Milledgeville could soon look different as city officials contemplate honoring all races of people with cultural historical banners placed on utility poles.
Among the first locals honored would be Black leaders who have played a significant role in helping make Milledgeville and Baldwin County what it has become to this point in the city’s rich history.
February marks Black History Month.
The Rev. Harold Simmons recently addressed city council about the idea. He talked about placing banners on lamp posts showing local Black leaders whose contributions helped shape the city through the years. The City of Perry was referenced as having a similar project.
“We’d like to do that same thing here in Milledgeville,” Simmons said in his brief request to city council.
Milledgeville City Council discussed the idea in a meeting Tuesday.
“I’ll open up the floor for discussion on funding this project, and at what level,” the mayor said.
City Alderwoman Jeanette Walden said she was not in favor of funding the project as honoring only Black leaders.
Later, she clarified her position.
“I just believe if we’re going to be fair about it, we need to honor other races of people, too, who made contributions to our city as well,” Walden said. “That’s the fairest way to do it, in my opinion.”
Walden’s belief coincided with the one made by Shinholster during the meeting.
“As you travel to other cities and as you travel to different places around the state and even the country, a lot of cities change banners because almost every month of the year to celebrate some nationality,” Shinholster said. “I ask you all not to look at this as just Black History Month because I have asked Carlee (Schulte, director of Milledgeville Main Street) for many years if she could represent Asians, Hispanics, etc. There is a celebration for different nationalities almost every month of the year.”
Shinholster said with the diverse population that exists in Milledgeville, she believes the city needs to be inclusive.
She said that’s why she believes the city doesn’t need just one set of banners.
Walden said that her position was based on something that happened a long time ago.
Since then, she noted that the city has had to stop putting up some banners because there are scouting organizations and other groups wanting the city to put their banners up.
“They have to pay for their own,” Walden said. “I don’t have a problem with them putting their banners up. I think it’s a good thing, but when he (Simmons) gave his presentation, at least the way I interpreted it, was they just wanted some poles to put the banners on. He didn’t say a word about the city funding those banners.”
Walden said she was against the city spending money to have the banners printed to honor local leaders for Black History Month.
“That’s the impression I had, too,” Shinholster said. “But that does not mean the city isn’t already behind the eight-ball at doing what other cities do.”
Shinholster said during her recent visit to the National League of Cities she learned there are companies that go to different cities and do banners.
“They come in and put up the banners and then they come back and take them down,” she said. “So, that’s something that is done in celebration of everyone, and we’re already behind the eight-ball in doing what other cities are doing.”
Chambers said he likes that idea.
“If we do our own thing, and do it on a consistent basis, and it’s representative of our city, then that’s a good thing,” Chambers said.
City officials contend the banner concept could help promote other aspects of Milledgeville such as Deep Roots or Great American Main Street program.
Griffeth said he had discussed with the city’s executive staff about buying banners.
“This is very timely, because we’re already looking at how we upgrade the use of those, plus we have a number of poles we’re having to get repaired,” Griffeth said.
Griffeth asked Shinholster to supply him the name of the company she was referring to and he would get in touch with a representative about the possibility of the city contracting with them.
“I think it’s a unique idea because these people were born and raised in Milledgeville,” Shinholster said in reference to Simmons’ presentation.
She commended Simmons and the other representative on the idea because it gives young people in the community a new opportunity to learn something.
There is no proposed budget for such a request, Griffeth said.
The city manager said it had been some time since Main Street or the city had purchased new banners.
“I’d have to go back and see what those costs were,” Griffeth said. “I did look at what might be considered an in-kind donation if the banners were actually hung.”
He said he talked with City Public Works Director Tim Thomas on Monday concerning the recent proposed request.
There are 28 lamp posts where banners could be hung.
Griffeth said Thomas mentioned it would take four employees, at an average hourly rate of $17.11 per hour at four hours.
“That would be an in-kind donation of $273.76 just to hang them,” Griffeth said, “And that’s not taking them down. You would double that (figure) for taking them down.”
Griffeth said he and Schulte had had conversations about the need to do something to celebrate the businesses that were on McIntosh Street.
“We’re looking at that across the board,” he said. “I would very much like to have information on these Black leaders hanging in the East Annex for when that facility is used and people can come inside and see that history.
Reynolds suggested that the city appoint an ad hoc committee to look into the banner proposal more closely.
It was decided he would serve as chairman of that committee.
Other committee members will be Shinholster and Mapp, as well as Griffeth and Parham-Copelan, who will serve in an advisory role.
