PEARSON, Ga. (WALB) - Pearson’s newly sworn-in mayor is already making changes.

Mayor Jason Joyner officially took office on Wednesday, January 1, a holiday, but city officials confirm work began immediately. One of his first actions addressed a long-standing issue at the Pearson Senior Center, where a faulty seal in a men’s restroom urinal had caused water to run continuously for more than a year.

Staff and community members say the problem had been raised repeatedly before Joyner took office. During visits to the senior center prior to his election, residents say Joyner noticed the issue himself and promised it would be fixed once he was sworn in. The repair was completed on his first day in office.

In a social media post, Joyner acknowledged the holiday but made it clear work would not wait. He said he stopped by City Hall to review paperwork and plans to begin sharing regular updates with residents about progress being made.

Previous Coverage of Mayor Joyner’s Initiatives

Previous Pearson Water Coverage

The quick repair comes as Pearson continues working to rebuild trust following years of ongoing water and sewer problems. The city has faced repeated challenges with aging infrastructure, including water quality concerns, system failures, and costly repairs that have frustrated residents and strained city resources.

Those issues intensified public scrutiny of city leadership and operations, eventually leading to a criminal investigation and the arrest of city officials tied to Pearson’s utilities and financial management. The case marked a turning point for the city and prompted renewed calls for accountability, transparency, and oversight.

Joyner takes office at a time when many residents say they are watching closely, hopeful but cautious, as the city works to move forward from past controversies.

Looking Ahead

While fixing a leaking urinal may seem minor compared to Pearson’s larger infrastructure challenges, residents say it sends a message.

“It shows attention to detail and follow-through,” one community member said. “After everything Pearson has been through, people want to see action, even on the small things.”

Joyner has said the road ahead will not be easy, but he remains optimistic about the city’s future. City leaders say additional updates on infrastructure, water and sewer projects, and administrative changes are expected in the coming weeks.

WALB’s Taylor Lewis will have more in a later newscast about the administrative changes coming to the City of Pearson.

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