The Henry County Update

February 24, 2014

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Regular Meetings March 4th - 9:00 AM March 18th - 6:30 PM

Meetings held at: Administration Building Community Room 140 Henry Parkway McDonough, GA 30253

Commission Chairman Tommy Smith Speaks at South Metro Development Outlook Conference Henry County Commission Chairman Tommy N. Smith was one of several invited guest speakers at the South Metro Development Outlook (SMDO) Conference, held February 19, 2014 at the Georgia International Convention

Commissioner William “Bill” Edwards with the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, Grant Wainscott, Director of Clayton County Economic Development and Matt Forshee, Chairman of the Fayette County Board of Commissioners,

Regular Commission meetings will air Fridays, Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays on Henry TV Channel 14 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, at 9 a.m. & 7 p.m.

Henry County Commission Chairman Tommy Smith was a speaker at this year’s South Metro Development Outlook Conference.

Center in College Park.

Accompanied on the podium during the first session of the conference

by Jeff Turner, Chairman of the Clayton County Board of Commissioners,

Smith gave a presentation on the Home Depot Direct Fulfillment Center, which recently opened in Locust Grove, as well as presented information on the Southern Crescent Technical College, Henry Continued on Page 3 the henry county update

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February 24, 2014 Henry County Fire Department to Offer Spring Fire Academy for Residents of Henry County

Henry County Fire Department will be offering a ten-week program, “A Citizen Fire Academy,” for the citizens of Henry County. This is the ninth offering of what has been a very successful program, intended to increase awareness and generate a more informed community of the inner- workings of the fire department.

The Citizens’ Fire Academy will begin on March 13, 2014 and run thru May 15, 2014. The class will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. at the Henry County Fire Headquarters, located at 110 South Zack Hinton Parkway. On the last week of the program, participants will graduate and receive a certificate of completion.

Each week, participants will learn different aspects, tactics and strategies of firefighting and rescue operations. The program is designed to provide a greater understanding of the services the Henry County Fire Department provides. Participants will not graduate the academy with training for firefighting, however they will have a better understanding of what firefighters, emergency medical technicians and paramedics do on a daily basis. The program is actually

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two-fold in its design. The information participants will receive help increase awareness as well as encourage more safety conscious and informed members of the county. Both goals are positive and potentially lifesaving for the communities in Henry County.

The Citizens’ Fire Academy will benefit the residents and the fire department alike by creating an opportunity to work more closely together, and enhance open lines of communication between the residents and the Henry County Fire Department. Citizens will gain the ability to make informed decisions regarding controversial fire prevention issues they may face in their communities while also becoming aware of the problems their fire department faces.

Deadline for making application is February 21, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. For more information or to obtain an application, please visit us online at www.henrycounty-ga.org/fire or call 770-288-6620.

Henry County Fire Department looks forward to working with the citizens of Henry County and invites citizens to apply.

Development Conf. from page 1 County Campus, which is expected to welcome students this coming summer.

Smith highlighted that Home Depot’s capital investment in the new facility was more than $80 million and will eventually create 300 jobs in Henry County. He noted that the new facility is one of four Home Depot supply chain facilities that operates in Henry County and the presentation listed the many reasons businesses are choosing to locate in Henry County.

Smith also briefly discussed the future of education in Henry County by highlighting the importance of the Southern Crescent Technical College, Henry County Campus, which is expected to open its doors this year. One building is near completion and the grand plan is to have a total of eight building making up the college campus, which will be adjacent to Henry County High School, in McDonough.

Also in attendance at the SMDO Conference was Henry County District V Commissioner Bruce Holmes and Henry County’s Development Authority Director, Bob White.

The South Metro Development Outlook Conference is the creation of former Fulton County Commissioner, Michael Hightower, who is also the

Henry County District V Commissioner Bruce Holmes, pictured with Michael Hightower, at the South Metro Development Conference held in College Park on February 19.

managing partner of the Collaborative Firm LLC, an organization that specializes in planning, program management and development. The conference, now in its twelfth year, serves as an annual platform for industry experts, residents, community and business people, and political leaders to discuss issues which are important to Clayton, Coweta, Douglas, Fayette, Henry, Spalding and South Fulton counties, as well as the city of Atlanta.

The Henry County Police Department is now using YouTube! The purpose is to work in partnership with our citizens in solving and reducing crime.

www.youtube.com/user/HenryCountyPoliceDpt

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February 24, 2014 Superior Court Welcomes Special Visitor

Superior Court Judge Brian Amero welcomed a in the U.S. and will take back what he has observed to special guest to the first session of the New Year, held judicial officials in Japan. He is most interested in the late last month. way Henry County operates its Drug Court, as well as

Judge Ryo Takashima, the court calendar system and from the Kyoto District Court of its efficient case management.

Japan, has been in the United

Judge Amero said he States for the past several is often fascinated by the way months studying aspects of judicial proceedings are handled the United States’ judicial in other countries, but strongly system. Judge Amero invited believes in the United States him to observe Henry County jury trial system, which he said Superior Court proceedings is the best way to ensure justice. after meeting at the Judicial

“The jury trial system is Winter Conference held in the best way to resolve criminal Athens, GA. Judge Ryo Takashima, from Japan, and Judge Brian Amero, in Amero’s cham- cases,” said Amero.

Judge Takashima has bers at Henry County Superior Court.

“It’s a constitutional bedrock spent much of his time in principle that works the U.S. observing the proceedings at Fulton County extremely well.”

Superior Court. He said that he has learned a great deal According to Judge Takashima, several courts

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Henry County Police Department Welcomes Six New Officers

Congratulations to the newest group of Henry County Police Officers who began their careers on February 17 and are currently working in the Field Officer Training Program. Pictured is Police Chief Keith Nichols performing the Police Officers Oath and Appointment to the six new certified officers. Officers from left to right are Jason Prescott, Michael Kilgore, Khiry Thomas, Bryan Thornton, Josh Copeland and Zachary Duncan.

Henry County Police Chief Keith Nichols performs the Police Officers Oath and Appointment to six new certified officers.

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February 24, 2014 Visitor Welcomed from page 4 in Japan recently adopted a modified version of the jury system, influenced in part by the U.S. system and German and other European court systems, where some cases are heard by a three-panel of judges, along

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with a panel of six lay people. He was also surprised how much U. S. courts rely on oral interpretation as opposed to written submissions, which is much more common in Japan.

Sheriff Encourages 100 Mile Challenge

Henry County Sheriff Keith McBrayer challenged his employees to match his efforts to walk or run 100 miles in 100 days. The purpose was to make Sheriff’s Office employees aware of what little effort is required to improve their health and stamina.

The challenge began November 1, 2013 and concluded February 8, 2014. The rules were simple employees were allowed to walk, run, use treadmills or elliptical machines at their own pace and to record the distance they covered for each day. But they could not count the normal distances they would walk, it had to be in addition to their daily routine. At the end of each month, their sheets were submitted and their distances compiled.

At the end of the “Sheriff’s 100 Mile, 100 Day Walk/Run Challenge,” the 88 participants who accepted the challenge accumulated over 9,000 miles! This was accomplished in spite of the holidays and all the severe weather that occurred during the 100 days.

There were 64 challengers who completed 100 miles or more. All of whom received a 100 Mile

Challenge T-shirt and other items from the Sheriff.

“I am proud of our employees for the efforts they made to improve their health,” stated Sheriff McBrayer.

“The feedback we received saying how much better they feel or how much weight they lost told me that we need to continue to encourage these activities.”

The Sheriff quickly invoked another “Spring 100 Mile, 100 Day Challenge” for those who could not participate during the winter months. That challenge begins March 1. Sheriff McBrayer added, “We have had several suggestions from our employees on other challenges we can do in the future and we are going to create opportunities to help them stay healthy.”

Fire Hydrant Servicing Henry County Firefighters will begin servicing fire hydrants on March 1, 2014.

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