JONESBORO COMMUNITY NEWS
Vol. 26, Issue 2 February 2022
“One Great Community, Many Stories”
Joy B. Day, Mayor jday@jonesboroga.com Council: Tracey Messick, Mayor Protem Bobby Lester Billy Powell Donya Sartor Pat Sebo-Hand Ed Wise Ricky L. Clark, Jr., City Mgr. Tommy Henderson, III Chief of Police David Allen, Comm. Development Brandon Hermsmeier, Public Works 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
Brandon Hermsmeier
A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR…
Dear Citizens, These years just keep rolling along, so hold on for the ride! 2022 marks my 23rd year as your Mayor. Thank you for affording me the opportunity and privilege of serving our community. We have many exciting events on the horizon in Jonesboro in 2022. The opening our of City Center near Lee Street Park is anticipated in Summer 2022. That building will house our City Hall, Police Department, Courtroom, and a beautiful Community Room and Atrium for meetings and events. Our 55+ community, Hearthside Jonesboro, will be under construction during the year; it will emerge near North Avenue and North Main Street. I am hopeful that we can resume our City Events, including concerts at Lee Street Park. Let’s pray that Covid passes very soon. We can all play a part in that by getting vaccinated. I totally understand that vaccination is a personal decision, but without “herd immunity” through vaccination the virus will not end. I will share with you that I have received both Covid shots, the Booster, and a flu shot. As we move into 2022, let’s make a renewed dedication to our City. Let’s work to improve our properties in order to keep the values up, participate in City Events and meetings, and be proud to live in the City of Jonesboro. My major goals for our City in 2022 are to deliver excellent and prompt services to you, our citizens, and to keep crime at a low rate. You can assist by being alert in your neighborhood. Report anything that looks suspicious...Call 911. Your concerns are important to us, and many times they can solve or prevent a crime. Always file a police report when you have a theft, vandalism, etc. Reporting will keep criminals out of your neighborhood by alerting our police. Remember, if you are going out of town, you may call the Police Department and place your property on Special Patrol during your absence. I trust that you will call upon me if you have a need in the coming year. Hope to see you at a Concert, Block Party, a City Council Meeting, or maybe just on the sidewalk! Keep in touch... Joy B. Day, Mayor
jday@jonesboroga.com
Named
Public Works Director
Brandon Hermsmeier has been promoted to Jonesboro Public Works Director. Brandon has worked for the City for seven years, previously serving as both Fleet Manager and Acting Public Works Director. He is a native of Griffin, Georgia, and an Honor Graduate of Griffin High School. Brandon brings a wealth of maintenance, management and mechanical knowledge to the position. He is married to Candace Hermsmeier and they have two children, Harper & Garrett. Congratulations!
Donates Shields to JPD
Mr. Ed Tallman, owner of Tallman Pools in Jonesboro has donated two United Shield E.R.T. Ballistic Shields to the Jonesboro Police Department. The shields will ensure the safety of our officers in the event of tactical situations. The department does not currently own any ballistic shields. The shield is multifunctional, allowing operators to deploy their weapons without exposing their arms. The shields are valued at $7,549.66. Thank you, Mr. Ed Tallman, and Tallman Pools, for your generosity and working to protect our police officers!
FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH….GET IN THE KNOW! Why does Black History Month occur in February? The relevance of February dates to 1926, when ASALH’s (The Association for the Study of African American Life & History) founder Dr. Carter G. Woodson first established “Negro History Week” during the second week of February. Why that week? Because it encompasses the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass—both men being great American symbols of freedom. However, Woodson never confined Negro History to a week. His life’s work was to represent a living testimony to the year-round and year-after-year study of Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American history. Let us appreciate American Hero Black History Month in an earnest way—as when our government sets aside a month or day, thereby giving it a special meaning for all Americans. No one should think that Black History is confined to the month of February. Black History Month is not a token. It is a special tribute—a time of acknowledgement, of reflection, and inspiration—that comes to life in real and ongoing activities throughout the asalh.org/festival year. The theme for Black History Month 2022 is:
www.asalh.org/festival
“The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity .”
CLAYTON COUNTY SEED LIBRARY
JONESBORO POLICE DEPARTMENT
Clayton County Library System Headquarters Branch, UGA Clayton County ExCommand Staff tension, and the Master Gardeners are bringing the first Seed Library to residents. Our goal is to build a community of backyard & container gardeners and to proChief Tommy vide free monthly gardening workshops on germinating, growing and maintainHenderson ing your garden, and saving seeds. Residents are encouraged to participate in the Seed Library Program and Workshops and help the library by donating seeds back to the branch. The Seed Library Program launches FEB 28, 2022. Residents can visit the Headquarters location and check out their first seed packets. You can also view and participate in our live virtual workshop on the third Thursday of every month at 12:00 p.m. to help you with your gardening project. All gardening workshops will be live and posted on the Library’s YouTube page: (https://www.youtube.com/c/ClaytonCountyLibrarySystem/ videos) beginning JAN 20th. For more information, call the library at 770473-3845. We look forward to your participation ! Lt. Godreque Newsom
JONESBORO HIGH SCHOOL LADY CARDINALS 2021 CLAYTON COUNTY CHAMPS CONGRATS!
Lt. Chris Cato
Front Porch Players Announce 2022 Season
Godspell” March 4-6, 11-13
“Dream Girls”
The Puzzle with Piazza” May 13-15, 20-22
Christmas Belles
August 19-21, 26-28 Nov. 11-13, 18-20 All auditions and performances are held at First Jonesboro Presb.Church, 1842 Jodeco Road Like us on Facebook Call us at (770) 897-1404 Follow us on Twitter @frontporchplyrs Email: thefrontporchplayers@ gmail.com www.thefrontporchplayers.com “The Art of Love” Learn how to make a fantastic CharRes. Seating: Adults:$15 Sen. & Children: $12 cuterie Board, enjoy Champagne, Food, Gen. Admiss.:Adults: $12 Sen. & Children: $10 Music...and more. Seas. Passes: Adults: $52 Sen. & Children: $42 February 25, 7-9 p.m. Group rates are available, call (770) 897-1404 $40 per person, $75 per couple Show Times: Fri./Sat.: 7:30 pm Sun.: 2:30 pm
“Champagne & Charcuterie”*
A collaboration between Arts Clayton and B’Mari Events & Art Studio
For tickets: BMarievents.com (678) 978-7855 106-112 North McDonough St., Jonesboro
PROTECT YOUR FAMILY AND OUR COMMUNITY BY GETTING COVID-19 SHOTS & BOOSTER
*A Main Street Jonesboro Event
BLACK HISTORY TRIVIA
1. Who founded Negro History Week, which became Black History Month? (A) John Birks Gillespie (B) Carter G. Woodson (C) Martin Luther King, Jr. 2. Who is pictured at right? (A) Frederick Douglass (B)W.E.B. Du Bois (C) Booker T. Washington 3. Who founded Tuskegee Institute? (A) George Washington Carver (B) Booker T. Washington (C) George Lewis (D) W.E.B. Du Bois 3. Who was the first African American to graduate from Harvard & become a U.S. Senator? (A) Blanche Bruce (B) Hiram Rhodes Revels (C) Colin Powell (D) Thurgood Marshall 5. What was Katherine G. Johnson known for? (A) Secretary to Dept of State (B) Calculations helped the NASA Program (C) First Female Black Astronaut SEE 6. In 1939, she wasn't able to perform at Constitution Hall because of a "white perSOMEformers only” policy, but first lady Eleanor Roosevelt protested and she eventually THING? performed at Lincoln Memorial. (A) Ella Fitzgerald (B) Jaynie Smith (C) Florence Cole Talbert (D) Marian Anderson SAY 7. Which President officially recognized Black History Month? (A) Ford (B) Nixon © Reagan (D) Carter SOME8. Who was the first African American Nobel Peace Prize Winner? THING. (A) Nelson Mandela (B) Desmond Tutu (C) Ralph Bunche (D) Martin L. King, Jr.
1(B)
2(A)
3 (B) 4 (B)
5 (B) 6 (D)
7 (A)
8 (C)
IN LOVING MEMORY
McKenzie Suites for Rent in the City! 120-122 North McDonough St.,
Downtown Historic Jonesboro Perfect Downtown Location Free Internet & All Utilities Free Parking and 24/7 Access Free Conference Room Use Walking Distance to Slutty Vegan & Fig Tree Café
EMAIL: SCREENGROUP@GMAIL.COM CALL: (404) 619-6188
6th Annual Clean up Day In the City Sponsored by the Beautification Committee
Sandra K. Meyers (1948-2022) Mrs. Meyers served as Finance Officer for the City of Jonesboro for 13 years. She also served over 25 years as City Clerk in the City of Riverdale.
Saturday, February 19 - 10:00 a.m.
Join the fun at Lee Street Park- Gloves, bags, etc. will be furnished. Lunch will be served to all volunteers. GROUPS WELCOME!
JONESBORO HIGH SCHOOL MAJESTIC MARCHING CARDINALS BAND Has been chosen by Governor Brian Kemp to represent the STATE OF GEORGIA in the National 4th of July Parade 2022 in Washington, D.C. YOUR DONATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED *CASH *CASH APP - $JHSBAND *CHECK - Payable to Jonesboro Band Boosters, Inc. *PAYPAL JHSBANDOOSTERBANK@GMAIL.COM
Hearthside Jonesboro Our 55+ Development
Official Groundbreaking February 4, 12:00-1:00 pm
***Let keep Jonesboro CLEAN!***
Around Town...
Photo by Officer J. Cash, JPD
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 FEB 1
Promotions Comm., 4:30 pm, CH
FEB 2
Design Review, 4:30 pm, CH
FEB 3
DDA, 6 pm, PD
FEB 4
Hearthside Groundbreaking, 12 pm
FEB 7
Council Work Session, 6 pm, PD
GET OUR NEW CITY APP!
The City of Jonesboro app is available for download for free in the App Store and Google Play. Search “City of Jonesboro, GA”
PETS OF THE MONTH
FEB 14 City Court, 8 am, PD FEB 14 City Council Meeting, 6 pm, PD FEB 19 City Cleanup Day, 10 am, LSP FEB 21 Historic Commission, 5:30 pm, CH
FEB 22 Promotions Comm., 4:30 pm, CH FEB 25 Champagne & Charcuterie, 7 pm FEB 28 Beautification Comm., 5:30 pm FEB 28 City Court, 8:00 am, PD HAPPY FEBRUARY!
The Community News is published at Jonesboro City Hall. Written & Edited by Mayor Joy B. Day To submit news, email jday@jonesboroga.com
Know a Senior Citizen who could use help with minor tasks outside his/her home? The “City Angels” can assist at no charge. Must live inside the City limits and be over age 70. Call Derry Walker at (770) 478-3800. Our S.C.O.P.E Program through JPD is ongoing for Senior Citizens. S.C.O.P.E. provides special attention/friendship/ service/safety checks for seniors living in the City. Call Samaria McCoy at (770) 4787407.
“Skeeter” is the masseuse “Mini” is getting a massage “Clarence” is waiting his turn
Owner - Cindy Haire