At the May 3 City of Riceboro council meeting, the Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission’s Zoning Administrator Gabriele Hartage recommended the city approve the rezoning of two parcels of land from residential use to commercial use to allow the construction of a new Dollar General Store along South Coastal Highway (U.S. 17). The rezoning passed unanimously.

Construction is slated to begin in August, and the store plans to open by February 2023.

The Georgia Municipal Association then issued a Lifetime Achievement Award to Tommy Williams. The award honors public servants who have served their community for 35 years or more. Williams, a former city council member, has dedicated 37 years as a servant to the city.

The pastor thanked God and his family.

“I can remember 40-plus years ago, when John McIver and I served on the Grand Jury, and that turned the city around,” he said, about starting the movement that allowed the city to grown and govern. “I was blessed to serve through three mayors, and I thank God for each one of them. God bless you all.”

Mayor and council also approved two requests to place mobile homes on two different parcels of land within the city limits.