Henry County Update - Newsletter

October 20, 2017

Board of

BOC Recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Commissioners Regular Meetings Nov. 7, 2017 9:00 AM Nov. 21, 2017 6:30 PM

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.

The Board of Commissioners designated the month of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a proclamation. The action came at the regular Commission meeting.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is recognized in Henry County to shed light on research, support prevention and early detection, support those who are affected and remember those who have been taken by this disease.

The proclamation read in part, “WHEREAS, During the month of October, we pause to reflect on those we have lost to this terrible disease and stand strong for those currently facing a breast cancer diagnosis, and we strengthen our resolve to do our part in supporting those affected…by raising awareness of breast cancer and supporting research, prevention and early detection, we will move closer to eradicating this disease.”

Many supporters in their pink, including the Ladies and Their Legacies organization came to accept the Breast Cancer Awareness proclamation.

For more information on Breast Cancer Awareness, please visit www. nationalbreastcancer.org/

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October 20, 2017 Published by Henry County Communications & Public Information Department Henry County Government

Editor Melissa Robinson

Graphic Designer Meredith Butler

Layout Designer Melissa Robinson Meredith Butler

Board Makes Appointment to Council on Aging

The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved the appointment of Thomas Crump Jr. as a District I representative to the Henry County Council on Aging. The action came at the regular Commission meeting.

The Council on Aging is comprised of 15 members, with three appointed from each district.

The Council on Aging support programs that serve Henry County senior citizens which include Meals on Wheels, nutrition supplements, in-home services, senior centers and volunteer activities.

For information on the Senior Services, please visit www.co.henry.ga.us/Departments/S-Z/SeniorServices.aspx.

Contributors Melissa Robinson Erika Richards Kevin Williams

Enjoy the City of Locust Grove’s Trunk or Treat and Haunted Hayride Event

Join the Henry County Planning and Zoning Department for trunk or treating and a spooky haunted hayride event at Locust Grove’s City Hall on Friday, October 27 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

In efforts to get as much participation and response from the community, the Planning and Zoning staff will be passing out flyers regarding the 2040 Imagine Henry Comprehensive Plan Update henrycounty-ga.org

during the fun filled Halloween event. Citizens will be able to fill out surveys and give feedback on what they would like to see in planning Henry County’s growth.

“We encourage citizens to participate in this Comprehensive Plan Update as it is shaping the direction in which Henry County is going,” said Juli Yoder, Planner I Specialist.

This Comprehensive Plan Update is a joint effort that includes the cities of McDonough, Locust Grove and Hampton.

Locust Grove’s City Hall is located at 3644 GA42 in Locust Grove.

For more information on the 2040 Imagine Henry Comprehensive Plan Update, please visit imaginehenry.weebly.com/

BOC Recognizes Retired Educators Day

The Henry County Board of Commissioners recognized Retired Educators Day at the October 18 Commission meeting with a proclamation. Retired Educators Day is celebrated on November 5 as way to honor the contributions of retired educators.

The Henry County Board of Commissioners recognized November 5, 2017 as Retired Educators Day at the October 17 Commission meeting.

Through the proclamation, Commissioners recognized the contributions of educators. The proclamation read in part, “WHEREAS, Retired educators influenced the lives of generations of young people, motivating and inspiring their students to use their innate talents and abilities to the fullest and to become responsible, contributing citizens…”

Henry County’s observance of Retired Educators Day coincides with the state of Georgia’s observance honoring retired teachers.

Henry County Water Authority Host River Cleanup Celebrating Statewide Rivers Alive Campaign

The Henry County Water Authority, along with the Henry County Stormwater Management Department are hosting the Henry County Rivers Alive river cleanup on Saturday, October 21 from 10 a.m. to noon.

The annual Rivers Alive campaign is a Georgia Environmental Protection Division Outreach program that brings awareness and creates involvement in the preservation of all waterways in the state, including creeks, streams, rivers, lakes, beaches and wetlands.

Javier Sayago, Henry County Stormwater Environmental Compliance Specialist, believes it is an essential task that the river cleanup occurs.

“Henry County Stormwater Management loves

keeping our Rivers Alive. The Tussahaw Reservoir is one of our sources of drinking water and we are always interested in keeping our water resources free of pollution and trash,” said Sayago.

Georgia’s waterways, which include more than 70,000 miles of streams and rivers, provide us with water for finished drinking water production, recreational opportunities like fishing and canoeing and natural resources that add to the quality of life and economic development.

The Rivers Alive event will meet at the intersection of Leguin Mill Road and Tussahaw Creek in Locust Grove.

For more information, contact Chris Wood at chris@jwapr.com.

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October 20, 2017 Building and Plan Review Receive Grant-Funded Training

The Henry County Building and Plan Review Department was selected to participate in a Residential Energy Code Field Study by the U.S. Department of Energy. The training took place at the County Adminsitration Building on October 12.

Department Director George Patterson said the training provided covered how to best help capture a home’s energy savings by increasing energy code compliance through a series of statewide education and outreach efforts to the building industry. The four topics covered in the training included permitting, lighting, installing insulation and duct sealing. Approximately 35 people attended the training, including Building department staff, the Henry County Facilities

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Maintenance Department staff and representatives from the city of McDonough Building Department.

Patterson said staff learned about new technologies for calculating the energy efficiency of homes, as it pertains to a variety of elements, including AC units, the types of insulation and even the types of attic doors utilized.

“The homeowner will really reap the benefits of this training because by utilizing these new technologies, they will see lower utility costs,� said Patterson.

Patterson said the training was provided through a grant from the state of Georgia.

Connecting Henry SWAG Program Receives $2,500 Grant from Heritage Community Foundation

The Heritage Community Foundation presented a grant for $2,500 to Susan Crumbley, Executive Director of Connecting Henry on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. This grant provides funding to support the organization’s program focused on assisting at-risk young adults with the skills and academic resources necessary to be successful in the workforce.

Connecting Henry’s SWAG (Students Working to Achieve Greatness) program serves Henry County residents aged 16-24 with free personalized GED classes and program services. Last year, the program helped 44 young adults earn their GED.

“This important program provides High School drop-outs the opportunity to further their education in a supportive environment,” said Mark Dose, Executive Director of the Heritage Community Foundation. “These young adults complete this program better prepared to succeed in the workforce because of the focus on job readiness, personal financial literacy, leadership and entrepreneurial development. These program components are all in addition to the GED preparation classes. We are pleased and proud to continue our partnership with Connecting Henry.”

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October 20, 2017 National Night Out Set for October 26

The Henry County Police Department, along with the Henry County Sheriff’s, Henry County Fire, and Henry County E-911 Departments are hosting the annual National Night Out event on Thursday, October 26 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Henry Town Center in McDonough.

Henry County’s National Night Out is a free event for the whole family where parents and kids alike will have an opportunity to meet and speak with various public safety professionals.

Attendees will enjoy free food, fun activities, trunk or treating, live music and a costume contest for the children.

Now in its 34th year, National Night Out is a unique crime and drug prevention event that involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials coming together in a show of solidarity against crime. The community event is observed in all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases.

National Night Out will take place in front of the Target Department Store located at 1850 Jonesboro Rd., in McDonough. The event is free and open to the public.

Families attended last year’s National Night Out Event and got a first-hand look of equipment, vehicles and much more.

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