Harry Johnston

Park Plans Important to Our Future

BY HARRY JOHNSTON

One of Cherokee County’s challenges is providing enough parks for its growing population. In 2008, the Board of Commissioners (BOC) saw a need for a substantial increase in parks. The voters agreed, and approved a $90 million bond referendum to buy land and build facilities.

Those funds were used for the Aquatics Center, Patriots Park, Veterans Park, the new baseball complex at Kenny Askew Park, and important upgrades at multiple existing parks, including the baseball complex at Hobgood Park. The program funded city park projects, including Woodstock’s trail network and Canton’s Etowah Park. It also paid for land for future parks or permanent green space in southwest Cherokee, the Sutallee community in west Cherokee and two large parcels on the river: one at Yellow Creek Road and another off Old Highway 5, between Canton and Ball Ground.

After 13 years, those funds are running out. The last project will be the Buzz, a new indoor recreation complex to be built later this year at Veteran’s Park, named for former BOC Chair L.B. “Buzz” Ahrens. It’s designed for the eventual addition of an adjacent pool.

The county recreation team recently completed a public input process, to determine how to use the two properties bought with park bond funds in southwest Cherokee on Highway 92 and Kellogg Creek Road. The community expressed a desire for passive parks, with gathering places and unstructured open space, plus walking trails within the parks, connecting them and throughout the area. That project could cost $30 million, and we don’t have that level of funding available.

Located on 149 acres in northeast Cherokee County, Cherokee Veterans is one of the largest parks in the county’s park system.

Thankfully, Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds have exceeded expectations and can fund a modest initial phase within the next couple of years.

In spite of land-use planning and zoning that provides some restraint on residential growth, the county continues to grow rapidly. We need to build out the park properties we have, and buy more for the future. We also need to explore a vision for a countywide connected trail network.

Our park bond still has about seven years of payments remaining, but the balance is declining rapidly. We could consider another bond issue, if voters are willing to keep paying the property tax of about $50 per household per year to cover it.

The current SPLOST program primarily is used to fund roads and other infrastructure. It will need to be renewed in the next couple of years, if the voters are willing. We potentially could designate more of those proceeds to parks.

We’ve had requests to consider a Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) to drive down property taxes. Almost all other counties in Georgia have a LOST, or a similar Homestead Option Sales Tax (HOST). Up to 20% of HOST funds can be used for capital projects, like parks and roads. These taxes require voter approval, and I’m not promoting either one. But, a HOST could be an alternative to a new park bond, while also providing for property tax reduction and additional road funding.

As always, I’m interested in your thoughts. Email me at hjohnston@ cherokeega.com.

Harry Johnston is chairman of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. He's a retired CPA and accounting manager, and a former district commissioner.

Discover Your New Home at Great Sky

Nestled in rolling hills of northern Georgia on the edge of picturesque Hickory Log Creek Reservoir, you will find Great Sky. A community with the perfect balance of nature and home, quiet and convenience. Over 300 acres of protected green space is the stunning backdrop for new homes with beautiful views of both mountains and water. Yet for all the wide-open space, Great Sky is still a small southern community at heart, with friendly neighbors, family activities, and award-winning schools. Nearby Canton has a vibrant downtown with great shopping, dining, and cultural events. Great Sky is where natural beauty and life-enhancing amenities mingle perfectly to create a peaceful, rewarding life for you and your family.

GreatSkyGA.com info@greatskycanton.com (770) 704-0234

©2019. Equal Housing Opportunity. The amenities and features described and depicted herein are based upon current development plans, which are subject to change without notice. Actual development may not be as currently proposed. References to housing products, builders and prices are subject to change without notice as well.

It's Time to Celebrate!

Congratulations to the victors in this year’s poll!

We are excited to celebrate you, and the contributions you make to our community. We know you’re proud and ready to announce your success, so we have prepared a few items to help you celebrate:

1. Window cling 2. Certificate PDF 3. Award JPEG to post on your website,

Facebook page or other social media outlets.

To receive these items, send an email to readerschoice@aroundaboutmagazines.com with the following information:

• Business name and mailing address. • Contact person’s email address and phone number.

It’s essential for us to have your contact information so we can make sure you have all you need to celebrate properly!

Another way to share your good news — and thank the community for voting for you — is through a thank you ad. For more information on ads email readerschoice@aroundaboutmagazines.com. Audiologist: Northwest ENT and Allergy Center — Canton Cardiologist: Heart and Vascular Care — Canton Chiropractor: DT Chiropractic Dentist: Swords & Phelps Dentistry Dermatologist: Dr. Paige Camp, Marietta Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center — Canton ENT/Allergy Physician: Northwest ENT and Allergy Center — Canton Gastroenterologist: Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates — Canton General Practitioner: Dr. Jason Hefner, Piedmont Physicians of Canton Lung and Sleep Specialists: Dr. Tamim M. Al-Kharrat, North Georgia Pulmonary Medicine — Canton Obstetrician/Gynecologist: Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists Optometrist/Ophthalmologist: Marietta Eye Clinic Orthodontist: Dr. Chris Jernigan — Canton Orthopedic: Resurgens Orthopaedics — Canton Pediatric Dentist: Cherokee Children’s Dentistry Pediatrician: Dr. Jamie Rollins, Northside Cherokee Pediatrics — Holly Springs Pharmacist: Ball Ground Pharmacy Physical Therapist: PT Solutions of Canton Plastic Surgeon: Dr. Seth A. Yellin, Marietta Dermatology — Canton Podiatrist: Dr. Evan Lewis, Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia — Canton Surgeon: Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists — Canton Veterinarian: Harmony Animal Hospital

Retail

Animal/Pet Supplies: Ball Ground Hounds Bakery: Alpine Bakery Bicycle Sales: Sixes Pit Bicycle Shop Clothing Boutique: Fashion Ten — Canton Consignment Store: Fun Finds & Designs Florist: Fowler’s Florist Garden Center/Nursery: Night Song Native Plant Nursery Gifts/Home Decor: Cotton Mill Exchange Health/Wellness: Your CBD Store — Canton Jeweler: Key’s Jewelry Liquor Store: Uncle Jack’s Spirits Recreational Vehicles: Golf Cars of Canton Specialty Foods: Wilkes Meat Market — Ball Ground Thrift Store: Cherokee Closeouts Tires: Cherokee Tire Service

Accountant: S&S Accounting Active Adult Residential Community: The Lodge at Bridgemill Assisted Living/Memory Care Facility: Arbor at BridgeMill Attorney: Geiger Legal Group Automotive: Chuck’s Auto Repair Bank/Credit Union: Credit Union of Georgia — Canton Barber Shop: Barker-Jackson Master Barbers at Canton Marketplace Business Support: Canton Main Street Program Carwash: Mr. Clean Carwash — Canton Counseling: Canton Counseling Day Care/Preschool: The Carpenter’s Shop Christian Preschool Day Spa: Practically Perfect Day Spa & Salon Digital Marketing: ClickFunnels — Canton Dog Trainer: The Canine Ranch Dry Cleaners: BridgeMill Cleaners Education Services/Tutoring: Dr. Susan Buice Financial Adviser: Sarah Kendall, Edward Jones Fitness/Health Club: Onelife Fitness Funeral Home: Darby Funeral Home Hair Salon: Studio 5 Salon & Spa Home Cleaning: Live Clean Home Improvement/Remodeling: Taylor Construction Insurance: The Bagby Agency, Alfa Insurance Interior Design: Laura Sears Interiors IT/Web support: ENC Technologies Inc. Landscaping/Lawn Care: Blanton Landscaping Mortgage Lending: Brett Labadie, American Financial Network Moving Services: Page Relocation — Canton Music Lessons: Aspire Canton Nail Salon: NT Nails

Painter: Goodwin Painting and Restoration Pest Control: Arrow Exterminators — Canton Pet Boarding: Savy Paws Pet Resort Pet Grooming: Puddles and Paws Pet Sitting: The Savvy Sitter Photographer: Victoria Nielson Photography Plumber: Ghorley & Ghorley Plumbing Private School: Community Christian School — Canton Realtor: Zackery Bobo, ERA Sunrise Realty Speech Therapy: Stephanie Mello Transportation: CATS (Cherokee Area Transportation System) Cherokee County — Canton Travel Agency: Katie Taylor, Marvelous Mouse Travels — Canton

Restaurants

American: Riverstone Corner Bistro Asian: Yoon Sushi Barbecue: Four 41 South BBQ Co. Breakfast: Keithsburg Cafe Brewery: Reformation Brewery — Canton Brunch: Keithsburg Cafe Burger: Burger Bus Coffee Shop: Alma Coffee TIE Barrel House Coffee TIE Fine Dining: J. Michael’s Prime Italian: Provino’s Italian Restaurant Kid Friendly: Sidelines Grille — Canton Mexican: La Parilla — Canton Pizzeria: Brooklyn Joe’s Pizza, Pasta & Grill Seafood: Goin’ Coastal

Recreation and Entertainment

Art Studio/Gallery: Cherokee County Arts Center Community Theatre: Cherokee Theatre Company Dance Studio: PHunk Fit — ATL — Canton Equestrian: Ashley Bates, Creekside Ranch Golf Course/Club: Woodmont Golf and Country Club Gymnastics Center: 360 Tumble & Cheer — Canton Marina: Little River Marina and Glade Marina Music Venue: Downtown Canton First Friday Summer Camp: Aspire Dance Arts Swim Lessons: Autumn Lynn Swimming Lessons — Canton