The Centre City Council, during its Tuesday, Oct. 23 meeting, opened bids on repairing the tennis courts in Centre City Park.

Of three bids received, the low bidder was Talbot Tennis of Marietta, Ga. for $111,987 and the council agreed to go with the lowest bidder provided it meets specs.

The council awarded professional services for the CDBG Sewer Project LR-CM-PF-12-002 to Morton and Associates, Inc. This particular grant was $450,000.

The council received a request from the state to declare Feb. 22-24, 2013 a Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday. The council table the matter for now. The council has until Jan. 22 to decide if it wants to participate in the tax holiday.

In other business, the council approved a $1,035 invoice from Frost and Company for services and approved purchase of a graveller for the street and sanitation department. Initially, the city budgeted $3,600 for this piece of equipment, said Centre Mayor Tony Wilkie.

The council also met with Jerry Baker of WEIS Radio Station and agreed to pay $1,400 ($700 for two months) for Shop at Home ads to run throughout the Christmas Holiday Season, November and December.

“We don’t scold anybody for going out of town when they do shop,” said Baker. “We just ask them to consider our local merchants first and give them their first shot. We want to encourage as many people to shop at home as we can and or course you know the value of the sales tax we get off that and what it does for our cities and our counties.”

“It is a marketing blitz to help encourage people to stay at home,” said Baker.

Mayor Wilkie and council members took a few minutes to recognize Council Member Sid Garrett and Council Member Joe Hall who completed their terms of office with the Oct. 23 meeting. Hall decided not to run again so he could spend more time with his family and Garrett is running as the Democratic candidate for Cherokee County Commission Chairman/Probate Judge.

“It is with heartfelt sadness to say goodbye to both of them,” said Wilkie. “Of course Joe wants to spend more time with his family, and grandchildren. I thoroughtly understand that and Sid is running for probate judge. Their absence is going to be felt and I am sure you feel the same way.We just wish them the very best in whatever the future may hold from them.”

“I am very proud to be able to serve on the council with Joe and Sid and I wish them the very best in their endeavors,” said Wilkie.

“I want to just say it has been a pleasure serving with both of them,” said Council Member Phillip Roberts. “Sid came by earlier and wanted everybody to know it was a joy for him to work with the employees and council of the city. He will be here at the next meeting and address that too. I appreciated working with both of them.”

“I look forward to working with two new councui members,” said Council Member Bess Yarbrough. “I enjoyed serving with Sid and Joe. I think we have had a good council. We have worked together although we don’t always agree on everything, We wish Joe and Sid good luck in their future.”

“I enjoyed working with Sid and Joe and on the other hand, I look forward to working with you (current council) again,” said Council Member Frankie Kelly

Council Member Harry Moon said he also enjoyed working with Garrett and Hall.

The council sent condolences to the family of Tim Clifton, a former Centre police officer who passed away recently.