The Henry County Update - May 3rd, 2013

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May 3, 2013

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Regular Meetings May 7th at 9:00 a.m.

May 21st at 6:30 p.m.

Meetings held at: Administration Building Community Room 140 Henry Parkway McDonough, GA 30253 Commission meetings will air Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays on Henry TV Channel 14, at 9 a.m., 2 p.m., & 7 p.m.

We are now on AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 & Charter Channel 14

Miles for Meals to Go On Rain or Shine Miles for Meals organizers want citizens to know that the annual walk, now in its 19th year, will go on rain or shine Saturday morning. This annual event takes place at Heritage Park on Saturday, May 4, 2013, at the Jason T. Harper Event Center.

Walkers of all ages are encouraged to come out for this longs t a n d i n g community tradition.

Should there be inclement weather, low-impact “walkingtype” exercises will be held in the arena in place of the walk, with lunch to follow as planned.

Miles for Meals is the single largest fundraiser organized by the Henry County Council on Aging to benefit Henry County Senior Services’ various programs. Every dollar raised stays in Henry County to

assist local senior citizens, with the funds helping to provide critical services, such as hot, nutritious meals that are homedelivered each weekday to hundreds of seniors through the Meals on Wheels program, nutritional supplements to those who qualify and in-home health services. In addition to providing much needed meals and services, the Meals on Wheels program offers one important side benefit: a way to ensure that these seniors are checked on regularly by a caring volunteer.

The two-mile route will take participants on trails throughout Heritage Park, with a choice of routes to fit all participants’ fitness levels. Registration for this family-oriented event begins at 9 a.m., with the actual walk to commence at 10 Continued on Page 3 the henry county update

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www.henrycounty-ga.org

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Sunday's Tornado Confirmed in Henry County This past Monday in McDonough, the Henry County Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service conducted assessments of the damage left behind from Sunday evening’s storms. The assessments were conducted in Eastern Henry County in and around the Sleepy Hollow Subdivision off Honey Creek Road.

Although the damage was only light to moderate, the assessments revealed that an EFO Tornado did indeed touch down. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported and the damage was not severe.

Tornadoes can happen at any point during the year, but there are peak times and months of the year when they are most likely to occur. In Georgia, spring time has historically been the most prevalent time in which we have experienced tornadoes, as this is when air can become unstable due the clashing of warm and cold air. The summer is also a peak period for tornadoes; however this is a more prevalent period for the northern states.

Unfortunately, Georgia is prone to tornadoes at any time of the year. As a matter of fact, destructive tornadoes have touch down as early as January in Georgia, leaving behind significant damage.

“It's best to be alert at all times of the year, as the

weather can get warm and humid even in winter,” stated Henry County Emergency Management Director Don Ash. Knowing how to stay safe during a tornado is important, and preparing ahead of time is key. Tornadoes usually happen during the spring and summer months so you should check the weather reports daily to see if there is any chance for severe weather. If you're going to be out and about, install some type of weather alert system on your cell phone so you can be warned about weather alerts instantly, regardless of your location. The safest place to be is the lowest level of your home, preferably the basement or storm cellar if you have one. If you do not have a basement or storm cellar, go to lowest place of your home toward the center and away from windows, such as a bathroom on the lower level in the interior of the house. Taking shelter in the bathtub and covering yourself and your family could protect you from flying debris. Finally, invest in an emergency weather radio since tornadoes can often happen during the night.

For more information on weather preparedness, visit: www.co.henry.ga.us/911/ or contact Henry County Emergency Management Director Don Ash at 678-725-8720.

Join District 3 Commissioner Gary Barham, Georgia State Senator Rick Jeffares, Georgia State Representative Dale Rutledge and School Board Representative Mike Griffin for a “Barn Hall Meeting” Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 6 p.m. at Southern Belle Farm 1767 Turner Church Road in McDonough.

www.henrycounty-ga.org

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MILES FOR MEALS From Page 1 a.m. Water will be available throughout the morning, and a picnic lunch will begin immediately following the walk. To add to the festivities, DJ J.T. (James Townsend) will be spinning the latest tunes entertaining the crowd. Walkers will also have a chance to win fun door prizes.

All walkers get a free t-shirt and meal ticket for lunch included with their $25 donation. For a $75 donation, walkers receive lunch, a t-shirt, designer cap and a commemorative Miles for Meals Walk pin. Groups and

individuals that raise the most money will be recognized at the event.

The Jason T. Harper Event Center is located in Heritage Park, 101 Lake Dow Road, just off Highway 81 East in McDonough. For walker envelopes and information, or to sponsor the event, please call 770.288.7010 or email MilesForMeals@co.henry.ga.us. For more information on Henry county Senior Services, please visit www.henrycounty-ga.org/seniorservices.

Henry County Transit Uses Specialized Software To Optimize Service to Citizens Henry County Transit has experienced astonishing growth over the past few years, with ridership up 30 percent since 2009, and the agency, which operates 25 vehicles, was looking to increase efficiencies in order to accommodate that growth without adding more vehicles and staff. In an effort to enhance services around scheduling and dispatching, and increase ridership, the Henry County Transit Department has been employing a software program called RouteMatch, which enables the department to improve the rider experience.

The department uses RouteMatch’s automated solutions to reduce or eliminate paperwork, schedule more trip requests and verify reservations, enabling them to accommodate more riders and develop more efficient routes.

According to David Williamson, a Notification Module provides riders automated outbound information phone calls the night before a scheduled trip, giving the rider an opportunity to confirm or cancel. He said it has been a great tool in helping to streamline service. More telling, the agency has measured a significant decrease in same day rider cancellations, as riders have grown accustomed to using the Interactive Voice Response (IVR)

technology to cancel trips in advance, thus allowing Henry County Transit to add in more trips and fill seats on the bus for same day rider requests.

“The Notification Module has changed the way we interact and contact passengers,” said David Williamson, Henry County Transit Director. “It has been very beneficial to us and our riders and their ability to cancel trips. The great thing about RouteMatch is if you insert the data, there is almost no limit to the amount of information you can get back out of it in terms of ad hoc reporting, and that has been very useful.”

Another newer feature of the software is the automatic vehicle location (AVL) which allows for notification calls to be provided based on real-time vehicle arrival estimates, giving customers a friendly reminder and reducing dwell time and unnecessary vehicle idling.

Henry County Transit provides safe, reliable, accessible and affordable transportation to the citizens of Henry County, with curb-to-curb service provided on a firstcome, first-served reservation system. For more information on the Henry County Transit Department, or to schedule a trip, call 770.288.RIDE or visit www.henrycounty-ga.org/transit.

www.henrycounty-ga.org

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Commissioner Bruce Holmes to Host Town Hall Meeting Focus will be on the Henry County Judicial System District V Commissioner Bruce Holmes will hold his monthly Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 9 a.m. at Crossroad Christian Church in Stockbridge.

The May Town Hall will focus on the state of the County’s Criminal Justice System. Henry County Solicitor General Trea Pipkin will be on hand to share statistical information about the courts and the types of cases being heard, provide an overview of how all the different agencies interact to see that justice prevails, and explain the new Accountability Courts and how they are serving to reduce recidivism, decrease costs, and restore lives.

Progressive Citizens of Stockbridge will also be on hand to share information about their organization, which works to promote a vibrant community that is safe and economically viable, with good schools, in order to encourage people to bring their families to live and work in the city of Stockbridge.

The Town Hall Meeting is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.

Crossroad Christian Church is located at 5365 North Henry Blvd. in Stockbridge.

The next SPLOST IV Committee meeting will be held at the Henry County Administration Building at 140 Henry Parkway in McDonough on Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 4 p.m.

Public input regarding the proposed SPLOST IV program can be submitted here: henrycounty-ga.org/SPLOST/SPLOSTIV_Comments.shtml

www.henrycounty-ga.org

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Henry County Emergency Management Agency Extends Deadline for Emergency Preparedness Conference for Faith-based Community The Henry County Emergency Management Agency is extending the deadline to register for its upcoming Emergency Preparedness Training Conference for churches.

Interested congregations now have until May 13 to enroll in the workshop, during which attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about emergency preparedness, disaster counseling on the scene, public health volunteer opportunities and more.

They will also have a chance to tour the various emergency vehicles, such as the Health Department POD trailer, the CERT trailer, fire department emergency vehicles and the 911 Command Vehicle. Lunch will be provided to all registered attendees.

“When you think about volunteers, the biggest resource for volunteers is through our faith-based community so what we’re hoping to accomplish is to get our faith-based community some additional training, some resources and some networking opportunities to let them know their role in a disaster in emergency management. We also plan to touch on topics that are relevant to them,” said

Ash. Through the one-day workshop, Henry County Emergency Management Agency is reaching out to the faithbased community to elicit their help in preparing for a disaster in our own community. Officials hope to engage the County’s many caring churches, train volunteers in how they can assist during a disaster, and ultimately establish a support network that can be called upon to assist when disaster strikes.

This faith-based Emergency Preparedness Training conference will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at Grace Summit Church in Stockbridge from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. on the day of the event and a continental breakfast will be provided from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Those attending must register by May 13 by emailing Shelita Broomfield, Henry County Emergency Management Specialist, at sbroomfield@co.henry.ga.us.

Grace Summit Church is located at 5295 Highway 155 South, Stockbridge, GA 30281.

IT’S KITTY SEASON! It is kitty season once again and we have many kitties here at the shelter, lonely, and without a home. They are all looking for a lifetime companion that will give them the love that they so deserve. Come meet them here at the shelter or (770) 288-PETS. Lost and stray animals are held at the Henry County Animal Care and Control Shelter for four (4) calendar days (excluding Sundays and county holidays) in order to give their owners a chance to reclaim them. After that time period, adoptable animals are held as long as space allows.

www.henrycounty-ga.org

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Ribbon Cutting Scheduled for Rock Quarry Road

The Henry County Board of Commissioners, together with the SPLOST Department, will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the Rock Quarry Road Bridge on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 2 p.m. The ceremony will take place at the Rinker Materials lot adjacent the bridge, and the public is invited to attend.

In appreciation of the local businesses which have been affected by the lengthy construction process, Henry County is inviting area merchants to offer “Bridge Crossing Day” specials, which the County will list free of charge on its website for the month of May, and will promote via the County’s Update e-newsletter, Henry TV and Twitter.

“The Board of Commissioners and the Henry County SPLOST Department are extremely grateful for the patience

and understanding both citizens and businesses have shown throughout the construction process, and we wanted to do something as a way to show our appreciation and celebrate the bridge opening at the same time,” explained Julie HooverErnst, Henry County Communications Director. “We felt partnering with local businesses for a special Bridge Crossing Promotion would be a great way to accomplish that.”

Rinker Materials is located at 148 Rock Quarry Road.

To see the special discounts offered by area merchants in celebration of “Bridge Crossing Day,” visit www.co.henry.ga.us/SPLOST/RockQuarryRoadBridge.shtml If your business is interested in participating, please call 770.288.6020.

2013 PARKS & RECREATION SUMMER CAMP AND TEEN CAMP FIELD TRIPS Call (770) 288-7300 or visit www.hcprd.org for details

www.henrycounty-ga.org

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Special Olympic Tennis Team Medals at Alabama Tournament

Members of Henry County Parks and Recreation’s Special Olympics Tennis Team with their unified partners and coach at the Southeast Tennis Competition held in Dothan, Alabama. Front Row (l. to r.) Jennifer Maddox, Brittany Hagelthorn, Paige Copeland, Rebecca Heaton, Tammy Baker, Melissa Dodgen, Charles Minnix and unified partner Jim Hagelthorn; Back row (l. to r.) Coach Bonnie Hunt, unified partner Connie Dodgen, Darrell McEver, Jonathan Mink, Chris Lewis, and unified partners Terry Nash and Babbie Spain.

The Henry County Parks and Recreation Special Olympics Tennis Team traveled to Dothan, Alabama to play in the Southeast Tennis Competition where they enjoyed a great weekend of fun and competition. Collectively, the team, with the help of four unified partners, brought home three gold medals, seven silver medals and ten bronze medals.

“We appreciate all the support and dedication from Coach Bonnie Hunt,” said Terry Nash, Henry County Parks

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and Recreations Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator.

The next competition for the tennis team will be at the Special Olympics State Summer Games held at Emory University in May. Athletes will also have the opportunity to compete in volleyball, athletics, soccer skills and aquatics.

For more information on the Henry County Parks and Recreation’s Therapeutic Recreation Division visit www.hcprd.org.

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www.co.henry.ga.us/Fire/Facebook

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Henry County Commission District 5 Safety and Protection Night Come Join Your Neighbors and Local Businesses For A Fun Night Out With Your Public Safety Professionals

The Home Depot Parking Lot 65 Fairview Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294

Tuesday, May 28, 2013 5:00 pm — 8:00 pm

FREE FOOD & DRINKS

MU y l i SI m Fa un! Displays DJ C F

Commissioner Bruce Holmes

Meet with Henry County’s Public Safety Professionals and Local Elected Officials To Get to Know Them and Ask Questions To Learn More About the Services They Provide For More Information Contact:

Sgt. Jimmie Spence 770-288-7141 or Sgt. Jason Duffey- 770-288-8275 District 5 Safety Night 4-9-2013