Douglasville proclaims Aug. 11 as 8-11 Day to promote safe digging

Mayor Rochelle Robinson read a proclamation at the Aug. 3 Douglasville City Council meeting declaring Aug. 11, 2026, as the City of Douglasville's "8-11 Day," urging contractors and homeowners to contact 811 before excavating.

"Now, therefore, I, Rochelle Robinson, mayor of the City Of Douglasville, along with the Douglasville City Council, do hereby proclaim the day of 08/11/2026 as city of Douglasville's 8 11 day to promote awareness of safe digging practices and encourage all contractors and homeowners to contact 811 before digging to protect, protect lives, property and our communities," Robinson read aloud during the proclamation.

The proclamation notes the Federal Communications Commission designated 811 as a national number in 2005 to help contractors and homeowners secure the location of buried utility lines before digging. Bobby Chastain, who identified himself as chairman of the Douglas County Utilities Coordinating Committee and an employee of Greystone Power, said the local committee promotes the national and Georgia 811 notification system to reduce underground utility damage. "I work for Greystone Power," Chastain said while introducing fellow committee officers, who joined the council for a photo after the proclamation.

A committee representative clarified what 811 does and does not locate: "The only thing you wouldn't pick up is like, your main sewer line or irrigation line. But if it's a publicly owned facility, it would get picked up in that locate ticket," the presenter said, describing the limitations of locates so residents understand which lines will be identified.

The proclamation and accompanying remarks were intended to remind residents that failing to call 811 before digging can cause service interruptions, environmental harm and threats to public safety. The council photographed the proclamation recipients at the close of the presentation.