The Mayor ROCHELLE ROBINSON
Happy June! As we continue to navigate the uncharted waters of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been overwhelmed by the show of support for one another within the community. There are so many great instances in which I have seen our community come together in this time of crisis. As you’ll recall, back on April 30th, Governor Kemp’s statewide shelter in place order expired. It is important to note that shelter in place is still in effect for the vulnerable population through June 13th, when the State of Emergency is currently scheduled to end. Slowly, we have seen businesses cautiously open back up. Here at the City, we opened
back up a small portion of our facilities to the public. This included the main entrance of City Hall, allowing individuals to make payments at the Finance window as well as access to the atrium of the Public Safety building. The Douglasville Welcome Center reopened to the public with access from O’Neal Plaza, but the entrance on Veterans Memorial Highway has remained closed. Strict social distancing guidelines are in place at all City facilities currently open to the public. We will continue to ensure that these facilities are thoroughly sanitized on a regular basis.
low the prompts.
The Community Development Building has remained closed to the public as well but has continued accepting applications and plan submissions electronically. For those who cannot submit electronically, the department still has a drop box available in front of the building at 6701 Church Street from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday.
As always, we will continue to work with our partners at all levels of government to guarantee we have the latest information to provide. The City of Douglasville keeps its COVID-19 Information Center up to date, but you can also access information from Governor Kemp’s website, or by calling the Georgia COVID-19 Hotline at 1.844.442.2681.
Hunter Park will remain closed for the foreseeable future. It will continue as a drive through testing site, operated by Cobb & Douglas Public Health. Since its limited opening back in April, it now has the capacity to accommodate anyone who wishes to be tested. Individuals who do wish to be tested, still need a referral from Cobb & Douglas Public Health. To get the referral, you can visit their website at CobbAndDouglasPublicHealth.com and fol-
The health and well-being of everyone in our community remains a top priority of mine, as well as that of the City Council. I hope that you and your families stay healthy and safe. Make sure you keep your minds and bodies occupied and active while in isolation. Check in on loved ones whether it’s a phone call or a virtual visit and be certain to get fresh air!
The Douglasville Conference Center will also remain closed to the public. In order to support those in need, however, a blood drive was held by the Red Cross at the Conference Center on June 1st from 1pm to 6pm. Even as we begin to slowly go back into public, I urge everyone to remain diligent in fighting the spread of COVID-19. This means adherence to social distancing guidelines, sanitation rules, and limited physical contact. It is up to each of us to eliminate the spread of COVID-19.
May God bless you, your families, and the City of Douglasville.
Bear Creek Water Plant wins award The Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority’s Bear Creek Water Treatment Plant has once again won “Best Operated Water Plant of the Year” in its size category. This will be the third consecutive time receiving this honor, having won it in 2016, 2018, and the most recent accolade for 2020 (plants are only permitted to compete every other year.) This competition takes approximately three months to prepare for, over four hours for the evaluation inspection, and requires water plant staff to be graded and inspected on more than 20 different subject areas of plant performance. These include at least 20 separate operational, maintenance, and safety programs, and can cover a total of 1,750 total points scored. The Bear Creek Water Treatment Plant achieved an overall score of 98 percent and was declared the winner by the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. “The citizens of Douglas County should be honored and extremely proud of the Bear Creek Water Treatment Plant and all staff members with the Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority for the efforts put forth in obtaining this achievement this year and in past years,” said Mike Henry, Superintendent of Water Operations.
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Chapel Hill News & Views COMMUNITY | MAYOR
Darrius Bowen and Brad Roberts, Maintenance Mechanics
Justin Chalkey, Water Laboratory Analyst
Bo Adcock, Water Plant Operator
“The citizens can be assured that they have a very dedicated team working daily to provide them with the best drinking water possible.” The Bear Creek plant produces over 12 million gallons of drinking water per day for residential and business use. It is operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year by a dedicated staff of water professionals who go above and beyond to provide “award-winning service for our local community.” PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS