Update Newsletter Sept. 26, 2013

SEPTEMBER 26, 2013

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Regular Meetings October 1st at 9:00 a.m.

October 15th at 6:30 p.m.

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

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.

Tax Commissioner Works to Minimize Customer Wait Times with WebCams

In an effort to assist citizens in maximizing use of their valuable time, the Tax Commissioner’s Office has installed cameras in the lobby areas of both the McDonough and Stockbridge Tag Offices. The cameras allow citizens to log in at any time during regular office hours to view the lines and estimate the wait time at each office.

“We wanted to help people to make the best use of their time by allowing them to view the lines ahead of time and know when the lines are shortest,” explained Henry County Tax Commissioner David Curry. “Before they get in their car and come over here, we want citizens to take a look at the cameras so they won’t spend their entire lunch hour standing in line.”

Curry also explained that currently, citizens tend to have the shortest wait times during the extended evening hours on Mondays and Thursdays between 5 and 6:30 p.m.

He also wants to remind citizens that virtually all services provided at the Tag Office are available online via the website at www.henrytc.org. The only time a citizens must come to one of the Tag Offices in person is when they have purchased a new or used car and need to

get it registered for the first time.

“Our goal is to make our services as convenient as possible for citizens, and the cameras and website payment option are two more ways we are working to achieve that goal,” said Curry.

The cameras were surplus items from another project and were installed at no cost to taxpayers.

To view the lobby cameras in both the McDonough and Stockbridge Tag Offices, please visit http://henrytc.org and click on the camera icon.

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September 26th, 2013 Henry County Fire Department Encourages Safe Burning Practices It’s “OK2-BURN” as of October 1, 2013

The metro wide burning ban will be lifted on Tuesday, October 1, 2013. The ban will resume on May 1, 2014.

The State of Georgia Environmental Protection Division mandates this ban.

On September 17, 2002, the Board of Commissioners of Henry County amended Section 3-4-113 of Article I of Subchapter 2 of Chapter 3-4 of the Code of Henry County, Georgia. The ordinance no longer requires citizens to obtain a residential burning permit from Henry County Fire Department; however it does require citizens to obtain a daily permit through the Georgia Forestry Commission. A couple of options for obtaining a residential burning permit are: to call 1-877-OK-2-BURN (1-877-652-2876) or visit an on-line permitting system at www.gatrees.org.

For acreage burns please contact the District Office for a permit, at 770-784-2480. Commercial permits still require a permit from Henry County Fire Department and a fee of $100.00. Residential and commercial burning will be permitted October 1, 2013 through April 30, 2014 and prohibited at all other times. In the event of extreme weather conditions (high winds/prolonged drought), the Fire Department and/or the Forestry Commission may cancel burning in order to provide for the safety of the public. During the time of the ban no residential or commercial burning will be permitted. Violators of the Burning Ordinance are subject to a fine of up $1,000.00 per day, per violation or 60 days in jail, or both (Henry County Code, Section 3-4-113, page 1710.3). The Henry County Fire Department strongly urges citizens to comply with this ordinance. For the safety of all citizens, this ordinance will be strictly enforced due to the growing population, the current drought, and the increase in fires started by careless burning.

Although residential burning is permitted, there is a nuisance ordinance that could become a factor in any given area. Persons conducting burning will be expected to follow all rules of burning.

Residential Burning Rules • No burning of stumps or whole trees; • No more than one pile, 6 ft. x 6 ft. and 5 ft. high shall be henrycounty-ga.org

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burned at one time; All burning shall be carried out between the hours of 10:00 am and 6:00 pm; All fires shall be completely extinguished by 6:00 pm; No burning on Sunday; No burning within 100 feet of any type of structure; All burning shall be located on private property so as not to interfere with any traffic on public streets or sidewalks; During any open burning, a competent person of at least eighteen (18) years of age shall be constantly present to monitor and control such burning; and During any open burning, an operational garden hose or fire extinguisher must be present within 50 feet of the fire.

The number one cause of wildfires in Georgia is burning debris. “Many of these wildfires could be prevented if everyone would follow the rules for outdoor burning and NEVER leave their fire unattended,” stated Captain Sabrina Puckett. Debris burning is caused by humans and humans can prevent wildfires by using safe practices when burning outdoor debris.

*Commercial permits can be obtained at the Henry County Fire Department Headquarters located at 110 South Zack Hinton Parkway in McDonough. For further information, contact the Henry County Fire Department at 770-288-6600.

REVERSE 911 SIGN UP FOR THE HENRY COUNTY EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM! http://tinyurl.com/lnqzh5q

National Fire Prevention Week is October 6-12, 2013 Henry County Fire Department Reminds Residents to ‘Prevent Kitchen Fires’

It’s time for Fire Prevention Week, and from October 6-12 Henry County Fire Department is joining forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to remind local residents to ‘Prevent Kitchen Fires.’ During this year’s fire safety campaign, fire departments will be spreading the word about the dangers of kitchen fires--most of which result from unattended cooking—and teaching local residents how to prevent kitchen fires from starting in the first place.

According to the latest NFPA research, cooking is the leading cause of home fires. Two of every five home fires begin in the kitchen—more than any other place in the home. Cooking fires are also the leading cause of home fire-related injuries.

“Often when we’re called to a fire that started in the kitchen, the residents tell us that they only left the kitchen for a few minutes,” said Captain Sabrina Puckett.

“Sadly, that’s all it takes for a dangerous fire to start. We hope that Fire Prevention Week will help us reach folks in the community before they’ve suffered a damaging lesson.”

Among the safety tips that firefighters and safety advocates will be emphasizing: • Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broil ing, or boiling food.

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If you must leave the room, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.

When you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home, and use a timer to remind you.

If you have young children, use the stove’s back burners whenever possible. Keep children and pets at least three away from the stove.

When you cook, wear clothing with tight-fitting sleeves.

Keep potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper and plastic bags, towels, and anything else that can burn, away from your stovetop.

Clean up food and grease from burners and stovetops.

Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the country. Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record.

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September 26th, 2013 Commissioner Bruce Holmes To Host Town Hall Meeting

District V Commissioner Bruce Holmes will hold his monthly Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 9 a.m. at the Fairview Recreation Center.

This month’s meeting will feature a discussion on the upcoming election and several possible upcoming projects.

Special guest speakers include Janet Shellnutt, Director of Henry County Elections and Registration, who will discuss the November 5, 2013 election, along with early voting opportunities for citizens, and Steve Cash, with Henry Council for Quality Growth, will inform citizens about possible future projects in the County.

The Town Hall Meeting is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend. The Fairview Recreation Center is located at 35 Austin Rd. in Stockbridge.

henrycounty-ga.org

Henry County Sheriff’s Deputies Locate Large Drug Stockpile

On September 17, 2013 the Henry County Sheriff’s Office conducted a comprehensive warrant roundup. The round-up was labeled “Operation Bring Them In” and consisted of 30 deputies. The personnel were divided into 8 teams. These teams were assigned to the North and South ends of the county.

The Operation began with a briefing at 15:00 hours in the squad room. The topics discussed were officer safety, displaying professionalism and respectfulness to the public. At the conclusion of the operation the Sheriff’s Deputies made 13 arrests and received numerous leads on intelligence needed for many other outstanding warrants.

In addition to achieving their primary objectives, the Deputies of the Henry County Sheriff’s Warrant Unit made a major discovery while attempting to serve a warrant on North Hearn Road in Ellenwood, just inside Dekalb County.

When approaching the property Deputies noticed unusually high security measures. Their investigation led them to the discovery of an estimated 2,000 pounds of marijuana compressed into bales with a street value of 5 million dollars. All evidence at this time indicates that this is part of a large scale operation.

This continued investigation may last several months

and property possibly will be seized.

Sheriff Keith McBrayer commented; “It is my opinion that Operation Bring Them In was a success as numerous felons were taken off of the street, not to mention the large amount of illegal drugs that would have found its way into our community.” Sherriff McBrayer added; “I am proud of the professionalism that these deputies exhibited during the operation and all returned to Headquarters safely.”

A Warrant Roundup led by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office led to the discovery of an estimated 2,000 pounds of marijuana compressed into bales with a street value of $5 million.

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