Godwin resigns at Jay

Jay Town Councilman Wayne Godwin announced that Monday night's meeting would be his last, leaving the council with one vacant seat and an even number of council members.

Serving on the Jay Town Council since 2016, Godwin said he has sold his home in Jay and is moving just outside the city limits to his parents' old place, at the urging of his children.

"It's all over with," said Godwin. "It was just time for me to be out of town. My kids wanted me to be down here. They were putting pressure on me to move."

Godwin said he liked being a councilman, but he felt like it was time for him to go. Godwin was appointed when Councilwoman Jane Hayes resigned in her second term, so he filled the rest of her term and was re-elected without opposition in 2020.

Godwin's seat term is not over until 2024, but the town does not have any plans at this time to fill the seat, according to Jay Operations manager Eric Seib.

"Jay is a good place," said Godwin. "I've enjoyed it. There are some good people on the council, good friends of mine, and I've never had a problem. We've all got a vested interest here in Jay, and that makes a big difference."

Godwin said that even though he has resigned, he still has plenty to do, including tending to a huge garden and pecan trees. Godwin jokingly boasted he could get a job with one of the local farmers if he wanted to.

Godwin served for 12 years as Sistrict 3 Santa Rosa County commissioner, so he is very familiar with how slow the wheels of progress turn when it comes to public service. He said he feels like the Jay council got a lot accomplished while he served, especially for the small town that it is.

"We got some streets re-paved, the old livestock market renovated, Commerce Street redone, new water lines and the widening of several streets," said Godwin. "We've tried to get the town cleaned up, but we sort of failed on that at the present time, with the nuisance letters. People aren't going to clean their place up and you can't make them."

Trying to get a truck route in Jay was one of Godwin's pet projects, but it has not happened yet.

"State Street is narrow, rough and goes out to the co-op," he said. "We don't even know where the right-of-ways are. It's going to take a long time to do it. And a lot of money too. We just don't have the money, for a small town."

Godwin said he would like to see desperately-needed new revenue sources generated, noting that the size of the town can make it especially difficult to make changes that involve big money.

"Our town used to have a population of more than 600, but now we have just over 500," said Godwin. "Tax income makes very little difference. Generating revenues is one of the main problems we have. We've got a nice park and it's continuing in phases and it's just going to take a while, even with us applying for grants. We've improved our sewer system and all our employees are or are getting certified in gas and water. We are trying to do a lot with what little we've got."

Godwin says he has always been frank when he was a public servant, speaking his mind whenever asked, and looking at every situation from all angles before making a decision. He joked that now that his run as a councilman is over, he certainly won't be silent or hold his tongue in the future.

"At the council meeting Monday night, they said don't be a stranger," said Godwin. "I told them I won't, but when I do come back, I will be on the other side complaining."