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Residents praise first responders and raise demolition and leadership concerns at Valdosta council meeting
Summary
During public comment Oct. 9, Valdosta residents praised first responders, Coastal Plain speakers outlined services and program totals, a business owner alleged improper handling of demolition materials, and a pastor criticized recent staff departures and tax increases; the mayor and council offered follow-up.
Several Valdosta residents used the council’s "Citizens to be Heard" segment at the Oct. 9 meeting to praise first responders, outline community-assistance programs and raise concerns about a building demolition and city leadership.
"I come here specifically to thank the Valdosta Police Department and, the fire department, our first responders," Christina Cheek told the council, citing recent robberies and an incident in which a student brought a gun to a local school and thanking officials for professional responses.
Representatives of Coastal Plain, the area community action agency, described services and program totals. Carla Gervin said the agency served 6,218 households through its LIHEAP program in the past fiscal year and returned roughly $2,791,499 in funding to communities, noting Lowndes County as the largest share with 1,231 residents served; speakers also described rental-assistance spending, food vouchers for seniors and other client services.
Katie Watson, who identified herself as a local business owner, described losing her building at 204 S. Ashley Street during Hurricane Helene and said she had been given little notice about condemnation and demolition. Watson said "I saw that they are selling our, building materials on Facebook, which is very upsetting," and asked to meet with the city attorney; the mayor and the city attorney agreed to meet with her after the meeting.
Pastor Darren Neal criticized recent leadership changes, identifying Richard Hardy and Catherine Ammons by name and asserting those departures were being characterized as voluntary when he believed otherwise. Neal also said the city’s tax rate has increased "from 4% in taxes in 2024 to now over 8% here in 2025," and urged officials to prioritize services for flood-prone neighborhoods such as Pin Oak. Those statements were framed as opinion and community concern; councilmembers thanked speakers and offered follow-up where appropriate.
Also during public comment, George Boston urged local media to look into whether services for a young person in crisis were missed, and Marlena Morrow announced a public ‘‘Georgia Trust’’ fall ramble event showcasing the renovated Dasher High School and a community diaper giveaway on Oct. 18.
What’s next: Council members said staff and the city attorney would follow up on individual concerns raised during public comment, including a promised one-on-one meeting with the business owner about demolition and materials.
