With Maria Gomez-Perez of Gainesville now missing for over five weeks, community members are continuing to publicize her information in hopes that it leads to her safe return.
President of the Latinos Conservative Organization, Art Gallegos Jr., volunteers, and Hall County and Gainesville authorities gathered Friday to reveal a 12-by-five-foot banner with a photo of Maria and her description just off Jesse Jewel Prkwy in downtown Gainesville.
Gainesville Mayor Sam Couvillon spoke on behalf of the City during the ceremony, noting the Sheriff’s Office’s continued efforts to locate Maria.
“All of us are parents, and we can't imagine what it would be like not to have your child at home when you come home from work,” Couvillon said. “ We very much appreciate the partnership with the sheriff's office. I know they're working 24/7, working with both our local agencies and state and federal agencies as well. We do want to just let the people know that we are committed to keep working until we find Maria, and we are just going to let the father know that he is in our thoughts and prayers.”
Gallegos Jr. said that volunteers initially planned to hang the banner on the side of or under the pedestrian bridge over Jesse Jewel Parkway. The committee was told the banner had been approved by the Georgia Department of Transportation but later discovered that approval had been rescinded.
“I know people were asking us, ‘why is it so crucial? Why it's so fundamental that it gets hang on the bridge?’” Gallegos said. “The bridge is basically the center of Gainesville and the square… we just want to bring awareness and I think that it would be great. We're going to push, we're going to ask and hope that they will make an exception.”
Stefan Javiarre Lebron Jr. began volunteering his time in the search for Maria after her disappearance on May 29 from her home on Westside Drive. LeBron started the project to have the sign be placed in the city, but told AccessWDUN he still plans to do more.
“I believe we can go farther and hang the banner on the bridge,” Lebron said. “We need to have the biggest form of advertising with a constant image of her that people can see every day, and there's thousands of people that come through Jesse Jewell Parkway every day. It only takes the right person to see it.”
Lebron said other volunteers aiding in the search have also taken smaller signs and posters with information on Maria to other areas in the state and country while taking trips this summer.
“I have provided them with yard signs and stickers, as well as flyers,” he said. “One of the business leaders in the community, Norma Hernandez, she is one of the key players in getting all the promotional advertisements as far as the banners and signs. The banner was donated to us by Signs By Tomorrow, so I'm so grateful for them.”
As the Hall County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the case, anonymous donors are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Maria’s safe return.
Anyone who may have information on Maria’s whereabouts is urged to call (770) 503-3232 or email [email protected]. Individuals with tips may also call 911 or Hall County 911/Central Communications at (770) 536-8812. Those offering tips can remain anonymous.
