Harry Johnston

Giving Thanks for Cherokee County

BY HARRY JOHNSTON

We truly are blessed in Cherokee County. Starting with God-given blessings, our geography is gorgeous, with rolling hills in the south growing to mountains in the north. We have abundant rainfall that supports beautiful natural forests, and a reliable water source in the Etowah River, from which the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was able to create Lake Allatoona. Our weather is just about perfect, with four distinct seasons. Three are fantastic; the fourth is mild and short, a taste of winter that makes us appreciate the other three.

In real estate, location is everything. Ours is our greatest asset, literally where the metro meets the mountains. We’re right in the shadow of a big and thriving city, close enough to take advantage of all those economic benefits, yet far enough away to enjoy a safe and comfortable small-town, and even rural, lifestyle. Of course, that attractiveness threatens its existence.

Over the last 30-plus years, we’ve become increasingly protective of our precious lifestyle. The protection hasn’t been perfect. The short-term economic benefits of growth are a powerful force. We only gained a consistent responsiblegrowth majority on the county’s Board of Commissioners about 15 years ago. The tools available to manage growth have natural and legal limits. City leadership understandably continues to want their cities to grow. But, the county started working on it earlier in our growth cycle and has managed it better than other fast-growth counties, like Gwinnett, Clayton, Henry, Douglas and Forsyth. I am thankful we’ve been able to cut our growth rate in half and put ourselves in the position to remain a rare jewel, retaining our great lifestyle as we continue to grow moderately.

We also enjoy the best “value proposition” of excellent county services and low taxes. The property tax rates controlled by the Board of Commissioners are the 29th lowest of 159 counties in Georgia, and our sales tax rates are in the lowest four. Combined, we have the second lowest overall tax rates in the state.

We enjoy some of the best public safety and other services in the state, and even the nation. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office achieved advanced national accreditation with honors, putting it among a handful of the nation’s most elite agencies. Every three years since its initial accreditation in 1996, the Sheriff’s Office has been re-accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Our fire service has come from being mostly volunteers, just 24 years ago, to one of the state’s best today, especially in the critical area of training. Our E-911 Center and Marshal’s Office are nationally accredited models that others follow.

There’s always work to do on roads. But, except for some state highways that now are being addressed, our road team has kept up with the growth admirably. Our school system, managed separately by the Board of Education, is one of the state’s best.

There are a lot of great places in the world to visit, but truly none better to come home to than Cherokee County. I’m so thankful for what we have here, and that I get to be part of it.

Harry Johnston is chairman of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. He’s a retired CPA and accounting manager, and a former district commissioner. Email him at hjohnston@cherokeega.com.

MORE TO LOVE AT MANOR LAKE! $4,000*save

Move-In Special

A cozy setting with a long list of amenities makes Manor Lake BridgeMill a welcoming place for everyone to enjoy.

Call today to schedule a personal tour!

Did you know?

REALTORS Protect Private Property Rights!

Source: Georgia REALTORS.

Are you aware there is a REALTORS Political Action Committee (RPAC)?

The Cherokee Association of REALTORS participates in the annual REALTOR Days at the Dome event at the Georgia Capitol to discuss important issues with elected officials. RPAC is funded by voluntary REALTOR® contributions. Here are a few of the legislative victories for Georgia property owners:

• Passed a $1,800 statewide homebuyer tax credit.

• Strengthened the rights of taxpayers in the appeals process.

• Passed legislation to reduce property owners’ liability in case of trespass.

• Defeated legislation to mandate a termite inspection prior to closing.

• Passed legislation to reform

Georgia’s property tax assessment and appeals process. • Supported legislation that increased the Georgia Housing and Finance Authority’s bond limit from $1.3 billion to $3 billion to fund the Georgia

Dream Homeownership

Program, providing affordable homeownership to lower income earners and first-time homebuyers.

• Protected water rights for

Georgia property owners by preserving our riparian rights system.

Dr. Daniel Turner, Rhiannon Turner and Heather McGill of DT Chiropractic at a Canton Business Club meeting. Photo by Bronson Kurtz.

STRONGER TOGETHER

Through Networking

Aroundabout Local Media’s mission statement is to “help local businesses grow and prosper by offering affordable advertising opportunities in a quality publication that provides positive, relevant information to our readers.”

Using this as a plumb line for all that we do, on the advertising and editorial sides of our company, we wanted to let you know what it looks like when the entrepreneurs in our community gather to exchange ideas and information, and develop relationships by supporting and encouraging one another while opening doors to new opportunities.

The Ball Ground Business & Community Association has sponsored a Christmas Tour of Homes and Holiday Market in the past, and made donations to the Ball Ground STEM Academy and the Ball Ground Senior Center with the proceeds. Weekly Ball Ground Business Club meetings are held downtown at Rock Solid Brewing Co.

Canton and Ball Ground have networking opportunities: Canton Business Club

Meets at 8 a.m. Wednesdays at Reformation Brewery at The Mill on Etowah. Officers are Chris Mack, Angela Albert, Chris Thom, Bronson Kurtz and Libby McRae. On Facebook. Ball Ground Business Club

Meets at 10:30 a.m. Fridays at Rock Solid Brewing Co. in Ball Ground. Officers are Korie Schmidt, Katherine France, Angela Albert, Drew Hendrix and Giselle Williams. On Facebook. Ball Ground Business & Community Association

Meets monthly on the second Wednesday, either at breakfast, lunch or after hours. Board members are Bill Spencer, Robin Wright, Ann Watkins, Heidi Rulis, Christy Allen, Sharon Thall, Linda Lullie and Bobbi Cowart. www.ballgroundbusinessassociation.com.

Other business associations in the Canton area are invited to send photos from their monthly meetings to edit@ aroundaboutmagazines.com. Please include the names of everyone in each photo, along with the date, time and location of your meetings, as well as the president’s name and employer.