APRIL 20, 2018
Board of
Commissioners
Henry County Commissioners Recognize Latest Installment of Student Art Initiative
Workshop Meeting Apr. 24, 2018 9:00 a.m. Regular Meetings May 1, 2018 9:00 a.m. May 15, 2018 6:30 p.m. Meetings held at: Administration Building Community Room 140 Henry Parkway McDonough, GA 30253 Regular Commission meetings air daily on Henry TV Charter Channel 180 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, at 9 a.m. & 7 p.m.
Local art students were recognized at the April 17 Commission meeting for taking part in the Henry County Arts Initiative, which is a partnership between Henry County Schools and Henry County Government, allowing for the students artwork to be displayed on the walls of the county administration building. Since 2010, art teachers from the Henry County School District have submitted students’ artwork to be displayed. Coordinated by Joni Bowen, art teacher for Henry County schools, selected art is on loan to Henry County Government, matted and framed in a professional manner and displayed for employees and the public to enjoy. Just prior to Tuesday evening’s meeting, the students, their families and county staff members filled the halls of the administration building to view and appreciate the 55 new works of art added to walls. During the meeting the students were recognized and awarded certificates of achievement. The elementary school student artists recognized were Cara Adams, Kinsley Asbell, Kasen Bowen, Aila Cerovic, Kadan Cross, Alexis Fraser, Aniyah Griffin, Joy Continued on page 3
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April 20, 2018 Published by Henry County Communications & Public Information Department Henry County Government
Editor Melissa Robinson
Graphic Designer Meredith Butler
Layout Designer Melissa Robinson Meredith Butler
Contributors Melissa Robinson Erika Richards Kevin Williams
BOC Approves HCPD Walmart Community Grant The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved a Walmart Community grant in the amount $1,500 for the Henry County Police Department’s Community Orientation Policing Services (C.O.P.S) Unit at the April 17 Commission meeting. Funds from this grant will go to the Henry County C.O.P.S. Unit’s National Night Out event which is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships between neighbors and law enforcement. National Night Out is scheduled for October 25, 2018. For more information about the Henry County Police Department, please visit henrycountypolicedepartment.org.
HCPD Receives Recognition at MADD Honors Conference The Henry County Police Department’s HEAT Unit received recognition and several awards from the 2018 MADD Golden Shield Honors Conference held at the Cobb Galleria Center on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. This annual event recognized law enforcement agencies across the state of Georgia for DUI enforcement during 2017. • The Henry County HEAT Unit received the MADD Top Agency for Category 5 for 440 DUI arrests in 2017. Categories are determined by the agency’s size in manpower. • Sergeant John Mathis, the unit’s supervisor, received the Bronze MADD award for 27 DUI arrests in 2017. • Officer Kenneth Palmer received the MADD henrycounty-ga.org
Achievement Gold pin for 102 DUI arrests as well as the DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) Achievement Red pin for 19 Drug / DUI evaluations. • Officer Tyler Stone received the Silver MADD aware for 53 DUI arrests.
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Grossett, Reese Johnsey, Zachery Jones, Vinny Kat, Deja Latimer, Rece Leathers, Korbyn Lloyd, Cameron McIntyre, Rihanna McKenzie, Yaretzi Mejia, Christopher Mercer, Kimily Moeung, Amari Montgomery, Jazmine Noonan, Malachi Richardson, Ella Sei, Xaijah Sewell, Sophia Thomas, Taleah Thompson, Kathleen Tran, Cyara Veal, Joseph Villanueva, Makayla Walker, Caden West, Imani Williams and Ryan Wilson. The middle school student artists recognized include Jasmine Ardis, Victoria Beck, Colton Blalock, Mary Chu, Garren Groover, Nhu Quynh Ho, Synia Hunter, Cecelia McCarthy, Trenton Nalley, Nhadia Richardson, Issac Rios, and Amareah Wright.
The high school student artists recognized were Les Anderson, Nikki Davis, Dylan Ferguson, Sarina Foddrell, Tareek Lewis, Roberto Martinez, Nasir Moore, Jaci Morgan, Jessica Redding, Lauren Vargas and Angel Yang. Commission Chair June Wood thanked the students and their parents for sharing their work and invited to community to stop by and see the new installation. “We thank all of the art students for sharing their art, talent and skills with us, and we thank you all for being here,� said Wood.
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April 20, 2018 Atlanta Gas Light Making Infrastructure Improvements in South Henry County through Locust Grove area Project expected to last 6 months
In an effort to improve its infrastructure, Atlanta Gas and Light is currently working on a project in Henry County for a Central Region Pipeline and has shared the following information: Pre-construction activities for the Central Region Pipeline - Jackson Station to McDonough project are complete. Construction is scheduled to begin and last approximately six months. The project involves the installation of 12 total miles of 12-inch and 8-inch distribution pipeline in south Henry County and northwest Butts County. The installation will occur primarily in road right-of-Âway along Georgia Highway 42 between King Mill Road, south of McDonough, and henrycounty-ga.org
Bunch Road north of Jackson. Atlanta Gas Light’s independent contractor, Pride Utility Construction Company, will begin by clearing the easement where needed before installing the pipeline. All crews will have Atlanta Gas Light identification and a Pride Utility representative, as well as Atlanta Gas Light professionals, will be onsite throughout the construction process should affected property owners have any questions during construction. Work will be performed during daylight and/or permitted hours Monday through Saturday. Project construction will consist of both the open cut pipe installation method and a technique called Continued on page 8
Miles for Meals Walk 24th Anniversary Set for May 5
This year’s walk is dedicated to the memory of Janie McGarity (pictured above) who was a great supporter and dedicated many years of service for senior citizens.
The 24th Annual Miles for Meals Walk, hosted by the Henry County Council on Aging, will take place on May 5 at the Jason T. Harper Event Center from 10 a.m. to noon, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. Proceeds from the event will go toward services and programs for senior adults in Henry County. The walk will take participants on trails throughout Heritage Park with routes to fit all fitness levels. A picnic lunch will be served following the walk and registered walkers who raise at least $25 will receive a t-shirt and will be eligible to win a variety of door prizes. The Miles for Meals walk, which is the oldest
continuous fundraising walk in Henry County, was developed by the Henry County Council on Aging to support its mission to subsidize and sustain programs and services for Henry County’s senior adults. The event is held on the first Saturday of May in observance of Older Americans Month. This year’s walk is dedicated to and in memory of Mrs. Janie McGarity, who was an active board member of the Henry County Council on Aging and was a staunch supporter and participant of the Miles for Meals Walk since its inception in 1994. She was also one of the first Meals on Wheels volunteers and a loyal supporter of Senior Service programs and initiatives. “Janie McGarity, along with her family, has always been a major presence at the annual Miles for Meals Walk and she will be missed. Dedicating this event in her memory was an easy decision for anyone who knew her,” said Diane Reed, Director of Henry County Senior Services. The Henry County Council on Aging is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting services for senior adults and acting as advocates on their behalf. For more information on the Miles for Meals walk, the Henry County Council on Aging or Henry County Senior Services, visit www.henrycounty-ga. org/seniorservices or call Ann Marie Quincey at 770288-6975.
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April 20, 2018 County to Expand Fixed Route in North Henry Added stops will enhance connectivity
The recently proposed North Henry fixed route has expanded its route with connection to other local transit systems s of April 18. The scheduled route will stop at 21 locations throughout the county. The fixed route is a pilot program designed to offer citizens enhanced transportation and mobility services. It will be particularly beneficial to area seniors with various stops to the Fairview Corners Medical Campus, the Fairview Library, the Fairview Recreation Center and shopping venues in addition to the newly added stops that will provide connectivity to the MARTA and GRTA transit systems. District V Commissioner Bruce Holmes
explained the importance of the North Henry Fixed Route expansion and how it will better the community. “The fixed route expansion will help drive economic development to the Fairview corridor as well as benefit the city of Stockbridge, allowing potential service industries to come into the county,” said Holmes. “Given the fact that the transit bus will go to the GRTA and MARTA stops, people in the county that wish to take public transportation to and from their job, in and around Atlanta ill now have that option of convenience.” The Fairview Shuttle bus will initially hold 16 passengers and is currently free of charge, however a
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Transit Route continued from page 6 fare will be set at a later date. The operating hours for the shuttle bus are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Bus stop signs have been installed along the route at specific locations. Earlier this year, Commissioners approved the purchase of a 20-passenger StarTrans Senator II Shuttle bus that is equipped with a wheelchair lift. Cost of the bus was $79,280, and was made possible through a Federal Transit Administration grant, costing the county approximately $16,000 as a result of a 20
percent match requirement. Henry County Transit expects to put the new bus in service for the fixed route within the next three months. For more information on Henry County’s Transit Department and for a schedule of North Henry’s Fixed Route, please visit henrycounty-ga.com/transit or call 770-288-RIDE. The bus stop locations and times are below. Locations highlighted in green are stops that will have signage:
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April 20, 2018 Atlanta Gas Light continued from page 4 directional drilling or boring. Underground directional drilling or boring avoids the need for open trenches across roads and other surfaces. Steps will be taken to minimize traffic disruptions. However in some locations, they may need to temporarily close a road or lane during construction. Any temporary road or lane closures will be coordinated through the appropriate jurisdiction. Appropriate traffic control measures also will be put in place. Atlanta Gas Light will also work with property owners and managers to ensure that parking lots are
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accessible during construction or that alternate parking is available. As safety is a top priority during every aspect of our construction projects, we are also notifying local public safety officers to apprise them of our surveyors’ activities in the community. Additionally, we will make every effort to minimize inconveniences to property owners along the route. For more information, please contact Atlanta Gas Light at 404-584-313l or centralpipeline@ southernco.com.
Henry County Welcomes Home Olympian Chris Kinney
Henry County Chair June Wood and County Manager Cheri Hobson-Matthews presented Olympian Chris Kinney a proclamation recognizing him for his accomplishments in the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Henry County Chair June Wood, County Manager Cheri Hobson-Matthews and Stockbridge City officials welcomed home Winter Olympian Chris Kinney with a reception and proclamation ceremony on April 9 at Stockbridge City Hall. Kinney was surrounded by his family, friends, former teachers and Henry County fans. He shared his appreciation to all who supported him throughout his life and encouraged the youth of the community to follow their dreams. Kinney grew up in Stockbridge and attended Stockbridge Elementary, Austin Road Middle and Stockbridge High Schools. An accomplished athlete, he recently competed in the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChangon, South Korea, on the USA Four-Man Bobsled Team.
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April 20, 2018 Commissioner Blake Prince and Councilman Alphonso Thomas Host Appreciation Luncheon for Henry County’s First Responders
The 2018 First Responders Luncheon was hosted by Henry County Commissioner Blake Prince and Stockbridge City Councilman Alphonso Thomas. Pictured (l. to r.) Henry County Sheriff Keith McBrayer; Stockbridge City Councilman Alphonso Thomas; Henry County District IV Commissioner Blake Prince; and Henry County Police Chief Mark Amerman.
In a show of gratitude and support, District IV Commissioner Blake Prince and Stockbridge City Councilman Alphonso Thomas hosted an appreciation luncheon for Henry County First Responders, held Wednesday, April 18 at the Merle Manders Conference Center in Stockbridge, to thank the brave individuals who are first on the scene for emergencies. Emergency responders represented included members of the Henry County Sheriff’s Department and Henry County’s fire, police and E911 departments.
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Both Prince and Thomas welcomed the first responders and members of public safety and thanked the attendees for their service to the community. Thomas also presented public safety department leaders framed Letters of Appreciation for their hard work and selflessness in serving the citizens. The letters read in part “Thank you for all you do. Your hard work and selflessness are the saving grace for us in our time of need…”
County Cuts Ribbon on Highway 138 and Hemphill Roundabout
District IV Commissioner Blake Prince along with county staff took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday, April 19 for the Highway 138 and Hemphill Road roundabout, in Stockbridge. Prince said that the Hwy. 138 and Hemphill Road intersection has always been a dangerous roadway because it was challenging to see when crossing or making a turn, and he also expects that the new roundabout will keep motorists safer. According to SPLOST Transportation Director, Roque Romero, in addition to improved safety, the construction of a roundabout compared to a traffic
signal also saved taxpayers money. “On this particular project, because of the geometry of the roadways and the unique issues associated with this intersection, constructing a roundabout as opposed to a traffic signal saved approximately $600,000,” said Romero. “However, the issue of safety was paramount to officials in the decision to making these intersection improvements.” For more information on this or any SPLOST project, log on to henrycounty-ga.com/splost.
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