JONESBORO COMMUNITY NEWS
Volume 25, Issue 8 August 2021
“One Great Community, Many Stories”
Joy B. Day, Mayor jday@jonesboroga.com
Council: Pat Sebo-Hand, Mayor Protem Bobby Lester Tracey Messick Billy Powell Donya Sartor Ed Wise Ricky L. Clark, Jr., City Mgr. Tommy Henderson, III Chief of Police Richard A. Godfrey, Asst. Chief of Police David Allen, Comm. Development Brandon Hermsmeier, Acting Pub. Works Dir. Pat Daniel, Asst. City Clerk Nina Robinson, Finance Derry Walker, Code Enforcement Fincher Denmark, Legal Counsel Keith Wood, Municipal Judge Jerry Patrick, Solicitor City Hall (770) 478-3800 Jonesboro PD (770) 478-7407 NON-Emergency # (770) 477-3550 TIP LINE: (470) 543-2011
“MOVIE UNDER THE STARS”
August 14, 2021 - 7:00 pm - Lee Street
WorkSource Atlanta Regional Office Reopens in Morrow Are you unemployed or underemployed? Been laid off? Want to get back into the labor market? WorkSource Atlanta Regional has reopened its career resource center in Clayton County. Professionals at the center assist job-seekers with career assessment testing, job readiness training in areas such as effective communication and problem solving, resume preparation, job search training and assistance and help locating approved training & education providers and registering for programs. WorkSource provides a range of services for businesses seeking a skilled workforce. All services are FREE, but an appointment is needed. 3000 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 350, Morrow, GA, Phone: (678) 271-3554. Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8:00 am -5:00 pm. WorkSource also has a Mobile Unit which will be at the following local sites in August: August 3 and August 17: Clayton Library, Valley Hill Road, Riverdale, 1:30-4:00 pm. August 10 and 24: Clayton Library, Battlecreek Road, Jonesboro, Rob LeBeau, Atlanta Regional Commission, greets attendees at 9:00 am-Noon. the reopening of WorkSource.
EXCITING NEWS! The Jonesboro Majestic Marching Cardinals of Jonesboro High School have been nominated by Gov. Brian Kemp to represent the state of Georgia in the National Independence Day Parade in Washington. D.C. on July 4, 2022. Lynel Goodwin is the Band Director at JHS.
CITY CENTER CONSTRUCTION MOVING FORWARD
The new City Center is located on Smith Street, West of Lee Park. The site is organized with the new City Hall, Courthouse, Police Department, Probation offices, and Community Room acting as one comprehensive building with general public/staff parking, secured parking, and landscaped buffer zones. The architectural design of the exterior and interior “New Art Deco” echoes the progressive-mindedness, yet stable culture of the City. This project also aligns with the goals and visioning of the “Blueprint Jonesboro” master planning. The building is a two-story steel-framed structure – clad in limestone veneer, glass with aluminum accents. The plan layout is uniquely organized around a double-height Atrium/ Lobby for the building's full depth (east-west), acting as a common space to connect the various building departments. The Phase I contract of $4,560,356.00 was approved by City Council at the July 2021 Council Meeting. Construction is by Hogan Construction. Estimated completion date is mid to late 2022.
LITTLE FREE LIBRARY PLACED AT JONESBORO CROSSING Nothing But the Truth, a local organization headed by Diane Soroko, has placed a Little Free Library (LFL) at Jonesboro Crossing on McDonough Street. This is the third library in our City; the others are at Lee Street Elementary and Massengale Park. The LFLs are free lending libraries. Choose a book and, if possible (but not required), drop off a book. The LFL is a nationally recognized program designed to promote the enjoyment of reading. Nothing But the Truth is a national group; our local chapter packs 200 meals weekly to assist students having need for food at Lee Street Elementary. Donations of gently used or new books are appreciated, especially children’s books. You may drop donations off at City Hall or at the ROC, 148 Church Street. If you are interested in sponsoring a Little Free Library, please call City Hall. Let’s READ, Jonesboro!
JONESBORO IS A GOLF CART COMMUNITY! Golf carts may be driven on any street inside the City Limits except Tara Boulevard. Golf carts must be registered and permitted yearly by the owner (18 years and older) at City Hall, with a city registration sticker affixed. Drivers of golf carts must have a valid driver’s license. For information, call City Hall, or access www.municode.com to review the City Code. Join the growing number of “golf carters” in the City!
Refreshing Watermelon Trivia
Welcome, Nina Robinson
(Answers below)
1. (True or False) Watermelon is a fruit. 2. What percentage of a watermelon is actually water? (56%) (78%) (92%) 3. (True or False) The entire watermelon is edible. 4. How many varieties of watermelon exist? (190) (650) (1200) (2300) 5. Watermelons are the state vegetable of what state? (Kansas) (Iowa) (Mississippi) (Kentucky) 6. Watermelons are native to (Africa) (Asia) (South America) (N. America) 7. (True or False) Early explorers often carried watermelons instead of canteens. 8. Who grows the most watermelons in the world? (USA) (China) (Mexico) 9. Who called watermelon the “food of angels?” (King Solomon) (Confucius) (Mark Twain) (Ronald Reagan) 10.The largest watermelon ever grown weighed (102 lbs) (268 lbs) (620 lbs)
JPD STATS: JUNE 2021
Citations: 338 Warnings: 87 Accidents: 49 Arrests: 21 Warrants: 297 (FTA) DUI: 3 CID Active Cases: 148 Probation, Active Cases: 298 VOP Warrants:225 Training Hours: 74*
*GCIC Training, Speed Detection, Language Disorders, Finance Director City of Jonesboro
CITY PURCHASES BOX TRUCK In July 2021, City Council uanaimously approved the purchase of a used 26’ Box Truck, with lift, for Public Works. The truck will be utilized for transporting tables and chairs to and from city events, as well as many other hauling tasks and community services Public Works is called upon to perform. Purchase price of the truck is not to exceed $63,784.00.
Answers: 1. It is both a fruit and a vegetable; botanically it is a fruit, but it belongs to the gourd family. 2. 92% 3. True 4. 1200 5. Kansas 6. Africa; Egyptians grew watermelons over 5000 years ago. 7. True 8. China 9. Mark Twain 10. 268 lbs.
Farmer’s Market Continues to Thrive at Lee Street Park
Firearms Requalification, Probation, ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training)
You’re invited to the
Tomato Sandwich Party
Saturday, August 7, 11 am-1 pm
First Baptist Church of Morrow 1647 Lake Harbin Road, Morrow $20 per person Enjoy your day with a SWAG SACK featuring CHICK-FIL-A. Pop-up shops include Tomatoes, TShirts, Produce Stand, Coke Products, Treats for Purchase, Entertainment by FACULTY GRASS All proceeds benefit the Good Shepherd Clinic, providing Free Healthcare to Clayton County’s Uninsured
COUNTRY BUFFET IS OPEN!
Thursday-Sunday 11 am- 7 pm Saturdays 10 am- 1 pm \Fresh vegetables, canned goods, plants, flowers, herbs, oils, soaps, craft items, and much more! Directed by Pat Sebo-Hand, Councilmember.
Congratulations and thank you to citizen Michael Padgett, recently appointed by the City Council to the Beautification Commission.
8562 Tara Boulevard All City and County employees in uniform or with an employee i.d. may eat for $5.00 during the hours of 11am and 2pm.
LINDA CRISSEY RETIRES After 35 years of dedicated service to Arts Clayton, Linda Crissey retired on June 30, 2021. A celebratory reception and dinner
was held to honor Mrs. Crissey. Chairman Jeff Turner and Mayor Joy B. Day presented proclamations commending her service to our community. Best wishes for the Future, Linda Crissey!
CONGRATULATIONS!
FREE
YARD OF THE MONTH
CITY CONCERT
151 North Main Street Jonesboro (770) 400-0000
Saturday August 7, 2021 7:00 pm
117 East Mimosa Drive
Marion & Milford Snowden
The Snowdens have lived in the City for 48 years
Lee Street Park
HOW DO YOU KNOW THE OCEAN IS FRIENDLY?
It waves!
FRONT PORCH PLAYERS ARE BACK ON STAGE
The Guys” - A beautiful tribute to the fallen heroes of 9/11
August 20-22, 27-29 Performances at Jonesboro Presbyterian Church 1842 Lake Jodeco Road www.frontporchplayers.com Tickets may be ordered online, by calling (770) 897-1404, or just prior to the performance. “Walking Across Egypt”- Growing older & bridging the gap between the generations. November 12-13, 19-21
Magnolia House & Garden Magnolia House and Garden reopens for Breakfast on August 3rd. Tell your friends…tell your neighbors…WE’RE BACK!!!
Tuesday-Thursday 7:30-10:00 a.m. 133 College Street
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES!
THE MOVEMENT DANCE STUDIO
The Community News Jonesboro City Hall
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CITY ARCHIVES - COURTHOUSE RESTORATION
AUG 2
Council Work Session, 6 pm, PD
AUG 4
Design Review Comm., 4:30, CH
AUG 5
DDA, 6 pm, PD
AUG 6
Food Truck Friday, 5 pm, LSP
AUG 7
City Concert, 7 pm., LP
AUG 9
City Court, 8 am, PD
AUG 9
City Council, 6 pm, PD
AUG 14
“Movie Under the Stars” 7 pm, LSP
Year Built: 1898 Restored: 2001
AUG 21
Chairman Turner’s Walk/Run, 8 am, LSP
AUG 23
City Court, 8 am, PD
AUG 25
City Court, 8 am, PD
Prior to restoration, a large building blocked the original front entrance to the historic building. The structure to the right was a jail. Cost of restoration was $9M, paid for entirely by local option sales tax. Mayor Day served on the Restoration Committee to refurbish our courthouse to it present beauty.
Email to jday@jonesboroga.com or call City Hall and tell Cable, Maria, or Pat! (770) 478-3800 FILMING IN THE CITY Scenes for an upcoming movie, “The Alabama Girl” were shot in the city during July.
The Community News is published at Why did the detectives Jonesboro City Hall. Written & Edited show up at a concert at by Mayor Joy B. Day. To submit news, the beach? email jday@jonesboroga.com
Because something was fishy!