Three honorees named for Black History Banners

The Rev. Richard Sheffield, Pauline L. Smith and Anne M. Smith were singled out by a committee to have their faces and names displayed on new Black History Banners. Valaya Burke, who gave the history of the Black History Banners, announced at Dublin City Council’s recent meeting the three honorees who will honored with banners io downtown Dublin from January to March. The local honorees were selected from nominations submitted by the public.

Sheffield was a driving force for civil rights in Dublin, Burke said.

“Through protests, boycotts and lawsuits, Richard fought injustice, helping to secure fair hiring practices, greater black representation and the dismantling of discriminatory voting systems. His courage came at a cost – harassment, job loss and even a year on the Georgia chain gang.”

In  1975, Sheffield accepted Jesus and combined his fight for justice with his faith. He became a pastor and mentored others in Georgia and Texas, Burke said. He and his wife Monica opened their home to the hungry and homeless and taught values. He later became a chairman of the Dublin City School Board.

“Once branded a troublemaker, he became a beacon of hope,” Burke said. “Rev. Sheffield sacrificed his youth and comfort so that others can stand tall.” 

Sheffield thanks God for the city of Dublin.

“We want Dublin to be the greatest city on this side of the Mississippi,” Sheffield said. “We all have a chance to make sure it happens that way.” 

Pauline Smith’s family was called to come forward. In the early 1980’s, she opened Paula’s Fried Chicken on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

“It was a small restaurant that became a cultural cornerstone in Dublin,” Burke said. “Known for its soul food and spirit of unity, Paula’s offered more than meals. It provided jobs, mentorships and hope in an underserved neighborhood. Pauline’s was a quiet source for change by reducing crimes, empowering youth and single mothers and modeling black female entrepreneurship during an era of systemic barriers.”

The restaurant became a safe haven fostering dignity and inclusion across racial lines, Burke said. Pauline turned her cooking into, “a ministry of love.” 

“She fed the hungry, mentored employees and began a tradition of free Thanksgiving meals for the community,” Burke said. “Despite challenges of poverty and discrimination, she built a lasting legacy of resilience, service and compassion. Today, Paula’s Fried Chicken continues to honor her vision by bringing people together and inspiring a generation.” 

Pauline passed away on March 23, 2017, but her impact continues through every life she touched and every meal she shared.

“On behalf of my mom, who through sacrifice her words were sown in secret and God will reward you openly,” said Pauline’s son Eugene. “We working on our fourth generation of Paula’s Fried Chicken. To the city of Dublin and the Dublin community, we say thank you and we love you.” 

Anne Smith was born on her family’s East Dublin farm. She grew up rooted in faith, family and a passion for justice, Burke said. Anne became a nurse and later she broke barriers as being the first African American menswear department manager at Woolworth in the Dublin Mall. She also taught at the University of Georgia’s extension agent. In 1964, Anne organized the first African American’s Girl Scout Troop.

“During the Civil Right’s Movement, Anne chose courage over comfort,” Burke said. “As a finding member of the re-established Dublin-Laurens NAACP, she fought for integration, fair hiring and equality, often at great personal risks. … Anne’s legacy is one of faith, resilience and service. It’s a life devoted to lifting others and shaping a better tomorrow.” 

Anne had a short message for the crowd.

“I just want to say hello and thank you to each and every one of you,” said Anne, who turned 94 last Sunday.

The Dublin Black History banners began to recognize and honor individuals who have made a positive impact with the community. The idea for the banners came from a National League of Cities convention.

“The meeting space was decorated with banners from around the world,” Burke said. “Dublin City Councilman Gary Johnson returned with the idea to celebrate Black heritage and history through banners displayed in downtown Dublin.” 

Light refreshments were served after the meeting. 

In other business, the council:

• Recognized Nicholas Dixon, who works in the accounting department, as employee of the fourth quarter and employee of the year.

• Approved Olde South Contractors for the roof replacement at the Oconee Cultural Center located near the Oconee Gym. The total cost will be $47,100, which will include gutter replacement also.

• Approved Garbutt Construction to repair a maintenance building at Riverview Golf Course when a tree fell on it during Hurricane Helene. The total cost is $51,348.

• Approved the purchase of a Vachunter Combo Jetter machine truck, for the water construction division, to be purchased from Houston Freightliner through the Houston-Galveston Area Council Cooperative Purchasing Program. The total cost is $399,520.69.

“This is often used by our water construction folks to clear out sewer lines and do other work around the city,” said “Dublin City Manager Josh Powell.

• Approved a fire hydrant replacement at the intersection of Georgia and Ohio Street to TES in the amount of $31,769.

• Approved a storm drain replacement on Greenwood Drive in the amount of $40,904. TES was approved to do the work.

• Approved a replacement motor for a vacuum street sweeper for public works department to the cost of $41,427.19 to Southern Vac/City Works Equipment & Supply LLC.

• Voted after a second reading to change a parcel of property from single family residential to professional at 1521 Rice Ave. The proposed use for this will be a day care center.

• Voted after a second reading to approve an ordinance to establish administrative variances. Powell said this policy will allow time for the public’s input but make it quicker and cheaper than going through the zoning board of appeals when it comes to administrative variances. 

“This will help us become more developer friendly so that houses can be built and renovated and hopefully make it faster for developers, ” said Dublin Mayor Joshua Kight. 

• Voted after a second reading to approve changes to the R-5 development standards. 

• Approved a resolution for the encroachment for an easement for a solar panel project on Parker Dairy Road.

• Approved a SEID grant funded by the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission in the amount of $500,000 with a grantee match of $150,000.

“We applied for this to assist with the improvements needed to our Waste Water Treatment Plant that has not had improvements made to it in quite a while,” Powell said.   

• Approved the installation of additional sewer lines to serve existing and future apartments projects under construction at Woodland West Apartments located at 75 Woodlawn Drive.

• Approved an agreement with Georgia Department of Community Affairs for the Plan First program. 

• Approved additional travel for council members Bennie Jones and Chris Smith. Both will be attending a National League of Cities meeting that will take them over the allocated amount.

“There are some additional funds in the remainder of the travel budget to pay for this,” Kight said. “Under our council rules, any time you go above your individual allotment it requires all council to approve.”