The Community Newsletter (Volume 25, Issue 4)

JONESBORO COMMUNITY NEWS

Volume 25, Issue 4 April 2021

One Great Community, Many Stories

Joy B. Day, Mayor jday@jonesboroga.com

Councilmembers: Pat Sebo-Hand, Mayor Protem Bobby Lester Tracey Messick Billy Powell Donya Sartor Ed Wise Ricky L. Clark, Jr., City Manager Tommy Henderson, III Chief of Police Richard A. Godfrey, Asst. Chief of Police David Allen, Community Dev. Director Joe Nettleton, Public Works Director Pat Daniel, Asst. City Clerk Ken Thompson, Finance Director Derry Walker, Code Enforcement Fincher Denmark, Legal Counsel Keith Wood, Municipal Judge Jerry Patrick, City Solicitor City Hall (770) 478-3800 Jonesboro PD (770) 478-7407 NON-Emergency # (770) 477-3550 TIP LINE: (470) 543-2011

CITY CENTER MOVES FORWARD

On March 8, 2021, the Jonesboro City Council approved Phase I of a fixed price contract between Hogan Construction Group, LLC, Contractor and the Urban Development Authority of Jonesboro, as the Owner. Phase I consists of the site development work and purchase of structural steel. The architectural design of the center, “New Art Deco,” echoes the progressivemindedness yet stable culture of the city’s leaders and the general public of Jonesboro. This project also aligns with the goals and visioning of the Blueprint Jonesboro master plan. The building is a two story steel-framed structure, clad in limestone veneer, glass with metal accents. The plan layout is organized around a two story atrium/lobby stretching the length of the building, acting as a common space to connect the various building departments. First level will include Community Room, Municipal Court, City Council Chambers, Probation Department, Police Department, Permitting/Licensing, Community Development, and Code Enforcement. Level two will feature City Hall Executive Administrative offices and support as well as the Jonesboro Police Department Executive Command Offices and a large conference room.

Broad Street Project Selected as Finalist The Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Best in Real Estate Awards were recently announced by Jenn Osborne, Events Coordinator. The Broad Street Project in downtown Jonesboro has been nominated in the category “Suburban Deal of the Year,” for its efforts to “spark economic development in the downtown area.” Winners will be announced at a special ceremony on April 14, 2021.

Veteran Flags Displayed on Memorial Day Recognize deceased Veterans in your family, or friends. Flags are displayed in our downtown on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day yearly with the name of your Veteran and their branch of service.

One registration will guarantee your display indefinitely two times per year. Let’s pay tribute to those who have served in our Armed Forces to guarantee our freedoms! Drop by City Hall and complete a form. ($20 one time fee) Deadline: May 8 for Memorial Day, 2021.

JONESBORO, LET’S GET N.E.A.T.!

STAY IN THE KNOW ABOUT JONESBORO! Visit our new Website www.jonesboroga.com Like us on Facebook Jonesboro City Government & City of Jonesboro, Ga Police Department

The City of Jonesboro is looking for civic & non-profit organizations, school and scout groups, commercial and private businesses, families and individuals interested in community service and helping to keep Jonesboro beautiful through the N-E-A-T (Neighbors Engaging And Teaming Up) Program. NEAT allows the adoption of a road within the City limits, creating a partnership of citizens and local government to: • Reduce trash and litter along city roadways • Promote civic responsibility and pride • Develop environmental responsibility and awareness / Preserve habitats • Raise public awareness & save taxpayer dollars For additional information or to sign up, please contact City Hall at 770-478-3800 or via email dwalker@jonesboroga.com.

Get to Know…

Samaria McCoy

Get to Know… Norman Siefken

JPD STATS: February 2021 Citations 469 Warnings 137 Accidents 53 Arrests 45 DUI 7 CID Active Cases 132 Active Warrants 515 Probation, Active Cases 325 Training Hours 24

Samaria McCoy serves as Administrative Assistance to the Chief of Police. She is a native of Berrien Springs, Michigan, but has lived in Georgia since the age of 1. Her duties include coordinating the Chief's schedule, receiving guests at the PD, handling correspondence and social media for JPD, as well as a myriad of other tasks. Samaria says she is a true crime junkie; she also enjoys crafts and incorporates that into her jobs tasks on a regular basis. She is the mother of a daughter, Sydney, age 11. Samaria McCoy is known around the City for her enthusiasm, dedication, and positive outlook. Thank you, Samaria McCoy!

Guest Columnist - Tommy Dupuis I was drafted in April of 1970. We got on the bus headed to Fort Polk from New Orleans. I was the first one to mess up and call a Sergeant “Sir.” After that I kept my mouth shut.

We got there and were assigned to platoons.

After 2 weeks and having an inspection my drill sergeant asked me if I was in his platoon.

Apparently I had succeeded in remaining anonymous! This was helpful throughout my military career until I managed to do something stupid at times. We would get up way before dawn and clean for inspection. Then we would run and/or walk about 3-5 miles before breakfast. At first it was killer, but after about 4 or 5 weeks of this we really got in good shape. I remember pulling KP: God I hated it. I was working in the dish and silverware washing section. This is when I learned that some of these guys had really marginal IQ's.

This fellow in the dining room on KP kept hollering for more spoons. More Spoons. I stopped washing knives and forks and washed tons of spoons.

He kept calling more spoons, more spoons. I replied that he had every spoon in the house.

He holds up a knife and fork and says, “More of these spoons.” OK, I got educated. I was with some brilliant minds and some borderline in the U.S. Army.

(Tommy Dupuis is a city resident, a native of Louisiana and a Vietnam Veteran. Tommy is a raconteur with an interesting background and many stories. He has worked on oil rigs, managed restaurants, and other diverse pursuits. He and wife Laura, have two daughters, Anna & Mary Katherine.)

Officer Norman Siefken has been a certified Police Officer in Jonesboro since December 2019. He was first employed by the City as a candidate as he attended the Police Academy. Officer Siefken patrols our streets and performs all duties including traffic enforcement and property checks. He attended high school in Stockbridge, Georgia. He is a dedicated family man and places honesty, integrity, and respect high on his list of traits necessary to be a successful police officer.

Officer Siefken is known around the city for his dependability and his desire to contribute to the safety of Jonesboro.

The Community News is always looking for pictures & news of family & citizens. Send notice of weddings, graduations, promotions, births, deaths, and any other newsworthy items to jday@jonesboroga.com, call City Hall, or drop by Monday-Friday, 8 am -5 pm.

CONGRATULATIONS Ken Thompson, Finance Director, on the birth of a granddaughter, Maggie Rose Ellis, born February 19, 5 lb.12 oz., 18 1/2 inches long.

CITYWIDE FREE GARAGE SALE DAYS* APRIL 23-25 *Register at City Hall IN REMEMBRANCE

Helen Steele 1927-2021

IN MEMORY

106-112 N. McDonough St.

Jo Maddox 1939-2021

Clayton County Humane Society needs your help! It takes an average of $16,000 per month to provide care and medical attention for rescued animals. During the month of April every $$$ donated to CCHS will be MATCHED by a very generous anonymous donor. Go to

www.claytoncountyhumane.org Make a donation in April.

Donations are tax deductible!

-Jonesboro Police Department’s Standard Operating Procedure: Chapter 3, Organizational Meetings, Chapter 11, Use of Force Chapter 12, Vehicle Pursuits -Concrete walkways across Broad Street.

-Event Center at 120 N. McDonough St. -City Code Amendment concerning building setback encroachments at 8364, 8362, 8360, and 8358 Douglass Trail.

-City Code Amendment, addition of Sect. 86 -118, “Gateway South District Overlay.”

-Installation of Public Art at Broad Street Plaza -Establishing Zones to the N.E.A.T initiative.

-Waiver of fee for usage of Lee Street Park

by Jonesboro High School Band Booster, Inc. for Annual Awards Ceremony on April 17.

-Guaranteed Fixed Price Construction Contract with Hogan Construction Group LLC for Phase I construction of the Jonesboro City Center.

-Agreement with Atlanta Regional Commission for updating City Comprehensive Plan.

-Res. 2021-002, “Authorizing contract with PropertyRoom.com to dispose of surplus and evidence room property and equipment.”

YARD OF THE MONTH

Nestor Feraro- 104 E. Mimosa Dr. Mr. Feraro has been a resident of the City for 21 years.

1.What is a rabbit’s favorite music?

2.How do rabbits travel?

3.Why are rabbits so lucky?

4.What happens if you get married on Easter?

1.Hip-Hop 2.By Hareplane 3.They have four rabbit’s feet!

4. Your live hoppily ever after.

COUNCIL NOTES - March 8, 2021

Approved:

ARE YOU READY FOR THE PANDEMIC TO END???

Access dph.georgia.gov for information on Covid-19 Vaccination opportunities and ***Take the vaccine ASAP*** Currently, fully vaccinated people should continue to:

• Take precautions in public, wear a well-fitted mask and maintain physical distancing • Wear masks, practice physical distancing, and adhere to other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease or who have an unvaccinated household member who is at increased risk • Wear masks, maintain distancing, and practice other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple households • Avoid medium- and large-sized in-person gatherings • Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms • Follow guidance issued by employers, and guidance from the CDC & health department travel requirements and recommendations .

“85”

CITY CLEANUP DAY

The Community News Jonesboro City Hall

Pre-Sorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Jonesboro, GA Permit No. 7

124 North Avenue Jonesboro, GA 30236

COMMUNITY CALENDAR APR 1

DDA, 6 pm, PD

APR 4

Easter

APR 5

Council Work Session, 6 pm, ZOOM

APR 7

Design Review Comm., 4:30 pm, CH

APR 12

City Court, 8 am, PD

APR 12

Council Meeting, 6 pm, ZOOM

APR 17

CITY CLEAN UP DAY

APR 19

Historic Preservation, 5:30 pm, CH

APR 26

City Court, 8 am, PD

APR 26

Beautification Comm., 5:30, CH

APR 27

Promotions Comm., 4:30 pm, CH LET’S WORK TOGETHER TO KEEP JONESBORO SAFE!

ANONYMOUS TIP LINE

SEE SOMETHING? SAY SOMETHING

City Garden Sign-Up

Plans are underway for Jonesboro City Garden. If you are interested in serving on the Committee, volunteering some work time, or having a space to grow your own veggies and flowers, call or email Samaria McCoy NOW at Jonesboro Police Dept.

(770) 478-7407 or smccoy@jonesboroga.com

FARMER’S MARKET OPENS SATURDAY, MAY 8

Lee Street Park 8 am -12 pm

CITY ARCHIVES

THE TAYLOR FAMILY - Circa 1986

1st row: Juanita, Annie Velma (Mother), Earnestine, Karen 2nd row: Robin, Melinda Joyce, George, (Father) 3rd row: Grace, Gwendolyn, Larry, Gregory, Carlton, Steven, Georgia, Dianne (deceased).

Rev. and Mrs. (Annie Velma) George Taylor and their 13 children were longtime residents of the City. Rev. Taylor worked for Eastern Airlines until their closure, then for Delta Airlines. They left a lasting legacy of family togetherness and love.

The Community News is published at Jonesboro City Hall.

Written & Edited by Mayor Joy B. Day. To submit news, email jday@jonesboroga.com