Centerville council seeks grant for gardens

CENTERVILLE — City Council heard presentations Tuesday seeking its cooperation for both high- and low-tech projects.

University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Program Assistant Teddie Berry spoke to council regarding a plan to turn land behind Centerville’s Church Street library into a nature center with bird and butterfly gardens and a possible walking path. The land is currently home to a public pavilion, an aging tennis court and open spaces.

In a word, Centerville Mayor John Hartley summarized the possibility as “wonderful” as he and council authorized pursuit of a $10,000 grant from the Flint Energies Foundation Inc. to get the project under way. No city funds are committed to the effort, though long-term care and maintenance might be undertaken by Centerville. The Master Gardener Program of Houston County is designing the project, and, according to Berry, will aid in development and help with fundraising.

Berry said the project will not only provide enjoyment but will be used as an educational opportunity for children and adults in the community as it becomes a sustainable habitat for foliage and birds.

On the high-tech end, 1st Lt. Nathan Waters addressed council concerning efforts to get Centerville into the Google Fiber program on behalf of the Middle Georgia chapter of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association. He has made similar presentations to the Perry and Warner Robins councils. If selected, Waters said the area could see an initial investment by Google of $160 million and become a magnet for high-tech industry.

Council appointed Centerville City Administrator Patrick Eidson as a point of contact and authorized him to fill out applications and work with other governing bodies and groups in the project.

In other business, City Council turned over $47,880 to the city’s senior citizen group. The city had been holding the funds for the group until they became a nonprofit organization.

The money had been donated to and raised by the organization.

The board also agreed to provide painted crosswalks in five locations in the Eagle Springs area.