Centerville appoints public defender

CENTERVILLE — City Council appointed Warner Robins attorney Greg Bell as the city’s new municipal court public defender Tuesday.

Bell replaces Rabb Wilkerson, who left the position after Gov. Sonny Perdue appointed him district attorney of the Houston County Judicial Circuit. Rebecca Tydings, city attorney, said Wilkerson had served in the role for eight years.

Bell is a graduate of the Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law.

In other business, council agreed to spend $427 more than planned to replace a 25-year-old dump truck used by the city works department. The board selected a low bid submitted by Middle Georgia Freight of Macon for $60,427. Though $60,000 had been previously budgeted, officials said the overrun is available in the department’s funds.

Also Tuesday, Councilman Randall Wright put out a plea for volunteers to man the city’s recycling center located at 101 Industrial Way off Carl Vinson Parkway. The center operates from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Volunteers serve four-hour shifts on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and are being asked to serve all-day shifts on Saturdays.

Those wishing to volunteer may call 953-4734.

Council also voted to change plans for memorial pavers that were purchased by individuals to be laid at a planned butterfly garden next to City Hall. Plans for the garden have since been canceled and the board agreed that those who purchased them would have the option of getting a refund or of having the pavers placed around the City Hall flag pole.

Krista Bedingfield, city clerk, said 21 pavers were purchased at $20 each, raising $420. The city will contact those who purchased pavers. If not contacted, officials said purchasers may call City Hall to make their wishes known.