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Covington Town Center contract questioned
Fleeta Baggett
Fleeta Baggett

COVINGTON, Ga. — As more funding was approved for the Covington Town Center Tuesday night, Jan. 21, Councilwoman Fleeta Baggett stood her ground and questioned whether the newly-elected council was bound to the project's contract.

In the contract approved by a previous Covington city council, Foxfield Company, the developer, was assured there would be a sewer alignment crossing Alcovy Road to be used by future establishments. Bids were opened for the sewer alignment, and Anderson Grading and Pipeline had the lowest bid of $521,734.18.

"Now is the time to do it," Councilwoman Susie Keck said, "You have all that construction and everything going on."

Two council members — Baggett and Don Floyd — did not agree on spending such money on the project with no signs of progression on the property.

"We're going to spend half a million dollars to put it out in the middle of nowhere?" Baggett questioned, "With no guarantee that anything will be done out there?" 

"He has $10 million worth of infrastructure," Keck said, "I'm sure something is going to get done out there."

Baggett questioned whether the contract with the developer was binding from one council to another.

"I'd rather talk it out offline, certainly if we end up litigating,"  City Attorney Frank Turner said, "I don't want to sit here on the record and say we're obligated or not obligated ... He will make a claim we're obligated under the contract."

The council approved the funding 3-2, with Baggett and Floyd voting against it.

Covington Police Deparment Awards Officer, Rookie, Employee of the Year Awards
Phillip Matthews acceptance
Sgt. Phillip Matthews accepting the 2024 Officer of the Year Award. Photo courtesy of Molly Rice Photography, CPD Facebook.

On Thursday, Feb. 2025, the Covington Police Department (CPD) honored the men and women who make up the CPD team at their annual awards ceremony. 

Awards included the 2024 Officer of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Top Gun. 

  • Officer Phillip Matthews received the 2024 Officer of the Year award.
  • Officer Jonathan Bruce received the 2024 Rookie of the Year award.
  • Officer Michael Ward received the 2024 Top Gun award.

The CPD also awarded the 2024 Departmental Employee of the Year recognitions to officers in their respective departments. To qualify, an employee must have been recognized as an Employee of the Quarter during 2024.

  • Sgt. Brandon Wilkerson received the Patrol Employee of the Year award.
  • Lt. Brian Shockley received the Support Services Employee of the Year.
  • Detective Christopher Bowles received the C.I.D. Employee of the Year award.

The CPD issued thanks to the award recipients, thanking them for their service.

“We are proud these gentlemen are members of the Covington Police Department and our CPD family. Congratulations officers and thank you for serving our community,” the CPD stated in a Facebook post.

The CPD also awarded Departmental Commendations, Meritorious Service Awards and 100 Club. As of press time, these award recipients have not been released, but they will be included in future editions of The Covington News.