WELLS: Three critical areas of need for city leadership

Published 9:00 am Tuesday, February 14, 2023

As a citizen of our community, it is my hope that 2023 brings a focus to three areas of critical need by our city leadership. These three things, if left ignored, can have dire consequences, as well as second and third order effects in our community.

First, we have to make jobs in law enforcement and public safety in Milledgeville attractive by paying these men and women competitive wages so we do not lose veteran officers to other cities or professions. This not only impacts our public safety, but also our ability to attract and retain businesses in our city. Second, we have to upgrade our infrastructure, namely our water system. Indeed the slogan, “water is life,” is true. Recent events have proven to be great reminders that we need a stable, consistent infrastructure in this regard. Quality of life and commerce depend on it. Third, as County Commission Chairwoman Emily Davis recently said, we have to clean up our streets and thoroughfares and crack down on litter and blight. Trash and litter can be seen in so many places throughout the city. Our public works department cannot attend to it all, so we also bear a burden to make sure we are not part of the problem.

In 2023, it is my hope our city leaders will continue to dedicate themselves to addressing these three things. We, as a citizenry, have to demand it and support efforts to make it happen.

Dr. Jeffery Wells

Milledgeville