McDonough mayor delivers farewell, city honors local nonprofits and youth council

Mayor Sandra Vincent opened the Dec. 15 City Council meeting with a personal address marking her final regular session and reflecting on the administration’s accomplishments. She noted purchases and projects completed under her term — including a new city hall building, the Hazelhurst House acquisition and expanded park amenities — and asked that her prepared remarks be placed in the minutes. "Tonight is my last official meeting," the mayor said, calling her time in office "one of the honors of my life."

The council presented several proclamations and recognitions during the meeting. Mayor Vincent led a ceremonial acknowledgement of Connecting Henry Inc., a countywide social-services nonprofit; Barbara Coleman, the organization’s executive director, accepted the proclamation and described increased demand for emergency assistance in the wake of recent federal benefit interruptions. "We missed 166 phone calls," Coleman said, describing operational strain and urging neighbors to "check on the seniors because they are hurting really bad."

The council also honored Dr. Sherrell Bryant for community leadership and recognized the Girls 1st Community Garden — a project developed with an EPA Environmental Justice Small Grant — for producing thousands of pounds of produce and engaging volunteers. Councilmember Burt read the garden proclamation and celebrated its community partnerships and measurable outcomes. Representatives of Girls 1st thanked the council and emphasized the program’s role in food access and youth development.

Later in the agenda, the mayor swore in the McDonough youth council executive team, administered by Dr. Samantha Samuels; the newly sworn youth leaders will serve during 2025–26.

The mayor closed the meeting with gratitude for staff and volunteers and a charge to the incoming administration to maintain the city’s civic momentum. "We move forward united, and united we are," she said. The ceremonial items concluded without formal votes beyond the adoption of routine proclamations and acknowledgments recorded in the minutes.

The council moved on to the meeting’s business after the recognition segment; the next procedural items included budget and project actions scheduled later in the agenda.