City decides to abandon section of Gilmer St.
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

A section of Gilmer Street will be abandoned and sold to the highest bidder. The action was approved by Millen City Council during the Tuesday, June 5, meeting.

Members of West Millen Baptist Church had previously requested that the city close a section of the street separating church property, citing safety concerns and church growth as reasons for the request. A public hearing was held to allow for input from local citizens with some opposition being voiced.

During the council meeting, Bobby Anthony offered opposition and expressed the opinion that public streets are owned by all taxpayers and should not be closed just because a group wanted it closed. He also said that closing the street would inconvenience residents of the area.

"Everyone can still get to where they want to go if we close the street. It doesn't put anybody out," Mayor King Rocker responded.

He also called attention to the fact that West Millen Baptist Church owns the property on both sides of the section of the street to be closed "from corner to corner."

City attorney Hubert Reeves III advised church members present that the church would not be able to do anything with the property if the street was only "closed." However, the property could be offered for sale at public auction, with the city maintaining a permanent easement, and the buyer could then utilize the property as they saw fit.

Council approved a motion to start the abandonment process.

In other action, council approved a $1,000 donation to Millen Better Hometown for the purpose of conducting a Fourth of July fireworks display.