September 9, 2016
Board of
Commissioners Regular Meetings September 20 at 6:30 PM October 4 at 9:00 AM
District Attorney’s Office Donates Supplies to County and City Police Departments
Called Meeting Discussing Capital Building Improvement Schedule: September 19 at 10:00 AM in Conference Room B. Joint Meetings Library Board: September 19 at 9:00 AM in Conference Room B. Board of Elections: September 19 at 1:00 PM in Conference Room B. 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 (l. to r.) Locust Grove Police Chief Jesse Patton, Henry County Police Chief Kieth Nichols, District Attorney Jim Wright, Hampton Police Chief Derrick Austin and McDonough Police Chief Preston Dorsey.
Henry County District Attorney Jim Wright’s office generously purchased 76 Naloxone nasal mist opiate reversing kits for police first responders in the Henry County Police Department, McDonough Police Department, Locust Grove Police Department and Hampton Police Department. “I want to thank Jim Wright for purchasing the kits because we can always use them,” stated Chief Keith Nichols. “We are grateful for the donation.” The Henry County Police Department received 46 of the kits and McDonough, Locust Grove and Hampton received 10 kits each. The purchase of the kits was made possible with federal seized funds and cost approximately $60 each. For more information on the Henry County Police Department, visit www.henrycounty-ga.org/police.
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September 9, 2016
Published by Henry County Communications Department The Henry County Board of Commissioners
Editor Melissa Robinson
Graphic Designer Meredith Butler Samantha Watson
Layout Designer Samantha Watson
Contributors Melissa Robinson Samantha Watson Kevin Williams
Bid Awarded For Construction of Lake Dow Intersection The bid for construction of Lake Dow/Rodgers at Rosser Road intersection improvement was approved at the September 6 Commission meeting. The bid was awarded to Southeastern Site Development, Inc. for $642,253.60. The Board also authorized the County Manager or his designee to approve changes less than $50,000. Due to the construction, it will be necessary for the Henry County Water Authority to relocate a portion of its facilities in the area. The estimated cost for the relocation was approved at the Commission meeting for $175,395.88. The water relocation estimate is 27.3 percent of the total construction cost of the project. Funding for utility relocation is available in the project budget. henrycounty-ga.org
Commissioner Bruce Holmes To Host HOA Bootcamp District V Commissioner Bruce Holmes will hold an HOA Boot Camp Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, September 15, 2016 at 7 p.m. at Global Impact Christian Ministries in Stockbridge. Special guest Jamie Platt Lyons, HOA expert and attorney, will discuss a variety of subjects, including organizing an HOA, the importance of knowing property owners’ rights, and managing a successful community association. She will also answer questions and provide those in attendance with valuable information and resources. Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington, Jr. will also be in attendance to discuss the upcoming Georgia Alliance HOA Boot Camp, scheduled for November 5, 2016 at the Georgia International Convention Center. The Town Hall Meeting is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend. Global Impact Christian Ministries is located at 125 Red Oak Rd. Stockbridge, GA 30281.
Free Notary Public Training Class on September 16 Free notary public training classes are being offered at the Henry County Courthouse on Friday, September 16 with the first session starting at 10 a.m. and the second starting at 1 p.m. Offered in conjunction with the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority, these 90-minute classes are for veteran notaries, new notaries or anyone considering becoming a notary public. Please call Barbara Harrison at the Clerk’s office at 770-288-8064 or 770-288-8124 to reserve your spot today! The Henry County Courthouse is located at 1 Courthouse Square, McDonough, GA 30253.
Bid Awarded For HCPD Purchase of Body Armor The bid for a body armor contract with the Henry County Police Department was awarded to Law Enforcement Supply of Marietta at the September 6 Commission meeting. The contract will begin when the current contract expires on September 30. The contract is for a period of one year with the Purchasing Director having the option to renew for two additional one year periods. In related public safety news, the Henry County Fire Department’s request to amend County Ordinance 3-4-222 was approved at the September 6 Commission meeting. In the newly approved amendment, a late fee
will be added to penalty fees on inspections. The amendment states, “Failure to pay Fire, Safety and Accessibility fees within 30 days will result in a late fee of an additional $25, after 60 days an additional $50 will be added. All late fees are cumulative. After 90 days, the Certificate of Occupancy will be revoked.” The Fire Department’s request to move the ordinance from Chapter 3-4 Public Safety, Subchapter 3 Law Enforcement, Section 222 to Chapter 3-4 Public Safety, Subchapter 2 Fire Prevention and Protection, Article II, Section 136 was also approved. For more information on Henry County’s public safety, visit www.henrycounty-ga.org.
Citizens’ Fire Academy Accepting Applications Until September 16 The Citizens’ Fire Academy is an eight week program designed to educate and inform citizens about fire and emergency services; achieving a greater understanding of the inner workings of the Henry County Fire Department. The academy will begin on Thursday, September 29 and run for eight weeks, ending Thursday, November 17. Classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Henry County Fire Headquarters located at 110 South Zack Hinton Parkway in McDonough. The instruction includes practical demonstrations that all participants are encouraged to participate in. However, because of the voluntary nature of the program, physical limitations of applicants will not be considered a reason for exclusion from the academy. It is imperative that all participants understand that the Citizens’ Fire Academy is intended to be an informative experience to provide insight into how the Fire Department functions and what services they provide. The goal is also to provide an enjoyable,
interactive atmosphere in which fire department members and citizens can share information and concerns. It is not intended to train participants as firefighters or to assist at any fires. We hope the graduates of the Citizens’ Fire Academy become more aware and better informed about how the department operates, and will encourage friends, coworkers and families to join the Henry County Fire Department in this rewarding program. Class sizes are limited and potential candidates for the Citizens’ Fire Academy must be a minimum of 18 years of age, live in Henry County and have no prior felony arrests or misdemeanor arrests within six months of the application process. For more information on the Citizens’ Fire Academy, please call (770) 288-6620 or visit our website at www.co.henry.ga.us/Fire/CitizenFireAcademy.shtml. Download the application and fax the completed forms to (770) 288-6776 or email jlaster@co.henry.ga.us. Applications must be submitted no later than Friday, September 16.
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September 9, 2016
Commissioner Bruce Holmes Youth Foundation to Kickoff Mentoring Programs Tomorrow With a passion to guide and serve the young people of Henry County and provide them with exceptional opportunities, the Commissioner Bruce Holmes Youth Foundation (CBHYF) will once again kick off two youth mentoring programs for students in 6th grade through 12th grade on September 10 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Fairview Recreation Center. Project Exposure, for young men, and Project Blossom, for young women, are both youth mentoring programs established to enhance and promote leadership development, achievement and success in middle and high school students. The programs follow the CBHYF’s four key focus areas of Healthy Living, Education, Athletics and Leadership. The programs work to bolster positive self-esteem, academic and artistic achievement, the pursuit of higher education and positive interaction between the community’s young people and caring, encouraging adults. The goal for both programs is to challenge these young people to excel by consistently exposing them to successful role models and empowered ways of living. The programs raise the standard of excellence and expectation among participants and promote a climate of cultural enhancement through workshops, such as business etiquette and public speaking. Participants are also exposed to potential future career paths, leadership development and other life skills. Additionally, the programs mobilize the adult community with an opportunity to give back by serving as mentors and coaches. The Fairview Recreation Center is located at 35 Austin Rd., Stockbridge, GA 30281. For more information, visit www.cbhyf.org or contact info@cbhyf.org. henrycounty-ga.org
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.