Helen Blount (center) with the Ronnie A. Dixon family and Mayor Doug Roper

Vidalia Chief of Police Rob Shore introduces the newest additions to the city's uniformed police force including Jasmine Pierce, Billy Register, and Joey Cook.

As is typical in the summer months, the June meeting of the Vidalia City Council Monday night was relatively brief with less audience members than that than in the last few months. But that doesn’t mean the Council didn’t address the city’s business, and highlighting the meeting was the recognition of a recent Vidalia High School student who earned the scholarship named in honor of a man who loved and served the people of Vidalia for several terms as a Councilman and then mayor for many years.

Current Mayor Doug Roper announced this year’s recipient of the Bonnie A. Dixon Scholarship as Helen Blount. She graduated with a 98.5 Grade Point Average, served as the captain of the VHS Volley Ball Team, and volunteered in various youth activities in the community. Blount has been accepted to attend Georgia Southern University.

“I am certain she will make Vidalia proud,” Mayor Roper declared.

The Annual Ronnie A. Dixon Scholarship is sponsored by ESG, the city’s public works department.

Mayor Dixon was elected to the Vidalia City Council from 1978 until 1994 when he was elected Mayor where he served in that capacity until his untimely death on April 1, 2020.

In other business at the June meeting of the Vidalia City Council, Vidalia Chief of Police Rob Shore introduced three   new patrol officers to the force including Joey Cook, Billy Register, and former dispatch operator Jasmine Pierce who elected to go the police academy and earn certification to served as a uniformed police officer in the field.

“I am super proud of them, and you will see them on the streets soon.”