Becky Crissman
Cordele Dispatch
Vienna —
Citizens here are hopeful that after August they will be preparing for a refresher from the Pepsi Company in the form of a community-wide swimming pool.
Janet Joiner, community development director for the City of Vienna, previewed a video for council members at their Monday meeting.
Filmed around the city, the video is entitled, “Why Does Vienna Need A Pool.” The video has been submitted to the Pepsi Refresh Everything Grant Program, and Joiner says she is awaiting confirmation that the video has reached the online voting process.
Each month Pepsi gives away $1.3 million to fund project ideas that get the most online voting. Up to 1,000 ideas are accepted every month, Joiner explained.
Grants are available in amounts of $5k, $25k or $50k, and each amount can have up to 10 awardees/month. There are also grants available for $250k, but there can only be two awardees/month at that amount.
Joiner has submitted a proposal in the $250k category to fund the long-desired swimming pool complex to serve citizens of Vienna and surrounding areas. The pool would be built on the grounds of the old Vienna Elementary School, and is phase one of a much larger project that will include a multi-purpose Community Center on the site.
If the project is among the 1,000 chosen it will be placed on the website for voting on August 1, to compete throughout the month with other applicants. At the end of August, if enough votes are received the city will be on the fast track to the pool and maybe even a big grin on Councilman Walter Brown’s face.
“This is going to require everyone who is eligible to participate in the voting to do so everyday,” said Vienna Mayor Emerson Lundy. “Get the word out to friends and relatives as well and ask them to vote. You do not have to live in Vienna to vote.
“Our youth have very little to do here and have asked for a pool for years. I would like to make this a reality for them. With everyone’s help, it can be done.”
To cast votes simply log on to www.refresheverything.com and follow the directions to register to vote. Voters must be legal residents of the United States at least 13 years of age and have an email address to cast a vote. There is a limit of one registration per person, and each person can vote only once daily.
Also during the council meeting members:
• Accepted a bid proposal for purchase of the old chamber building.
• Approved a DOT 5311 transit operating contract with DCUTS.
• Approved the first reading of an employee handbook.
Councilman Eddie Daniels expressed concern over calls he has been receiving when there is no officer posted in the school zone. Council agreed that the situation needs to be addressed.
The next meeting of the Vienna City Council is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 9, 2010 at the Vienna City Hall.
