December 21, 2018
Board of
Commissioners Regular Meetings Jan. 8th, 2019 9:00 a.m. (Note: Date change due to holiday) Jan. 22nd, 2019 6:30 p.m. (Note: Date change due to holiday) 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.
Newly-elected Commissioners Take Their Oaths of Office
Newly-elected commissioners wait to take their oaths of office at an inauguration ceremony held by the Henry County Board of Commissioners. Pictured from l. to r. District IV Commissioner Vivian Thomas, District V Commissioner Holmes, District III Commissioner Gary Barham, Superior Court Judge Holly Veal and Probate Court Judge Kelley Powell.
The Henry County Board of Commissioners held an inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, December 11 to swear-in recently elected Commission members Gary Barham for District 3, Vivian Thomas for District 4 and Bruce Holmes for District 5. The ceremony took place in the Community Room of the Henry County Administration Building and was followed by a reception in Conference Room B. Superior Court Judge Trea Pipkin, III served as Master of Ceremonies and Probate Court Judge Kelley Powell administered the Oaths of Office for Barham and Holmes. Superior Court Judge Holly Veal gave Thomas’ Oath of Office after a message of wisdom from Pastor Edward Lee of Shiloh Baptist Church. The Henry County Police Department Honor Guard did the Presentation of Colors and Helen Busbin, withof the Andrew McBride Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Thomas’ grandson Jayden Williams took part in the ceremony by introducing Dr. Lee, and EMA Director Don Ash offered the benediction. Continued on page 3
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December 21, 2018 Published by Henry County Communications & Public Information Department Henry County Government
Editor Melissa Robinson
Graphic Designer Meredith Butler
Layout Designer Melissa Robinson Meredith Butler
Contributors Melissa Robinson Erika Richards
HOLIDAY CLOSINGS: CHRISTMAS: The Henry County Administration Building, along with the Recycling Center and Courts, will be closed on Monday, December 24, 2018 and Tuesday, December 25, 2018 for the Christmas Holiday. All offices will reopen on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 at 8:00am. NEW YEAR’S: The following week, the Administration Building, along with the Recycling Center and Courts, will be closed Monday, December 31, 2018 and Tuesday, January 1, 2019 for New Year’s Eve/ Day. The offices will reopen on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at 8:00 a.m.
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Inauguration continued from page 1 While Barham and Holmes are both re-taking their district seats with several years of experience as commissioners individually, Thomas holds 20 years of experience in the political arena as well, bringing a wealth of knowledge to District IV and Henry County. Thomas’ expansive service to the community includes being a board member for M&M Hope House,
committee member of One Henry and volunteering with the Hank Stewart Foundation. The ceremony is available for viewing on Henry TV, Charter Cable channel 180 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 and on demand on Henry County’s website at henrycounty-ga.org under “Watch Henry TV Online.”
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December 21, 2018 General Mills and Blue Buffalo Choose Henry for New Facility The Henry County Development Authority announced today that General Mills, manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer foods, will invest $8.5 million in its new state-of-the-art distribution facility located on Westridge Parkway in McDonough, Georgia. The project will create more than 50 new jobs. General Mills, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, serves the world by making food people love. Following the company’s acquisition of Blue Buffalo Pet Products, Inc. earlier this year, they are also a leading manufacturer and marketer in the wholesome natural pet food category. The 408,000 sf McDonough facility will distribute the General Mills Blue Buffalo family of products throughout the Southeast. “Blue Buffalo is the #1 Wholesome Natural pet food brand in the U.S. and we are pleased to be expanding with the addition of the facility in McDonough,” said Billy Bishop, President of General Mills Pet Segment. “This facility will enable us to better serve consumers, pet parents and pets in the southeast with the BLUE brand of products.” “With the addition of Blue Buffalo to our community, Henry County has shown once again that we are a great place for business,” said June Wood, Chair of the Henry County Board of Commissioners. “We are thankful for the company’s investment and job creation. The County has outstanding food companies for people, and now we have the premier food company for pets.” “We are excited that General Mills and Blue
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Buffalo has selected Henry County for its new facility,” said David Gill, Chair of the Henry County Development Authority. “They are a great addition to the outstanding food related production and logistics operations in Henry County. We look forward to working with General Mills and Blue Buffalo to successfully grow in Henry County.”
About General Mills General Mills is a leading global food company that serves the world by making food people love. Its brands include Blue Buffalo, Cheerios, Annie’s, Yoplait, Nature Valley, Häagen-Dazs, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Old El Paso, Wanchai Ferry, Yoki, and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills generated fiscal 2018 consolidated net sales of US $15.7 billion, as well as another US $1.1 billion from its proportionate share of joint-venture net sales. For more information, visit www.GeneralMills.com.
About the Henry County Development Authority The Henry County Development Authority is the lead economic development agency for Henry County, Georgia. The Authority works to help retain local companies and to foster new relationships and opportunities with companies looking to relocate or grow their operations into Henry County. For more information, visit www.ChooseHenry. com. For more information on this announcement, contact Leah Brown at info@choosehenry.com or 770288-8000.
County Swears In New Fire Chief and Deputies
Henry County Fire Chief Luther Phillips took his oath of office along with Deputies Tom Gardner and Jonathan Burnette and Assistant Chief of Training Rodney Wiggins at a Swearing-In ceremony held on December 12 at the Henry County Administration Building. Phillips was administered an oath by County Manager Cheri Hobson-Matthews, surrounded by family members. He in turn administered oaths of office to Gardner, Burnette and Wiggins as their friends and family looked on. Both Hobson-Matthews and Deputy County Manager Brad Johnson addressed the crowd of supporters with inspirational words. After taking his oath, Phillips shared his sentiments on becoming Henry County’s fire chief. “I’m incredibly humbled by this opportunity to serve with the brave men and women of the fire department. We have here in this community such a spirit of family and support. The community supports us without fail and we strive every day to honor that and to make sure that we are doing the things we need to do to garner that support and show that we care and that they are a part of our family,” said Phillips. “You hear a lot in public safety or any business about providing customer service. We like to take the word customer out and insert the word family because that is what it is like for us.”
Phillips has been serving as the interim Fire Chief since March and brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He has been employed with the Henry County Fire Department for nearly 16 years, and during his tenure, he has served in various roles, including that of Firefighter/Paramedic, Lieutenant, Technical Rescue Lieutenant, Training Officer, Battalion Captain, and Battalion Chief. He served as the Assistant Chief of Training prior to his appointment as Interim Fire Chief. Phillips has been awarded numerous national and state certifications through the National Professional Qualifications system, such as Fire Instructor III, Fire Officer IV, Fire Investigator, and Hazardous Materials Technician, and he is a credentialed Chief Fire Officer through the GAFC. He is also a member of the Georgia Region IV EMS Council and is an active member of the Metro Atlanta Fire Chiefs Association, Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs. For more information about the Henry County Fire Department, please log on to henrycounty-ga. com/fire.
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December 21, 2018 Commissioner Holmes to Hold Power Breakfast and Health Fair
In his continuing efforts to promote good health and wellness among citizens, District V Commissioner Bruce Holmes will host a Health and Wellness Power Breakfast and Health Fair on January 12, 2019 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Hidden Valley Senior Center in Stockbridge. The event’s guest speakers are Dr. Gregory Daniel, CEO of Nidus who will give an update on the Fairview medical development; Dr. Victoria H. Thedford, MD; and LaTasha Lewis, exercise and fitness expert. Discussion topics will include exercise and healthy living, stress and disease management and specific tips on how to talk to your doctor and when to seek medical treatment. There will also be blood henrycounty-ga.org
pressure checks, diabetes screening and information on disease management, along with several other screenings and demonstrations. Holmes said he is excited to offer this free event to anyone who wants to make health and wellness a priority in their lives and believes that healthy communities are thriving communities. “In developing the Fairview Health and Wellness Corridor, we want to be cognizant of individuals seeking to reduce medical costs and hospital visits by providing practical information to promote wellness and stay healthy overall,” said Holmes. “I also want to thank Dr. Daniel and Fairview Urgent Care for fulfilling the need to educate our community and supporting Henry Continued on page 7
Swearing-in continued from page 5
Health & Wellness continued from page 6 County in keeping its residents healthy.� The Health and Wellness Power Breakfast is sponsored by Fairview Urgent Care, which will be providing a delicious and healthy breakfast at no cost. From children to seniors, all are welcome. For more information on this event, please
contact Doresha Banks at 888-478-0288 or email info@thesocialwellnessclub.com. For more information on Fairview Urgent Care, visit www.fairviewurgentcare.com. Hidden Valley Senior Center is located at 600 Spraggins Memorial Parkway, Stockbridge, GA 30281.
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December 21, 2018
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Celebrity Basketball Game Scores Another Success Celebrities and fans filled the bleachers at District II Commissioner Dee Clemmons’ Second Annual Celebrity Basketball Game on Saturday, December 8 at Dutchtown High School in Hampton. The event featured Warriors of the Concrete, the Flip City Flip Squad, and celebrity guests Wingo of Jagged Edge, YFN Lucci and Yung Joc, just to name a few. Attendees contributed to Henry County’s Christmas toy drive, providing gifts to underprivileged children this holiday season. Proceeds from the event
will go to local schools. Clemmons explained her purpose of giving back to the community and why it is important to her. “This time of the year can be especially tough for families and I am happy that I can help provide a special holiday for parents and their children with the Fill the Bus Celebrity Basketball Game event,” said Clemmons. “Giving back to the community is very important to me and the holiday season is the perfect time to do it.”
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December 21, 2018 Henry County EMA Holds Leadership Training Don Ash, Henry County’s EMA Director held a Community Leadership Training workshop for elected officials at the Henry County Emergency Operations Center in McDonough. Representatives from the city of McDonough, Hampton, Locust Grove, Stockbridge, Piedmont Henry Hospital and Henry County Board of Education learned about the roles and responsibilities of elected officials
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during an emergency. In times of emergencies, citizens can receive notifications through CodeRED, an application that sends out alerts when there are evacuation notices, utility outages, water main breaks, fire or floods, chemical spills or other crisis situations. For more information on CodeRed or Henry County’s EMA, visit henrycounty-ga.com/E911.
Commissioners Approve Legacy Project for A Friend’s House A Friend’s House will be getting a new transitional apartment on its property thanks to the Leadership Henry Class of 2019 and approval from the Henry County Board of Commissioners. The action came at the December 4 Commission meeting. Commissioners approved a resolution allowing the Leadership Henry class to fund and build a transitional apartment, utilizing several rooms within the existing building, to be used by children in foster care who are aging out of the foster care system, thus providing them with a home situation where they can learn life skills in order to be able to live independently. The apartment will serve up to four young adults to learn life skills for independent living, such as how to budget money, how to co-exist as a roommate, clean a house, cook, schedule work and school and learn
other necessary skills. A Friend’s House is a home for abused, neglected or abandoned children in crisis and operates as a home for children in the custody of the Department of Family and Children Services, serving children from Henry County and throughout the state of Georgia. Leadership Henry is a program under the Henry County Chamber of Commerce that encourages leadership development to prepare, involve and sustain leaders from diverse backgrounds who are committed to addressing community challenges and improving the quality of life in Henry County. Each class of Leadership Henry is required to complete a Legacy Project designed to make a lasting, positive impact in the community.
Members of Leadership Henry Class of 2019 thank Commissioners for support of their Legacy Project to benefit A Friend’s House.
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