The Community News A Newsletter for the Citizens of Jonesboro, Georgia Joy B. Day Mayor
Vol. 20, Issue 1
January 2016
jday@jonesboroga.com
Councilmembers: Larry Boak Jack Bruce Wallace Norrington Billy Powell Pat Sebo Ed Wise Ricky L. Clark, Jr., City Cler k Joe Nettleton, Public Wor ks Dir ector Franklin Allen, Police Chief Sandra Meyers, Finance Derry Walker, Code Enfor cement Steve Fincher, City Attor ney Keith Wood, Municipal J udge Jerry Patrick, City Solicitor City Hall (770) 478-3800 Jonesboro PD (770) 478-7407 NON-Emergency # (770) 477-3550
Officer Chris Cato Receives Medal of Merit At the Clayton County Police Department Holiday Reception and Service Award ceremony held on December 3, 2015, Officer Chris Cato of the Jonesboro Police Department was awarded the Medal of Merit. Officer Cato’s valor and courage in helping to locate a child was cited. In September 2014, Officer Cato received a call regarding a child who had fallen into a pool just outside the City. Officer Cato was enroute to his regular shift, and, with his supervisor’s permission, answered the call. Although the pool was very green and murky, Officer Cato and two Clayton County officers dove into the pool in an attempt to locate the child. Chris Cato brought the child up and began administering CPR, turning it over to Clayton County EMS upon their arrival. The child was taken to Southern Regional Hospital and did not survive, but without the valiant efforts of Officer Chris Cato, the child had no chance at survival. Thank you, Officer Cato, for your bravery and dedication.
Above (L to R): Lt. Anthony Lumpkin, Councilmember Pat Sebo, Mayor Joy Day, Chief Franklin Allen, Officer Chris Cato, Lt. Eric Bradshaw, Ricky Clark, City Clerk.
Jonesboro Officers Recognized At Governor's Public Safety Awards Ceremony On December 15, 2014, four City of Jonesboro officers received the Act of Heroism Medal at the Governor’s Public Safety Awards held in Forsyth, Georgia at the Georgia Public Training Facility. Governor Nathan Deal served as keynote speaker for the ceremony. Each officer received a medal directly from Governor Deal; their names will be inscribed on a stone pillar as a lasting tribute as Public Safety Award L to R: Glen Munsey, Calvin Scott, Steven O’Linger , Cornell Madison recipients for 2015. Officers Cornell J. Madison, Jr., Glen R. Munsey, Steven O’Linger, and Calvin Scott were the honorees. The presentation reads as follows: “On May 15, 2015, Mrs. Monique Smith, the victim witness coordinator for the DA’s Office, was t-boned by a U-Haul truck being driven by a man that ran a red light. Her vehicle flipped one complete rotation and caught on fire. Mrs. Smith was trapped in her vehicle. Officer Cornell Madison. who was off duty, observed the wreck and sprang into action. He went to her vehicle and punched out her window, breaking bones in his hand and/or wrist. Mrs. Smith pleaded, ‘Don’t let me die here.’ Officer Madison held her hand and promised he would not. Meanwhile, Officers Glen Munsey and Calvin Scott used fire extinguishers to help put out the fire,while Officer Steven O’Linger directed traffic, assisting fire and rescue units to get to the scene quickly. The Jaws of Life were used to extricate Mrs. Smith from her vehicle. She received life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized for 10 days. It is believed that if these four officers had not acted so quickly and courageously that Mrs. Smith may have perished. These four officers are true heroes.” Congratulations and job well done!
Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) Application Filed The City of Jonesboro has filed a Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) Supplemental Report with the Atlanta Regional Commission. The Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) is a program that awards planning grants on a competitive basis to local governments and nonprofit organizations to prepare and implement plans for the enhancement of existing centers and corridors consistent with regional development policies, and also provides transportation infrastructure funding for projects identified in the LCI plans. Jonesboro’s application requested a Central City Master Plan, a City Market Analysis, and a Structure Inventory of downtown buildings, with an estimated cost of $200,000. Cities receiving funds must provide a 20% match of the total study budget. The ARC Board has approved $18 million in study funds - $1 million annually - for use in years 2000 to 2017. Feedback on the LCI application will be in mid-2016.
Find us on the Web at www.jonesboroga.com or on Facebook: City of Jonesboro Government
Get to Know….Sgt. Jonathon James, JPD Sgt. Jonathan James will mark his ninth year with the City of Jonesboro in April 2016. He is a native of Griffin, Georgia and graduated from Griffin High School. Sgt. James serves as shift supervisor for JPD. He has a daughter 12, and a son, 9; Mrs. James is a nurse. Sgt. James serves as a baseball coach for Spalding County Little League. More than anything , he delights in spending time with his family. Sgt. James also enjoys riding his motorcycle. Being a policeman was always a dream for him. He especially enjoys being able to help someone as he performs his daily duties. Thank you, Sgt. Jonathon James for your service to the City of Jonesboro.
Polar Bear Trivia
BEFORE (T or F) A polar bear is actually colorless, not white.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
10.
OFFENSE
NOV
Citations
405
Warnings
208
Accidents
43
Arrests
55 2
DUI
The polar bear’s most dangerous enemy is the A) Kodiak bear B) Seal C) Human D) Arctic Fox Male Polar bears generally weigh about A)300 lbs. B)700 lbs. C)1000 lbs. D) 2000 lbs. (T or F) Polar bears hibernate six months per year. Polar bears eat primarily A) Seals B) Walruses C) Fish D) Any warm-blooded Arctic Animal (T or F) A polar bear’s entire body is furred, except for the bottom of its paws. The average age of a polar bear in the wild is how many years? A) 7 years B) 12 years C) 17 years D) 30 years (T or F) Polar bears can swim up to 60 miles without a rest. How long do Polar bear cubs stay with their mother? A) Three months B) 2.5 years C) Six months D) 5.0 years Scientist estimate there are approximately how many polar bears worldwide? A) 400,000 B) 200,000 C) 80,000 D) 35,000 (Answers on page 4)
AFTER
“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Coming in February
CITY BLOTTER
Lee Street Park
Slated to be completed in February 2016, Lee Street Park is nearing Valentine’s Day Party finalization. Benches, trash receptacles, Friday, February 12, 2016: 6:00 pm picnic tables, and playground equipment Firehouse Museum, West Mill Street have been ordered. Pictured at right are Food, fun, games...bring your Valentine the benches, which will be a dark bronze on down to the Firehouse Museum for the color in keeping with the ambience of fun. If you don’t have a Valentine, come the park. Other features to be added are anyway….you might find one! a fountain, landscaping, a digital sign, (Free event) and general park signage. A soft opening will be held for city citizens in March; a celebratory opening will follow in late Spring.
Property Checks
270
Warrants
303
Probation
763 64
Criminal Investigations
Training Hours
26
Ballroom Dance Community Start the New Year out right with Ballroom Dancing! Group lessons for couples and singles. Ballroom Dance Classes
January 14, 7:00 pm First Baptist Jonesboro Open to all ages, singles, couples $60 for 7 weeks of lessons
Mark your calendar now!
HAPPY New Year
from City Hall, Jonesboro PD, and Public Works!
In Memory of Chester Gipson, Sr. 1924-2015
Sign up at
ballroomdancecommunity.org
BUDGET 2016 APPROVED The City Council unanimously approved Budget 2016 at regular council meeting on December 14, 2015. Total budget for 2016 is $4,408,540.00, an increase over Budget 2015 of $273,670.00. City Employees will receive a 2% cost of living raise effective January 1, 2016. Copies of the budget are available at City Hall.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Owner: Felecia D. Murrell 192 Jonesboro Rd. Jonesboro, Ga. 30236 Gina’s has been in the City for 8 yrs.
“Jingle in the City” 2015
Jonesboro City Hall 124 North Avenue Jonesboro, GA 30236
Pre-Sorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Jonesboro, GA Permit No. 7
“Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR JAN 1
Happy New Year!
JAN 4
Work Session, 6 pm, PD
JAN 5
Hill Family Band, 6 pm, FM
JAN 11
City Court, 8 am, PD
JAN 11
Council Meeting, 6 pm, PD
JAN 14
Covered Dish Supper, 6 pm, FM
JAN 18
MLK Day, City Offices closed
JAN 18
MLK Parade, Main Street
JAN 18
Neighborhood Watch, 6:30 pm, PD
JAN 25
City Court, 8 am, PD
FEB 1
City Court, 8 am, PD
FEB 1
Work Session, 6 pm , PD
FEB 2
Hill Family Band, 6 pm. FM
Firehouse Museum Activities Tuesdays: Movie Night: 6 pm Thursdays: Bingo, 6 pm (unless otherwise noted on Calendar above) PD =Police Department FM = Firehouse Museum
CITY ARCHIVES
Jackie Hanes and Edith Hanes (Smith) Polar Bear Trivia Answers 1.True. The fur is made with hollow tubes that scatter light and give a white appearance. These help the bear stay warm by channeling the sun’s energy directly to the bear’s skin. 2. C 3. C 4. False—Only pregnant female hibernate (for three months). 5. A 6. False. The bottom of its paws ar e fur r ed, also! 7. C 8. True 9. B 10. D
Rate Yourself 8-10 Correct: Cool Running 5-7 Correct: Bear-ly Made it Less than 5 Correct: White-Out, take cover!