Jan. 5: Valdosta City Council Meets for Work Session. The Mayor and City Council will meet for a work session on Tuesday, beginning at 5:30 p.m., which allows council members to spend an adequate amount of time discussing agenda items. The meeting is open to the general public and is held in the second-floor Council Chambers of City Hall, at 216 E. Central Avenue.

Jan. 6: Post-Holiday Traffic Resumes. Children enrolled in the County and City Schools Systems, who have enjoyed a nice holiday break, return to the classroom this Wednesday, Jan. 6. Motorists should allow themselves extra time to get to their various destinations-particularly in the early mornings and mid-afternoons-due to the additional vehicles and buses on city streets. Please drive carefully, for your safety and the safety of others.

Jan. 6: Statewide Transportation Leadership Forum. Citizens may join the Georgia Transportation Alliance for a meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 6, from 8:30-10 a.m., in the Valdosta City Hall Annex Multi-Purpose Room, to discuss key transportation topics prior to the 2016 legislative session. The discussions will feature three members of the Georgia General Assembly on economic development and transportation issues and will equip community leaders with the information about the benefits of HB 170. Register Here by Monday, Jan. 4.

Jan. 7: Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. The City of Valdosta, along with communities across our country, will observe a Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (L.E.A.D.), created and promoted nationwide by the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy Associates (FBINAA) to showcase the rewarding-yet often challenging-career field. Mayor John Gayle will present a proclamation to the leadership and staff of the Valdosta Police Department at 10 a.m. Citizens are encouraged to wear blue, thanks a police officer or any other act of appreciation for these dedicated public safety personnel who put their lives on the line daily to protect the citizens they serve. (The national observance takes place annually on Jan. 9; however, the local event is taking place a few days earlier in the week to allow city staff and citizens the opportunity to participate.)

Jan. 7: Valdosta City Council Meets. The Mayor and City Council will hold their first City Council meeting of the New Year, on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the second-floor City Hall Council Chambers, located at 216 E. Central Avenue. This meeting will feature the swearing-in ceremony for those elected and re-elected to the council, including: John Gayle, re-elected to his second term as the City of Valdosta Mayor; City Councilman Ben Norton, re-elected to serve At-Large; City Councilwoman Vivian Miller-Cody, elected to her first term to serve District 1; City Councilman Joseph "Sonny" Vickers, re-elected to serve District 3; and City Councilman Tim Carroll, re-elected to serve District 5. This meeting, which included other city business, is open to the general public. Click here to view the agenda.

Jan. 7: Citizens Invited to Reception Following City Council Meeting. Citizens are invited to a special reception for the Mayor and Council that will take place in the Valdosta City Hall Annex Multi-Purpose Room immediately following the City Council meeting. The annex is located at 300 N. Lee Street, across the street from City Hall.