TCT Progress Edition 2015

Progress Cherokee Tribune

2 015 Community // E

95.8

out of 100 Woodstock Fire Department earns highest ISO rating // 2E

Cherokee arts flourish // Page 7E

INSIDE Woofstock ready for paws

// 4E

2E

SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

COMMUNITY

PROGRESS

PUBLIC SAFETY

CHEROKEE

County receives ‘great’ ’14 rating in fire protection floored with the results.

“As chief, I’m always anxious and concerned Cherokee County awaiting ISO results received a “great” fire because of possibly protection rating in 2014, missing our goal and some expected to significantly expectations,” Prather lower insurance rates said. “This time, we were for homeowners and well past our goal which businesses. Cherokee is great news for our County’s score from the department and the citizens Insurance Services Office of Cherokee County.” dropped two full points, Fire department officials giving the department a ranking of 3, just two points credited Prather, Commission shy of the best Chairrating given, “This man a 1. news confirms the Buzz The dedication that this Ahrens, ISO rates fire department has County commto be the best it can Manager unities on be for the people that Jerry Cooper, how well we serve.

Cherokee they are E-911, the — Cherokee County Assistant protected Fire Chief Eddie county water from fire, Robinson department and focusing the fire department’s mainly on the ISO review team with the fire department, but success. also taking into account Cooper said the the 911 call center and county fire department is the water department, according to a news release. committed to “superior fire protection.

Insurance companies use “I am especially pleased communities’ ratings to that the high level of determine premium costs. service this county provides “Our score was a 79.04, has the potential to result in which means we missed a real savings for businesses rating of 2 by less than a in terms of lower insurance point,” explained Assistant premiums,” he Fire Chief Eddie added.

Robinson. “This The savings for news confirms the businesses could dedication that this be vital in bringing fire department has new industry to to be the best it can Cherokee, said be for the people Marshall Day, that we serve.” chairman of the According to Cherokee Office Robinson, the of Economic improved rating Tim Prather Development. means about $150 “Public safety in savings a year is crucial in the for a $150,000 recruitment of house, or $267 for a new industry $300,000 house. and the retention Fire Chief Tim and expansion Prather said the fire of existing department began industries,” working to improve Day said. “This the county’s ISO accomplishment of rating several Marshall Day lowering the fire years ago, under rating will not only help us the leadership of Chief in our business recruitment, Ray Gunnin, now a county but it will also save our commissioner. While existing industries on their Prather praised the work insurance.” of his team, he was also STAFF REPORTS

Woodstock Assistant Fire Chief Jimmy Eley, Mayor Donnie Henriques and Fire Chief Dave Soumas stand in front of the Woodstock fire station with a fire truck and an extended ladder on Feb. 3. Behind them stand the firefighters of the station: Lt. Chris Durden, Sgt. Todd Intermill, Capt.

Jackie Byers, Firefighter Trae Thomas, Firefighter Jason Cox, Firefighter Ben Reed and Firefighter Joey Byrd. / Staff-Kathyrn Ingall

Woodstock Fire Department earns the highest ISO rating

BY MICHELLE BABCOCK

mbabcock@cherokeetribune.com

The Woodstock Fire Department joined a unique group of fire departments nationwide in mid-January, after earning the highest possible public protection rating available in the U.S. The fire department’s Insurance Services Office rating was raised from 3 to 1 this year, making it one of only 101 fire departments in the country, one of only about seven in the state and the only department in the county to achieve the best possible score.

Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas said the upgraded ISO rating will mean savings for residents and businesses; the better a city’s rating, the lower fire insurance premiums are for a city.

Soumas said being only one of 101 departments in the entire country to receive an ISO score of 1 “is like winning a national championship” for Woodstock.

“I don’t know if it’s sunk in yet,” Soumas said moments after learning about the department’s new rating. “I’m just psyched.

I’m so proud of our team we’ve put together.”

The ISO rates communities on how well they are protected from fire, focusing mainly on the fire department, but also taking into account the 911 call center and the water sources, Soumas said, and insurance companies use communities’ ratings to determine premium costs.

With a total possible score of 100 points, the city

P U B L I C S A F E T Y

I S O

Above and below: Woodstock Fire and Rescue and Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services responded to the structure fire on Wiley Bridge Road on Jan. 29. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find a single-wide mobile home with about 50 percent of the structure on fire, reports showed.

Homeowner Jeremy Hawkins, 34, told firefighters he had placed a cigarette he thought was out into a garbage can, Cherokee Fire spokesperson Tim Cavender said at the time. / Special to the Tribune scored a 95.8. Anything over 90 points earns an ISO rating of 1.

In April, the new rating will take effect and residents can begin seeing the benefits.

According to the ISO, “Class 1 generally represents superior property fire protection, and Class 10 indicates that the area’s fire-suppression program doesn’t meet ISO’s minimum criteria.”

Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Marshal Jimmy Eley said he’s happy about the department’s rating because it reflects how safety is a priority in the community for both residents and firefighters.

Now, Eley said, the goal

is to keep the department’s top rating and continue to grow along with the city.

“The big thing is to keep pace with the city,” he said.

With the addition of the Ridgewalk Parkway exit in Woodstock, along with the new outlet mall, Soumas said part of Woodstock will probably continue developing quickly.

To keep up with increased population and

AT A GLANCE

♦ ISO is a leading source of information about risk. In the United States and around the world, ISO helps customers identify and mitigate risk. It provides comprehensive data, leading-edge analytics, and decision-support services to the federal government, municipal leaders, insurance industry regulators and public- and private-sector customers. ♦ ISO partners with municipal fire authorities, city managers, and other community officials to evaluate local fire-protection resources. With a staff of field representatives located strategically around the country, it has evaluated and continues to monitor more than 45,000 fire-protection areas in the United States. With the cooperation of local authorities, its representatives collect data on fire station locations, protection-area boundaries, emergency dispatch centers, fire department resources, and water-system capabilities. It currently has extensive information on more than 30,000 areas served by community water systems. ISO’s ongoing dialogue with community fire and water authorities keeps community-infrastructure information current. ♦ ISO provides reliable, up-to-date information about a community’s fire-protection services through the Public Protection Classification (PPC™) program. ISO’s PPC Service evaluates the capacity of the local fire department to respond to and fight structure fires. By evaluating a community’s ability to suppress fires, ISO provides crucial information for understanding risk associated with a specific property. *According to its website

additional business areas, Soumas said the city is looking to build a third fire station nearby, off Rope Mill Road.

With the property already in hand, the city went out to bid in January to find a designer to start planning the new building’s footprint. Soumas said he’s optimistic the new station will be up and running in 2016.

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COMMUNITY

PROGRESS

LAUREL CANYON

SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

3E

RECREATION

Parks bond improves facilities STAFF REPORTS The $90 million parks bond the voters approved in 2008 has greatly impacted the parks and recreation options for those who live and visit Cherokee County.

Progress was made on many park renovations projects in 2014, and plans for new recreational complexes were kickstarted.

The Cherokee Parks and Recreation Agency celebrated in January In September, Canton Fire Chief Dean Floyd, left, and city of Canton Fire Marshal Roger Bailey the completion of eight examine blueprints at the site of what will be the new Laurel Canyon Fire Station in the northern renovations made to part of the city. A worker from Weaver Grading waits behind them, seated in a bulldozer moving various parks around the community through a dirt so trucks can begin hauling it away. / Staff-file ribbon cutting.

At the recreation center in Woodstock, the interior and exterior received a makeover that improved the lobby area and restrooms. New playground equipment was installed and an outdoor restroom facility was added.

More than 1,500 acres were purchased with the In September, Weaver Grading Inc. parks bond and so far STAFF REPORTS began cutting the entrance to the site, two new county parks off Laurel Canyon Village Circle. Workers were constructed and two The city of Canton began prepping the in bulldozers moved dirt for the road so more — Veterans Park and site of the long-awaited fire station near trucks could begin hauling away Patriots Park — are set to Laurel Canyon in 2014. While the about 35,000 square yards of soil. be built. construction has not started on the Although the design and Other improvements new station, the land was cleared of construction phase for the new being made include the mounds of dirt. station was sent out to bid, the expansion of Kenney Canton leaders decided to haul city received two bids that vastly Askew Park with new off the dirt piled on the city-owned differed in price. The scope of baseball fields, new trails property, which sits next to Publix, work detailed in the proposal added to the Greentrails near the entrance of the sprawling, said the station would be a in Woodstock and the northern Canton neighborhood, 5,400-square-foot facility to be new J.B. Owens Park in instead of buying a new piece of built on a graded site.

Holly Springs. The city of land.

Gene Hobgood The next step is to possibly Ball Ground and Nelson The city began to ramp up the hire an architect to create the recently renovated their planning for the station in April, design then send it back out to bid for city parks. when Mayor Gene Hobgood charged City construction. To engage an architect to The other facelifts Manager Glen Cummins with identifying a made in the Cherokee piece of property and working out the other prepare a scope of services and detailed layout of the fire station could cost the city County Parks and details for the station. $40,000 to $50,000.

Recreation Agency The announcement came after years of The new fire station is scheduled to be that expanded in 2014 heated debate about how Canton should operational by July. included the baseball service the more far-flung areas of the city.

Prep work begins at fire station site

The $90 million parks bond the voters approved in 2008 has greatly impacted the parks and recreation options for those who live and visit Cherokee County. Above: Lee Mendelson, an employee with Mauldin and Cook Fence, creates a trap door in the foul ball netting over the walkways of the ball diamonds at Hobgood Park in March as community leaders, business owners and Cherokee County Parks and Recreation representatives gathered to rededicate the second phase of the facility designed for the youth in the area to play baseball and softball. / Staff-Kelly J. Huff complex improvements at Hobgood Park; new fields, concession stands, parking lot and a plaza area at Waleska Park; and concession stand renovations and ADA accessibility improvements to the sidewalks at Dwight Terry Park.

Barnett Park received a lot of work to improve storm water runoff that often led to one of the fields being flooded. The concession stand and restrooms received a facelift and an additional restroom facility was added to the park.

Lighting was installed at the fields at Sequoyah Park and a new pavilion was added to Weatherby Park. The improvements at J.J. Biello Park were also completed, which included resurfacing the tennis

courts, making ADA and spectator improvements, resolving stormwater issues and adding a new paved parking lot and gravel lot.

“That counts for 10 out of 18 park facilities that received some type of expansion or improvement under the parks bond.

These improvements don’t add up to the entire park bond total, but the impact is really big and it’s going to be felt for a long time,” Bryan Reynolds, Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency director, said at the January ribbon cutting. “If you go to one of these parks then those are the ones that matter. The little things we fixed were definitely big improvements.

Those renovations don’t cost a lot of money, but there was a lot of work

4E

Sunday, feb. 22, 2015

community

Progress woodstock

Woofstock Dog Park connects area trails

By Michelle Babcock mbabcock@cherokeetribune.com

People and pets who visit Woofstock Dog Park can now easily enjoy the Greenprints trail network that connects different areas of the city.

A brand new bridge and boardwalk were completed and opened to the public in early 2015, connecting the park to the Noonday Creek trail and the Town to Creek trail segments, which lead to Highway 92 and downtown Woodstock.

Parks and Recreation Director Preston Pooser said construction on the bridge and boardwalk began in the summer and wrapped up in early January.

The project, funded by the county parks bond, cost just under $500,000 to build.

Elected officials and parks and city officials were on hand for the ribboncutting in January.

Mayor Donnie Henriques was in attendance to cut the ribbon,

W O P F A S R T K O

C

with help from a few other elected officials. Cherokee County Commissioner Scott Gordon and City Councilman Bob Mueller also attended the ribboncutting.

With more than two miles of completed multi-use trails in the Greenprints system, as well as 10 miles of mountain biking trails at Rope Mill Park, Woodstock’s interconnectivity is improving because of the trail system.

The Noonday Creek trail follows the creek from Woofstock Park toward Highway 92, where it meets the Town to Creek trail segment.

The Town to Creek trail travels north from Highway 92 at Noonday Creek, ending in downtown Woodstock at the intersection of Market Street and Elm Street.

The Greenprints trail network is a long-term, 60mile trail project, aimed at creating a citywide system of multi-use trails.

At a glance ♦ Woofstock Dog Park is at 150 Dupree Road in Woodstock, 30188 ♦ Hours: 6:00am to 11:00pm daily ♦Amenities include: Large breed off leash area Small breed off leash area Fountains Benches Restroom facility Trail Head connection to Noonday Creek and Town to Creek Trails

I K N F *According to the city of Woodstock’s website O

Above: The new bridge is seen at Woofstock Park in Woodstock on Jan. 9.

The bridge and boardwalk were completed and opened to the public in early 2015, connecting the park to the Noonday Creek trail and the Town to Creek trail segments, which lead to Highway 92 and downtown Woodstock. Left: Woodstock resident Natalie de Forcade, left, Canton resident Stuart Thompson, and his dog, Sam, walk along the new path at Woofstock Park. / Staff-C.B. Schmelter

COMMUNITY

PROGRESS

CHEROKEE

5E

PUBLIC SAFETY

Marshal’s Office adds new hats, looks to relationships

Law enforcement officers participate in an Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training drill at the Jones Building downtown in August. /

SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

duty of the Marshal’s Office is to enforce the county ordinance, Hunton said his office only wants full compliance from With new leadership in place and a the people in Cherokee County. new attitude on display, the Cherokee “We want to work with the residents County Marshal’s Office has done away with common deputy hats and officers are and business owners because we’re here to help and provide a service. We’re not donning new head gear sure to set them here to write tickets,” Hunton said. “If apart from other agencies in the county. we can get true compliance, we’d Since Ron Hunton took his much rather have that.” position as Cherokee County The marshals are there to Chief Marshal in August, he has assist the Sheriff’s Office and made some changes, including be available to respond to calls.

Stetson hats being added to the However, the officers also help marshals’ uniforms, as well increase is heroin; heroin patrol area schools, parks and as working toward national use is sky rocketing, but provide more law enforcement accreditation and building meth is down,” Garrison visibility in the community, relationships with other agencies. said. “We have to work to Hunton said.

“Many times in departments reduce the heroin problem.

Another goal Hunton seeks when there’s a change, Ron Hunton The Cherokee Sheriff’s to achieve is for the office to administrators will try something Office also now is able become nationally accredited. The new, like change the color of the to administer naloxone, Marshal’s Office is one of three in cars. But I decided we would or Narcan — a drug able the state that is state certified. change our head gear from the to reverse the effects of “We are currently working traditional campaign hats that an opiate overdose. State toward becoming nationally deputies wear,” Hunton said. “The law allows Georgia law accredited with important marshals seemed to embrace the enforcement to carry milestones being reached to make idea of Stetson hats. We thought and use the drug and this goal a reality,” Hunton said. it would be a great way to set us allows residents to get a Because of the many branches apart from other agencies locally prescription for naloxone under the Marshal’s Office, as well as statewide.”

Sue Garcia to keep at home or on their Hunton relies on the departments’ The chief marshal oversees person. directors to also be leaders. the Emergency Communications Center Garrison pointed with He applauded Priscilla Bridges, E911 (E911), Code Enforcement, Animal pride to the agency’s Center director, and her staff for being Shelter and Animal Control. Under training center that opened one of the few nationally accredited Hunton, there are eight uniformed in 2013. emergency dispatch centers in the marshals, six animal control officers, “The Training Center about 48 employees in E911 and about 12 country. continues to grow and offer employees at the animal shelter.

“Director Bridges and her staff do more advanced training a tremendous job under oftentimes Hunton said he has made building for all law enforcement difficult circumstances, handling relationships and encouraging team work agencies in the region,” 911 responsibilities for the county’s his top priority.

Garrison said. “With state emergency services. She and her staff “Nothing has really changed, and federal agencies, as deserve a tremendous amount of credit,” we’ve just made an extra emphasis on well as a number of local Hunton said. team work. Not only are we working agencies using the center, He also thanked Animal Shelter together in the departments within the that is putting us on the map Marshal’s Office, but also with the Director Sue Garcia for her work when with law enforcement.” more than 300 animals were seized by other law enforcement agencies in the Chief Vic West retired in county,” Hunton said. “We are working authorities and brought to the shelter 2014 and Capt. Joe Perkins to build those relationships with the after they were found in what was called was named the agency chief city police, the Sheriff’s Office and the “deplorable conditions” by officials. deputy in December 2014.

“She and her staff were instrumental local government entities to create the Perkins has been with the in finding good homes for these animals atmosphere of team work.” agency since 1994 and that were victims of terrible treatment,” The team work mentality is also served as the training center something Hunton wants from the Hunton said. “She does a great job with director before becoming sometimes limited resources.” residents and business owners. Since the the chief deputy.

STAFF REPORTS

Staff-C.B. Schmelter

Sheriff’s Office reaccredited

BY REBECCA JOHNSTON rjohnston@cherokeetribune.com

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office continued to promote a standard of excellence in law enforcement, to emphasize training for officers and to work to keep crime down in the community in 2014 and moving into 2015.

“One of major accomplishments in 2014 was that we were reaccredited for the seventh time, that is 21 consecutive years,” Sheriff Roger Garrison said of his agency’s reaccreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

“This shows our long standing commitment to excellence. We are listed as the gold standard for law enforcement standards,” Garrison said. He said that accreditation is achieved by only about 3 percent of agencies nationwide.

Cherokee Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to 170,626 calls for service in Cherokee County in 2014, said Lt. Jay Baker, spokesperson for the law enforcement agency.

In 2014, 8,543 people were booked into the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center on Chattin

Drive in Canton. The jail serves the incarceration needs of all the municipal police departments in Cherokee county as well as the sheriff’s office, Baker said.

The Sheriff’s office has 419 total employees, with 144 working in the jail.

The jail budget was $11.6 million for the year.

There was only one homicide in Cherokee County in 2014, which occurred in the Dogwood Farms subdivision off Univeter road last May, Baker said, and the suspect in the case committed suicide. The Sheriff’s Office reported 308 burglaries, nine robberies and 11 rapes for the year.

“Obviously, we are fortunate to live in a great community where despite the changes, homicides remained at one for the year, and that has been the average for the last five or six years,” Garrison said.

“We have seen increases in other crimes, but in serious crimes against persons, we are not seeing increases.”

Garrison said that the use of methamphetamines was down in Cherokee County, but the use of heroin was a problem for the community.

“Cleary, the biggest

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6E

SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

COMMUNITY

PROGRESS

CANTON

MACEDONIA

Headway made on Veterans Park plans

Right: Construction continues on the amphitheater at Etowah River Park in June. Below: Construction continues on the park, which opened to residents on Jan. 26 after a few setbacks and delays in 2014. / Staff-

STAFF REPORTS

C.B. Schmelter

Etowah River Park opens

BY JESSICAH PETERS jpeters@cherokeetribune.com

A new recreation option in Canton is open for play and city leaders are excited to see it completed.

Etowah River Park opened its gates for Canton residents on Jan. 26 after a few setbacks and delays in 2014.

The park includes a playground and multipurpose fields, which will not be ready for team sports until the late spring.

The park sits on the Etowah River in the CantonCherokee Business and Industrial Park and has been in the making since 2008.

The park was funded by $3.1 million from the countywide parks bond. The city has also pitched in $709,313 including $291,000 for an amphitheater.

City Manager Glen Cummins said the park is now open from sunrise to sunset each day.

“We hope that by summer the fields will be ready for team sports,” he said. “This just expands the availability of recreational areas to the citizens of Canton. It will also bring in people from outside Canton who should add to the city’s economy.”

Councilman Hooky Huffman took the lead to see the project through, which included running into problems

with the floodplains on the property and issues with sod.

“We wanted more baseball fields and soccer fields, but you had to have a fence with a baseball field so we had to knock that out because of the floodplain there. We gave our money for that field to the park that’s being built on Univeter Road,” Huffman said.

But despite the few setbacks, Huffman said he’s excited to see the project come to an end.

“It’s a great feeling to say that you played a role in it.

I learned a lot about the construction and difficulties involved in developing a project,” Huffman said. “The gates are now open and everything is available except for team play on the field. If people want to run around and throw a Frisbee there, they can, but it’s not quite ready for an organized team practice or game.”

Huffman said the next step for the city to take involving Etowah River Park is hiring a parks and recreation director.

In November, Huffman requested Cummins create a job description for the position that would be responsible for managing the parks and scheduling teams at the city’s recreational fields. There are 12 total parks around the city.

Huffman said he expects to move forward with the discussion of creating the director position this month.

will be ADA accessible.

North of the open play area, the baseball complex will be developed. At least three 250foot fields will be constructed and two 350-foot fields will be provided for older players.

A small playground, restrooms and a concessions building also are planned to be built near the baseball complex.

In the southeast area of the 149-acre park, two tennis and pickleball areas are proposed.

Residents also requested a bocce ball and horse shoe playing field. On the east side, a youth activity area is planned.

There is the possibility to construct two half-courts for basketball and one full-sized court. Two sand volleyball courts and an extreme playground area for climbers is also in the master plan.

A 17,000-square-foot skate park facility was also included in the plans while leaving room for a future recreation center.

Patriot’s Park is also planned to be developed in the county’s near future. The park is located between Kellogg Creek and Victory Drive near Bells Ferry, on the far west side of Woodstock and was designed to include two multipurpose fields, two baseball fields and one handicapped-accessible baseball field for the Miracle League.

The design plans will merge the multiuse fields into one large meadow area. The total park project budget is $7 million, with $5.5 million being spent to build the three baseball fields at Patriot’s Park.

Commissioners decided in June to draw the $22.8 million remaining in bonds citizens voted for in 2008 and earmarked most of the money for Patriot’s Park.

Preliminary plans for a new community park in the Macedonia area have been made after the Cherokee County Parks and Recreation Agency held community input meetings in late 2014.

Veterans Park is a 149-acre park located off Cumming Highway.

The conceptual master plan was unveiled to residents in December after two community feedback meetings were held at Macedonia Elementary School.

The next step is to determine a budget and what elements of the park can meet that budget.

The proposed timeline for the park has construction beginning in summer 2015 and the park opening to the public in fall 2016.

The plan depicts the veterans’ memorial front and center as residents drive into the park.

Further into the complex, there will be three full-sized multipurpose fields to be used for lacrosse, soccer and football.

Near the multipurpose fields, an amenity center will be built with restrooms and concessions included, according to the plan. The field in the middle will be called the championship field for tournaments, then two practice fields with natural grass will be built in the north corner of the park.

On the west side of the park along Highway 20, an open play area will be developed, It will also feature a pavilion to accommodate large family gatherings and possibly be equipped with grills or a catering kitchen. Next to the open play area will be the largest community playground in the Cherokee County Recreation and Park Agency system that

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SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

7E

ENTERTAINMENT

State-of-the-art

The arts in Cherokee County continue to bloom and flourish, with three arts centers and a number of other venues growing and expanding with programs and events.

Cherokee offers everything from art classes and shows to theatrical productions and chamber groups

BY REBECCA JOHNSTON rjohnston@cherokeetribune.com

In Canton, the Cherokee Arts Center offers classes in visual and performing arts for adults and children, including in painting, drawing, photography, ceramics and fiber arts. Performing arts classes offered include Acting 101, musical theater and improvisation classes, said Mary Akers, executive director.

“In the theater we have performances by musicians, comedians, singers, storytellers and magicians.

Our first annual Variety Show took place in January to a sell-out crowd.

And Pat Tanner’s Gospel Fest is always a hit,” Akers said.

The Cherokee Arts Center Gallery offers work by artists from around the country. Recent shows included The Earth Diversity Show, Fiber Arts and More, and the Young Artist from the Cherokee County Board of Education.

“Also, our members have the opportunity to sell their work in a members show, which we offer twice a year. The North Georgia Art Ramble was hosted in our gallery in December. And we frequently host local artists, such as Thad Green, in a one man show,” she said.

Popular events at The Art Center include the Fire and Ice Ball, which Akers said was a huge success last year with support from local businesses, artists and authors.

The Canton Festival of the Arts, which takes place in the historic downtown loop, welcomes 10,000 visitors to the city each year. The Cherokee Arts Center hosts Camp Imagine during spring break as well as the summer sessions in June and July.

“We partner with Cherokee Day Training Center by offering art classes to adults with disabilities.

The Boys Scouts have had their Merit Badge Clinic here, and the Girl Scouts can also earn merit badges in the arts. Trayleetah Garden Club as well, as the Laurel Garden Club, have had meetings here, and they help to maintain our grounds,” Akers said.

In Woodstock, the Elm Street Cultural Art Center is busy raising funds for the historic Reeves House located at Market Street and Elm Street.

The Reeves House will be renovated into an art gallery, visual art instructional classes and space, studio space and culinary teaching space as part of the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village, she said in a release.

The Reeves House is more than 100 years old.

Elm Street is a nonprofit, housed in the City Center in downtown Woodstock.

Elm Street’s four-acre complex in the heart of downtown Woodstock will be a participatory cultural arts center, nestled within attractive gardens and green space, according to a release about the event.

The site will feature the century-old Reeves House restored as a visual arts center, a public event green, terraced gardens, health walk, history center and theater.

Gay Lora Grooms, founding artistic director of the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village, retired this year after 13 years leading the center in Woodstock. Grooms first opened the Towne Lake Arts Center off Bells Ferry Road in 2002 using her small personal savings to finance the organization.

Above: Boston Elementary’s Kiley Gillmon, 6, sketches some of the art on display during an elementary school art show at the Cherokee Arts Center in Canton in April. Left: Regan Bristol, playing Robert Jones in ‘Nosology,’ performs during the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village’s production of ‘The POE Project or Corn on the Macabre,’ at the Event Green in Woodstock in October. / Staff-C.B. Schmelter Towne Lake Arts Center eventually moved and became a part of the Arts Center in Woodstock, The Falany Performing Arts Center overlooks Lake Mullinex on the Reinhardt University campus in Waleska. With an impressive concert hall and a beautiful marble atrium, this concert venue is one of a kind. Since its first year in the per-

forming arts, guests have commented on their wonderful experiences with the convenient free parking, meet-and-greet with artists, and intimate performances, according to its website.

The Falany Performing Arts Center regularly hosts a variety of events, from theatrical productions, chamber groups, student productions

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and recitals, and popular ensembles such as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

The main attraction of this concert hall is its state-of-the-art acoustic and tunable stage. Known as one of the best concert halls in the Southeast, musicians, theater groups, and guest speakers have enjoyed the quality sound the concert hall provides.

8E ♦ SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 ♦ CT ♦ COMMUNITY

Progress Cherokee Tribune

2 015 Government // F

Cherokee Board of Commissioners say outlook for 2015 couldn’t be better // 2F

INSIDE

Mayor Hobgood says Canton bringing down its debt // 3F

2F

Sunday, feb. 22, 2015

government

Progress in review

Cherokee ‘keeping the momentum’ of success Looking over the past year, the county has focused on improving economic development and Chairman Buzz Ahrens says that momentum will continue into 2015.

The Cherokee Board of Commissioners are, bottom left: Ray Gunnin, Chairman L.B. Ahrens and Scott Gordon, top: Steve West and Brian Poole. The chairman noted that the companies moving into Cherokee are also wanting to expand. The Outlet Shoppes of Atlanta is home to 98 stores and takes up about 372,000 square feet of space at its location off Interstate 575 in Woodstock, and announced its plans in December to add 35,000 square feet to the front of the outlet mall. / Staff-Kathryn Ingall

Growth of businesses, school district achievements, public safety leaders drive county Jessicah Peters

jpeters@cherokeetribune.com

An impact can be seen as the Cherokee 75 Corporate Park, Outlet Shoppes of Atlanta in Woodstock and Cabela’s brought not only jobs, but also more visitors into Cherokee.

The chairman noted that the companies moving into Cherokee are also wanting to expand. The outlet mall is home to 98 stores and takes up about 372,000 square feet of space at its location off Interstate 575 in Woodstock. It also announced its plans in December to add 35,000 square feet to the front of the outlet mall.

Ahrens said the aquatic center has also played a role in not only generating more revenue for the county, but also making Cherokee a destination.

“We’ve got to keep the momentum on economic development. Once people see the actually construction of the hospital in Canton, that will again bring more attention because there will be an expectation and a huge economic impact. Not only for the medical site, but the business that will go with it,” Ahrens said.

But it’s not just new business driving Cherokee’s success.

Ahrens commended the Cherokee County School District for continuing to achieve high test scores, and the public safety leaders for their success with the new training facilities.

“With the additional training facilities at the Sheriff’s Office and fire, we’ve improved our public safety. The benefit of our fire training facility is that we lowered our ISO from a 5 to a 3 and only missed a 2 rating by one point,” Ahrens said. “We also made some organizational changes in the Marshal’s Office.”

In July, Cherokee Sheriff’s Office Lt. Col. Ron Hunton was named the county’s new chief marshal. In Hunton’s new role, he oversees the Emergency Communications Center (E911), Code Enforcement,

Animal Shelter and Animal Control.

Ahrens said the county made progress during the budget season by meeting the budget, and also building up the reserves.

One of the changes made to the budget was funding for the expansion of Cherokee County Regional Airport’s runway expected to move forward in 2015.

Through SPLOST funding, about $4.8 million will be used for the airport taxiway project, maintenance improvements and the private hangar site development projects. The county received a $750,000 federal grant that will help offset some costs for the projects.

Ahrens said the airport sees about 500 visitors a month and more corporate jets are being based there.

Whether it is new stores such as Cabela’s opening or improved test scores at the local schools, Ahrens

said Cherokee County has a steady path for the future.

“We have a solid and steady course, and it’s relevant to what the residents’ expectations are for the future,” he said.

At the end of 2014, a shift in leadership was announced as two new commissioners were elected.

Voters selected Steve West as the new District 1 commissioner to replace 14-year Commissioner Harry Johnston during the May primary election. Former Woodstock Planning Commissioner Scott Gordon defeated his opponent in the July run off to replace retiring Jason Nelms as the District 4 commissioner.

The new commissioners were sworn into office in December and were seated in January. Both will play a vital role in keeping the positive momentum in the county as decisions are put before them.

Above left: Cherokee County Probate Judge B. Keith Wood, right, reaches out to shake hands with Ron Hunton after administering the oath of office to him as chief marshal and agency director of the Cherokee County Marshal’s office. Next to Hunton is his wife, Wanda, who was on hand to witness the ceremony in Wood’s courtroom in August. In Hunton’s new role, he oversees the Emergency Communications Center (E911), Code Enforcement, Animal Shelter and Animal Control. Above: Shoppers make their way to the stores at The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta on Nov. 28 for Black Friday shopping. / Staff-C.B. Schmelter/file

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GOVERNMENT

PROGRESS

SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

CANTON

‘THE TOWN IS LOOKING BETTER’ At a glance back at the last year, the city of Canton has made positive strides in improving the quality of life for residents, drawing in new development and lowering the debt, Mayor Gene Hobgood said.

Canton Mayor Gene Hobgood stands with City Manager Glen Cummins in front of Canton City Hall. / Staff-Kathryn Ingall

Canton’s year in review shows fiscal responsibility, enhanced quality of life

O

JESSICAH PETERS

jpeters@cherokeetribune.com

verall, the city has worked hard to reduce its debt continuously over the last seven years, even during the down turn of the economy, Hobgood said.

“We’re down to about $36 million from our $62 million long-term debt,” Hobgood said. “I think this is really significant because it has occurred during difficult economic times. In almost every category of our revenue, there is an incline.”

When it came to the budget process, Canton officials were able to agree a rollback to 6.196 mils was achievable for the fiscal year 2015. In order to have a rollback, the city used about $1 million from reserve funds and another $75,000 from the unassigned fund balance.

Hobgood said the city received a two point increase to its bond rating this year for their efforts in being fiscal responsible.

A spike in economic development is also an indicator that the city is progressing in the right direction. The mayor said construction of the new Northside hospital will begin soon since the city’s planning staff is reviewing the plans now.

“This is a really big facility that will continue to move forward this year and into the next,” he said. “We’ve got a pretty decent climate for moving forward. We have a lot of quality of life indicators such as a low crime rate, high education and how we treat those less fortunate in our community and all of those are showing our improvements made over the years.”

As the city entered 2015, the Canton Police Department saw a shift in leadership as Chief Robert Merchant retired and Assistant Chief Mark Mitchell was named as his replacement. The Assistant Chief Steve Merrifield, a 30-year veteran with Cobb County Police Department, was also named in January.

The city made strides to complete road projects including the repaving of downtown’s East Street and North Street from the split of Highway 20 to the historic white marble courthouse.

“The town is looking better,” Hobgood said. “North Street looked “North vacant two years ago, and now it Street looked vacant looks like someone lives there. There’s two years ago, and now uniform facades and it really takes on a it looks like someone lives nicer appearance.” there. There’s uniform fa The city also completed a streetscape project on Marietta Road and near City cades and it really takes on Hall with the Main Street Pedestrian a nicer appearance.”

Connector Project. The project installed new curbs, gutters, storm drains, handicapped— Mayor Gene Hobgood accessible sidewalks and other improvements between the road’s intersections with Morris Hill Road and Dr. John T. Pettit Street.

As the mayor looks toward into 2015, he said there’s still work to be done.

“There’s got to be a continuation of what we started. We have some planning projects we’ve approved, but we still need to find the funding for it. Our first step is to create a downtown plan and discover how we want our city to ultimately look,” Hobgood said. “One area we’ve been struggling that I hope to see improve is our customer service. I think serving our community is the major portion of what we do. And hopefully, we’ll continue to do that.”

CANTON FIRST FRIDAY March 6 Rock and Roar into Spring April 3 Denim Days May 1 Dancing in the Streets featuring The Geeks June 5 Bike Night featuring No Sweat July 4 (Saturday) Fourth of July featguring A1A, The Official Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band August 7 Through the Decades featuring First Generation Band September 4 Cherokee High Alumni Night October 2 Wine Into Winter Art & Wine Walk

6-9pm Downtown Canton Food • Shopping • Music Free and Fun for the Whole Family

3F

4F

SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

GOVERNMENT

PROGRESS HOLLY SPRINGS

Parks, infrastructure improve City of Holly Springs Mayor Tim Downing says two things come to his mind when talking about the progress made in 2014: parks and downtown infrastructure.

C

BY JESSICAH PETERS

jpeters@cherokeetribune.com

onstruction on J.B. Owens Park kicked off in May after the city approved a $1.15 million proposal from BM&K Construction Inc. to build the park on Hickory Road.

The 33-acre park will feature a playground, a pavilion for public use, natural and concrete trails and an open play field. The council voted in 2013 to name the 33-acre park near the Harmony on the Lakes subdivision after the late James Baxter “J.B.” Owens, the last agent at the historic Holly Springs Train Depot.

The site has been cleared and construction has started on the restroom facility, pavilions and playground area. It is planned to be open to residents for use by summer.

“We were able to go out to bid and start on construction this year,” Downing said. “The county has a solid parks and recreation foundation. We want to provide park services to the county residents as well, but we also want to be smart and look at what recreation options are already being offered and then provide a positive park that would complement the county parks.”

Another community park is planned after the City Council approved in November to purchase 58.35 acres of the Cagle property on Stringer Road.

Downing said it’s a long-term plan to ensure that Holly Springs residents will have access to parks that are active and passive.

“We will look to get that property paid off then in the next four or five years once that’s accomplished we can begin to look at ideas to how to use that property with respect to recreational options,” he said.

In looking at other areas the city has made strides to improve,

Downing said the partnership with the Cherokee County Water and Sewer Authority to improve the sewer sanitary project for downtown, which will start this year, is another milestone.

The City Council awarded the project to Mid-South Builders Inc. for $1.5 million in October for the construction of a new sanitary sewer main and sewer lift station.

The city is funding $750,000 while the authority will fund the remaining balance.

“It is a progression toward our long-term goal of revitalizing our downtown,” Downing said.

The mayor said the city has done a great job to manage the money received by taxpayers and was able to lower the millage rate again.

“It’s good to reflect back on the last seven years and see how far we’ve come. We saw the hardest economic times since Great Depression and we were able to go through it without cutting services, furlough employees or raise taxes,” Downing said. “We really have tightened our belts and have been conservative, and that’s what our taxpayers demand of our community leaders.”

Holly Springs Mayor Tim Downing and City Manager Rob Logan pose in the Holly Springs municipal courtroom. / Staff-Kathryn Ingall

Government

Progress

sunday, feb. 22, 2015

5F

Woodstock

Mayor proud, but not satisfied

T

Michelle Babcock

mbabcock@cherokeetribune.com

he city of Woodstock saw many successes in 2014, and looking forward into 2015, Mayor Donnie Henriques said the city can always be improved.

In his State of the City address given in early 2015, Henriques said “2014 was just as successful as 2013,” with many local, state and national recognitions bestowed on the city.

“I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish as a team,” Henriques said, adding there was always more to be done to improve the city. “Are we proud? Yes. Are we satisfied? No.” Looking back on the past 12 months, one of the greatest accomplishments was seeing the Woodstock Fire Department earn an ISO rating of 1 — the highest possible safety score — becoming the seventh fire department in the state and the 101st department in the nation to receive the high safety rating.

The upgraded rating, which takes effect in April, will mean savings for residents and businesses because the better a city’s rating, the lower fire insurance premiums are for a city.

The ISO rates communities on how well they are protected from fire, focusing mainly on the fire department, but also taking into account the 911 call center and the water sources, and insurance companies use communities’ ratings to determine premium costs.

Henriques also commended the city’s finance department for achieving the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 20th year.

The city also saw healthy residential and commercial growth, Henriques said.

Woodstock saw 280 new single family homes constructed in 2014, and work has begun at the old Wal-Mart site on Highway 92 to make room for a Sam’s Club store, he said.

In the downtown area, 31 new businesses were welcomed, bringing more than 100 new jobs, Henriques said.

Dozens of new homes were built downtown, Henriques said, and more than 900 volunteer hours were donated to the city through the Main Street Program.

Public safety was also busy in 2014, Henriques said.

The fire department responded to more than 4,600 calls for service and averaged 352 training hours per employee, the mayor said.

The fire department also got a new fire engine and

Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques and city manager Jeffrey Moon talk about the future of Woodstock. / Staff-Kathryn Ingall ordered a new fire truck, he said. Land was also secured as the future site for a third fire station in the city, the mayor added.

The Woodstock Police Department was busy in 2014, with more than 41,000 calls for service. The police department conducted more than 2,080 foot patrols and more than 180 bike patrols during the year, Henriques said.

The Woodstock Public Safety Academy was also busy last year, educating 55 community members about law enforcement and safety.

Woodstock police officers were credited with saving the lives of five people, suffering from opiate drug overdoses.

Officers used Narcan, an opiate overdose reversal medication, to temporarily reverse the symptoms of patients’ overdoses, until they could be transported for further care.

For Part I crimes, which include murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and auto theft, the city of Woodstock had higher rates for solving all crimes compared to the national average.

All except one Part I crime saw decreases over time since 2010, with larceny/other showing an increase from 444 cases in 2013 to 504 in 2014, a 14 percent increase.

Woodstock’s parks saw continued success in 2014, Henriques said. The city’s dog park, Woofstock Park,

“continues to be one of our most popular” parks in the city, Henriques said, seeing an average of a hundred visitors each day.

The city is also in the middle of a project to improve the Highway 92 corridor.

Woodstock was awarded a Livable Centers Initiative grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission, which will provide the funding to help improve the Highway 92 Corridor east of Interstate 575.

Focusing on aesthetics, walkability and connectivity, city planners have been working with the community to create and implement a unified vision to better the community.

Despite the many successes in 2014, Henriques said the city also saw a tremendous loss in the death of Ward 6 Councilwoman Tessa Basford.

“Tessa was unlike any other council member I’ve worked with,” he said. “She is greatly missed.”

New Ward 6 Councilman Rob Usher was sworn in early this year to fill Basford’s seat, which had been vacant since October.

Looking forward, Henriques was confident the city would continue to improve, with multiple projects in the works.

From plans to build a new fire station, to the continued expansion of community trails and work to improve the Highway 92 corridor, the future for Woodstock is bright.

6F

SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

GOVERNMENT

PROGRESS IN REVIEW

Ball Ground celebrates Main Street designation

BY MICHELLE BABCOCK mbabcock@cherokeetribune.com

With 2015 underway, Ball Ground Mayor Rick Roberts and the City Council members are leading the city into what is expected to be a great year.

To start off the year, in January the city was recognized at the Annual Georgia Main Street Luncheon as one of 17 communities that are graduating from the Georgia Main Street Start-up Program in 2015, to receive the national designation of a Classic Main Street Community.

“Ball Ground’s participation in this Main Street program is critical to our downtown redevelopment efforts.

Completing this startup program in just over a year is not an easy task and is a huge step to restoring our historic downtown to an activity center all residents can support and enjoy,” Roberts said.

Roberts said he wanted to plan some “council field trips” to visit other successful downtowns, to continue to find inspiration for improving the area.

The mayor said he thought the master plan for the city needed to be updated to address the changing landscape, and the city council members agreed to look at updating it this year.

Looking back at 2014, the city of Ball Ground also had many successes.

One of the many things Ball Ground residents can be proud of is that the city was given an unqualified, or “clean opinion,” for the past fiscal year by independent auditors at Mauldin & Jenkins LLC, which means auditors found the city’s financial records to be fairly presented.

Auditor James Bence praised city officials for their work to prepare financial records for the annual audit.

Not only did the city receive a clean opinion in the annual audit, but the mayor and city council also managed to decrease the city tax rate The Ball Ground City Council unanimously voted in 2014 to roll back the city’s millage rate from 6 to 5.375 mills, representing a 4.4 percent tax decrease for city taxpayers.

City Manager Eric Wilmarth said the new millage rate for property tax is “a quarter-of-amill lower than revenue neutral.”

M A I N S T R E E T P R O G R A M

M A I N S T R E E T I N I T I A T I V E

G E O R G I A

AT A GLANCE

♦ The Georgia Main Street Program began in 1980 as one of the original pilot state coordinating programs of the National Main Street Initiative launched by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The program launched with five local communities and has grown to serve 96 communities statewide. Georgia Main Streets represent some of the strongest central business districts in the state and in the Southeast. Since it started, the designated community programs have been instrumental in leading the state in historic preservation, small business development, expansion of the state’s employment base, leveraging private investment, increasing tourism and providing a positive road map for public-private partnerships. Housed in the Office of Downtown Development at the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), Main Street is a signature program for community development and revitalization in Georgia’s historic downtowns.

*According to its website

N AT A GLANCE A ♦ The National Main Street Center is a naT tional organization committed to historic community revitalizaI preservation-based tion. Through education, outreach, handsO on training, online resources, facilitating and conferences, we inspire N connections and enable leaders across the country to A build strong communities. For the past 34 the National Main Street Center has L years, equipped more than 2,000 communities with an organizing framework to preserve and revitalize their traditional downtowns and commercial districts.

By using the Main Street Four Point Approach®, the affiliated Main Street organizations that make up the Main Street Network have rehabbed more than 246,000 buildings, produced $59.6 billion in investment, and created 502,728 jobs, (see more on our reinvestment statistics).

Building on this successful foundation, the National Main Street Center is committed to expanding the impact of the Main Street program by providing a new generation of research and resources to existing Main Street programs and extending our reach to other commercial districts that are not yet part of the Main Street Network. *According to its website

During the last five years, the city of Ball Ground has seen a tax reduction of more than 19 percent, Wilmarth said.

The city also made

several improvements to area parks and roads, and purchased some new equipment for the public works and public safety departments.

Wilmarth, standing, and Roberts in City Hall. One of the many things Ball Ground residents can be proud of is that the city was given an unqualified, or “clean opinion,” for the past fiscal year by independent auditors at Mauldin & Jenkins LLC, which means auditors found the city’s financial records to be fairly presented. Auditor James Bence praised city officials for their work to prepare financial records for the annual audit. Not only did the city receive a clean opinion in the annual audit, but the mayor and city council also managed to decrease the city tax rate. The Ball Ground City Council unanimously voted in 2014 to roll back the city’s millage rate from 6 to 5.375 mills, representing a 4.4 percent tax decrease for city taxpayers. During the last five years, the city of Ball Ground has seen a tax reduction of more than 19 percent, Wilmarth said.

Ball Ground Mayor Rick Roberts and City Manager Eric Wilmarth stand outside Ball Gound’s City Hall on Feb. 6. To start off the year, in January, the city was recognized at the Annual Georgia Main Street Luncheon as one of 17 communities that are graduating from the Georgia Main Street Start-up Program in 2015, to receive the national designation of a Classic Main Street Community.

Looking back at 2014, the city of Ball Ground also had many successes. / Staff-Kathryn Ingall

GOVERNMENT

PROGRESS

IN REVIEW

Waleska Mayor Doris Jones sits while city clerk Aimee Abernathy stands behind her at the Waleska city hall Feb. 4. From repairs made to roads and sidewalks, to continuing community programs, the city of Waleska had a successful year, said Jones.

One of the things Jones said residents can be proud of is the city’s outstanding sanitation program, which is ‘improving as we go forward.’ / Staff-Kathryn Ingall

Waleska reflects on a successful 2014

BY MICHELLE BABCOCK mbabcock@cherokeetribune.com

Looking back over the past year, the city of Waleska has many things to be proud about.

From repairs made to roads and sidewalks, to continuing community programs, the city of Waleska had a successful year, said Mayor Doris Jones.

One of the things Jones said residents can be proud of is the city’s outstanding sanitation program, which is “improving as we go forward.”

Part of the city’s sanitation program provides for free recycling, maintained by City Hall, for residents in Lake Arrowhead and surrounding areas.

In 2014, the city of Waleska was also a winner in the countywide Mayor’s Recycling Challenge.

The challenge is put on by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Going Green, and is meant

Right: Students at Reinhardt University collected cardboard boxes in March for a project to promote the green program and recycling efforts on campus and created a fort. Inside the fort is Reinhardt student Jasmine Students, an interdisciplinary studies major. Below: Levi Wimpey, 10, tries a sample at the Southern Butterflies tent at the Waleska Farmers Market, hosted at the North Cherokee Church of Christ, in June. / Stafffile/C. B. Schmelter

to encourage Cherokee County residents to recycle during the months of June and July.

For the third consecutive year, Waleska took first place in the challenge for pounds collected per capita, with 138.4 pounds collected per resident.

Moving forward, the city’s future also looks bright.

With plans to install new streetlights on Reinhardt College Parkway in March, the downtown Waleska area will soon be a bit brighter.

“We think the streetlights will be added attraction to our city as well as being very useful,” Jones said.

The city also welcomed a new representative on the Cherokee County Planning Commission.

Ken White, who lives in the Lake Arrowhead community, will represent Waleska on the commission, replacing longtime member Betty

Callahan.

“We thank Betty Callahan for her services in the past and wish her well in the future,” Jones said.

For 2015, Jones said the city will continue to provide its monthly newsletter to residents, providing an update on what’s happening at city council meetings.

“This is one of the most positive things we have been able to achieve with the assistance of our City Hall personnel,” Jones said. “A lot of our citizens are unable to attend the meetings.

However, they have stated to me that they feel well connected to the city through this newsletter.”

As 2015 progresses, Jones said the city council will continue to look at upgrades to the city like adding sidewalks where they are needed, and continuing to upgrade the city’s water system and make changes when necessary.

SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

7F

8F

SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

GOVERNMENT

PROGRESS 2015 GOALS

Nelson welcomes new council members JESSICAH PETERS jpeters@cherokeetribune.com

We’re

The Cherokee-Pickens continuing to town of Nelson welcomed work on our community two new City Council members as they moved center and complete into 2015. With a full that this year. We do have five-member council seated, the city is focused to continue to work on our on moving forward in a roads and we need to look progressive direction. at purchasing a new mower.

“We’ve got a cooperative group now, But I feel like we’re in pretty and now everyone is good shape and we’re all working for the good of working together to imthe city,” Mayor Larry Ray said. prove Nelson.

In November, voters — Mayor Larry Ray chose Michael Haviland and Tina Monaghan as the School Street city’s two new council and put a roads in Nelson, members to join Thad new roof on Ray said improvements Thacker, Jackie Jarrett it. We still have some were made through and Martha Tipton in rem-odeling to the Local Maintenance representing the do, but it’s stable Improvement Grant from town. now and we’re the Georgia Department Over the going to turn it of Transportation. last year, Ray into a center our “We repaved Martin has become the residents can Street that was in really peacemaker to use,” he said. bad repair. So, now we’re the past political Through the in good shape. We’ve turmoil. Shortly $90 million parks also got a new program after he was sworn bond Cherokee starting to seal the cracks into office in voters approved in the roads and we’re 2014, Police Chief Michael in 2008, Nelson actively pursuing funding Jimmy Koury was Haviland was able to begin for that,” he said. hired to manage renovations to its Nelson was able to the town’s two park. purchase a new backhoe square miles “We’re for its roads department of about 1,600 working on it and improve its drainage people. every day to try problems that had not Nelson also to make it better. been addressed in years. transitioned We’ve extended Ray said in 2015 the to restore the walking trails city will focus its attention the mayor’s in that area and to keeping up the progress authorities of almost doubled made last year. hiring, firing and “We’re continuing to budget preparation Tina Monaghan the length. We’ve restored some work on our community in June after City center and complete that Manager Brandy Edwards rough areas by adding this year. We do have resigned in April. Ray has more woodchips to give our residents a really to continue to work on taken on the role as city nice, safe area to walk,” our roads and we need manager along with his Ray said. to look at purchasing a mayoral duties.

The community also new mower. But I feel Ray said the city has re-opened its basketball like we’re in pretty focused on improving courts so that children good shape and we’re recreation and its and adults can utilize all working together to roadways. them at any time. improve Nelson,” Ray “We pur-chased the When it comes to said. comm-unity center on

Nelson mayor Larry Ray, seated, and City Clerk Erica Jones are seen in the city council’s meeting room February 6. The Cherokee-Pickens town of Nelson welcomed two new City Council members as they moved into 2015. With a full five-member council seated, the city is focused on moving forward in a progressive direction. In November, voters chose Michael Haviland and Tina Monaghan as the city’s two new council members to join Thad Thacker, Jackie Jarrett and Martha Tipton in representing the town. / Staff-Kathryn Ingall

Progress Cherokee Tribune

2 015 Health & Business // G

Construction underway for new $250 million Northside Hospital // 2G

INSIDE

Cherokee 75 Corporate Park brings 9 corporations to county in first 2 months of 2015

Business

SPOTLIGHT

// 4G

WellStar CEO says key to success is caring about people // 7G

Cabela’s hits the

Target 3G

2G

SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

HEALTH/BUSINESS

PROGRESS

HEALTH CARE

CHEROKEE

Chamber celebrates success

BY MICHELLE BABCOCK

mbabcock@cherokeetribune.com

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce saw many successes in 2014.

Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 Chairman Lewis Cline explained some of the many accomplishments of the chamber during its annual banquet.

With a year-end membership of 916, the Chamber of Commerce gained 140 new members in 2014, Cline said.

Last year, the Chamber Construction crews prepare for the parking deck at the site of the new Northside Cherokee Hospital. The new facility hosted 57 ribbon-cuttings will open in early 2017 with six floors, over 400,000 square feet, a distinct women’s center, a multi-specialty medical and two groundbreakings, office building and surgical center and about 1,200 parking spaces. / Staff-Kathryn Ingall and hosted 48 networking events with 4,700 attendees.

The chamber’s online activity and popularity also grew.

The Chamber of Commerce had 35,521 website visits recorded and 98,303 page views, with 61 percent of those being firsttime visitors to the website, Cline said.

The chamber also held 14 workshops with 169 as the Chamber, county and local

BY REBECCA JOHNSTON attendees, and saw 19 governments, Senior Centers, CASA and rjohnston@cherokeetribune.com people graduate from the March of Dimes, along with many, many 26th Leadership Cherokee others, she said.

The health of Northside Hospital“These partnerships have helped shaped class, adding to the total of Cherokee is extremely good, as the needs of our future in healthcare here in 534 alumni. construction on a new $250 million The chamber had 91 hospital in Canton moves forward in 2015. Cherokee County and we hope to continue companies that were The new facility will open in early 2017 to expand upon them,” Stanley said.

The new hospital is just part of the good members of the Drugs with six floors, over 400,000 square feet, a Don’t Work program, news for the local healthcare provider. distinct women’s center, a multi-specialty which amounted to 3,413 “At Northside Hospital Cherokee, we medical office building and surgical center have had a very big year,” Stanley told the employees trained. and about 1,200 parking spaces.

The annual Jingle Bell Chamber of Commerce in January. “We The hospital will be visible from Shop saw more than 900 continue to grow and add services so that Interstate 575 and a recently released holiday shoppers, and the our residents can have the continuity of rendering of the facility shows it as it will Chamber of Commerce’s service in patient care that we are known be seen from the expressway.

Business Showcase had for without having to leave the county.”

“As we move to 2015, we will all more than 425 attendees.

Northside has 600 members on its begin to see the new chapter of Northside In 2014, the chamber’s medical staff and more than 1,500 Cherokee unfold before our eyes at Exit Top 10 Professionals to employees in Cherokee, she said.

19,” said Jennifer Stanley, community Watch included: Zach In 2014, Cherokee received the relations specialist for the local hospital.

Blend, Doug Fountain, Construction crews were expected to be VHA Platinum Award for Outstanding Michelle Homier, Blake on the site in mid-February, as grading and Commitment to the Partnership for Patients Kononen, Lee Lusk, Karen by providing outcomes in all 11 areas of site preparation work continued.

Norred, Brian Stockton, focus.

“This $250 million dollar project is the Rev. Jordan Thrasher, “We were one of only 29 hospitals what we consider an investment in our Shannon Wallace and Katie nationwide to receive this award,” Stanley community. We are your neighbors. And said. “We also were recognized by Georgia Wise. while we have grown, we haven’t lost At the annual event, the Hospital Association Partnership for the sense of community. At Northside 2015 Chamber chairman, Health and Accountability Core Measure Cherokee we feel it is important to give Jeff Rusbridge, was Honor Roll Chairman’s Category which back,” Stanley said. introduced and the 2015 places us in the top 5 percent of Georgia Northside Hospital Cherokee works First Citizen of Cherokee Hospitals.” with all facets of the community, such County was announced.

Frankie Shepherd, 71, was awarded the honor Right: Katie during the Cherokee Pearson, Community County Chamber of Relations Specialist Commerce’s annual Jennifer Stanley and banquet.

Billy Hayes stand in Shepherd said she grew front of the site for up in Cherokee at a time the new Northside when, as a black woman, she was made to ride in the Hospital-Cherokee. back of the bus and drink Below: A rendering out of water fountains of the new hospital. “designated with white and Northside has black.”

600 members on “Cherokee has come a its medical staff long way,” Shepherd said. and more than “I love Cherokee County.”

1,500 employees Shepherd dedicated her First Citizen award to her in Cherokee. In father who recently passed 2014, Cherokee away, saying he was “truly received the VHA a first citizen himself.”

Platinum Award “He was like me; he for Outstanding loved Cherokee County,” Commitment to she said. “And he would do the Partnership whatever he could to make for Patients by it a better place.”

Born and raised providing outcomes in Cherokee County, in all 11 areas of focus. / Special to the Tribune

Northside hospital to open in early ’17

Above: Jeff Rusbridge, the incoming chairman of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, speaks about his plans for the year at the annual meeting on Jan. 22. Below: Lewis Cline, right, outgoing chairman of the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce, listens to Justice Keith R. Blackwell give the keynote address at the meeting. / Staff-Kathryn Ingall

Shepherd graduated from Ralph Bunch High School in Canton and attended Tuskegee Institute to receive her bachelor’s in elementary education.

Shepherd taught second grade in Melbourne, Florida, for a time, but she said she moved back to Cherokee County when she was six months pregnant because she wanted her child to grow up in the community she loved.

In Cherokee, Shepherd taught fourth grade at North Canton Elementary School in 1970 and remained there until 1985.

She became the principal at Ralph Bunch High School until she retired in 1999.

During her time as a teacher, Shepherd was recognized three times Teacher of the Year and an award for Administrator of the Year. She was also a charter member of the

Georgia Leadership of Educators.

In addition to her community involvement in various boards and committees, Shepherd also serves as a mentor for youth and other members of the community. She awards a scholarship, named in honor of her mother, Eddie Mae Ferguson, every year to a freshman entering college.

Shepherd has also received several other awards throughout her career and in retirement.

She was presented with the Jean Harris Outstanding Volunteerism award from the Canton Rotary Club; the MLK Outstanding Community Leader Award; and the Speaker Thomas B. Murphy Lifetime Achievement Award from the State Democratic Party in 2012, among many others.

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HEALTH/BUSINESS

PROGRESS

ACWORTH

SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

3G

WOODSTOCK

Highway 92 improvements likely to enhance downtown

BY MICHELLE BABCOCK mbabcock@cherokeetribune.com

With planning underway to improve the Highway 92 corridor, which connects to downtown Woodstock, the future of the city is looking bright.

After months of gathering public input, planning and designing, the city of Woodstock People browse the firearms at the new Cabela’s in August. The Cherokee store opening marked the revealed a draft plan second of three planned Cabela’s stores in Georgia, and drew in about 5,000 people on its first day, for improvements to the with an estimated 15,000 visitors during opening weekend, organizers said. / Staff-C.B. Schmelter Highway 92 corridor last year.

The project began earlier in 2014 when Woodstock was awarded a Livable Centers Initiative grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission, which provides funding to help improve the Highway 92 Corridor east of Interstate 575.

The city held three public input meetings replica, emptying into a large glass

BY MICHELLE BABCOCK during 2014 and aquarium that displays local fish. mbabcock@cherokeetribune.com conducted an online Some taxidermy animals sit in large tree structures that stretch from the floor survey to gather Thousands of people flocked to information from to the ceiling, more than a dozen sit Acworth in August for the opening day community members. atop the mountain replica and others are of Cherokee County’s new Cabela’s Patti Hart, Woodstock displayed around the store. store, which bills itself as the world’s planner and manager of Connected to the large mountain foremost outfitter and sells hunting, the Highway 92 Corridor centerpiece is an interactive touchscreen fishing and outdoor gear.

LCI project, said residents kiosk, where visitors and children can The Cherokee store opening marked knew what they wanted. learn about animals, listen to sounds and the second of three planned Cabela’s “The areas that watch videos of the animals. stores in Georgia, and drew in about Highway 92 was most There’s also a Big Buck arcade game 5,000 people on its first day, with an lacking, in public estimated 15,000 visitors during opening where customers can try their hand at opinion, was aesthetics, hunting. weekend, organizers said. walkability and The gun section is complete with a Located in the Cherokee Village connectivity,” Hart said. background check area, a gun appraiser development, at the northeast corner “And many comments and the featured Gun Library. of Interstate 75 and Highway 92, the supported the availability The store also features a showroom 100,000-square-foot store has more than of some type of local for boats; a power sports section with 150 taxidermy animals are displayed transit.” motorized vehicles such as All Terrain throughout the store, and boasts more The draft plan, Vehicles; clothing for men, women and than 200 employees. presented late in 2014, children; a children’s section and gift The store has an indoor archery will undergo some minor section with outdoor themed items; range for testing bows, a Gun Library changes based on public a conference room for rent; a large featuring rare and expensive firearms, a input from the last fireplace and seating area; hand-painted cafe with about 50 flavors of homemade murals; a Bargain Cave; and more. fudge and wild game sandwiches, a The Augusta Cabela’s opened last fishing section with more than 1,000 March with a 42,000-square foot facility, fishing rods and much more. and plans for a 70,000-square-foot Ft. The store’s centerpiece is a replica Oglethorpe Cabela’s store are underway, of a mountain, 30 feet tall, covered in museum-quality taxidermy animals from with a projected opening date in fall 2015. elk, to turkeys to bears.

The Acworth Cabela’s is at 152 Flowing from the top, a creek and Northpoint Parkway, in Acworth. waterfall wind down the mountain

Cabela’s opening draws thousands

Right: Teresa Putnam of Woodstock high fives employees as she enters the new Cabela’s. Below right: Cabela’s employee Ethan Williams shoots an arrow at the ribbon to open the new Cabela’s.

Below: Ellis Duvall, center, waits in line with others for the new Cabela’s grand opening. Located in the Cherokee Village development, at the northeast corner of Interstate 75 and Highway 92, the 100,000-square-foot store has more than 150 taxidermy animals are displayed throughout the store, and boasts more than 200 employees. The store has an indoor archery range for testing bows, a Gun Library featuring rare and expensive firearms, a cafe with about 50 flavors of homemade fudge and wild game sandwiches, a fishing section with more than 1,000 fishing rods and much more.

meeting, but Hart said she expects the final plan to closely resemble the draft.

“The most notable proposed changes are the reduction in travel lanes from 12 feet to 11 feet,” Hart said.

The change, which the Georgia Department of Transportation said was an acceptable reduction, would allow for a median and decorative plants.

“This will improve the general aesthetics by breaking up the six lane expanse of Highway 92.

The addition of the seven-foot landscape buffer will help to address pedestrian safety by placing a wider landscape buffer between the sidewalk and the fast moving traffic,” she explained.

Since the improvements are part of a 30-year plan, Hart said there are some longterm projects that are still tentative.

One of these projects is a FOOT node — or Food Oriented On Transit node — a term coined by the Sizemore Group, a company that is helping to organize the project.

“The placement of one of these nodes along a trail segment would open up an opportunity for folks to walk to a small agricultural operation or orchard and a farm market, which would also satisfy the request for a fresh food market in the corridor,” she said.

The node on the draft plan was situated on the south side of Highway 92, across from the Noonday

Creek Trail, which has the potential to connect to Cobb County trails.

“We recognize that there is limited development potential for large areas of floodplain, but for the sake of the draft concept plan our creative team of consultants envisioned a FOOT node,” she said.

In the draft of the master plan, Hart said, the node is shown as green space. Since the property is privately owned, “we do not know to what level development is possible (if at all) in that particular location,” she said.

Another concept the city envisioned as a possible long-term project as part of the 30-year plan was a TOD, or Transit Oriented Development.

“A Transit Oriented Development is a mixeduse residential and commercial area designed to with opportunities for transit connections. In the context of Woodstock, this might include proximity to a park and ride, local bus, trolley stops or human service transit, more so than regional connectivity,” she said.

The public also expressed a need for redevelopment that would encourage more uses in the corridor they felt the area lacked, Hart said, such as grocery stores and businesses that could create local jobs.

Hart said the finishing touches will be put on the plan before it goes before the City Council for a vote to finalize it.

4G

SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

HEALTH/BUSINESS

PROGRESS

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Aldi opens its third store in the county

In four short years, Cherokee 75 Corporate Park has expanded from its initial 53-acre design to the 135-acre site.

Cherokee Office of Economic Development Chairman Marshall Day says the county has never been in a better position for growth in business and development. /

BY MICHELLE BABCOCK

mbabcock@cherokeetribune.com

Special to the Tribune

19 corporations relocate to Cherokee during 2014

BY JESSICAH PETERS jpeters@cherokeetribune.com

Cherokee Office of Economic Development Chairman Marshall Day says the county has never been in a better position for growth in business and development.

In 2014 alone, COED successfully persuaded 19 corporations to either locate or expand their regional and North American headquarters in Cherokee, several of which are based in one of the county’s corporate parks.

Cherokee’s newest corporate development, Cherokee 75 Corporate Park, has brought more attention to the county because of its ideal location, providing direct access to Interstate 75 and State Route 92.

The groundwork for this year’s success began to bubble in 2014, Day said.

“We’re barely into the second month of the year and we’re already talking with nine corporate prospects showing a great deal of interest in our community,” Day said.

In four short years, the park has expanded from its initial 53-acre design to the 135-acre site. Cherokee 75 Corporate Park’s newest tenant is MSK CovertechGroup, which plans to break ground on its new 30,000-square-foot North American headquarters this year.

MSK is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of packaging and logistics systems for pallet load units and large containers. The $3.8 million endeavor is expected to generate at least 30 high-salary, white collar careers, with the promise of continued expansion.

Inalfa Roof Systems, a global manufacturer of high-end vehicle sun roofs and roofing systems, was the park’s first tenant. Less than a month after it moved into its new 165,000-square-foot facility, the company announced expansion plans to increase its facility by 45,000-square-feet.

Inalfa is one of Cherokee’s largest employers with a skilled workforce soon to number in excess of 400 workers.

Martin announced in February that Inalfa is once again expanding by constructing a 52,000-square-foot facility.

“We’re so excited to be working with them again and to have 50 new jobs come in,” Martin said. “We had some tough years, but we built a foundation during that time and now we’re reaping benefits of it.”

In the most recent years, Cherokee has experienced some of the strongest job growth in Georgia, with new projects generating 480 jobs and existing industry creating another 150 jobs, Martin said.

A guaranteed sign Cherokee is coming out of a downturned economy is construction of the county’s first speculative building in eight years.

CANTON

John Rooker, CEO of an Atlanta-based real estate development and construction company, recognized the value of being in Cherokee 75 Corporate Park when his firm built Inalfa’s Regional Headquarters.

Rooker then purchased about 25 acres and announced plans to construct a 304,000-square-foot facility in the corporate park. Once built, the facility offers the option to be subdivided for two companies.

At least two corporations have already shown interest in locating there.

All accomplishments of drawing in new businesses speak to the COED’s goal of keeping Cherokee County’s highly educated population working where they live.

“Almost half of the county’s adult population has earned an advanced degree,” Martin said. “We don’t want to lose our talented and highly-skilled workforce to neighboring counties. Cherokee County isn’t a bedroom community of Atlanta.

Every day, with each and every success, we’re proving Cherokee is one of the best areas in Georgia to live and work.”

The Cherokee Office of Economic Development has developed a strategic plan to remained focus on bringing more jobs and economic growth to Cherokee.

The five goals it focuses on are as follows: ♦ PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: Available corporate sites and buildings to support the ongoing demand of prospective companies. ♦ RETENTION AND EXPANSION: Cherokee must retain industries and foster their expansion, especially since the best indicator of a thriving business climate is the health of its business community. ♦ ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION: Diversified local conomy and tax base leads to a self-sustaining community and provides employment opportunities for residents.

Cherokee’s Target Sectors include: customer service/technical support, financial services, healthcare, information technology, regional, national and international corporate headquarters, advanced manufacturing, small business and the entertainment and film industries. ♦ DEVELOPING, RECRUITING AND RETAINING TALENT: Cherokee must capitalize on its award-winning school system and utilize assets such as redeveloped downtown areas to aid in recruiting young talent to the county’s already skilled workforce. ♦ PERCEPTION SHIFT; MARKETING CHEROKEE: Cherokee must become a well-recognized brand for corporate growth by building awareness of recent business success.

“Statistics alone indicate Cherokee’s stronghold. From 2010-14, the county has seen an 84 percent increase in the number of prospects interested in Cherokee,” Martin said. “Each year, there’s been an increase. Each year, has been better than the last.”

Canton residents got a new way to shop for groceries last year, when the newest Aldi store in metro Atlanta opened its doors on Riverstone Parkway.

With two already in operation in Woodstock, the Canton store was the third location for the discount grocery giant in Cherokee County.

The new store, which opened Dec. 4, offers highquality grocery items at low prices.

Thom Behtz, a vice president for Aldi, said the company was pleased to bring Aldi to Canton.

“We challenge shoppers to switch from national brands to our high-quality exclusive brands and save up to 50 percent without compromising,” Behtz said.

“As important as price is, the only way to attract and keep shoppers is to have high quality products.”

Aldi, a German-based chain with more than 1,300 stores in 32 states, offers items from produce and meats, to dairy and nonperishables — even offering choices such as organic and gluten-free options.

The chain boasts big savings, and uses several cost-cutting practices to offer food items at low costs, Behtz said.

To keep the store efficient, he said, you won’t see bagging clerks, plastic or paper bags, in-store pharmacies or banks.

“Aldi eliminated overhead costs by offering smart practices, such as a

People browse the shelves at the new Aldi in Canton on Dec. 4.

With two already in operation in Woodstock, the Canton store was the third location for the discount grocery giant in Cherokee County. Aldi, a German-based chain with more than 1,300 stores in 32 states, offers items from produce and meats, to dairy and non-perishables — even offering choices such as organic and gluten-free options. / Staff-C.B. Schmelter cart rental system through which shoppers insert a quarter to release a cart and receive the quarter back upon the cart’s return,” Behtz explained. “Other cost-saving practices include a smaller store footprint, open carton displays and encouragement of customers to bring their own shopping bags.”

First time Aldi shoppers are encouraged to bring reusable shopping bags and to bring a quarter for a cart, he said.

Since the store doesn’t have bagging clerks, customers are expected to move their items to the bagging area after

purchasing to pack up before leaving the store.

And, to keep lines moving and prices low, Behtz said, the store only accepts cash, debit and EBT cards.

The Canton store features high ceilings, natural lighting and environmentally friendly building materials, Behtz said, “such as recycled materials and energy-saving refrigeration and light bulbs.”

The store, at 553 Riverstone Parkway in Canton, is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

HEALTH/BUSINESS

PROGRESS

WOODSTOCK

SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

5G

HOLLY SPRINGS

Dixie Speedway ready to roar into its 46th season

BY EMILY HOROS ehoros@cherokeetribune.com

When the flag drops at Dixie Speedway in mid-March for its spring championships, the dirt track will officially welcome its 46th season.

Mickey Swims, who has owned the track with his wife, Martha, since 1976, has been working for two months to prepare Dixie’s racing surface.

Swims said the mud, which is called brick clay, is unlike any dirt he has ever seen, which makes the preparation something of an art or a science.

“There isn’t really a time clock for it,” Swims said. “You kind of work on it from daybreak until night. We just work all the time. It gets easier after the opener, but we plow the race track and work it all during the winter.”

Swims, who also owns Rome Speedway, said the land around Dixie’s sister track has been his source of dirt for nearly 40 years.

When the track at Dixie needs more dirt, he hauls it in from the hillside adjacent to the track in Rome.

“It takes about 275 tandem loads,” Swims said. “It’s a special red clay. We’ve got about 150 acres over there. We did it right out of the mountain for the track over at Rome and (Dixie). I’ve been working as a grading contractor since the 1950s and I’ve never seen any dirt like it. I’m sure there is some somewhere else, but I’ve never seen it.”

This year Dixie Speedway received one such delivery in preparation for the 2015 season.

When Swims bought Dixie, the surface was asphalt, but he quickly converted it to dirt for a simple reason.

“We couldn’t make any money,” he said. “You’ve got more action on dirt.

These late-model cars come through running two-, three-, sometimes four-deep at 120 mph, with fire coming off of them.

Sometimes, they flip. That is what the fans want to see. They don’t want to see anyone get hurt, but they want to see a fender bent.

It’s a great show.

“When we took the asphalt up, our crowds tripled. They come for the action.”

Fans who come out to the track any Saturday night from May through September won’t find Swims sitting in a box or shaking hands with the

Employees Sean Fisher, second from left, and Jodi Finton, third from left, cut the ribbon during a ceremony at the new Wal-Mart in Holly Springs in June. The 180,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Super Center is led by Store Manager Robert Davis and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and features a garden center and photo center. / Staff-C.B. Schmelter

New Wal-Mart Super Center opens its doors working with Wal-Mart and said the new Holly Springs store off Lakeside Drive is pleased to be a part of the community.

The opening of a megastore in Holly The 180,000-square-foot Springs in the summer of 2014 ignited Wal-Mart SuperCenter a new spark of business activity includes all the usual for the community. departments, Davis The new Wal-Mart in said, but customers Holly Springs opened will see some its doors in June with a newer products well-attended ribbon on shelves and a cutting ceremony. modern building.

More than 100 “You can tell people crowded from looking the entrance to at the veneer the new store for of the building the official ribbon that it’s not just cutting in June, a typical store,” with employees, Davis said. The community leaders building features and residents present. a brick exterior and The 180,000-square— Store Manager its entrances include foot Wal-Mart Super Robert Davis curved roofs, glass and Center is led by Store exposed rafters.

Manager Robert Davis As opening day got and is open 24 hours a underway, the parking lot day, seven days a week quickly filled — and remained full into the and features a garden afternoon. The store has made an impact center and photo center. in the community by bringing 300 jobs to Davis has more than Holly Springs. a decade of experience STAFF REPORTS

Mickey Swims, who has owned the track with his wife, Martha, since 1976, speaks at Dixie Speedway in March. When the flag drops at Dixie Speedway in mid-March for its spring championships, the dirt track will officially welcome its 46th season. Swims said the mud, which is called brick clay, is unlike any dirt he has ever seen, which makes the preparation something of an art or a science. / Staff-C.B. Schmelter winners in victory lane.

He will be doing what he said he does best.

“It’s a challenge to do this, and I’m sure someone could probably do a better job, but I don’t think they can,” Swims said. “I still run the grader and the water trucks.

That’s where I want to be. I don’t want to be up there in the office.”

Starting early each Saturday, Swims waters the track with 300,000 gallons of water. That recreates a soft, slick surface before Swims — with the help of the race cars — iron it out leading up to the first race each night. It isn’t until midway through the action that Swims said he takes time to sit down and enjoy the excitement.

Swims never raced on a dirt track himself, but he said racing is what has always united his family.

When he was younger, he raced a drag car and even owned a track in Cumming in 1960, where his son, Mike, and daughter, Mia, got their introductions to racing.

“We raised them in it,” Mickey Swims said.

“They went where we went every weekend. We spent time together.”

While Mike Swims lost his seven-year battle with cancer in 2007, his son Chase became part of the family business, where he works alongside his grandfather and aunt.

The 74-year-old Mickey Swims knows he won’t be able to care for the track forever, and he’s happy to have his family involved.

“Somebody has got to take the reins one of these days and go on with it,” he said. “You never know from one year to the next year, but we have had good crowds always.”

However, the patriarch of the Swims family is quick to say that running a dirt track has been more of a hobby for him than a way to make a living.

In addition to the two speedways, Swims owns a landfill and a grading company.

“The bad thing about a racetrack is that you can only run it one night a week, six months out of the year, and then you are going to get rained out some,” Swims said. “It’s got its ups and downs, but we love it. We have been doing it with our family for 45 years. If I could go back over time, I would do it all again.”

You can tell from looking at the veneer of the building that it’s not just a typical store.

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♦ Dixie Speedway is at 150 Dixie Drive, Woodstock, 30189 ♦ Track office hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm ♦ Phone: (770) 926-5315 ♦ Fax: (770) 926-8339 ♦ Tickets are purchased at the gate on the day of event when the gates open, 5:00pm on most shows. Advanced tickets are only available on special shows.

Group rates are available for 15 or more with the exception of special shows. ♦ Grandstand tickets are $13 for adults on most shows, Ages 9-17 $6 and 8 and under are free on most shows. ♦ Tailgating tickets along the fence in turns 1 and 2 are $20 for adults on most shows, 11 and under are $11 ♦ Pit passes are $30 for adults. Parental consent form required for minors. ♦ Track facts: Year built: 1968 Attendance: 150,000 per year Average car count: 98 to 105 race cars per race event Property size: 150 acres Track size: 3/8 mile Surface: Clay Shape: D-shape Track record: Super Late Model held by Riley Hickman of Cleveland, Tennessee at 13.806 seconds, average speed of 97.78 mph Sprint car: held by Joe Gaerte of Indiana at 12.190 seconds, average speed of 110.76 mph

*According to its website

6G ♦ SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 ♦ CT ♦ HEALTH & FITNESS

HEALTH/BUSINESS

PROGRESS

SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

7G

HEALTH CARE

The keys to success WellStar president/CEO says health system is built on people who care

BY HILARY BUTSCHEK

hbutschek@cherokeetribune.com

Candice Saunders, the president and chief operating officer of WellStar Health Systems, said the success of the organization starts with the people who care for others at its hospitals and offices every day of the year.

“If I had to tell you what our key to success is, it’s built on our people and then striving for continuous improvement to get better on the safety and quality front,” Saunders said.

The WellStar team of 35,000 employees leads the health care organization to excellence, Saunders said.

“It’s really about people taking care of people, and we know that our patients or families come into our health system for care — whether it’s health care, helping them stay healthy or to prevent illness — but then also to have their needs identified from a diagnostic standpoint or treatment modalities. Then it all gets back to that quality of caring and keeping that human kindness as part of our health care system. We feel that people taking care of people becomes important, but we also need to make sure that we provide that competent care also,” Saunders said.

Saunders said WellStar also focuses on giving back to the people of the community by helping them when they’re in need.

“We make sure that there’s access for all of our community, and last year, we had more than $300 million of unreimbursed care that was part of our overall contribution to the community. We think it’s important that we provide access for all members of our community,” Saunders said.

WellStar offers unreimbursed care to people who don’t have insurance or the means to pay for their health care, Saunders said.

“As we look at the role that WellStar health system plays in our community, it really all goes back to our not-for-profit status and an integrated health system serving the region and especially Cobb County, and so as we look at it our mission is to care

for the individuals in the community and to continue to meet our community’s needs for health care services and to work also with the community to improve the health of the members of our community,” Saunders said.

Saunders said she and the other members of the WellStar Board of Directors keep the community in mind in making every decision, including how to spend its funds.

“We believe that every dollar that we invest and every dollar that we spend, you need to be able to tie that back to the community need,” Saunders said.

One of those efforts, Saunders said, is WellStar’s investment in a new record-keeping system called MyChart.

MyChart that stores a complete medical history of a patient so that every WellStar doctor can see it and coordinate the best care for that patient, said Tyler Pearson, spokesman for WellStar. The patient can also use the record-keeping service to request prescription refills or check test results, Pearson said.

Saunders said she focuses on supporting the WellStar staff so that they focus on helping patients.

“We need to make sure that we’re investing in our people so that they can make sure that our patients, our families and our community get the care that they need from us.

We have a dedicated team that’s constantly striving for excellence, so that means that we have a continued culture of excellence,” Saunders said.

In the coming year, WellStar will continue to work on expanding. Two health parks, one in east Cobb and one in Acworth, are already open “Those are outpatient destinations that provide the opportunity for a patient to come in, see their physician, get their diagnostic, urgent care and wellness services,” Saunders said.

WellStar will break ground on another health park being built in Vinings this year, and it will open in 2016, Saunders said.

Candice Saunders, the president and chief operating officer of WellStar Health Systems, said the success of the organization starts with the people who care for others at its hospitals and offices every day of the year. The WellStar team of 35,000 employees leads the health care organization to excellence, Saunders said. / Staff-Kelly J. Huff

8G ♦ SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 ♦ CT ♦ HEALTH & FITNESS

Progress Cherokee Tribune

2 015 Education // H

Building

blocks $38.6M Dean Rusk project plans to give school top-notch technology / 4H

INSIDE

Meet your

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S c h o o l

B o a r d

Enrollment rises to 40K / 3H

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SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

EDUCATION

PROGRESS CHEROKEE

Exceeding the average District schools continue to excel on statewide standardized tests and assessments

BY MICHELLE BABCOCK

mbabcock@cherokeetribune.com

The Cherokee County School District continued to exceed averages this year on a variety of statewide standardized tests and assessments. Cherokee County also continued to exceed state averages in elementary, middle and high schools on the 2014 College and Career Ready Performance Index.

The state began implementing the CCRPI in 2012 to replace the No Child Left Behind Adequate Yearly Progress measurement, which only gave schools a pass or fail score.

The CCRPI uses a 100-point system for rating schools and districts, but it has been undergoing changes since its implementation three years ago, as education stakeholders point out parts of the index in need of revisions.

Overall, the Cherokee County School District scored an average of 77.2 out of a possible 100 points on the 2014 CCRPI, rising above the statewide average score of 72 points.

Cherokee County elementary schools scored a 73.9; middle schools scored an 82.7; and high schools scored a 77.9.

The state average for elementary schools is 72.6; middle schools, 73.2; and high schools, 68.4.

Cherokee County students also continued to surpass statewide scores on the Georgia High School Writing Test, with 99 percent of district students passing it on their first attempt, compared to 96 percent statewide.

Students in 11th grade have to pass the two-hour test to show mastery of essential writing skills and earn a regular education diploma, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo said the schools and students did a

great job.

“This success is a result of not only the dedication and determination shown by our students, but also by teachers, administrators, support staff, parents, volunteers, local businesses and everyone in our community who advocates for our public schools,” Petruzielo said.

The district as a whole had a higher percentage of students pass the test on their first try, and so did each individual high school, results show.

The performance of CCSD’s students with disabilities also significantly exceeded state results, with 91 percent passing, compared to the state’s rate of 79 percent.

River Ridge High School had the highest passage rate of all six high schools in the district, with 100 percent of students passing on their first attempt.

Across the district, all of the high schools excelled.

Other district high schools’ passage rates were: Cherokee with 98 percent; Creekview with 98 percent; Etowah with 99 percent; Sequoyah with 98 percent; and Woodstock with 99 percent.

This is the last year for the GHSWT, since student writing will be evaluated in the future by the Georgia Milestones Assessment System.

Another area where students in Cherokee County public schools continued to surpass statewide averages was on the End Of

Course Test.

The Cherokee County School District had a higher average number of students pass the EOCT in every course it was administered in last year, results released this week from the Georgia Department of Education show.

EOCTs count for 20 percent of a student’s final grade, and the tests were administered in eight courses last year, including algebra, geometry, ninth-grade literature and composition, 11thgrade literature and composition, biology, physical science, U.S. history and economics.

Not only did students outscore state averages for passing the EOCTs in 2014, but the district also outscored state averages on all courses of the EOCT in 2013, figures show.

On average, Cherokee schools exceeded the state average of students that passed the algebra test by 17 percentage points, the data shows.

In other EOCT subjects, the district outscored state averages in: geometry by 14 percentage points; ninth-grade literature and composition by 6 percentage points; 11th-grade literature and composition by 3 percentage points; biology by 15 percentage points; physical science by 8 percentage points; U.S. history by 13 percentage points; and economics by 10 percentage points.

Yet another example of soaring

S C O R E S

C AT A GLANCE O Cherokee County School District scored an average U ♦of The 77.2 out of a possible 100 points on the 2014 CCRPI, N rising above the statewide average score of 72 points.

Cherokee County elementary schools scored a 73.9; T ♦middle schools scored an 82.7; and high schools scored a Y 77.9.

district scores last year comes from the 2014 Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Test, or GCRCT. Cherokee County students in all grade levels tested, grades three through eight, outperformed state averages on the GCRCT. GCRCT test results are reported based on how many students meet, do not meet or exceed standards in five subject areas: reading, language arts, mathematics, science and social studies.

For students in third grade, passing the reading portion of the GCRCT helps determine if they will move on to the next grade level. In fifth and eighth grade, passing both the reading and mathematics sections helps determine if students will be promoted to the next grade, Petruzielo explained.

“Of 2,927 students participating in the grade three

reading test, 96 percent passed on the first administration,” Petruzielo said. “Of 3,046 students participating in the grade five reading test, 97 percent passed on the first administration; for the grade five mathematics test, 93 percent passed on the first administration.”

Petruzielo added, of 3,037 students who took the eighthgrade reading test, 98.6 percent passed on their first try, while 92 percent passed the mathematics test on their first attempt.

“Eighth grade scores saw the biggest increases in students moving from ‘meets’ to ‘exceeds’ across subject areas. Greatest gains were seen in grade five science and grade eight science, and grade eight social studies,” Petruzielo said. “Eleven of the 31 CCSD schools administering the GCRCT had a perfect passing rate in at least one grade and subject area.”

EDUCATION

PROGRESS

SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

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CHEROKEE

Enrollment rises to historic highs

BY MICHELLE BABCOCK

mbabcock@cherokeetribune.com

As the ninth-largest district in the state, the Cherokee County School District saw enrollment rise to record levels in the 2014-15 school year.

For the first time in the history of Cherokee County public schools, districtwide enrollment surpassed 40,000 students last year.

With about 40,400 students, the school district greatly Barbara Jacoby exceeded the projected peak enrollment of 40,200 for last school year.

Despite quickly rising enrollment numbers, School District spokeswoman Barbara Jacoby said the first day of school was “extremely well-planned, smooth and successful.�

As the largest employer in the county, the district has 4,300 employees, including about 2,400 teachers.

While some schools were Frank crowded, Petruzielo none reached the point of being critically overcrowded for the second consecutive year.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo said long term planning and good policies helped the district be able to alleviate the critical overcrowding seen in the district in past years.

Above: Children make their way to their classrooms on the first day of school at Bascomb Elementary School on Aug. 4. As the ninth-largest district in the state, the Cherokee County School District saw enrollment rise to record levels in the 2014-15 school year. For the first time in the history of Cherokee County public schools, districtwide enrollment surpassed 40,000 students last year. Below left: Third-graders Sam Jarrett, left, and Will Giles do their morning work on the first day of school at Bascomb.

Below right: Bascomb Principal Ruth Flowers checks in on a kindergarten class / Staff-C.B. Schmelter The effort to eliminate critical overcrowding in the school district began in 2001, with an aggressive, multi-tiered Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax plan proposed by a committee of community leaders.

The plan, which has been extended twice by voters, continues with the construction of new/replacement middle schools to open campuses that both accommodate current and projected enrollment.

Early in 2015, the School

Board purchased new land in preparation for continued growth in the district.

The School Board voted to purchase 217 acres on Highway 108 north of Highway 20, in western Cherokee County, for $1.05 million.

The property would allow the school district the option of building a multi-school campus, which could include an elementary, middle and high school configuration or a middle and high school configuration.

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SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

EDUCATION

PROGRESS CONSTRUCTION

County builds for future with Teasley, Dean Rusk work

BY MICHELLE BABCOCK

mbabcock@cherokeetribune.com

With the opening of the replacement Teasley Middle School and the completion of upgrades to the Cherokee High School athletic facilities, the Cherokee County School District focused last year on building for the future.

Spanning 239,750 square feet on the district’s 47-acre property north of the Riverstone Plaza shopping center in Canton, the new $37 million Teasley Middle School opened its doors to more than 1,300 students in August.

With 1,400 computers in the school, there are more computers than students, and the school also features a 3D printer.

Another unique aspect to Teasley Middle School is the building also houses the Cherokee County School District Data Recovery Center, an air-conditioned room behind locked doors.

The room provides the district with a backup network system, in case of a major disaster or power outage.

As 2015 continues, construction on the replacement Dean Rusk Middle School is well underway, with completion slated for the 2016 school year.

The $38.6 million replacement Dean Rusk Middle School facility began in February, and once completed, the 255,037-square-foot building will replace the existing Dean Rusk Middle School, which is now more than 25 years old and houses fewer than 900 students.

Principal Cindy Cooper said the new facility, which will be built to house 1,600 students, is “absolutely” needed.

“This facility is going to provide sixth- through eighthgrade access to tremendous instructional technology, and it’s also going to relieve some overcrowding in the zone as well,” she said. “What is going to be within the walls of that new building is going to be tremendous.”

“My teachers are absolutely thrilled. They’re excited about the new technology and being in a new building, and what that entails,” Cooper said.

The technology upgrades planned for the new facility will give students and teachers many

Spanning 239,750 square feet on the district’s 47-acre property north of the Riverstone Plaza shopping center in Canton, the new $37 million Teasley Middle School, above and left, opened its doors to more than 1,300 students in August.

As 2015 continues, construction on the replacement Dean Rusk Middle School is well underway, with completion slated for the 2016 school year. As 2015 continues, construction on the replacement Dean Rusk Middle School, seen below left and below right in September, is well underway. Completion is slated for the 2016 school year. The 255,037-square-foot building will replace the existing Dean Rusk Middle School, which is now more than 25 years old. / Staff-C.B. Schmelter new opportunities for teaching and learning.

The school is being built using the same prototypical design as the recently opened Teasley and E.T. Booth replacement schools.

The new building will allow sixth-graders to attend middle school with seventh- and eighthgrade students, making Dean Rusk the final school in the district to move to this threegrade middle school model.

Once complete, the replacement Dean Rusk will hold 97 instructional rooms,

including: technology-rich classrooms with Smart Boards, computers and other resources in each room; art and music rooms; computer labs; a cybercafe-style media center; a global learning center; a gymnasium; and cafeteria/auditorium space.

The new facility will also house a Cherokee County School District Hearing Testing Center for students.

The new campus will also feature separate bus and car rider entrances and an internal drive system, allowing buses to move between adjacent schools

without the need to turn onto Hickory Road or East Cherokee Drive, Jacoby said.

Cherokee High School saw an upgraded football stadium, newly constructed softball complex and new field houses completed last year as part of a $5.8 million facility upgrade.

Cherokee High School Athletic Director Jack Wallner said the new facilities have had a big impact on the school and community.

“There’s a renewed sense of pride throughout the school with the opening of our multiple new

facilities,” Wallner said.

Also in 2014, Cherokee High School saw improvements to its athletic facilities.

As part of the athletic facility upgrade, Tommy Baker Field was laser-graded and widened.

Widening the field will provide safer sidelines and allow regulation soccer use, as well as improved drainage.

New air-conditioned field houses were constructed, which include locker rooms, shower facilities, training rooms, concessions area and public restrooms.

EDUCATION

PROGRESS

SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

5H

WALESKA

Reinhardt selects new president

BY REBECCA JOHNSTON AND MICHELLE BABCOCK rjohnston@cherokeetribune.com, mbabcock@cherokeetribune.com

Reinhardt University is poised for the future, while looking back on a productive year.

Reinhardt University’s new president, Dr. Kina Mallard, was introduced to the community Feb. 12.

After a six-month search, Mallard was introduced as the university’s 20th president by the Reinhardt Board of Trustees and Search Committee Chair William G. Hasty Jr. Hasty said Mallard has a “remarkable personality,” and is dedicated to serving Reinhardt like her predecessor, Dr. Thomas Isherwood, who retired after 13 years as Reinhardt University president.

Mallard most recently spent five years as provost and vice president for academic affairs, then executive vice president and provost at Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tennessee, and four years as academic dean at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts.

“I am totally confident Dr. Mallard has the experience, the intelligence, the education and the values to be the president of this university’s future,” Isherwood said. “Dr. Mallard, welcome to Reinhardt University.

Welcome home.”

As Reinhardt’s athletic programs continued to make their mark this year, a men’s and women’s track and field were added, said Lauren Thomas, spokesperson for the university. A new athletic indoor practice facility was built adjacent to the Field House.

Arts continued to take

center stage at the university with a number of music and drama programs at the Falany Center for the Performing Arts. Also, a new stage arts annex is being discussed.

Susan Naylor, associate professor of music, was selected as the Georgia Music Teachers Association Teacher of the Year for 2014-15. The award was presented to her at the GMTA State Conference at Clayton State University on Nov. 7, 2014.

Reinhardt University was recently certified as a “StormReady University!”

After completing a site visit with the National Weather Service, Reinhardt became the third institution of higher education in the state of Georgia to earn the certification.

Reinhardt graduated its first group of students from the Master of Public Administration program in December 2014. The students graduated after 16 months of coursework and study, compared to many institutions where the programs last two years.

A Reinhardt alumna of more than 30 years returned to her alma mater in a different role. Dale Scarlett Morrissey is now the Director of Fund Raising Campaigns and Church Relations.

She assumes the role from long-standing staff member Barbara Manous who served Reinhardt for more than 18 years.

Reinhardt received a generous donation from the trust of James E. Boring Jr. and Syble E. Boring, who were devoted supporters of the college. The contribution of more than $200,000 will allow the university to establish the James M. Boring Jr. and Syble E. Boring Scholarship Endowment.

U N I V E R S I T Y

R E I N H A R D T

AT A GLANCE ♦ Enrollment as of fall 2014 was 1,428 students; 94 percent undergraduate, 9 percent online, 89 percent full time; 48 percent female, 52 percent male. Student/faculty ratio is 17:1. Average class size is 12 students. ♦ Reinhardt fields 19 intercollegiate sports: men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, cross country, golf, lacrosse, tennis, and track and field; men’s baseball and football; and women’s volleyball and softball. ♦ The student activities council plans dances, service projects, coffee houses and movie nights. Activities include: an outdoors program, intramurals and student government; groups focusing on service, leadership, the arts, spiritual growth, music, and entertainment; academic disciplines and honor societies, as well as an online newspaper and a TV station. ♦ Reinhardt students can choose from six graduate programs or 37 undergraduate programs of study which range from business, education and music to political science, theater and digital art. In addition, Reinhardt’s Public Safety Institute includes a Police Academy which offers P.O.S.T. Basic Peace Officer Certification and 15 credit hours toward an associate degree in criminal justice and other public-safety related programs. *According to its website

The Funk Heritage Center of Reinhardt University

Georgia’s Official Frontier and Southeastern Indian Interpretive Center Hall of the Ancients and artifacts Huge collection of historic hand tools • Native American art Visit historic 1840’s log cabins A certified National Park Service Trail of Tears Interpretive Site 7300 Reinhardt Circle Waleska, GA 30183 770.720.5970 www.reinhardt.edu/funkheritage

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SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

PROGRESS

LEADERSHIP

County swears-in five BoE members

BY MICHELLE BABCOCK

mbabcock@cherokeetribune.com

The Cherokee County Board of Education saw many changes during the past 12 months, including welcoming four new members to the school board.

During the Board of Education’s first meeting of 2015, five board members were sworn into office.

New board members John Harmon and Clark Menard, and returning former board member Mike Chapman, were sworn in, along with sitting members Kyla Cromer and Rick Steiner, who were re-elected last year.

In 2014, Cromer was selected and sworn in to fill the vacant District 1 seat as an interim School Board member. Later in the year, Cromer was re-elected in a special election to serve her first full term.

Board member Steiner was also sworn in after being re-elected last year.

While Harmon and Menard began their first ever terms on the school board, Chapman had some previous experience.

Chapman previously served for 11

years on the Board of Education, before being drawn out of his old district in 2012 by state legislators during the redistricting process.

Chapman replaced outgoing member Robert Wofford as the new District 6 board member; Harmon replaced outgoing board member Michael Geist as the new District 3 board member; and Menard replaced outgoing member Rob Usher as the new District 5 board member.

School Board Chair Janet Read welcomed the new and returning board members.

“We all have one thing in common,” she said. “We ran for this job to do what’s best for the 40,000 students in the school district.”

After the new and returning board members were sworn in during the board’s first meeting of 2015, the crowd gave a standing ovation.

In a closed-ballot vote, the school board members selected Patsy Jordan to act as the new vice chair. Jordan is in the third year of her term on the school board.

Above: During the Board of Education’s first meeting of 2015, five board members were sworn into office.

They are, back, from left, Rick Steiner, Mike Chapman, Clark Menard and John Harmon and, seated at left, Kyla Cromer. Top right: Chapman, left, is sworn into office by Cherokee County Probate Court Judge Keith Wood. His wife, Mary, held the Bible during the ceremony. Second right: Cromer is sworn in by Judge Wood, as her daughter, Colleen, assists. Third right: Harmon is sworn into office using a Bible held by his family: wife, Whitney, sons, Brady and Andrew, and daughter, Hailey. Right: Menard, left, is joined by his wife, Dina, and daughters, Hannah and Gracie, as Judge Wood administers the oath. Bottom right: Steiner is sworn into office by Judge Wood. / Special to the Tribune

C O U N T Y S C H O O L D I S T R I C T

C H E R O K E E

AT A GLANCE

♦ The Cherokee County School District consists of 44 schools and centers: 14 elementary, Grades K-5; 10 elementary, Grades K-6; six middle schools, Grades 6-8; one middle school, Grades 7-8; six high schools, Grades 9-12; ACE Academy, alternative daytime program, Grades 6-12; Polaris Evening Program, alternative evening program, Grades 9-12; C3 Academy, online middle and high school program; Cherokee County Preschool Centers: Ralph Bunche Center, Little River Preschool and Oak Grove Preschool; and L.R. Tippens Educational Center. ♦ School board priorities: a. Establishing internationally competitive standards for student performance and an accountability system and policy framework designed to insure that all students are challenged individually and collectively to meet more rigorous standards. b. In collaboration with technical colleges, other institutions of higher learning and the local business community, insuring that vocational/technical education programs prepare students for a diverse and technologically rich society. c. Insuring that all students and staff have a safe and secure environment for teaching and learning. d. Attracting, retaining, and training the best teachers, principals, and support staff. e. Utilizing technology both to improve student achievement and to increase the school district’s productivity and efficiency as a major business enterprise. f. Increasing parental and community involvement through public engagement policies and practices that treat parents, businesses, community-based organizations and agencies, local institutions of higher learning and other public entities as true partners in the educational process. g. Addressing exploding student population growth, recognizing that there is a large gap between the school district’s facilities and technology needs and available capital outlay revenue. h. Reviewing the potential for utilizing the school district’s existing public education facilities to establish self-supporting community school evening/week-end education programs for interested Cherokee County adults. *According to the district’s website

EDUCATION

EDUCATION

PROGRESS

SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

7H

ATHLETIC FACILITIES

Cherokee High, Sequoyah see upgrades to stadiums

BY EMILY HOROS ehoros@cherokeetribune.com

Two of the county’s oldest high schools received upgrades to their outdoor athletic facilities in the last year.

Cherokee’s Tommy Baker Field and Sequoyah’s Skip Pope Stadium were those benefitting from the improvements.

Cherokee played the 2014 season with an upgraded football stadium, newly constructed softball complex and new field houses completed this year as part of a $5.8 million facility upgrade.

Cherokee High School Athletic Director Jack Wallner said the new facilities have had a big impact on the school and community.

“There’s a renewed sense of pride throughout the school with the opening of our multiple new facilities,” Wallner said. “We’ve seen a positive impact with our football program, our soccer and lacrosse programs, track, baseball, softball — all of those programs were impacted in a positive way.”

Completion of the project, funded with education special purpose local option sales tax revenue, was celebrated throughout the year, and Principal Deborah Murdock said the new facilities mean a lot to students, staff and the community.

“The end result is a masterpiece of function, safety and design. Our students and community are thrilled,” she said, thanking voters for approving the 2011 EdSPLOST. “I can’t express how much this means.”

Murdock said the upgrades will benefit thousands of students in years to come, adding plans for the upgrades started years ago.

School District spokeswoman Barbara Jacoby said the old facilities were in need of a makeover, with “a football field too narrow to permit all desired uses and with poor drainage, one field house constructed in the 1960s with outdated amenities and no softball facilities on campus.”

As part of the athletic facility upgrade, Tommy Baker Field was laser-graded and widened.

Widening the field will provide safer sidelines and allow regulation soccer use, as well as improved drainage. The home stands were also improved.

Murdock said the field improvements made it safer and more competitive for students, and Wallner added that “the new entrances are more accessible and modern.”

New air-conditioned field houses were constructed, which include locker rooms, shower facilities, training rooms, concessions area and public restrooms.”

This spring the soccer and lacrosse teams will have a chance to use the new facilities.

At Skip Pope Stadium, the changes were not as extensive.

The football field received what football coach James Teter termed a “facelift”.

The field had begun to retain water in recent years, indicating that it had lost some of its crown.

Dirt was added to the middle of the field to give it a slight arc, which will allow water to drain.

New sod was then placed on top.

The project, which broke ground in March, took less than six months to complete.

The track was also resurfaced, following the shift of the jump pits from one section of the field to another. The turf sections along the sidelines were also replaced with dirt and grass.

The soccer, lacrosse and track programs have all been able to use the facilities this year after having to practice and compete elsewhere in 2014.

Sequoyah athletic director Todd Miller said it was nice to have the project completed, so the athletes can put it to use.

“It’s always nice to get something new like this,” Miller said. “Hopefully, we will be giving the kids a better experience competing for years and years to come.”

Cherokee High School played the 2014 season with an upgraded football stadium, newly constructed softball complex and new field houses completed this year as part of a $5.8 million facility upgrade to its Tommy Baker Field, seen at top in July. Cherokee High School Athletic Director Jack Wallner said the new facilities have had a big impact on the school and community. At Sequoyah High School’s Skip Pope Stadium, seen above in July the changes were not as extensive as they were at Cherokee. The field had begun to retain water in recent years, indicating that it had lost some of its crown. Dirt was added to the middle of the field to give it a slight arc, which will allow water to drain. New sod was then placed on top. The project, which broke ground in March, took less than six months to complete. / Staff-C.B. Schmelter

8H

SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2015

EDUCATION

PROGRESS LIST OF CHEROKEE COUNTY SCHOOLS

CHEROKEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Arnold Mill Elementary Principal: Kerry Martin 710 Arnold Mill Road Woodstock, 30188 Phone: (770) 592-3510 Avery Elementary Principal: Dr. Pam Smith 6391 East Cherokee Drive Canton, 30115 Phone: (770) 479-6200

Canton, 30114 Phone: (770) 479-2550 Free Home Elementary Principal: Karen Carl 12525 Cumming Highway Canton, 30115 Phone: (770) 887-5738 Hasty Elementary Principal: Izell McGruder 205 Brown Industrial Parkway Canton, 30114 Phone: (770) 479-1600 Hickory Flat Elementary Principal: Whitney Nolan 2755 East Cherokee Drive Canton, 30115 Phone: (770) 345-6841

Ball Ground Elementary Principal: Dr. Keith Ingram 321 Valley Street Ball Ground, 30107 Phone: (770) 721-5900

Holly Springs Elementary Principal: Lisa Turner 1965 Hickory Rd. Canton, 30115 Phone: (770) 345-5035

Bascomb Elementary Principal: Ruth Flowers 1335 Wyngate Parkway Woodstock, 30189 Phone: (770) 592-1091

Indian Knoll Elementary Principal: Dr. Ann Gazell 3635 Univeter Road Canton, 30115 Phone: (770)-721-6600

Boston Elementary Principal: Joey Moss 105 Othello Drive Woodstock, 30189 Phone: (770) 924-6260

Johnston Elementary Principal: Kathleen Chandler 2031 East Cherokee Drive Woodstock, 30188 Phone: (770) 928-2910

Canton Elementary Principal: Beth Long 712 Marietta Hwy. Canton, 30114 Phone: (770) 720-6100

Knox Elementary Principal: Tammy Sandell 151 River Bend Way Canton, 30114 Phone: (770) 345-4307

Carmel Elementary Principal: Paula Crumbley 2275 Bascomb Carmel Road Woodstock, 30189 Phone: (770) 926-1237

Liberty Elementary Principal: Doug Knott 10500 Bells Ferry Rd. Canton, 30114 Phone: (770) 345-6411

Cherokee Charter Academy Principal: Dr. Scott O’Prey 2126 Sixes Rd. Canton, 30114 Phone: (678) 385-7322 Clark Creek Elementary Principal: Dr. Jennifer Scrivner 3219 Hunt Road Acworth, 30102 Phone: (770) 721-5800 Clayton Elementary Principal: John Hultquist 221 Upper Burris Road

Little River Elementary Principal: Christian Kirby 3170 Trickum Road Woodstock, 30188 Phone: (770) 926-7566 Macedonia Elementary Principal: Tammy Castleberry 10370 East Cherokee Drive Canton, 30115 Phone: (770) 479-3429

APRIL

Mountain Road Elementary Principal: Jennifer Landry 615 Mountain Road Woodstock, 30188 Phone: (770) 664-9708 Oak Grove Elementary Principal: Les Conley 6118 Woodstock Road Acworth, 30102 Phone: (770) 974-6682 R.M. Moore Elementary Principal: Jan Adamson 1375 Puckett Road Waleska, 30183 Phone: (770) 479-3978 Sixes Elementary Principal: Cindy Crews 20 Ridge Road Canton, 30114 Phone: (770) 345-3070 Woodstock Elementary Principal: Kim Montalbano 230 Rope Mill Road Woodstock, 30188 Phone: (770) 926-6969

CHEROKEE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS ACE Academy Principal: Richard Landolt 2450 Holly Springs Parkway Canton, 30115 Phone: (770) 345-2005 Creekland Middle Principal: Dr. Deborah Wiseman 1555 Owens Store Road Canton, 30115 Phone: (770) 479-3200 Dean Rusk Middle Principal: Cindy Cooper 4695 Hickory Road Canton, 30115 Phone: (770) 3452832

E.T. Booth Middle Principal: Dawn Weinbaum 6550 Putnam Ford Road Woodstock, 30189 Phone: (770) 721-5500 Freedom Middle Principal: Sheila Grimes 10550 Bells Ferry Road Canton, 30114 Phone: (770) 345-4100 Mill Creek Middle Principal: Elaine Daniel 442 Arnold Mill Road Woodstock, 30188 Phone: (770) 712-6400 Teasley Middle Principal: Dr. Susan Zinkil 8871 Knox Bridge Hwy Canton, 30114 Phone: (770) 721-5420 Woodstock Middle Principal: Mark Smith 2000 Towne Lake Hills South Drive Woodstock, 30189 Phone: (770) 592-3516 Cherokee High Principal: Debra Murdock 930 Marietta Hwy Canton, 30114 Phone: (770) 479-4112 Creekview High Principal: Dr. Adrian Thomason 1550 Owens Store Road Canton, 30115

Phone: (770) 720-7600 Etowah High Principal: Keith Ball 6565 Putnam Ford Road Woodstock, 30189 Phone: (770) 926-4411 Polaris Evening Program Principal: Dr. Curt Ashley 2010 Towne Lake Hills South Drive Woodstock, 30189 Phone: (770) 926-1662 River Ridge High Principal: Darrell Herring 400 Arnold Mill Road Woodstock, 30188 Phone: (770) 721-6500 Sequoyah High Principal: Elliott Berman 4485 Hickory Rd Canton, 30115 Phone: (770) 345-1474 Woodstock High Principal: Dr. Paul Weir 2010 Towne Lake Hills South Drive

Woodstock, 30189 Phone: (770) 592-3500

CHEROKEE PRIVATE SCHOOLS Cherokee Christian Academy Principal: Richard Goff 3075 Trickum Rd. Woodstock, 30188 Phone: (678) 494-5464 Community Christian School Principal: Elaine Thomason 152 Rolling Hills Ave. Canton, 30114 Phone: (770) 479-9535 Furtah Preparatory School Headmaster: Frederick J. Furtah 5496 Highway 92 Acworth, 30102 Phone: (678) 574-6488 Lyndon Academy Headmaster: Linda Murdock 485 Toonigh Rd. Woodstock, 30188 Phone: (770) 9260166