JONESBORO COMMUNITY NEWS Joy B. Day, Mayor jday@jonesboroga.com
Vol. 26, Issue 8 August 2022
COUNCIL Tracey Messick-Mayor Protem Bobby Lester Billy Powell Donya Sartor Pat Sebo-Hand Ed Wise Ricky L. Clark, Jr., City Manager Tommy Henderson, III, Chief of Police David Allen, Community Development Nina Robinson, Finance Derry Walker, Code Enforcement City Hall (770) 478-3800 Jonesboro PD (770)478-7407 Non-Emergency (770)477-3550 TIPLINE: (470)543-2011
AUDIT REPORT FY 2021 FINALIZED
Annual audit results and the financial statements were presented on July 9, 2022 to City Council for the fiscal year ending 2021 by Dan Soles of Fulton & Kozak, LLC, city auditors. The assets of the City of Jonesboro exceeded its liabilities by $25,535,532. $6,248,478 of this amount represents unrestricted net position and can be used to meet the ongoing obligations to citizens and creditors. At the end of 2021, the unassigned fund balance for the general fund was $6,952,639. The City’s total long term debt increased by $12,881,530 during 2021. Capital assets increased by $7.3 million. The net position of the City increased by $478,000. Special appreciation to our department heads for their ongoing conscientious stewardship of City funds. The full audit report is available at City Hall upon request.
COUNCILMEMBERS ATTEND MUNICIPAL CONVENTION
JONESBORO’S GOT TALENT!
Open Auditions August 5, 6:00 pm B’Mari Studio 112 North MCDonough
LOWEST PRIZE $1000!
Show Date August 27, 7 pm Location: TBA
Questions? (770) 478-3800
Sponsored by Jonesboro Main Street
JONESBORO CITIZENS…WE NEED YOU!
The City of Jonesboro is seeking BOARD MEMBERS for the Jonesboro Housing Authority (JHA). Jonesboro Housing Authority administers HUD Public Housing & Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Programs in the City of Jonesboro and in Clayton County, assisting eligible low income families with safe, decent, affordable housing to promote selfsufficiency. The JHA Board meets once per quarter, serve on a volunteer basis for a 1-2 year period, and are appointed by the Jonesboro City Council following the application and interview process. All applicants must have resided in the City of Jonesboro or Clayton County for a minimum of six months. Call Maria Wetherington at (770) 478-3800.
Jonesboro City Councilmembers Billy Powell (l) and Bobby Lester (r) recently attended the Georgia Municipal Association Convention on June 24-28 at the Savannah Convention Center, Savannah, Georgia. The theme of this year’s convention was “GA Cities, Leading the Way, Lighting the Future.” The annual convention provides an opportunity for elected officials to attend training classes, share information about their cities, and stay abreast of emerging issues. Mr. Powell attended classes on Building a Better Hometown Connection: Lobbying 101 and Trends in Urban Design. Bobby Lester enjoyed Collective DecisionMaking, Public Policy Development, and Municipal Annexation. Jonesboro City Manager, Ricky Clark, was a presenter for the Small City Rapid Session: “Jonesboro is on FIRE! No, not literally, but staff has been burning it at both ends to meet the demand of all the progress. The development of a new city complex, lots of housing, and other opportunities have sparked the explosion. This city has rebirthed itself as one of the most progressive cities on the south side of metro Atlanta.” Governor Brian Kemp addressed the convention on Sunday, and Gubernatorial Candidate Stacey Abrams spoke to the convention attendees on Monday. Mr. Lester also represented the City of Jonesboro in the ‘Parade of Flags’ held yearly at the convention. Tifton Mayor Julie Smith was installed as GMA President.
CITY CODE REMINDER
Sec. 86-395. - LOCATION OF OFF-STREET PARKING. Off-street parking for single family and two family dwellings shall not be located between the principal dwelling and the public right-of-way, except on a hard surface driveway using asphalt or concrete pavement, or other hard surface as may be approved by the city manager, or in an enclosed garage. Translation: PARKING ON GRASSY SURFACES, FRONT YARDS, ETC. IS PROHIBITED Thanks!
August 6, 2022 Lee Street Park 7:00 pm
MEET YOUR OFFICERS
IN LOVING MEMORY Lurline Harris 1928-2022 Now accepting applications for multiple job opportunities. Working interviews available. Please stop by the store if you are interested. We’d love to have you join our team!! T & T Uniforms South (770) 210-3399 Contact Erin Braswell 285 North Main St., Jonesboro
Officer Jumaane Williams Patrol Unit
BUSINESS CLOSE-UP - Roxie’s Cookies
Nominated by Teresa Blake and Antonio Riley:
“I would like to shout out & recognize Roxie’s Cookies, in the City of Jonesboro. The cookies have gotten nothing less than rave reviews and compliments! When I took my first bite of the original oatmeal, I knew I would be ordering exclusively from Roxie’s Cookies. The cookies are vegan & taste great. The best part is knowing that while I’m enjoying the cookie I’m also eating healthy.” “Roxie’s has the BEST cookies, lots of flavors, their service is impeccable, and they are always nice. Please visit them; you won’t be disappointed!” (242 Stockbridge Rd., #6A)
Sergeant Daryll Triplett
JPD STATS “To ProTecT & Serve” JUNE 2022 Citations: 632 Arrests: 60 CID Active Cases:12
Warnings: 109 Warrants: (FTA): 312 Probation, Active: 329
https://faq.usps.com/s/article/At-HomeCOVID-19-Test-Kits
Accidents: 53 DUI: 0 VOP Warrants: 229
Training Hours: 240 - Firearms Recertification, Psychological/De-Escalation, Supervision Level 1, Firearms Instructor, Sexual Assault Kit Training, Lidar, K12 Active Shooter, Probation Training, Vehicle Pullovers, Legislative Update, Workplace Communication, Defensive Tactics, ASP Recertification, Traffic Enforcement, Ethics, Cartel Investigations.
FREE AT-HOMECOVID TESTS
Free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests are available for order and shipment through the United States Postal Service®. As of May 17, 2022, each order will contain 8 tests and there is a limit of 3 orders per residential address. Additional tests cannot be ordered regardless of the size of the household. This effort is part of a federal program to provide free at-home COVID-19 tests with free shipping to every residential address and residential PO Box™ in the United States. See
Patrol Unit
FARMER’S MARKET EVERY DAY CARS ARE STOLEN
Saturdays 9 am-1 pm Lee Street Park Pat Sebo-Hand, Manager
JOIN JPD AT LEE STREET PARK-AUG 2
IN REMEMBRANCE
FRONT PORCH PLAYERS August present 19-20-21, 26-27-28
Jonesboro First Presbyterian 1842 Jodeco Rd. (770) 897-1404 www.thefront porchplayers.com Shows: Fri./Sat.: 7:30 pm Sun.: 2:30 pm Tickets available at the door just prior to each performance.
Wilmer Thomas Wright “W.T.” (1933-2022)
In Loving Memory
Anita C. Taylor 1932-2022
JONESBORO FEATURED IN ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE “SOUTHSIDE” FOCUS Economic development efforts in our City are recognized in the latest issue of The Atlanta Business Chronicle: “Jonesboro, a Southside city known mostly for its ties to "Gone with the Wind," is investing in its downtown. With new restaurants and home values rising, the strategy seems to be working. Jonesboro has transformed from no growth to “Awesome Vibe” as interest in the Southside grows. Quoted in the article were City Manager Ricky L. Clark, Jr., City Councilmember Donya L. Sartor and Ebony Austin, owner of Nouveau Bar and Grill.
YARD OF THE MONTH
151 Huie Street Lee & Carolyn Vickery The Vickerys have been residents of Jonesboro for over 30 years.
IN REMEMBRANCE
PAT SEBO-HAND NAMED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD FOR FAMILY LITERACY OF GEORGIA Family Literacy of Georgia, a 501-3c non-profit organization, has named Pat Sebo-Hand, Jonesboro City Councilmember to head its Governing Board. Executive Director is Shavawn Simmons, the founder of FLB. The goal of Family Literacy is to strengthen communities of color by increasing access to quality books and literacy resources. Mrs. Sebo-Hand will oversee board meetings, participate in the creation of by-laws, and seek others of like minds to assist the board as volunteers, forming community and educational partnerships committed to strengthening literacy. .
James Theodore Fredrick “Jimmy” (1940-2022)
CONCERT TIME IN THE CITY!
The Community News Jonesboro City Hall
Pre-Sorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Jonesboro, GA Permit No. 7
124 North Avenue Jonesboro, GA 30236
COMMUNITY CALENDAR AUG 1
Work Session, 6 pm, PD
AUG 2
Promotions Comm., 5 pm, CH
AUG 2
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
AUG 3
Design Review Commission, 4:30 pm, CH
AUG 4
DDA, 6 pm, PD
AUG 6
City Concert, 7 pm, LSP
AUG 8
City Court, 8 am, PD
AUG 8
City Council, 6 pm, PD
LEADERSHIP CLAYTON PRESENTS
CITY ARCHIVES
Lee Street Park. 5-7 pm
AUG 13 Wellness Fest, 10am-2 pm, LSP, (Leadership Clayton)
AUG 15 Historic Comm., 5:30 pm, CH AUG 22 City Court, 8 am, PD AUG 22 Beautification Comm., 5:30 pm AUG 29 City Court, 8 am. PD The Community News is published at Jonesboro City Hall. Written & Edited by Mayor Joy B. Day To submit news, email jday@jonesboroga.com
MAYOR JOY BRANTLEY DAY 1996
Mayor Day was elected in 1995 and began serving on January 1, 1996. She served 12 years without a City Manager. Mayor Day has generated millions of dollars for the City by writing grants, in additional to her Mayoral duties.