The Midway City Council Monday moved ahead to solve two long-standing infrastructure problems and acquire a new police car.
Large potholes along Butler Street, Midway’s main street, and the adjoining parking lots fronting the temporary Midway city hall office suite, the IGA grocery store and other businesses will be repaired at a cost of $4,500.
The property line between private owners’ land and the city’s Butler Street right-of-way is unclear and some potholes apparently straddle the line. The largest pothole is on private property.
Council members and Mayor Levern Clancy Jr. discussed the potholes growing in size and number since the cost estimate was obtained, but they decided to contract for the specified repairs while considering what other repairs might be needed under another contract.
Councilwoman Melice Gerace made a motion to “take the existing offer and get these things taken care of rather waiting,” and the motion passed unanimously. Mayor Pro Tempore Clemontine Washington expressed concern about safety before the potholes were fixed and it was decided to use barrels or other devices to warn drivers.
In another infrastructure matter the council voted 3-1 to accept an offer from C.A. Sittle Construction to solve a drainage problem at 177 Medway Drive in the Hickory Hill subdivision. A shallow drainage swale causes flooding there and the homeowner has appeared at numerous council meetings to ask for relief.
Property owners would not give the city permission to cross their land to fix the problem and fences encroaching on the swale made access and repair difficult. City officials have walked the site with engineers, surveyors and contractors, seeking a solution.
Washington asked about other similar drainage problems in the city and said there should be list of repairs needed. Clancy said these issues should be prioritized and the council agreed to work on listing them.
Councilman T. Gerald Lee said, “We gotta start somewhere,” and voted in favor of the contract along with Gerace and Councilman Henry Stevens Jr. Washington voted no on the Hickory Hill drainage.
An item listed on the agenda as “GMA Resolution” turned out to be a request for a 2018 Dodge Charger to be used as a police car. The Georgia Municipal Association offers cities assistance in purchases like police cars through lease-purchase programs. The car proposal was approved 3-1 with Washington voting no.
Lee reported on the annual Midway Day festival to be 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. April 21 at the Liberty County Community Complex, 9397 E. Oglethorpe Hwy. New features of this year’s festival will include a best dessert contest and Mayor Levern Clancy Jr. in a dunk tank 1-1:45 p.m. Lee said tries at dunking the mayor will be free and donations from vendors and sponsors will make all Midway Day activities free.
For information about booth registration, contact Lee at 912-318-3982 or gerald.lee@amerisbank.com.
The council updated the mutual aid agreement between Midway and the Liberty County Sheriff’s Department. Midway turned down a request from the Savannah Police Department for a mutual aid agreement.

Parker can be contacted by email at joeparkerjr@hotmail.com.