The City of Valdosta will join other cities across Georgia in celebrating Georgia Cities Week, April 13-19, to recognize the many services city governments provide and their contribution to a better quality of life in Georgia. The theme this year is “Georgia Cities: People, Place, Purpose.”

“Cities provide the infrastructure for growing businesses, quality of life for individuals and families and are gathering spots for people throughout the region,” said Valdosta Mayor John Gayle. “We are very proud of our city and the services we provide that make it attractive to our residents and visitors.”

This year, the City of Valdosta has extended Georgia Cities Week to include additional activities planned in the city. Citizens are encouraged to observe Georgia Cities Week by participating in the following events:

Thursday, April 10: City Council Meeting, 5:30 a.m, City Hall, second floor at 216 E. Central Avenue. Citizens are invited to attend the City Council meeting as Mayor John Gayle announces the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners of the “If I Were Mayor” sixth-grade essay contest, the Employee of the Month winner, and other city business.

Saturday, April 12:Electronic Recycling Event, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the Mathis Auditorium parking lot.  Citizens can drop off a number of electronic items at the event. A full list of accepted items can be found at www.valdostacity.com/recycle.

Monday, April 14: Customer Service Day, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Customer Service Center, 102 N. Lee Street.  Citizens can meet face to face with their city council members and department heads, while browsing city information on the display table, reading “If I Were Mayor” contest essays and enjoying some complimentary refreshments.  

Tuesday, April 15:  City Blood Drive, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m., City Hall Annex Multi-Purpose Room, at 300 N. Lee St.   Help the city meet its goal of 25 pints, and give someone the gift of life!

Wednesday, April 16: Job Shadow Day, 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Valdosta City Hall Annex Multi-Purpose Room, 300 N. Lee Street. Twenty-five students from Valdosta High School Advancements via Individual Determination program will job shadow city department heads and give presentations to the Valdosta Mayor, City Council members and staff at a luncheon.

Thursday, April 17: Employee Appreciation Luncheon, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m., John W. Saunders Memorial Park.  City officials will serve lunch to city employees to show their appreciation for the work city employees do year-round.

Friday, April 18: Good Friday (City Holiday)

“Georgia Cities Week provides the perfect setting to be reminded of the positive steps we have taken and to invite our citizens to play an active role in the betterment of our community,” said Mayor Gayle.

Group tours of city facilities are also available during the celebratory week.  For more information about Georgia Cities Week activities in Valdosta or to arrange a group tour, contact Public Information Officer Sementha Mathews at (229) 259-3548 or sign up for E-news blasts at www.valdostacity.com/publicinformation.