APPLICATIONS NOW ONLINE

It's time to reserve your spot for a float in this year's Christmas Parade!  Applications are now online at the city's website:  http://www.bainbridgecity.com/ and are due by November 29. 

PUMPKINS IN THE PARK SET FOR OCTOBER 30

The City of Bainbridge is celebrating Halloween a day early on October 30.  So, find the perfect costume, finish carving those pumpkins and head to Willis Park for Pumpkins in the Park. 

This year’s Pumpkins in the Park will include a pumpkin carving contest and a costume contest.  There are four different age groups for the costume contest: 0-24 months, 3-5 years old, 6-8 years old and 9-12 years old.  The pumpkin carving contest has five different age groups: 3-5 years old, 6-8 years old, 9-12 year old and 15 years old and up.  The winners of each age group in both contests will receive Bainbridge Bucks to use at local businesses. 

In addition to the contests, there will be all types of fun going on in Willis Park, including trick-or-treating, games for kids, popcorn, drinks and hayrides!  Registration begins at 3:30 p.m. and judging for the pumpkin carving contest will begin at 4:30 p.m., followed by the costume contest at 5:00 p.m.  Following Pumpkins in the Park, the City of Bainbridge encourages everyone to trick-or-treat in their neighborhoods. 

Don’t miss Pumpkins in the Park, it’s fun for the entire family!

Bainbridge Mega Ramp Grand Opening

Mayor Edward Reynolds welcomes everyone to the Mega Ramp Ribbon Cutting



DNR Commissioner Chris Clark

Senator John Bulloch introduces Govenor Sunny Perdue

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue

City Council Members, Rep. Gene Maddox, Gov. Perdue, Sen. John Bulloch, and Decatur County Commission Chairman Earl Perry cut the ribbon!

Public Works Director Tommy King launches the first boat from the ramps

 

Fishing Legend Jack Wingate and Gov. Perdue

MEGA RAMPS ARE GOOD FOR ALL

Over the past several months, the Boat Basin has undergone some big changes.  Take some time to drive by and see all the hard work that City’s Public Works department has put in to get our new boat ramps completed.

In 2007, Bainbridge was chosen by Governor Perdue as one of ten sites to receive funding to build mega ramps as part of his Go Fish Georgia Initiative.  The purpose of the Go Fish Georgia Initiative is to promote and improve boating and fishing tourism and to boost economic development in communities.   As part of the initiative, the state has given Bainbridge $400,000.  In turn, the City of Bainbridge is matching the $400,000 with SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) money.  The use of SPLOST funds is voted on by the citizens of Bainbridge, and the money collected cannot be used for anything other than what the voters decide. 

Thanks to the construction of the new mega ramps, Bainbridge has landed three big bass tournaments for October.  First, on October 7-9, we will host a B.A.S.S. Southern Open Series tournament with 400 anglers.  On October 16-17, the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series Regional Tournament will be in town with nearly 400 more anglers. In addition to the bass tournament, the Boat Basin will play host to numerous four-man barbeque teams and judges in the Georgia State Barbeque Championship, a KCSB BBQ event, where competitors are fighting for a birth in the Kansas City Royal Championship.  Tournament directors are planning a festival for the community to enjoy, complete with vendors, kids activities, food and exhibits.  Finally, on October 21-23, FLW will be bringing back its BFL Regional Tournament with over 200 anglers. 

That’s nearly 1000 competitors, not counting tournament coordinators, families and friends that will be in our community, injecting new dollars.  They will stay at our hotels, eat at our restaurants, buy gas from our gas stations, and bait and tackle from our local stores.  Their money will make a huge impact on our local economy.  

In addition to the three bass tournaments, Governor Perdue will be in Bainbridge today for a ribbon cutting in honor of our new ramps.  The ribbon cutting will take place at 4:00 p.m. at the Earle May Boat Basin and we encourage everyone to attend as we celebrate the completion of this great project. 

October is set to be a huge month in Bainbridge.  I encourage each of you to come out to the Boat Basin each afternoon to watch the weigh-ins and thank the anglers and tournament directors for coming to Bainbridge.  They truly do make a difference while they are here in town.

Later in the month, the City of Bainbridge will be celebrating Halloween a day early, Saturday, October 30, with Pumpkins in the Park.  Head to Willis Park at 3:30 p.m. for trick-or-treating, a costume contest and a pumpkin carving contest.  We encourage everyone to follow Pumpkins in the Park with trick-or-treating in their own neighborhoods. 

Don’t forget to submit your questions to “Ask the Mayor!”  Email askthemayor@bainbridgecity.com with any question you’d like to ask Mayor Edward Reynolds.  Over the next couple of months, Mayor Reynolds will be answering a few of the questions he frequently receives from the public like, “Who do I report a pot hole to?” and “Why doesn’t the city get an Applebee’s here?” 

For more information on any city services or events, visit www.bainbridgecity.com and be sure to check out our new blog, http://www.bainbridgecity.blogspot.com/ for stories, information, photos and much more!

CITY, COUNTY AND KEEP DECATUR COUNTY BEAUTIFUL TEAM UP TO RECYCLE

The City of Bainbridge, Decatur County Commissioners and Keep Decatur County Beautiful are working in conjunction with Decatur Seminole Service Center to make it easier to recycle cardboard boxes and packaging in downtown Bainbridge.  Beginning on Monday, October 4, a new cardboard receptacle will be located in the County Administration Building parking lot at 203 Broughton Street (old Badcock building).  Businesses, as well as individuals, are encouraged to recycle any type of cardboard. All boxes must be broken down before being put in the receptacle, ensuring space for everyone’s recycling.  The receptacle will be available throughout the Holiday Season.  With Christmas approaching and new merchandise being delivered to businesses weekly, this is the perfect opportunity to repurpose that material instead of sending it to the landfill. 

It is also perfect timing for recycling all of your Christmas packaging and boxes while helping to support a local organization at the same time.  The Decatur Seminole Service Center is in charge of packing the cardboard from the receptacle, which they then sell to support their programs.  They also have four additional bins available for any business that would like to have one to use.  If you would like to have a receptacle at your place of business, please contact them at 229-246-4104. 

For more information on this project or the Decatur Seminole Service Center, contact the Keep Decatur County Beautiful at 229-246-3611, the City of Bainbridge at 229-248-2000, the Decatur Seminole Service Center at 229-246-4104, or visit the City’s website at www.bainbridgecity.com.

Ask the Mayor - September 2010

Mayor Reynolds,

One of the activities my husband and I enjoy doing when we visit other cities is taking our dog (Ralph) to local dog parks.  As Ralph is an “only child” he really enjoys being able to run freely with his canine friends at the park.  Unfortunately for Ralph he only gets this play time when we visit other cities.  Is it possible for Bainbridge to build a dog park? (somewhere at the Boat Basin perhaps?) Ralph and his canine pals (and their parents) would be very grateful! 

Thanks for your thoughts!

Michelle Hufstetler

Bainbridge, GA

Dear Michelle,

  A dog park is a great idea.  While there are some dog parks run by local governments or the state, a lot of dog parks are owned by private citizens or businesses.  What a great opportunity for an entrepreneur in the area, or even a local civic group! 

  While the city has no designated park for dogs to play, residents and visitors are welcome to walk their dogs at any time in any of the city’s many parks.  However, there are a few rules that one must follow.  First, it is the owner’s responsibility to pick up any of the animal’s waste.  Willis Park provides bags for animal waste to be disposed of in. 

   Running at large is prohibited anywhere in the city limits that is not your own personal property.  According the Code of Bainbridge, Georgia Section 10-4, “It shall be the duty of the owner of any animal to keep the animal under control at all times while the animal is off the real property limits of the owner.  For the purposes of this action, an animal is deemed under control when it is confined within a vehicle, parked or in motion, is secured by a leash or other device held by a competent person, is under voice command of a competent person being present with the animal, or is properly confined within an enclosure with permission of the owner of the property where the enclosure is located.”

   I encourage you to use our parks for walking your pets, but be sure to follow the city’s rules while doing so. 

Sincerely,

Mayor Reynolds