August 26, 2016
Board of
Commissioners
Commissioners Cut Ribbon on Bud Kelley Park
Regular Meetings September 6 at 9:00 AM September 20 at 6:30 PM Millage Meeting September 6 at 8:45 AM, before the regular meeting. Meetings held at: Administration Building Community Room 140 Henry Parkway McDonough, GA 30253 Regular Commission meetings air daily on Henry TV Channel 180 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, at 9 a.m. & 7 p.m.
Pictured left to right: Beau Kelley, former District IV Commissioner Reid Bowman, District IV Commissioner Blake Prince, Chairman Tommy Smith, Buddy Kelley and District III Commissioner Gary Barham.
Henry County held a ribbon cutting for Bud Kelley Park in the Kelleytown area of McDonough on August 25. Chairman Tommy Smith, District IV Commissioner Blake Prince, District III Commissioner Gary Barham, former District IV Commissioner Reid Bowman, county manager Lyndon Bonner, several county officials, Buddy Kelley, Beau Kelley and several members and friends of the Kelley family were in attendance for the ribbon cutting. “When I took office, I was able to come in and finish this park and get done what you see here today. But, again, it’s been many, many generations of commissioners getting this done; and, the citizens, really, are the ones that need to be thanked,” stated Commissioner Prince. “But today, we’re here to dedicate this park to the citizens of Kelleytown and Henry County. It’s a wonderful park. A lot of good things will happen here and this will be a part of the history of Kelleytown.” The passive park features 124 acres of free space for citizens to enjoy. The Continued on page 4
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August 26, 2016
Published by Henry County Communications Department The Henry County Board of Commissioners
Editor Melissa Robinson
Youth Basketball Registration Starts September 1 It’s that time of year again! Dribble and dunk your way into youth basketball registration with the Henry County Parks and Recreation Department (HCPRD) from September 1 through September 30.
Graphic Designer Meredith Butler Samantha Watson
Layout Designer Samantha Watson
Contributors Melissa Robinson Samantha Watson Kevin Williams
henrycounty-ga.org
Boys and girls ages 5-17 can register. Registration for 12u, 14u and 17u will extend to October 28. Registration requires a copy of the child’s birth certificate and costs $85 for the first registered child of a Henry County household and $75 for each additional child. Out of county registration is $115. Registration will take place at the Heritage Park Recreation Office, the J.P. Moseley Recreation Center, the Locust Grove Recreation Center, the Fairview Recreation Center and online at www.hcprd.org. Sibling tags are guaranteed for those who reside in the same household and are in the same age group. Car rider tags or any other tags are not guaranteed. Fairview teams will practice at the Fairview Rec. Center, Stockbridge teams will practice at the J.P. Moseley Rec. Center or elementary schools in Stockbridge and McDonough teams will practice at elementary schools in McDonough, Locust Grove, Hampton or Ola. For more information on the HCPRD basketball program and to apply, visit www.hcprd.org or call 770-288-7300.
Sign Up For a Free Library Card Throughout September Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school. September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when the Henry County Library System (HCLS) joins with the American Library Association and public libraries nationwide to make sure that every student has the most important school supply of all – a free library card. Resources at the HCLS are available to anyone who has a library card. Students can turn to the library for materials, programs and knowledgeable library staff that support academic achievement. Today’s libraries aren’t only a place of quiet study, but also creative and engaging community centers where students can collaborate using new technologies, learn how to use a 3D printer or just relax with peers. Henry County libraries offer access to a variety of print and digital resources, including Galileo, Learning Express, MANGO languages, OneClick Digital and Georgia Download Destination that can be accessed in person or online. “Our library provides access and programs for students of all ages,” stated the Director of the HCLS, Carolyn Fuller. “For preschool age children we offer early literacy and lap sit story times to encourage school readiness; for older children and teens we supplement education with hands-on science, technology, arts and innovative maker-spaces, and for older teens we have information and tools to help prepare for college and mentoring programs. There’s really something for everyone and it’s all free with a library card.” HCLS will give away a free book to new library card holders and those who renew their cards in September. For more information on how to sign up for a library card, visit any library branch or log on to www.henry.public.lib.ga.us.
Homeless in Henry Meeting Set For September 1 Connecting Henry, is hosting a Homeless in Henry meeting on September 1 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Connecting Henry Office on 66 Veterans Drive in McDonough. The meeting will serve as a place for individuals, other nonprofits or for-profit organizations who want to collaborate and share resources for assisting the homeless community in Henry County. Connecting Henry, Inc., a non-profit organization, is the local branch of the Georgia Family Connection Partnership, Inc. in Henry County. The organization’s mission is to identify and connect existing resources in the community for the purpose of developing and implementing programs that address challenges to families in Henry County. To learn more about or to donate to Connecting Henry, please visit www.henrycounty-ga.org/connectinghenry.
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August 26, 2016
Bud Kelley Park from page 1 park includes amenities such as nearly three miles of paved walking trails, two pavilions equipped with picnic tables, one pavilion equipped with a serving window, a large playground with rubber surface area, a concrete walking track circling the playground, a par course with ten fitness elements, eight shaded rest benches, two convenient parking lots and restroom facilities. “It’s a very proud moment for the Kelley family and all the families in Kelleytown that call this beautiful community home. My granddad, Bud, would have been so proud to see this,” stated Beau Kelley. “I’m actually wearing a pair of my granddad’s boots today so when I get to walk the park, I’ll feel like I’m walking in his shoes.” After cutting the ribbon, commissioners and guests unveiled a dedication plaque to Bud Kelley that sits in the front of the park near the main playground. Following the unveiling, Parks and Recreation Director Tim Coley conducted guided tours of the park, driving community members around the walking trails in a golf cart. For more information on Henry County Parks and Recreation, visit www.hcprd.org.
Parks and Recreation Director Tim Coley giving a guided golf cart tour of Bud Kelley Park to citizens.
henrycounty-ga.org
District IV Commissioner Blake Prince unveils the dedication plaque for Bud Kelley alongside Bud’s son, Buddy, and grandson, Beau and other current and former members of the Board.