In the City this Week
Tuesday, January 26th, 2021
City Announces Monthly Hot Spot Community Cleanup Program
In 2021, The City of Valdosta will begin a Monthly Hot Spot Community Cleanup Program. This will be held in addition to the two larger annual Community Hot Spot Cleanups.
This program was implemented to focus on cleanup efforts throughout the City year-round and tackle large scale litter issues in sections. “We wanted to try and focus more on the City neighborhoods and allow for more cleanup opportunities so that people can become interested and involved in the cleanup efforts of these residential areas. We hope to give residents more of an initiative to clean up and get rid of things they might have been putting off,” said Community Sustainability Coordinator Teresa Turner.
City staff will host the first monthly “Love Where You Live” Community Hot Spot cleanup in District 1 from January 25 – 29 in the Neighborhoods between North Forrest Street and Leon Street from Cypress Street to East Hill Avenue.
The week before the cleanup, staff will place flyers out to inform residents in the area about the event. The week of the cleanup, city crews will inspect the area to identify any repairs that need to be made such as potholes, clean signs, clear right of way, trim trees/bushes covering signs, street sweep and storm drain cleanouts as well as pick up trash and debris the residents put out by the road.
Beginning Monday, January 25, residents in the identified area can place bulk trash and debris by the road. Public Works crews will pick up bulk trash items throughout the week at no cost to the residents.
As the Community Sustainability Coordinator, City Leadership, Supervisors, and City Marshals move about the City daily, staff will provide feedback on areas needing attention. This information will determine which areas in the community will be selected for a monthly clean up event.
For more information about the Love Where You Live Community Hot Spot cleanup, contact Teresa Turner, Community Sustainability Coordinator, at 229-259-3588 ext. 4788.
Lowndes County Health Department COVID Vaccine Shortage
Due to a limited supply of COVID vaccine, Lowndes County Health Department will start contacting individuals today, January 21, to cancel appointments for those who have not yet received their first vaccination in the health department or drive-thru. Individuals with appointments for their second dose will not be affected.
“We must ensure anyone who received their first dose of COVID vaccine at Lowndes County Health Department or in our Drive-Thru at the Civic Center receives their second dose,” stated William Grow, MD, FACP, district health director. “Unfortunately, manufacturers are not able to keep up with the demand currently in the United States.”
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, vaccine supply is limited in the U.S., and Georgia only receives what the federal government allocates. As production of current vaccines is increased, which we hope to see in coming weeks, and as other vaccines are approved for use, our goal is to provide vaccinations to everyone, prioritizing those at highest risk of exposure and infection.
Health department staff will keep a list of all appointments canceled and these individuals will be contacted first when we receive an adequate supply of vaccine to reopen appointments.
Individuals that will not be able to receive their vaccine from Lowndes County Health Department are encouraged to visit the DPH Vaccine Locator at https://dph.georgia.gov/
“Individuals that have scheduled second dose appointments at Lowndes County Health Department or in our Drive-Thru will not be affected,” says Grow. “While we sincerely regret this has happened within our district and throughout Georgia, we are thankful for other enrolled providers that will be able to continue vaccinating persons within our community that are at high risk.”
Individuals are asked to not call the health department immediately but to wait for a staff member to contact them. For the most up-to-date information on COVID vaccine supply at Lowndes County Health Department, please visit www.southhealthdistrict.
Mayor’s Paddle on the Withlacoochee River
Saturday, February 6, 2021
Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 4 PM
Troupville Boat Ramp
Join the Mayor of Valdosta and a hundred of his closest friends for a leisurely paddle on the Withlacoochee River. Mayor Scott James says, “Over a year removed from a terrible spill into our area waterways, and right at a year of massive improvements to our infrastructure since our last ‘Mayors Paddle,’ I am again looking forward to fellowship on the river February 6.”
All elected officials present will have three minutes to speak. And you can paddle up to them and ask questions.
WWALS President Tom H. Johnson Jr. said, “This stretch of the river extends from the most populous city in the Suwannee River Basin past some suburbs and many rural woods. It is important for all the upstream city and county wastewater treatment plants to keep a grip on their sewage because many people depend on the Withlacoochee River for swimming, fishing, and boating, plus water wells nearby may be affected by anything that goes into the river. It’s a joy that publicly elected officials are involved in this activity and that the Mayor is helping organize it.”
It was fun last year, so let’s do it again! There is plenty of room to stay six feet apart, at Troupville Boat Ramp, the lunch stop, and at Spook Bridge, and of course on the water. We are still working out how the shuttle will work.
Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman said, “Thanks again to The Langdale Company for riverside access at the mid-way lunch stop, and the Spook Bridge takeout.”
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 4 PM, Saturday, February 6, 2021
Put-In: Troupville Boat Ramp, 19664 Valdosta Hwy, Valdosta, GA 31602: on GA 133 off I-75 exit 18. in Lowndes County.
GPS: 30.851842, -83.346536
Take Out: Spook Bridge, west from Valdosta on US 84, left onto Ousley Road, right onto Old Quitman Highway, stop at the gate.
Thanks to The Langdale Company for access through their private property to Spook Bridge for this outing and water quality testing.
Bring: the usual personal flotation device, boat, paddles, food, drinking water, warm clothes, and first aid kit. Also, trash pickers and trash bags: every WWALS outing is also a cleanup.
Free: This outing is free to WWALS members and $10 (ten dollars) for non-members. You can pay the $10 at the outing or online:
https://wwals.net/donations/#
