Thursday, February 15, 2024–11:51 a.m.

-David Crowder, WRGA News-

One Community United’s One Table dinner on the John Ross Pedestrian Bridge is scheduled for the third Sunday in September, but unlike in years past, the Forum will not be available for the event due to a scheduling conflict.

Last year, the restrooms at the Forum were available for attendees. The kitchens have also been used in the past for food prep. However, according to Rome Tourism Director Lisa Smith, there is a contract for a musical performance at the area on the evening before the One Table dinner.

“We are not able, because we have no crew, to flip the Forum into a useful space and a clean space that I would want to present to the public on a Sunday,” she said.

On Wednesday, the Rome Public Works Committee approved the use of the footbridge, with the stipulation that an alternative to using the Forum can be worked out.

“We’re committed enough as an organization, and feel passionate enough about what we do, that we can,” said Cheryl Jenkins, One Community United board member.

Nedra Manners added that the table on the bridge is a very symbolic part of the dinner.

“Because we want to be one table,” she told the committee. “By having it there, we are one table. It’s not a table here and a table there. That’s part of the premise of the event.”  

The One Table dinner has been held for eight years, but this is the first year with the City of Rome having unilateral control of the bridge, the Town Green, and the Forum due to a local sales tax distribution agreement.

“I can envision that at some point there could be a conflict with having that many people shoehorn into one space depending on what we have going on downtown,” said Rome City Manager Sammy Rich.

Approximately 250 people attend the One Table dinner each year. According to organizers, in addition to being a fundraiser, the event provides a visible, living testimony to the mission of One Community United– to seek racial harmony and the melding of distinct communities into a more united community. 

 Cheryl Jenkins, One Community United board member, speaks during Wednesday’s public works committee meeting