Johns Creek Herald, May 14, 2015

Page 1

Health & Wellness Sponsored section ►►PAGE 24

Girl Scouts have green thumb Leadership JC, Scouts team up to do good ►►PAGE 16

Drivin’ N Cryin’ play Newtown Park Part of summer concert series at amphitheater ►►PAGE 18

Honoring Jim Matoney

Former judge receives WARM reception ►►PAGE 8

May 14, 2015 | johnscreekherald.com | 75,000 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 19, No. 20

Johns Creek exploring parks without borders Will continue experiment until at least September

Cougars set sights on Eagles Hooch’s Kayla Kloes (21) plucks a loose ball out of the air while outrunning the Mill Creek defense in the Cougars’ 12-10 win. Read more about lacrosse playoffs, Page 12. AL LEVINE

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – A pilot program to create “parks without borders” has gotten a favorable nod from the Johns Creek City Council in its initial trial this spring. But at the May 11 City Council meeting, the council said it wants to continue the trial through the fall, when the city will have also completed its 10-year Recreation and Parks Strategic Plan. Johns Creek began a twotiered fee system in 2011 with city residents paying a lower fee to participate in programs when Alpharetta and Roswell did the same. Last fall, Alpharetta and Johns Creek entered into a memorandum of understanding to conduct an

experiment in youth softball in which the two cities would waive non-resident fees to gauge the effect on the programs of each city. GREER The spring softball trial has shown about 28 Johns Creek players signed up with Alpharetta teams rather than their own city, and fewer Alpharetta players came to Johns Creek. “That is understandable since Alpharetta has a strong, more robust softball program,” said Assistant City Manager for Recreation Kimberly Greer. The council decided to continue the experiment through the fall softball season, in part because the strategic plan will be finished and it is hoped will give council more perspective in evaluating expanding the

See PARKS, Page 4

Johns Creek declared Purple Heart City City honors veterans’ sacrifice in defense of freedom By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Johns Creek City Council took the step to honor the sacrifice of local veterans who have received the Order of the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in combat by declaring Johns Creek a Purple Heart City.

In doing so, the city is now part of the Purple Heart Trail, a symbolic and honorary system of roads, highways, bridges and other monuments designated to give tribute to those men and women who have been awarded the Purple Heart.

See HEART, Page 4

HATCHER HURD/STAFF

Announcing Johns Creek as a Purple Heart City are, from left, Councilman Bob Gray, Councilman Steve Broadbent, Cpl. Peter Manfre (medal recipient), Department of Ga. Commander Douglas J. Middleton (medal recipient), Mayor Mike Bodker, Lt. Ron Adams (medal recipient), Councilwoman Cori Davenport, Capt. Wayne Kidd (medal recipient), Councilman Lenny Zaprowski and Ga. District Vice Commander Walter Swenson (medal recipient).


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.