Eatonton City Council

Eatonton Mayor John Reid hugs his wife, Janie, at the close of her outgoing city council meeting on Monday night. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Eatonton Mayor John Reid hugs his wife, Janie, at the close of her outgoing city council meeting on Monday night. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Eatonton council holds final meeting of 2025

Ian Tocher
Thursday, December 18, 2025
The Eatonton City Council met Monday evening in a largely ceremonial and forward-looking session, highlighted by the final meeting for Ward 3 representative Janie Reid, who was defeated in November’s election for her seat after seven years on the council.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton council awards $1M gas line contract

Ian Tocher
Thursday, November 20, 2025
With a second-straight light agenda, the Eatonton City Council met for approximately half an hour Monday night.The first order of business was to approve a revised memorandum of understanding with the Putnam County Charter School System.
Prior to last Tuesday’s council meeting, retired Eatonton Fire Department Deputy Chief Carl Buckner, Sr. (center, white shirt) was presented with an official plaque recognizing “25 years of untiring service to the citizens of Eatonton,” by Mayor John Reid, EFD Chief Jamey Williamson, and all city council members. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Prior to last Tuesday’s council meeting, retired Eatonton Fire Department Deputy Chief Carl Buckner, Sr. (center, white shirt) was presented with an official plaque recognizing “25 years of untiring service to the citizens of Eatonton,” by Mayor John Reid, EFD Chief Jamey Williamson, and all city council members. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Council increases Briar Patch financial commitment

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
The Eatonton City Council met on Wednesday, Nov. 5, with a relatively light agenda, resulting in a brief 35-minute meeting. Also of note, Mayor Pro Tem Chip Walker returned to the council following recovery from a serious bicycle accident.
Janie Reid

Janie Reid

Janie Reid: ‘I have not closed the door on politics’

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
After losing her Ward 3 council seat to Fred Lowe in last Tuesday’s municipal election, Janie Reid will remain in office until the end of 2025, with Lowe assuming the position in the new year.Regardless, Reid says she may have lost an election, but she’s not going to be stepping out of public life.
Fred Lowe

Fred Lowe

Lowe outlines vision upon winning Ward 3 seat

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Eatonton Ward 3 Councilman-elect Fred Lowe was not available to comment this week, but he used a Facebook livestream address late last week to thank voters for their support and outline his priorities as he prepares to take office early next year.
With downtown Eatonton’s historic train trestle and Ebeneezer Baptist Church in the background, brand-new EV charging stations installed alongside Willie Bailey Drive await final approval and activation through Georgia Power, expected to come within the next month. IAN TOCHER/Staff

With downtown Eatonton’s historic train trestle and Ebeneezer Baptist Church in the background, brand-new EV charging stations installed alongside Willie Bailey Drive await final approval and activation through Georgia Power, expected to come within the next month. IAN TOCHER/Staff

City council approves oleanders, road closure, aerial fiber install

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
The Eatonton City Council met Tuesday night for its second of two regularly scheduled monthly seminars. Wards 1 & 4 Councilmember Marie Rainey, Ward 2 Councilmember James Gorley, and Councilmember at Large and Mayor Pro Tem Chip Walker were absent.
Lyn Romine (left) and Georgia Writers Museum Director Melissa Swindell made an impassioned pitch before the Eatonton Council to inaugurate its recently purchased, former Putnam County Elementary School as the host building for a special, touring Smithsonian exhibit next April. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Lyn Romine (left) and Georgia Writers Museum Director Melissa Swindell made an impassioned pitch before the Eatonton Council to inaugurate its recently purchased, former Putnam County Elementary School as the host building for a special, touring Smithsonian exhibit next April. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Eatonton city council tables Smithsonian exhibit request

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Eatonton City Council spent much of its latest scheduled meeting, Oct. 7, debating whether it’s ready or even willing to host a touring Smithsonian Institution exhibit. The council ultimately tabled the proposal until a committee can review the space, policy, and cost issues involved.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

City adopts ordinance banning vape, tobacco shops

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
The Eatonton City Council worked through a fairly lengthy agenda Monday night.The first order of business was approving a request from The Knights of Columbus to authorize its annual Tootsie Roll Drive to benefit Special Olympics Georgia. The event is scheduled this year for Oct.
Councilmember at Large, Mayor Pro Tem Chip Walker introduced the City of Eatonton’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget for approval Aug. 18, during a routinely scheduled council meeting. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Councilmember at Large, Mayor Pro Tem Chip Walker introduced the City of Eatonton’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget for approval Aug. 18, during a routinely scheduled council meeting. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Budget resolution signed, one-way street approved

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
The Eatonton City Council met Monday night in its second of two regularly scheduled monthly meetings.Of significance to most in-town residents was a motion by Councilmember at Large, Mayor Pro Tem Chip Walker, for Mayor John Reid to sign a resolution to adopt the city’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
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