The Jimmy Davis Park (JDP) Advisory Committee has a long-standing history in our community. The land, awarded in 1968 to the city of Eatonton by the U.S. Department of Natural Resources, holds significant value to our Black residents.
In 2007-08, the City of Eatonton deeded Jimmy Davis Park back to the county, resulting in the relocation of the community center and senior center from the park to The Plaza.
Fast-forward to 2021, when the county commission established an ad hoc committee to advise on the future of Jimmy Davis Park, appointing Janie Reid to this committee coinciding with her reelection bid. The following year, the City of Eatonton passed a resolution declining any land or title related to the park.
In 2023, the county received a draft plan for Jimmy Davis Park from the Middle Georgia Regional Commission. Subsequently, in 2024, a JDP advisory committee was formed, with Commissioner Daniel Brown appointing all members, and Janie Reid serving as chairman.
However, the conduct and notice of the committee meetings have raised several legal and procedural issues: 1. First Meeting (May 5, 2024): The notice was placed at the courthouse, failing to meet the requirements of the Georgia Open Meetings Act. Additionally, no agenda or summary, as required by state law, was provided.
2. Second Meeting (June 12, 2024): The meeting notice was posted on Facebook, failing to meet the requirements of the Georgia Open Meetings Act. The meeting was scheduled for 5 p.m. but commenced at 4 p.m. due to Commissioner Brown having another commitment at 5 p.m.
3. The chair of the committees has limited Public Notice for the committee to 24 hours when all other county committees’ meetings require seven days. There are no time-sensitive issues or emergencies, so why is this?
Appeals to the county commission and the county attorney have so far not been responded to. So, I have a question, are the county commissioners representing the interests of the majority of the citizens of Putnam County, or just the political agendas of Janie Reid and Daniel Brown?
Don Sadler, Putnam County