Sponsored Sections Health & Wellness ►►PAGE 26 Summer Camps ►►PAGE 31
Spring at Avalon
Special pull-out section ►►PAGE 17
Sen. Williams talks elections Gives opinion on countywide voting ►►PAGE 8
Ga.’s First Lady visits BCES Talks about importance of reading in school ►►PAGE 12
March 11, 2015 | forsythherald.com | 75,000 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 18, No. 11
Forsyth practices for hazmat situation By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com
KATHLEEN STURGEON/STAFF
Crews from AT&T, Forsyth County Fire Department and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency went into the AT&T building to practice a hazmat drill. The crew practiced rescuing a worker who came into contact with a contaminant.
CUMMING, Ga. — While chilly temperatures and rain may not seem like perfect weather to most, the damp and cold on March 5 made for a perfect day to hold a hazardous materials incident drill in Forsyth County. More than 50 people from AT&T, the Forsyth County Fire Department, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Forsyth Geographic Information Services, Cumming Police Department, Forsyth County EMS and the Emergency Management Agency joined together to practice responding to potential hazardous situations that could happen in real life. Fire Division Chief Jason Shivers said although it may not seem like good weather conditions, it was actually
See HAZMAT, Page 35
Feasibility study says city of Sharon Springs viable By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Sharon Springs may be one step closer to becoming the second city in Forsyth County after a feasibility study showed the proposed city could work financially. The Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia completed a feasibility study for the proposed
Now that it’s viable, we can start the discussion on whether we want to become a city.” STEVE BENEFIELD Treasurer and one of the founding members of the Sharon Springs Alliance city of Sharon Springs, and the research released March 2 confirmed a new limited
services city (“city light”) is financially viable. The study was completely funded through
resident contributions. Steve Benefield, treasurer and one of the founding members of the Sharon Springs Alliance, said it is good news the study confirms the city is financially viable. “Now that it’s viable, we can start the discussion on whether we want to become a city,” Benefield said. “Our goal is to have a little more local control and create the efficient low-cost government
we think south Forsyth County deserves.” The city’s proposed boundaries include all of Forsyth County’s District 2, with small portions of Districts 3 and 5, Benefield said. The study concluded the proposed city could be funded without any large tax burdens to citizens and without the need to increase property taxes
See VIABLE, Page 37