Henry County Update - Newsletter

June 8,2018

Board of

Commissioners

County Veterans Celebrate 103-Year-Old World War II Veteran

Regular Meetings June 19, 2018 6:30 p.m.

July 17, 2018 8:30 p.m.

Workshop Meeting July 24, 2018 9:00 a.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.

Jim Joyce, Henry County Parks and Recreation’s Facility Coordinator for the Wall of Honor and Military Museum along with other Henry County veteran volunteers honored and celebrated World War II veteran Herbert Hicks.

Hicks, a 103-year-old, who resides at the Golden Crest Nursing Home in Stockbridge was surprised with gifts and a cookie cake by the team of veterans.

Hicks was a World War II truck driver who was responsible for laying down bridges so combat soldiers could move forward and carry on their missions.

The team of veterans make visits to many American heroes in the community, like Hicks, to show appreciation and homage.

For more information on the Veterans Wall of Honor visit veteranswallofhonor. org. The Henry County Veterans Museum is located at 101 Lake Dow Road in McDonough and is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission is free.

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June 8, 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

Board Awards HCFD a Time Task Force Grant

The Board of Commissioners approved a resolution for the Henry County Fire Department to accept a grant from the Time Task Force for the purchase of collapsible cones, LED flare kits, and safety vets. The action came at the June 5 Commission meeting.

The $28,510 grant will purchase 36 sets of collapsible cones, 62 LED flare kits and 352 safety vests for every member a part of the Henry County Fire Department. The collapsible cones and the LED flare kits will provide 100 feet of protection for the HCFD while working on roadways.

Chair June Wood lauded members of the fire department for obtaining grants for the county.

“I am glad to hear that you all are pursuing grants and especially those that do not require a match, which means that it does not impact our general fund.

So kudos to those who are applying for the grants that help us get the safety apparatuses that we need,” stated Wood.

For more information on Henry County Fire, log on to henrycounty-ga.com/fire.

Board Approves Purchase of Transit Buses

During the Henry County Board of Commissioners meeting on June 5, Commissioners approved the purchase of three 13-passenger buses for the Henry County Transit Department.

The total cost for the StarTrans Senator II Shuttle buses, which are equipped with wheelchair lifts, is $175,562.76. Funding is available from the Transit Department’s Federal Transit Administration grant which requires a 20 percent local match, costing the county $35,112.55. Those funds will be allocated from the annual Transit Department’s budget.

The Board originally approved a resolution last month for the purchase of three, 14-passenger buses, however, Commissioners amended that resolution henrycounty-ga.org

to allow for enhanced wheelchair accessibility. The amendment to the contract will allow for additional modifications and equipment that will give the buses the ability to accommodate up to four wheelchairs at a time.

Henry County’s fixed route, on-demand service offers citizens enhanced transportation and mobility to various stops in and around north Henry. The operating hours for the shuttle bus are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information on Henry County Transit or for a full list of bus stop locations and times log on to henrycounty-ga.com/transit.

“Girls in Government” Week for young Campers

The Henry County Board of Commissioners had some special visitors at the June 5 Commission meeting from Commissioner Dee Clemmons’ Broadway Performing Arts Center day camp. Commission Chair June Wood, District II Commissioner Dee Clemmons

and County Manager Cheri Hobson-Matthews took time out for a quick photo with the group of campers who were focusing on “Girls in Government” Week.

The young ladies attended the entire Commission meeting to learn more about local government.

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June 8, 2018 Board Recognizes Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

The Henry County Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing the month of June as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month, bringing attention to the importance of research and support for debilitating and degenerative dementia disorders. The action came at the June 5 Commission meeting.

The proclamation read in part “With awareness comes hope and the Henry County Board of Commissioners recognizes the efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association to raise funds and promote awareness to fight Alzheimer’s disease and other

dementias, thereby improving the quality of life for both patients and their caregivers…”

Members of the Henry County Walk to End Alzheimer’s delegation accepted the proclamation and Commission Chair June Wood thanked them for their work. She also reminded the public about the upcoming walk to be held on September 29 at Alexander Park in McDonough.

“We will keep all of the families and patients of Alzheimer’s in our thoughts and prayers,” said Wood.

“Thank you for being here.”

Members of the Henry County Walk to End Alzheimer’s delegation accept a proclamation recognizing Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month from Chair June Wood and the Henry County Board of Commissioners at the June 5 Commission meeting.

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BOC Approves Grants for Henry County EMA

The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution authorizing the Henry County Emergency Management Agency to apply for Hazard Mitigation Grant funds to implement early warning weather radios in areas of the community and also approved an Emergency Management Performance Grant from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.

The action came at the regular Commission meeting.

The total amount of the Emergency Management Performance Grant is $32,829.

The Henry County EMA assists and prepares

the community for disasters that may affect citizens.

With the contributions from these grants, Henry County EMA can continuously provide the most efficient and effective ways to prepare, respond and recover in an event of an emergency or disaster.

In related news, the Board also approved a grant from the Georgia Trauma Commission in the amount of $22,562 to purchase trauma equipment, supplies and funding for EMS related training for the Henry County Fire Department.

For more information on Henry County public safety, please visit henrycounty-ga.com/E-911.

Firecracker Road Race to be Held July 4

The 7th annual Firecracker Road Race 5K/10K to benefit Henry County Parks and Recreation’s Special Olympics will be held on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at Nash Farm in Hampton.

The event features a 5K and 10K race, as well as 1 Mile Walk and Tot Trot. Pre-registration for the 5K is $35 or $40 on race day; 10K is $45 and $50 on race day; and the one-mile is $20 or $25 on race

day. The Tot Trot is free to ages six and under.

Registration on-site will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. and the race will begin at 8 a.m. Register by June 23 to guarantee a tee-shirt.

Participants may register online at www. getsetgrow.com. Checks should be made payable to Henry County Parks and Recreation Special Olympics.

For more information, visit henrycounty-ga.com.

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June 8, 2018 Enjoy Henry County Cooperative Extension Service Farmers Market

Come out every Thursday and enjoy locally sourced vegetables, fruits, jellies and much more at the Henry County Cooperative Extension Service Farmers Market at the Jason T. Harper Event Center

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in McDonough.

The Farmers Market has begun and will run through August 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is located at 97 Lake Dow Road in McDonough.

Commissioners Approve Formation of a SPLOST V Committee

With the current SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) initiative set to expire in 2020, the Henry County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution at the June 5 Commission meeting to form a SPLOST V Committee to help determine if a referendum on continuing the SPLOST initiative should be placed on the ballot for voters.

SPLOST is an optional one percent county sales tax, which the State of Georgia allows counties to collect to fund specific improvement projects. A SPLOST must be approved by voters in a general referendum in order to be enacted. The findings of the committee will assist the Henry County Board of Commissioners in exploring the viability of calling for a voter referendum on the continuation of the SPLOST program.

The committee will be made up of one appointee from each commission district, one by the Commission chair, one by the county manager, and one member appointed by the Henry County Municipal Association.

Duties of the committee will include formulating an accurate estimate of the revenue which could potentially be generated; receiving public input from members of the Henry County community as to projects for inclusion into a new SPLOST program; formulating accurate estimates for those potential projects; and presenting a report to the Henry County Board of Commissioners as to cost estimates and recommended projects for inclusion on a SPLOST V ballot initiative.

For more information on SPLOST, please visit www.henrycounty-ga.org/splost.

Henry County Honors Lost Soldiers on Memorial Day

In honor and remembrance of the lost service men and women, Henry County Parks and Recreation held its annual Memorial Day service May 28 at the Veterans Wall of Honor, in McDonough.

The Memorial Day service brought out a crowd of visitors who were in attendance to remember and show respect for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

Keynote Speaker Craig Cooper, Chief of Police of Barnesville, GA shared his remarks and displayed patriotism to the true heroes of our country.

In solemn tribute, both Amazing Grace and Taps were played and a wreath was presented in memoriam.

The Veterans Wall of Honor is located in Heritage Park at 101 Lake Dow Rd. in McDonough.

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