Managing Editor

editorial1@thomastontimes.com

It’s official folks. Bring on the month of April in Thomaston and, by the way, you might need a calendar.

By way of an official resolution, the Mayor and City Council unanimously approved Georgia Cities Week for April 20th to April 26th at Monday’s city council meeting.

In the resolution, the city said the Georgia Municipal Association is encouraging cities to conduct programs to promote city life during this week.

According to the resolution, Thomaston should be an active part of Georgia Cities Week because 1) Thomaston is a city with a historic past and a bright future, 2) the citizens of Thomaston are a patriotic and community- minded people, 3) the community is rich in culture and aesthetics and finally, the people of Thomaston are committed to building their neighborhoods and making them shine.

“This is a statewide program to try and make georgia beautiful,” said City Manager Pat Comiskey. “Councilman Ed Bell is chairing this program again this year. Cities all across the state are going to be participating in it.”

To celebrate Georgia Cities Week, the theme for the city this year is “Let’s Make Thomaston Shine”.

In a letter distributed to citizens in this month’s utility bills, Councilman Bell wrote, “This is a city- wide clean-up supported by neighborhood groups, civic clubs, schools, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and churches in your area.

“Every citizen may participate [April 26th] by stepping outside your home or apartment, taking a trash bag and picking up trash and debris in your neighborhood.”

The best part about this year’s Georgia Cities Week in Thomaston is that citizens don’t have to wait until April 26th to celebrate. The fun kicks off this weekend on Saturday with the Thomaston Spring Cleaning Yard Sale on the Courthouse Square.

On April 15th, the “If I were Mayor, I would” essay contest will be judged and the winner announced.

On the 18th, put on your dancing shoes and join “Let’s Dance”, a dance in celebration of Living It Up Downtown, on the square from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m.

Former Thomaston Idol’s Heather Williamson and Levi Austen will kick off the night of entertainment followed by DJ Smooth entertaining with a Middle School Dance sponsored by ULMS.

No time to rest. After Smooth, The Blues Brothers and Sisters take the stage for a fun night of Dancing in the Streets. The night will wrap up when Randolf Walker takes the stage to churn out some classic oldies with his new band.

April 23rd will be a big day when Secretaries Day will be celebrated with a luncheon at the Civic Center. Later in the day, a mock City Council meeting will be held at Upson Lee High School. as will a Walking Tour of Downtown hosted by Archivist Penny Cliff. If you can’t make the tour on the 23rd, Cliff will host another tour on the 24th.

All of this leading up to “Let’s Make Thomaston Shine” on Saturday, the 26th.

“Please help make our city shine,” wrote Bell. “We encourage you to invite a friend and/or neighbor to participate too. It will be for the entire family.”

As a reminder, all discarded items should be bagged and placed in your trash container. All yard waste items may be left at your curb or along your alley for pick-up the following week.

For more information on all the events, call 706-647-4242.