City council to reconsider 'boot drive' ban
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

A recent decision by members of Millen City Council to give the boot to "boot drives" in the City of Millen will be reconsidered. Council members agreed during their Tuesday, April 3, meeting to revisit the issue upon a request from members of the North Jenkins County Volunteer Fire Department (NJCVFD).

Mike Lane spoke for the group and stated that the boot drives conducted by the organization were an essential and important fundraising tool for NJCVFD.

"Boot drives are a traditional part of fire service," he said.

Lane presented a brief outline of the contributions to the local community and economy made by the fire department and stated the organization would be willing to work with the city in any manner desired in order to continue their quarterly boot drives on U.S. Highway 25.

Mayor King Rocker explained that after receiving complaints from local citizens, he had contacted an official with the Georgia Department of Transportation to inquire if the DOT allowed such fundraising activities on state highways and if a permit could be issued for such activities.

"They said it was against the law and they would not issue a permit to do it," Rocker said.

He further explained that DOT did not attempt to enforce the matter but left it up to the individual cities to do so.

City attorney R. Hubert Reeves III commented that he could not advise the city to allow something that the state said was against the law.

"If the state is telling me it's against the law, I'm telling the city it is against the law," he said.

Lane suggested that the city might adopt an ordinance permitting the boot drives and establish regulations governing the activity, stating that other cities in the state had done so.

After further discussion, council asked attorney Reeves to investigate what other jurisdictions were doing and to review any ordinances they might have in place governing boot drives. The matter was tabled until additional information could be obtained.

In other matters, council rejected a bid for the purchase of an undeveloped parcel of property on Gilmer Street that the city declared "abandoned." The property will be re-bid with a minimum bid amount of $300 being set.

A request from West Millen Baptist Church seeking the closure of a section of Gilmer Street that runs directly behind the church was discussed. Council approved a motion allowing the church to erect barricades during set times when activities taking place could pose a safety hazard to children crossing Gilmer street.

It was noted that the city's gas, water and sewer lines were all located under the street and, the city would need to maintain an easement on the property even if the street was closed. It was also noted that no construction could take place over the utility lines. The cost to move the lines was estimated at $115,000 - $120,000.

Other actions taken by council included the following:

+ Tabled a request from the Downtown Development Authority that the organization be added to the city's liability insurance policy until additional information could be obtained;

+ Approved the purchase of a truck for the Utility Department; and

+ Approved a motion authorizing the mayor and city administration to execute right-of-way and compliance documents in regard to the city's sewer project.