Life in Forsyth 2023

Who we are

More than just a newspaper, the Forsyth County News reaches Forsyth’s largest media audience through digital and mobile platforms, as well as through video, magazines, social media and more.

The official news source of Forsyth County since 1908, the Forsyth County News serves Georgia’s fastest-growing, most-affluent and healthiest county.

With Forsyth County’s only paid circulation local newspaper, the most-visited local media website and a host of niche magazines and publications, the FCN remains committed to informing and entertaining users across north Atlanta as Forsyth County’s premier media outlet.

The Forsyth County News has a print Midweek Edition and Weekend Edition along with a Sunday Epaper, and its website, ForsythNews.com, is updated with the latest local news and information throughout each day.

The Forsyth County News, along with the Gainesville Times and the Dawson

ABOUT LIFE IN FORSYTH

We hope this magazine provides both newcomers and longtime residents with a guide to life in this county. Inside you’ll find everything you need, from how to sign up your child for school, contact your local elected official, find the nearest library and much more.

County News, is owned by Metro Market Media.

Where we’ve been

Founded by Joe Patterson in downtown Cumming in 1908, the FCN has grown with the county it represents.

In 1927, Roy P. Otwell purchased the Forsyth County News and the North Georgian, combining them as The Forsyth County News. Otwell remained chief editor and owner of the newspaper for 27 years.

Charles Smithgall Sr. of Gainesville purchased the paper in 1954, and soon relocated the newspaper office to Dahlonega Street.

It subsequently was operated from two different Dahlonega Street locations. In December of 1998, the FCN was relocated to the site of the former Cumming Hardware at 302 Veterans Memorial Boulevard.

The News Company, headquartered in

Gwinnett County, owned the Forsyth County News from the early 1970s until 1987, when The New York Times purchased the Forsyth County News, The Winder News and the Gwinnett Daily News from The News Company. SwartzMorris Media purchased the Forsyth County News in 1994.

In 2018, the Forsyth County News was purchased by Metro Market Media, along with the Gainesville Times and the Dawson County News.

For most of its history, the FCN was a weekly newspaper, but in the early 1980s it became a twice-weekly publication, adding a Sunday edition to the Wednesday publication. A Friday edition was later added, and a complete website came online in 2009.

In 2018, the Forsyth County News added a digital replica edition of the print newspaper to the online component.

In November 2021, Forsyth County News moved to 327 Dahlonega St., Suite 903A, Cumming, GA 30040.

PAGE 8

Official with The Gathering at South Forsyth shares vision for arena project.

PAGE 10 David Marsh talks about last 4 years leading police department.

PAGE 11

Catching up with Dr. Jeff Bearden, superintendent of Forsyth County Schools.

PAGE 12

Meet Forsyth County Manager David McKee

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Lake Lanier

One of the biggest attractions in Forsyth County and the north Georgia area, Lake Lanier is a must see for anyone new to the county. Whether it be swimming at the beach at one of the parks, circling the lake in a boat or enjoying a day of fishing practically anywhere, there is no end of things to do at the lake. Find out more about where and how you can visit the lake by visiting the US Army Corps of Engineers at www.sam.usace.army.mil.

Hike Sawnee Mountain

No matter where you go in Forsyth County, it’s hard to miss Sawnee Mountain rising majestically out of the horizon. Just a short drive from downtown Cumming lies 11 miles of hiking trails, picnic areas and visitor center at the Sawnee Mountain Preserve — A perfect day trip for hikers and nature lovers of any age or skill level. Dogs are not allowed at Sawnee Preserve. Find out more about the trails and programs at parks.forsythco.com.

Visit a farm

Sure, farms are fewer and farther between than they used to be in Forsyth County, but several of the ones left are more family-friendly than ever.

Looking to pick fruit in the spring or pumpkin in the fall? Go to Warbington Farms, where there’s also a corn maze, petting zoo and a family fun park.

Photo by Vicki Alsup Photography

The Lou Sobh Amphitheater, located at the new Cumming City Center at 423 Canton Road in Cumming, is home to a

of events including free concerts throughout the summer and fall.

Photo by Scott Rogers

Above, one of the biggest attractions in Forsyth County and the north Georgia area, Lake Lanier is a must see for anyone new to the county.

Left, Pick your own strawberries at Warbington Farms.

Never cut down your own Christmas tree? Then head to Bottoms Tree Farm or Kinsey Family Farm where you can chop down the tree of your choosing, as well go on a hay ride or see a variety of farm animals.

Each offers plenty for families to do year-round.

• Warbington Farms: 5555 Crow Road, Cumming, GA, 770889-1515, www.warbingtonfarms.com.

• Bottoms Christmas Tree Farm: 5880 John Burruss Road, Cumming, GA, 770-887-2728, www.bottomstreefarm.com.

• Kinsey Family Farm: 7170 Jot Em Down Road, Gainesville, GA, 770-887-6028, www.kinseyfamilyfarm.com.

Check out the rodeo

The IPRA Rodeo is an annual Labor Day weekend event. The show features bull riding, bare back riding, barrel racing, cowgirl breakaway roping, calf roping, steer wrestling, team roping and saddle bronc riding.

The Rodeo will be at the Cumming Fairgrounds Covered Arena from Friday, Sept. 1 through Sunday, Sept. 3. The Cumming Fairgrounds is at 235 Castleberry Road in Cumming. Visit cummingfair.squarespace.com for more information.

Thomas-Mashburn Steam Engine Parade

The annual Thomas-Mashburn Steam Engine Parade will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 4. The parade starts at the Forsyth Central High School for floats and Webb Street for steam engines and continuing down Tribble Gap/Castleberry Road to the Cumming Fairgrounds (235 Castleberry Road).

The Cumming Fairgrounds will host a fun-filled evening from 4-10 p.m., with a fireworks display to begin at 9:30 p.m. The celebration includes music, alcohol, food and vendors. Visit www. cityofcumming.net or cummingfair.squarespace.com for more information or follow the City of Cumming on Facebook.

Free concerts at the Lou Sobh Amphitheater

The Lou Sobh Amphitheater, located at the new Cumming City Center at 423 Canton Road in Cumming, is home to a number of events including free concerts throughout the summer and fall. Check out the lineup at cummingcitycenter.com/events.

Cumming Country Fair & Festival

The Cumming Country Fair & Festival is back for 2023 at the Cumming Fairgrounds. It will run from Oct. 5 and continue through Oct. 15. The Cumming Fairground is at 235 Castleberry Road.

Pets, coolers, alcohol and outside food or drinks are not allowed in the Fairgrounds. Fair patrons are welcome to bring strollers, wheelchairs, and chairs for concerts.

For more information, call 770-781-3491, visit Cummingfair. net or follow the City of Cumming on Facebook.

Big Creek Greenway

The Big Creek Greenway can be accessed from five different points in Forsyth County. The Halcyon Trailhead provides patrons

with 75 parking spaces as well as a new restroom facility featuring a mural of the Big Creek Greenway logo on the side of the building.

• Halcyon Trailhead: 6265 Cortland Walk, Cumming;

• Union Hill Trailhead: 5259 Union Hill Road, Cumming;

• Fowler Park Trailhead: 4110 Carolene Way, Cumming;

• Bethelview Trailhead: 5120 Bethelview Road, Cumming;

• Sawnee Mountain Preserve Trailhead: 4075 Spot Road, Cumming.

Go to parks.forsythco.com/Parks-Facilities/Big-CreekGreenway.

There are a number of beautiful and fun parks to explore throughout Forsyth County. Go to parks.forsythco.com/Parks to find some near you.

The annual Thomas-Mashburn Steam Engine Parade will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 4.

The Cumming Country Fair & Festival is back for 2023 at the Cumming Fairgrounds. It will run from Oct. 5 and continue through Oct. 15.

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES

Cumming Arts CenterSawnee Association of the Arts

Located at the Brannon-Heard House in downtown Cumming, the center offers a variety of classes, exhibits and events throughout the year, as well as an open studio where artists can gather to create and inspire. Artwork from members of the Sawnee Association of the Arts are also often showcased at Legends Distillery in downtown Cumming. Sawnee Association of the Arts is at 111 Pilgrim Mill Road, Cumming, call (678) 936-6422 or visit sawneeart.org.

SHOPPING The Collection at Forsyth

Located just off Ga. Highway 400 at Exit 13, The Collection at Forsyth is an outdoor shopping destination featuring national and local retail shops, restaurants and an AMC movie theater. Shoppers will find familiar stores including American Eagle Outfitters, Loft, Victoria’s Secret, Altar’d State, Bath & Body Works, Claire’s Boutique, Sunglass Hut, DSW, Rack Room Shoes and more. Specialty shops include Copper Closet, Gibson Co. and Talk of the Table. The Collection is at 410 Peachtree Parkway, Cumming. For more information, visit collectionforsyth.com or call 770-781-0333.

Photo by Vicki Alsup Photography

The Cumming City Center is the newest desitination in Forsyth County, located at 423 Canton Road in Cumming.

Photo courtesy of Sawnee Association of the Arts

A panel displays student artwork at the South Forsyth Vertical Team’s exhibit at the Cumming Arts Center on March 4, 2023.

Cumming City Center

The newest destination in Forsyth County, the Cumming City Center was designed to be the new heart of Cumming and bring back a small-town Americana feeling. Home to the Cumming Farmers Market every Saturday morning, City Center also houses businesses like Pieces & Peaches Boutique, Avenue of the Oaks, Lily Rose Co., and Top Knotch Boutique, dining experiences and a mini golf course featuring holes designed after some wellknown courses in Georgia and elsewhere. The Cumming City Center is at 423 Canton Road, Cumming. For more information, visit cummingcitycenter.com or call 770-781-2010

Halcyon

Opened in 2019, Halcyon is a destination to shop, eat, play and live. It is home to unique boutiques for people and pets alike, including Lizard Thicket, Society Boutique and Blue Mercury, as well as the Unexpected Pooch. Shoppers can take a break and grab a bite to eat from one of the many restaurants. There’s also a green space with room for kids to run around and

play and a CMX movie theater.

Halcyon is at 6365 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta. For more information, go to visithalcyon.com or call 470-223-3665.

North Georgia Premium Outlets

With scores of brand-name stores offering merchandise for a bargain, the North Georgia Premium Outlets on Ga. 400 in Dawson County is the spot to go to score deals on clothing, accessories, furniture and more. Outlet retailers include everything from Adidas to Versace to West Elm, all in one convenient North Georgia location.

North Georgia Premium Outlets is at 800 Ga. 400 S, Dawsonville. Visit premiumoutlets.com/outlet/north-georgia or call 706-216-3609

Vickery Village

Enjoy one of many fine restaurants, shop with local merchants and bring the whole family to one of the free outdoor events in the Village Green. Housed in classic architecture surrounding a charming courtyard, Vickery Village is home to 200,000 square

Halcyon is a destination to shop, eat, play and live. It is home to unique boutiques for people and pets alike, including Lizard Thicket, Society Boutique and Blue Mercury, as well as the Unexpected Pooch.

feet of retail, restaurant and office space. Vickery Village is at 5855 S. Vickery St., Cumming. For more information, visit vickeryvillageshops.com.

Official with The Gathering at South Forsyth shares vision for arena project

By Kelly Whitmire kwhitmire@forsythnews.com

Plans are coming together for the proposed The Gathering at South Forsyth project, according to a key figure in the process.

Carl Hirsh, with Stafford Sports, which represents the development and owner Vernon Krause, spoke with the Forsyth County News about plans for the proposed arena and mixed-use project at the intersection of Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Union Hill Road.

“You look at the demographics of the community and where the people come from and where the money is, and it makes perfect sense that this can work on this site,” Hirsh said of the project.

Plans for the project include a proposed 750,000-square-foot, 18,000-seat arena,

1.6 million square feet of office and retail space, a 100,000-square-foot community center, a new fire station, a hotel, 2,400 residential units and more.

Hirsh said Stafford Sports was established 29 years ago to help build arenas and stadiums across the country. He began in Philadelphia, where he worked on the former and current homes of the NBA’s 76ers and the NHL’s Flyers.

“Our background is operations, and I enjoy making the deals better than running them anymore, so I switched it to this,” he said.

In recent years, Stafford has also worked on projects at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Moody Center at the University of Texas and Mullett Arena at Arizona State University.

The arena’s announcement brought speculation that professional hockey could

return to the metro Atlanta area for the first time since the Atlanta Thrashers relocated to Winnipeg in 2011.

Hirsh said currently no teams are looking to relocate but officials would have interest if that changed.

“We are building an arena that is absolutely capable of hosting any professional sports,” Hirsh said. “At this moment, there are no professional sports available for us to have. If one became available and there was expansion or a relocation, we would certainly pursue that.”

Even without sports, Hirsh said he was confident the project could still bring new entertainment options to Forsyth County.

“I think there are more events than many people think about that can fill these arenas,” he said, “and our goal is to build a program with content of various types so there is something for everybody, all ages,

Digital rendering of The Gathering at South Forsyth project

‘We really want it to be the entertainment hub of north Georgia’

all demographics, all ethnic groups. There’s a lot out there.”

Hirsh applauded the site – saying “it is very rare that you find a site as good as this”–which was previously planned for a regional mall project that never materialized. The land was purchased last year by Krause, CEO of Krause Auto Group with dealerships across the southeast, which Hirsh said was uncommon.

“The reality is, and all market studies prove this, is that it’s so fast-growing, the market is the makeup and the demographic that you need to make a project like this work,” he said. “Everything pointed to why we should do it, and we did it.

“Vernon is very unusual because he put his money where his mouth is, he bought the land. Most people don’t do that. They get an option on the land, they try to get the government to buy it, and Vernon has purchased the land.”

Hirsh said the site was a driving factor in Krause’s decision to bring the project to Forsyth County instead of other areas of metro Atlanta.

“Vernon talked to a couple of people,” Hirsh said. “He talked to Cobb County. He talked to Fulton County, but this piece of property was just so enticing, he couldn’t really turn it down.”

Asked about concerns for traffic in the area, Hirsh pointed out that the site was near the existing Exit 12 at McFarland Parkway and even closer to the planned new exit at McGinnis Ferry Road, which is under construction.

“If you look at that site, it was zoned for a regional mall,” Hirsh said. “A bunch of transportation improvements were made way before we ever bought this property. We’re going to have express lanes that drop out right on our property, which is unheard of. You have the widening of Ronald Reagan. You have the exit ramps coming off 400. I understand why people are worried about it, but I think there is not a better situation for a site than the one we have.”

Hirsh also contrasted the plans for The Gathering with other arena projects that are “plopped somewhere, maybe a big parking lot or downtown with very little parking and a lot of transportation issues.”

“What we’re trying to create is a community around sports and entertainment,” he said. “We really want it to be the entertainment hub of north Georgia, and that’s the goal.”

Asked who would oversee running the facility once it was built, Hirsh said no decision had been made but developers would partner with those with “vast experience operating these buildings.”

“We are talking to a variety of potential operating partners, and we’ll make that decision at some point in the next couple of months as well.”

Cumming Police Chief looks back at 4 years on the job

By Kelly Whitmire kwhitmire@forsythnews.com

After four years running the police force, Cumming Police Chief David Marsh said he is excited about the state of the city of Cumming and the city’s police department.

In July 2019, Marsh was sworn in as chief of the Cumming Police Department after spending two decades with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.

In those years, Marsh has dealt with a pandemic, tripled the number of officers from 7 to 21, just shy of a full staff of 24 officers, and worked with other leaders to help modernize the department.

“I really am happy and proud of the way, not just our police department is, but the way our community works together, so we really enjoy policing in this community,” Marsh said. “We really enjoy the people who live and visit here, and by and large it’s a great place to be.”

Marsh said unlike other areas of the state that deal with violent or serious crime issues, the city of Cumming mostly sees “nuisance crimes.”

“They’re typically crimes of property involvement, simple thefts, vehicle break-ins, car accidents,” he said. “That typically builds out most of our day. The idea that we have violent crime or stranger crime, is almost non-existent.”

While Forsyth County currently has just under 270,000 resi-

dents, according to Census estimates, Marsh said only about 7,000 live within the Cumming city limits, though he expects that number, and the number of officers needed by the department, will increase as developments that are under construction become a reality.

“Ultimately, the budget will decide, many people we can have and where we can have those people working, but last year I was granted two more positions,” Marsh said. “We are expecting that growth is going to require more police officers, so what we’re trying to do is we’re trying to grow slowly with the population as opposed to waiting

CUMMING CITY COUNCIL

MAYOR TROY BRUMBALOW

100 Main St., Cumming, GA 30040; (770) 781-2010; tbrumbalow@cityofcumming.net

COUNCIL MEMBERS

Christopher Light, clight@cityofcumming.net

Jason Evans, jevans@cityofcumming.net

Joey Cochran, joeycochran@cityofcumming.net

Linda Ledbetter, drlindaledbetter@aol.com

Chad Crane, ccrane@cityofcumming.net

till we get behind and then asking for a lot of people at one time.”

Marsh added that the city’s population is only a fraction of the estimated 50,000 people who are in Cumming each day, which “includes people driving through that includes people coming to work, that includes people stopping to eat and all those other things.”

“We have a lot of people in the city and again, our 7,000 number in terms of residents doesn’t really reflect how busy the city actually is, and I expect that number only to go up with the [Cumming] City Center becoming much more popular, the city

parks are always popular.”

The Cumming City Center will also provide a new home for the department, which is currently housed in a building built in the 1970s and formerly used as Cumming City Hall.

Marsh said the planned building will include two stories, one of which will house the Cumming Municipal Court, and will feature a classic aesthetic like many other buildings in the center.

Along with being a new home, the new headquarters, expected to be completed by the end of 2024, will provide a safe presence for the center and its events.

“If you imagine all the people that we’re going to have in that city center having a steady law enforcement presence benefits everybody,” Marsh said, “and I don’t think that was a mistake, that was probably part of the plan.”

As a resident of Cumming, Marsh said he wants to continue to make the city one of the best places in the state to live, work and play.

“This is a great place to be,” Marsh said. “We love working here. I love living here. I know that people love coming here and we just want to continue to create an environment that makes it a good place for everybody.”

Cumming Police Chief David Marsh Cumming Police Department is at 301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Cumming, GA 30040. For more information, call 770-781-2000.

Dr. Shannon Mize receives a key to the city from Mayor Troy Brumbalow and the Cumming City Council in early June.

Photo Daniel Dotson Forsyth County News

PJ Girvan was hired as Cumming Police Chief on June 28, 2023. Girvan joined the Cumming Police Department in 2020 before being promoted to sergeant in 2022.

Superintendent leads charge for all Forsyth County students to be ‘safe, connected and thriving’

By Sabrina Kerns skerns@forsythnews.com

When Dr. Jeff Bearden first started his career in public education 33 years ago, he had no intention of going into school leadership.

“In fact, if you would have asked me 33 years ago what I would be doing today, I would have said, ‘I’m going to be teaching and I’m going to be coaching basketball’ because I had such a passion for both,” Bearden said.

But after several years of teaching Language Arts in middle school and then high school government and coaching varsity basketball, the superintendent at Bearden’s school district in Maine took him under his wing, encouraging him to go back to school and get his leadership degree.

“And that’s when things started to happen,” Bearden said.

He immediately worked his way up in school leadership and then system leadership, serving at districts in Maine before moving to Georgia to be with his dad and brothers.

After a short time as superintendent at Fayette County Schools and Rome City Schools, Bearden made his way to

887-2461;

Forsyth County where he has led the school system for the past nine years.

When he took up the job in 2014, Bearden said Forsyth County Schools already had an amazing reputation — and he’s proud to know that the system still has that reputation for quality education and high student achievement today.

And not only has it maintained that reputation, but that high student achievement is steadily increasing.

“I don’t take any credit for this personally; this has been a team

FORSYTH COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

1120 Dahlonega Hwy., Cumming, GA 30040

Wes McCall, District 1, (404) 807-2469; wmccall@forsyth.k12.ga.us

Lindsey Adams, District 2, (470) 695-0009; liadams@forsyth.k12.ga.us

Tom Cleveland, District 3, (770) 657-0810; tcleveland@forsyth.k12.ga.us

Chairperson Darla Sexton Light, District 4, (770) 887-0678; dlight@forsyth.k12.ga.us

Mike Valdes, District 5, (470) 487-1773; mvaldes@forsyth.k12.ga.us

effort,” Bearden said. “But when I arrived here back in 2014, the graduation rate at that time was about 89%. For the last three years, we’ve been over 96%.”

On top of that, the district also has the highest CCRPI score, highest SAT and ACT scores and highest financial efficiency rating among metro Atlanta and large school districts in the state — all accomplishments the district has maintained despite Forsyth County’s skyrocketing growth.

In 2014, the student population in FCS was around 40,000. Now, it’s over 55,000 and still growing. Bearden said the system is expecting an added 500 students in its schools for the 2023-24 year.

“In spite of our size, and we are large, it doesn’t feel that big,” Bearden said. “And that’s intentional. We try to make sure that we form connections with all new families from the very beginning.”

Bearden said this is because the school system has a large focus on relationships, especially now through its 2022-27 strategic plan, which was created through community input.

Through the strategic plan, the school system’s vision for the next few years is to be “a

safe, connected and thriving community for all.” And in an increasingly diverse, now majority-minority school system, Bearden emphasized that this vision applies to all of the county’s students.

“To me, this is such a great opportunity for our community and our school system to come together and make sure we’re serving all students regardless of where they come from, what they look like, what they believe or don’t believe,” Bearden said. “All that matters to us is that we provide a quality education for each and every child, and the best way to do that is to make sure that we are focused on their needs.”

Going into the future, Bearden said the system will continue to focus on “conditions of success” for students.

Leaders plan to do exactly as community members and stakeholders asked by creating an environment at each school where students feel a sense of purpose, belonging and connection and where they feel respected and are respectful to others.

“To me, that’s our marching orders,” Bearden said. “That’s our charge each and every day.”

REGISTER A CHILD FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL

Almon C. Hill Educational Center

136 Almon C. Hill Drive, Cumming, GA 30040

Phone: (678) 947-0863

Normal office hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. For any questions regarding student enrollment, call (678) 947-0863, Ext. 0 or email at registration@forsyth.K12.ga.us

Forsyth County School’s centralized registration center creates educational student records when parents and guardians enroll their students in one of the Forsyth County schools. Parents and students receive personalized attention at registration and enroll all students within the family, regardless of the school level they previously attended. Utilizing a state-of-the art electronic records management system, student and departmental records are managed according to required records retention guidelines.

Dr. Jeff Bearden Superintendent of Schools; (770)

jbearden@ forsyth.k12.ga.us

‘I really found a calling for public service’

Meet Forsyth County Manager David McKee

By Daniel Dotson danieldotson@forsythnews.com

Over the course of two decades of government and public service work, Forsyth County Manager David McKee has developed a passion for providing top-notch ministrations to his local community.

McKee was born and raised in Forsyth County. He attended Mashburn Elementary School, Otwell Middle School, and Forsyth Central High School. Throughout his college years at Georgia Southern University, McKee would return to Forsyth on a seasonal basis, where he was employed as a maintenance worker at Sawnee Mountain Park.

“That was my very first true public service, government related job,” said McKee, reflecting on his early years maintaining Poole’s Mill Park and Sawnee Mountain Preserve.

Since that time, McKee has held a number of public service jobs in varying departments, and for multiple governments.

“If you had told me 22 years ago that I would be sitting in this seat, I would have laughed,” said McKee. “But I really found a calling for public service when I started to see the services that we provide and the value they

bring to the community.”

McKee took an unpaid internship in 2005 with Dawson County government for his undergraduate program at Georgia Southern. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in geology and a minor in geographic information systems (GIS), McKee’s internship turned into a full-time job in Dawson County’s engineering department as a field inspector for new construction.

During his time in Dawson, McKee became certified to inspect residential and commercial buildings, managed the GIS database, managed capital proj-

ects, and oversaw new infrastructure development as well as maintenance of roads and bridges.

He served as Dawson County Director of Administration for about a year before moving into his last position in Dawson government as Director of Public Works managing the county’s solid waste program and landfill, as well as operations of road and bridge maintenance and the SPLOST Program.

In April 2021, McKee was recruited to “come home” and take on the role of Assistant County Manager in Forsyth County, where his work was instrumental in the development of the new Capital Projects Department. By December 2022, his position was finalized as Forsyth County Manager.

“From a 50,000-foot level, the County Manager’s responsibility is the day-to-day operations of the county. Think of it as the CEO,” explained McKee. “At times it is very daunting, but I’m lucky that I have some phenomenal staff that help make my life a lot better.”

McKee retains his enthusiasm on every level of the responsibilities of his post, from regional development projects with relationships at state level to securing local business licenses and

FORSYTH COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

110 E. Main St., Cumming, GA 30040

Kerry Hill, District 1 (678) 513-5881; kmhill@forsythco.com

Chairman Alfred John, District 2 (678) 513-5882; ajohn@forsythco.com

Todd Levent, District 3 (678) 513-5883; tlevent@forsythco.com

Cindy Jones Mills, District 4 (678) 513-5884; cjmills@forsythco.com

Laura Semanson, District 5 (678) 513-5885; losemanson@forsythco.com

helping members of the community obtain permitting to build screened-in porches.

“I thoroughly enjoy helping people,” said McKee. “What better way to do that than through public service?”

As County Manager, McKee oversees Parks and Recreation, code compliance, planning and community development, senior services, fire and emergency management, engineering and capital projects, public facilities, and more.

“Forsyth County is leading edge when it comes to our ability to deliver services at a high level,” said McKee. “I think that’s why we have seen the growth that we’ve seen. That’s why we see the diversity that we do in this community. I think we do a very good job providing a safe county with very high-level public services.”

Outside of work, McKee is a passionate deep-sea fisherman and loves opportunities to vacation with family in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to fish.

“Most of the time, if you see me on the weekend, you’re going to see me with my wife and son,” said McKee. “We love the outdoors, and if it’s not raining, you’re going to see us somewhere outside as a family.”

PARKS AND RECREATION

Kirk Franz

County Director of Parks and Recreation

The county has a number of different parks and park amenities in the county. Find out more information on the parks near you by visiting them online at parks.forsythco.com.

David McKee Forsyth County Manager

Forsyth

SENIOR SERVICES FORSYTH COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

The mission of Forsyth County’s Senior Services Department is to be the focal point where older adults gather for services and activities that respond to their diverse needs and interests, enhance their dignity, support their independence and encourage involvement in their community through programs designed to reduce isolation, improve nutritional health, support health and community education and provide access to more extensive services for seniors, caregivers and their families.

Center at Charles Place

595 Dahlonega Street

Cumming, GA 30040

Phone: (770) 781-2178

Sexton Hall

Enrichment Center

2115 Chloe Road

Cumming, GA 30041

Phone: (770) 781-2178

Cumming Library: 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040

Hampton Park Library: 5345 Settingdown Road, Cumming, GA 30041

Post Road Library: 5010 Post Road, Cumming, GA 30040

Sharon Forks Library: 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming, GA 30041

For more information about Forsyth County Public Library, visit www.forsythpl.org or connect with on social media @forsythpl.

REGISTER TO VOTE

Those wanting to participate in elections in Forsyth County can register to vote online, by mail or in person. Those with a valid Georgia driver’s license can register to vote at the Secretary of State’s website at sos.ga.gov. Both city and county residents can also register in person at the Forsyth County Voter Registrations and Elections Office located at 1201 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040. Voter applications can be picked up at the office or any county library and can also be mailed to the above address. More information is available online at forsythco.com, click on Departments and find the tab for Voter Registrations & Elections.

VEHICLE TAGS

Vehicle tags for Forsyth County residents can be purchased at either the tax commissioner’s main office at 1092 Tribble Gap Road or the Sharon Springs office at 1950 Sharon Road. Both offices are open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. You may renew your tags online via the Georgia Department of Revenue’s Motor Vehicle Division. For more information, contact the Tax Commissioner’s Office at 770-781-2112 or email auto@forsythco.com.

FORSYTH COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY

100 East Courthouse Square, Cumming GA 30040, 770-781-2222

North Precinct: 2310 Keith Bridge Road, Cumming GA 30040; 770-886-2800

South Precinct: 2985 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cumming GA 30041, 770-781-3047

Visit www.forsythsheriff.org

COURTS: Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Court Security Deputies are responsible for providing a safe atmosphere within the Forsyth County Court, including but not limited to, Superior and State Courts, Grand Jury, Juvenile Court, Probate, and Magistrate Court.

LOCATIONS:

• Forsyth County Courthouse, 101 East Courthouse Square, Cumming, GA 30040, 678-455-8485;

• Forsyth County State Court, 770-781-2130;

• Forsyth County Magistrate Court, 1090 Triple Gap Rd., Cumming, GA 30040, 770-781-2211;

• Forsyth County Superior Court; 770-205-4660;

• Forsyth County Probate Court; 100 West Courthouse Square, Cumming, GA 30040, 770-781-2140;

• Forsyth County Juvenile Court; 875 Lanier 400 Pkwy., Cumming, GA 30040, 770-781-3099.

Visit forsythcourts.com for more information.

Animal Control: Administrative office phone number: 770-781-2138; Business Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. After Hours Animal Service officers can be reached via E-911 non-emergency at 770-781-3087. Visit www.forsythsheriff.org for more information.

Forsyth County Animal Shelter is at 4065 County Way, Cumming. Contact the shelter at (678) 965-7185 or visit forsythco.com, click on Departments and find the tab for Animal Shelter

Northside Hospital Forsyth

Northside Hospital Forsyth is a medical complex growing with the community. The hospital has 389 beds, 800 physicians and 3,700 employees. The Women’s Center at Northside Hospital Forsyth rivals the nationally acclaimed Women’s Center at Northside-Atlanta, offering comprehensive services for labor and delivery, neonatal care, high-risk perinatal diagnostics, parenting and newborn classes and lactation consultation.

Northside Hospital Forsyth, 1200 Northside Forsyth Drive, Cumming, GA 30041, (770) 844-3200, northside.com.

3520 Settingdown Road, Cumming, GA 30028, (770) 781-2180

STATION 1: 234 Castleberry Ind. Drive, Cumming, 30040

STATION 2: 4055 Carolene Way, Cumming, 30040

STATION 3: 6495 Wallace Tatum Road, Cumming, 30028

STATION 4: 3910 Evans Road, Cumming, 30040

STATION 5: 2720 Holtzclaw Road, Cumming, 30041

STATION 6: 3190 Caney Road, Cumming, 30041

STATION 7: 6320 Dahlonega Highway, Cumming, 30028

STATION 8: 6015 Keith Bridge Road, Cumming, 30041

STATION 9: 7385 Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville, 30506

STATION 10: 3680 Old Atlanta Road, Suwanee, 30024

STATION 11: 4665 Pittman Road, Cumming, 30040

STATION 12: 3530 Settingdown Road, Cumming, 30028

STATION 14: 800 McFarland Parkway, Alpharetta, 30004

STATION 15: 1525 Buford Highway, Cumming, 30041

Georgia Highlands Medical Services

Founded in 1979 as the Wilson Clinic, Georgia Highlands Medical Services (GHMS) is a private nonprofit that provides care for nearly 19,000 patients in five centers in Bartow, Cherokee, Dawson and Forsyth counties.

GHMS provides a variety of in-house services, including family practice, pediatrics, geriatrics, women’s health, diagnostic laboratory, interpreter services, testing and screenings, family planning, immunizations, referral to specialty services, pharmacy, care management, health education, and community outreach.

CUMMING FAMILY HEALTH CENTER

260 Elm Street, Cumming, GA 30040

Family practice: (770) 887-1668

Pharmacy: (770) 887-1670

HIGHLANDS MEDICAL PLAZA

475 Tribble Gap Road, Cumming, GA 30040

Geriatrics/pediatrics: (770) 887-1668

Women’s health: (678) 807-1021

Pharmacy: (470) 297-0690

Barry Head, Fire Chief

Ron Freeman, Forsyth County Sheriff

Forsyth County Fire Department Headquarters/ Administration

Cynthia Iacopella, Animal Shelter Director

Online: forsythco.com, click on Departments and find the tab for Fire Department.

Forsyth Co. Fire Station locations

Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters