VALDOSTA — City Council postponed a vote on proposed traffic changes for Burton Street in front of the new Valdosta Middle School in order to solicit input from the Valdosta City School System.

City Engineer Von Shipman told Council he wrote to Superintendent Sam Allen two weeks ago, but had received no comment on the proposal. He said he would contact Allen personally and attend Monday’s board of education meeting if necessary to answer questions.

The proposal would make Burton a two-way street in order to provide access to the new entrance for the middle school. The move would also create new parking spaces for residents using either McKey Park or the middle school track.

Shipman also proposed a traffic signal at the intersection of Burton and Oak streets to better handle traffic flow. Traffic heading East on Burton would be forced to turn right onto Patterson Street.

In other business, Council:

Postponed a vote on a request from Helen Bennett to rezone 2.2 acres on Oak Street from single-family residential to office-professional pending the resolution of a special exception request now before the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission;

Postponed a vote on a request from David Brown to rezone 3.866 acres on North Valdosta Road from Community Commercial to Residential Professional for the purpose of expanding The Links apartment complex;

Unanimously approved a special exception request from Cynthia Jordan to establish a single-wide mobile home on two Nardo Street lots on the condition that approval be granted in the name of the applicant only, the home be set on a permanent foundation and masonry skirting be used around the perimeter of the mobile home;

Unanimously approved a request from Bill Gandy to rezone 25,356 square feet a the intersection of Melrose Drive and Lakeland Avenue from single family residential to multi-family residential;

Recognized Fire Lt. John Robinson, Firefighter Shelly Moore and Firefighter Ashley Tye as Employees of the Month for rescuing a disabled woman from a burning building;

Unanimously approved a special exception request from Normal Life of Georgia to establish a family personal care home in a multi-family residential zoning district on Ponderosa Drive on the condition that approval be granted in the name of the applicant only;

Unanimously approved entering into the Georgia Emergency Management Association’s Statewide Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement;

Postponed a request to quit-claim the right-of-way at Woodrow Wilson Drive and Ashley Street pending discussions with property owners, and

Unanimously approved the purchase of one backhoe from Reliable Tractor in the amount of $62,183 with a guaranteed $32,188 buy back.



To contact reporter Bill Roberts, please call 244-3400, ext. 245.





for March 11, 2002



Georgie Anne Clouse

ADEL — Georgie Anne Clouse, 59, of Adel died Friday, March 8, 2002, at her residence after a long illness. Born on July 12, 1943, in Chicago, Ill., to the late George William Clouse and Marjorie Clouse, she lived most of her life in Chicago before moving to Adel eight years ago. She is a retired bank teller and Waffle House employee and of the Catholic faith. Survivors include three sons, Jeff Bouchard of Chicago, Ill., David Bouchard of Portland, Maine, and George Bouchard of Chicago, Ill; and one step-grandchild. Graveside services are scheduled for Tuesday, March 12, 2002, at 4 p.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery Annex with Father Christian LaFrois officiating. — Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home of Adel.



Robert M. Troupe

VALDOSTA — Robert M. Troupe, 78, of 2864 James Road, Valdosta, died Wednesday morning, March 6, 2002, following an extended illness. He was born in Lowndes County and lived in New York for a period of time. Mr. Troupe is survived by one daughter, Belinda Davis Troupe of Virginia; one sister, Dolly Troupe of Valdosta; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and sorrowing friends. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 12, 2002, at 11 a.m. at River Hill Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. W. R. Jenkins and the Rev. Edgar Roberts officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Scott and Roberts Mortuary, Inc.



Gerald. H. Christy

Gerald H. “Jerry” Christy, 77, passed away on Saturday, March 9, 2002, at South Georgia Medical Center. Arrangements for Mr. Christy will be announced by Carson McLane Funeral Home. — McLane Funeral Home.



Albert Hill

Albert Hill, 38, of Valdosta, passed this life in Friday, March 8, 2002. Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced at a later date. — Scott and Roberts Mortuary, Inc.



Mother Fannie Mae (Francis) Roberts

Mother Fannie Mae (Francis) Roberts, 92, of Valdosta, the mother of Edgar Roberts of Valdosta, passed this life on Sunday, March 10, 2002. Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced at a later date. — Scott and Roberts Mortuary, Inc.