By KARI L. SANDS

The Valdosta Daily Times



VALDOSTA — The city of Valdosta has acquired several nicknames such as Winnersville and the Azalea City, but it can definitely be called one of Georgia’s most unique and rapidly expanding communities. Since its designation as a metropolitan area in 2004, Valdosta has risen even more as the growing hub of the South for at least 12 surrounding counties. The state’s tenth largest city, located off Interstate 75 providing entry to Florida and easy access to Macon and Atlanta, Valdosta has increasingly developed through its transportation system and industrial influences, which help to bring economic success as well as diversity to a city where transportation commerce equals economic development.

But where can the success of the industrial and commercial evolution and development impact be accredited? Through the work of local government entities the community continues to grow without limits. Here, in his second term, Mayor John J. Fretti and the city council want to assure citizens that the progress flourishing within the city continues.

“When you run for re-election, you remove yourself from government and staff. For instance, I did not use government e-mail, telephone, or allow discussion of campaigning on government property," said Fretti. He discussed how in one incident during the election, an individual wanted to discuss a campaign issue at City Hall.

"I made him stand in the middle of Valley Street in insistence to get off government property while discussing politics," said Fretti. "That is how serious I take the separation."

During the November 2007 election, campaign advertisements claimed Fretti had helped to bring over 4,000 jobs and $11 million in grants to the city of Valdosta — fortunately, those numbers are incorrect. The actual numbers are an increase of at least 7,000 jobs and a grand total of $14,508,119 in grant money.

Fretti has been challenged by a concerned group of citizens to not only provide proof of the numbers he stated in his ads but also to demonstrate that all sectors have benefited from the growth as he looks to continue the success of the past four years.

Fretti says he wants to reassure the city that in the creation of jobs and lobbying for money, "I do so for all citizens and the community as a whole. Almost every time I spoke in reference to the successes of the past four years, I mentioned that I was proud to have been in office during the creation of some 4,000 new jobs and close to $11 million in grants and federal aid came to the city. Upon further investigation, statistics from the DOL (Department of Labor) have proven otherwise," said Fretti, and are much higher than he quoted.

During Fretti’s first term in office, from December 2003 until October 2007, 7,762 jobs were created in the city of Valdosta, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. This displays an increase of 58,457 to 66,219 jobs.

In 2006 alone, Colonial Mall Valdosta increased employment by 400 jobs, Kohl’s added 200 jobs, downtown Valdosta contributed 75 jobs, and the school systems and government added 100 jobs, to name a few, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. These numbers don’t include the jobs announced this year in the form of Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe, Steeda Autosports, Bathcraft, Saft, and others.

"The city of Valdosta has increased its workforce by nearly 3,000 jobs alone just in the city limits. Lowndes County has increased by more than 6,000, and the Valdosta MSA has grown by nearly 8,000 jobs," said Fretti.

According to the Georgia Department of Labor, based on state unemployment insurance, the labor force increased from 59,374 in January 2004 to 66,219 in October 2007. These numbers can be found at www.dol.state.ga.us and represent an increase of 6,845.

In regard to the accumulation of grants during the past four years, the grand total for grants and federal aid was $14,508,119, according to notes personally acquired by Fretti from various federal entities.

"Federal entitlement is going to come to any Metro City, but we work hard and lobby for the over $14 million," said Fretti. Grants obtained include Regional Search Rescue dollars for the Valdosta Fire Department in the amount $1.1 million; the MLK corridor project from federal funds for $500,000; an anti-gang initiative grant for $69,000; and private economic development (Department of Defense 2008 Funds) for $4.2 million, to name a few. The $11,892,325 does not include federal entitlement Community Development Block Grants worth $2,615,794 for 2004-2007 respectively.

"In general, cities, the activity areas of America, should be successful in grants and what I tell the people to which I'm lobbying for money, cities are the crucibles of creativity, culture, and commerce," said Fretti. "And grant money will always be put to good use by the city of Valdosta.

"For 12-14 counties, Valdosta is the activity area for shopping, working, and playing. So every penny of grant money goes to better provide for the quality of life of all citizens," said Fretti.

Fretti also wants to convince the new DOT Commissioner as well as the local board members that Valdosta is the only major city in Georgia without a prominent truck bypass around the downtown area.

In addition to particular future projects, one vision of the mayor’s definitely remains a priority and that is the welfare of the citizens of the Valdosta MSA. "In creating jobs, lobbying for grants, and serving the city, I work for all citizens in the entire community, trade area, and area of influence as the hub city of a greater region.”