JONESBORO
Volume 24, Issue 4 - April 2020
COMMUNITY NEWS Councilmembers: Pat Sebo-Hand, Mayor Protem Bobby Lester Tracey Messick Billy Powell Donya Sartor Ed Wise Ricky L. Clark, Jr., City Manager Wilfred Norwood, Acting Chief of Police David Allen, Community Dev. Director Joe Nettleton, Public Works Director Pat Daniel, Asst. City Clerk Sandra Meyers, Finance Derry Walker, Code Enforcement Fincher Denmark, Legal Counsel Keith Wood, Municipal Judge Jerry Patrick, City Solicitor City Hall (770) 478-3800 Jonesboro PD (770) 478-7407 NON-Emergency # (770) 477-3550
SPECIAL EDITION A Letter from the Mayor Dear Citizens: As I sit at City Hall and work on this Special Edition of our Newsletter, I am praying that each of you are safe and sound at home. We are experiencing an event that is unprecedented in the life of our country and the world. I urge you and your families to continue to practice those health guidelines which have been given to us repeatedly by the our medical community, our government, and the media. In this newsletter, you will find some links and contacts that are designed to assist you should you have a need during this period. For your safety, our City Parks are closed at this time. Although our City buildings are closed, we will maintain garbage pickup. Our Jonesboro Police Department is still available at (770) 478-7407 continues to provide 24 hour service (911). They are only a phone call away with a 3-4 minute response time for emergencies. If you need assistance from City Hall you may call (770) 478-3800. Mr. Clark, our City Manager, has been working diligently behind the scenes to ensure that our city services and communications are kept constant. I have conferenced and communicated with a variety of sources to stay abreast of emerging needs and developments. Many of you have emailed me; please continue that method of communication if I can be of service to you. Our City Council is poised for action and remains supportive. We are continuing the business of the City and looking after your welfare. I believe we will emerge from this with a renewed strength and a sturdier belief in our city, state, and country. We will realize what things really are important in life and that the rest are minor details. Let's look forward to the time when all of this is behind us and we are once again able to come together and enjoy the beautiful, safe, free place we live: Jonesboro. I look forward to seeing you soon…wishing you health and contentment. (And don’t forget to complete your Census!) Joy B. Day, Mayor
CENSUS 2020: The time to respond is NOW It is SO easy to take:
On-line at https://2020census.gov/ or By Phone at 1-844-330-2020 (For those who do not have access to a computer) COMPLETING THE 2020 CENSUS ON-LINE: 1.Enter 12-digit Census ID on Invitation 2.If you don’t have the 12-digit Census ID, click “If you do not have a Census ID, click here.” 3.If language other than English is needed, click on the language below. 4.Answer the question about where you live (U.S.), then click “Next” button. 5.Type in Street Address and the “Submit” as your correct address 6. Click “Start” to begin answering “Household Questions” 7. Click “Start” to begin answering “People Questions” about each person in the household 8.Click “Start” to answer “Final Questions” 9.“SUMBIT QUESTIONNAIRE” After submittal, you will receive a Confirmation number. Please save for your records!! We will be giving updates on City response progress on our Facebook page. Don’t put it off...respond as soon as you receive your notice, or respond now if you have not received a notice. All information is
confidential and cannot be shared with law enforcement or immigration.
Help us make our City Goal of 90% reporting.
LOCAL CONTACTS FOR INFORMATION Congressman David Scott: https://davidscott.house.gov/coronavirus GA Dept of Health: dph.ga.gov Southern Regional Medical Center: southernregional.org Clayton County Board of Health: claytoncountypublichealth.org Supt. Beasley’s Address (CCPS):https://youtu.be/IfCS0T1vu-c
Center for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov Clayton Co. Fire & Emergency Services: ccfes.org Jonesboro City Hall: (470) 542-9373
Daily updates are available on these websites regarding medical assistance, prevention, and testing . For emergencies, dial 911.
Get to Know...
Get to Know..
JPD STATS February 2020 Citations: 527 Warnings: 369 Accidents: 63 Arrests: 82 DUI: 7 Property Checks: 85 Active Investigations: 130 Active Warrants: 603 Active Probation: 493 Training Hours: 38
Jacob Bradley, Public Works has worked for the City since 2016. He performs a variety of maintenance tasks for “making Jonesboro Beautiful,” in Jacob’s words. Jacob was born in Atlanta, Georgia. His hobbies are baseball, riding ATVs, hunting and fishing. Jacob lists his family as Mom, Dad, brother, girlfriend, nieces and nephews...family is very important to Jacob. Thanks, Jacob, for your hard work on behalf of the City of Jonesboro!
Nadine Lee, JPD, Probation Officer was born in the Dominican Republic and
IN LOVING MEMORY
has been employed since 2013. She develops and implements probation & treatment plans for probationers, evaluates and communicates with them. She monitors probation violations and makes recommendations to the Judge. Nadine enjoys traveling in her spare time. She has three older brothers and one child. Nadine is known around the City for her friendly smile.
“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s Party!”- Robin Williams Jack Scarborough 1933-2020 Jack served as Public Works Director in the City
SMILE A WHILE
Congratulations London Philistin-Lyons London is a 5th grader at Suder Elementary, Goldie Oney where she recently won 1st place in the School Featured in Local Magazine Science Fair, and went on to place 2nd in the District Science Fair. London is also a winner A resident of our City, Goldie Oney in the Clayton County “Hear Our Voices” was recently featured in the Fayette Literary Competition . Her story will be Woman magazine. The article was published in the 2020 Hear Our Voices Anthol- about the advancement of stem cell ogy. London is the daughter of Jillian & Nick therapy. Goldie is a woman of Lyons. She has attended Suder Elementary here many talents, including carpentry, in the City for four years. In her spare time, building, and hanging wallpaper, London enjoys reading, drawing gaming, and including huge murals. Thank you, making jewelry. Goldie Oney for representing Keep up the good work, London! Jonesboro well!
A boy asks his father, "Dad, are bugs good to eat?" "That's disgusting. Don't talk about things like that over dinner," the dad replies. After dinner the father asks, "Now, son, what did you want to ask me?" "Oh, nothing," the boy says. "There was a bug in your soup, but now it’s gone." *********************************************
Two guys are walking through a game park and they come across a lion that has not eaten for days. The lion starts chasing the two men. They run as fast as they can; one guy starts getting tired and decides to say a prayer, "Please turn this lion into a Christian, Lord." He looks to see if the lion is still chasing & he sees the lion on its knees. Happy to see his prayer answered, he turns around and heads towards the lion. As he comes closer to the lion, he hears the it saying a prayer: "Thank you Lord for the food I am about to receive."
BUSINESS FEATURE The Millar Law Firm Senior Attorney Bruce R. Millar has been a business owner and resident in Jonesboro, GA since 1993. Upon earning his Doctorate of Law in 1993 from Emory University School of Law, Bruce opened his first office on W. Mill St. After his firm grew in size, he relocated to 108 Williamson Mill Rd, and again in 2019 to 151 N. Main St. where his personal injury firm is currently located. For over 26 years, Bruce has chosen to keep his business in the community that he loves and calls home. In addition to devoting time to building and developing The Millar Law Firm, Bruce serves as a newly appointed board member at Arts Clayton, and Bruce sponsors and volunteers with several other organizations in Clayton County. He spends his free time with his wife Tanita, their two children, and their pets. Bruce is an avid football fan, and enjoys outdoor activities including biking, mountain climbing, running, and skiing. Thank you, Bruce Millar, for supporting our community!
→ Are you interested in being our BUSINESS FEATURE of the month? Send pictures/info to jday@jonesboroga.com
CITY COUNCIL ENACTS ORDINANCE REGARDING COV-19 HEALTH EMERGENCY At a Called (Teleconference) Public Meeting on March 24, 2020, the City Council enacted the following guidelines:
1. No public gatherings on City Properties. 2. Symptomatic persons shall refrain from entering public areas. 3. Classification of City services in terms of teleworking, non-budgeted sums and services. 4. Indoor recreation & entertainment facilities are closed. 5. Eating establishments and Bars: All indoor dining, etc. is closed. Delivery or take out service only. May sell unopened bottles or cans of beer for take-out. 6. Houses of worship to strive for groups of 10 or less in meetings; social media or video outlet services encouraged. 7. Citizens are urged to stay at home. 8. Curfew: 9:00 pm-5:00 am, except for emergencies and essential services. 9. Social distancing of 10 or less people. In effect until July 30, 2020 unless rescinded by the Jonesboro City Council.
For full text, see www.municode.com or www.jonesboroga.com CLEANUP DAY IN THE CITY
Jonesboro City Hall
Pre-Sorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Jonesboro, GA Permit No. 7
124 North Avenue Jonesboro, GA 30236
Community Calendar APR 1 –2
Make a Schedule & stick to a Routine
APR 3
Take it one day at a time
APR 4-5
Write a Letter to Someone; mail it.
APR 6
Plan & Map your next trip (future)
APR 7-8
Practice your musical instrument
APR 9-10
Declutter your house
APR 11
Listen to some of your old CDs
APR 12-13 Write Stories of Childhood/Memories APR 14-15 Try Yoga poses (look up online) APR 16-17 Get out the Cards & Games! APR 18
Clean up your yard, pull weeds
APR 19-20 Try new Recipes APR 21-22 Call some Relative and old Friends APR 23
Have a Movie Night
APR 24-25 Check out Google Earth; explore! APR 26
Finish an Unfinished Project
APR 27-28 Go for Walks around your house APR 29
Try Drawing / Sketching
Apr 30
Set up an Indoor Picnic
CITY ARCHIVES Lee Street Elementary 1991 Ms. Wester’s 2nd Grade Class (Betsy Wester is a resident of the City)
The Community News Published at Jonesboro City Hall . Written & Edited by Mayor Joy B. Day. To submit news email jday@jonesboroga.com .