Jason Futch
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
The Jennings Town Council convened at the Jennings Town Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 12, after the meeting was postponed due to the 2024 General Election. On the agenda were several items pertaining to infrastructure and home building. However, one of the important items up for discussion was whether or not a proposed package store should open at the site of the former Napa Auto Parts store in the central business district.
Richard Coleman, an attorney out of Valdosta, Ga., who represents DevJay LLC and its owner, Hemant Patel, spoke to the council regarding the exception to open a package store where Napa Auto Parts is located. “The exception, as you see, also includes a bar, tavern or cocktail lounge,” Coleman said. “We are not asking for any of that, but for simply the package store.”
Part of the reason for the exception, Coleman argued, was for the purpose of the community to live, work and shop. He stated that if the package store was granted, the site would be significantly remodeled due to the disrepair of the building from over the years of neglect.
Following the request for consideration, Mayor Charles Barrett raised concerns about the location of the proposed package store being located near three different churches. “There are three churches I am concerned about,” Barrett said. “And I have a problem with that. I respect the house. I am only one council member and I have to fight for the church because I wouldn’t want that by my church.”
Following comments by Barrett, questions were raised by the other members as to the distance of the churches from the proposed package store. Councilmember Phillip Jackson, who supported the package store’s opening, argued that if the store did not interfere with his worship, then it should not matter. “If this business is going to help the county tax-wise, let's do what we do,” Jackson said. “I’m for it, personally. That’s how I feel about it.”
After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Councilman Jackson to approve the package store and a second was made by Councilwoman Antonette Crumedy, and was passed unanimously. However, following the vote, Mayor Barrett addressed that he was against it, but respected the council’s decision.
Following the vote, other business was discussed before Councilman Jackson announced that the Town of Jennings was recently awarded the Military Order of the Purple Heart Special Recognition Award by the Patriot Members of Robert C. Padgett, Jr. Chapter 524 of Jacksonville, Fla., to honor their status as a Purple Heart City. A plaque was presented before the council, which will be placed on the wall at Town Hall.
The next Jennings Town Council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, in the town hall, located at 1291 Florida St., Jennings.