Eatonton City Council

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

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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

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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

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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

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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.
In a photograph from May 12, the Sunset Bar & Grill sits tucked away in the trees shortly after construction got underway on downtown Eatonton’s East Marion Street. IAN TOCHER/Staff

In a photograph from May 12, the Sunset Bar & Grill sits tucked away in the trees shortly after construction got underway on downtown Eatonton’s East Marion Street. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Frustrated business owner addresses city council

Ian Tocher
Thursday, August 14, 2025
The Eatonton City Council met Aug. 5 at the county administration building for its first of two regularly scheduled meetings each month.Speaking before the council was city resident and business owner Robert Johnson, owner of the Sunset Bar & Grill at 205 E. Marion St., in downtown Eatonton.
The now-empty Putnam County Elementary School on South Washington Street in Eatonton will eventually be repurposed as a centralized City of Eatonton government and services center. IAN TOCHER/Staff

The now-empty Putnam County Elementary School on South Washington Street in Eatonton will eventually be repurposed as a centralized City of Eatonton government and services center. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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City confirms purchase of elementary school property

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
The biggest news from Monday night’s Eatonton city council meeting came in its final few minutes.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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City considers permits, food service, secret compartments

Ian Tocher
Thursday, June 12, 2025
The Eatonton City Council held its first of two regularly scheduled monthly meetings on June 3, during which consideration was given to extending the time limits on two certificates of appropriateness (COAs) for making alterations to historical properties at 300 N. Madison Ave. and 303 N.
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