Jones County Board of Commissioners heard from members of Jones County Arts at their last meeting and the family member of another recreation-related project, asking for a progress report.
Board Chairman Chris Weidner called the April 15 meeting to order and led the opening prayer and pledge.
The first visitor on the agenda was Alexander Newton, who spoke to the commissioners about an issue with the ownership of property left to him by family. After listening to Newton’s presentation, County Attorney Ashley Brodie shared contact information with Newton of people who may be able to help.
New Business
Lisa Mullis, director of Jones County Arts, spoke to board members about the organization. She talked about its beginning in 2016, what it needs to continue to thrive and expand and her vision for its future.
Mullis said the first production included 15 kids. She said there have been 26 musical productions over the past nine years, and there have been more than 200 students involved.
The director said the productions now average 35-40 kids.
“The programs have grown, and the level of professionalism has grown,” she said.
Mullis thanked the commissioners for allowing Jones County Arts to be part of the recreation department. That decision opened many doors, including the use of the W.E. Knox Civic Center.
She said county employees are awesome to work with, and the director gave an additional note of thanks for the upgraded lighting system.
“In our latest production, ‘Fidler on the Roof,’ you could see the entire cast,” she said.
Mullis said the W.E. Knox Civic Center is a great space, and she would like to see it used more, not just for plays but for cultural arts programs and exhibits as well.
“We are no longer ‘little shows.’ Our productions rank with the best community theaters,” she said.
The director said the most immediate need was new curtains for the stage. She said those curtains have been there since the building was a high school. The curtains are being held together with tape.
Mullis said the curtains need to be done right, and a new projector screen is needed. She explained that where the screen is now causes it to get caught on the curtains when they are opened.
“The screen should not be there. It needs to be hung in the back and the projector switched to project from the back of the screen,” she said.
The director said another need is space. She said they are essentially out of storage space, and a temperature-controlled space is needed for costumes.
Her long-term vision for the facility is to make it into a cultural arts center.
“The Knox Center is the perfect space and could bring in groups and cultural arts events. The possibilities are endless,” she said.
Development Authority member Greg Mullis said a cultural arts center would be an asset for attracting business and industry.
“We want to plant the seed. We have great prospects on the horizon,” he said. “Cultural arts events attract industry just like recreation and education.”
Lisa Mullis introduced two students who have been a part of Jones County Arts for several years, essentially growing up in the program.
“It’s all about the kids, and these kids are awesome,” she said.
Aaron Varnadoe is a junior at Jones County High School. He said he auditioned for his first play when he was in the fifth grade. The student said he attended a production of “Annie” and was hooked. He auditioned for the next play, “The Lion King,” and got a part.
Over the past seven years, he has been in 13 shows. Varnadoe said participating in the plays has made him more confident and taught him time management and teamwork.
Melanie Dixon was the next speaker. She is also a junior at JCHS and started in the program when she was in fifth grade. Dixon said she was told about the community theatre by a friend, and she fell in love. The student said one of her favorite productions was “School House Rock” because they performed it for every elementary school.
Dixon said she plans to pursue an acting career.
Commissioner Daylon Martin said it was wonderful to see where the program had started and how far it has come. “You have brought an old facility back to life,” he said.
Commissioner Wendy Vaughn said she remembers the old productions when the building was still a high school.
“It’s wonderful to see it used again,” she said.
Martin made a motion for Parks and Recreation Director Bert Rosenberger to get the cost of purchasing the new curtains and bring the information back to the board.
Commissioner Sam Kitchens said he remembers seeing a lot of shows at the facility coming up and wants to support it.
“To get where we want to go is going to take a public-private partnership,” he said.
The vote to approve the motion to get prices for the curtains passed unanimously.
Following the vote, members of Jones County Arts, who filled the room in support of Mullis’ request, were called to the front of the room for a photo with the commissioners.
Jake’s Woods
Dr. Kevin Brown came to the commissioners for a status update on the Jake’s Woods project that was started in 2021. He introduced himself as the sixthgreat- grandson of Jacob Hutchins. The county purchased the property from the Hutchins family.
Jake Hutchins was a master stone mason who went from being a slave to becoming Jones County’s only black state representative. He was elected to the Georgia Legislature in 1866.
The process to purchase the property was accomplished through a grant from the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program with the help of the Conservation Fund. Jake’s Woods consists of two parcels, approximately 14 acres each, located off Randolph Street in Clinton.
A marker in honor of Hutchins was placed at the Jones County Courthouse during the county’s 2006 Bicentennial Celebration.
Brown said he always loved to come to Jones County for the peace and quiet.
“Jones County was different and unique,” he said.
The speaker was asking for a commitment from the county to go forward with the project or give the family the option of buying it back. He said there have been timelines and deadlines, but nothing concrete has happened.
“He left this for us. We can’t stand by and let nothing happen,” Brown said.
Kitchens said for him it was about preserving the legacy of Jacob Hutchins.
“He was the first black representative for Jones County and started as a slave. That can’t be lost,” he said. “I agree the process has taken longer than we wanted, and we need a detailed plan.”
County Administrator Jason Rizner said the next step is to clear the one-acre parcel, otherwise the property is landlocked. He said they had hoped to be done in January with the parking lot and bathrooms.
“We have to submit a timeline to start as part of the grant,” he said.
Weidner said it’s a vital part of Jones County’s story.
“History is here, everywhere you look,” he said.
Brown said more people need to know about Jacob Hutchins. He said he had spoken with Tyler Perry, who is working on a film about Georgia’s original 33 Black representatives.
“We need more than hypotheticals,” he said.
Comments
Rosenberger gave board members some quick updates. He said the Liberty Park project is wrapping up, and the gym at the Government Center is being opened to the public. The director said it is not only open play.
“We’ve been having 20-30 kids and skills and drills every night. The coaches are helping,” he said. “Jones County is good at meeting the needs of everybody.”
