Forsyth Herald - February 17, 2022

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Fe b r u a r y 1 7 , 2 0 2 2 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 5 , N o . 7

County sustains parks ad policy Certain advertising banned on grounds By JAKE DRUKMAN jake@appenmedia.com

By JAKE DRUKMAN jake@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners agreed Feb. 8 to retain language in the county’s parks and recreation corporate sponsorship plan that bans certain businesses from advertising within parks. The rule prohibits “any business deemed inappropriate by the department” for a park or family-friendly environment. It also specifically restricts businesses that primarily focus on alcohol, tobacco or similar products from advertising within Forsyth County parks. The Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Board split on the issue at its Jan. 5 meeting, locked in a 2-2 vote on whether to ease the restrictions on advertising. One member abstained in the vote. The board ultimately decided to forward the matter to county commissioners and let them decide. Speaking at the Feb. 8 work session, County Commissioner Laura Semanson said removing the advertising restriction would send mixed signals. Products like alcohol and tobacco are not allowed in Forsyth County parks, she said, but advertisements for the products would be allowed if the rule was removed.

Forsyth County Parks & Recreation Director Jim Pryor addresses the Board of Commissioners at its Feb. 9 work session. The board voted to maintain a rule restricting certain businesses from advertising in county parks. In other matters at the work session, commissioners approved a septage receiving program for the Fowler Water Reclamation Facility. The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District directed the county in its most recent water resource management plan to create a program for receiving local septage. When the county upgraded the capacity of the Fowler Water Reclamation Facility last year, upgrades included building a septage

receiving station. The county currently has between 34,000 and 40,000 septic systems, and 250-300 more are added each year. Waste haulers looking to dispose of septage in Forsyth County will have to apply for a permit. The water reclamation facility will have the capacity to process about 12,000 gallons of septage per day.

County elections panel approves Sunday voting

Events commemorate Black History month

Area officials learn leadership skills

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County launches esports program geared to foster youth teamwork

JAKE DRUKMAN/APPEN MEDIA

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See COUNTY, Page 21

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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Kids rushed into the Old Atlanta Recreation Center Feb. 11 to play video games at Forsyth County’s organized competitive electronic sports open house. The esports room includes six full gaming PC setups, complete with headsets, light-up keyboards and gaming chairs. The computers sport relatively high-end hardware to provide a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience. On larger TVs, the esports center offers an Xbox Series X, a PlayStation 5 or a Nintendo Switch, each with multiple controllers to promote playing together. PC games available include Rocket League, Brawlhalla and Knockout City. On consoles, the esports room offers Mario Party, Mario Kart, Minecraft and more. All available games are rated E to E10+, meaning they’re all considered appropriate for children 10 or over. Felipe Carrasco, a student at the

See GAMING, Page 1


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Forsyth Herald - February 17, 2022 by Appen Media Group - Issuu