Michael Caldwell

A Message From the

Making government more accessible and information available to citizens have been core values for me during the time you’ve allowed me to serve in the House of Representatives and as your mayor. During my time in the Legislature, our campaign pioneered transparency measures in campaign finance by sharing daily, down-to-the-penny financial updates online. I was the first to live-tweet legislative votes from the floor of the House. During the legislative sessions, I shared a writeup on every single vote I cast. These were my attempts to help make the legislative process more transparent and digestible from home.

As I have led the city of Woodstock for the past year, I have been so proud to see the culture of transparency and open accessibility shared by our city’s staff. From the city manager to all 200-plus employees, I have witnessed a team of dedicated public servants seeking better ways to involve and inform the public on the city’s activities while searching constantly for innovative ways to share information.

Members of the City Council and I broadcast all of our meetings live, and share the recordings and minutes online. In addition to the live broadcasts and historical archives, we publish two agendas prior to every meeting. You can see our agenda and a bullet-point listing of the business to be taken up during the meeting. You also can see our agenda packet, which comprises the supporting information tied to each agenda item. These packets often run 500-600 pages long, and they are the exact same information that we receive as elected officials prior to a meeting. In fact, we access it through the same links on www.woodstockga.gov as the public, in order to read and research before a vote.

Our meetings always are open to the public, and you are more than welcome to attend, listen and even participate during the dedicated public hearing portion. We meet on the second and fourth Mondays of most months at 7 p.m. in the Chambers at City Center, and we have a work session (similar format and equally open to the public) on the third Monday at 7 p.m.

Curious about the city’s finances? We publish budget information and comprehensive annual reports going back for years, so you can see how we’re stewarding your money today and compare it to the past. Our budget process also is part of the public meeting process.

Curious about our organizational structure or leadership? We publish our entire organizational chart, contact information for each department, city leadership and council members on the website, as well.

Are you a nerd like me who likes maps? Our GIS (geographic information system) Services Department publishes some incredibly helpful maps, like our annexation growth boundary map recently negotiated with Cherokee County, maps to help you discover whether you live within the city limits or who your council member is, zoning maps, parking locations and much more.

Most recently, we’ve launched two incredible public-facing map tools that help answer the most frequent questions I get. What is going on at any location, and what is the city doing with any road or intersection? First, the new Major Projects Map easily displays all of the upcoming developments in the city, filtered by Public Hearing Cases (still in process), Approved (pending construction) and Under Construction (currently being built).

Second, the new Transportation Projects Map displays currently slated projects, as well as recently completed projects. You’ll never have to see orange cones and wonder what might be coming again. We make sure you can locate it on a map and get the information you need.

Above and beyond each of these transparency initiatives, and so many others, I hope you know that you can reach me personally anytime. You can contact me via my city email at mcaldwell@ woodstockga.gov or my cellphone at 678-523-8570. It is an absolute honor to serve you and our city, and I will continue to do my best to make Woodstock a place where we all easily can be informed and take part in our city’s future. — Mayor Michael Caldwell

Michael Caldwell is the 31st mayor of Woodstock, a retired state legislator, member of the Georgia Technology Authority, partner at Black Airplane, husband to Katie, and father to Oliver, Elizabeth and Charlotte.

AT A GLANCE

If getting organized is one of your New Year’s resolutions, this comprehensive calendar should help. We’ve included as many city festivals, community events and school breaks as we could find. Some of these dates and times might change, so keep a watch on our community calendars each month for additional details and activities. For more information on city and county events, check https://visitwoodstockga.com, www.cantonga.gov, www.woodstockparksandrec.com, https://cherokeechamber.com and www.crpa.net.

JANUARY

Jan. 1: Best for Bridal winners announced. Jan. 9: School resumes. Jan. 9-Feb. 8: Project Valentine, CRPA. Through Jan. 10: Woodstock Christmas Tree Chip and Dip, Rope Mill Park. Jan. 16: Martin Luther King Day. No school. Jan. 19: Cherokee Chamber annual meeting. Jan. 28: Service League Gala and Benefit, 6-9 p.m., Timbers on Etowah, Canton.

FEBRUARY

Feb. 11: CRPA’s Guns and Hoses 5K, Hobgood Park. Feb. 11: Chocolate Walk, Canton. Feb. 17: Arbor Day Celebration, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Woodstock. Feb. 20-24: Winter break. No school. Feb. 20-24: February Break Splish Splash Camp, Cherokee County Aquatic Center.

MARCH

March 1: Readers’ Choice nominations begin. March 1-April 4: Some Bunny Special, CRPA. March 11: CCEF Fundraising Gala. March 16: COED’s Cherokee Film Summit. March 18: Garland Mountain Trail Run. March 31: Readers’ Choice nominations end. April 1: Blankets Creek Dirty 15/30 Mountain Bike Race and Trail Run. April 3-7: Spring break. No school. April 3-7: Spring Break Splish Splash Camp, Cherokee County Aquatic Center. April 8: Eggs-traordinary Extravaganza, Cherokee County Aquatic Center. April 8: Flashlight Egg Hunt, CRPA. April 8: BBQ and Brews, Ball Ground. April 15: Lantern Series, 7:30-9:30 p.m. April 20: Upper Etowah River Alliance Annual Membership Meeting at the Rock Barn. April 21: Chamber’s Recycling Event, 1-4 p.m. April 22: Woodstock’s Citywide Yard Sale. April 22: Woodstock’s Recycling Event, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. April 26: Unwind Wednesdays, Veterans Park, 5:30-8 p.m., last Wednesdays through October. April 27: Taste of Canton. April 29: Lantern Series, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

MAY

May 4, 11, 18, 25: Brown Bag Concert Series, noon-1 p.m., Woodstock. May 5: Canton First Fridays begin, monthly through October. May 6: Kentucky Derby Day, Canton. May 6: Lantern Series, 7:30-9:30 p.m. May 13: Woodstock Summer Concert Series, 7:30 p.m. May 15: Readers’ Choice voting begins. May 25: Last day of school. Modified dismissal. May 25: i-Grad Virtual Academy graduation, 2 p.m. May 25: River Ridge graduation, 4 p.m. Cherokee High graduation, 8 p.m. May 26: Sequoyah High graduation, 4 p.m. Woodstock High graduation, 8 p.m. May 26: Therapeutic Recreation Talent Show, CRPA. May 27: Creekview High graduation, 9 a.m. Etowah High graduation, 1 p.m. May 27: Rope Mill Trail Run and Mountain Bike Rumble. May 29: Memorial Day ceremony, 10 a.m., Woodstock.

June 3: Canton Farmers Market’s opening day. June 10: Woodstock Summer Concert Series, 7:30 p.m. June 17: Lantern Series, 7:30-9:30 p.m. June 19-23: Water Safety Week, Cherokee County Aquatic Center. June 22: World’s Largest Swim Lesson, Cherokee County Aquatic Center. June 30: Readers’ Choice voting ends.

JULY

July 1: Back to the 80s, The Mill on Etowah. July 4: July 4th Spectacular, 10 a.m., Woodstock. July 4: Canton’s July 4th celebration (fireworks!). July 8: Woodstock Summer Concert Series, 7:30 p.m. July 22: Lantern Series, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

AUGUST

Aug. 1: First day of school. Aug. 1: Police Night Out, Woodstock. Aug. 1: Readers’ Choice winners announced. Aug. 10: Chamber’s SchmoozaPalooza, 4-7 p.m. Aug. 12: Woodstock Summer Concert Series, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 14: Chamber Classic Golf Tournament (tentative). Aug. 19: Chick-fil-A 5K. Aug. 22: Georgia Downtown Association Conference Big Bash, Canton.

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 4: Labor Day. No school. Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28: Brown Bag Concert Series, noon-1 p.m., Woodstock. Sept. 9: Woodstock Summer Concert Series, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10: Paws in the Pool, Cherokee County Aquatic Center. Sept. 11: 9/11 Day of Remembrance service, 6 p.m., Woodstock. Sept. 16: Touch-A-Truck, CRPA. Sept. 18-22: Fall break. No school. Sept. 23-24: Riverfest, Etowah River Park. Sept. 30: Blankets Creek 3- and 6-Hour Race. Oct. 1: Scarecrow Invasion, Woodstock. Oct. 1: Best for Bridal voting begins. Oct. 7: Ball Ground Rocks. Oct. 9: Columbus Day. No school. Oct. 9: CCEF Golf, Tennis and Pickleball Classics. Oct. 15: Sunset Symphony, 7 p.m., Woodstock. Oct. 18: Chamber’s Women in Business. Oct. 21: Great Pumpkin Fest, CRPA. Oct. 28-29: Denim Fest, The Mill on Etowah. Oct. 31: Halloween Trail of Tricks and Treats, 5-9 p.m., Woodstock.

NOVEMBER

Nov. 1-Dec. 15: Hugs in a Blanket, CRPA. Nov. 7: Election Day. Remote learning day. Nov. 11: Rope Mill Dirty Duathlon and Trail Run. Nov. 11: Veterans Day ceremony, 7 p.m., Woodstock. Nov. 15: Best for Bridal voting ends. Nov. 15: Tree lighting, Canton. Nov. 18: Recycling and Paper Shredding Event, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Woodstock. Nov. 20-24: Thanksgiving break. No school. Nov. 21: Shopping by Lantern Light, Canton. Nov. 28-Dec. 13: Santa’s Mailbox in Woodstock.

DECEMBER

Dec. 2: Christmas Jubilee and Parade of Lights, 5:30 p.m., Woodstock. Dec. 2, 16: Visit With Santa, Canton. Dec. 7, 14: Mistletoe on Main, Canton. Dec. 8: Christmas in Canton. Dec. 9: Swim with the Grinch, Cherokee County Aquatic Center. Dec. 9: Merry Market and Parade, Canton. Dec. 21: Last day of the semester. Modified dismissal. Dec. 22-Jan. 5: Christmas break. No school. Dec. 26-Jan. 8: Christmas Tree Chip and Dip, Woodstock.