MEET YOUR CITY COUNCIL

The City of Vidalia is broken into four wards.  We elect a councilmember from each ward, one councilmember city wide, and the Mayor is elected city wide. 

Brian Frost is the councilmember elected at-large (city wide).  Cecil Thompson is elected from ward 1. Edward Tyson is elected from ward 2. John Raymond Turner is elected from ward 3.  Lisa Chesser is elected from ward 4.   

The City Council meets on the second Monday of each month.  Meetings are held at the council chamber at City Hall on Jackson Street in Vidalia at 6:00 pm.  The public is encouraged and welcome to attend.  Opportunity for public comment is provided at the beginning of each meeting.  If any citizen wants to be included on the agenda they may do so by calling Mary McIntyre at 537-8718 and giving her the information for the agenda.

City Council members are also appointed to a variety of committees.  These committees include;  Police and Fire, Water and Sewer, Finance and Personnel, Streets, and Administration.  The City Manager and Department Heads meet regularly with the elected officials to report activities and receive direction.  These interactions insure that the elected body remains involved with the daily operations that directly impact the community.

All meetings are open to the public.  Notifications of meetings are posted on the front and back doors of city hall and also given to the media for announcement and attendance. 

The city council members are members of our community and are always available to the citizens.

Councilman at Large, Brian P. Frost
A native Vidalia Resident, husband and father to two children, Councilman Frost wanted to become a councilman to make a difference in the community. He is described by his peers and those who know him as a “down to earth kinda guy” who can relate and get along with anyone. Councilman Frost has a great quality in that he is approachable to all and yet maintains the level of professionalism needed to help keep the City of Vidalia a strong community.

Ward 1. - Councilman William Cecil Thompson
Elected in 2002, Councilman Thompson was born and raised in Vidalia. A local business owner, Cecil Thompson had a special interest in becoming a councilman. Knowing that this is the area he would raise a family, Cecil wanted to contribute to the direction Vidalia took. Councilman Thompson is married to his high school sweetheart Melinda Mixon. Together they have one daughter, Brogran, who was born on Christmas Day, 1995. In addition to his business and duties as Councilman, Cecil is also a member of the Shriners and Lodge 330.

Ward 2. - Councilman J. Edward Tyson
Bio coming.

Ward 3. - Councilman, Mayor Pro-Tem, John Raymond Turner
 Councilman John Raymond Turner was born in Metter, GA but moved here with his family when he was six months old and has called Vidalia "home" ever since. Councilman Turner is married to his wife, Lilly, and together they have one son, Donald Keith. Councilman Turner ran for City Council so that he could make a positive difference in the community. His efforts don't stop there, as he is Chairman of the Concerned Citizens Coalition, 1st Vice President of the Boys and Girls Club, and, President of the Adult Literacy Board at Southeastern Technical College. Councilman Turner offers this message: "The City of Vidalia is a good community to live in and raise your family. I believe the City of Vidalia has a well managed form of government. The Mayor and Council try to provide services to all the citizens of Vidalia and use the citizen tax dollars wisely. I am proud to be a part of the City of Vidalia Council."

Ward 4. - Councilperson Lisa Chesser
Having lived in Vidalia for over 33 years, Councilperson Lisa Chesser is a 1985 graduate of Vidalia High School. Prior to being elected to the City Council in 2007, Councilperson Chesser worked as a paralegal for over 16 years.  Becoming a full-time homemaker in 2004 for her 2 children and husband, Hal, gave Lisa the opportunity to become an active volunteer in her childrens' schools.  Councilperson Chesser's passion and love for people and our community motivated her to become involved in our City's government. Councilperson Chesser and her family attend Vidalia Presbyterian Church where she serves as a Session member and part-time Sunday School teacher.

Each councilman's ward is shown in thier perspective color.

The red and blue areas represent the two precincts of Vidalia for City Elections (mayor, council and schoolboard).

County and State elections differ from this map, please contact your local registrar for your voting location. Toombs County Registrar is 526-8226 and Montgomery County Registrar is 583-4296.