September 30, 2016
Board of
Commissioners
HCPD Lieutenant Receives Great Honor
Regular Meetings October 4 at 9:00 AM October 18 at 6:30 PM 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.
Henry County Police Department’s own Lieutenant Vance Rosen was recognized as part of Georgia Southern University’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2016. “Being named a member of the 2016 40 Under 40 class is a big deal to me. I met my wife at GSU and began my law enforcement career there. I had a wonderful experience and am proud to be a Georgia Southern Eagle,” stated Rosen. The Lieutenant attended Georgia Southern from 1995 to 1998 and earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 2009 after a lengthy hiatus, during which time he became employed by the Henry County Police Department (HCPD). Rosen started his career with the HCPD in 2002 as a Patrolman and served as a Detective, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, S.W.A.T. Team Sniper and Entry Team Member, Patrol Lieutenant, Detective Lieutenant, Training Division Commander Continued on page 2
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September 30, 2016 Special Olympics from page 1
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
and Special Operations Division Lieutenant. An award ceremony for the honorees was held September 17 at the university in Statesboro. Rosen received an award and had his long list of professional accomplishments read to the audience. “The County absolutely plays a part in any success I have enjoyed, because it and the Police Department specifically have afforded me opportunities to learn and grow in my craft. Henry County believed in me and invested in me,” stated Rosen. Rosen plans to attend the second banquet for the 40 Under 40 class with his wife in December. He commented that he considers himself very lucky, “Every day I get to come to a job I love and work with amazing people. I enjoy the support of the best Police Officers in the world.”
Newest Henry County Police Academy Graduates
Pictured (l. to r.) Camron Sanjar, John Freeman, Vincent Allen, Grant Palmer and Talia Pope.
We wish to honor our newest Police Academy Graduates of the Henry County Police Department. Five (5) new Officers have completed Basic Mandate Training at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center Forsyth and have begun the Field Training Officer program. Congratulations to Officers Camron Sanjar, John Freeman, Vincent K. Allen, Grant Palmer, and Talia Pope. Be Safe and Congratulations! henrycounty-ga.org
Black Pet Adoptions are Half Price on Fridays at Animal Care and Control You don’t have to wait until Thanksgiving to get Black Friday discount deals because every Friday at Henry County Animal Care and Control all solid black and mostly black dogs and cats are available for adoption at half the price! According to the Humane Society, 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are still euthanized each year in the United States due to the overpopulation of shelters. Mostly due to superstitious fiction, black animals are less likely to be adopted from shelters. But at the Animal Care and Control shelter, black beauties get their time to shine every Friday when their adoption fees get reduced from $65 to $35. You can save a life, save money and fight the cruel practice of puppy mills as well as help control pet overpopulation all by giving a physically and mentally healthy animal a forever home. Come see what Animal Care and Control has to offer and fall for your newest furry family member. All adoptable pets have been given the rabies vaccination
and a microchip, have been spayed or neutered and require an adoption fee of $65. For more information call 770-288-7387. The Henry County Animal Care and Control shelter is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. The shelter is located at 527 Hampton Street in McDonough.
Commissioners Approve Funds for Airport Expansion Plans The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved a budget transfer of $2,040,000 from the general fund to the Airport fund for land acquisition in preparation for the Phase II expansion of the Henry County Airport. The action came at a called meeting on September 22. The County will be reimbursed for 95 percent of the money with 90 percent coming from the federal government and five percent from the state of Georgia. The County’s portion based on acquiring the land at the appraised price will be $185,530. Formerly known as Tara Field and then Atlanta South Regional Airport, earlier this month the airport
name was officially changed through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to Henry County Airport, with the identifier HMP. In addition to the property acquisition, Phase II improvements to Henry County Airport will include the relocation of Mt. Pleasant Rd., runway safety area improvements with displaced threshold design. County Manager Lyndon Bonner clarified that if the funds were not approved, Henry County would have to abandon and forfeit current airport grants as well as have to repay $3.8 million that was received for the Phase I widening and extension.
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September 30, 2016 Tory Burch to Create More Than 150 Jobs in Henry County
Early voting for the November 8 General Election/Special Elections will begin October 17 at the following locations and times: Elections & Voter Registration Main Office: October 17th – 21st: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm October 22nd: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm October 24th – 28th: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm October 29th: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm October 30th: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm October 31st – November 4th : 7:00 am – 7:00 pm Merle Manders Conference Center: October 24th – 28th: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm October 29th: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm October 30th: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm October 31st – November 4th : 7:00 am – 7:00 pm Fairview Library: October 31st – November 4th: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm Fortson (Hampton) Library: October 31st – November 4th : 7:00 am – 7:00 pm Locust Grove Library: October 31st – November 4th : 7:00 am – 7:00 pm Polls will be open Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at your local precinct. For further information or to request an absentee ballot, call 770-288-6448. The Elections Office is located at 40 Atlanta Street in McDonough. henrycounty-ga.org
Nathan Deal today announced that Tory Burch LLC, a leading American lifestyle brand, will create more than 150 jobs and invest more than $60 million in a Henry County facility by 2020. The distribution center will support Tory Burch’s ecommerce business and is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2017. “Tory Burch’s decision to grow its business in Georgia is a reflection of our state providing industry leaders with the best resources to compete worldwide,” said Deal. “I have no doubt that our top-ranked business climate and cutting-edge technological capabilities will continue to attract top lifestyle brands like Tory Burch.” The newly created jobs will include positions in management, administration, transportation, order processing, packaging and shipping. Tory Burch will lease a building located in the Lambert Farms Logistics Park in McDonough. “We are pleased to be creating a new distribution center in Georgia,” said Roger Farah, coCEO of Tory Burch. “It will benefit our customers and our company as we continue to build our e-commerce business while also creating jobs at an important time for our country’s economy.” Tory Burch is headquartered in New York and has 180 boutiques worldwide, including locations in Los Angeles, Shanghai, Milan and Paris, as well as nine ecommerce sites in six languages. The collection includes ready-to-wear clothing, shoes, handbags, accessories, watches, home and beauty items. “Henry County is excited that Tory Burch has chosen McDonough to locate its new Southeastern logistics facility,” said Henry County Development Authority Executive Director Charles Moseley. “We look forward to our partnership with this outstanding company and to the jobs and investment they will bring Continued on page 6
Henry County Fire Department Rescues Dog from Forty Foot Open Well Firefighters rescued a beloved family dog that fell down a forty foot well Monday, September 26th, according to the Henry County Fire Department. The rescue took place in the area of Antioch Road off of Highway 81 in McDonough. Henry County Animal Control was dispatched to the scene to investigate and quickly realized that technical assistance was needed to extricate the dog safely from the well. An urgent call was placed to the fire department and additional
resources were quickly immobilized. Crews from Station ten, eleven, twelve and several members of Henry County’s Technical Rescue Team made their way to the scene. After determining
the scene was clear of any collapse hazards and hidden dangers; focus was turned to extrication efforts. Crews quickly erected a rope rescue system, including a tripod used for raising and lowering rescuers into confined spaces. The air quality in the well was tested and additional surface air was pumped into the confined space to aid in a safe rescue. The all clear was then given by command signaling the lowering of a single firefighter into the well. Forty feet below, contact was made with the dog and the journey to the surface began. After emerging from the well, crew members and witnesses were elated to discover the dog showed no signs of injury. Bama, as the yellow lab was known to family and friends, joyfully greeted each rescuer in turn. The Technical Rescue Team is designed to augment the response of the Henry County Fire Department. The team is a specially trained group of firefighters drawn from the ranks of the department. They have been trained in swift water, dive rescue and recovery, hazardous materials, and structural collapse. The team utilizes their extensive rope and rigging experience to rescue victims in ravines or other places inaccessible to fire service ladders. Deputy Chief Johnson stated, “We are proud of the hard work and dedication the men and women of the department demonstrate each day on the job. They train to make a difference regardless of what lives may be at risk.” To learn more about the work Henry County Firefighters do or to learn how to apply to join the Henry County Fire Department, please log on to www.henrycounty-ga.org/fire.
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September 30, 2016 The Henry County Development Authority Receives Digital Economic Development Certification Developing digital skills is becoming essential to the economic development profession as more and more economic development organizations are enhancing their online presence. Earlier this year, Leah Brown, Director of Existing Industry & Marketing with the Henry County Development Authority, enrolled in the Digital Economic Development University. She recently completed the training program earning her the Digital Economic Development Executive certification. The certification signifies that Brown has the core skills to compete in the digital world and is proficient in marketing, business development and research functionalities making her a “triple threat” in digital economic development. Charlie Moseley, Executive Director of the Henry County Development Authority stated, “Leah Brown is a standout employee for the Henry County Development Authority, and her certification as a Digital Economic Development Executive adds another tool to help HCDA compete in the evolving landscape of local economic development. We commend Leah
for completing this innovative program, and we look forward to continuing our emphasis on digital marketing efforts as a Certified Digital EDO.” Community Systems’ Digital Economic Development University is the first of its kind: A program specially designed to put the skills economic developers need to compete in today’s digital age at the lowest cost possible. In addition to her own personal certification in digital economic development marketing, research, and business development, Leah also completed the Certified Digital EDO track for the Henry County Development Authority (HCDA). Receiving the designation of Certified EDO signifies that HCDA has the skills to compete in the digital world. The mission of the Henry County Development Authority is to promote economic development in Henry County through the attraction of new investment and jobs and the retention and expansion of existing industries.
Tory Burch from page 4 to the community.” “We’re excited about the investment, job creation and continued partnership we are beginning with Tory Burch,” said Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Griff Lynch. “Georgia offers strategic logistical solutions to ensure consumers’ demands are met quickly and efficiently. Tory Burch’s decision to locate in Georgia validates our premier assets, and the Georgia Ports Authority is proud be a part of the value chain the state of Georgia provides.” Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) project manager Josh Stephens represented the Global Commerce Division in partnership with henrycounty-ga.org
the Georgia Ports Authority, the Henry County Development Authority, Georgia Power, Deloitte and Jones Lang LaSalle. “It is exciting to see leading brands like Tory Burch look to Georgia as an ideal location to better serve a growing customer base,” said GDEcD Commissioner Chris Carr. “This announcement is indicative of our pro-business environment, well-connected logistics infrastructure and collaborative statewide partnerships. We look forward to working with our cohorts in Henry County and at the Georgia Ports Authority to support Tory Burch in future growth.”
Fire Department Recruit Class 16-02 Graduates Into Service The Henry County Fire Department Recruit Class 16-02 was sworn into service at a graduation ceremony that took place on September 30 at 10 a.m. inside the Locust Grove Recreation Center. The graduates listened to their training officers, department officials and one of their recruit classmates speak during the ceremony about all the hard work they completed during their 16 weeks of training, as well as the dedication and sacrifice they will continue to experience throughout their time with the fire service. “This is a very honorable profession. You’re going to have good days. You’ll have bad days. Some days you’ll be bored; most days you won’t be. But, I want you to remember one thing, we’re public servants,” commented Fire Chief Nish Willis. “We’re here to make sure that someone’s worst day of their lives is made better by what you bring to the table; by what you’re going to do for them when you respond to them.” Following a slide show of pictures taken during their training and subsequent reflection of their efforts, the recruits took an oath of office lead by Chief Willis and were presented with their diplomas and helmets by the Fire Chief, Deputy Chief Brad Johnson and Division Chief of Training Ike McConnel. The iconic class flag, that all recruit classes embellish as a team during training, was presented during the initial presentation of colors and was later ceremoniously handed by the Division Chief of Training to the Deputy Fire Chief symbolizing the end of the recruits’ education and the beginning of their service. Succeeding the ceremony graduates Kaylee Chitwood, Cameron Falberg, Matthew Harris, Brandon Jagielski, Nicholas Martin, Joseph Phlegar, Jesse Rosenberg and Bryson Wood were able to spend time and take pictures with their proud loved ones during a small reception.
Recruit Leader Matthew Harris sharing his reflections on the graduates 16-week training during the ceremony.
Fire Chief Nish Willis (left) and Deputy Chief Brad Johnson (middle) presenting recruit Brandon Jagielski (right) with his diploma.
Fire Chief Nish Willis leading Recruit Class 16-02 in their oath of office.
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