Dear Editor,
What a transformation! The county’s sudden start of work to restore Jimmy Davis Park – and promises of much more to come – is most welcome.
Just months ago, we formed the Save Jimmy Davis Park Committee. We – and many other people besides – have spent years trying to find a way forward for the long-neglected park. We so appreciate the leadership now being shown by Commission Chairman Bill Sharp, County Manager Paul Van Haute, and the other commissioners. Long may it continue.
After the County Extension “solution” for the park fell through, we reached out to the NAACP for advice and decided to organize a march from the park and a rally at the courthouse. The sorry state of the park had left the community feeling disrespected and ignored. The march was designed to give people a voice and to make a show of strength and determination.
We are still going ahead with the march on Saturday, June 24th, but in a new spirit. The march is now a celebration of early and unexpected success for our cause. But it also remains an opportunity to show community pride and unity of purpose and to hold ourselves (and the county) accountable.
Confirmed speakers include Cynthia Davis, one of Jimmy Davis’ daughters, and Gerald Griggs, president of the Georgia NAACP and a civil rights attorney. In recognition of the county’s new commitment to Jimmy Davis Park, we also have invited county officials to attend our event.
We thank the county again for the turnaround and look forward to seeing the rise of a new-and-improved Jimmy Davis Park! We know the work will take time, but this is a great start. (excellent recent coverage of Jimmy Davis Park is much appreciated, too.)
We want to see as many people as possible at the march and rally on Saturday, June 24th. We will meet at Jimmy Davis Park (125 Hogan Blvd., Eatonton) at 11 a.m. to march to the courthouse for a rally and speeches there from noon to 1 p.m., with a social event planned afterward, back at the park from 2 p.m.
So, celebrate Juneteenth with us at Jimmy Davis Park on Saturday, June 17th, and then march for the park and the memory of Jimmy Davis on Saturday the 24th!
Members of the Save Jimmy Davis Park Committee: Rino Boles, President, Richard Garrett, vice-president