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Festival organizer urges City Council to speed road‑closure, partnership approvals for Our Healthy Festival
Summary
Organizer Gregory Barnes told the City Council he submitted a timely request for road closures and a proclamation for the Our Healthy Festival and asked the city to formalize a predictable process and clearer communication for event approvals.
Gregory Barnes, who identified himself for the record as a Millersville resident, told the City Council at its work session that he submitted a packet in November seeking road‑closure approvals and a proclamation for the Our Healthy Festival and has received no confirmation.
Barnes said the festival's sponsorship request does not seek city funds but a partnership and in‑kind support, including road closures and use of Main Street for event coordination. "It was not asking for the city to give us any money. This was a sponsorship a partnership for a community building," Barnes said.
Council members and staff described the typical routing for road‑closure requests: the application goes first to city staff for internal signoffs (police, public works), and if any proposed streets are state‑owned the city forwards the request to the Georgia Department of Transportation for approval. Staff noted DOT typically requires applications to be submitted well in advance — council discussion referenced a 30‑day lead time for state approvals tied to similar parade permits.
Barnes told the council he had sent his packet in November and that a personnel change in the city's office left the file with a prior staff member. He said the lack of confirmation hampered planning and sponsorship outreach and argued the city should offer a clearer, consistent process so multiple festivals can compete for an even share of support.
Council members encouraged Barnes to refile or resend his materials and suggested a short meeting to translate his packet into discrete city requests. A council member offered to arrange a meeting with Main Street staff and other officials to identify which specific in‑kind services the festival needs and to ensure the new Main Street director and staff have the paperwork to process a closure and any in‑kind support.
The exchange ended with an agreement to gather the relevant staff (including the Main Street manager) and to have Barnes resubmit or confirm delivery of files so staff can proceed with routing and, where necessary, DOT referrals. The council did not take formal action on the request during the meeting.
