Vol. 21, Issue 1
The Community News A Newsletter for the Citizens of Jonesboro, Georgia Joy B. Day Mayor
January 2017
jday@jonesboroga.com
Councilmembers: Ed Wise, Mayor Protem Larry Boak Jack Bruce Alfred Dixon, III Billy Powell Pat Sebo Ricky L. Clark, Jr., City Administrator Joe Nettleton, Public Works Director Franklin Allen, Police Chief Sandra Meyers, Finance Derry Walker, Code Enforcement Steve Fincher, City Attorney Keith Wood, Municipal Judge Jerry Patrick, City Solicitor City Hall (770) 478-3800 Jonesboro PD (770) 478-7407 NON-Emergency # (770) 477-3550
DDA MEMBERS ATTEND TRAINING Members of the Jonesboro Downtown Development Authority recently attended training in Tifton, Georgia. Pictured left to right: Jonesboro DDA members Jule Segner, Harry Osborne, Helen Meadows, Shar’ron W. Russell (Clayton County), and Joel Aviles, Chairman of the Jonesboro DDA. Training was conducted through the Carl Vinson Institute, University of Georgia. DDA Board members are required to attend a minimum of eight hours of training per calendar year. The Jonesboro DDA meets monthly on the 1 st Thursday at the Jonesboro Police Department at 6:00 pm. All meetings are open to the public.
LCI Meeting January 18 - 6:00 pm Draft Plan Open House 168 North McDonough Street -“The W” Come and listen to the plans for
GET INVOLVED IN YOUR CITY THIS YEAR!
*Read the newsletter *Plan to attend Work Sessions & Council CITY COUNCIL SETS MILLAGE RATE, ADOPTS BUDGET FOR 2017 Meetings as often as possible On November 14, 2016, the Jonesboro City Council voted to retain the city mill *Sign up for City Phone Tree & Email rate at 1.5 mills. This represents no increase for the citizens and businesses. On *Volunteer for at least three events December 19, 2016, the Council adopted the 2017 Budget of $4,407,586, down *Attend City Events regularly slightly from 2016 due to decreased revenues. Incorporated in the Budget for 2017 is *Vote in City Elections an additional Investigator (CID) position in the Police Department. Also included is a *Volunteer for a Board or Commission fulltime Executive Assistant position at City Hall, previously part time. All Check out our website, employees will receive a 2% step raise in pay. Funding for the Downtown www.jonesboroga.com and Facebook page, Development Authority was set at $10,000. The latest audit of City finances, year City of Jonesboro Government 2015, showed an increase in fund balance of $494,461. The 2015 audit also revealed a *Call when you have questions or total fund balance of $4.5 million in reserve funds. Copies of the budget are problems! available at City Hall. (770) 478-3800
Christmas Parade Float Winners
REBRANDING HELP NEEDED What is Rebranding?
Rebranding is a strategy to identify a symbol or logo to raise awareness and easily identify a business or organization, establish a Second Place: Boy Scout Troop 136, positive image, and attract stakeholders and customers. Jonesboro will be Venture Crew 136, Cub Scout Pack 543 undergoing a rebranding process very soon and we need YOUR input! Data Third Place: Swint’s Feed collected in this survey will be used to develop a cohesive marketing and & Garden Supply branding strategy in order to leverage the city’s unique assets and position Mayor’s Award: First Baptist Jonesboro Jonesboro as a special place. It will promote Jonesboro businesses, recruit new investments, and contribute to citizen pride. The project will build off Thanks to all who participated and the foundation of the community vision established during the Livable helped to make this year’s parade such Centers Initiative (LCI). Please give us your ideas by completing a survey: a success.
First Place: Tara Wrecker
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JonesboroBrand
Where in the City? First three callers to contact Pat at City Hall win a prize! (770) 478-3800
BEFORE
Get to Know…
James Buckles
Employed by the City for 13 years, James Buckles performs important duties for our Public Works. He holds a CDL License, drives the garbage truck, works the chipper, and executes many other tasks critical for Jonesboro. James Buckles is well known for his dependability. He is a native of Fort Payne, Alabama, and worked for the City of Fort Payne prior to coming to Jonesboro. In his spare time, James enjoys lifting weights, watching television, and spending time in the house he recently purchased. He looks forward to spending time this Christmas with his daughter and sister. Thank you, James Buckles, for your dedication to the City of Jonesboro!
Roger Swint Named Morrow Fire Chief Roger Swint, President of Swint’s Feed and Garden Supply in Jonesboro, has been named Morrow’s next Fire Chief. Chief Swint has extensive fire-fighting experience. Chief Swint has served as a battalion chief with Morrow Fire Department since 2004. From 1980-2005, he was a captain with the Jonesboro Fire Department. Roger Swint has received many awards including the Distinguished Service Award, Clayton County Firefighter of the Year, and Public Safety Person of the Year for Clayton County. Chief Swint received his B.S. in Agribusiness from the University AFTER of Georgia in 1987, and the Associate’s in Fire Science Technology from West Georgia Technical College in 2008. He has other extensive training, including Fire Chief Certification, the National Fire Academy, and Leadership in Fire and EMS. Roger Swint is the son of Beverly Swint and the late Willis Swint of Jonesboro. Chief Swint and his wife, Kathy, and their family reside in the City of Jonesboro. Congratulations, Chief Roger Swint!
In Loving Memory Ramona “Dale” Head 1951-2016
Jonesboro Library Community Outreach Programs January is National HOBBY MONTH! Our Library is opening its doors every Saturday in January to all hobbyists. Come out, share your hobby, and earn some money by selling your work. Call (770) 478-7120 for more information. The Bio-Bus is coming to Jonesboro Library! Join us for Family Science on Saturday, January 21 and 28 for fun hands-on activities that teach the science behind DNA and genetics.
Jonesboro Library - 124 Smith Street - (770) 478-7120
HELP!!!
No ↓ CITY OF JONESBORO COUNCIL & EMPLOYEES
We are glad to vacuum up your leaves, but not in the street. Place all leaf piles by the curb, not in the street. Blow/rake leaves about six feet from the curb and then rake to six inches of the curb. Thank you, Jonesboro Public Works Reminder: Current burning
ban still in effect.
CITY BLOTTER OFFENSE
NOV 2016
Citations
783
Warnings
510
Accidents
52 101
Arrests
2
DUI Property Checks
296
Warrants
312
Probation
928
Criminal Investigations
Training
68 338 hours
#SHOPJONESBORO Rediscovery Life Counseling 124 South Main Street, Suite 1G (678) 333-7045 “Counseling for All Ages” ****
Wright-Hill & Associates, LLC 186 North Avenue, Suite 107 (678) 216-3500 “Specializes in Family Law” ****
Empowering You Counseling Services 118 North Avenue, Suite K (770) 378-8655 “Fostering Integrity & Healing” ****
CSS Healthcare 8896 Tara Boulevard (770) 210-0631 “Health Services for Any Age” ****
5 Star Learning Academy 191 South Main Street (678) 962-3962 “Child Daycare Services” ****
Gina’s Bistro 192 Jonesboro Road (678) 827-8080 “Full Service Restaurant & Catering” ****
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT BHW Sheet Metal (Bruce, Harris, & White) 113 Johnson St. President: Keith Harris, son of one of the founders, the late Robert Harris. BHW has been in business here in Jonesboro, GA since 1959 and has over 250 employees Thank you, BHW Sheet Metal!
LOOKING BACK‌..City Council, May 12, 1924
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COMMUNITY MEETING TUESDAY, January 5: 7:00 pm - Clayton County Library 865 Battlecreek Road, Jonesboro, GA For more information, contact Chris Pitts at cpitts@itsmarta.com or (404) 426-3773
SPECIAL APPRECIATION TO THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED OUR CITY THIS YEAR: Historic Preservation Commission Betsy Wester, Chairman Arlene Charles Cathy Roark Donya Sartor Harry Osborne Karol Osborne Derry Walker
Jonesboro Housing Authority Board Members Curtis Burrell, Chairman Carol Cannon Therese Guidry Allen Roark Sean Joyner
Downtown Development Authority Joel Aviles, Chairman Donya Sartor, Vice-Chair Helen Meadows Allen Roark Harry Osborne Joy Day Ricky Clark
Beautification Commission Sam Fleet Bobby Gardner Kathy Swint Jawana Scruggs-Taylor Alfred Dixon Derry Walker Precious Douse
Urban Redevelopment Agency Jule Segner, Chairman Ricky Clark, Secretary Helen Meadows Ed Wise Pat Sebo Joy Day
Lee Street Park Beverly Lester Susan Cutler Anthony Watkins Annette Alexander Carl Helton Pat Sebo Joe Nettleton Derry Walker
Volunteers Ebony LeFlore Talio Patty Royal Carol Cannon Sandra Wiggins Bobby Wiggins Cindy Day BJ Burrell Alfred Dixon Donya Sartor Sonya King Annette Rozinski Cable D. Glenn-Brooks Beth Nettleton Rodney Johnson Donald Taylor Donna Ledbetter Brenda Harrison Frankie McBride Shirley Hines Adina Garrett Shiniqua James Marcia Wallen-Ifill Debbie Doakes Scherri Whitfield Nathan Gossett Deborah Billups Jawana Scruggs-Taylor Alexandra Schmidt Quontavious Moses
This written account is the actual public record from May 12, 1924. J.W. Whaley was the Mayor and J.W. Mundy was the City Clerk. At that time the city owned a water system, and a chlorinator was discussed. Also deliberated was the possibility of the city furnishing water for the railroad. All city bills were listed as a part of the official record, a total of the month of $168.14!
Jonesboro City Hall 124 North Avenue Jonesboro, GA 30236
COMMUNITY CALENDAR JAN 1 - 2
Happy New Year! City offices closed.
JAN 3
Hill Family Band, 6 pm, FM
JAN 5
DDA Meeting, 6 pm, PD
JAN 9
Work Session & Regular Council Meeting, 6 pm, PD
JAN 12
Covered Dish Supper, 6 pm, FM
JAN 16
MLK Day - City offices Closed
JAN 16
MLK, Jr. Parade - 12:00 pm
JAN 16
Neighborhood Watch, 6:30 pm, PD
JAN 17
Historic Pres. Commission, 5:30 pm, CH
JAN 18
Draft Plan Open House - LCI 168 N. McDonough, 4-7 pm (drop in)
Firehouse Museum Activities Tuesdays - Movie, 6 pm Thursdays - Bingo, 6 pm (unless otherwise noted on Calendar)
NOTE: Movie Night & Bingo - Ages 10 & older PD =Police Dept FM = Firehouse Museum LSP = Lee Street Park CH=City Hall
Pre-Sorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Jonesboro, GA Permit No. 7
CITY ARCHIVES
Pictured ( left to right): Woodson Thomas, Linnie Vessell Roy Roberts, Mae Vessell, Oral Vessell, Henry Roberts Find us on the Web at www.jonesboroga.com or on Facebook at City of Jonesboro Government.