Council tables Emancipation Celebration permits after disagreement over location and policing

Thomaston’s City Council voted Wednesday to table approval of Emancipation Celebration special event permits after a contentious discussion about event location and policing.

Police Chief Mike Richardson told the council he recommended the Emancipation Committee and the Downtown Fun Fest Committee combine their evening activities into a single downtown event on Saturday to reduce the police presence needed for security. "I recommended combining the events downtown to provide adequate security and lesser police presence," Richardson said.

Members of the Emancipation Committee and residents pushed back. Angie McGill said she "did not enjoy last year's event due to the road closures," saying road closures impeded family access. Rev. McGill and Markeevius Smith emphasized the event's long-standing history at its traditional location and questioned shifting it downtown.

Councilmembers pressed for clarity about whether both committees had been consulted and why the chief’s recommendation had not been circulated earlier. No compromise was reached during the meeting.

Councilmember Jeff Middlebrooks moved and Councilmember Lakeitha Reeves seconded a motion to table the permit approvals until the next meeting to allow additional planning and coordination; the motion passed unanimously. City Manager Russell Thompson asked interested parties to leave contact information so staff could schedule a follow-up meeting.

Next steps: staff will contact committee representatives for a follow-up meeting to attempt coordination before the council’s next meeting.